NOVEMBER 14, 2025 HOMELESSNESS My love of movies CONFUSED CLOUD Groundcover contributor “Just be yourself, Sir, whatever happens they can’t take that away from you,” said Coleman the butler encouraging Billy Ray Valentine right before his first day working for the Duke & Duke Trading House in the classic movie “Trading Places.” This is one of my favorite movie They have quotes! I love movies. helped me through some of the darkest times of my life. It hurts me to hear that Hollywood and the movie business is struggling. I really hope it survives its current challenges. My name is "The Confused Cloud.” I compare myself to clouds because on a nice day they are very peaceful, but peaceful times, like clouds, are always temporary, at least for me. Stressful difficult times, like dark storm clouds, are always ahead. The confused part is that while I love to write, it is scary. I don’t know if writing my thoughts and opinions on things is appropriate. Basically I am weird. I used to fight this but now I just own it. So, about my love for the movies. They have provided me with escapism in my darkest moments. And unlike alcohol there was no hangover. I guess the hardest part is walking out of the theater and feeling my problems return. I have gone to the movies drunk many times. After awhile, even deep into my alcoholism, I found it pointless to do that. I would see the movies again during a dry time and realize that I missed the whole movie. I have gone with friends and enjoy that but I really like to go alone. I got over the bit of self consciousness from being alone after the first couple of times. I like all kinds of movies including science fiction, horror, action movies, comic-book-based movies, dramas, romantic comedies and regular comedies. I like both big budget and independent movies. I saw “Titanic” about five times and felt like I was in the time period. I felt like I was on a doomed cruise which fit my life at the time because I was drinking and had untreated mental illness so if I didn't change I was doomed. I saw the remake extension of The Karate Kid with Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith and felt I had taken a trip to China for about a month. If three hours of escapism isn’t enough I buy a ticket to another movie. Of course there’s the argument that I could just stream movies and watch them on cable. I like the feeling of being in a big theater. Also I have lived in several chaotic living situations and going to the movies helped me get away for a bit. Plus, of course, when I was homeless, streaming wasn’t an option. The last time I was homeless was in 2000. This was before the Delonis Center opened. I was staying in the men’s shelter about a block away from the Delonis Center. Back then there were several options for movie theaters including The Fox Village, Briarwood Mall and the Quality 16. Quite a few of us residents would catch movies to get a break from homeless life. Now on the bus line there’s just The State Theater, The Michigan Theater, and Cinemark Rave on Carpenter Road. To get to Cinemark I take AATA Route 6 past Platt and the freeway bridge on Ellsworth and get off at the driveway right before Carpenter. It is just a short walk from there. They have matinee pricing every day between $5 and $6.50 depending on the movie format. (IMAX is more expensive.) They also have discount Tuesday when tickets are between $5 and $6.25 all day except for new releases and special events. They have discounts for seniors, students and active military. The senior discount is greater on Monday after 6 p.m. Their phone GROUNDCOVER NEWS 9 Cartoon by Libby Chambers number is (734) 973-8424. I just joined the reward program where I get a point for every dollar I spend which can be used for concessions and free tickets. They have assigned seating and the seats are very comfortable. I also like the State Theatre. They also have student, military and senior discounts and matinees. I like Diet Coke and it was only $5 for a large which included free refills. I saw “The Smashing Machine” Friday night and it felt good to get away from the Friday night crowd. My full fare admission was $10.50. They also have assigned seating but they have the old-fashioned seats, not the more comfortable ones. Also they are not open as often as the Cinemark Rave. They also have alcoholic beverages if that interests you. I have only been to The Michigan Theater one time and it was for a special event so I don’t remember much about it. I like Emagine in Saline which has a bar and a refillable soda machine but it pretty much requires a car. Unlike the escapism I experienced with alcohol, movies actually help me clear my head. The solutions I come up with coping with movies are much more effective than the “inspirations” I used to get while drunk. A lot of those inspirations blew up in my face. Plus, like the quote at the beginning of my article, some movies do inspire and change my view of the world. This topic will hopefully be a different article but I personally believe my higher power who I call God, inspires me in many ways, not just in Holy Books like the Bible. Yes, I love the movies.
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