It was no more than a week ago when I advised my own mother to stay away from movie theaters on Christmas, breaking years of Jewish tradition. Could you really blame me? A group of hostile hackers had threatened “9/11-style” attacks against theaters that dared to show “The Interview,” a political comedy that the media has transformed from a mere movie into a movement.
While many initially questioned the credibility of these threats, I can’t say I was among them. “Why take a chance?” I asked myself. Who knows what the so-called Guardians of Peace are capable of? However, once the U.S. government publicly stated that there was no evidence of an imminent attack on U.S. theaters, I knew there was little to worry about and proudly bought four tickets to see “The Interview” on Christmas Day.
The hackers’ threats ultimately proved to be baseless, but I wasn’t surprised to learn that the three grown men with whom I attended the film were nervous about going to the theater. Before seeing the movie, one of my friends said the movie felt “patronizing” and “antagonizing” and worried that a supporter of North Korea could exact revenge at a screening, recalling the Aurora tragedy.
Rational or not, my friends’ fears were understandable, but with nothing else to do on Christmas, we decided to attend the 4:20 showing at The Crest in Westwood, where there appeared to be no visible increase in security. I overheard a theater manager explaining to one concerned patron that there were no problems during an earlier showing and, thus, no reason to worry.
The Channel 2 news was interviewing ticket buyers and, having an idea what they were after, I volunteered to brave the cameras sans hair and makeup. The reporter was surprised to discover I had already seen the movie — I attended a press screening several weeks ago — but I told him I was there to support co-directors Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. “The Interview” made me laugh a lot once and I had returned to laugh again. I also said that while I could certainly understand how some might view the movie as offensive, I believe Seth and Evan had every right to make it. As terrible as the past month has been for everyone involved in “The Interview,” especially Sony, it was also inspiring to see America rally around its release, which has turned into a cause célèbre for politicians, the Hollywood community and the press.
At times like these, humor is important, and perhaps the funniest thing about the scary Sony ordeal of the past month is how a film ultimately paid for by a Japanese company, directed by two Canadians and shot in Canada has become a symbol of American values, including freedom of expression.
Anyway, we entered The Crest and bought concessions, including $7 rocket-shaped souvenir cups of soda, which will surely be collector’s items in the future. How much would the Supreme Leader pay me for one just so he could destroy it?
The theater was noticeably tense before the screening started. My own friends got into a brief verbal altercation due to one’s considerable height and the addition of several rows of folding chairs, while the people next to me were talking about how they’d heard the film was bad, but they were curious about it given all the media attention and wanted to see it for themselves.
Eventually people started slow-clapping and the entire theater burst into spontaneous applause as the curtains at the front of the house parted. You could tell the audience was ready to laugh.
There were no trailers. Hell, none of the studios deserved the opportunity to advertise their safe wares in front of such a “dangerous” movie, given their partial responsibility for the screen count drop for “The Interview.” The movie opened on 300-plus screens, or approximately 10 percent of the 3,000-plus screens that were originally planned before major theater chains (again, understandably) backed away from the hot-button film.
Rogen and Franco didn’t pop in to rile up the crowd like some of the other prearranged photo ops that other publications have covered, and only half the Crest crowd stuck around for the cute joke after the credits, but the audience seemed to enjoy itself throughout the movie, which earned big laughs at several points. The opening Eminem sequence was particularly popular, as was the unexpectedly gory climax featuring severed body parts.
As someone who had already seen “The Interview” watching it on Christmas through a different sociopoltical lens, the film held up upon second viewing, and I maintain that it says a few positive things about North Korea. The movie features a fun romance between Rogen and Canadian Diana Bang, who plays head of communications for Kim Jong-un. Meanwhile, the dastardly dictator, played to perfection by Randall Park, bonds with James Franco‘s Dave Skylark over Daddy issues and a shared love of American culture ranging from pop star Katy Perry to top-rated sitcom “The Big Bang Theory,” suggesting a common ground.
