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A24 TECHNOLOGY
Saturday 23 February 2019

Film fan finds the real joy of movies is still in theaters

By ANICK JESDANUN ascent of the gigantic
AP Technology Writer Yosemite rock formation
NEW YORK (AP) — Sure, El Capitan in “Free Solo”
it’s easy to Netflix and chill wouldn’t have been the
these days. Or Prime and same on a phone. This doc-
recline. Or Hulu and ... well, umentary was even worth
whatever. But if you really watching a second time, in
want to savor a film, there’s the mega-size Imax format.
still no substitute for a movie Then there was “Cold War,”
theater. a Polish drama on romance
Turns out that there are few in the Eastern Bloc. It was
better ways to rediscover filmed in black and white in
the joy of heading to the the boxy, 4-by-3 frame used
theater than a year of free by TV screens of that era.
movie tickets, courtesy of That gives the movie a nos-
MoviePass. Among the talgic feel, even though it
greatest attractions: no dis- just came out. With stream-
tractions from Facebook, ing, video sometimes gets
online chats, household squeezed or stretched to
chores and what not. match the dimensions of
I was a regular moviegoer the TV or phone.
until ticket prices rocketed Sound quality at many the-
past $10 several years ago. aters far exceeds what I
In New York, $15 is now This Aug. 23, 2018, file photo shows Movie Pass debit cards and used movie tickets in New York. This could get at home. That
common; some theaters Aug. 23, 2018, file photo shows Movie Pass debit cards and used movie tickets in New York. became clear watching —
can charge $18 or $19, Associated Press and hearing — “Bohemian
even before 3D and other would have cost me $2,747 than many people. Having And while it’s convenient to Rhapsody,” about the rock
surcharges. Streaming at without MoviePass. That’s no kids means no worries be able to stream movies band Queen, and “A Star
home became far more 52 cents per film, a 97 per- about babysitters and bed- in bits and pieces, as time is Born,” a Lady Gaga-led
affordable — and conve- cent discount from $15. time. I can squeeze in a 10 permits, that detracts from drama on a singer’s rise to
nient. Who has time to go The deal was so good that p.m. showing after a night their rhythm and pacing. fame.
to the movies when you’re MoviePass no longer offers out with friends. Some movies, such as the True, theaters can still be
already behind on Netflix, it. Once the lights dim, it’s just Netflix drama “Roma,” are a hassle. You have to be
Hulu, Amazon and every- That MoviePass subscrip- the movie and me. meant to feel slow and de- there at showtime — and
thing else? tion has expired, but I’ve When watching Netflix, you liberate, but you lose that then big theater chains
But then came a too- already seen 42 movies on need discipline to put your feeling if you multitask on show nearly a half-hour of
good-to-be-true subscrip- other subscriptions this year phone or laptop away. I’ve Facebook. The Netflix thrill- trailers. (I typically read an
tion deal from MoviePass, — a mix of Sinemia, AMC sometimes had to consult er “Bird Box” just doesn’t e-book at low brightness
a promotion that offered A-List and memberships Wikipedia for a plot point feel right without the prop- or catch up on podcasts.)
a daily movie for a year for with individual theaters. It’s I missed because I was re- er buildup of suspense. Coordinating schedules
just $94. With ticket prices costing about $60 a month sponding to a text or read- Costumes and landscapes with friends can also be
no longer an issue, I ended in all, far more than the $8 ing about the next movie come to life on the the- complicated, though if
up seeing 181 movies — in- a month with MoviePass — to watch. Even folding ater’s big screen. Rock you’re OK watching movies
cluding most of the Oscars but all worth it. laundry takes your eyes off climber Alex Honnold’s alone, that doesn’t have to
contenders. Those movies I confess I have it easier the screen. nerve-wracking, rope-free be a problem.q

Report: Apps send sensitive user data to Facebook

By MAE ANDERSON ing revelations that the urged federal regulators to
AP Technology Writer now-defunct Cambridge step in to end the practice.
NEW YORK (AP) — Several Analytica data-mining firm The data-sharing is related
phone apps are sending accessed data on some to a data analytics tool that
sensitive user data to Face- 87 million Facebook users Facebook offers develop-
book, including health in- without their consent. The ers. The tool lets develop-
formation, without users’ U.S. Federal Trade Commis- ers see statistics about their
consent, according to a sion has been investigat- users and target them with
report by The Wall Street ing that flap as well and is Facebook ads.
Journal. An analytics tool reportedly in negotiations According to the Jour-
called “App Events” allows with Facebook over a mul- nal, Instant Heart Rate: HR
app developers to record tibillion dollar fine. Monitor; Flo Health, which
user activity and report it Hours after the Journal tracks a woman’s period
back to Facebook, even if story was published, New and ovulation; and real-
the user isn’t on Facebook, York Gov. Andrew Cuomo estate app Realtor.com
according to the report . directed the state’s De- were among the apps that
Facebook did not immedi- This Feb. 19, 2014, file photo shows the Facebook app icon on partment of State and De- sent data to Facebook.
ately respond to a request an iPhone in New York. partment of Financial Ser- The Journal found that the
for comment. It told the Associated Press vices to “immediately in- apps did not provide users
Journal that some of the The company says it re- what they share. Criticisms vestigate” what he calls a any way to stop the app
data-sharing appears to quires app developers to over privacy intensified clear invasion of consumer from sending their informa-
violate its business terms. be clear with users about nearly a year ago follow- privacy. The Democrat also tion to Facebook..q