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Though there are better movies, I’m thinking that this, from Roland Emmerich’s 1996 sci-fi blow-em-up Independence Day, might be the definitive moment in 1990s blockbuster filmmaking. If you sum up that specific brand of bombasticism, it’s not really about a triumphant T-Rex, it’s wanton destruction

And while we’re talking about it, here is my favorite essay about disaster films, in which Despina Kakoudaki argues that 1990s disaster flicks employ images of disaster to explore contemporary ruptures in national politics and to offer a utopian and sublime alternative to our current conditions.

despinakakoudaki.orgdespinakakoudaki.org

Ah yes, the unexpected summer hit of 1996. Our general manager has under staff that opening day, she compared it to the year b4. I was the opening mgr, had 1 staff at the box window and 2 at concession. We had lines everywhere plus lines outside for the next showing. I will never 4get that day.

For real PT! I had been hired a few month before. I hadn't seen those crowds. It was ruff, tried calling staff in and since it was July 4th holiday no one wanted to come in to help out. It was crazy. Trying to help out box them concessions, setting up lines outside for next show. $$$ coming in

Almost nothing worse than an unexpected rush like that! With enough staff you probably could’ve interlocked and added more auditorium space too.

To be honest, they don't need aliens to do it. They're doing a pretty good job of destroying it through their own ridiculous choices. Yes, the rest of the world is (a) laughing; (b) pitying the American people who have to put up with this utter embarrassment. Good luck rebuilding it, I guess.