Why don't more people visit movie theaters anymore?

[Roy Hersh]

I am sure there are dozens of reasons, and I can think of many. But I'd like to hear yours. Then again ... maybe there are others here who do occasionally still go out to the movies, instead of the "Netflix" model, buying the DVD, or paying for Video On Demand.

[Peter W. Meek]

I haven't been to a theater in 10 or 15 years. At one time it was because there was no smoking. I got used to being able to have the beverage of my choice; being able to rewind when I missed something; and the freedom to make remarks aloud when watching with congenial company. I have no urge to go back to a theater. (Of course, I actually have a theater at home with comfy seats, a popcorn machine and a screen bigger than it needs to be.)

[Melanie R.]

I actually LOVE seeing movies in a theater instead of at home. Something about the big, dark room with a huge screen; watching the movie with a lot of other people; the movie-theater snacks (popcorn at home is never the same somehow). I also like seeing movies when "everyone else" sees them, rather than weeks later when they come out on DVD.

All that said, I don't go to the theater terribly often--I'd say, on average, about once a month, or once every couple months. The reasons I don't go more often: 1) The price. Movie tickets (and food) have gotten really expensive, so the movie has to look pretty good in order to get me into the theater. 2) There don't seem to be good movies coming out very often. I have been told I have extremely picky taste in movies, so maybe that's just me.

My favorite theater is Big Picture in Redmond. It's adults-only, and they serve alcoholic beverages (a fact which I value more for the novelty of it than anything else). The only downside is that it's a single-screen theater, and they often show "artsy" movies that many times don't appeal to me.

[Ronald Wortel]

I used to go to the cinema a lot back in Holland, but here in Oman there's not so much reason to go. There are only two movie theatres to speak of, and both show more or less the same films (hollywood blockbusters and horrors). They are usually only there for one week, so you really have to be quick if you want to see a particular film. I find it much easier to just download the film I like to see and watch it at home. It also saves me arranging a babysit.

[Moses Botbol]

$10+ a ticket is big reason. 2 tickets, pop corn, candy and drinks, not to mention maybe going out before or after... Might as well go to a restaurant and get out cheaper! The cinema does not provide the entertainment value that it use to.

Advances in home theather is another reason.

[Roy Hersh]

If I had Peter's theater at home, I'd never go out to a movie theater. Then again, if I had Peter's home theater, I'd:

a. consume 85% of my caloric intake on popcorn

b. would never have time for the newsletter or posting online

c. would sleep even less than my typical 6 hours

d. might get lost watching marathons of two days or more

e. like a casino, never know the difference between night and day

f. purchase a robot to take care of most mundane chores ... like getting up to make more popcorn.


When I grow up, I want a home theater like Peter's!!! I have seen three or four others who have "done it up" ... one guy had four speakers at $25k apiece ... but Peter's theather ... and his seat-side control console ... I had to question what planet I was on.

[Melanie R.]

Roy, I'm not seeing the problem with the above scenario.

[Peter W. Meek]

Roy,

It gets old after a while. I rarely spend more than 6 hours a day in there anymore.

and BTW -- I'm switching to iPads for control. Much more compact, and way cheaper.

[Eric Menchen]

We went to the theater several times in the run up to the Oscars. All the movies were good, but the theater experience was mixed. Food and drink is ridiculou$ at the theater. I know that's where they make all their money, but they aren't making it from me. Our local theater 8 minutes away is old and run down, not all that nice to sit in for a movie. If we drive 25 minutes, that theater is nice. For one movie we had a 35 minute drive, one way, and the sound was crappy. That didn't make me want to rush back. Pausing, etc. at home is quite nice. On the other hand, having to pause because the dogs just smelled a rabbit in the back yard is one reason we still go to the theater.

Oh, and I downloaded an Android app to control the media player at home. Nifty, but I haven't decided if it is better than the standard remote.

[Roy Hersh]

Melanie,

I'm with you ... the theater experience and being aware of the audience as well as the movie, adds a nice twist that keeps me going to movies in the theater, as well as watching many at home.

