Those were the days and I took it for granted.

Reason 1: Centennial Park.

Dallas’s version: Due to grading and drainage, the landscape is slopey, bumpy and a good portion of the screen is not fully visible.

John’s Version: Yeah, I agree, Centennial Park is rather lame. It does not have the beautiful lawns of Piedmont. It was my first time visiting CP  and I was not impressed at all. Bad move changing locals.

Reason 2: No outside alcohol allowed.

Dallas’s version: Not that I have the financial resources to bring along a wonderful Bordeaux or Napa red to the movie, but the fact that that option is no longer available takes away from the experience for me.  The event is now more commercialized and simple joys have been replaced with having to shell out $7 for a beer.

John’s Version: $7 for a fricking beer, ridiculous. I expect this at a ball game but at a park, when I’m there to watch a free movie, is outrageous. Not only do I expect a free event to have relatively priced concessions for obvious reasons, there are a ton of sponsors for the event. Clearly beer prices aren’t high to help fund the event they are high for no particular reason.

Reason 3:  The sound sucks.

Dallas’s version There is a good view of the screen from far away but good luck hearing the movie!  If you can’t read lips you might be in trouble.

John’s Version: All I can say is more speakers. If given the choice between hearing or seeing a movie I’d go with seeing. The view in the back is much better than the front but as you go towards the back the sound volume degrades quickly. Setting up more speakers is easy there is no excuse that they didn’t.

Reason 4:  People are rude.

Dallas’s version People standing up and walking in front of you after the movie has started for no apparent reason.

John’s Version: Not only that but people bring laptops which they leave open to entertain their small children. Rude people are everywhere but when everyone is there for the same reason (to enjoy a lovely evening and a movie) have some manners and some common sense.

Reason 5:  Pepsi is a sponsor.

Dallas’s version Really Pepsi?  The screen is right in front of the World of Coke and the Coke Headquarters!  The LED coke bottle was obnoxiously lit up behind the screen in an attempt to exert its presence and dominance over the Atlanta soda market.

John’s Version: All I can say is really?

On a positive note, it was nice to catch up with John after he was on vacation all week and being surrounded by the downtown architecture was a pretty cool backdrop.  Since we bounced early we didn’t have to fight our way onto a crowded train on the way back home.

We will be back but we’ll be better prepared, stake out a better spot, and bring more friends.  Maybe for Ghostbusters.