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IF you go to the movie theater... WHY do you go?

posted 6 years ago by Frogarama (12942)
59 replies | jump to latest

I go because:

-Excellent resolution on the picture and large enough to see tiny details.
-The darkness helps with immersion.
-I'm forcing myself to shut out all distractions, so while I'm there, only that movie exists in the world.
-Best 3D and most of the movies I see in the theater are 3D.
-Living in the West Los Angeles area, the theaters are fantastic. All reserved seating too.
-Hot dog + nacho cheese + jalapenos, even though it would be about 1/50th the price if I just made this at home.

I do have a home theater, but it's only a 720p projector and the throw only creates an 84 inch screen (corner to corner, on a blank dry erase marker board with a brown wood frame). Also the 3D is LCD based and it strains the eyes. Only my computer monitor does passive 3D and uses the same RealD glasses that most theaters use. It's nice but the left/right image separation is done using alternating lines, so each image looks like scan lines if you shut one eye. Sometimes that's noticeable.

I will say this: I don't go to the theaters for the sound. My home system sounds better and has more clarity. Theaters today seem to focus too much on the lows and the bass. Higher sounds can get lost.

I also have excellent hearing, so the theaters can be too loud. Rush (the Ron Howard racing movie) was painful to watch in the theater, I often had to plug my ears.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

I go to the theater because I want to see the newest films on the big screen.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (77397) 6 years ago

I like to go with my wife...it is sort of romantic to see a big picture with your significant other

Also, i've got ants in my pants, i really cant sit still too long at home...i keep thinking of chores i should be doing, so when i buy our tickets i know i am trapped for the next two hours and i'm forced to sit down and shush!

I like the enormous volume as well...i really need better sound at home

[–] Frogarama (12942) 6 years ago

I tried the romance angle of movies once, took a girl out to a movie after dinner for our first date. We had a lot in common.

The movie was Magnolia.

We never spoke again after that night, barely even said anything after the movie. I didn't blame her, I wouldn't have spoken to me after that either.

[–] TexasJack (12516) 6 years ago

That’s a tough movie for a first date.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (77397) 6 years ago

Oof!
Bad choice Amigo...

I once met a really pretty girl near Fordham Rd in The Bronx...We went out and dinner was perfect, we had each other laughing, i knew that i was in!!

After the drinks and jokes i took her to see Medicine Man...
Not only did i NOT get lucky, i actually apologized for how crappy that movie was
I never saw her again lol

[–] Frogarama (12942) 6 years ago

Well now that's a decent thread idea... worst possible first date movies.

I nominate The Brown Bunny, although there is a slim chance it could turn out to be a "lucky," inspiring choice.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (77397) 6 years ago

We could make a great thread out of that!
I have had several dates at the movies go poorly, hard as that is to imagine LOL

I saw Brown Bunny ages ago and cant for the life of me recall what it was about...something to do with a motorbike..?
There is this one scene i will not soon forget though😉

[–] Frogarama (12942) 6 years ago

I suspect it's not about bunnies, at least... But yeah, THAT scene is all I've seen of it, just looked it up on a porn site out of curiosity one time.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (77397) 6 years ago

'One time' you say?!?!?

You just killed me...seriously laughing bro, out of breath!!!
Holy jumping Moses that was funny!!!

Now that you mention it i dont remember any bunnies either and i love bunnies so i would have noticed them

[–] Frogarama (12942) 6 years ago

Yeah, literally just once. Chloe doesn't service very well and Vincent looked like he was having a heart attack or she was chewing it like a dog toy.

Seriously, I could give a better bj.... but so can Remy LaCroix and Gigi Rivera!

[–] snepts (11123) 6 years ago

I was dating a young lady when Kramer v Kramer was released. We went to it, and to my surprise, she insisted on sitting in the back row. I settled my arm across her shoulders and we proceeded to watch the film. Later, under different circumstances, I figured out why she wanted us to sit in the back row, but I assumed we were there to watch the movie ! The alternative would have been interesting.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (77397) 6 years ago

Yeah, what a lousy date movie...in hindsight you should have gone for it!!

Although, to be honest, i have never had any desire to make out or go further in a theater...I think that could be weird, too porno-ish, ya know?

I always had a car for 'fun'

[–] snepts (11123) 6 years ago

The car was how I figured out what was on her mind. I don't really know what a "date movie" is. Once went to see a horror flick with some girl. I don't like horror, not sure what the movie was, but a couple times the girl would shriek and throw her hands at me like I was supposed to protect her, but she wasn't much of a turn on and the whole thing seemed hokey.

Another time I innocently went to see a movie with a good buddy's gf while he was in Greece for the summer. I assumed we were all pals, and the movie was Against All Odds. We hung out at her place afterward, it was a hot Chicago summer night. I guess we both were wearing long pants since she changed into shorts and asked if I would like to change as well. I wasn't expecting to have sex with her, but it wouldn't have taken much initiative to get it done. Sometimes I wish I had, but my buddy didn't really deserve that. The bad part is that before he made it back to the States, she had taken up with some other guy. She wasn't one to wait around, obviously. A very pretty blond with a great smile.

[–] Stratego (30508) 6 years ago

I go for the excitement of seeing a movie on the big screen (I don't care for new movies anymore, I just go to movies I know I like). I'd like to say atmosphere, but it hasn't been the same since the 90s. I do try to relive those feelings of way back whenever I do go.

