Moderators Note:
It's not known if this info is accurate or not. It's also not known about HD.



http://www.uberpulse.com/us/2007/06/scoop_transformers_to_premiere_on_payperview_same_day_as_box _office.php

UberPulse has learned that, for the first time in Hollywood's history, a local studio, namely Paramount, will release next month's live-action Transformers movie, on cable pay-per-view, the same day it premiere's in US theatres, on July 3rd. But don't hold your breath... the price tag for that special night might deter more than one: $49!


$49. lol. If this is the future of cinema, I'll pass.

49 dollars, that's insane!

$49 buys me a lot of gasoline, movie tickets and popcorn.

No thanks, I'll go to the theatre.

$49 buys me a lot of gasoline, movie tickets and popcorn.

No thanks, I'll go to the theatre.

$40 doesn't buy much gas anymore tho :\

Honestly thinking about it, $50 isn't that much of a premium. Here I would spend say:
$8 to get in
$8 between a drink and a popcorn
times two people on a date = $16

BUT:

times a family of 4, and its $32. No fuss, no muss. No hauling the kids off, listening to complaining, trying to get seating, etc.

Its tempting but for $49, I think I go to the theater.

If it was in HD with 5.1 with a gauranteed bit rate mabey just mabey. But we all know that it will be a pixilated boxy mess.

$40 doesn't buy much gas anymore tho :\

Honestly thinking about it, $50 isn't that much of a premium. Here I would spend say:
$8 to get in
$8 between a drink and a popcorn
times two people on a date = $16

BUT:

times a family of 4, and its $32. No fuss, no muss. No hauling the kids off, listening to complaining, trying to get seating, etc.

I have a family of 7 so the bill for POTC 3 came to 49 for tickets only. Gas, popcorn, soda and nachos were extra. here is the list of movies that were enjoyed by the family at home on my humble a/v systerm

SW ep 1-6, LoTR 1-3, Matrix 1-3, KK, X-Men 1-3, Spidey 1&2, POTC 1&2, Chroincles of Narnia and all the other assorted titles that my wife and i liked. (Blade 1-3, I Robot, Van Helsing, Hitchhikers Guide, SPR, Underworld 1&2 etc etc etc.)

the child specific releases were the usual
Shrek 1&2, Madagascar, Incredibles, Nemo, Shark Tales, Monsters Inc, Robots etc etc.

So stayin home isnt so bad now a days. i dont mind at all. As soon as we all settle on 1 HD disk format (and the prices go down a little more) the less likely my family will be going to the movies at all.

Ridiculous price unless you're gonna have a bunch of people over or have a big family.

ill do it if its in hd and at least dts sound...

i have a family of three but getting someone else to pitch wont be hard so him/her can enjoy it to

think about it guys many of us buy blu ray/hd dvd movies and only watch them once and at a price of $30 or so a pop then $50 isnt to bad for a new title but imo it has to be HD and it has to have at least dts sound or forget it.... us ht guros would pay but not for sd and dolby digital...

last time i went to the movies with my son and my girl I spent $48 plus my son likes to run around sometimes so we missed some of the movie and here at home he runs around freely. plus his really wanting to watch transformers

Can you at least DVR it? lol

If it's on Direct TV HD, I'll be at my dad's house that day with my son and a few friends. Bring it!

Walt

So whats to stop someone from recording it?

rediculous. You may as well order it ppv and charge your family admission & snacks to watch it on your home theater.

That is a bit steep.

It's a question of price vs. convenience. I probably won't go see this at the theater. However I would watch it on PPV if the price were right. $49 isn't the price I would pay. So Paramount will most likely get my my movie rental.

Sure I'll have to wait a few months, but that saves me $$.

This really isn't that expensive (assuming you can get it in HD).

Tickets in my area are about $10/per. So, even for two people, we're talking $20 for tickets.

At home, I can drink beer while I watch. Or, I can buy a 2 liter bottle of soda for $1, instead of two drinks for $9, etc.

Sure, there's still a premium, but why wouldn't there be a premium for the option of watching a movie day/date at home when it's opening in the theater?

If we invited one couple over to watch it, and split the cost, you're talking $25 per couple. That's not exactly highway robbery compared to the theater. And, the benefits far outweigh the small premium.



Of course, I don't exactly see their source for this. So, they could simply be full of crap, too.

Well, if it's in HD and I can get 5 or 6 people over to bring the cost under $10PP, I might rent it on PPV and not have to deal with the theater experience (remember when the theater experience was a good thing?)