After the incident-free screening, my friends and I went out for Chinese food at Fu’s Palace, where they each revealed that they really liked “The Interview,” with two of them thinking it was better than Rogen and Goldberg’s last film, “This Is the End.” We should’ve ordered margaritas to commemorate our survival, but you can’t argue with free tea on a cold December day.
“The Interview” is currently available on YouTube, GooglePlay and other digital platforms … as well as select theaters.
Mom, it’s safe to go to the movies. Go have a laugh.
Sony Hack Attack Timeline: From First Cyberbreach and Leaks to 'The Interview' Release (Photos)
As Sony CEO Michael Lynton announces his resignation, let's look back at one of the darkest periods of his tenure: the Sony hack.
News of a massive cyberbreach at Sony Pictures began leaking out in late November. Later reports indicated the studio had been warned weeks earlier.
NOV. 24: The hacker group identified as #GOP purportedly took over computers and hijacked Twitter accounts, sending out ominous messages to Sony staff. Read more.
NOV. 25: Sony Pictures employees greeted with an ominous image on their computer screens when they tried to log in for the work week. Read more.
NOV. 28: Sony struggles to fight #GOP hackers who claim stolen data includes stars’ IDs, budget and contract figures. Read more.
NOV. 30: Investigators know North Korea is unhappy with comedy "The Interview," which makes light of an attempt to assassinate its leader Kim Jong-un. Read more.
DEC. 1: Studio has made progress in restoring critical business systems, insider says at the time. Later reports dispute this. Read more.
DEC. 1: Hack analysis: How much will this ‘nightmare’ cost? Damage to Sony’s reputation will be key in determining the cybercrime’s toll. Read more.
DEC. 1: Blogger posts a spreadsheet of the top 17 executives earning $1 million or more. Read more.
DEC. 1: North Korea denies involvement. A government official previously teased “wait and see.” Read more.
DEC. 2: Sony bosses Michael Lynton and Amy Pascal address "malicious criminal acts" in a company-wide memo to staff. Read more.
DEC. 2: Media outlets obtain spreadsheets including social security numbers and detailed performance reviews for 3,000 Sony Pictures employees. Read more.
DEC. 2: When asked if North Korea was involved, a spokesman for the communist country’s government replied, “Wait and see.” Read now.
DEC. 3: Salaries of ‘The Interview’ stars Seth Rogen and James Franco revealed in Sony hacking leak. Read more.
DEC. 4: Hollywood studios ramp up security in wake of Sony hack. Read more.
DEC. 4: North Korea reportedly denies involvement in Sony hack attack. Read more.
DEC. 4: Sylvester Stallone, Judd Apatow are among 47,000 employees compromised in latest leak. Read more.
DEC. 6: Sony Hack Attack "unparalleled," says head of cybersecurity firm. Read more.
DEC. 7: Sony hackers reportedly worked from Thailand and may have North Korean ties. Internet leaks of confidential data traced to a five-star Bangkok hotel. Read more.
DEC. 8: Sony hackers demand ‘The Interview’ pulled: "Stop immediately showing the movie of terrorism." Read more.
DEC. 8: FBI plan to hold employee cybersecurity awareness briefings on the Sony studio lot. Read more.
DEC. 8: Hackers sent top Sony execs a threatening email days before the attack. Read more.
DEC. 8: Hack exposes celebrity aliases for Tom Hanks, Jude Law, Natalie Portman and more in latest leak. Read more.
DEC. 8: Hackers leak sensitive email of Sony execs Amy Pascal and Steven Mosko. Read more.
DEC. 9: Hackers reveal animated ‘Spider-Man’ comedy in the works. Read more.
DEC. 9: Heated emails between Sony Chief Amy Pascal and Scott Rudin leaked. Read more.
DEC. 10: FBI says attack so sophisticated that it would have gotten past "90 percent" of security firms. Read more.
DEC. 11: Sony hack attack theory suggests North Korea was involved but had insider help. Read more.
DEC. 11: Amy Pascal and Scott Rudin apologize for racially insensitive remarks about President Obama. Read more.
