Why see a movie in the theaters anymore?

[Archae]

I just finished watching "The Wrath Of Khan" on my full system.

32" big-screen TV.
250-watt sound system with 4 speakers and sub-woofer.

WOW!!! :wow:

I haven't been to a movie theater since 1994. Honest!
Too expensive, snacks and drinks cost too much and aren't very good.

And if I go to the bathroom, I miss a good part.

So why go to a theater?

[Tom_Foolery]

1. I started wondering that same thing in 1983 after I bought my first VCR.

:shrug:

[Cannikin]

2. Sometimes I'll see a stinker like Tron Legacy or Avatar at the theater just because

The picture never quite compares with TVs, although Blu Ray has made it much closer. But in most other cases I'd prefer to watch at home.

[charlie and algernon]

4. Avatar on Blue-Ray with an HD-LCD TV is beautiful

It was as gorgeous as seeing it in the theaters. It may not have the most original plot, but the scenery might be the best ever.

[dimbear]

3. Sometimes it's fun to be alone in a really large room. n/t

[Tuesday Afternoon]

15. +1

matinee on Tuesday afternoons. . . fabulous! :)

[edbermac]

5. Some films demand to be seen on a big screen.

And moviegoing is a communal experience.

And I sneak in my own snacks.

[Lex]

7. Exactly.

(And I also sneak in my own snacks from time to time.)

[progressoid]

9. Right. I saw Lawrence of Arabia on a BIG screen.

Back in the early 90's (I think).

Just can't get those wonderful panoramic shots to feel the same on my flat screen.

[nolabear]

6. People. I love sitting in a room full of strangers and being part of a big response.

Love hearing them laugh and even like trying to surreptitiously wipe away tears, and seeing others around me doing the same.

And that roller coaster thingie...whoa.

[Blue_Tires]

13. especially comedies...

[Bunny]

19. Yeah. Sometimes you just want the total experience.

[Kali]

8. like flying, it used to be a treat - a fun experience

air conditioning

bon bons, popcorn with butter flavored oil, chocolate covered raisins

air conditioning

big huge screen, big sound system

air conditioning

hey, some theaters serve gourmet food and alcohol now!

air conditioning

[Lasher]

10. And when I watch at home I don't have to sneak my beer in.

:toast:

[LNM]

23. Move to Wisconsin!

They just legalized liquor licenses to movie theaters.

[Supply Side Jesus]

11. Sometimes, I just can't fucking wait for video

most crap that stinks up the theaters i could care less for. but some demands my immediate attention!

I still like the Drive-In though, we still have one in town. 2 movies for the price of one. and if the movie sucks, well, there is always the back seat!

[Rhiannon12866]

12. When I was in college, I saw "The Wizard of Oz" on the big screen.

I'd seen it countless times on TV as a kid, but on the big screen, I saw so much I'd never noticed before. It was a whole different experience. But I prefer seeing most movies at home, too. Since I saw "Fahrenheit 9/11" in the theater (had to go to the next city), I think I've seen three. There are so few good ones, these days... :(

[DebJ]

14. The last four movies hubby and I have gone to, less than 10

people were in the theatre. One time we were all alone. The last time, last Saturday night at an 8 pm showing, there were only 6 people counting us. Don't know how they will stay in business. A few years ago, this theatre would have been crammed. However, they built a new theatre across town, so maybe most people go there now instead of this one.

We go because it is fun to see the really big screen for special effects, and just to get out of the house for awhile, and because my daughter gave us $100 in gift cards the last two Christmas's (still haven't used up year one!).

[bikebloke]

16. I haven't been in a theater in 11 years.

Just got tired of people talking and constantly checking their gadgets. I think it was pagers then. Maybe phones.

The last time I tried watching a movie with a crowd, I tried walking out. But the flight attendant wouldn't let me out the door.

:P

[nolabear]

17. *snort!* I had that happen once.

I was sitting beside a cute young German couple on their honeymoon. They were playing The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, odious enough on its own, but these kids had brough along their own in-flight meal...a giant can of sardines and crackers. The smell was overwhelming. And the woman didn't speak English so he spent the whol movie translating for her, so that every reaction (she thought it was hilarious) was about five seconds behind.

Actually, it kind of improved the experience. By the end I was laughing too, at the absurdity of the whole thing.

[stuntcat]

18. if you have $30 you need to dispose of

AMC corp will be glad to do you the favor of takin' it off your hands!

[EOTE]

20. I use a projector for my home theater system.

It was assembled fairly cheaply, I use a pull-down style screen that you see in many classrooms. 100" and I got it for around $80. But my 100" screen really pales in comparison to the 100'+ screen at my local multiplex. Last night I went to see Transformers 3 in Imax. It was a goofy movie with a fairly incoherent plot, but seeing it was an assault on the senses, and I mean that in the absolutely best way possible. I might check it out again some time in the future when it's available on Blu-ray, but no viewing experience at home will match the pristine image (about 16x the resolution of 1080P or FullHD), massive screen and 10,000 watts of digital sound. Well, maybe if I get rich and am able to invest 6 or 7 figures into an amazing home theater in the future. But for now I treat myself to going to see a flick one or two times per month. It's expensive yes, but in my mind, worth it.

[Yavin4]

21. Folks Are Saying The Exact Same Thing About Attending Live Sporting Events

The experience of going to games (both pro and amateur) is losing ground to watching the event on a wide screen HD TV at home where you can eat whatever you want, invite over anyone you want, and change the channel if the game is lousy.

[ohnoyoudidnt]

22. IMAX 3D nt

[Initech]

24. I've been to a theater three times in the last two years.

True Grit, Jackass 3D, and the Star Trek remake.