Magic Lantern is screening its movies online

Those of us who spend much of our free time haunting movie theaters have been missing actually going to the movies.

Yes, some of us are fortunate enough to have access to a number of screening sources through our various streaming services. But sitting in our living room and watching movies, even if you have a 60-plus-inch TV screen, just isn't the same.

Still, in this time of quarantine — and though it is upending life as we know it — staying at home is one way we can all fight COVID-19. So watching movies at home, even for inveterate theatergoers, is what we have to do.

And theaters recognize this necessity. That's why the whole industry is adjusting, shifting major releases until later in the year and making some films available through streaming.

Our local cinematic treasure, the Magic Lantern, is doing the same. Working through Vimeo, the Lantern is offering three movies right now for home viewing: "The Whistlers," "Slay the Dragon" and "Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band."

And the theater just announced that it will offer five more films online this coming Friday: "Sorry We Missed You," "The Woman Who Loves Giraffes," "Incitement," "The Times of Bill Cunningham" and "Saint Frances."

I've already watched The Band documentary and "The Whistlers." Each cost $12 to screen and was available for 48 hours.

Not exactly the same thing as going to an actual theater. Not nearly, in fact. But it may be the next best option.