But no way would I pay that much for just my own viewing.

I'm surprised to hear this...but it makes no difference to me, because the first time I see 50 foot robots fighting each other, I want it to be on the BIG SCREEN. I've got tix for the 8pm July 2nd screening and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love watching movies on my setup at home, but I still prefer the theatre (the chatty kids gets to be a piss off but still worth putting up with)...and this movie just screams BIG SCREEN with a packed house... I would think that having a PPV option though is going to lead to rampant piracy of the flick....

I can see this as a good deal for families with lots of kids...in fact, a good deal for me too....I'll see it in the theater & you large families with kids....stay home and PPV!! :D
Just kidding of course.....

If it was in HD with 5.1 with a gauranteed bit rate mabey just mabey. But we all know that it will be a pixilated boxy mess.

You can guarantee 5.1 of course. Of course it's low bitrate lossy. And don't forget the macroblockiing and other assorted artifacts for $49.

This is the future, boys... get ready for it.

MEC2

So whats to stop someone from recording it?5C encryption.

5C encryption.

$20 says differently.

you in? On usenet within 24 hours of first play. (provided the news is real anyway) ;)

$49 bucks is not bad considering the cost of movies in my area is about $10 per ticket. imax is like $13-14. i would consider it and get a group of folks to come over on opening nite rather than waiting in line and be bothered by abnoxious kids talking during the movie. we can eat anything we'd like instead the overpriced popcorn, hotdogs, and sodas that cost $5 each. i think it's a winner.

So whats to stop someone from recording it?

Absolutely nothing. Even if they take some measures, they will be pathetically easy to circumvent.

All this means is that a few people will shell out $49 on that night and the rest of the world will have a super-high-quality bootleg the next day. It's an odd decision, especially for a title that seems custom made for big-screen theatrical viewing.

I just spent $60 at movies yesterday for my family to see 1408. I would be up to renting at home and save some cash. Plus I like my TV better anyways.

Ok people ...its time to earn a few bucks back from your home theater setup. :D

This is the future, boys... get ready for it.

MEC2

Yep it is, but Hollywood always introduces this kind of stuff wrong. They have the "right" idea but it will be horribly implemented. But I do agree this is the future.

Although.. 50 bucks is too much for a movie, and the fact that its not in HD is ridiculous.

Who said it was not HD? Have the specifics even been announced yet?

Walt



Yep it is, but Hollywood always introduces this kind of stuff wrong. They have the "right" idea but it will be horribly implemented. But I do agree this is the future.

Although.. 50 bucks is too much for a movie, and the fact that its not in HD is ridiculous.

Don't make plans yet-

According to Nelson of MichaelBay.com this is completely false. A direct quote from Mr. Bay is below.

From Bay: "Total ********. Probally a scam putting old movie on."
http://www.seibertron.com/news/view.php?id=10833

I was going to say that, Boo... hehe.

I was looking forward to this, too, but I just couldn't believe that Paramount would be that stupid. A near-DVD-quality bootleg available online the day after the theatrical premiere? Nah.

If this was true and I could get my DIRECTV stuff working well (currently having an issue that might be a neighbor's tree), I would do this. Not for many movies, but I expect this movie to be a real event and I would have a bunch of people over to watch it on my 10'+ wide screen.

--Darin

that's kind of stupid move. i bet this becomes one of the most pirated movies within a week of it's release.

for Bay's sake I hope hes right, or hes going to look like a real idiot if Paramount went behind his back.

I can see this as a good deal for families with lots of kids...in fact, a good deal for me too....I'll see it in the theater & you large families with kids....stay home and PPV!! :D
Just kidding of course.....


lol

thing is i wouldnt even rent it from the cable co for $49.

"Ok people ...its time to earn a few bucks back from your home theater setup."

i am leaning more towards this statement. shiiiiiit if it buy it when it comes out on disc (HD, BLU, DVD) i can actually save $$$ in the long run.

oh yeah the soda, nachos, popcorn for everybody cost me anther $45, i am not mad about i had the choice not to buy it. however i still had a W T F ! moment when i checked my reciepts that night.

that's kind of stupid move. i bet this becomes one of the most pirated movies within a week of it's release.
You mean like all of the other big movies that are released? The, I guess, good news is that it isn't going to be on PPV.

You mean like all of the other big movies that are released?

There's the quality difference to consider. A rip from PPV would be near DVD quality, and would tide me over quite well until the Blu-ray release, unlike the usual camcorder-pointed-at-the-screen types.

