• If you would like to get your account Verified, read this thread
  • The TMF is sponsored by Clips4sale - By supporting them, you're supporting us.
  • >>> If you cannot get into your account email me at [email protected] <<<
    Don't forget to include your username

Movie Theaters going out of Business?

R. Davis

TMF Expert
Joined
Jul 23, 2001
Messages
557
Points
0
Are improved home theater systems, the internet, and black market DVD's putting the hurts on the movie industry? Why sit in a movie theater, when you can sit at home and enjoy a movie at your leisure?
 
R, Iam a frequent movie goer to the theater. While I think there is some merit to what you say, about movie theaters being somewhat hurt, by the things you described, I dont think it is completely true. While I've heard this has been a somewhat slow year for movies in the theater, that is also because there has been a lack of blockbuster or great movies so far. That may change come the Christmas season.
Watching DVD's at home is fun, but I still enjoy the idea of going and seeing the movie first run in the theater. I do think the movie industry may be hurt somewhat by DVD's and black market DVD sales, but, except for this year, which has been a slow year due to not great movies, it hasnt hurt that much. 2004 was a record year at the box office, which indicates that the theaters can still do well with first run movies, even in spite of DVD's and black market DVD's.

Mitch
 
I think there are several reasons why movie theaters are on the decline. More people are renting or buying DVDs and enjoying them in the privacy of their own home. And why not? There's a wide selection of discs to choose from, they have goodies like commentary and deleted scenes, you can pause them to go to the bathroom, and when you watch them on your home systems, they kick ass! Also the movies of today just aren't as good as they used to be. If movie theaters want to do more business, Hollywood has to put out better films, plain and simple. I rarely go out to see movies anymore and I can say I don't miss the experience of having to sit through a bad film while other people are eating popcorn, walking across the rows in front of me, and answering their cell phones. :ranty:
 
R. Davis said:
Are improved home theater systems, the internet, and black market DVD's putting the hurts on the movie industry? Why sit in a movie theater, when you can sit at home and enjoy a movie at your leisure?

With what they charge to see a movie these days, not to mention how they rip you off on munchies, they probably should go out of business! Seriously, though... We only go to the theater if it's something we're really anxious to see...and see on the big screen. With things coming out on DVD so quickly now, there's little reason to spend the same amount of money at the theater that you can buy the movie for in another few months. (I remember when it would be at least 2 years before it came out on tape or the old style disks.)

Though I do enjoy seeing a movie at the theater, I prefer watching at home. Just think of the perks...
having a nice large screen and reclining couch at home
being able to eat what I like when I like
being able to pause the movie to grab a snack or hit the head
not having a bunch of gabby people on cell phones around me
not having a bunch of kids jumping all over and running back and forth
being able to have a smoke if I want
and, most important....
being able to get in a tickle fight and then rewind to see what we missed!

Now, if they started reopening the drive ins....

Ann
 
Well as someone who did an AS in film studies (I know waste of time but I did A level Physics as well) my understanding is that the cinema had been going down hill since the end of the studio industry (partly to the introduction of TV) but more recently has started to become more popular due to the introduction of multiplexes and better technology like surround sound giving you a better all-round experience and a wider choice of movie and time to see it. However movie going still hasn’t got back to levels it was at the time of the studio industry.

Now as technology gets better, smaller and cheaper its available in our own homes so to keep up attendance at the cinema the technology must get better and more impressive and the experience better than ever before. Personal I quite like going to the cinema 😀 I just don’t go very often unfortunately 🙁

However movies now more often make more money on sale as a DVD so the movie industry is backing DVD like crazy which can’t help the cinemas to much!
 
I prefer to go to a movie that's about to end it's run, or go in the afternoon, this way the theater will be almost empty. I mainly get sick of gabby people, cell phone jerks(and there's always one no matter how many times they show that "Inconsiderate Cell Phone Guy" ad), and kids who purposley sit next to you so they can be annoying. I don't even bother looking at the snack bar.
Actually what I really miss is going to a local movie house with a balcony and a poster for the movie with still pictures of the film scenes. This just raised the anticipation level while you were waiting to get your tickets.
Stupid changing times. :disgust:



Drew
 
i never go to movies i cant sit still long enough to. the last movie i saw in the theatre was gettysburg. and omg the travesty. i could have made a better picture myself. i dont care for the movies much and the prices are sky high. i , if i really want to see them, will wait til they come to tv or dvd. i dont care much. i prefer old classics. they just dont make movies like they used to.

isabeau
 
cool topic!

