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TV Talk Discussion Group
I was reading an article the other day about how more and more movies are going to be made in 3D. The explanation was that 3D movies were something that couldn't readily be done at home with videos, and that this experience would do more to bring people back to the theatres.
I was discussing this with some people at work, and things that were mentioned as to why these people didn't go to the movies much, were: price of tickets, price of concessions, cell phones, crying/whining children, and talking people.
So, my questions are...Do you go to the movies much? If not, why not? And, if you DO go to the movies, what upcoming movies are you looking forward to?
For me, I don't go much. Yeah, I've been in the theatre only to hear someone talking on their cell phone. I've also been around entirely too many chatty people. When I go, I usually go to the matinee, so it's cheaper, and less people. Though I occassionally get a soda, concessions aren't really a consideration, though they tend to be high priced. My biggest obstacles, however, are, there are a lot of crappy movies, and making the time to go. My bf and I sometimes have odd schedules, and it's difficult to work out a block of time to go out to a movie, when we know we won't fall asleep! I tend to choose movies that would look better on the big screen.
Anyway...I plan to venture out for the new "Indiana Jones" movie. Someone asked..."What's this one about?" My reply was "Who cares? It's Indiana Jones!". Also, I may go see the new "Mummy" movie. Also, I'm intrigued by "Journey to the Center of the Earth" in 3D.
Good questions, Signy!
Do you go to the movies much? I hardly ever go to the theater anymore to see a film.
If not, why not? 1) I fall asleep! Even at "Transformers," which I think should have kept me awake, I fought sleepiness the whole time, and actually left as the movie reached a climax (I felt like I'd seen that kind of story before and could predict the ending, anyway - I guess it was really for kids). 2) Plus, the cost - ridiculous! I'm on disability now and just can't justify that, when there is so much on TV and older movies you can rent. I rent at Blockbuster. I know, not many people still actually walk into a store to rent - they belong to those monthly clubs. I only rent every 2-3 months, sometimes longer. (I resent Netflix and Blockbuster raking in all that regular dough from people, since I don't think there are that many people who would be renting so many movies if they didn't feel obligated by their membership. Though I could be wrong; I don't hang around with a lot of people anymore.)
What upcoming movies are you looking forward to? I want to answer this question anyway, since I still consider myself a big movie person. I watch a lot of TV, including movies (though I do prefer them without commercials/editing, unless they're really violent when I actually appreciate the editing); but I still follow what's coming up in the theaters. Especially because of the sleepiness thing, I prefer to watch movies at home, unless it's some huge movie that can only be appreciated on the big screen (where I totally agree with you, Rosebud1). I went to Paul Allen's theater in Seattle to see the last "Lord of the Rings," for instance, with no regrets. Anyway, I'm sure I'll want to see the new "Indiana Jones" movie on a big screen; let's hope it keeps me awake! "X-Files" ... I'll see it for sure, but the first one wasn't really big screen-worthy so hopefully I can get away with renting that too. I hadn't heard of "Journey to the Center of the Earth" in 3D ... that definitely sounds like a big-screener! What is "Wall-E," Dax? Hadn't heard of that either. I do want to see "Made of Honor" because an old school mate of mine, Kathleen Quinlan, is in it, but I'll be waiting for the rental. Hope it's good - it looks like the male version of "My Best Friend's Wedding," doesn't it? And remakes are so rarely good, especially the comedies. Hope it isn't all silly, slapstick humor.
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I don't go to movies in the theater much anymore, and it has nothing to do with the bad manners of other movie patrons. I hear that complaint from people a lot lately, but I think it's exaggerated. Seems to me there have been noisy, rude yahoos in movie theaters since I was a kid. My grandmother was someone who would talk during movies (boy did that drive us crazy) so I don't think it's the young'ins today. (To tell you the truth, I find people are much ruder during live performances. Which, for the money people pay to see shows, is really puzzling. It's one thing to pay $10 and talk through a movie; another to pay $100 and talk through a show.)
