Movie theater experience

[dgwojo]

Originally Posted by Tom Brennan

Hell, the problem isn't the picture or sound quality, that's often quite good.

It's the other goddam patrons; chattering as though they're at home, smacking away on nachos and slurping on cokes in 55 gallon drums, putzing around with their cell phones and just acting like assholes in general. A major breakdown in civility and the social contract. And when you try to quiet these self-centered louts they act the aggrieved party.

What shows need is what they used to have---ushers with the authority to shitcan people. If I ran a picture show I'd hire an off-duty copper as an usher, then if anybody gave him any monkey business he could pinch them for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

That's what Jam Productions, a rock promoter I used to work as a bouncer for, used to do; thay always had a couple of off-duty coppers around. People that were thrown out were often arrested as a legal CYA (cover your ass) procedure.

I'd patronize a show that had a policy of keeping people in order. As it is I seldom go out to the pictures anymore.

Tom, Very well put, we tell our adult patrons to notify any of the staff members of any disruptive customers, disruptors get one warning and get thrown out the door with no refund if they don't heed the warning. Seldom does it resort to escorting people out, luckily one warning usually does the job.

[emoxley]

In the past 15-16 yrs., we have been to the theater maybe 5 times. Each time we go, I remember why we quit going. The ticket prices! The drink and snack prices! People talking! Cell phones ringing! Kids kicking the back of my seat! Sound so loud it distorts! Commercials before the movie! It definitely is not worth it.........

The only movie I can think of, that would get us back into the theater, would be "The Hobbit", when and if it's ever made. The only reason we went to the last two, was because my wife's sisters asked us to go with them, and they bought our tickets. Still cost me $10 for two sodas, and a box of pop corn.
Theater? No thanks!

[Sandy G]

The fatcat heads of studios wanna know why movie attendance is down? They oughta go to a movie theater out in the heartland, w/all the other Joe Blows, & treat themselves to the Experience that Going To A Movie is nowadays...

[soundmotor]

Originally Posted by dgwojo

Great thread here, I'm soaking up the comments, as a partner/owner of the local theatre I'm able to provide feedback to the partners. Our theatre is from 1945, 200 seats, one 55 watt mono amp attached series parallel to a dozen EV and JBL drivers "by me", for those that have experienced Transformer's this week they're in awe what I've done with a single amp. As much as we want to remodel and do the stadium style seats, liquor and dinner, the customers just love it the way it is, old fashioned charm, they're regulars that come back for every movie and live production we do. Eventually we'll go digital surround but I'm holding back knowing that the celluloid days are numbered once everything goes digital, BTW, going all digital is extremely expensive, hardware and film company licensing. Keep the comments going, I'm taking it all in, Dave.

SLT

Even though I work in the CE industry and can buy anything I want at cost or even less, I would rather see a film (digital or otherwise) in a theater. If the theater is poorly run (dirty, indifferent projection & sound, etc.) I don't go back. If it is well run I'll return again & again. If the patrons are noisy I will get up and go get a manager to deal with it. I applaud you on your efforts. I'd likely be a regular at your theater too. Nothing beats a great movie experience.

[soundmotor]

Originally Posted by onepixel

I've rediscovered going to the movies awhile back. The theaters around here are highly competitive for movier goers. Most are newer or have been completely refurbished. Big wide clean and comfy chairs, clean restrooms, and the sound systems are simply awesome. A lot of have stadium type seating so no matter how big the guys head is in front of you, you'll have an unobstructed view.

Same for the Boston area.

[WhiteSE]

I need to drive an hour for the nearest movie house,,if no GA ST troopers I go an avg of 80mph...that the most enjoyable part of the trip.

I miss the movie experience in Buenos Aires, up until the early 80's when there were still many many old fashioned theatres with ushers and gals selling chocolates in their trays. Double features, and stuff, and you would spent minutes looking at all the architectural details of the dome ceiling and balconies.

I dunno man, but when the goals lead as away from such enjoyable and relaxing atmosphere, something is wrong!

[Tinitus]

BRING BACK CARTOONS!!! One Looney Tunes - Merrie Melodies per show, maybe Tom and Jerry, after the commercials and coming attractions and right before the feature film. Yeah, fat chance!

[andy]

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[TOO LOUD???]

I go to the Legends 14 in KCK their main attraction auditorium has an 84 seat VIP balcony area 21 and over only with a full bar and expanded food selection with seat service. It has oversized leather seats, JBL digital surround sound with 42 speakers and the screen is 4 stories high and 87 feet wide tickets are $16, but no kids allowed I think it's worth it. I saw Harry Potter there 7/13 it was great.

