Home Theater vs Cinema - Page 8

No, my outrage is definitely with loud obnoxious rude people, who seem to belong to a club dedicated to attending the theater whenever I do.


Couldn't disagree more. They don't "deserve to be children" in a movie theater with others trying to enjoy the movie. When I was a child, I never caused a disturbance in a theater, because I was taught not to. I knew that if I acted up, I would get left at home with a sitter the next time a good movie came out.

The "kids will be kids" attitude of today is why so many people look at parents scornfully. A "you kids will behave" attitude would be much more refreshing.

My problem is that when I watch a movie, I want to watch a movie.
I dont want to hear someone eating a 3 course meal next to me, or commenting on the nose of a recently opened Cabernet.

....now, having said that, I also understand that this is probably a necessary step for theatres to take. Honestly, if I just wanted to go OUT with a friend, or if I was taking a lady out on a date....(my wife would kill me, but I digress)..and seeing the movie wasn't as big a deal to me, but just another component of an evening out, this could be fun. I wouldn't go to an establishment like this JUST to see a movie.

But, damnit, at a regular old movie theatre I at least want to be able to be taken away by the story. To get into it without any distractions. No cell phones, no chit-chatting (they have a nice comfortable lobby for that), no kids playing wireless DS across the theatre...etc.

BUT MOST OF ALL, I WANT DRIVE-IN's BACK!!!

Seriously, Drive-In's were the perfect place to go on a friday or saturday night..and maybe catch a movie if you wanted to. *sigh*

I wished all the drive in's near me hadn't closed up......*cry*

Quote:
Apart from the occasional 7-10 year old with an out loud observation, which I'm willing to overlook because they're children and they deserve to be children within reason,

If you would have read my comment completely, you would see that I wrote "within reason". I, as many of us in this thread do, believe parents should teach their kids to be quiet and behave in a theater and behave in general. I was also taught not to cause disturbances. But, as long as the out-loud comments from the kids don't become too frequent and too disruptive, I'm not going to fault a child for experiencing the wonder and amazement in a theater as I once did.

The parents, or "adults", on the other hand can zip it.

I did read your comment completely - we just have different definitions of "within reason" and "too frequent and too disruptive".

The number of outbursts I consider "within reason": Zero.
The number of outbursts I consider "too frequent and too disruptive": One.

As a child, I experienced the wonder and amazement in a theater too - without outbursts, and without bothering anyone else. It can happen - it just needs to be given the priority it deserves when being taught by parents.

Do I expect to see that happen in this day and age? Sadly, I do not. Not with the shoulder-shrugging attitudes of "kids will be kids" and "whaddya you gonna do?" that so many parents have today.

It probably sounds like I have a chip on my shoulder, and I do. I'm an old fart at the early age of 44, but it started when I was in my twenties.

So, would you drive or walk up to a theater being projected from the side of a 20' travel trailer to watch, the movie of your choice, sports PPV, your own provided DVD and bring your own munchies for a change. What's really the perfect place for these times and for tomorrow? "Seriously"!

I want to reply to this, but i'm not even sure if you're asking a question or making a statement...

Anyways, seeing a movie isn't JUST about picture and sound quality. Going to see a movie at a drive-in is more of an experience than anything else. I guess I can say that since we have one somewhat close to us and we enjoy going there.

I have a question for this HT vs Cinema thread...

How many of you have been to IMAX theaters and also to Landmark?

I haven't been to either yet, but i plan on going to the IMAX here in Tampa soon, not sure if there is a Landmark anywhere close by.

I hate goin to the movies for just about all the reasons you guys listed too, I usually go after a movie has been out for a while though, so there are hardly any people in the theater except me.

For me nothing will be as enjoyable as going to the movies. Its just more fun and seems like you can get into the movie more and not worry or think about anything.
The theater next to me which is only about 5 minutes away is great. They have a Digital Theater so they get movies like Chicken little and Monster House in Digital 3D.

the Popcorn is always so good and put some White Chedder seasoning on its soo good, Love the atmosphere, the trailers, Huge screen, great seats (Tempur-Pedic form-fitting). Just a better and funner experince to me then sitting home, just doesnt feel the same even with better sound etc. For me the only negative for going to the movies is the price

It is a question that is also making a statement. Going to the movies hasn't changed since it's inception except the negatives aspects, that have been mentioned, has evolved making the movie going experience less enjoyable for many. So, what's their alternative. Give up going to the movies altogether and allow the rude and obnoxious to dominate? If you look at the statistics the number of movie goers is declining over the last three years.