[–] Frogarama (12942) 6 years ago

There really is a palpable excitement to the experience, when your senses are laser-focused on the movie since it's the only thing happening, and the picture/sound overwhelms anything else anyway.

I always notice that the most when I see an older favorite in the theater, and it feels kind of new again. Empire Strikes Back (special edition) and Terminator 2 (Q&A with Cameron afterward at Arclight theater) are the two examples where I remember feeling that way.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

I guess when you're in a theater, you have the chance to shut off everything else around you and really focus on a movie. That is unless of course, there is that one person who won't shut up!

[–] brux (14724) 6 years ago

There always is that one person that won't shut up, and these days we are getting more lucky to not have that one person who wants to shoot a lot of people. I used to like movies, but today they make me nervous - especially if I got to a movie that has some kind of political significance, like a Michael Moore movie. You just never know.

[–] somesunnyday (2078) 6 years ago

God it's sad to read your post. It's not even a slight overreaction or exaggeration in your culture. I'm in Australia and the last thing I'd be thinking is I'll get shot.

[–] brux (14724) 6 years ago

It is not really American culture, it is a lot of American people who have had so much stress and pressure piled on them they are starting to break down, not to mention the moron in the White House who just adds to it.

[–] GlenEllyn (21526) 6 years ago

I haven't been to a movie theater since the 1980s. Got tired of rude audience members who couldn't stop talking through the film. Luckily, VCRs came along about then, so there was no need to go. Cheaper to watch at home, too.

[–] Frogarama (12942) 6 years ago

Well it's about time to visit a good theater where the audience takes courtesy seriously, and there are plenty of those near me.

Come on over, we'll go see Fantastic Beasts 2, my treat!

[–] GlenEllyn (21526) 6 years ago

Smart phones aren't an issue??

[–] Frogarama (12942) 6 years ago

Nope. I tell ya, go to a nice theater in an area where movies are made, and it's a whole new experience. It's the local culture here, and the biggest industry. These people treat movies with respect.

[–] GlenEllyn (21526) 6 years ago

You must live near LA.

[–] Frogarama (12942) 6 years ago

My haunt is all of west LA., and I live in Beverly Hills. I'm a few blocks from Fox Studios, Sony Entertainment is close, Hollywood is just a few miles east, and of course a ton of studios are up in the valley not far away, like in Burbank. I see most of my movies in the Century City mall.

[–] GlenEllyn (21526) 6 years ago

Sounds like you're a movie expert just from osmosis!

[–] Stratego (30508) 6 years ago

The movie theatres in my city have special showings for people over 50, so those things are probably less of an issue. And the tickets are cheaper.

[–] GlenEllyn (21526) 6 years ago

Are you insinuating... Just kidding. Yes, I'm over 50 and a member of the "Old Fogy" club!

[–] Stratego (30508) 6 years ago

I'm pretty sure you mentioned before that you were an OLD LADY!😉

No special screenings where you live? I'd probably do it if I were 50. When I went to see The Godfather a few years back, there were hardly any young people and it was so quiet even though some had consumed alcohol during the intermission.

[–] GlenEllyn (21526) 6 years ago

Alcohol at movies?? Do folks bring their own or is it served there?

[–] Stratego (30508) 6 years ago

They served wine and beer at the entrance. That's not common, although last time I went to see a movie they were selling bottles of beer next to the popcorn. So I guess John Travolta was not entirely wrong in Pulp Fiction.

[–] actionkamen (23176) 6 years ago

I go to theatre mainly because of the big screen. My largest tv at home is just a 42 incher, but even with 100" tv the movie theater would still easily win. There is something satisfying to watch a movie in a such large screen.

Don't care about 3D. I watched some movies in 3D. They were... okay. Animation movies look best in 3D. Live action, not so much.

Also, I never ordered food in a theater. Eating while watching movies is not my cup of tea. Maybe when I went with friends and everybody is eating, I do too so to not look so stingy, but when I watch alone I don't eat nor drink.

[–] Frogarama (12942) 6 years ago

I went to an Alamo Drafthouse in Austin one time, they serve food and beer and such.

They schedule it so food orders have to be put in by a certain time, and food is delivered before the movie starts, etc.

Problem is, the servers pick stuff up during the early parts of the movie, and there is no stadium seating, so for like the first 30 minutes you'll regularly get server silhouettes on the screen, often as tall as the screen (when i say no stadium seating, I mean the floor was level, as flat as can be, the worst kind for watching a movie)

[–] actionkamen (23176) 6 years ago

Flat floor movie theater is the worst. It's like watching movie in school.

I also tried the theater that has beds instead of couches. Only good for boring movies tho' so that you can just fall asleep comfortably.

[–] brux (14724) 6 years ago

What theater has beds instead of chairs? I've never seen a theater with couches even. Where do you live. We have new theaters for a while now that have recliners that are pretty good.

[–] halomaniac88 (1736) 6 years ago

It is the best cheap date.

[–] FredBurroughs (21453) 6 years ago

Only at the drive in if that's the case.

[–] actionkamen (23176) 6 years ago

Netflix and chill is cheaper.

[–] halomaniac88 (1736) 6 years ago

what if you don't want to clean your house

[–] actionkamen (23176) 6 years ago

Well, you will end up living in a dirty house. Which is okay tho, I'm not judging...

[–] FredBurroughs (21453) 6 years ago

These days I go to movies with friends because it's a great way to crack jokes to each other and catch up afterward at some local eatery. There are a few drive-ins about the area as well, so you can catch a double feature of first run movies and bring in any food you want.