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LowEnergyCycle
03-23-2007, 09:17 PM
I went out tonight, on the Town, and got really quite drunk (there's some semblance of a point here... trust me;)). Anyway, en route from Pizza King (with a fine 12-inch Mexican Spicy Bastard in my hand, I may add), I happened across the one landmark in my town that actually meant something to me: The Majestic Cinema.

Twas once a place where, as a boy, I used to watch moovies, it being the only place for miles that you could do such a thing (stay with me... I'm in no fit state to be in front of a computer), it sorta had a major impact on my entire upbringing.

This place was the only Cinema in town at a point, and was sadly over-shadowed recently by a new Vue Cinema complex when the town center was revamped a few years ago. Alas the poor place struggled on and continued to play films despite being essentially redundant, and only recently did it finally close it doors for good. No doubt under the overwhelming pressure of a certain humongous conglomerate American (possibly...) company.

The only reason I mention it here, and thus waste your time entirely, is because the whole building was styled in the very same Art Deco way that Bioshock takes it's influence from.

Oh, and that the whole building is now surrounded by Demolition In Progress barriers, and in a few weeks will probably be rubble.

The fact that every single film I ever saw before the age of 16 years old was in this very place kinda saddens me somewhat. It made me, in a way. I drive past it every day to work, and every time I log onto this forum I remember it, for some ridiculous reason. It certainly holds a very special place in my heart: it was the epitome of The Little Guy. Standing up against the superior all-powerful VUE for as long as it could break bread.

And in a few months time it will be nothing but a capitalist, empire-funding, all-sparkly, brand spanking new modern-day office block.

And this is strange now. Because there's a weird connection between Bioshock and myself. The simple fact that this game reminds me of some stupid, near-derelict cinema building, means that it transcendences other, weaker games entirely.

Without even knowing it, Irrational have somehow crafted a game that will stick with me for the rest of my life, just as The Majestic Cinema has done so far.

So without wanting to sound drunk (and I am. VERY), thank you Irrational. You have managed to connect with me in such a way that no other person or persons can. Bioshock will glue itself to my (unfortunately short) memory forever, even in such a loose and stupid way, simply by choosing such a unique artistic pathway (in gaming, at least). I'd like to think that, even though The Majestic will soon be nothing but a memory, Bioshock will continue to remind me of The Little Guy: Standing up to the bigger flashier all-singing-all-dancing Fat Cats. There is still innovation left, despite any struggle. And as lose as the comparison is, it's still there.

Thank you.

And... erm... sorry.:o:o:o

Hatesink
03-23-2007, 10:11 PM
I was recently faced with the possibility of having to move out of the town I've lived in all my life.

I got up early one summer day and spent the day walking around the town visiting all of the old places I used to hang out with my friends— a band-stand, a park, a pub, a common.

I took a book with me— an Imagist anthology (a book of poetry).

In each place I wrote down notes, about memories, thoughts feelings, so that I could maybe describe a few images of my own. In many of the places, I read aloud from the anthology (I was alone), so that I could maybe imbue some of the lines with the sense of feeling I had in so many of those places.

Eventually it brought back a lot of memories and a lot of feelings and gave new power to some of the lines in the book, but ultimately I only managed to write one line:

"I remember your smile, and that's one thing you can't take away."

...that, and:

"I was a ghost today..."

As a writer, I'm not very prolific.

jackinthebox
03-24-2007, 01:23 PM
it's always sad to see old beautiful buildings being destroyed just because a new super polished block of concrete can take its place... if i was you LowEnergyCycle, i would try to get the doors or something of the cinema (something art deco) before they demolish it...

LowEnergyCycle
03-24-2007, 03:02 PM
it's always sad to see old beautiful buildings being destroyed just because a new super polished block of concrete can take its place... if i was you LowEnergyCycle, i would try to get the doors or something of the cinema (something art deco) before they demolish it...

Unfortunately the place is pretty well fenced off, and I'd have nowhere in my scummy 2-bedroom ground-floor-flat to store anything like that anyway.

You're right though. It is sad :(

I gotta lot of memories from that place.

Silent Film
03-24-2007, 03:45 PM
My old primary school was demolished over the summer with a new one built in its place. It was one of those old red-brick schools built around 1900, typical of that era, but it had a lot of character. I remember sneaking into the basement one lunch-break, it was chocker full of history - old desks, PE apparatus and books dating back generations. Likely that is all on some scrap heap now.

Speaking of cinema's though, the art deco Odeon in town closed about a year ago. When I had no afternoon classes at uni I would often duck in on the way home to catch an opening movie - you could virtually have the place to yourself in the daytime. It had a fair number of screens but it was a relatively small structure, so it had a kind of Tardis effect. Because of the way the screens were packed in it had a complex corridor system and despite visiting often I still had to follow the signs. :D

Having to now go to the large, warehouse-like multiplex cinema isn't quite the same, it's a soulless place.

Hatesink
03-24-2007, 06:01 PM
I guess if you remember the films you saw there, then watching them might bring back those memories.

Otherwise, if you want a keepsake, you could try and grab just a little piece of the masonry to hold on to.