$40 doesn't buy much gas anymore tho :\

Honestly thinking about it, $50 isn't that much of a premium. Here I would spend say:
$8 to get in
$8 between a drink and a popcorn
times two people on a date = $16

BUT:

times a family of 4, and its $32. No fuss, no muss. No hauling the kids off, listening to complaining, trying to get seating, etc.

What are you seeing a matinee? :D It's will run you $50 for admission alone for a group of four in many parts of the country.

There's the quality difference to consider. A rip from PPV would be near DVD quality, and would tide me over quite well until the Blu-ray release, unlike the usual camcorder-pointed-at-the-screen types.
No one watching bootlegs give a flying damn about quality.

$20 says differently.

you in? On usenet within 24 hours of first play. (provided the news is real anyway) ;)As far as I can tell, 5C has yet to be cracked. Are you saying you know differently? Please share, I'd really like to know.

As far as I can tell, 5C has yet to be cracked. Are you saying you know differently? Please share, I'd really like to know.
Word. It's very similar to AACS which is pretty immune to blunt force cracking, and there is no software player to betray it.

As far as I can tell, 5C has yet to be cracked. Are you saying you know differently? Please share, I'd really like to know.
Why would it need to be cracked at all? Just record the A/V feed to the TV. Any signal encryption would only go as far as the DVR or receiver, but no further.

Hasn't stopped 'em yet. I've yet to see a single TV show, PPV event or any other TV special that doesn't end up online by the next morning.

If I were offered it (DTV subscriber here), I'd do it. It's convienent and I could record it on my DVR. That would be win/win.

I would do it in a second. IF it was offered in HD, original aspect ratio and 5.1.

This would be perfect especially for someone like myself with a dedicated home theater room. Invite a few friends over, everyone split the cost, and have a great time in a personally controlled movie environment. Great picture, great sound, great company.

With 5 people, it's $10 per person. I think it'd be well worth it.

Again, PROVIDED it was in HD.

*raises hand*

What does this have to do with Blu-Ray?

*raises hand*

What does this have to do with Blu-Ray?

its for a movie that will eventually be on blu, it was news, it wasn't an hd dvd/bluray pissing thread, and you're going to complain? :rolleyes:

Oh well. It was fun while it lasted. I would pay for a HD/5.1 version of Transformers. $49 doesn't sound bad, if the quality is up to par.

It's 2.35 unmatted (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0418279/technical) so there's no guarantee it will be OAR. If I'm paying $50 it sure as hell better be.

Do you have to drink pop and eat popcorn at the movies? I'm sure you can wait 2hr if you really wanted to save some coin. Some of you factor in concession as if it was mandatory.

Since this isn't true... Do you guys think this will happen very soon? I know its the future down the road, but how far are we exactly from this happening?

As I've stated in other threads whenever this comes up.. Once a movie is released in theaters.. a few months later it is already on freaking DVD. There really isn't a point to go to theaters that often, except to see movies like Transformers which were specifically made with big "theater" in mind. So why not release it on DVD/PPV at the same time its in theaters?

Do you have to drink pop and eat popcorn at the movies? I'm sure you can wait 2hr if you really wanted to save some coin. Some of you factor in concession as if it was mandatory.

it has always been and will always be part of the experience.

Thank god I grew up when Speed Racer was popular. That way I can look at this movie and the people who want to see it in bewilderment.

Thank god I grew up when Speed Racer was popular. That way I can look at this movie and the people who want to see it in bewilderment.

yeah because speed racer...thats not weird at all. :rolleyes:
http://www.math.ucla.edu/~alee/pictures/driving.jpg

Isn't there a Speed Racer movie in the works?


Edit: Oh yes, there is. Check out the IMDB page for info:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0811080/

And it's by the Wachowski brothers.

There are also going to be G. I. Joe and Voltron movies.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117966576.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&query=g+i+joe

Topic title changed.

As added to the first post, it's not known if this info is accurate, or about HD.

Will it be on directv or dishnetwork? Please post more info if anyone finds out.

This idea seems like something a studio would do in order to say, "See? Day and date releases don't work..."

Has there ever been another PPV this expensive?


There's the quality difference to consider. A rip from PPV would be near DVD quality, and would tide me over quite well until the Blu-ray release, unlike the usual camcorder-pointed-at-the-screen types.
Dude - get with the century. Bootlegs come from DVD screeners and dupes from the studios themselves. Almost no one does the camcorder thing anymore. It's too much trouble. Besides, getting studio rips allows them to get the movie out on the 'net before it hits the theaters.

