Has going to the movies changed for me? Yes. Dramatically

NOTE TO READERS: Reporter Erica Van Buren, like so many of us, has been challenged when it comes to adapting to the rising costs of everything from grocery shopping to finding affordable entertainment options, which she shares with you in this column.

Once upon a time, not long ago before Netflix, Hulu and other movie streaming apps, there was only one way for movie enthusiasts such as myself to view a film.

The big screen.

I remember when the cost of admission and a trip to the concession stand for a couple cost $20. This meant a trip to the movies happened more often than not.

March 24, opening weekend for John Wick 4, starring Keanu Reeves was definitely a theater must see. The cost of admission? $50. The cost of snacks? Popcorn and large soda $18. It's a good thing my husband doesn't mind sharing his snacks with me.

In case you missed it: Has grocery shopping changed for me in the last year? Yes. Dramatically

The $50 included the IMAX experience. IMAX allows movie goers to experience the film on a screen ten times larger than a normal size screen and features include a high-quality sound and video–providing an immersive movie going experience.

The Regal Cinemas Gulf Coast Town Center in Fort Myers tends to be our default theater. The few times we've gone the theater wasn't completely crowded allowing room to enjoy the movie without feeling claustrophobic.

Going to the movies is a long standing date night tradition. For some. For me it’s all about the smell of the popcorn, the way the lights dim signaling that the movie is about to start and the excitement of connecting with your favorite characters on screen. Then the car ride home where you share with your significant other or friend how the movie made you feel.

Do we talk during the previews? No. The previews are how we know what films to be on the look out for.

Not all movies are worthy of the IMAX experience. John Wick 4 was a movie masterpiece and was definitely worthy. The nonstop action, cinematography, choreographed fighting scenes-with John Wick using everything as weapon was everything I expected and more.

The 4th installment in the popular franchise grossed $138 million in its first weekend.

Another film that I deemed necessary to see at the movie theater, Creed III. I was hesitant to see it because I felt like everything that could be done had been done with this franchise. The film starring Michael B. Jordan, Johnathan Majors, Tessa Thompson and Phylicia Rashad did not disappoint. To say the writing, cinematography and plot was amazing would be an understatement. I really connected to this film.

Creed III grossed $58.6 million in U.S. box office sales in its debut weekend.

On top of having to battle it out with Netflix and Hulu not too long ago the Covid-19 pandemic proved to be a worthy adversary.

Not many people were going to the movies.

I deemed Queen & Slim, released in November 2019 right before the shutdown, a movie theater must see. It was something about the story line that I had to experience on the big screen. I didn’t get a chance to see it on opening weekend. It would be a month later before I would view it. At the time I was living in Daytona Beach. I relocated there for work. I didn’t know many people and an early evening flick was right on time. I ended up being the only person in the theater. This was heaven for me.

For me not all films are created equal. My genres of choice include horror, action and comedy.

Renfield, a horror/comedy starring Nicolas Cage and Nicholas Hoult, will be released Friday. I'm planning on checking it out.

Three cost effective things to keep in mind:

• Does the film fall into one of my favorite genres?

• Is it possible to catch a early showtime. A matinee is cheaper?

• Is grabbing a bite before or after an option?

Erica Van Buren is the underserved communities reporter for The News-Press and Naples Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@gannett.com or on Twitter: @EricaVanBuren32

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: John Wick 4 and other action packed films help keep movie theaters alive