Is Home Theater Technology Killing Movie Theaters? - Page 7

The reason theaters will continue to draw people is the same reason people still visit box stores. It's what I call the "now" factor. People who want to see a movie "now" are not going to wait around for it to come out on blu-ray so they can sit in the cozy confines of their home, watching it on their A/V system. Me? I'd rather stay home and wait for it to come out but the girlfriend wants to go out, as in socializing...a date night. Been awhile since I had to tell someone to shut up because they were talking out loud or playing with their cell phone.

You're right especially with young people. My son and his friends had to go see the Hobbit on opening night.

I've never been that big on watching movies in the theater. Maybe I would see 2-3 flicks per year in my teens and once a year (if that) now in my mid 30's... I think the last film I saw in theatre (the last GOOD one anyway) was the first Transformers, how many years ago was that? I'm sure there's been 1 or 2 since but clearly the pictures weren't anything special.

With really small kids there's little time to get out. When they get older I'm totally looking forward to taking them more as a social outing. For me, as much as I dig my (newly resurrected) home theatre, going to the movies with my wife really does represent a "night out" which is a nice change. I don't mind spending $15 on a bag of popcorn and large squishee - my wife will spend a few bucks at Bulk Barn and smuggle in half a dozen different candies and chocolates in her purse.

Two things that do suck about movies today are, 1) they are TOO BLOODY LONG! To sit in a chair for 2.5 hours in a dark theater is way too freakin long. I'm wondering if the studios are consciously increasing the length of films as a way to give us our moneys worth b/c the ticket costs are so high? The other thing, 2), are as some already mentioned the kids these days. They totally cannot sit through a 2.5 hr movie and most of them can't even pay attention for more than 5 minutes before whipping out a phone or device to play with, or yap with friends. I'm not that anal about it after all they are kids, they don't bother us, but I see other patrons get pissed off.

I can say that up here in Canada (nationally) there is a major push to retrofit ALL big theatre complexes across the country. A buddy of mine is actually working for a firm that is responsible for redoing a particular chain's theaters. They are tearing out everything from the screen to the sound insulation to the speakers. New projectors are on the way too. And if I remember hearing a radio add correctly, we will soon have (if not already) adult only theaters (no not THAT kind of aaaadult) can't remember what the age cutoff is but these theaters will offer better seats almost recliner like, in theater alcohol drinks, and supposedly upscale dining options - all for a premium of like $4-$5 per ticket the add said. Will be interesting to see if more adults start heading out.

Personally though nothing beats having your own remote control in your own hand, while you enjoy a very sensible sized portion of PC Blue Menu popcorn, a glass of scotch or a cold pint of beer, and your own throne at your disposal (there's another thing I hate about theaters - the washrooms).

Wow, i am so glad someone made this thread. i actually thoght for many years i was missing something by not going to a cinema. by what im hearing, im not missing much. phew lol.

now i like my home theatre even more, ill give it a kiss one day lol.

You know what I miss? The outdoor theaters! They were fun. Got my first kiss there too... forgot what the movie was though, wonder why?

We're one of the lucky communities that still have an outdoor theater. My daughter, who simply loves our home theater, thought it was the coolest thing. First thing out of her mouth was "hey dad...that screen is WAY bigger than yours!" It was fun to see the younger generation embrace the past.

Yup, like I said... I loved it back then. (I'm 60) It was a blast. I miss it.
I see some old ones up here that are now giant flea markets. One is a Super Walmart now.
It's not profitable up here in the Seattle/Tacoma area as it rains too much.
Indoor theater took away the outdoor theater business, just like home theaters are doing to movie theaters now, slowly but surely.

How about this.... you see the giant LCD Billboard along the freeways. How about an outdoor theater with a giant LCD/LED screen?

You mean the drive in, or an actual theatre you sit in outdoors?

I grew up not far from the lone drive in theatre in west end suburban Toronto. That place was a magnate for us in HS and university. We'd have a cooler full of beer and some wacky tobacky, pull out the lawn chairs or lay back onto the windshield, and watch 2 or sometimes even 3 features in a row. I remember one summer (1999 or 2000) I worked shifts at my summer job with PPG Canada, and my afternoon shift would end after 11pm, which gave me just enough time to drive 10 minutes to the Drive In and meet up with my buddies... at that time I wouldn't even have to pay b/c it was so late. That one summer I think I got to see the second half of Gladiator over 15 times lol. I'd always show up right at the scene where he's fighting that bulky tigris dude one on one. Memories.

Needless to say I haven't done that in eons! Ha.

Outdoor theatre? Ahh yes, I know what you mean, sounds flippin cold lol

We have been doing outdoor movies at the convention pretty much every thursday just showing blurays and what not and people go out and set blankets out and watch it on the grass and that set up was pretty ****** but it has become so popular a company is thinking of actually building a new drive in, I freaking hope so

Soon movie theaters will only be in the movies.










Get it??? I am so funny I crack myself sometimes!!!

lol, if you don't stop it I'm calling the elite bad joke squad to eliminate you

Is home theater killing killing commercial movie house?
No, they're just taking separate paths.