I'll watch it for free the next day on youtube


Not really. I like watching my movies in HD (when possible) and 5.1-7.1 dolby/dts

IFC has been doing the a form of the "PPV day to date" thing for a while via Comcast's OnDemand service.

They offer several indie movies--that don't normally get a wide release theatrically--for $6 a pop OnDemand while still playing in some metropolitan theaters. Always letterboxed, but sadly not HD. And no mega-summer blockbusters among the lot, of course.

I work for comcast and I've heard nothing of this at work here. I would love to believe it's true but I am in the Michael Bay camp on this one that it's complete BS. Too bad too, we get PPV half price and a coworker just got a new HD projector setup in his house =(. I seriously doubt that the announcement of something this big would have not occured already and that it would have been leaked out through some tiny site most people had never heard of before.

I do certainly hope it's the future though, it would cement my decision to get a projector pretty quickly.

Bootlegs come from DVD screeners and dupes from the studios themselves. Almost no one does the camcorder thing anymore. It's too much trouble. Besides, getting studio rips allows them to get the movie out on the 'net before it hits the theaters.

Heh.. no, actually, it doesn't quite work that way. First up is always the cam, then the telesync (cam with direct audio). Maybe a month or two later, a screener might be released, then a DVD rip about a month before retail. It's been that way for years, it's not changing anytime soon. Pre-release studio copies are extremely rare.

I've heard rumblings of a DVD-quality version of Transformers being online, but I've yet to see any mention of it around the usual release sites, so I doubt it's true.

Thank god I grew up when Speed Racer was popular. That way I can look at this movie and the people who want to see it in bewilderment.I know what you mean... I never watched the Transformers cartoon; I thought it was nothing more than a marketing gimmick for a silly line of toys (with the toys coming first, and the story bolted on afterwards). But then I saw the trailer for this movie. It blew me away. I suddenly saw the idea as compelling, and the machines as extremely menacing. My whole view of it was completely turned around. (This was before I even knew they were making a Transformers movie; it gradually dawned on me as I watched the trailer.)

BTW, Racer X rules. :D

Not like this really matter for this conversation, but the movie is actually being released in theaters on July 2nd at 8 PM.

As far as I can tell, 5C has yet to be cracked. Are you saying you know differently? Please share, I'd really like to know.

Its easier for the pirates to just record the transport stream right from the feed. No need to bother with 5C or any of the settop box restrictions.

This is hilarious.. I hope more studios do this because there will be dvd quality rips the day after the movie is released.

Its easier for the pirates to just record the transport stream right from the feed. No need to bother with 5C or any of the settop box restrictions.Feeds or from cable companies that haven't bothered to turn on 5C yet. I'm sure there are plenty of those.

Feeds or from cable companies that haven't bothered to turn on 5C yet. I'm sure there are plenty of those.

Well it's entirely possible that for it to even be offered on demand it would only be able to be done where the boxes/system support the content protection schemes the studio is comfortable with.

So whats to stop someone from recording it?

Maybe the flick itself. I wouldn't pay that much for the best film ever made.

Wolfie

Maybe the flick itself. I wouldn't pay that much for the best film ever made.

Wolfie
I'm assuming that you are talking about "Back To The Future", right? :D

Anyways, I'm thinking that this may be a pretty good idea ... and I'm thinking with my own personal interests in mind.

I have not gone out to see Spiderman 3 yet and I really do want to. However, with the toddler and the wife's reluctance to allow someone to babysit for 4 hours, we just have not been able to go see it.

Now, if we had the ability to pay $50 to view it on our 46" TV, we might just plunk down the money to do so. Even if we did hire a baby sitter, we're looking at more than $50 to watch it at a movie theater. show math here ---> $20 for 2 tickets, $20 for the baby sitter (4 hours), $5 gas money, $15 concessions ... that's $60 for the two of us. And yes, I do NEED to spend for concessions.

So if I can watch a first run movie at home for less money and fewer hassles, then I'm all in. While it wouldn't be the same experience as in the theater, it's the next best thing.

Now that I've said all this, I'm sure the studios, cable companies, pirates, and media (always have to throw in the media) will find a way to mess it up.

ft

Maybe the flick itself. I wouldn't pay that much for the best film ever made.