My question is that if there were another type of movie theater for you to go to like I mentioned, would you go.

The movie and television network industries are highly dependent on viewers responding to their "programming" technique of doing business. Meaning that when a new television series is broadcast or a new movie is released that you see the content when they broadcast the series or do their "theatrical release". Their own rental after market is cutting into their theatrical release. If I wait to see a movie for 6 months after it's release it's the same for me as when it was first released. I get the same satisfaction.

As a matter of fact, I would prefer a theater that allows me to pick and choose the movie I want to see at that time when I'm ready to see it. Not when they want to herd in as many as they can and end up making the experience less enjoyable than what it can be. With our current technology it's time for a major change.

Well it seems that there are people (even in this thread) who really enjoy seeing movies with a crowd of other people. Why they do is completely beyond me, but to each his own I guess.

But I really think theaters are in trouble. With shorter windows between theatrical release and home video release dates along with improved pay-per-view and bigger screens at home, less people will attend theaters as time goes on.

So theaters will raise ticket prices even higher to make up for it, which will keep even more people from going. Add to that unwillingness of most theaters to actually kick out obnoxious inconsiderate a-holes, and there you have it: a bunch of closed movie theaters.

Perhaps acting troops will buy them and we'll see a resurgence of live theater...

I do think alot of people online make a bigger deal of people talking, cell phones etc. I go to the movies alot, and it doesnt happen much maybe more at a kids movie but its rare and when some kid makes a comment or something thats not a big deal doesnt wreck the movie.

I just find it boring to sit home all the time and watch a movie, plus watching a movie with a audience can be awesome, especailly with comedys or movies like Pirates.

I love all of that too... The smell of popcorn invading my nose as I approach the theater, walking past the posters and under the banners, etc. etc. I love the atmosphere.

But you know what f***king ruins the whole experience?

PEOPLE! Seriously.

Yesterday, I went to see Pirates of the Caribbean 2. Lovely theater, new recliners, large screen (50 feet or so), brand new sound system, pristine print. It was shaping up to be a great day at the movies. I sit close to the screen (about 1x the screen width), so I'm usually all alone in the row. However, yesterday, a group of preteens (probably 11-12 years old) sat by me. They were very quiet at first, but as I was thanking my lucky stars, they started to come and go in pairs. First to get popcorn, then to the bathroom, then to God knows where. I'm not a giant, but at 6'1'', I still had to do a fair amount of seat gymnastics to let the kids through every time, without having to get up myself. By the third trip, I was answering their "excuse me, please" with a grunted "just go already!". Then they started talking loudly enough for me to hear the whole conversation even over the loud fight scenes in the film. I told them to zip it, which they did, for about 10 minutes.

And don't get me started on the toddler that started wailing the second Davey Jones and his crew appeared on screen for the first time.

Or the woman surrounded by six or seven kids, all talking at once. Luckily it was on the opposite end of the room, so the shushing was handled by her neighbors. I guess I wasn't the only cranky bastard in attendance, and thank goodness for that.

Hence the reason I'm putting more and more money into my humble HT. Mohammed, meet Mountain.

It has nothing to do with being "online" - it has to do with tolerance levels. DIfferent people have different tolerance levels for disturbances by others in a theater. You say you don't see it much (people talking, cellphones ringing) - you're lucky. Maybe it's the area you live in, maybe it happens and you just don't notice it. Either way, consider yourself lucky.

Perhaps we're more sensitive to it than you are, but don't try to tell the rest of us that it's not happening as much as we're saying it is. It's insulting.

