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.

 

[Older Beholder]

Went and saw Everything Everywhere All at Once this past Saturday night. It was excellent. Great absurdist sci-fi kung fu parallel reality sci-fi family drama with heart. Michelle Yeoh remains everything I could ask for. Stephanie Hsu and Ke Huy Quan were outstanding. The rest of the supporting cast were great too. Jamie Lee Curtis really taking it over the top, and James Hong always wonderful to see.

I got to see it over the Easter weekend, really enjoyed the surreal nature of the film.
I found it surprisingly emotional, despite it's absurdity. I thought it was an improvement on Swiss Army Man, (although I did enjoy that too), although it's equally hard to explain to someone what the film is about.

 

[Mannahnin]

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...

I used to be friends with a bunch of the cast folks in the late 90s, and regularly attend parties at Oakwire in Somerville that the cast would show up to as the second or third wave of attendees on Friday and Saturday nights after Rocky.

 

[Mad_Jack]

I used to be friends with a bunch of the cast folks in the late 90s

We probably know some of the same people - I started performing with the RI cast back in '97, and used to regularly show up to the Boston and Newton shows at least four or five times a year...

 

[payn]

Any movie theater snackers here? What are the things you always like to get? Any odd favorites like nachos?

For me, I used to love buttered popcorn, but now I find the quality of the corn and the liquid butter oil to be unappetizing. For probably the last 5-10 years I usually dont get anything and just watch the flick. If im on the right side of town I'll go to the second run theater that has great corn and real butter topping. Thats like maybe once a year tho.

 

[Deset Gled]

Any movie theater snackers here? What are the things you always like to get? Any odd favorites like nachos?

Milk Duds. It's a candy made for slow eating.

The theatre I used to frequent pre-COVID had a 5 Below about a block away with a huge candy section at the front. They knew their target market.

 

[trappedslider]

Any movie theater snackers here? What are the things you always like to get? Any odd favorites like nachos?

For me, I used to love buttered popcorn, but now I find the quality of the corn and the liquid butter oil to be unappetizing. For probably the last 5-10 years I usually dont get anything and just watch the flick. If im on the right side of town I'll go to the second run theater that has great corn and real butter topping. Thats like maybe once a year tho.

Red vines

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Red vines

A red vine is what happens when a Twizzler and a Zip Tie have intercourse.

 

[payn]

A red vine is what happens when a Twizzler and a Zip Tie have intercourse.

lol, I didn't even think about it, but you are right. They usually sell red vines at the hardware store next to the saw dust.

 

[Mannahnin]

Still, Mr. Pibb + Red Vines = Crazy Delicious.

 

[payn]

Many years ago, I was all about the Nestle bunch a crunch. Dump it right into the bucket of popcorn and go.