Wolfie I seldom go to the movies on a regular basis unless it a " really big event" movie & then it always the mattitne...( like die hard 4 ) why spend so much to see it on ppv? when it comes out on DVD you can have the "2 disc wide screen special extented collectors unrated limited edition packed w/ over countless hours of bonus special features" :rolleyes: & watch it as many times as you like on a big screen tv in the comfort of your very own home w/ the bathroom & kitchen just steps away :)

Well it's entirely possible that for it to even be offered on demand it would only be able to be done where the boxes/system support the content protection schemes the studio is comfortable with.Ultimitely someone always screws up somewhere. Believe when I say there are plenty of cable companies with 5C inactive.

I seldom go to the movies on a regular basis unless it a " really big event" movie & then it always the mattitne...( like die hard 4 ) why spend so much to see it on ppv? when it comes out on DVD you can have the "2 disc wide screen special extented collectors unrated limited edition packed w/ over countless hours of bonus special features" :rolleyes: & watch it as many times as you like on a big screen tv in the comfort of your very own home w/ the bathroom & kitchen just steps away :)
That's the point. If they ever do this, it'll probably be reserved for the big "event" type movies. I don't think anyone is breaking down the doors to get "Poison Ivy 5" onto a simultaneous theater/PPV release.

It should be limited to the Spidey/X-Men/LOTR/POTC/Shrek type movies. Anything else would be failure. ....

But then the more I think of it, maybe this could be a way for people to see a movie without being "outed" as a such and such fan. Maybe someone would be too embarrassed to watch Bridget Jones' Diary in the theater and be willing to pay $50 to watch it at home. Hmm...

$50 is pretty steep. But really, what would be a fair price?

It would have to above and beyond normal ticket pricing.

I would definitely pay the $50 to see a movie I really wanted to see.

As someone else stated, getting a babysitter, tickets, concessions etc..., all of sudden $50 seems cheap!

Plus if a Nemo/Toy Story type movie came out, I would pay it and let me little ones have a couple friends over.

In fact if I could rent the new Pixar one this weekend I would in a heartbeat.

Ever since I completed my theater with my 92" screen and top notch (Klipsch Ultra2 7.1) surround sound, the real theater is just not as attractive anymore.

Ever since I completed my theater with my 92" screen and top notch (Klipsch Ultra2 7.1) surround sound, the real theater is just not as attractive anymore.
You are the target consumer for this type of offering. Invite the neighbors over for the World Premiere of Ratatouille on that great 92"er of yours. Pay $50 (maybe more for a Pixar movie) and you have an instant party.

I would think that this type of offering would be PPV only, as opposed to OnDemand. Because if it was OnDemand, I could record it using my QAM-capable HD-DVR. :D

ft

I don't think anyone is breaking down the doors to get "Poison Ivy 5" onto a simultaneous theater/PPV release.

EW!!! Part 5 is out now?! SWEET! :D


Just kidding.

...the first time I see 50 foot robots fighting each other, I want it to be on the BIG SCREEN...
Then you should see it on a 300 foot screen at the drive in, not some dinky 60 foot theatre screen.

Actually, who would like to go into detail on what's the big advantage of seeing a film on a 100' screen sitting 150' away, as opposed to seeing it on a 100'" screen sitting 150'" away?

Someone explain this, and I'll start learning how to put up with; poor PQ, booming bass, out of focus images, blown speakers, muted dialogue, springs in seats, delays in starting times, endless previews, doors opening and light pouring in every 2 minutes, screaming brats, cell phones, gum on seats, crying babies, loud eaters, incessant talkers, knees in the back, kids staring over the seat, bottles rolling on the floor, candy wrappers, foul odors, sticky handrests, slippery aisles, big hair and hats blocking the view, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, rooms too hot, rooms too cold, rooms that feel like they haven't had fresh air in them since WW2, and all the other wonderous things the theatre can offer.

Then you should see it on a 300 foot screen at the drive in, not some dinky 60 foot theatre screen.

Actually, who would like to go into detail on what's the big advantage of seeing a film on a 100' screen sitting 150' away, as opposed to seeing it on a 100'" screen sitting 150'" away?

Someone explain this, and I'll start learning how to put up with; poor PQ, booming bass, out of focus images, blown speakers, muted dialogue, springs in seats, delays in starting times, endless previews, doors opening and light pouring in every 2 minutes, screaming brats, cell phones, gum on seats, crying babies, loud eaters, incessant talkers, knees in the back, kids staring over the seat, bottles rolling on the floor, candy wrappers, foul odors, sticky handrests, slippery aisles, big hair and hats blocking the view, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, rooms too hot, rooms too cold, rooms that feel like they haven't had fresh air in them since WW2, and all the other wonderous things the theatre can offer.

