After battling my way through the horror that is Stachus, I finally made it to my first premium cinema experience at Munich’s Gloria Palast cinema; and while I was there, I got to catch the latest version of Pet Sematary. Yes, friends, the Creed family is back, and they’ve just moved from Boston to Maine where a secluded cemetery and a menacing country road are about to change their lives (or deaths) in a terrible way. So, if you’re looking for a new movie theatre to try out in Munich or if you’re wondering about the latest installment in the Stephen King revival, grab your popcorn and stick to you seats because I’m going to tell you all about it.
Gloria Palast: A Premium Movie Experience
The Gloria Palast is a luxury, 240-seat movie theatre with only one room that plays both dubbed and original film versions. So, of course, when I saw that they were playing Pet Sematary in OV, I betrayed my usual Cinema and took the chance to finally give this place a go.
The doors opened 30 minutes before the film was scheduled to begin and after squeezing past the coat check, I was greeted with a complimentary Kir Royal, which was great, except that now I can’t enter a room without expecting one. The cinema itself screams elegance with heavy red carpeting, creamy pin cushion detailing and plenty of glittering chandeliers. A wide, winding staircase leads to a large balcony with plush, roomy seats—each furnished with their own velveteen footrest and side table. Unlike the lower level seats, the balcony seats, with their movable armrests, seem tailor-made for a movie date cuddle session. So, if you’re going for more of a living room experience, definitely get a seat on the balcony.
Once you’ve reached your seat, the kindly staff comes by to take your order. If you’re craving a heartier snack, you can order an étagère such as the fan-favorite American Beauty, which comes with mini burgers, chips, and BBQ dip, or one of several other combinations (including vegan and vegetarian options). There are also tinier treats and desserts, along with classics like candy and popcorn. The food is what you would expect from a movie theatre: unremarkable, but ex
Orders are brought in before the film begins, and then you’re ready to enjoy your movie in an extra comfy seat with extra classy snacks. Of course, with all these tidbits to reach for, the Gloria Palast doesn’t get as dark as a standard theatre. So, if you’re there for a great picture experience, this might not be the right location for you. I also feel that all the space between moviegoers creates a sense of privacy that encourages more whispers during the film. This, of course, might exclusively pertain to the particular crowd with which I was watching the film. Some people just like talking in movies, and that is not cool guys. Don’t do it.
Nonetheless, I’m glad I splurged on a lavish movie experience at least once in my life. You should give it a try too, just maybe don’t pick a visually innovative film that will require you full and total attention.
Pet Sematary (2019): Yet Another Resurrection
Inspired by a Stephen King novel of the same name, (which, shocking, I haven’t read) Pet Sematary (2019) previously graced the silver screen in 1989. The first adaptation suffered lukewarm reviews, but the film retains a cult status and has featured prominently in pop culture for the past 30 years (The Old Farmer from Southpark comes to mind). Thus, even people who’ve never seen the film are sure to recognize key lines and imagery. The 1989 adaptation is goofy, gory and exaggerated, but a fun watch, without a doubt. The 2019 version seeks to correct the outlandish style of the original with a darker and literally foggier palate—seriously, there is a lot of fog. The film also gives the overreaching theme of mourning more appropriate dialogue and a heavier tone. Several characters are given a deeper emotional growth and development, especially Rachel, whose own trauma and experience with her sister Zelda’s slow death and deformity get more screen time than in the original.
As a drama about grief and acting against your better judgment
Another major alteration in the film (and we’re not talking about changing the breed of Ellie’s cat, Church) is in the age of the prematurely deceased Creed child. In the original film, a speeding truck kills Gage, who is only a toddler, and he proceeds to baby talk his way into several murders. In the remake, it is 9-year-old Ellie who falls victim to the road. This change certainly fits the emotional track of the exhumated film. The older victim is self-aware; she knows she’s dead. This higher level of maturity allows a deeper insight into the other victims of the secret cemetery. The new film is not only about those left behind when someone dies, but also about those who are forced to come back.
Overall, Pet Sematary is a story about the terrible decisions we make, even when we know we shouldn’t. Kindly neighbor Judd knows he shouldn’t show anyone the hidden cemetery, but his affection for Ellie fogs his better judgment. Louis Creed knows he shouldn’t bury anything in that sour ground, but his grief leads him in a different direction. What the film’s mysterious cemetery teaches us, is that we can’t correct the past. A reanimated corpse is a whole other being, and that’s rarely a good thing. The makers of Pet Sematary (2019) clearly didn’t learn this lesson. When they, like Louis, sought to resuscitate the first Pet Sematary, they also knew that it would not come back the same. They hoped remade would be better, but mostly they just proved the old premise to be true: “sometimes dead is better.” So, while, yes, the new version did surpass the original, it was no masterpiece. If you’re a fan, you should definitely watch it, but you can probably wait until it’s available for streaming.
Be sure to let me know what you thought of Pet Sematary, especially if you’ve read the novel. I’m curious to hear your opinions. Leave a comment below or check out Of Joy that Kills on IG.