As far as a comedy or Pirates being "awesome" because you're watching it with a crowd - I still have to ask "why?". I'm not refuting that you like it, I'm just trying to understand it. Personally, if a scene makes me laugh, then it makes me laugh. Makes no difference if everyone else around me laughs or not. Actually I take that back - it does make a difference if their continued laughter makes it so I can't hear the next line of dialogue. Then I'm back to wishing I was watching at home.

I guess I just don't get the whole "shared experince" thing. For example, concert DVDs have gotten so good that I'd rather watch a concert at home than actually be there. Seven foot screen, Multiple camera angles, 5.1 sound, pause it for food or a bathroom break (where there's no lines BTW), no drunk guy stepping on your feet, etc. Same with sporting events. A great baseball game on HDTV beats being there at the park, IMO.

That being said, I guess you don't need to go to the beach...

...just turn up the heat in the house until it's about 90 degrees, throw in a DVD that has a picture of the beach with sounds of the ocean, birds, etc and sit in a beach chair, right?

People go to the beach for reasons beyond the audio-visual. Technology can't recreate the experience at home the way it can do with films and music.

Of course, if I could score front row tickets for an Alison Krauss concert, I'd be there in a heartbeat, but if I'm gonna sit so far I can't even see the band, why not enjoy the live concert DVD on the big screen? Same goes for sports. Being at the stadium is great for the atmosphere, but your perspective of the actual game is very limited.

You just answered your own question. Some people (obviously not all) feel that the technology can't recreate the experience at home the way it is at the theater, for whatever reason it may be, whether it be the crowd, the popcorn the large room feeling, or perhaps it all about getting out of the house as well...

Whatever the reason may be, it falls under the same logic that you described above.

It's not just about the audio/visual all the time. For example, I probably wouldn't enjoy Seinfied as much if there wasn't a studio audience, even though that has nothing to do with the actual comedy, etc. However, studio audiences have been in TV shows through time for some reason or another, so I can't be alone in feeling that way.

I wouldn't disagree with that at all. What eludes me though is which parts of the theater experience that can't be recreated are so wonderful? The kid kicking the back of your seat, the rustling of someone's candy bag? The cellphone ringing?


See, now I know it's just me. I love sitcoms that have no laugh track. Arrested Development and The Office are two of my favorites. I just don't need to know someone else finds something funny in order to find it funny myself, or enhance the funniness.

[quote=scooterboy]I wouldn't disagree with that at all. What eludes me though is which parts of the theater experience that can't be recreated are so wonderful? The kid kicking the back of your seat, the rustling of someone's candy bag? The cellphone ringing?
QUOTE]

I would guess that each theater experience is different. We don't usually have the kicking part nor the dirty theater part. For the most part, our theater experiences are great because the sheer size of the screen in the Stadium Seating theaters and the volume typically mutes out any pests. We do get the occassional cell phone text message annoyance of the bright screen, but I never hold my tongue.

I guess the noise would be harder to tolerate if I was going to see something like Bridge of Madison County, but seeing as how my wife and I have only gone to the theater in the past year to see movies like Superman, X3, and Pirates, that's not usually an issue.

We're heading to the drive-in on Friday to watch a movie. Throwing some pillows/blankets in the back of the pickup bed, in great 75 degree weather. Not going to be steller sound nor picture, but still something that I can't simulate in the home theater, and lots of fun.

I agree that you are lucky if you are not bothered by such things. I am usually
very patient but I can count on one hand the number of times over the last five
years that I have gone to a movie and not had to deal with such distractions.
The LOTR series was particularly bad as it seemed that many people who had
not read the books required constant narration from their friends to follow the
story. I love watching those movies at home because without the distraction
you can become immersed in the movie. However, this is not the case when
there are people all around talking to their friends.

How sensitive one is to these things is probably also a function of age. I think that
as you get older like me you are less apt to want the crowd and more apt to
want to just enjoy the movie. The one exception to this rule for me are the pure action movies like Pirates. There a good audience can add a lot to the experience. Even so I still very much enjoy watching such movies at home. The experience is just as good, just different.
Regards

like the really big screens at the movies.

I have given up on going to an actual theater, and hoping to completely enjoy the experience. The past four times I went, it was either technical issues, or people issues (two each time).

