My Yearly Excursion to the Movie Theater

[Audioholics]

<A href="http://www.audioholics.com/news/editorials/yearlymovieexcursion.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 81px" alt=[stilltad051] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/stilltad051_th.jpg" align=left border=0></A>Sadly, there are few films released that I get excited enough about to want to see in a commercial theater. But with PIXAR, I am always tempted. So the release of Cars, combined with pleading from my wife and kids, broke my anti-theater resolve for the year. (Hey, I made it to June!) This morning, I was on my game. It is the first full week of release for the movie, it the biggest movie opening this week, so SURELY they will be showing it in their biggest room – best screen and sound system – right? It is raining, the mall is located in a coastal resort city, so it will be crowded – I will get there an hour early for the first (bargain matinee) showing, so I can get tickets early and good seats for my group of six...

[Read the Editorial]

 

[Sheep]

I hear the theater chains in the States can't hold a candle to the ones in Canada (Cineplex, Famous players).

Can anyone confirm this?

SheepStar

 

[markw]

I guess we're lucky being empty nesters.

We have several Lowes Cineplex (sp?) theaters in the area. The closest is less than four years old and is kept clean and in good repair. All rooms offer good sound but of the rooms in each cineplex offer digital pictures. Yeah, the snacks are way overpriced but they do offer a pretty wide selection, including "gourmet" coffee and ice cream along with the usual microwave hot dogs and nachos.

But, one benefit of being empty nesters* is that we can be selective of where and what we choose to go and see and, yes, Pixar is on the "must see" list along with some major action flix.

We follow two major rules:

1) We never go the week a movie opens. The following week, yes.

2) We never go on weekends or holidays. We like Tuesday through Thursday evenings in a non-holiday week.

So far, by being lucky enough to find a well maintained, clean theater and following those two rules we've never been disappointed.

But, we do on occasion make the trek into the big city in the middle of the week for a daytime Imax presentation (being semi-retired helps here) if we feel the movie is worth it. The last one we saw there was "Poseidon" an, while the movie itself was no great shakes, the visuals on that huge screen was great! That, combined with a dinner in the city makes for an enjoyable day.

* Another big benefit is being able to sugar and caffeine up the grand kids and give 'em back to their parents all wound up. Payback's a *****

 

[Kai]

I am now living in "theater wasteland". I swear the hard ware is left over from Edison's media room. Video is barely adequate, audio is too loud with little seperation, seats are barely adequate...food and drink is always overpriced...
I was spoiled by the super cinema in Massachusetts, my former domicile. The video/audio was superb, seating was large, reclining and very comfortable. Prices were similar to what I now pay but we always go to the matinees...far fewer people...saw X3 several days ago and there were five of us in the theater woohoo.

We always wait a couple of weeks and then hit the matinee.
I am hoping as our population here is booming...Fort Drum expansion...we will see a new theatre come in.

 

[Audioholics]

Another big benefit is being able to sugar and caffeine up the grand kids and give 'em back to their parents all wound up.

You, sir, are evil.

 

[markw]

Hey, we know on which side the toast is buttered.

You, sir, are evil.

We may very well be spending our last days living with 'em. It's good they think kindly of us, no?

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

<A href="http://www.audioholics.com/news/editorials/yearlymovieexcursion.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 81px" alt=[stilltad051] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/stilltad051_th.jpg" align=left border=0></A>Sadly, there are few films released that I get excited enough about to want to see in a commercial theater. But with PIXAR, I am always tempted. So the release of Cars, combined with pleading from my wife and kids, broke my anti-theater resolve for the year. (Hey, I made it to June!) This morning, I was on my game. It is the first full week of release for the movie, it the biggest movie opening this week, so SURELY they will be showing it in their biggest room – best screen and sound system – right? It is raining, the mall is located in a coastal resort city, so it will be crowded – I will get there an hour early for the first (bargain matinee) showing, so I can get tickets early and good seats for my group of six...

[Read the Editorial]

Nicely done article

 

[j_garcia]

Of all movies available, I avoid the Pixar movies in the theaters simply because I can't stand kids crying, talking, running around, picking noses, kicking seats, you name it, etc... during the movie. I enjoy kids, but not at the theater normally. However, we went to X3 and ended up sitting in an entire row of children 10 and under (at least 10 or so of them) and I was absolutely dumbfounded!! They were well behaved!! And there were only TWO parents with them... They deserved an award in my book.