I am mid 50's.
I have noticed over the years that a lot of the theater chains have greatly reduced the size of each theater to increase the number within a complex. This has resulted in theaters with smaller screens. They also have gone to more utilitarian seating to increase the capacity (with decreased comfort).
Sound has suffered as well and as has been noted by others, the movie crowd is far more crass than they were in years past.
Popcorn, candy and drink prices are excessive.

I have a relatively modest home theater with excellent light control.
Screen is only a 70" LCD and sound is 7.1 with a 14" sub.
Seating consists of three rows comprised of two reclining couches and a church pew for little kids.
First row is currently about 10 feet from the screen.

We have a theater popcorn kettle machine, a pantry with a LOT of candy and soda and bathrooms with no lines.
I KNOW who has been sitting in the chair and the room doesn't smell of industrial air freshener.
Our popcorn and candy is quite good.
If we NEED to go to the bathroom, we can pause.
We can't hear the doorbell when a movie is playing.
We buy the BluRays when they come out and do not mind waiting an extra 4-6 months for their release.
We can re-watch the movie any time we like.
If there is someone annoying me in my theater, I can tell them to shut up or eject them.
My kids can have theater parties that are very social and cost next to nothing.

So, my home theater has evolved to adapt to my "needs".
The commercial theaters have evolved and expect me to adapt to their model.
Edited by TheOtherChris - 12/19/12 at 3:39pm

Home theatres really are the next best thing to a mans best friend. My dog is now upset lol.

And BTW Chris " It's only a 70"? That's big to me

And also, there is no such thing as a gaming cinema, but instead people have their very own. So it is a home movie/gaming theatre.

Although I have what I think is a rather nice HT system I still regularly see movies at the theater, usually at a nearby cineplex. Matinee prices there are still only $4.25 and the theater is immaculately maintained, with first class video and audio equipment. From what I have seen at the neighborhood theater and other local venues I have frequented, movie theaters are drawing better than ever. For example, I plan to see Jack Reacher tomorrow and both Les Miserables and Django over the Christmas holidays. In January I plan to catch Zero Dark Thirty early in its run.

Yup, size matters. Glad you're happy with yours! Mine is much smaller.

interesting. i used to work for cinemark as an usher.

no actually. For years I was watching everything on a 32 inch. ( oooh, the pain) and received my first big screener yesterday. It's a 51 inch, I feel like I'm at the cinema XD

It won't be long before the 51 incher looks small and you want to go BIGGER !!

yes I've heard of that before lol.

I've spent so much on home theater equipment in the last 8 years that I can't afford to go out to the movie theater.

And I built our room because I HATE going to the movie theater.

I'll be sitting 9' from a 2.35:1 92" screen in the home theater i'm building. Comparing to a decent sized movie theater, what row would i be sitting in to have the equivalent immersion?

Commercial theatres are killing commercial theatres with their (at least in Canada) bad projection, uncalibrated sound, rattling of the building interiors, overly loud subwoofer AND charging $16 for all of those stupidities. Home theatre is just an escape from the craptastic commercial theatres. Even without home theatre I would never go to commercial theatre in Canada (THX cinemas at Mann's Chinese Theaters are fine by me)

I think it started for me when they started using LCDs for movie posters and food menus and making me pay for it with $6 bottles of water. Also, I have zero interest in 3D.

EDIT: I should add that I'm single, not a people person. I enjoy not having to listen to disrespectful people have conversations or having to hear/see their cell phone. I also like that my home setup is dialed in on me.
Edited by mix1983 - 12/31/12 at 10:16pm

Don't forget the people who wait for the quietest moment in the film to open their twizzlers and stuff their faces. Just sayin.

At least one of the big budget movie examples (given to show statics) was not doomed by home theater technology.

"The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure" dug its own grave. I mean, who wants to go see a movie with stupid-sounding title, unless you are dragged to it by your 7 yr. old?

Why do you think "Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss" never graduated to the silver screen?

She just wants my big 51 inch, video of my favorite blues.

I haven't been to the movies in about 2.5 years. When we lived in podunk, we used to go to the "dollar" theater and the drive-in theater back home, but there aren't any equivalents to that here in the DC metro. If we want to go to the theater, then we go to a live theater performance. Even a community theater is a better experience than most movies, and the tickets are cheaper than the movies.

I think that the major factor is price. The only thing that I ever missed at the dollar theater was stadium seating. I am sure that surround sound would have been nice for some of the movies, but I didn't miss it. The slightly smaller screen was actually quite relaxing. I didn't notice a lack of video quality, which was probably due to the smaller screen. It was nice to have a sound system that wasn't cranked up so high as to cause distortion due to the speakers and/or environment. The movie-goers were also much quieter. The theater was always packed, which adds to the experience. I can't remember the last time that I was in a movie theater that was more than half full. You have to set aside time to go on opening weekend.

At the drive-in, you get two movies for the price of one! You can also make a lot of commotion without annoying your neighbors. If they want privacy, then they can roll up their windows and turn on their radio!

2001 gave us Pearl Harbor, Beautiful Mind, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Monsters Inc, and it pretty much ended that year.

2003 gave us the first Pirates movie

Since then it has been a long line of sequels, Batman, and Spiderman. There were a few really good movies, but none of them combined all the elements of story telling in such a way that it would become a blockbuster. I can't even think of any recent original stories that attempts to combine action, love, and comedy in an effort to unify the hearts and souls of all Americans...