The extinction of movie theaters...

[TheTruth101]

I was reading an article that the studios were thinking in releasing movies on line rather than in theaters.

I personally I m not going to the movies any more, the reasons are:
1. Many movies have great trailers and then the movie is crap.
2. To go to the movies is expensive specially when dealing with #1.
3. When you sit you realize you have this fauna of people making noises, talking
4. Besides the ticket you have to pay parking lot (depending on where you live)
5. You depends on a schedule and to get your favorite spot you have to wait late at night and leave the theaters after midnight.
6. Concession stands are super slow, super expensive!

I mean... watching a movie on a theater is like a social gathering we got used to. It is fun in a way but I could live without it just fine.

I wonder what you have hear about that topic. Why do we need theaters?

 

[arkitect]

I think it is inevitable.
They will go the way of drive-in cinemas; some survive but very much as an oddity.
Besides, think of all that shopping real estate they are taking up.

I agree with pretty much everything you wrote above.
Most importantly for me is the poor quality of the films. Now it is all blockbuster CG and very little in way of a good story.

For me and my family the magic of going to the movies! has definitely vanished.

Alas.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I think it is inevitable.
They will go the way of drive-in cinemas; some survive but very much as an oddity.
Besides, think of all that shopping real estate they are taking up.

I agree with pretty much everything you wrote above.
Most importantly for me is the poor quality of the films. Now it is all blockbuster CG and very little in way of a good story.

For me and my family the magic of going to the movies! has definitely vanished.

Alas.

Agree.

Computer generated CGI and stunning special effects should only ever serve as support for a story, not as the point of the movie.

Plot, narrative, a good story, and a good script - along with a good cast able to credibly deliver this - are all that is needed.

Not silly American block-busters; and, please, while we are at it, no more re-makes of what are perfectly good classics. They are considered classics for a reason. And no more sequels. Or sequels to sequels.

Is it too much to ask Hollywood to try to come up with original stories?

Stories - for that matter - that actually pass the Bechdel test, for example?

 

[Tech198]

First it was the extinction of dinosaurs,, now its movie theaters... (give or take the odd 65 million years or so)

I never go anymore...

To expensive, always my reason, and easier to get.

The world has changed from time we went out and enjoyed a good popcorn.. audio and huge screens... Do that in ya own home

 

[0388631]

Especially so when 85" 4K televisions or better are cheap now. In the last decade I've seen about a handful of quality films. From the poignant The Pianist to the youthful curiosity of 500 Days of Summer. I recently watched John Wick 2 and thought it was the dumbest film I'd seen in a while. Pointless film. I'm sure 30 yo me would have enjoyed it.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I go to see the new Star Wars movies and that's about it.
I hate the people that get there late, make lots of noise and the constant packet rustling.

 

[0388631]

Mate, that isn't the sound of packets.

 

[D.T.]

There are plenty of original movies released, without huge budgets, without any CGI, and they don't get much theater traffic - I suspect I can name 5 movies released in the last couple of years, beautifully written and acted, massive critical acclamation that no one in this thread saw at the theater.

There are also movies that have substantial budgets much of which goes into the technical costs (FX/CGI/etc), that simply support an incredible film experience mainly due to story, music and acting. Sometimes CGI isn't a big transforming robot, it's recreating the visual spectacle of the Dunkirk evacuation.

The problem isn't with "Hollywood", it's more on the consumer. Movies cost money to make - at the end of the day, it's a business - so while the industry may occasionally fund something they know will probably lose money just for the sake of the art form, they know what drives their bottom line.

Occasionally, some like like Nolan creates a beautiful, masterpiece of a film, that's not only costly, and technically complex, but tells an amazingly human story of triumph and sacrifice ... and makes a hell of a lot of money

 

[Tech198]

True, but its still adaptable........ You can't live in old times forever.. At some stage u gotta start renting, or buying from the comfort of your own home...

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Candidly, I still like art house movies; that is, serious, intelligent, thought-provoking movies that are shown in small, - and thankfully, often almost empty theatres, actually, the sort of movies that tend to leave the audience silent with stunned awe (no rustling packets, here....) by the time the end credits have rolled.

 

[Huntn]

I was reading an article that the studios were thinking in releasing movies on line rather than in theaters.

I personally I m not going to the movies any more, the reasons are:
1. Many movies have great trailers and then the movie is crap.
2. To go to the movies is expensive specially when dealing with #1.
3. When you sit you realize you have this fauna of people making noises, talking
4. Besides the ticket you have to pay parking lot (depending on where you live)
5. You depends on a schedule and to get your favorite spot you have to wait late at night and leave the theaters after midnight.
6. Concession stands are super slow, super expensive!

