I think my problem is when popular opinion and my opinion collide. In other words, when I allow myself to watch what the plebeians watch. For the most part the arthouse and indie/foreign/doc films aren’t as busy when I see them (typically weekday evenings or weekend afternoons), but trouble comes when I want to see the blockbuster at the multiplex opening weekend (Avatar, shortly), or when advance word gets to the plebeians that they should check out some indie film (Precious, recently). Outside of those occasions, I can typically avoid the opening day crowds.

I didn’t know there was one in your neck of the woods, either. There is kind of one in Williamsburg, in the couple of blocks of street that are blocked off to form a pedestrian mall adjacent to Colonial Williamsburg. My daughter saw “Flight of the Red Balloon” there.

And there is only one, to my knowledge, arthouse theater in my area, and that’s where I saw A SERIOUS MAN. The audience was the worst I’ve experienced in years. Talking throughout, laughing inappropriately, and, I suspect, missing the point of the film entirely. How could they not, with all the talking they were doing?

I actually knew somebody one time from Peel Jerk, Tennessee.

I’ve never been an opening-day person (acutally, I’m usually a pre-opening day – even opening year – person because of all the films I see at festivals and special screenings at the Siskel Center), but I did see Master and Commander on opening night with a friend who likes to be the first kid on the block. It was just fine, no bad behavior.

I would love to see Hitchcock and Ophuls and etc. on the big screen. When I was in the area early last summer, I just didn’t have time to go to the AFI. Maybe next time.

There Will be Blood was also a packed house at the AFI in Silver Spring when I saw it. All I can say to you and Ray and everyone really, as I’ve said before, is it is the best theatre in the country, to me at least. There is a HUGE multiplex with 20+ screens right around the block so the ONLY people that go to the AFI are film afficianados. My wife and I have seen silent films there (like The Crowd), foreign films (like The Earrings of Madame de…), old Hollywood quickies (like Carole Lombard’s White Woman) and new releases (like A Serious Man) and every time – EVERY TIME – the audience was perfect. No talking, no weird commentary, no disappointment at the lack of explosions or car chases, nothing. Seriously, if you want a good time at the movies again move to Silver Spring and take in all your movies at the AFI Silver. It’s phenomenal. I even got to meet Farley Granger when I saw Strangers on a Train there. I’ll put you guys up in my basement until you’re settled in.