I also hardly ever get movies on DVD anymore. I can't remember the last time I walked into a Blockbuster or got something off of Pay-Per-View.
The reason I don't watch new movies is because most of them stink. The last 5-7 years of moviemaking have been creatively awful. It's not like I'm a snob, either. I like a good action movie, but nowadays "action" means nothing more than "go boom" for two and a half hours, with not even a bare attempt at character or story. And I'm not into the comedies where ugly, slacker men end up with model-gorgeous girlfriends. Those are too much like watching sci-fi.
Thank heavens for smart genre TV shows.
Actually, I haven't been to a movie theatre in about 5 years. (And that was a drive-in.) I just prefer DVDs. The last time I went to an actual indoor theatre was when I was in college. They were showing one of my old favorites, Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, and the place was full of people who, obviously having no idea what they were there to see, had brought their small children. LOL, I've never seen such a mass exodus in my life... you would have thought the place was on fire.
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There have been a few movies that I regretted not seeing in the theater, because the big screen enhanced the experience, but that is a rarity. Most of the time I look for them on the library shelf, where I can check them out for a week or two for free.
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Used to go all the time, now go only very rarely- for those reasons - people talking, cell phones, unruly children and clueless inconsiderate parents, high-ticket prices... the viewing experience on dvd is going to be more pleasurable, so we'll wait.
Will see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Wall-E on the big screen, and maybe a couple of others this summer... The Dark Knight, The X-Files: I Want To Believe... anxious to see, but I've got such a backlog of just-as-anxious-to-see films sitting on the shelf that... gotta be REALLY special to get me in a theatre, these days...
Saw Beowulf in Imax 3-D last year... the 3-D was incredible...
I go to the movies about 5 times a year. My husband and I go but since he had a stroke, his cognition is a bit impaired and it's hard for him to follow complicated plot lines, like the one in "Syriana" (heck - I had trouble following that, too!) But he likes action movies and I like romantic comedies. He likes blood and gore, I like laughter and light. It's hard to find movies we both agree upon!
I will say that when we do go to the movies, we try to go to a show before 6 pm to get the better rates. I don't know how movie theaters stay in business. Sometimes we are the only people in the theater. - It's a good time to go, Holly Sarah! No NOISE!
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I don't go to the movies very often, mostly just because I'm too busy with work or church stuff! The prices help keep me away too. I mean, it's crazy!
I also can't stand to hear all the 'noise' in the theater. The talkers, cell phone users, candy wrappers, slurping and popcorn crunching. I guess it's annoying for everyone, but..I can only hear out of one ear, so it's realllllly distracting!
One thing I LOVE though, and it makes such a difference to me, is that I always ask for a headset. I guess they ARE for the hearing impaired, but half the time, I have my hair down and no one can see my hearing aid, plus I speak as well as anyone, so that's not a give-away. I just ask for the headset and they hand me one. Though I make sure to get to the movie early because they always end up having to check multiple sets to find one that works! Sometimes they even have to search for batteries! I guess they don't get used very often :) It's awesome though..I just stick them on, switch my hearing aid to the telephone switch and all I hear is the movie! No background noises whatsoever! Of course, that also means if I think something is funny..and it's not to anyone else, I'll be the only one laughing and won't even know it :) Oh well!
Now I just need some special goggles or something so I don't see the glow of cellphones when people answer them in the theater! That aggravates me to no end!! My dad even does it, so I always make him sit behind me if he's with me, lol!!
There are two movies I want to see right now..well, when they come out..the Indiana Jones movie and Made of Honor. I will watch just about anything in the theater if I think it looks good. I don't really rely on what others say because many a time, a movie has gotten bad reviews and I loved it or they've gotten good reviews and I've hated it, lol!
I just saw Nim's Island this weekend and it was cute :) I missed the previews though because I guess when the lady tested my headset, it worked, but when I got into the theater, it didn't! Had to go back and get another set. I am going to the movies again this weekend, but don't know what movie we are seeing! Two weekends in a row at the movie theater..don't think that's happened since I was a teenager :)
~Holly Sarah~