In the 60s and 70s we only had one ... a drive-in theater. The only times that I watched a movie in public. When movies went to in-door theaters I tried it once but left in the first third or less of the movie. I did not like sitting next to someone I did not know so close to me. Never went back to an in-door movie again.

Just sayin'.

I went and saw The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard at the theater. Noon showing on a Friday. There was an elderly couple and myself.

Theaters haven't closed and are advertising a variety of movies--both new and old--but I don't see much traffic through them.

Like many of you, I and my late wife stopped going to movie theaters years ago: did not care for the movies, did not like all the ad/commercials before the movie, nor the constant talking and ringing of cellphones. During COVID, perfectly happy to watch movies on the various streaming platforms on a widescreen TV in the comfort of my own home! No time wasted driving to and from the movie theater.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:


But the theater was not crowded. Not for any of the movies playing. I can't imagine they can continue with that few customers.

No they cannot. There’s a reckoning coming for both these theaters which IMO are dead men walking and Hollywood who continues to churn out shitty movies no one wants to watch.

There must be a whole lot of upkeep on those big buildings, those big and very empty buildings.

Movie theaters, I don't care about, but Hollywood? Man, I'd dearly love to see all of this COVID idiocy impact their bottom line so hard, they get into a panic.

How many millions of movies have been created since Edison invented them? Many of them are old enough that the current generation hasn't even heard of them, let alone seen them. Shut down Hollywood and bring back the old (better) films. And bring back the Saturday matineés that were 4 hours long, with 2 features, cartoons (the old ones), and a serial.

flashguy

Oh.... Interesting development! Our local theater just got approved for a liquor license. So you can watch movies with drunks!

It has to be about 25 years since my wife and I have gone to a movie theater.
As others have said, the atmosphere there is not conducive to an enjoyable experience. Not to mention the ridiculous prices.

Last movie I went to there were not very many customers in the theatre. But there is only one theatre left in a town of 80,00o. Its a family owned theater that has 20 screens and they run a good theatre. I am looking forward to seeing Black Widow, James Bond and hopefully Top Gun somethime this year!!!!

"AMC Theatres offering all-you-can-eat popcorn for moviegoers during ‘Cinema Week’"

"The promotion starts Tuesday, June 22, and runs through Wednesday, June 30."




Holy cow, Batman, I'm in!

"“If you are not fully vaccinated, we ask that you continue to wear a mask throughout the theater unless actively enjoying food or drinks.”

Similar updates to mask policy were made on Regal and Cinemark websites."

Awww, ratfuck, I'm out.

quote:

Originally posted by RichardC:
"AMC Theatres offering all-you-can-eat popcorn for moviegoers during ‘Cinema Week’"

"The promotion starts Tuesday, June 22, and runs through Wednesday, June 30."

Holy cow, Batman, I'm in!

"“If you are not fully vaccinated, we ask that you continue to wear a mask throughout the theater unless actively enjoying food or drinks.”

Similar updates to mask policy were made on Regal and Cinemark websites."

Awww, ratfuck, I'm out.

^^^^Now this is something I can get behind. The main reason I go the theater. I can literally eat 2-3 large buckets full by myself. Of course I regret it later.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: parabellum,

quote:

Originally posted by RichardC:
"AMC Theatres offering all-you-can-eat popcorn for moviegoers during ‘Cinema Week’"

I'm sure popcorn itself is fine, but the fake butter flavor and the fake butter/grease makes it inedible.

There are two major cinema chains near me and whenever I drive by day or night, the lots are empty. I heard that one of them filed chapter 11. I can only imagine how much the building lease and general overhead is for just one of those theaters. I think that with so many movies going right to the streaming services, we will see a decline overall in movie theaters like what happened with malls due to online shopping.

I love movies. I used to go weekly. Movie quality has declined dramatically over the years. Covid hit and I bought a bigger TV with surround sound. Then I bought a popcorn machine. Why go back? I can sit at home watch my favorite old movies and do it for pennies.

I have not been to the theater since June 2018. It was then I realized I as attending due to habit, more than a desire to watch the trash Hollyweird has been putting out. While I hate to see a business fail, due to the employees, if the loss of theater revenue hurts hollywood, all the better.

Various reasons why people aren't going to the movies right now, covid still being #1, I think. But nobody wants to put out their movie during covid so it's self-fulfilling. No good* movies coming out right now.

*Good being quite subjective, of course.

I do think theaters have been forced to innovate due to the decreased attendance, which is a good thing. The number of them that serve decent food and drinks has gone way up and the comfort of the chairs and reduction in capacity are all good things.

The wife and I haven't been to a movie theater in ages. Between the ridiculous prices of tickets and concessions, the crowds, the talk of them being "gun-free zones" and the pure tripe that Hollyhoodwink calls 'entertainment'...yeah...no.

I haven't been to a movie theater in years. Being in a small town we have only the one theater and it alternates between open or closed, depending on the market. They are presently open. They have just announced, in cooperation with the college, that they will be offering free matinee movies every Wednesday. They are supposed to be publishing a list of the movies shortly....that should be interesting

The last movie I saw in a theater was Akira Kurosawa's Throne of Blood. It never occurred to me that I would ever get a chance to see this film on the big screen. It was even more awesome than I expected it to be.

This was just pre-Covid19 and I decided then that it was a good place to stop. I've got a big-assed TV and good sound system. Reasons for going out to watch a movie have pretty much vanished.

Mrs. BB61 and I were members of Cinemark’s Movie Club before the pandemic. While there were not a lot of great movies, we would generally go once a month or send the kids to a kid movie. Right now, their parking lot is not very full although the locally owned discount theater has been quite full. We are leaning towards not renewing our membership. We recently watched Cruella with the kids on our new family room TV system. While not the quality of a movie theater or a dedicated home theater room, it still is hard to beat what we have and it was much cheaper than taking the entire family to the theater (over time of course):

Klipsch System
Tower speakers with Dolby Atmos top speakers
Center speaker for dialogue
Two rear speakers
12” subwoofer
Wired for speakers in the ceiling if I want
Denon receiver
86” LG TV
Reclining leather couch, two loveseats and recliner
Our own bathroom
Our own food
I control the sound

I’m not saying never, but I doubt we will go see movies outside the home anymore except for vetted block busters like a good 007 or perhaps the new Indiana Jones they are filming. I can’t think we are unique. In the future, I actually think movie theaters will do better in lower income areas where people can’t afford a home theater system of some sort.