Routine: Weekday Matinees

Like the average moviegoer, I had been going to the movies less and less. In part, the convenience of streaming steered me to the couch. But it's more than that: for a few years now, the joy of raising two boys has cut into the freedom of filmgoing. 

However, my youngest son has reached moviegoing age and I have rediscovered the excitement of an unexpected trip to the cinema. There's extra fun in surprising them with a Spider-Man film they didn't expect and barely understand.

Mediocre children's movies have made me realize an important lesson. When you're in the theater, good enough movies are good enough. I have started to find the time to take an extra hour for lunch every couple weeks to see whatever's playing at a convenient time, regardless of the Tomatometer. The movies don't have to be great to be magical. Often enough -- especially this time of year -- the critics were wrong and you've taken in a masterpiece at lunch.

This story first appeared in PROMPTS, Take Note’s email newsletter. Sign up now!