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Anyone else thinking about never going back to the theater?

Discussion in 'Film' started by SegNerd, May 28, 2020.

  1. SegNerd

    SegNerd Rebel Official

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    The pandemic has shown us that home releases can work. It would be awesome if studios realized this and made it a permanent option. But even if they don't... I feel like maybe this is an opportunity to just be free of movie theaters permanently.

    -The trailers section just seems to get longer and longer, and movies now start almost 30 minutes late, which is just obnoxious. Since anyone can watch any trailer they want on the Internet, there is no way you could possibly claim that anyone actually wants this many previews. For the amount you're paying, you shouldn't have to sit through ads.
    -I know that movie snacks have to be expensive because they don't make money on ticket sales. But snack prices at theaters aren't just high; they are insane. They could be significantly cheaper and would still be overpriced. Restaurants offer way better value on food, and they don't make any money on ticket sales either (because they don't sell tickets).
    -Movie theaters are just too loud for my taste.

    I understand the appeal of seeing a movie with a lively audience, but at least where I live, many showings are already getting very low attendance, and this effect is greatly diminished.

    So maybe I'll have to wait three extra months, but I'm thinking it may be time to stop spending money on such a poor experience - it's a matter of principle. ;)
     
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  2. Stormagadon

    Stormagadon Cantina Court Jester
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    There are a lot of things that are up in the air, and until things start to settle into a new "normal," I doubt we'll be able to tell for certain what will happen.

    When it comes to the cinema, I think it was starting to hit a boiling point as far business and entertainment for the reasons you stated. Food is overpriced (and honestly, the quality is pretty sub par), and waiting through the amount of trailers is a bore. I think this could be one of those weird benefits to our culture post pandemic: Commodities like prices and wait times are going to change for certain things, like movie theaters.
    I don't know how much longer the general populace would have kept going to the movies if prices kept getting higher and the trailers kept getting longer, but something was gonna give. Now that a lot of films are being released digitally, it's changed the game... but there's one crucial thing: People still like going to the theater.

    I love getting my ticket (online of course, I like to know I'm not throwing my afternoon away, haha), getting a seat, and watching the movie on a screen that's bigger than my apartment. I love the feeling, the excitement even if I've already seen it. There's a magic in the air of cinemas and theatres, and that's why people will always go and why they will always be in business.
    The big question is how much business will that actually be, and how often people can afford to go.

    I don't think movies theaters are gone for good, I just think if the majority of them want to survive, they have to change the business model. If they don't, then a lot of privately owned theaters are going to close up, and even chains will close a bunch up of theaters just to stay afloat.
    Digital is going to triumph and became a new normal now, but we're in for a fascinating ride seeing how we'll be able to watch new releases.
     
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  3. Addi Ras

    Addi Ras MASTER TEA MAKER
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    Honestly at this stage I just don't know if I will go back any time soon as the ratio of good experiences to bad are getting worse ( that the audience not the film ) so even the films I really want to see at the cinema like TENET I'm beginning to think twice about in case i get a C***** audience :(.
    & then this whole pandemic thing certainly makes going to a cinema fraught with uncertainty so until this thing is well undercontrol or there are some effective treatments or at some point hopefully a vaccine then unfortunately I will probably be staying away. Which is a shame as I used to really enjoy a nice trip to the cinema.
     
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  4. Andrew Waples

    Andrew Waples Jedi General

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    Nowadays, you can get a decent film theater quality experience relatively cheaply (of course depending on how many times you go to a theater) and thus not need theater. Now, the only reason to go is because Hollywood releases the theater version first 3 months before home release.
     
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  5. NunbNuts

    NunbNuts Rebel Official

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    At this time in particular I don't think it's a good idea to dismantle an industry that's already taken a huge hit and eliminate even more jobs. If it becomes a public health risk or something maybe but not just so we can get movies a little faster. I don't see it as something we need to break free from, it's not holding anybody prisoner unless they're incapable of waiting for a digital release a few months later. I understand not liking theaters but they're easily avoidable, especially these days when movies are already on digital faster than they used to make it to the dollar theater. Besides if they removed theaters from the equation they'd probably just raise the price on digital and home media
     
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  6. General Kenobi

    General Kenobi Rebel Official

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    I enjoy seeing movies in the theater. For the most part, in theaters I attend rude people are rare. Watching big blockbusters when they open on a large screen with good sound system is fun with other fans and all the buzz. I'm not a movie collector and rarely buy one digitally or on DVD so the theater is kinda my chance to see it if I want to. As others have said, the industry will probably see some closures and/or consolidation but I doubt it will entirely go away. (at least I hope it doesn't)
     
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  7. Use the Falchion

    Use the Falchion Jedi Contrarian

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    I like seeing movies in theaters on occasion (superhero movies, Star Wars, Christopher Nolan movies), but other movies I enjoy seeing in theaters such as Mission Impossible, Fast & Furious movies, and James Bond, I honestly don't mind waiting until they come out on streaming or Blu-Ray to see them. To me, it's about who I see most of these movies with, not just the movie. Seeing it with my friends at their place is just as good as seeing it on a giant screen to me in most cases.

    But I don't think the movie going experience will ever fully go away. Things like stage plays, ballet recitals, and opera are still around - why would movie theaters be any different?
     
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  8. Jaimz the Jedi

    Jaimz the Jedi Rebel General

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    I think big, event sized movies will always be released on the big screen (just look at the obscene amount of money Disney made at the box office last year!). Big studios like Disney would be crazy to just walk away from that.

    However, it’s inevitable more and more “smaller” or “medium sized” movies will end up on VOD, Netflix, amazon prime etc

    The cinema will be reserved exclusively for Blockbusters, which it sorta already is!
     
