A Growing indifference to Cinema Going

My local Cineworld has amazing leg room - nobody has to stand up to let you by, and whilst the seats aren't phenomenally comfortable, they'll see you through a 3-hour experience quite happily. So why do idiots have to put their feet up on the back of the seat in front of them? In the old days, an usher would shine a torch at you and throw you out, if you didn't stop. No ushers any more, that's another way cinemas have been saving money. But I don't buy popcorn there, it's ludicrously expensive. A year or two ago they must have been feeling the pinch because signs went up saying 'only food and drink bought on the premises can be consumed here.'

Still, the moviegoing experience continues to draw me in. Saw Rogue One twice, because I could...
 
Nothing quite beats the cinema experience - even in my youth during the late 70s, I went to see Star Wars IV, in 70mm (a new concept for that time); and those first couple of minutes into the film, with that huge Star Destroyer coming into view "over head", in dynamic Dolby Stereo, was a sight (and sound) to remember. Same with Alien too.

But I think back then cinema prices for tickets, food, drink and programmes were far cheaper (even when factoring in inflation). Moreover, back then film releases were only accessible through cinema outlets; and you would then have to wait months before it came out on VHS, or premiered on TV (which in the UK would take 2 or 3 years!!). So choice was limited, and you had to go to the cinema, hence the new concept (for the 70s) of the term "blockbuster" - with queues of people outside the cinema waiting to see the next performance. (I think "Jaws" started that ball rolling)

But these days people are little more blase about going to the cinema, knowing full well the film will be released on BR within weeks, or will be available on some dodgy torrent site more or less before or during official release. And of course there were no tablets or smartphones back in the 70s, so patrons were not distracted quite so easily.

Cinema isn't the happy pastime it once was unfortunately
 
TheDustyZebra said:
.............

Anybody live where they still have a drive-in movie theater? We used to have than when I was a kid, and, more important, when I was a teenager. Double feature for $5 a carload, bring your own snacks even though there was a concession stand, can't beat that. But alas, it's gone. There's still one in Colorado, a few hours away I think, but I haven't been to it.
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We have a triple drive-in 20 minutes away. The last time I went (many years ago), the problem was the mosquitos. If you closed the windows to keep the bugs out, the inside glass would fog up. Invariably, there would be 2 or 3 noxious buzzing insects flying around that you couldn't eliminate. Way too distracting.
 
elvet said:
We have a triple drive-in 20 minutes away. The last time I went (many years ago), the problem was the mosquitos. If you closed the windows to keep the bugs out, the inside glass would fog up. Invariably, there would be 2 or 3 noxious buzzing insects flying around that you couldn't eliminate. Way too distracting.
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~sigh~

Mosquitos? Really? That's what keeps you from outdoor activities?

I lived in Florida most of my life. Went to the drive-in regularly. The Florida State Bird never bothered me in the least. I saw many of the most iconic movies of my age at the drive-in. Up In Smoke, Blues Brothers, Debbie Does Dallas...

With a pocket full of money, my best friend and I would hide in the trunk while our dates drove in - just for the blast of having done it!

A great time was had by all! :)
 
Drive-in movies.

I could be mistaken here, but many moons ago a chain tried to introduce the Drive-In Movie concept to these shores;but for whatever reason it never took off and just disappeared as quick as it had arrived.

My impression of those venues were places where you would "make out" with your partner in the back seat of your car. The film was purely incidental.
 
HanaBi said:
My impression of those venues were places where you would "make out" with your partner in the back seat of your car. The film was purely incidental.
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That was the idea. ;)

Used to piss my girlfriend to no end that I'd watch the movie! HA!

It's ok though... I knew the BEST "parking" spots for a post-movie make-out session! :D
 
I went to a cinema for the first time in years a few weeks ago. It was an on-campus cinema so it was more like a lecture theatre but going to the screening made me realise why I was so jealous when my SO went to see the midnight screening of Rogue One (I had to miss it because I had an essay due the next morning).

The reason I don't go to the cinema so often is because of the cost. Here in the UK a ticket as well as popcorn and a drink can cost over £20. Which is a shame because I'd totally go more often. I'm kind of interested in seeing the new Beauty and the Beast later this month.
 
1976:

ticket 3.50

med soda $1.00

med popcorn $1.75 (extra butter free)

Large candy bar $1.00

TOTAL VISIT: $7.25


2016:

ticket $15.50 (with my senior's discount)

med soda $2.25

med popcorn $3.75 (extra butter 25 cents)

Large candy bar $2.25

TOTAL VISIT: $24.00
 
Cathbad said:
1976:

ticket 3.50

med soda $1.00

med popcorn $1.75 (extra butter free)

Large candy bar $1.00

TOTAL VISIT: $7.25


2016:

ticket $15.50 (with my senior's discount)

med soda $2.25

med popcorn $3.75 (extra butter 25 cents)

Large candy bar $2.25

TOTAL VISIT: $24.00
Click to expand...


It costs 3 times as much for less value. :unsure:
 
Cathbad said:
yup.

The Industry is killing itself.
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They have alot of completion from television , The internet and gaming companies that do the same things they do only better and cheaper.
 
BAYLOR said:
They have alot of completion from television , The internet and gaming companies that do the same things they do only better and cheaper.
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From the Internet, yes.

But the two biggest reasons are:

1) Paying actors ridiculously huge amounts and giving them large percentages!

2) Paying what are now ludicrous amounts to programmers, animators and special effects experts, who now, for the most part, simply use code that others wrote, merely modifying it as needed.

These groups are wildly overpaid! PAY THEM LESS! GET TOGETHER AND WORK OUT A REASONABLE INDUSTRY-WIDE SCALE!

...or go bust. Whatevah.
 
Cathbad said:
From the Internet, yes.

But the two biggest reasons are:

1) Paying actors ridiculously huge amounts and giving them large percentages!

2) Paying what are now ludicrous amounts to programmers, animators and special effects experts, who now, for the most part, simply use code that others wrote, merely modifying it as needed.

These groups are wildly overpaid! PAY THEM LESS! GET TOGETHER AND WORK OUT A REASONABLE INDUSTRY-WIDE SCALE!

...or go bust. Whatevah.
Click to expand...

The big movie stars are all overpaid for the little work that they actually do and star power isn't the draw it used to be. Even with stars the studious still have plenty of expensive box office misses . The studios should just offer them a wage and tell them take it or leave it. After they've been unemployed for a while, they'll come to he table for less money. Executive should be given the incentive of come up with good films or be fired.
 
Cathbad said:
DAMMIT @BAYLOR !

Agreeing with me is no way to argue!!


:LOL:
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Because this is one thing we can actually agree on.:D

By the way did you happen to see how well the Matt Damon film The Great Wall is doing at the box office ? :D
 
BAYLOR said:
Because this is one thing we can actually agree on.:D

By the way did you happen to see how well the Matt Damon film The Great Wall is doing at the box office ? :D
Click to expand...

Actually, no. That movie has no interest to me.
 
Cathbad said:
1976:

ticket 3.50

med soda $1.00

med popcorn $1.75 (extra butter free)

Large candy bar $1.00

TOTAL VISIT: $7.25


2016:

ticket $15.50 (with my senior's discount)

med soda $2.25

med popcorn $3.75 (extra butter 25 cents)

Large candy bar $2.25

TOTAL VISIT: $24.00
Click to expand...

Not doubting your stats, but does this account for inflation?
 
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