You should really clean your home theater, makes for a better viewing experience :p

Even if we did hire a baby sitter, we're looking at more than $50 to watch it at a movie theater. show math here ---> $20 for 2 tickets, $20 for the baby sitter (4 hours), $5 gas money, $15 concessions ... that's $60 for the two of us.
Thank you for bringing this up. Many of us with small children can't just run out and see any new movies we want. Yes, we get to see a few, but in the BC days, we would see at least one, sometimes two, movies a week. Now that is measured in months.

So actual costs aside, if I could watch a current release at home for $50, then there are some movies I would definitely buy. Oceans 13 would be at the top of my list right now.

HD Net and Magnolia Pictures (both owned by Cuban) have done this previously with the Enron documentary - "Smartest Guys in the Room" (I never saw it, but it was nominated for an oscar), and Cuban has previously announced that he will be doing this with some other films as well. Here's the press release HDnet Press Release (http://www.hd.net/pressrelease.html?2005-04-29-01.html)

It's part of Cuban's grand "day and date" paradigm where the film is released on video, in theaters, and in HD on HDNet all simultaneously.

HBO has a first look tonight at 8:30pm EST for those interested.

$50 is pretty steep. But really, what would be a fair price?

It would have to above and beyond normal ticket pricing.

I would definitely pay the $50 to see a movie I really wanted to see.

As someone else stated, getting a babysitter, tickets, concessions etc..., all of sudden $50 seems cheap!

Plus if a Nemo/Toy Story type movie came out, I would pay it and let me little ones have a couple friends over.

In fact if I could rent the new Pixar one this weekend I would in a heartbeat.

Ever since I completed my theater with my 92" screen and top notch (Klipsch Ultra2 7.1) surround sound, the real theater is just not as attractive anymore.

If you have access to commercial DLP, you would see that animation (and movies shot digitally like the Star Wars Prequels and Sin City) is best seen on those screens. Of course there is no point in seeing those films in analog theaters, but have you seen a pixar film in commercial DLP? Maybe a Dreamworks film? I would be shocked if Chicago (or at least the metro area) did not have a decent commercial DLP setup somewhere. You just have to look for it, www.dlp.com

I saw Shrek the Third in commercial DLP and while the movie plot-wise sucks, the picture was beyond stunning, and cannot be replicated in a home environment, unless your home theater rivals that of Steven Speilberg or something.

Anyone know yet if this is fact or not :confused: ...I love the idea of being able to watch the movies at home as soon as they open in theaters...It seems everytime I go to the theater I have to deal with constant noise from the 10 or so kids in the back left corner of the theater who think they are sooo cool by making stupid noise and then laughing at each others stupidness....I like what the hotels do with having movies there to watch that arent even out on DVD yet etc...I think that even if this Transformer thing is a rumor, movie studios will soon be doing this due to the rise of Home Theaters(entertainment centers) in peoples homes and the drop in ticket sales at the Cinema's...especially if this Transformer thing is true and they make tons of money.

Take care,
Brian

I'm assuming that you are talking about "Back To The Future", right? :D

Anyways, I'm thinking that this may be a pretty good idea ... and I'm thinking with my own personal interests in mind.

I have not gone out to see Spiderman 3 yet and I really do want to. However, with the toddler and the wife's reluctance to allow someone to babysit for 4 hours, we just have not been able to go see it.

Now, if we had the ability to pay $50 to view it on our 46" TV, we might just plunk down the money to do so. Even if we did hire a baby sitter, we're looking at more than $50 to watch it at a movie theater. show math here ---> $20 for 2 tickets, $20 for the baby sitter (4 hours), $5 gas money, $15 concessions ... that's $60 for the two of us. And yes, I do NEED to spend for concessions.

So if I can watch a first run movie at home for less money and fewer hassles, then I'm all in. While it wouldn't be the same experience as in the theater, it's the next best thing.

Now that I've said all this, I'm sure the studios, cable companies, pirates, and media (always have to throw in the media) will find a way to mess it up.

ft


Sweet jeebus, $5 for gas to go to a movie? Move out of the sticks buddy! ;) Back where I lived 3 months ago I hate 9 movie theaters withing 20 minutes, and even now I have at least 7 movie theaters within that time frame. Of course the best was the Ritz which didn't allow kids, but they sold to another owner and do now... not much point to go there anymore.

