Das Kino = the cinema
This past weekend, Jack and I saw Catching Fire at das Kino. There are a few theaters that play the Original Version of films (aka, in English!), and we were happy to find a time to see the 2nd installment of the Hunger Games Series.
*Side Note: The movie is flipping amazing. It aligns closely with the book. Go see it. I don't care if you haven't read the books. Rent The Hunger Games, and then immediately go to your local theater and see Catching Fire. Read this blog after. I mean it! Go!
Now that you've seen the movie, I can tell you about das Kino in Berlin. Going to a Kino seems like a very simple procedure. In America, you go to the theater, buy the tickets, and get your yummy theater goodies. You then hand your ticket to the guy who rips it, enter the theater, peruse around for a seat, and climb over a family or two to get the exact center seat. You then pass the popcorn, soda and raisinettes to your friend/family member/significant other to hold onto while you take off the many layers that you're wearing because it is cold outside. You then sit down in the seat that seems to squeak every time you move and take the yummy theater goodies while your friend/family member/significant other does the same thing. Then, you realize that you're cold, because even though it's winter and not even 40 degrees outside, the theater blazes the air conditioning. So, you pass the yummy theater goodies back to your friend/family member/significant other so that you can put back on your jacket. The process is repeated by your friend/family member/significant other. Finally, the previews start, you become a movie critic and evaluate the previews, and then watch your feature presentation.
Simple right? It's a little different here in Berlin. I shall explain:
In Berlin, you go to the Kino, buy the tickets, and choose if you want to sit in the front, middle, or back. Yes, there is a price difference. No, there is no sign that tells you this. Yes, prices are more expensive in Berlin than in the US, which is a shocker, since US movie ticket prices are so expensive! We chose the middle seats. While we did not buy yummy theater goodies, there are your typical yummy theater goodies in the typical monster sizes. You can also purchase wine and beer! You then go into the theater to your designated seats, which are not quite La-Z boy chair quality, but close. Oh my, are they comfortable, and plush, and spacious! You have room both in the seat and the aisle to move around. The theater is a comfortable temperature, so no need to add and take off layers continuously throughout the movie. Then, the lights go down and there are ads, which you think would continue into the previews and then the movie, but no. The ads are for the food that you can buy at the concession stand. After the ads play, the lights come back on and you are given an extra 5 minutes to buy food. Then, the lights go down again, more ads play, a few previews come on, and your movie begins. If the movie is longer than 2 hours and is playing after 3ish, they add an intermission. When the movie ends, the lights do not come back on until after all of the credits, and most people stay to read them. I thought that my Mutti was the only one who reads the credits, but apparently, she's not! Jack and I immediately stood up to leave when the credits started, but sat back down again when we realized that we were the only ones. Overall, a great experience at das Kino. While expensive, those seats are worth it!
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