Last ti e I went to a Cineworld cinema it was ludicrously expensive to buy tickets, the snacks were ridiculously priced, and they got the sound wrong so it was deafeningly loud. There's so many...
Last ti e I went to a Cineworld cinema it was ludicrously expensive to buy tickets, the snacks were ridiculously priced, and they got the sound wrong so it was deafeningly loud.
There's so many articles where they're talking about the films and ignoring the basics like cost and customer experience.
Films may be part of it. People are starting to catch on that Marvel only have three movies and a bunch of reskins. But even though Marvel have dominated the discussion for the past however many years other films were being made and shown. It feels like we're comparing the mood at the height of MCU catnip headiness and the comedown now, and obviously things are going to be a bit deflated.
I’m annoyed how the big branch cinema here basically forces you to buy a ticket bundle to make the prices somewhat reasonable. I always bring my own snacks - have never had anyone actually check...
I’m annoyed how the big branch cinema here basically forces you to buy a ticket bundle to make the prices somewhat reasonable. I always bring my own snacks - have never had anyone actually check for them.
I’m so glad there is a small independent local cinema founded in the 50’s just a walking distance from where I live. That has reinvigorated my own cinema interest. The mood and experience is just so much better. Save for Avatar with IMAX, I always try to prefer it.
The snacks thing is so weird. They have these signs up saying "don't bring your own snacks", but it's an open secret that they don't care so long as you pretend you're not bringing in snacks, so...
The snacks thing is so weird. They have these signs up saying "don't bring your own snacks", but it's an open secret that they don't care so long as you pretend you're not bringing in snacks, so you have a queue of people awkwardly shuffling in because they have snacks stuffed in all their pockets.
As a person who worked at a theater for awhile it's because the managers understand how much their revenue is dependent on concessions, and because the person checking tickets at the door is paid...
As a person who worked at a theater for awhile it's because the managers understand how much their revenue is dependent on concessions, and because the person checking tickets at the door is paid minimum wage and truly does not give a shit how many snacks you smuggle in.
Yea, the movie studios being so greedy about opening weekends is the cause. If they only took a 70% take instead of 90%+ take, movie theaters wouldn't depend on obscenely priced snacks to stay afloat.
Yea, the movie studios being so greedy about opening weekends is the cause. If they only took a 70% take instead of 90%+ take, movie theaters wouldn't depend on obscenely priced snacks to stay afloat.
Honestly I'm not that interested in the snacks they have available in movie theaters, with the exception of popcorn maybe 10% of the time. I wish they had healthier food options. But drinks-wise...
Honestly I'm not that interested in the snacks they have available in movie theaters, with the exception of popcorn maybe 10% of the time. I wish they had healthier food options. But drinks-wise my local theater has a really good deal on beer. It's cheaper than bar pricing and on tap.
I go often enough and with friends regularly such that the monthly membership makes sense for me. That brings the ticket price down to $10 - and the membership more than pays for itself if you get one ticket per month.
The food at big chain theaters is expensive — but I'm ok with splurging a bit for a nice night out. I'm less ok with paying decently-nice-dine-out prices for crap junk food like popcorn, corn...
The food at big chain theaters is expensive — but I'm ok with splurging a bit for a nice night out. I'm less ok with paying decently-nice-dine-out prices for crap junk food like popcorn, corn dogs, and wings.
When I lived in Amsterdam, I really enjoyed going to an indie theater called Lab 111. Not only did they have a fantastic and fascinating program, they also had a really great bar and bistro that would serve healthy, interesting food (like fennel and tallegio pizza), so it could be a proper sit-down date night meal before or after a film.
Conventional movie theaters just aren't pleasurable experiences for some adults, I think. It was fun when I was a teenager, but now I'm an adult and want more than popcorn and soda pop.
My local theater is right next to a bunch of restaurants so I just eat there before going in if I'm hungry. Or I could eat at home. I don't have any kids though so planning is super easy (I...
My local theater is right next to a bunch of restaurants so I just eat there before going in if I'm hungry. Or I could eat at home. I don't have any kids though so planning is super easy (I basically don't ever plan anything).
In the TIFF Lightbox in Toronto they sell these cutesy little charcuterie packs of like some cheese, crackers, I think olives and grapes. It's an upmarket fancy theatre for film snobs, so it fits...
In the TIFF Lightbox in Toronto they sell these cutesy little charcuterie packs of like some cheese, crackers, I think olives and grapes.
It's an upmarket fancy theatre for film snobs, so it fits the crowd, but its fun to see too.
Because the pandemic made home entertainment more important, the husband decided to invest some money to upgrade us to a premium model TV. So now we have this 70+ inch monstrosity of an OLED TV...
Because the pandemic made home entertainment more important, the husband decided to invest some money to upgrade us to a premium model TV. So now we have this 70+ inch monstrosity of an OLED TV with Sony's super-magical processing power built into it. We're close enough to the screen that it gives us the movie experience, just with vastly more comfortable seating. The only place where we cheaped out was the audio; we went with a midrange soundbar instead of a full surround system - though we may buy two extra speakers for it sometime in the future.
I know that there are some people who miss audiences, but I know that I'm not one of them. Audiences are distracting. I'm fine with watching a movie with other people - strangers, even - but I just kind of imagine what it would be like if movie theaters were built like fancy home theaters rather than giant stages. Imagine what would happen if your cineplex was the same size but instead of a 100x200ft theater it was made up of a bunch of 10x20ft microtheaters filled with couches, beanbags, and big comfy recliners. And because you have so many screens you can play movies on demand instead of needing to set up a schedule.
