Spokane’s not so bad, pal

If I thought moviegoing in Spokane could be a pain, then it’s all too clear that I had never watched movies in Santa Fe, N.M. In a recent short holiday in that northern New Mexico town, I attempted to watch three films. Two, “The Aviator” and “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou,” played in a wretched little box of a mall-based multiplex that featured small screens, bad sound and seats so uncomfortable that the Salvation Army would reject them.

Not only that, but people talked – and talked and talked. They talked so much, in fact, that it seemed as if we were all sitting in someone’s living room, exchanging comments about our gastric distress along with criticism of what was happening onscreen. The only good experience came when we saw Franco Zeffirelli’s “Callas Forever” at an art house located on the campus of the College of Santa Fe , which was much better in terms of atmosphere – as art houses tend to be – and in comfort (which was as unusual as can be).

By the way, here are some predictions: Oscar nominations for Martin Scorsese (Best Director, “The Aviator”), Leonardo Di Caprio (Best Actor, “The Aviator”) and Fanny Ardant (Best Actress, “Best Actress”).