Why going to the Movies is Still Better Than Home Theater

[admin]

There is no doubt in my mind that just about any decent home theater system I assemble, using some of the better equipment on the market today, rivals most of the local Cineplex’s (IMAX and Disney theaters not included). Virtually anytime I go to one of my local movie theaters, I almost always find faults in the audio or video quality. But despite the limitations of most local theaters, it is often still my choice venue when viewing full length featured movies

Discuss "Why going to the Movies is Still Better Than Home Theater " here. Read the article.

 

[GlocksRock]

hahaha, so glad I don't have kids!

 

[Jim Robbins]

I have kids, but they are old enough now to not be much of a problem (8 and 11). We usually use the home theater when they are in bed, and the Basement theater room is isolated enough from the bedrooms on the second floor of the house to be enough sound reduction usually. Once in a while the kids get out of bed, come down two flights of stairs and yell, "Dad, turn it down!". Most parents are yelling at their kids to turn stuff down, so I feel I have a distinct advantage with my kids as they become teenagers. *laugh* In any case, I still do enjoy going to a good movie theater, but not the local theater... The "Good" one is about 45 mins away from my house, but the $100 I spend for babysitter, dinner, and the movie, is sometimes worth it. One night, $100... Seems like a lot, but considering how much I have dumped into my home theater, it isn't all that bad. Plus, that's a fantastic date night with my wife! Oh, and watching a huge blockbuster movie with a couple hundred other people has a very interesting group dynamic you don't get at home. It's actually pretty cool on an opening weekend when a theater is packed and people "ohh", "ahhh", and laugh as one big mass!

 

[ned]

I'm not sure I totally agree with you. Do you mean to say there are no kids/teenager or adult acting like kids in movie theater? At least at home I can control the kids.

 

[Adam]

A couple of questions from a guy with no kids:

1) Is it illegal or unethical to muffle your kids and put them in a cage for a couple of hours? Movies don't last that long, after all.

2) If you're going to pay for a babysitter, couldn't you pay someone to watch your kids while you and the wife stay home and watch a movie?

(FYI, I'm not serious about the first one...no need to call the cops. At least not for that. )

 

[j_garcia]

Kid free zone. That's a laugh. Around here you pretty much can't go to the theater without there being kids there, even in movies that they probably shouldn't be watching... Our theaters are pretty decent in the area, but I still prefer to view at home. My kids are old enough to pay for their own movies...

 

[birdonthebeach]

we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one, Gene. (of course, my kids are now 10 & 14)

But I will say this, if I am LA, I will go to Westwood, in particular the Village Fox, and remind myself of what going to the movies SHOULD be like!

see my take on the theater experience...

 

[stratman]

Gene I'm not with you on this one bud, any movie worth watching (unless you go to a matinee) will be full of kids or worse, pre-pubescent teenagers (loud and obnoxious), so my HT is my get away from the cineplex and I have a 4 year old.

 

[Dolby CP-200]

we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one, Gene. (of course, my kids are now 10 & 14)

But I will say this, if I am LA, I will go to Westwood, in particular the Village Fox, and remind myself of what going to the movies SHOULD be like!

see my take on the theater experience...

Hmm aren’t those screens THX certified?


There’s nothing like attending the "Empire Leicester square" atmosphere is unlike any offer cinema in the UK, leg is very ample for most as well as comfortable for long hours the plumb plush red rocker is so choice.

Screen size is huge, probably one of the largest THX screens in a commercial cinema anywhere in London. The sound is unparallel its light years ahead of anything we have and all we can do is dream about going to the Empire and its powerful THX certified JBL sound system that boasts a staggering 56KW to satisfy most bass heads.

Looking forwards to popping along again soon for another action adventure film on the original big screen!

“Transformers” (2007) was loud and deep but made no sense I would have been more content to see “Cape Fear” (1992) Dolby SR at the Empire again at least I could understand what was happening.

 

[Guiria]

I think you're all missing the boat...the freedom of not having to be a parent for a couple of hours is what makes the 10. Who cares if there are other kids in the theatre, they are NOT YOUR kids, and not your responsibility.

OP...I'm with you all the way

PS. My kids are 2 and 4

 

[stratman]

I think you're all missing the boat...the freedom of not having to be a parent for a couple of hours is what makes the 10. Who cares if there are other kids in the theatre, they are NOT YOUR kids, and not your responsibility.

