Not everyone will be lucky/crazy enough to be in Washington D.C. next Tuesday, watching Obama's inauguration as part of the crowd. But if you're looking for the communal experience with the benefit of heating and plumbing, you have the option of watching the inauguration, live, at one of 24 movie theaters across the country.
MSNBC has partnered with Screenvision to carry the inaugural events from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, and you can get free tickets at MSNBCevents.com. What's in it for the theaters, explains The Hollywoood Reporter, is that noontime on a Tuesday is not a busy time for theaters, so they'll benefit from concession sales at a time when the theater would be empty anyway.
It's a tempting prospect for those who want to play hooky next Tuesday and go watch Rachel Maddow, Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews report live from the scene. None of the theaters being offered are near enough to me to replace my planned viewing experience at the local bar, but for those who prefer softer drinks for the inaugural toast, the movies is the way to go.
