Whoa. I saw Dunkirk in the new Dolby Cinema theater at AMC with the vibrating recliners. I'm sure OSHA needs to check the sound level because it was ear splitting. The recliner seat rattled and vibrated with every sound on screen. So now I need my butt bumped to understand a cinematic explosion? It was way too intrusive and too much like an amusement ride. I had to leave after being tossed into the isle by the bucking bronco recliner. The film itself seemed absolutely wonderful and I will return to see it on a normal screen with normal sound. I left the remaining four other victims in the theater to survive the movie without me.
So I was ejected from Dunkirk just in time to wander down the hall and find The Big Sick just starting. My lucky day. The theater had a big screen and big sound and it was so refreshingly cinematic. I don't know what to call the Dolby Cinema experience but it isn't cinema. Anyway The Big Sick was totally refreshing, well written, enjoyable, and had a lot of heart. It started out kind of too sweet and cute but soon evolved into an adult drama about family, culture, love, illness, and commitment. Yes, tears filled my eyes in several places but my emotional reaction came organically and I didn't feel pointed in that direction by story events. The complex inter-related themes worked together seamlessly. Highly recommended for those who like smart character driven comedy dramas with new cultural perspectives.
