For as long as I can remember, I have been an indiscriminate movie watcher. I will go see anything: Slasher, suspense, drama, comedy, chick flick, action, sad, happy, studio, independent, good review or bad.

It doesn't matter.

I can't explain why I love watching movies. It's possibly to escape the reality of my non-existent social life.

Seriously, I love the experience of going to the movies. There's something about waiting in line hoping that the movie doesn't sell out, weighing out candy from the bins full of Runts, Sour Patch Kids and Swedish Fish, finding an aisle seat — so that I can make my way to the bathroom halfway through the movie without tripping over people in the dark — and then finally settling in just as the lights dim and the green preview screen lights up.

Going to the movies was a staple of my weekend entertainment when I was in high school.

When I came to Penn State, my movie watching habits changed.

I would rarely go out to the movies because the experience changed. The first time I went to a movie theater in State College, I was distraught.

Where were the 24 screens? Where were the bins of candy?

And where were the cushy seats with the arm rests that lift up?

It was all gone — a fading memory. No stadium seating, no large screens, no nachos with spicy cheese. No cup holders!

It's barbaric.

I'm not coordinated enough to balance my Sour Jacks — a lame imitation for Sour Patch Kids — and my soda while attempting to remove my puffy winter jacket.

It's impossible.

You end up asking your friends to hold something for you while you get settled and then you do the same for them. It just takes way too much effort.

And then there is the problem of movie content.

Being from Philadelphia, I have many more options. If I want to see an independent film, like The Virgin Suicides, I can go to the Ritz. If I want to see a more mainstream film like The Perfect Storm, I can go to one of the multiplexes.

Then, the powers that be opened the Neshaminy 24 movie theater, which housed both art, independent and mainstream films — they have to somehow fill all 24 screens.

So, I ask you, where can I go in State College to see an independent film?

There are so many great films out that will never see the light of day in State College.

It's sad that my only choices of movies are between The Patriot and Me, Myself and Irene. It's not that I wouldn't want to see either of those movies, but I would like the opportunity to see Mike Figgis' Time Code — a movie that, for cinematography reasons, absolutely needs to be seen on the big screen.

The biggest problem with local theatres is the price. $7 for a movie? Unheard of — at least for students.

What happened to special prices for students? Back home, I never pay more than $5. Students are poor. We need cheap entertainment.

Going to the movies doesn't just entail buying a ticket; you still have to buy refreshments. $7, plus an arm and a leg for popcorn is too much for your average student.

I have heard rumors of a new theatre moving into the area. A theater complete with stadium seating and, hopefully, student pricing.

It's just too bad that I won't be around long enough to enjoy it.