We have some very good theaters around and some crazy great ones like the IMAX in Bellevue, but most are quite comfortable and modern. I still like to occasionally go to the older theaters that they use for SIFF, (a great example being the 45th St. in Wallingford) just for a blast from the past ... but definitely prefer what we have available on the Eastside. I was recently in the Kirkland Park Place which had new stadium seats added going uphill, with super wide aisles and tons of leg room. Those kind of creature comforts are definitely appreciated, in addition to the big screen and great new sound system. Bella Bottega is like home away from home, Issaquah the occasional venue, but even the upscale duo in Redmond are worth checking out once in awhile. Do you have favorite theaters in the area?

[Melanie R.]

My favorite is Big Picture in Redmond, but I also like going to the classic movies they show each year at the North Bend Theater. It was built in the 1940s, and it's fun to see an old movie in a theater that was around when the movie was originally shown. The theater has a single screen and is definitely no-frills, but I like the nostalgia factor.

[Roy Hersh]

Cool, thanks for the tip on the No. Bend theater. I'll have to check it out.

[Melanie R.]

Sure. I wish they showed classic movies more often, but I think it usually starts in October each year and continues through December. They seem to show a lot of kids' movies.

[Russ K]

I'm in peter mode.

5 year old son went to one movie when he was 3 and never wants to go back, too scary.
So we have a 120" 1080p projection theatre with 7.1 surround and seven large comfy seats (4 in the back row on a 7" riser, 3 in the front) to lay back in and enjoy the show or the game.

[Tom D.]

Roy, count me and my wife in the "still go to the theater" camp. We do use On Demand for a lot of movies, but for a really great movie it's always the theater (finally saw The King's Speech last night, in fact). For us, no home theater compares to the big screen. Plus, the theaters are almost empty now, so it's practically like a private showing anyway...

[Peter W. Meek]

I'm in peter mode.

5 year old son went to one movie when he was 3 and never wants to go back, too scary.
So we have a 120" 1080p projection theatre with 7.1 surround and seven large comfy seats (4 in the back row on a 7" riser, 3 in the front) to lay back in and enjoy the show or the game.

I wish I had been able to do a 4-seat back row. The room just isn't wide enough, so I settled for 3-3. I do set up folding chairs for nights with more than 6 people. (I always get the first one.)

[Russ K]

It took me a while to find the right chairs, our room is almost exactly 10 ft. Our choices were limited, but it is great to have the stagger in the seats. Most times the front row is pushed aside while we play the Wii.
Russ

[Andrew E]

I worked in a movie theater for 5 years so I thoroughly enjoy seeing things on the ultimate of big screens and good sound systems. That being said, I tend to watch dramas or non-technical movies less and less at movie theaters these days.

Not having kids yet and still having single/childless friends it's still pretty easy to get a group of friends together to go watch a movie. Movies that motivate me to go to the theater are rare foreign/indie movies that have caught my interest because I now live in a city that shows them, and comedies or movies with actors I really like. I purposely passed on Black Swan and am actually quite happy about it because it came out on dvd quite quickly after leaving theaters, so now I can watch it on my own time and not have to shell out $10+ on it.

I do like supporting indie movies though, and even made 5 hour trips to go watch them if they were only showing in select cities (Bubba Ho-tep - totally worth it with Bruce Campbell making it great, and Ossie Davis legitimizing it).

Then there are just those slow days when nothing is really going on or no one is around and I just decide to go watch a movie. This is usually when I take a chance on a movie that didn't interest me and have come away pleasantly surprised from time to time.

I do watch Netflix a lot and have a growing dvd/blu ray collection but that has more substituted for my cable/tv watching than anything.

[Roy Hersh]

Andrew,

Do you ever make it down this way for SIFF flicks?

[Andrew E]

Andrew,

Do you ever make it down this way for SIFF flicks?

I haven't yet. I've only lived in the area for about 5 years but each time I hear about it it's always a recap and I always miss it by just a little bit.

I have been meaning to get down there though for at least one of the festivals.