Do you enjoy going to the movies?

[Mephistopheles Janx]

I don't. I'm not certain I'll ever go back to one even after Covid.

The movie theater was a magical thing for me growing up. Mostly because we were poor as shit so it was a huge treat to get to go to the movies... even if it was the 2nd run movie theater for $1.00 a ticket. Getting popcorn was awesome and we would always get the combo that allowed for the free refill. Mom always had to go to the bathroom mid-movie so she would stop and grab us new popcorn on the way back in.

At this point, though, we have massive tv's with ridiculous quality in both picture and sound. We have purpose built/designated rooms made to maximize the immersion in whatever story we decide to take in at the time. We can make our own popcorn without having to pay $35 in concessions for a family of 4.

I don't care for 3D movies. I don't find IMAX to be worth the extra dough. Stuff like the seats rumbling during certain scenes of the movie is kind of cool and adds to the immersion but I can get similar effects if I have my sound and sub tuned in properly. It certainly isn't worth the trade off of dealing with people who are talking loudly, peeking at their phones, possible kid freakout.

I keep reading about how AMC and Regal are struggling and I understand they have employees that depend on them for a job but... TBH, with Disney owning like 1/3 of the movie going experience anymore I'm really disinclined to continue spending my money at theaters. Perhaps only for shit like Marvel or some such I would still go to a theater but I've got a huge 4K tv, good sound, and a dedicated space for movies/tv. If movie houses start, or in some cases continue, to release major "theater" releases direct via streaming (at a reasonable rate) I will definitely never go to a theater again.

And I wouldn't miss it.

[backinblack]

Yes, but with as little people in the theater as possible. I'm all about the opening showing matinee on a Tuesday at 11 am a few weeks after the film's release. Saw Once Upon a Time in Hollywood with like 3 other people, and that's the way I like it. So I would be more than fine if movies released primarily on streaming services from this point forward.

[loochy]

It's kind of "meh". When there is some big movie I've been waiting for, then yeah, I love it. Otherwise I don't particularly care for it, especially for non-action movies.

[DaneMcCloud]

My answer is No.

I much prefer watching movies at home on the 75" 4K TV with surround in my family room, mainly because it's a more immersive way for me to get into the movie.

All too often, there are people on their cell phones, which is majorly distracting, along with people bustling in and out of the theater to get concessions or to use the restroom and so on. The worst are those that just can't keep their mouths shut during the movie or constantly kick the back of my seat with their foot.

Plus, as I've mentioned several times before, $18 dollars per ticket, $4 dollars for parking and outrageous concessions have soured me on the movie going experience because it's just absolutely ridiculous to pay $60 dollars before concessions to take my kids to see an animated film that will be out on Digital (or Disney+) within 12 weeks or less.

[KCUnited]

No. Being in a dark room listening to people crunching on popcorn is my personal hell.

[seclark]

no...but i do enjoy picking out my seat.
hahahahah
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[Kman34]

I’ve always loved going to the movies.. But I’m not opposed to everything coming out on streaming.. Like what everyone already has said it’s getting way too expensive..

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by backinblack

I'm all about the opening showing matinee on a Tuesday at 11 am a few weeks after the film's release.

Same here. I refuse to see a movie I actually give a shit about on opening weekend.

When it's right, I do love the theater though.

[DJJasonp]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

My answer is No.

I much prefer watching movies at home on the 75" 4K TV with surround in my family room, mainly because it's a more immersive way for me to get into the movie.

All too often, there are people on their cell phones, which is majorly distracting, along with people bustling in and out of the theater to get concessions or to use the restroom and so on. The worst are those that just can't keep their mouths shut during the movie or constantly kick the back of my seat with their foot.

Plus, as I've mentioned several times before, $18 dollars per ticket, $4 dollars for parking and outrageous concessions have soured me on the movie going experience because it's just absolutely ridiculous to pay $60 dollars before concessions to take my kids to see an animated film that will be out on Digital (or Disney+) within 12 weeks or less.

Agreed - I've put together a pretty nice home theater room with good equipment, sound, etc.

That said, there is still something different about seeing a film in a huge theater with great sound, etc. (and no phones, talking, etc.).

It's funny though, the IMAX theaters of today still pale in comparison (at least to me) to Glenwood theater 1.

I saw a special screening of Empire Strikes Back at the Midland Theater (1980?) and I remember the opening sequences with the star destroyers, etc. blowing my mind.

Of course, I was a bit younger then.....but still, I'm underwhelmed at what theaters call "large" or "Imax" these days.

[Deberg_1990]

I actually still do. I get a buzz out of an opening weekend crowd with a busy theater. As long as everyone is polite and courteous, it’s still a fun experience.

But I get why people get irritated with crowds.

[htismaqe]

I said yes but with a couple of caveats.

We still go to the theater in our small town but only to support them, not necessarily because we enjoy going to the theater. The owners are friends and we like to buy local.

Second, even though I don't go to the normal theater anymore (with the above exception) I do enjoy going to Flix Brewhouse. Nothing better than a burger and beer while watching a movie.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by DJJasonp

I saw a special screening of Empire Strikes Back at the Midland Theater (1980?) and I remember the opening sequences with the star destroyers, etc. blowing my mind.

Holy shit! I was there, too!

My English teacher took all of us kids that were in the Gifted Program to see The Empire Strikes Back at the Midland, which was a trip because I remember that theater being so huge and "regal" as compared to the Glenwood, even though the Glenwood was awesome.

[Baby Lee]

Glenwood is where I watched ANH opening day. Little tyke being treated by grandparents. A big part of how cool SW was, was that my grandparents liked it as much as little me did.

Movies were a bigger deal as a kid, looking back amazed how much we went, usually every weekend, and most times to the Crest Drive-In, which meant 3 movies. We would watch anything, whatever was showing. In JHS, I watched 'Legal Eagles' [bland legal drama with Robert Redford and Debra Winger] THREE times the same weekend because 3 different circles of friends wanted to 'go to the movies' at different times that weekend.

Now, movies are for 'events.' Nolan, Tarantino, Star Wars, Marvel. That's about it. Recall back in the day when I went to KBII, it struck me watching the film that the last time I was in the theater was KBI.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Holy shit! I was there, too!

My English teacher took all of us kids that were in the Gifted Program to see The Empire Strikes Back at the Midland, which was a trip because I remember that theater being so huge and "regal" as compared to the Glenwood, even though the Glenwood was awesome.

I remember seeing ‘ESB’ at Midland as well. I mainly remember standing outside in-line a couple of hours. LOL

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

Glenwood is where I watched ANH opening day. Little tyke being treated by grandparents. A big part of how cool SW was, was that my grandparents liked it as much as little me did.

Movies were a bigger deal as a kid, looking back amazed how much we went, usually every weekend, and most times to the Crest Drive-In, which meant 3 movies. We would watch anything, whatever was showing. In JHS, I watched 'Legal Eagles' [bland legal drama with Robert Redford and Debra Winger] THREE times the same weekend because 3 different circles of friends wanted to 'go to the movies' at different times that weekend.

Now, movies are for 'events.' Nolan, Tarantino, Star Wars, Marvel. That's about it. Recall back in the day when I went to KBII, it struck me watching the film that the last time I was in the theater was KBI.

I can remember seeing a double bill at the Crest Drive in with my mom when I was 9. urban cowboy and grease. LOL