DEC. 11: Kevin Hart responds to leaked Sony emails calling him a ‘whore.’ Read more.
DEC. 11: Hackers flash disturbing new warning on staffers’ computers. Read more.
DEC. 11: Amy Pascal talks to Sharon Waxman about whether she's so damaged she can no longer lead Sony (exclusive). Read more.
DEC. 11: Sony had evidence of server breach as early as February. Read more.
DEC. 12: Sony orders its name removed from "The Interview" marketing materials. Read more.
DEC. 12: Sony arm Crackle pulls hacker movie "The Throwaways." Read more.
DEC. 14: Sony demands media stop publishing stolen data. Read more.
DEC. 14: Producers reveal hackers stole James Bond "Spectre" script. Read more.
DEC. 15: Lawyer's letter confirms "The Interview" was the cause of hack attack. Read more.
DEC. 16: Sony hackers threaten 9/11-style attack on theaters that show "The Interview." Read more.
DEC. 16: James Franco and Seth Rogen withdraw from press interviews for "The Interview." Read more.
DEC. 16: Sony tells theaters they can pull "The Interview." Read more.
DEC. 16: Carmike theater chain drops "The Interview" after hacker terror threat. Read more.
DEC. 16: ArcLight Cinemas drops "The Interview" amid hacker threats. Read more.
DEC. 16: Sony CEO Michael Lynton's emails leaked. Read more.
DEC. 16: Former Sony employees file class-action suit against studio. Read more.
DEC. 16: Landmark Theaters cancels "Interview" New York premiere. Read more.
DEC. 17: Bow Tie Cinemas drops "The Interview." Read more.
DEC. 17: Judd Apatow says, "I am going to 'The Interview.'" Read more.
DEC. 17: Rosie O'Donnell says she will not see "The Interview." Read more.
DEC. 17: Five major theater chains pull "The Interview." Read more.
DEC. 17: Sony Pictures cancels release of "The Interview." Read more.
DEC. 17: Hollywood outraged at decision to pull "The Interview." Read more.
DEC. 17: Per CNN, US Government to announce North Korea was behind Sony hack. Read more.
DEC. 17: What are U.S. options if North Korea is confirmed as cyberterrorist? Read more.
DEC. 17: Steve Carell’s North Korea movie "Pyongyang" canceled in wake of Sony hack. Read more.
DEC. 17: Rob Lowe, Judd Apatow, Michael Moore and others express their outrage on social media. Read more.
DEC. 18: Paramount thwarts plans by theaters to replace ‘The Interview’ with "Team America: World Police" Read more.
DEC. 18: Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Rep. Peter King and Colin Powell weigh in on the cancelation of "The Interview. Read more.
DEC. 19: FBI officially implicates North Korea in Sony hack Attack. Read more.
DEC. 19: New Sony leak reveals 50 scripts from Michael Lynton’s inbox. Read more.
DEC. 20: North Korea denies involvement in hack attack, warns U.S and offers to join joint probe. Read more.
DEC. 20: Sony deletes "The Interview’s" social media profiles in wake of hack, movie’s cancellation. Read more.
DEC. 20: Mike Myers returns to Saturday Night Live, reprising his Dr. Evil role from “Austin Powers” to deliver some advice regarding the hack. See more.
DEC. 20: RNC chair Reince Priebus sends a letter urging the CEOs of 10 major theater chains to screen “The Interview.” Read more.
DEC. 21: President Obama insists on CNN that the Sony hack is "cyber vandalism," not "act of war." Watch more.
Dec. 21: Sony attorney says "The Interview" will be distributed despite hackers’ threats. Watch more.
DEC. 22: Security experts register doubts about North Korean involvement in hack. Read more.
DEC. 22: Sony threatens Twitter with lawsuit if additional "stolen information" appears on the service. Read more.
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As Sony CEO Michael Lynton prepares to exit, here’s TheWrap’s blow-by-blow of 2014’s devastating cyberattack on the studio
As Sony CEO Michael Lynton announces his resignation, let's look back at one of the darkest periods of his tenure: the Sony hack.