A while ago I went to the "premium" cinema in Framingham, MA where you can purchase food at a restaurant (a little overpriced if you ask me, but reasonably good food anyways), or for eating in the theater. The seats were kind of comfortable, but very hard with very little give, kind of like an older Mercedes Benz. The negative at that movie was that the two people in front of me ordered buffalo wings which stunk up the entire theater for most of the movie. They did not use a good buffalo sauce either, it was the stinky cheap buffalo sauce (I am a hot sauce snob). This convinced me that I really do not want to go to commercial theater where I am paying for a movie, since for less than the price of just two admissions, I can purchase the DVD, and enjoy it in the comfort of my own home.

As to the "group/shared" experience mentioned above, I find that it is way overrated to me. I know what I think it funny, and I certainly do not need others to make something funny. In fact the time I laughed the hardest, almost peeing my pants in a theater was seeing the movie Alladin where Robin Williams is doing the different outfits for Alladin. Now the funny thing about that experience, the movie theater had three total people in it. My wife and I, and one other person, so the "shared experience" did not result in my uncontrollable laughter.

Years ago I was in Paris where I saw Nobody's Fool with Paul Newman. It was in English with french subtitles. The interesting thing is that my wife and I were laughing at the jokes before the locals were because the lines came before the subtitles could be read, and some of the jokes were funny because of how it was said, instead of what was said.

As to kids, I have two girls (14 and 9), and both of them know how to behave in a public place. I never have to tell them to be quiet, because we take them many places, and they know how to act when they are in public. One funny story was when ET was re-released in the theater, there was a real obnoxious person chatting on her cell phone while the movie was starting. After the entire theater listened to her conversation (Boy was she oblivious...), I finally said in a rather distinct voice "SHUT UP". About 10 people applauded, and of course she quickly finished. My 6 year old at the time says "Daddy, you said a bad word!" Of course that was greeted by some chuckles, but during the movie, everybody was deathly quiet, so it worked.

I find that the sound in commercial theaters is either too soft, or so loud that they have blown the speakers or amplifiers so there is major distortion. There is no care anymore in terms of making the picture and audio the best it can be.

...And the real funny thing, since I have an LCD projector, the flashing of the picture with each film frame being displayed is starting to bother me also. That is the same reason why I cannot use DLP either. I guess I can see fast motion.

Reedl

The limit is average room size and ANSI output of a digital projector.......but U already knew that

The fact is we(The people) just don't get along with each other as we used to. Times have changed and so have we. I was rased in a movie theater most of my childhood. Movies we a place to go to socailize and play. Same still goes today but, The way kids have NO respect for others and the way PARENTS have over the years let susie and little johnny get away with murder have grown up now and still get away with murder. Im 42 yrs old I have seen the change and I see no end to the mess. Its sad so I love my HT!

My friend always reminds me of the time when I did my best impression of George Costanza from Seinfeld. There were many older teens in various places throughout the theater in little groups with all of them more interested in having conversations in their normal speaking voice than watching the movie. I actually bit my tongue for a good twenty minutes and then I couldn't be my usual polite self anymore. I stood up, turned around, and said out loud in a very deliberate tone, "Everyone.....SHUT.....UP." I then stood there for a few seconds staring at all of them as a whole, before sitting down. I had never done that before and it felt so good, because it actually worked. I think they thought I was going to start cracking skulls to be honest. Needless to say, I'm less and less likely to put up with yapping anymore.

On a side note, after the movie was over, one of the boys that I'm sure was trying to save face with his prospective girlfriend, said to me, "You were pretty cool to tell everyone to shut up, huh?". So, I replied, "You shut up didn't you?" He didn't have anything else to say.

I had exactly the same feeling about the blacks with this movie, it was all grey not black. No contrast on the dark & nighttime scenes. Like you say with the fade to black is was really noticable. And this was a good quality cinema so should not be any problem with their projectors

Home theater, by far.

A few months ago, I went to one of the early morning showings and had the complete 300 seater cinema completely to myself. That was pretty nice
In most other cases though I would find the at home option better, quality wise there ain't much differance to me, more comforable at home but bigger screen at the cinema.