Being single, or even on a date, there isn't much point for me to spend $50. $8 (or $16) plus another $10 for food, and $1 for gas ;) , so even if it was HD and 5.1 I couldn't stomach that. Anyone with kids and a wife then it's a killer deal.

I could see $30 as long as I could get a buddy to chip in, but it would have to be HD/5.1.

I liked Spiderman 3, btw. ;)

Sweet jeebus, $5 for gas to go to a movie? Move out of the sticks buddy! ;)
Not hard to spend $5 on gas getting to the ONE good theatre in most states. ;)

Drive a Hummer, and it might cost you $30. :confused:

Here's what I drive...4 miles per gallon! $5 just to get out of my driveway, but it also looks like a Transformer. ;)

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n172/spyderswebphotos/2005-International-CXT-FA-Rocks-102.jpg

Sweet jeebus, $5 for gas to go to a movie? Move out of the sticks buddy! ;) Yeah, $5 is high and we don't even live in the sticks. We live about 15 miles away from the good theater. That's 30 miles round trip. My wife's Saturn gets about 20 miles per gallon. So I'm using 1.5 gallons total. At $3.19/gallon, I'm looking at $4.80 or so. Round up to $5 for effect.


I liked Spiderman 3, btw. ;)I'm a real Spidey fan from my geeky childhood days. I waited 15 years for the first Spiderman movie and was not disappointed. I loved the sequel even more. We saw both of them in the theater and the experience was awesome. Even with all of the little kids (heck, I was one of them) running around.

I keep hearing bad reviews of #3, but I'm chalking it up to people who aren't real Spidey fans. I've been intentionally avoiding Spidey3 reviews and stuff, because I know that I won't be able to watch it until it comes out on DVD. Probably Thanksgiving timeframe. I really can't wait ...

As for the PPV stuff, I really think something like this can take off if done right. I understand that I won't get the theater effect, but the convience more than makes up for it.

ft

BTW, I forgot this tidbit. If you use the IRS rate for personal automobile use, you could factor in 44.5 cents per mile. This takes into account fuel costs, maintenance costs and depreciation. My 30 mile theater trip would cost me $13 and change.

Anyone know yet if this is fact or not :confused: ...I love the idea of being able to watch the movies at home as soon as they open in theaters...It seems everytime I go to the theater I have to deal with constant noise from the 10 or so kids in the back left corner of the theater who think they are sooo cool by making stupid noise and then laughing at each others stupidness....I like what the hotels do with having movies there to watch that arent even out on DVD yet etc...I think that even if this Transformer thing is a rumor, movie studios will soon be doing this due to the rise of Home Theaters(entertainment centers) in peoples homes and the drop in ticket sales at the Cinema's...especially if this Transformer thing is true and they make tons of money.

Take care,
Brian

I like the idea of competition. I want theater chains like Cinemark (which now owns Century) and AMC to really have to work hard to get us back.

I was reading some slate.com articles yesterday, and the implication is that they don't give a crap about how much they have lost to people waiting for DVD because their bread and butter is teens, and there are no signs that less teens are going to the theaters Friday night and throwing away their allowances/money from part time jobs. This is especially bad for us because teens could care less about picture and sound quality. As long as it is watchable and their whole group gets to sit together and talk during the movie and text message a dozen people, they are content.

If this can cause the chains to lose money, it would be great. That way they could actually try things to get us back, like more COMMERCIAL DLP. :D

So whats the deal on this is it on or not?

So whats the deal on this is it on or not?

No, according to this article: link (http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/news.php?id=6487)

I'm having friends over next week, so we would do this deal, especially since no theater around here lets us drink during the movie (and I feel that I'm gonna need it for this movie!).

On a side note, I saw POTC:AWE on a commercial DLP and there was a lot of magenta smearing on any white surface (mostly clouds and such). VERY distracting, as you can imagine. So while the print was obviously nice and clean, the artifacting was much worse.

On a side note, I saw POTC:AWE on a commercial DLP and there was a lot of magenta smearing on any white surface (mostly clouds and such). VERY distracting, as you can imagine. So while the print was obviously nice and clean, the artifacting was much worse.

I actually passed on seeing POTC:AWE on commercial DLP because it does not fall into the category of digitially filmed OR animation. It was just an upconvert, and you don't get a pop from seeing such films in commcercial DLP. I know, as I've seen many upconverts in commercial DLP: Superman Returns, Constantine, Hot Fuzz, etc.

