A great movie snack can be as memorable as anything viewed on the screen. The crunch of well-buttered popcorn. The savoury snap of an all-dressed hot dog. The sweet slurp of a jumbo soft drink.
One of my earliest childhood memories is seeing the Disney animated classic “Pinocchio” during one of its many theatrical re-releases. It was for my sixth birthday. I adored the story of the wooden puppet boy who yearned to be a real kid. I wanted Pinocchio to be my friend.
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As I sat transfixed by the movie, my mother handed me an iced treat on a stick she’d purchased in the lobby: a chocolate-coated orange sherbet delight called a Jet Bar. A wonderful film and my favourite dessert! Could life get any sweeter?
I had a similar experience as an adult many decades later, while attending the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas. I was watching a movie in the original Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, where viewers sit at cabaret-style tables and servers silently take food and drink orders all through the screening.
It was there I had the best piece of chocolate cake I ever ate. I forget what movie I saw, but I’ll never forget that cake.
Alas, my snacking is far less noteworthy for most of the screenings I attend. I love popcorn but I decided long ago not to eat it during the multiple films I watch per week. I realized early on that if I succumbed to that temptation, I’d soon have to be rolled out of the cinema.
Ditto for candy. I’m fond of strawberry Twizzlers and peanut M&Ms but I’m mindful of their high sugar content. All I consume during movies these days is water or coffee.
What about other movie critics and film experts? What do they love to eat in the dark? Turns out we’re all as opinionated about our snacks as we are about the movies.
Karen Gordon, critic, Original-Cin.ca: “Although a good movie theatre hot dog is a close second, my go-to favourite is still popcorn, unbuttered and unembellished, and a sparkling water. Maybe it’s partially nostalgia, but sitting in a dark theatre, munching on freshly popped popcorn, is still the best for me. And better yet, popcorn is easy to eat. You don’t have to divert your attention from the movie to make sure that nothing drips on your clothes.”
Steve Gravestock, former senior TIFF programmer: “Milk Duds. For a long time, I could never find them in Toronto cinemas. I always made sure to grab some when I was in the U.S. Then they showed up at the Lightbox when it opened. I think (late TIFF artistic director) Noah Cowan had something to do with bringing them in.”
Vincent Georgie, executive director and chief programmer, Windsor International Film Festival: “Venti Extra Hot Skinny Vanilla Latte with Oat Milk and Blonde Espresso — Starbucks, always — because I need to sip a latte and contemplate the film as I watch it. Viewing equals thinking equals sipping. And a big bag of Nibs to support the theatre!”
Thom Ernst, critic, Original-Cin.ca, author of “101 Fascinating Canadian Film and TV Facts” (due in October): “The key word here is ‘snack’: movie popcorn with a little butter and lots of salt. Leave the smelly hot food items for when the movie is over.”
Alice Shih, critic, Fairchild Radio: “My favourite is actually sweet popcorn — but not too sweet. There are also Asian snacks, but they’re not available at Cineplex.”
Anne Brodie, critic, “What She Said” radio show and podcast: “The best movie snacks are silent. Loud wraps are no-nos. Make mine gooey pastries.”
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