Going To The Movies

[bluemeanies]

I read this article and I found it pretty convincing to the truth of what it is all about going to the movies especially in today's multi media cinema.  Just to mention the amount of money you spend but also the inconvenience of putting up with a lot of peoples quirts.

It also gave me time to reminisce about the OLD days when I lived in southwest Philadelphia and my cousins and I frequently went to the Saturday matinee double feature with cartoons and exciting previews at the Sherwood and Ambassador movie theaters. The entrance fee was .50, the popcorn came from a vending machine for a quarter, hot dogs were .50 and candy (NIBS) my favorite were maybe a quarter.
Anyway I thought this was worth posting.

hometheaterreview.com/why-dont-you-go-to-the-movies-anymore/

[Dark Ranger]

I agree with the article overall. When I go to the theater, I no longer buy any concessions. Way too expensive. So far they've let me bring in my own bottled water.

Ticket prices are an issue these days, but I consider it a luxury/splurge event. The blow is lessened by only seeing films that I know I'll enjoy. The rest I save for Netflix. Around here, a regular prime-time ticket price runs between $7-9. Add $3 for the 3D experience. IMAX 3D runs me about $15, so those expenditures are few and far between.

One pet peeve of mine is how many people demonstrate that they are complete slobs. Spilled popcorn everywhere, sticky drink on the floor, melted chocolate in the cup holders, who-knows-what on the seats, candy wrappers everywhere...and they don't bother cleaning up after themselves! I went to the theater last week and saw this demonstrated very well. It was hideous! As I was ignoring the pre-trailer "news reel," I mentioned to the poor cleaning guy that "you'd think people would clean up after themselves." He curtly replied, "You'd think." I then said that this would be my #1 pet peeve if I worked at the theater. Again, he curtly replied, "It is." I got the distinct impression he was really annoyed at the mess as well (ya think?).

That said, by far and away the most annoying thing for me about going to the theater is the general rudeness expressed by some patrons. I'm talking about talking, texting, and receiving calls during the film. A recent example: I went to see a 9:50 PM showtime of The Dawn of the Planet of the Apes after getting out of work. I was the only customer in the theater for a bit. Then two teen girls arrived, probably 13-14 years old, and sat about 6 rows in front of me. And they were some of the most disrespectful people I've ever seen in a theater. I'm talking about non-stop motor mouth talking, laughing, jumping up and down, and running around the theater. This continued during all the previews and 5 minutes into the film. Had 4 other people not arrived (after the movie started), I highly doubt they would have simmered down. They still had outbursts during the film (and once the credits started rolling they got rowdy again), but at least I could relax a bit. At one point during the credits, they ran up to the row behind me and started shouting to "the invisible man at the projector" to turn on the lights. Of course nobody was in there. I half expected one of them to drop-kick my head after jumping off the seats.

I'm just thankful that 4 other people arrived just as I was about to stand up, walk down to their row, and ask them to stop being rude and ruining the movie that I just paid $9 to see. I was boiling inside.

[boscobear]

I can't buy at the theater concessions because I'm type 1 diabetic, and they have really nothing that is OK for me, and the couple things they do carry are terrible. All besides the bottled water. I usually bring my own snack.

The sound is terrible too, when scenes start that have loud sections, the distortion levels are ear piercing

I see the movie theaters in the near future will be smaller with better sound, and better projection. Or maybe people will not congregate , because of the fear of sickness, and violence.

[AudioHTIT]

I have had a different experience and go to see movies in the theatre more than ever. I haven't seen the prices the author discusses, but I often go on cheap Tuesday and get the senior rate, but I know it can get expensive. I also haven't (recently) had a problem with rude moviegoers, the announcements at the beginning of the movie seem to be getting people to turn off their phones. The picture and sound in the theaters I go to is usually top rate so I find it an enjoyable experience and like getting out too. I'll agree it sometimes gets loud but only occasionally and it doesn't bother me too much. Certainly there are movies I see and think 'I could have watched this at home', but several recently I appreciated the big screen and sound, so it's still fun for me.

[bluemeanies]

Aug 12, 2014 11:32:28 GMT -5 boscobear said:

I can't buy at the theater concessions because I'm type 1 diabetic, and they have really nothing that is OK for me, and the couple things they do carry are terrible. All besides the bottled water. I usually bring my own snack.

The sound is terrible too, when scenes start that have loud sections, the distortion levels are ear piercing

I see the movie theaters in the near future will be smaller with better sound, and better projection. Or maybe people will not congregate , because of the fear of sickness, and violence.

You bought up something that completely escaped me. Sound.
I keep on reading about these new audio sound systems that are coming to the commercial theater. When, where? My hearing is not that bad not to notice if I would be immersed in a good sound system.
IMHO the theaters in my area be it Regal or AMC to be moderately polite SUCK!
I must admit I do not frequent movies on a regular basis but there are a few that I took an interest in viewing on a bigger screen than mine. Examples are all of the Batman movies, The Hobbit, Godzilla and of course the latest Star Trek series.

Again IMHO, you can't beat my sound system in my Home Theater.  Oops did I say that?
I know I will get feedback from that remark....LOL.

[drtrey3]

I would not mind paying the money charged for popcorn if it were recently popped and as good as I can make at home with my Whirleypop and coconut oil. But their popcorn is nowhere close. I would not mind paying the money charged if the screen was clean and the movie well shown with great surround that betters my home set up. While digital projection has improved the baseline image of local theaters, it does not beat my modest home tv. And the sound, fagetaboutit!

For some big movies the family and I will go see them on a Imax screen where things are done right, but less than 4 times a year. Otherwise, the product is just not better than we have available at home. Why go and spend?

Trey

[indyscammer]

My solution is to wait for the Blu-ray release.