Behind the Scenes #10 December Excitement

Sinterklaas and the Finnish Independence Day are already behind us—unfortunately, no chocolate letters or Karelian pies for me this year. Even more painful: this will be my very first Christmas without family. Gourmetten will be traded for an Australian BBQ, and the Finnish snow will be swapped for 30 degrees on the Gold Coast. Despite missing both families, I’m counting down the days with great anticipation.

What am I waiting for? I can already hear my mom guessing: “Probably some boxing…”Well… Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul (Please don't let it be scripted) is marked in the calendar. Yet the real fireworks arrive even earlier, way before New Year’s.

Of course, I am talking about Avatar 3 hitting the cinemas on the 18th of December!

Although I’m a big fan of Netflix — and shoutout to Donevan for teaching me how to download from Pirate Bay back in the day — some movies you just have to see in the cinema. My dad is still disappointed that I once bought a burned Harry Potter CD from an illegal beach vendor in Alicante.  “I told you it wouldn’t work.” Now I finally understand he was right (for once): some films you need to see in the cinema. 

Who doesn’t remember their first cinema experience? (Tarzan!) Old movie theater ’ T'Saentje, wasn't that the best place in the world? Going with Grandma Jannie by bus, or biking there with Donevan for Law Abiding Citizen. Great times!

Sadly, ’t Saentje had to make way for the profit-driven empire known as Pathé, where snack prices rise faster than the actual inflation…A place where you’re practically forced to smuggle as if you’re auditioning to become part of the Pirates of the Caribbean cast.  I won’t mention any names, but I know someone who once smuggled an entire McDonald’s meal inside! 

In recent years, Finnkino became my go-to chain. Always handy, those Finnish and Swedish subtitles… Mission Impossible in Vietnam, Bad Boys 3 in an open-air theatre in Greece — and I still have no idea if that was even their alphabet.

I look forward to seeing Avatar 3 with English subtitles! 

And for those who don’t care about Avatar but do like incredible entertainment, Financial

Exchange and Cheaters Exposed are still available!