For movies that are filmed with film, you just don't get enough difference between the analog movie theater and the commercial DLP.

But compare an analog showing of Ratatouille tonight to a commercial DLP showing of Ratatouille tonight and you'll see a HUGE difference, get a big pop, and see that for films that are digitally filmed or animation, commercial DLP is the best way to go.

I know this is only rumor and Transformers will NOT be PPV.
But...on the subject of PQ: There is no comparison to theatre. Even if somehow they broadcast in HD 5.1 it will still be surely lacking.

On the subject of piracy: I have found that by scanning RF frequencies at various times, I can pick up PPV movies that other people have ordered. It kinda sucks because when they pause the movie it also pauses on my TV. Kinda crazy I know.

Anyway, it just proves that ALOT of cable companies dont understand how their equipment works.

Just saw it. Will see it again soon. In a theater.

'Transformers' grabs $8.8 mil at box office

By Gregg Kilday

July 4, 2007

"Transformers," director Michael Bay's screen interpretation of the Hasbro toy line, rolled into theaters Monday and quickly amassed $8.8 million in North America.

Those returns came from showings that ran from 8 p.m. on in 3,050 theaters.

Although the Paramount Pictures' release of the DreamWorks film only played evening performances, its Monday number topped that of the day's number two film, Buena Vista's "Ratatouille," by more than $1 million and more than doubled the day's grosses for 20th Century Fox's competing action movie "Live Free or Die Hard."

Figures for "Transformers" first full day of performances on Tuesday, when the film rolls into more than 4,000 theaters, will be released on Wednesday.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3ib1ebc09603fb86d2b62be265518896e3

I keep hearing bad reviews of #3, but I'm chalking it up to people who aren't real Spidey fans. I've been intentionally avoiding Spidey3 reviews and stuff, because I know that I won't be able to watch it until it comes out on DVD. Probably Thanksgiving timeframe. I really can't wait ...I was his biggest fan back in the 70s, and think S3 pretty much stinks (who knows, you might like it). On the other hand, while I thought Transformers-TOS was dumb and for babies, I'm more than interested in seeing the motion picture.

the movie rocked and was sold out... this movie is going to make a ton of money

'Transformers' tops all with Tuesday haul

Published July 5, 2007

Sorry, pirates, Tuesday belongs to someone, er, something else now.

"Transformers" had an unprecedented Tuesday haul of $27.4 million in its official debut, beating the record of $15.7 million set last year by "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."

"It's the biggest Tuesday ever," said Mike Vollman, spokesman for Paramount, which released "Transformers" along with fellow Viacom Inc. unit DreamWorks. "It's playing very broadly. It's the kind of summer movie that's drawing families, and we're very excited for its progress going into the rest of the weekend."

Directed by Michael Bay and based on the Hasbro toys that debuted in the 1980s, "Transformers" chronicles a war between two factions of giant shape-shifting robots that bring their battle to Earth.

"Transformers" opened Tuesday in 4,011 theaters nationwide. It also played in preview screenings at 3,050 theaters starting at 8 p.m. Monday, bringing in $8.8 million.

"Transformers" is positioned to join the ranks of this summer's blockbusters -- "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," "Spider-Man 3" and "Shrek the Third" -- all of which have surpassed or are about to cross the $300 million mark domestically.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-transform_pjul05,1,1175514.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed

saw it yesterday...fantastic! shia lebouf was really good, i thought and the effects were outta this world, of course. the only thing i could be critical of was the action was a little hard to follow because of all the closeups of the robots as they battled...since i don't know how to do spoiler tags, i'll X out the names:

like my wife had no clue that xxxx ripped xxxx apart and killed him until the very end.sturmie

saw it yesterday...fantastic! shia lebouf was really good, i thought and the effects were outta this world, of course. the only thing i could be critical of was the action was a little hard to follow because of all the closeups of the robots as they battled...since i don't know how to do spoiler tags, i'll X out the names:

sturmie
Sturmie, I havent seen the movie, but I know exactly what your talking about.
Close up shots of action sequences ruin movies for me.
It is supposed to somehow bring you more into the movie experience, but I think it is due to cost. Creating pull-back shots is more difficult and more expensive.

If you watch The Matrix, you will notice they never did any of those close up 'in-your-face' shots.

I have to agree. I saw the movie last night and too much close-up stuff. Can't even tell what's going on. It makes it easier on the animators. Especially when you're trying to make it look like they were in the original film plate (not composited in later) in the first place.