General movie discussion

[payn]

Well, I agree.

....which is a problem for the theaters....


(Now, the exception to this is "the youths." In my area, it's still a place to hang out, go on dates, etc.)

Yeap, I kind of ran out of sympathy with theaters. Part of that is the lack of good variety in film choices. A lot of what I like as an adult has gone to streaming in the series in particular. Though, the small places that run interesting docs and indie films have been really crushed. The secondary market for old films are super fun, but a lot of these corps keep a stranglehold on their catalogs making it difficult to do.

Not enough variety in choices or experiences and the chocking out of the smaller urban sites has killed my interest. /shrug.

 

[Cadence]

Yeap, I kind of ran out of sympathy with theaters. Part of that is the lack of good variety in film choices. A lot of what I like as an adult has gone to streaming in the series in particular. Though, the small places that run interesting docs and indie films have been really crushed. The secondary market for old films are super fun, but a lot of these corps keep a stranglehold on their catalogs making it difficult to do.

Not enough variety in choices or experiences and the chocking out of the smaller urban sites has killed my interest. /shrug.

It feels like the only benefit the theater brings that my 60" at home doesn't is the huge screen and massive sound system. If it doesn't have either huge special effects, gorgeous period costumes and big sets, or spectacular outdoor vistas, it doesn't have a lot to draw me to spend more for putting up with fellow audience members.

 

[Retreater]

It feels like the only benefit the theater brings that my 60" at home doesn't is the huge screen and massive sound system. If it doesn't have either huge special effects, gorgeous period costumes and big sets, or spectacular outdoor vistas, it doesn't have a lot to draw me to spend more for putting up with fellow audience members.

Not even being able to see it a couple months before it's available at home?

 

[payn]

It feels like the only benefit the theater brings that my 60" at home doesn't is the huge screen and massive sound system. If it doesn't have either huge special effects, gorgeous period costumes and big sets, or spectacular outdoor vistas, it doesn't have a lot to draw me to spend more for putting up with fellow audience members.

Right. Im not anti-theater, but really the experience isnt at a point I'm going to miss it if its gone. The theater experience I love is practically dead, and the one I dont care for is the new model. So, I hope folks who like it as is are happy and things get back to normal, but saving the industry isnt a compelling argument for me specifically.

 

[Cadence]

Not even being able to see it a couple months before it's available at home?

My backlog is pretty big already. :-/

But sure, if it was something I really wanted - Nero Wolfe, Lord Darcy, live action favorite children's book - I'd go out of my way to see it earlier at the theater

 

[Mannahnin]

I like a theater for something with big visuals and immersive sound. I've never yet laid out the cash for a very large TV or great sound system in my home. Dune and The Batman were definitely both movies I wanted the (non-3D) Imax experience for.

I also like it for smaller, cult or classic movies just for the ritual, the enhanced experience of sharing it with other people going out of their way to see something you're unable to catch at the multiplex. Of course, these theaters often also include amenities like decent beer, wine, and fancy snacks, and nicer seating (though the trend to electric recliners in multiplexes has largely negated that one).

Theaters like Coolidge Corner, Kendall Square, and The Brattle in Brookline and Cambridge (all really part of Boston for most of you) all also tend to have some great bars and restaurants nearby too. So, e.g., when we went to see the Mr. Rogers doc at Kendall Square for my brother's birthday a couple of years ago, we could grab a beer at Cambridge Brewing Company across the square beforehand, and go out to an amazing vegetarian-friendly asian street food themed place (Night Market) in Harvard Square afterward.

 

[Ryujin]

It feels like the only benefit the theater brings that my 60" at home doesn't is the huge screen and massive sound system. If it doesn't have either huge special effects, gorgeous period costumes and big sets, or spectacular outdoor vistas, it doesn't have a lot to draw me to spend more for putting up with fellow audience members.

Disadvantage that the theatre brings: Being able to see the edges of the prosthetic makeup in movies like "The Hobbit" trilogy. Plays much better (if 'better' is the appropriate word) on a home screen.

 

[Mad_Jack]

So, e.g., when we went to see the Mr. Rogers doc at Kendall Square for my brother's birthday a couple of years ago, we could grab a beer at Cambridge Brewing Company across the square beforehand, and go out to an amazing vegetarian-friendly asian street food themed place (Night Market) in Harvard Square afterward.

I used to know a bunch of the folks in the Full Body Cast that performed Rocky Horror over by Harvard Square. I think the cast is performing somewhere around Boston Commons now...

 

[payn]

I remember one time going to see Being John Malkovich. We all snuck in bottles of beer. About half way thru the movie one guy reaches down for his next bottle and tips it over. Loudly starts rolling down towards the front row. Finally, it stops and some guy reaches down and picks it up. "All right its a New Castle Brown Ale" PSSSSCHT... Dude just starts drinking it lol. Not like you can ask him for your beer back.

 

[MarkB]

Not even being able to see it a couple months before it's available at home?

That's an imposed condition though, not an intrinsic benefit of the cinema experience.