[tcdriver]

My wife and I enjoy going to see a movie in a theatre. Occasionally, there are problems, however, so far, the bad kinds of things mentioned in by many in this thread have not been issues with us. We find the big screen experience is well worth it.

[dgwojo]

Originally Posted by andy

I admit that this theater is an exception to the rule around here. Most theaters in this area are modern with stadium seating.

The overall experience is still not what it should be. You either have to put up with 40 minutes of commercials if you get there early, or a bad seat if you're late. For $10 I don't think I should have to watch a single commercial before the movie! I also refuse to pay the ridiculous prices they charge for food and drinks. I wish everyone else would do the same so that they had to lower prices.

I thought about asking for a refund, but I had a headache from the blurry picture and just wanted to get out of there.

We pipe all the commercials in through the internet ( Web Ads ), there's about 10 minutes of ads run twice before showtime, if the move has any previews, it's usually one about 3 minutes long and they start right at show time, no 20 minutes of previews here, we run local business ads and upcoming previews. Regarding food and drinks, we try to keep it very reasonable and 90% of the customers feel we do it right, with coupon you get 2 adult tickets, 2 small popcorns and two small sodas all for $12, we get our movies 10 - 14 days after release, great comments, Dave.

[Bigerik]

Originally Posted by andy

I admit that this theater is an exception to the rule around here. Most theaters in this area are modern with stadium seating.

The overall experience is still not what it should be. You either have to put up with 40 minutes of commercials if you get there early, or a bad seat if you're late. For $10 I don't think I should have to watch a single commercial before the movie! I also refuse to pay the ridiculous prices they charge for food and drinks. I wish everyone else would do the same so that they had to lower prices.

I thought about asking for a refund, but I had a headache from the blurry picture and just wanted to get out of there.

So you don't wanna watch any commercials before the movie? No problems. I am sure the theatre would be happy to charge you $15 for the privilege of
not showing them to you. Do you complain to your cable or satellite company because they show you commercials?

Where I go to the theatre, no one forces me to buy any food or drinks. Up to me to pay what they charge, or not get some.

The reality of the movie exhibition business is that they are effectively a snack bar that shows movies, especially for the first few weeks. The distributor gets the money off the ticket. The theatre gets the money from the popcorn.

I guess I am just curious to know what the experience "should be".

[Cosmic]

..Oh god, old fashioned watching...What happened? (don't fill in the blanks )

I live in Washington DC. We have one really fine theatre left: the Uptown. Balcony seating. Older decor. Semi-curved Cinerama screen still in place, serviced with two (non-platter) Century CCs (35 and 70mm compatible) with 5000W lights on them; full Dolby/DTS sound.
I remember seeing "Alien" there at its premiere in '79, in honest-to-god 70mm....holy cow.

Working as a projectionist in college, I was at what was the other great theatre in town, the KB Cinema. I trained with 'Old Sam' on two of the greatest film projectors ever made, the Norelco 5050s. Built like tanks, handled films like surgeons. Why the heck that place had to become a furniture store, I don't know.

When I ran films they started in focus and stayed that way, and the sound was as it should be.

I do like some of the new 'stadium-style' theatres since they give you the good view and sound, but it's the audience that's just deplorable.
Cell phones have broken down so many barriers as far as what was normal civility that even bringing it up today makes people react as if you are abnormal.

And so, right now I am seriously considering a 70-inch HiDef screen for my home film viewing.

However, I do also have 16mm machines at home (along with prints) for the cravings of real film...

Best,
C.

[2DualsNotEnough]

Im pretty lucky here in Phoenix.Most of the theatres are either fairly new or renovated for stadium style seating and good sound.I go to a family chain here called Harkins Theatres.They are the best.The best food,the best popcorn,and a great selection of drinks.Whats really best about them,though,are all the discount incentives that keep you coming back to their chain.You buy a cup once at the beginning of the year for 4.25,and you can bring it in to get a refill for $1 for the entire year.You can buy a shirt for $20.Wear it and get a free medium popcorn all year long,too.I can also buy discount movie tickets at my work,for 5.50 each.You can see any movie before 6pm,or any movie thats been out 2 weeks or more after 6pm.
Thats why you see my endless posts about new movies here.For a buck any night,I get a popcorn,a soda,and see a movie I bought tickets for at work.In a state of the art theatre.
Cant beat that.
Jimmy

[andy]

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