I mean... watching a movie on a theater is like a social gathering we got used to. It is fun in a way but I could live without it just fine.

I wonder what you have hear about that topic. Why do we need theaters?

I go to the movie theater only to see the blockbuster hit/summer movie that benefits to be seen on the big screen. I agree that most trailers are deceptive and require interpretation. Usually I'm not annoyed by noisy people. In other words there are usually quiet people. Paying for parking would piss me off. Eat before you go! The theater I go to, ShowBiz brand, offer a discount popcorn tub and resusable drink cup for a reasonable price, but this is only to humor my wife. if just me, I don't buy any concessions, sometimes sneak candy in.

I won't be surprised if movie theaters thin out or outright die. If you are taking your family and feeding them there, it's way too expensive..
[doublepost=1503772954][/doublepost]

Agree.

Computer generated CGI and stunning special effects should only ever serve as support for a story, not as the point of the movie.

Plot, narrative, a good story, and a good script - along with a good cast able to credibly deliver this - are all that is needed.

Not silly American block-busters; and, please, while we are at it, no more re-makes of what are perfectly good classics. They are considered classics for a reason. And no more sequels. Or sequels to sequels.

Is it too much to ask Hollywood to try to come up with original stories?

Stories - for that matter - that actually pass the Bechtel test, for example?

...just the good American blockbusters if they still make those... I realize this might be a controversial example, but both Titanic and Avatar qualify in my book. No judgement if anyone disagrees.

 

[bradl]

I think it is inevitable.
They will go the way of drive-in cinemas; some survive but very much as an oddity.
Besides, think of all that shopping real estate they are taking up.

I agree with pretty much everything you wrote above.
Most importantly for me is the poor quality of the films. Now it is all blockbuster CG and very little in way of a good story.

For me and my family the magic of going to the movies! has definitely vanished.

Alas.

Funnily enough, we are seeing a revival of the drive-in theater in my part of the US. They are packed, especially over the summer and during the weekend, as it's a great place to take the kids, who you know won't stay still if they are taken to the indoor movie theaters. The one here has a playground right outside of the indoor concession area.

There's another huge one where the locals go in North Las Vegas as well, but in its defense, it's owned by the same company that owns the one here in Sacramento!

But I have to agree with you about the regular theaters, for two big reasons, and those reasons are why there is an unfortunately a decline and near extension in 3 other places: bowling alleys, shopping malls, and video arcades.

1. Quick availability of other technology to bring you the content. When you can bring all of the games you could normally find in a video arcade in your pocket, why spend the money at a video arcade? So most of them quickly faded away.
2. When you have other, more instantly gratifying forms of entertainment, why do something long and arduous, that may take 30 weeks? That's why, unfortunately, bowling leagues have been on the decline, thanks to easy access to video games and online content.
3. With that easy access, plus access to online stores that you would normally see in a mall, why go to the mall? Case in point: Cyber monday, and ordering online on Black Friday.

All in all, if you can get the same content while sitting on your couch instead of spending the gas money to go to the theater, find parking, buy the expensive ticket, buy expensive snacks, and sit in a half clean theater for a little over 90 minutes to 2 hours, why bother going at all?

Personally, it really was the end (at least for me) 20 years ago, when they started putting ads in for local stores in the ads you'd see in the theaters, slotted between movie previews. It made the entire experience unbearable. Last movie I saw in the theater was Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and that was at the IMAX. My wife has seen the entire series at the IMAX, and was the only movies she wanted to see there.

BL.

 

[rhett7660]

I go to see the new Star Wars movies and that's about it.
I hate the people that get there late, make lots of noise and the constant packet rustling.

For me, I also see most of the Marvel movies. Add into the mix of why I don't go a lot are those that think it is really necessary to be on their phones, either texting or talking during the film. Ugh.

 

[lowendlinux]

I just started going back to the theater since my computer is still on a boat and I kinda like it..$10 comfortable seats and good audio.

 

[Tomorrow]

I personally I m not going to the movies any more, the reasons are:
1. Many movies have great trailers and then the movie is crap.
2. To go to the movies is expensive specially when dealing with #1.
3. When you sit you realize you have this fauna of people making noises, talking
4. Besides the ticket you have to pay parking lot (depending on where you live)
5. You depends on a schedule and to get your favorite spot you have to wait late at night and leave the theaters after midnight.
6. Concession stands are super slow, super expensive!

Genuine question, can we get a show of hands of people who actually have to pay to park at the movie theater? I've never seen or heard of this, and I've lived on both American coasts and in the middle.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Genuine question, can we get a show of hands of people who actually have to pay to park at the movie theater? I've never seen or heard of this, and I've lived on both American coasts and in the middle.