A few weeks ago we went to see something or other and the sound was missing from the front - dialogue was almost completely missing, like if you unplugged your center channel. I went out and asked the attendant to check it and he said "There's sound, there's nothing wrong..." Wrong answer buddy. So what do they do? The turn it up...sure, that will fix the missing channel. So I (and about 6 others) go out and complain again, they come in and listen to it and realize something is wrong, what a surprise. After a few minutes, they figure it out, and fortunately this was during the previews.

 

[mytzen]

Would it be that hard for theater's to do a quick sound check each morning before opening? It would take maybe five minutes, just start up a movie and listen. Then again, employees are probably not giving paid enough to even care.

I cant stand going to theater's mainly because of babies and people who find it necessary to make comments every 5 minutes.

 

[ned]

I enjoyed the article. BTW, it will probably be availble in December in HD! Oh also microwave pop corn could be hazardous to your health.

 

[goodman]

Very enjoyable article that reminded me of my own recent excursion to see "A Prairie Home Companion". The film was excellent, but I would have waited for the DVD if the tickets weren't a gift. No problems with the well-behaved audience, but is was shown in the local "art" theater that was pleasantly decadent 20 years ago, but now smells musty even to my deadened olafactories. We will watch it again in a few months on our own
8' wide screen ensconced in ergonomically correct leather chairs. I'm sure that this time I'll catch most of the dialogue I missed in the theater.

 

[billnchristy]

I too finally went to the theatre for Cars. My 3yo daughter was excited about it as was my wife and I. Before that Star Wars Ep II, Ep I before that and I think before that was That teenage witch flick...I must say I enjoy sitting at home much more too!!

 

[Tom Andry]

Before my first son was born we used to go to Grauman's Chinese Theater all the time. I wouldn't go anywhere else. The subs would hit so hard that it would send wind up your pant-leg. Used to freak me out. Since I moved from LA, I don't go to the theaters anymore. There really is no point.

 

[jeffsg4mac]

I will go and see a movie if it is at an IMAX theater. If not, then I am waiting for DVD. Superman Returns is coming to our IMAX, and I WILL go see that.

 

[got_hp?]

quite awhile ago i decided i will never goto a public movie theater ever again, and so far i have had no trouble at all living up to that promise.


crying babies, cell phones, loud kids, loud old farts, people talking, people chewing with their mouths open, spilling popcorn/candy, crappy seats, crapy sound, crappy subwoofers, etc.........you want to PAY to experience that? no thanks.

 

[birdonthebeach]

I am glad to know I am not the only one. Somehow I figured many of you guys could relate......



jwc

 

[ned]

I will go and see a movie if it is at an IMAX theater. If not, then I am waiting for DVD. Superman Returns is coming to our IMAX, and I WILL go see that.

It probably is not the full lenght movie. Nevertheless I'll be interested as well given the chance to see it in 3D.

 

[birdonthebeach]

Actually, several IMAX theaters now show first-run movies - full length. Not in 3D, of course...

 

[markw]

Yep

Actually, several IMAX theaters now show first-run movies - full length. Not in 3D, of course...

Check for Lowes in your area. Some , not all, of their theatres have IMAX. That's where we go to an Imax.

Next up, "Superman Returns" next month.

And, I may be wrong, but I THINK I saw then advertising a feature in 3D a while back.

 

[mk7se]

I can toatlly relate to that article on every level. The Regal theaters in my neck of the woods leave much do be desired.
We do however have a theater own by Century and they are THX approved, you are welcome to bring your own snacks and are very well kept. You still have the annoying talkers and punk-*** kids though.

ENTER the new theater close to my house. Cinetopia. In a word AMAZING.
Every theater is High Def. Leather seats with room to stretch out your legs AND still be able to have someone who needs to pee, walk past.
Here is a link so you guys can drool. Peruse the site. Last I heard it was the only one in the country that shows high def.
http://www.cinetopiatheaters.com/cinema/theaters.htm

and a link from Klipsch
http://www.klipsch.com/newscenter/feature.aspx?cid=1153


Notice the no one under twenty one in the "living room" theaters. Live jazz before the show, food served to you in the theater before the showing. All for the same price as Regal.