Stage 2 Reopening

As the cold of winter arrives in the Tri-Cities, we move into the final months of a year that has been characterized largely by uncertainty. The COVID-19 pandemic hit us all, taking the country off guard and drastically changing the systems we took for granted beforehand. Luckily, the states that make up the Pacific Northwest have handled the outbreak of this deadly disease with tremendous caution. Our region has fared well compared to other areas which were hit much harder. We are finally returning to a semblance of normalcy as more businesses are being allowed to open their doors to the public.

Evolving

In the past few months, we’ve allowed restaurants to open with expanded guidelines and restrictions in place. This was an effort to help protect the public. Social distancing rules have been in effect, plexiglass dividers have been installed between tables in dining rooms, and masks have become a common sight among waiting staff and those not currently seated at a table. We’ve covered some of the wonderful restaurants open to the public in the Tri-Cities before. You can read further about them here. Pay them a visit soon and tell them you heard about them on Windermere Current!

Cinema

The latest businesses able to re-open their doors to the public are movie theaters. Some feared that the COVID-19 pandemic might have brought about the end of cinema as we know it. Large indoor gatherings were banned, meaning movie theaters were hit harder than most businesses. Every showing was a large indoor gathering. Luckily, as with most other industries, they’ve been allowed to open again with extra safety regulations in place. Similar to restaurants, theater showrooms are only seating at half-capacity. Furthermore, moviegoers must wear masks to and from their seats at all times.

If you’re planning to take advantage of the theaters having reopened, purchase tickets online or over the phone in advance. Seating is reserved and with limited capacity, showrooms tend to fill up more quickly. Many of the films currently being shown have existed in a state of limbo for the past few months. They were released to an audience made up almost entirely of critics who were able to attend special screenings. Now is the first time that the general public is able to see these films. Funny, considering the fact that they were released some time ago.

Recommendation? Tenet.

A mesmerizing thriller by director Christopher Nolan (Memento, The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception), Tenet is a time-bending cinematic experience that will take you on a ride and leave you scratching your head long after you leave the theater. With a PG-13 rating, this film is excellent for adults, but fun for younger audiences too. It’s the perfect way to escape the hectic world for a few hours and get sucked into a world of globe-trotting espionage and mind-bending action.

Nothing compares to the thrill of experiencing a film on a massive screen with surround sound audio in an auditorium full of other movie lovers. Tenet is one of a handful of films out right now that aim to keep the movie industry alive and afloat. If you get the chance, support one of our local movie theaters. Take the family out and have a good, old-fashioned night at the movies!