OP...I'm with you all the way

PS. My kids are 2 and 4

So basically going to the movies to get away from you kids? If I feel the need to get away from my kid the last place I want to go is a theater full of kids! For that I take my wife to a nice restaurant and drop off my kid with granny, thus I enjoy peace and quiet.

 

[j_garcia]

When they're not your kids that just means you can't do anything useful about it when they are the ones making all that noise during that $10 movie you are trying to watch.

 

[darien87]

At home I don't have to worry about someone's bratty kids. I don't have to smell some guy's stinky popcorn or hot dog. I don't gotta worry about some nasty, smelly dude sitting next to me. I don't have to show up an hour early to get a good seat. I don't have to worry about some shmuck talking on his cell phone.

I just don't like going to movies anymore. The only thing the theater has on me is a big screen.

I too am glad I don't have kids.

 

[Alex2507]

There are movies that I do want to see on the big screen. Sin City was one. IMAX 3D is still interesting to me. The best theater around here is in downtown Providence where I've yet to encounter inconsiderate "riff-raff" so all is well in that department. Going out is still going out. It's suppose to be fun. And at home I'm understandably concerned about the volume on account of neighbors. A night out at the movies gets two thumbs up around here, at least twice a year.

 

[tn001d]

Movie theaters suck in my opinion.

Last time i went to go see Bourne Ultimatum for the second viewing with my brother-in-law, they only had one speaker working!! and it wasnt even the center. I had to leave and complain to the manager. He said the film get worn out and the digital track pops in and out. So he switched it to stereo track and gave me my money back. I sat through the rest of the movie upset that the experience was totally different than when i saw it the first time during opening weekend. The same thing happened at the same theater when i was watching Lord of the Rings Return of the King. During crucial battle scenes the signal switched from surround to mono! i only free drink coupons then

There is one DLP theater in my area.. and i have never been disappointed when i went to see movies in that theater. I saw Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith in digital there and the experience was better than my home theater.

I rarely go to the theater anyway. I will go for special movies only, at most 3-4 a year.

With 1080p HD movies now at home.. i dont see why anyone would bother going out for movies, unless they cant wait 4-5 months to get at home.

 

[gene]

I think you're all missing the boat...the freedom of not having to be a parent for a couple of hours is what makes the 10.

BINGO!

If I feel the need to get away from my kid the last place I want to go is a theater full of kids! For that I take my wife to a nice restaurant

Who says you don't do this prior to going to the movie???

 

[Sheep]

I love how the first related article below this one is..

"Why I hate going to the movies!"

SheepStar

 

[stratman]

BINGO!



Who says you don't do this prior to going to the movie???

I'll end up getting heartburn.

 

[MapleSyrup]

I absolutely agree with the not being a parent for two hours. Thanks Guiria.

The wife and I went to see XMen2 and we immediately noticed surroud errors. Well, there wasn't any. Not only that but I pointed out that there was no sound at all except from the front center speaker(s). I talked to the young pimply-faced kid working utside the door and he radioed in my complaint (in a tone like he really didn't give a crap, but I fully understand he needs the job for college and all and the best of luck to him!!!).

Since the problem was not fixed after another few minutes back in the theater room, the wife and I left the room and asked to be seated in another. We were gladly accomodated and rewatched the opening scenes in surround. To me it was like a breathe of fresh air. the wife appreciated the difference as well. She's smart. Married me afterall.

 

[Jim Robbins]

Make 'em shut up!

When they're not your kids that just means you can't do anything useful about it when they are the ones making all that noise during that $10 movie you are trying to watch.

I saw 300 in theaters twice. The first time, it was a semi decent theater, and had a pretty good experience. The second time, the theater was crap, and there were a bunch of kids in the movie who must have been about 14 or something. I am pretty sure they bought tickets to a different movie, because they didn't have any adults with them. Anyway, they would yell at the movie and make rude comments very loudly. I was pretty ticked already because the video and audio sucked, so about half way through I stood up in the middle of the movie and yelled over to them to "Please be quiet" in a rather rude tone of voice. Heck, there were only 30 to 50 people in the 200 person theater anyway, so I didn't even care if I embarresed my self... But it was worth it to get those dumb kids to shut up. My buddy appreciated it, as it was his first time to see the movie.

So, next time some people are acting up at a theater, let them know they can shut up or get out! *laugh* Really, why bother going to get some other high school kid working at the theater to complain about the noise when it might be his friends, anyway.

Yes, you CAN do something useful about it!