The Movie going experience

[zipper]

I still enjoy seeing an action flick on the theatre screen but the prices are starting to chill me: $18 for my 2 kids & I plus $11 for one large popcorn & 1 large pop...........................insane.

The new 55" Mitsu. should make the HT experience much better vs my 32" JVC.................can't wait for college football to start.

Wish someone would open a movie bar, like Shinerman spoke of, around here.

 

[aceclown]

I usually only go to THX certified theaters. There is a multiplex about 30 miles away me that has 5 of them. The price of admission normally drives away any joker that is there for no reason.

 

[Cygnus]

That said is it just me or are kids getting dumber, bigger, uglier and louder while loosing all concept of manners. (not you Cygnus)

Hehe thanks ...I do agree with you though...manners etc. of *other* (meaning not me) teenagers is just terrible.

Besides, I love brownies, warm from the oven with a big scoop of ice cream, while I watch a movie. Try getting that at cinema.

Amen to that!

 

[HookedOnSound]

I have to agree with alot of ppl on this topic, the erosion of movie theatre etiquette, better HT setup, ticket prices, comfort/conveniences of being at home are all reasons why I enjoy watching movies in the home but I also like the movie theatre.

Reason for me: I don't have a big screen at home and some movies just don't have the same effect unless being viewed on the big screen. I watched LOTRs both at the theatre and at home I can honestly I enjoyed it alot more at the theatre.

You know what they say: " Size does Matter!"

Happy viewing!

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Oh the theater, how do I hate the? Let me count the ways.....

* Have to drive 20 miles to nearest town with cinema
* Their octoplex (8 screens) has (poor) stereo sound with no subwoofers
* The picture quality is only so-so. except theater 3 which has a large crease in the middle of the screen
* All of the theaters have seats missing. Like the room is the jawline of a cronic tobacco-chewer
* The seats are fabric, squeek, don't recline, and covered in 20 years of stains
* sticky floors
* $8 tickets
* $8 medium(!) popcorn. Small is $7, Kiddy (which is about a pound) is $6, Large is $9, and X-Large is $10. $10 freakin bucks for popcorn!
* Soda pricing is similar to popcorn.
* Bottle of water $4.25 (What is this, Woodstock '99?)
* I'm sure the 8lb sack of Junior Mints cost more than a used Hyundai, but I don't eat candy.
* Popcorn usually cold. Covered in a disgusting imitation butter-like grease
* Soda watered-down, and mostly ice in the cup
* general public likes to go to movies, and bring their kids
* general public has to talk to their kids throughout movie
* Someone invariably keys/dings/dents/steals your car while you watch movie. If you ride a motorcycle it will rain, or someone will knock it over sitting their grubby children on the seat so they can take pictures.

 

[korgoth]

leaving the house is over rated...

o yeah.. but new releases suck to have to wait for. The studios should just release straight to dvd. There has to be some way to still make money and let people watch at home. make it a 20 dollar rental or somethin.

 

[Audioholics]

Here's a fun one... About a year after we got married, my wife almost automatically agreed that we should really only see blockbuster special effect movies in the theater and could watch all the other stuff at home where a big screen didn't really make that much of a difference. Ticket price drove this decision.

Fast forward several years...

The above rule is still in play - but even more so with a child. We see about 4 movies per year in the theater. However, with all the good shows we tape on TV with our HD-DVR, we now have trouble even renting non-blockbuster movies to watch in our home theater - which is, by far, a better experience (for all the reasons citied above by others) than even the newest stadium seating theater in town.

Don't get me wrong, we watch good movies that don't have star power or explosions, but our standards are raised so much that my wife finds herself voluntarily (i.e. without my prompting) delaying renting the chick-flick or non-epic/action movies, etc until I'm out of town or those days when I need to work through the evening (yes, we do pull some overtime here at Audioholics).

Direct to DVD would be very welcome in this house and I can honestly say I would pay $30 right now to see Star Wars in my home vs. the theater (cheaper, better and easier than the theater and a baby-sitter). If they did that, however, its likely that almost no theaters would exist within one year and Hollywood would have a revolt on their hands.

 

[Takeereasy]

Who do you think would be the first movie company to take a chance on a $130 million dollar movie going straight to DVD? I mean George Lucas could have that amount fall out of his wallet and not notice. I don't think that most of North America is ready for this yet. As many problems as a crowd at a theater can present it is still cheaper to drop $13 dollars on a ticket and $10 for popcorn and a drink then it is to invest the $1000s needed for a real theater feel IMO. Also it's nice to get out once in a while. Movies make a nice starting point for an evening with the Lady friend or even a boys night out.

 

[bradke]

Movie talk on public radio

Hi, I'm Bill Radke, I host the nationwide public radio show Weekend America. I'm enjoying your chat about movie-going, and we want to talk on our show about the etiquette of home movies -- talking, pausing the movie, eating, kids & pets, lighting, bathroom breaks, special DVD features, etc.
What anyone is interested in talking please e-mail me at bradke@americanpublicmedia.org or call me at 213-621-3543?
Thanks, Bill.