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  9. Olivia Kenobi

    Olivia Kenobi Rebel General

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    Watching movies on the big screen have always brought them to life for me, but I totally agree that larger scale movies should have priority in theaters, just beause of the demand for them.
     
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  10. Jack_Forest

    Jack_Forest Force Attuned

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    After I bought a huge tv screen, my interest in movie theatres has dimished greatly. Especially now, that there are barely any movies that need to be seen urgently.
     
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  11. Jaimz the Jedi

    Jaimz the Jedi Rebel General

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    I’m thankful 2020 seemed to be a weak year for movies anyway. I would have been tempted to go see Ghostbusters: Afterlife, A Quiet Place Part II and Bill & Ted Face the Music...but I won’t be devastated if the get released on streaming instead. The new Bond was the only thing I was 100% definitely going to see on the big screen this year. 2021 looks stacked though!
     
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  12. RoyleRancor

    RoyleRancor Car'a'Carn

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    Some thoughts on the general comments in here:

    1. Theater food is so expensive because they make nothing on ticket sales because studios strong arm theaters into getting more ticket revenue. So you're really only supporting the studio when you buy a ticket. So...support your theater and buy the overpriced popcorn for that alone.

    2. Your home theater (in most cases) isn't nearly as good as the theatrical experience but it's a lot better than it used to be. It's sort of a bias we have all concocted for ourselves to justify not going. Even if I use the 7.2 surround sound and 80" 4K TV, it doesn't quite hit that theatrical experience. It makes rewatching movies at home so much better though.

    3. This really isn't a sustainable model for the long run. A group of 3 people who get together to watch a VOD release of a movie have no cost the studio money on ticket sales. It likely works for family movies (like SCOOB!) but wouldn't for a tentpole flick.

    4. The theatrical experience of watching movies together is vastly underappreciated. It plays a huge role in how we consume movies whether we realize it or not. It's a communal thing.

    5. @Addi Ras go on Sunday mornings. First showings. It's cheaper, you're surrounded by the post-church crowd and there is almost no one under the age of 50. I too had awful experiences and then found Sunday mornings to be the best option. Some incredible experiences.

    6. The cinematic nature of movies, like Star Wars, is why we love them. If they are no longer released in theaters we *will* lose that as it becomes less important and everything is shot more and more like Game of Thrones, which while impressive still usually pales in comparison to things actually shot for the big screen.

    7. I generally agree you will see fewer small-mid budget films skip theatrical runs. Which is a travesty. They will take the easier profit over the better experience and it's hard to blame them. A movie like Annihilation deserved a big screen viewing but any more is likely headed to VOD unless the director can get a secured theatrical run in his deal.
     
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  13. Addi Ras

    Addi Ras MASTER TEA MAKER
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    @RoyleRancor I used to work weekend so I could always go mid week say the first showing around 11.30 which was fine as it was quite but then the downside is that you miss the cinema experience of a full screen however in the future that's probably not going to be coming back anytime soon :(
     
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  14. RoyleRancor

    RoyleRancor Car'a'Carn

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    Probably not. It's sad. Maybe if Drive-Ins keep making a comeback we can get close
     
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  15. SegNerd

    SegNerd Rebel Official

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    I'm not trying to tell anyone that they are not "allowed" to go to the theater, and I'm also not necessarily trying to shut down theaters altogether. I'm just thinking about making a statement that I personally will not continue to give money to this type of business unless they treat customers better.

    I'm really not too worried about Hollywood running out of money. If they can afford to blow $100 million on this, then I think they are probably doing okay. :D
     
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  16. Stormagadon

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    Hey, to each their own. I think this was a great idea to make a thread about. We get varying perspectives and preferences, without the hostility of people trying to shame us into doing the opposite or what "professionals" or leaders say. We're just chatting. :)

    Also, I'm not worried about Hollywood running out of money either, but they should really reconsider what should be made, not what can sort of be made... :D
     
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  17. MandoChip

    MandoChip Hate me later. Work now.
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    As someone who struggles going to the cinema due to personal problems, I'm totally fine with this. The magic of watching movies on the big screen is something I can't really relate to as I find it to be a difficult experience.
     
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  18. Too Gon Onbourbon

    Too Gon Onbourbon Rebel Official

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    I love the cinema. I love the communal experience. I love a huge screen and screaming sound.

    If money was no issue I'd see more small scale movies there too.

    I've had a projector and a 100 inch screen. I loved it but still went to see major releases, what it killed for me was the 2nd run theater because my sound was definitely better, by the time a movie got there is was available at home, and my screen was close in size.

    When I get a new one and an even larger screen it will not be much different other than I can't see myself in a theater for an easy 6-18 months other than a drive in so it will be a bigger deal for health reasons temporarily but one day no matter the home set up I'll be at the cinema at least several times a year for the big screen monster releases at minimum unless I win the lottery and spend a nice chunk of it on home IMAX and all my friends just come there so I can be a part of an audience sometimes.
     
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  19. kuatorises

    kuatorises Rebel Commander

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    No, not an option for me. I want to see blockbusters on a big screen with big sound and audiences who are engaged. The home viewing experience does not duplicate that feeling or environment.

    Can anyone explain to me how companies make money off of streaming releases? Most of your viewers already have your service, so how the hell are they generating revenue? Will more join to see something? Sure, but the bulk of your viewing base is already there. This can't be comparable to an opening weekend of several hundred million dollars.
     
  20. KesselRunner

    KesselRunner Rebel Official

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    I definitely feel like I've lost my appetite for it. But really, I feel like I've lost my appetite for most modern entertainment. I'm getting more enjoyment out of re-watching Stargate SG-1 than I have from any theater experience I've had in the last ten years or so. I used to go to the movies all the time, but recently, there hasn't been a lot that has drawn my interest.
     
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