You know one thing I really miss? DRIVE-INS! And not for the reason the pervs might think, well, ok, maybe a little.... 😉 But I have so many good memories even as a kid~you could snuggle under a blanket, bring your own food, people-watch during intermission, etc. They recently closed the last in my town and it broke my heart...It was like...I don't know, a part of Americana had died. I know, I'm such a sap, huh?
XOXO
 
Most of the movies from the past year didn't seem worth going to. I'd rather not shell out $12 for a sequel of a movie based on an old television series starring some pop singer who is just learning to act. On the other hand, television shows like 'Lost' are surpassing the movies in quality and originality.

If the movie theaters are in trouble, they should blame the studios for letting them down.
 
Thank you all for your comments!

The public's quest for the latest technology and personal convenience at home will be movie theater industry downfall! Unless they make some serious changes. It also doesn't help that most Hollywood movies these days, suck!
 
I have no desire to be the 'first' to see any movie. I'll wait for HBO.
There's no sticky bubble gum on the carpet in front of my couch and the drinks are a lot cheaper. Parking's easier too.

... cool it steph... don't go badmouthing us 'pervs'. We have rights too, ya know ???
grin.gif
 
steph said:
You know one thing I really miss? DRIVE-INS!

There actually are a few left, though few and generally far between. Drew and I went to one while in Maine last month. Even with it raining on and off, we thoroughly enjoyed it. We had one just a few minutes from us until 2 years ago. Sadly, they went out of business. The town has talked about restoring one of the two screens and doing family oriented films on weekends. But, frankly, I suspect that they'll decide to tear it down and develop the land instead. Damned shame!

Ann
 
omg speaking of drive ins thats how hubby and i dated to make out sort of. he actually asked my dad for permission to take me to the drive in. now isnt that sweet? yes there are a few in ohio i have heard. it was cool to cuddle up in a car or whatever to watch a movie. and those ads in between movies were soo funny. ahh the past.

isabeau :couch:
 
dang Doc where do you get those cool things? so cool

isabeau 😎
 
Oh, I'm a total geek for that sorta stuff, Isabeau. Not only do I know where to find cover-art for these forgotten badfilms, I usually own the damn things, too. That one above, "Drive-In Massacre", is a hoot! Maniac with a sword is terrorizing a local drive-in crowd, while the movie focuses on the efforts of two bumbling cops trying to weed out the killer.

With Halloween right around the corner, I just recieved a trade-batch of movies from a contact in Alabama. We're talkin' films like "Hellhole", "Movie House Massacre", "Demonoid", "Bloody Birthday", and "Last Slumber Party", to name just afew of the ten I recieved!

I was a tad young for the drive-ins down here before they closed down, but there'll always be a place for bad 70's and 80's movies at this mad doctor's labs! :evilha:
 
cool Doc but hey are you calling me old???? lol :twohugs:

isabeau :bunny: :happyfloa :bunny: :happyfloa :bunny: :happyfloa
 
:wowzer: Course not, silly! I think you are younger than me, if memory serves. Just that, as usual, Florida sucks on a grander scale than most other States, and they closed down the drive-ins down here many moons ago.
 
o hon i was joking teasing what have you. your so funny

isabeau :dogpile:
 
You're so sweet, Isabeau! 😱

I've said this before, but, if I were to come into obscene amounts of money, I'd build a drive-in theatre. Not to make money(it probably wouldn't), but to keep the legacy alive. Probably not down here, though. Too hot. Too many giant bugs and hurricanes. Too...Florida.
 
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh, in the rain Ann, it'd be even better~I am so envious! Yes it is a damn shame, I agree!
XOXO

PS~Oh TKperv! 😛

TklDuo-Ann said:
There actually are a few left, though few and generally far between. Drew and I went to one while in Maine last month. Even with it raining on and off, we thoroughly enjoyed it. We had one just a few minutes from us until 2 years ago. Sadly, they went out of business. The town has talked about restoring one of the two screens and doing family oriented films on weekends. But, frankly, I suspect that they'll decide to tear it down and develop the land instead. Damned shame!

Ann
 
I grew up in Rockville, MD. We had a drive-in movie theater. I went once as a kid, and you had to open your window slightly and hang a speaker box that had a big fat cable attached to it. That was the only way to get sound, and it wasn't very efficient. Later somebody had the smart idea to broadcast the sound so that one could pick it up on the radio, and amplify it to one's desired level.
 
What's New
11/15/25
Visit Clips4Sale for more tickling clips then you can imagine of every sort!!

Door 44
Live Camgirls!
Live Camgirls
Streaming Videos
Pic of the Week
Pic of the Week
Congratulations to
*** brad1701 ***
The winner of our weekly Trivia, held every Sunday night at 11PM EST in our Chat Room
Top