Instant Gratification Entertainment

Tonight, or rather tomorrow morning, I am going to see Christopher Nolan's new movie "Inception" at midnight. This is nothing new for me; I've been to eight midnight movie premieres — mostly just so I could experience the thrill of seeing the films before most of the viewing public. It's also rather amusing to watch "Twilight" fan girls hyperventilate over the fact that two fictional characters are about to kiss. Yes, despite not being a big fan of Stephenie Meyer's vampire stories, I attended the midnight showings of the first two movies. They're more enjoyable that way, anyway.

It doesn't matter what I have going on next day when there's a movie out I want to go see at midnight. When "Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" was released I had an AP US History final exam the next day, but I showed up to the theater all the same and made it through school on three hours of sleep.

I was even convinced to dress up for the midnight premiere of the film version of "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince." Ten of us dressed up. My friend Katie even made a Golden Snitch costume. It was a very fun night and a great adrenaline rush.



I've even gone to two midnight book releases: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" and "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn." I was excited to be apart of history as the seventh "Harry Potter" book was released and read to from cover to cover after my friends and I bought copies. I agreed to go to the midnight release of "Breaking Dawn" for my friends' birthday celebrations. It was the most boring four hours of my life — we even bought coloring books so we'd have something to do. The wait was made worse by the fact that I didn't care. At all.



Even though television shows do not have special releases, I still insist upon watching my favorite programs live. I even watch the Oscars, possibly the biggest waste of a Sunday night, instead of waiting for internet updates so I can see who wins.

It's not really an obsession, I just like knowing and experiencing things before everyone else does. I don't want to be spoiled — especially when it comes to movies like "Inception" whose plot hinges on secrecy or cultural tent poles like the final "Harry Potter" book. With the internet, the potential to have plot summaries spoiled has increased exponentially. I just want my entertainment experience to be as pure as possible. Because, really, would being spoiled lessens the emotional impact and surprise. It's just not the same. Besides, it's entertaining to watch fangirls and fanboys get worked up to the point of crazy.