But of course that probably wouldn't work. Mostly because it's so easy to have that in your own home these days.
My take: No. It used to be your option was either a 525 line TV versus a ~4K theater screen. Now your option is either a 4K big TV or a 2/4K theater screen. And then there’s being able to have...
My take: No.
It used to be your option was either a 525 line TV versus a ~4K theater screen. Now your option is either a 4K big TV or a 2/4K theater screen. And then there’s being able to have your own snacks/booze, being able to go to the bathroom whenever you want, not having to deal with other loud patrons…
I think theaters will still live on for art/indie films, for action movies, and for sci-fi. But your mainstream rom-coms, dramas, etc, there just isn’t the same draw, since you can get nearly as good resolution and sound for cheaper, and with less headache and annoyance.
Last ti e I went to a Cineworld cinema it was ludicrously expensive to buy tickets, the snacks were ridiculously priced, and they got the sound wrong so it was deafeningly loud.
There's so many articles where they're talking about the films and ignoring the basics like cost and customer experience.
Films may be part of it. People are starting to catch on that Marvel only have three movies and a bunch of reskins. But even though Marvel have dominated the discussion for the past however many years other films were being made and shown. It feels like we're comparing the mood at the height of MCU catnip headiness and the comedown now, and obviously things are going to be a bit deflated.
I’m annoyed how the big branch cinema here basically forces you to buy a ticket bundle to make the prices somewhat reasonable. I always bring my own snacks - have never had anyone actually check for them.
I’m so glad there is a small independent local cinema founded in the 50’s just a walking distance from where I live. That has reinvigorated my own cinema interest. The mood and experience is just so much better. Save for Avatar with IMAX, I always try to prefer it.
The snacks thing is so weird. They have these signs up saying "don't bring your own snacks", but it's an open secret that they don't care so long as you pretend you're not bringing in snacks, so you have a queue of people awkwardly shuffling in because they have snacks stuffed in all their pockets.
As a person who worked at a theater for awhile it's because the managers understand how much their revenue is dependent on concessions, and because the person checking tickets at the door is paid minimum wage and truly does not give a shit how many snacks you smuggle in.
When I had Moviepass I would go every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I used to bring hot green tea in a flask and no one ever said anything to me.
Yea, the movie studios being so greedy about opening weekends is the cause. If they only took a 70% take instead of 90%+ take, movie theaters wouldn't depend on obscenely priced snacks to stay afloat.
That’s kinda funny. I just bring everything in my backpack, though 😅.
Honestly I'm not that interested in the snacks they have available in movie theaters, with the exception of popcorn maybe 10% of the time. I wish they had healthier food options. But drinks-wise my local theater has a really good deal on beer. It's cheaper than bar pricing and on tap.
I go often enough and with friends regularly such that the monthly membership makes sense for me. That brings the ticket price down to $10 - and the membership more than pays for itself if you get one ticket per month.
The food at big chain theaters is expensive — but I'm ok with splurging a bit for a nice night out. I'm less ok with paying decently-nice-dine-out prices for crap junk food like popcorn, corn dogs, and wings.
When I lived in Amsterdam, I really enjoyed going to an indie theater called Lab 111. Not only did they have a fantastic and fascinating program, they also had a really great bar and bistro that would serve healthy, interesting food (like fennel and tallegio pizza), so it could be a proper sit-down date night meal before or after a film.
Conventional movie theaters just aren't pleasurable experiences for some adults, I think. It was fun when I was a teenager, but now I'm an adult and want more than popcorn and soda pop.
My local theater is right next to a bunch of restaurants so I just eat there before going in if I'm hungry. Or I could eat at home. I don't have any kids though so planning is super easy (I basically don't ever plan anything).
In the TIFF Lightbox in Toronto they sell these cutesy little charcuterie packs of like some cheese, crackers, I think olives and grapes.
It's an upmarket fancy theatre for film snobs, so it fits the crowd, but its fun to see too.
Because the pandemic made home entertainment more important, the husband decided to invest some money to upgrade us to a premium model TV. So now we have this 70+ inch monstrosity of an OLED TV with Sony's super-magical processing power built into it. We're close enough to the screen that it gives us the movie experience, just with vastly more comfortable seating. The only place where we cheaped out was the audio; we went with a midrange soundbar instead of a full surround system - though we may buy two extra speakers for it sometime in the future.
I know that there are some people who miss audiences, but I know that I'm not one of them. Audiences are distracting. I'm fine with watching a movie with other people - strangers, even - but I just kind of imagine what it would be like if movie theaters were built like fancy home theaters rather than giant stages. Imagine what would happen if your cineplex was the same size but instead of a 100x200ft theater it was made up of a bunch of 10x20ft microtheaters filled with couches, beanbags, and big comfy recliners. And because you have so many screens you can play movies on demand instead of needing to set up a schedule.
But of course that probably wouldn't work. Mostly because it's so easy to have that in your own home these days.
My take: No.
It used to be your option was either a 525 line TV versus a ~4K theater screen. Now your option is either a 4K big TV or a 2/4K theater screen. And then there’s being able to have your own snacks/booze, being able to go to the bathroom whenever you want, not having to deal with other loud patrons…
I think theaters will still live on for art/indie films, for action movies, and for sci-fi. But your mainstream rom-coms, dramas, etc, there just isn’t the same draw, since you can get nearly as good resolution and sound for cheaper, and with less headache and annoyance.