Mixed here in the U.K. Mostly free, but not all.

 

[senseless]

Movie theaters have been predicted to go extinct several times. Television, Color Television, Cable, VCRs, DVDs, Netflix but somehow they still survive. People enjoy the group experience and being part of an audience.

 

[AFEPPL]

I'm using the theatres even more these days, regardless that I have a dedicated home cinema room with Dolby atmos and a 75" screen.

You just can't beat that expience right now.. so I'm still plannng on gong.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

First it was the extinction of dinosaurs,, now its movie theaters... (give or take the odd 65 million years or so)

I never go anymore...

To expensive, always my reason, and easier to get.

The world has changed from time we went out and enjoyed a good popcorn.. audio and huge screens... Do that in ya own home

There was a movie that I 'had to see', and figured that as soon as it came out, I'd line up to see it. I figured that, aside from the pile on of many of the reviewers, that it wouldn't suck as bad as they were hyping it. (Ghost in the Shell)

I never go to opening week, because its usually a hassle dealing with crowds, so I gave it a week or so.

I check for show times, and it's running in the 'midnight movies', and that means is starts at 11:30PM, and plays until whenever. Um. WHAT? No way...

So I hear that it's playing in a bigger city, on the Omnimax screen. COOL!!! (At MIDNIGHT!)

So I would have to drive almost 2 hours to get there. Sit through the 2+ hour movie, and drive the nearly two hours back? Why? I didn't see it in the theater. I think the last movie that I saw in a theatre was the last Star Wars movie (mainly because of ritual, and nostalgia) but I haven't really been interested in seeing anything lately at the theater.

Around here, you deal with the noise, the crunching, and cell phones, and since there are a lot of farmers around, the smell too. Oh, and we have a lot of NRA types, and 'red neck spoiled white boys' too, and sitting next to someone with more firepower than a cop doesn't make me feel any more comfortable.

But fear not! The studios are pushing to release the movies earlier, for a fee. I read something like $50.00, to get the movie within a month of release. I remember a movie was released on DVD shortly after it released in theaters, and it did really well through both channels. People actually watched the movie in the theaters and then bought the DVD to watch it again later. I feel the studios are missing out on that 'impulse buy opportunity' by not having the physical media for sale at the theater at the time the movie opens. They could make a lot of cash off that. Maybe...

Anyway, carry on.

I wonder how many people reading this were conceived at a drive inn...

 

[Volusia]

Usually way too loud to be comfortable. And, doesn't matter how nicely I ask, they will not pause while I go to the bathroom.

 

[JamesMike]

We had two movie theaters but one closed down, kind of sad, it nice going for the theater popcorn and other goodies, plus you get to hear first time the expressions of people to various schemes.

 

[MacNut]

Movie theaters have been predicted to go extinct several times. Television, Color Television, Cable, VCRs, DVDs, Netflix but somehow they still survive. People enjoy the group experience and being part of an audience.

The death of the movie theatre will be Hollywood's own doing. **** movies that nobody wants to waste 2 1/2 hours on.

 

[jbachandouris]

My TV is only 32", so I still go. I usually pick times when theaters aren't that crowded so there's no talking or bag rustling.

As for them going extinct? Not until everyone can afford a huge TV. I can afford it, but there's just no room in our tiny house for that and since I have 2 kids, there are more important things to spend money on. As a result, I don't see movies that much either.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Funny there are two distinct camps on here.

Those that hate the shared experience, and those that enjoy it.

 

[whooleytoo]

Funny, here in Ireland cinema-going is at its most popular in a decade, it - along with France - has the highest cinema attendance in Europe.

I like it, especially for 'big event' releases. Star Wars, Star Trek or other such film that kind of demands a big screen and big sound. For something like a rom-com, I personally wouldn't see the appeal.

Typically the theatres aren't fully packed, which means you can generally avoid sitting next to noisy eaters etc. I know certain cinemas here in Cork have cheap seatings on certain weekdays, which lead to the theatres being absolutely packed on those days, mostly with students. On other days they have parent-and-child screenings. I'd pay anything to avoid those days.

So
1) Trailers are the used car salesmen of the entertainment world. Ignore them and do your own research, or just watch with your mind an open canvas.
2) They're not too bad, IMO, especially if you look at the upcoming price of 4K movie rentals and what you get for each.
3) If the theatre isn't too packed, you can generally avoid being near loud/disruptive people to some extent.
4) Might be a American/European thing, but I always walk or use public transport, so no issue.
5) True, not much can be done about this. It doesn't bother me personally, not every single thing in life can be set to my personal schedule.
6) Can't really comment on this. In my typical theatre they have several queues and I'm rarely waiting more than a minute from joining the queue to walking away with the ticket & treats.