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Apple Negotiating to Offer Rentals for Movies Still in Theaters, but at a Price
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You're just crazy if you RENT a movie for 25 dollars. And you're just STUPID if you do it at 50 dollars.
Sure beats the cost of the current service by Prima for watching movies as they are released in the theater.
Of course they charge $35,000 for the equipment, and $500 per 24-hour movie rental, and don't offer diddly in discounts toward a movie purchase. For this price you'd expect 4k movies (nope on that also), just better that Bluray quality.
And they have a customer waiting list to watch movies as (or before) they are released.
They were made to jump through a lot of hoops to not scare the theater owners, however their comments from years ago were that Apple "scared the hell" out of theater owners if they ever offered a similar service.
Hmmm ... wonder what Prima's next board meeting will be like.
Of course they charge $35,000 for the equipment, and $500 per 24-hour movie rental, and don't offer diddly in discounts toward a movie purchase. For this price you'd expect 4k movies (nope on that also), just better that Bluray quality.
And they have a customer waiting list to watch movies as (or before) they are released.
They were made to jump through a lot of hoops to not scare the theater owners, however their comments from years ago were that Apple "scared the hell" out of theater owners if they ever offered a similar service.
Hmmm ... wonder what Prima's next board meeting will be like.
It's not really fair to compare it to IMAX, and to a lesser degree 3D. These are experiences you can't get at home.
But there are real costs in time, gas, parking, valet, dinner, tax, tip, inflated movie snack prices, baby sitters, etc. And that doesn't even touch on the inconveniences of watching a movie with others who talk during it, shuffle in and out of the row you're sitting in all through the movie, kids of inappropriate age making noise, rude theater staff, wet seats, sticky floors, lines at bathrooms and concessions, etc.
While $50 doesn't make sense for an individual -- unless they live in an area where the movie isn't showing, or requires an extended trip -- then $50 is worth it even for just a couple who might want to see a movie, but skip all the other stuff and stay home.
You should check out Tuneskit. It will remove the drm from your purchased movies and I throw all mine in Plex. Not to mention it works with rented ones as well, but that's illegal so...
The more people that could watch at once (at home), the better the per-person price is, so imagine the "value" will be relative to cost/headcount. $50 for a major release for just my wife and I? That's a trip to the theater or wait for home video - a $25-30 family film the whole crew can watch? (well all three of us) that's reasonable to me.
Other perks for home viewing (assuming you have a decent AV setup):
- no driving / parking
- more comfortable seats
- potentially cheaper (driving/parking/food/babysitters)
- pause for bathroom/beverage/food breaks (assuming it would support this)
- rewind for missed dialog, rewatch (again, assuming ...)
- no crowds, better/quieter experience (might be a deficit for some comedies that are fun to see in a big group, YMMV)
- better food, snacks, plus +adult+ beverages (none of our locals have the latter, though we have hit up the Universal Studios theater which was *fun*)
I already have this perk.... with Redbox... for about $2 a movie. So what that it's past a few months past the time it was "still in theaters". I'm saving some good dough there.
On another note, I have no interest in inviting a slew of other people over to watch a movie with us. Movie time is a special time for me and my fiance.
It would help if the rental would include an iTunes digital copy added to the library when the digital release occurred. I'd be irritated to pay $25+ for a rental and then turn around and have to spend another $15 to buy it a few months down the road. Not holding my breath though.
I've never in my life have spent $50 at a movie theater.... I'm just saying. YMMV!
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If I had a family of 5, i'd be doing it the smart way... the Redbox way and putting the rest into a new savings account for each family member.
Northern Utah for me with the same deals. College town, great schools, ski resorts and cheap cost of living.
What?! He's just stating his opinion like you. I don't see anything wrong here, maybe you just only want to hear what makes you feel good inside and ignore the rest.
They could make it expensive but I think people would still do it. The ease of being able to just see the movie combined with the normal hype and marketing that comes around at a movie's release will be very compelling. Save money on all the other ancillary stuff and you will find yourself talking yourself into dropping significant cash if these things are available. Also you might invite friends over. Imagine how easy it would be to get a group together for a big release like Rouge One.
But this is also a bit like Pandoras Box. It will be hard to close and it will change everything if the Studios decide to do this.
But this is also a bit like Pandoras Box. It will be hard to close and it will change everything if the Studios decide to do this.
Costs me at least $100 for the movies, whether the kids stay home (babysitter) or come to the movie (candy).
$50 for a new release would be a no-brainer.
I'm surprised movie studios are more worried about "encryption Apple users" while being shown in theaters, compared to "exclusives" afterwards... It doesn't really matter. u know its gonna be pirated anyway. so that cancels the rest out.
We must be really tempted to watch a movie if u gotta pay $25 bucks even for it on iTunes for a short release window. I see this as more of "unless you'd go to theaters in a group, even $50 is a rip off" $25 may be ok.. but must be two people.
Would still shake heads though because u'd only get a good deal if more than one person watches at the theaters to off-load the price difference.
We must be really tempted to watch a movie if u gotta pay $25 bucks even for it on iTunes for a short release window. I see this as more of "unless you'd go to theaters in a group, even $50 is a rip off" $25 may be ok.. but must be two people.
Would still shake heads though because u'd only get a good deal if more than one person watches at the theaters to off-load the price difference.
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I live in a very expensive area of southern California and I go to sub $10 movies all the time lol. Can get matinees before 4pm for $6.75 and shows after 4pm for $9.50 at several theaters.
You're paying a convenience fee people. For the convenience of watching it at home on your own set up, on your own speakers, on your own sofa, in your fuzzy bunny slippers, with all the booze and candy and popcorn you could want. With friends even. It's brilliant.
For those with projectors, this is a no brainer.
It all depends on what the convenience is worth to you.
For those with projectors, this is a no brainer.
It all depends on what the convenience is worth to you.
The MOST I've ever paid for a movie ticket was 18 bucks and that was an IMAX movie. Typically tickets are $8-9 dollars around here (western ky), on Tuesday they're $5.25 at our theater.. and it is genuinely a nice theater. There's a really sketchy 4 screen theater I know of that charges 3 bucks for a ticket any day, but I would never in my life recommend that theater. Haha.
But more to the point of this service, even if they priced it at $50 it would still depend on a lot of factors to determine the value to a specific consumer. Like; How many people are watching/are some chipping in $? Do you have a nice set up for watching movies, as in, some people go see them in theaters for the large screen and dedicated experience. Is it a one shot deal, or can you watch it 2 or 3 times in a 24 hours period? Do the theaters in your area suck? etc.
I can't wait for the "near" DVD quality when these happen. This will be a whole new Napster era. haha