Should you upgrade your movie ticket to premium?

September 2, 2025August 29, 2025 ~ SA Otey

Regal Premium Experience has been out for a while, and in my opinion, is worth the extra price if you must see the latest hot garbage from Hollywood. You get a comfortable seat, a huge screen, and super loud audio with many speakers. I used to go for the 3D version but have since switched to 2D only because the picture is much sharper. They could make it even more premiumer if they had some way to keep the movie commentators quiet. Maybe some sort of EMP to disable all cell phones so that we are not blinded by blue screen light as we are engrossed in a Xenomorph chomping its way out of a human body cavity.

Of course at my house, I have a pretty large screen, super loud surround speakers, and all the popcorn I want to eat. I can pause the movie anytime I want so no one interrupts the Xenomorph cavity carnage.

Best Travel Snacks for Long Drives

May 15, 2025May 14, 2025 ~ SA Otey

In this part of the country, I look out for Pilot or Flying J. I prefer those stores because they have relatively clean restrooms and various beverages and food selections. Flying J Pilot stores have coffee that will flap your eyelids to your forehead like the old vinyl window shades at your grandmother’s house. I mix Pilot Dark roast with their Intense blend and throw in a Stok espresso shot it’s enough to keep you awake far beyond your destination.

Back in the college days before I drank coffee, it was Pepsi Big Slams and No-Doze for the long road trips. As long as I can remember I would choose a Pepsi product, Slim Jims, and white cheddar popcorn. Maybe some Doritos now and again. One of the biggest problems with eating chips in the car is never enough roof clearance to tilt the bag and drink the crumbs. Well, maybe if you buy small bags.

Unlock the Secret to Movie Theater Popcorn

May 6, 2025April 30, 2025 ~ SA Otey

Why is movie popcorn so delicious, yet we can never replicate it at home? I’ve gotten pretty close, and here’s my super, not-so-secret recipe.

Start with really good popcorn

I recommend Orville Redenbacher because of the quality control and consistency. Don’t buy store brands because they are all terrible. I may be wrong, but I don’t care. Store in an airtight container in the dark pantry. Use 1/2 cup per pop session.

Use Coconut oil

Pop your kernels in coconut oil, that’s what the theaters use. It has a high smoke point so it can get really hot and explode the kernels much better. Plus it tastes better. Use about 3 tablespoons

Use fine ground salt

Popcorn salt is different, it’s finely ground so that it sticks to all the popcorn’s intricate crevasses.

Top it off with fake butter

Real butter is good, but if you want to get close to the movie theater taste, lube up your bowl with this Buttery flavor Popcorn Topping. It may be unnatural, but we aren’t going for healthful when eating movie theater popcorn. We are going for taste, and this one is pretty close. Try substituting 1 tablespoon of coconut oil with this butter oil.

A Proper Popper

There are several ways to popcorn, but my favorite is the Whirley-Pop. It’s fast and easy to clean up

How to buy snacks at the movies

March 3, 2025March 10, 2025 ~ SA Otey

I wonder if those Pre-purchased snacks are worth the extra coin? Because recently at the movies I was getting a few overpriced snacks to finish during the previews. Because really, who waits on the movie to polish off a tub of popcorn. Anyway, I try to pick the shortest line but it never works out for me. I spotted a line with 4 kids and I assumed they were with an adult. To my delight, I saw that each child had their own ziplock bag of money. What I thought was a one to one parent/child transaction now turned into four minor transactions. At this point, all the other lines had snaked into a j-shape near the ticket booth so there was no turning back now.

Oh, it gets better! None of these kids could do simple addition and subtraction so they didn’t know how much money to give the cashier. Thankfully the cashier was able to compute the calculations without the need of an abbicus. Listen, I’m all for teaching kids that paper and coin money exists to be earned and spent. However, movie theaters won’t pause the movie while kids spend a year’s worth of allowance on costly snacks. Parents, do us all a favor and teach that lesson somewhere else. Kids are useful to haul away the goodies but not to partake in the commerce exchange. Maybe I will try Atom next time.