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I'll more than likely never return to the movie theaters

posted 5 years ago by CinemaDemon989 (1286)
93 replies | jump to latest

And I say that for various reasons. I'm mostly pointing the finger at AMC theaters in this case. But going to the movies just isn't what it used to be. Maybe it's just me. I can't bring myself to return to the theaters. At least not anytime soon. Back in early October, I went to see a screening of Joker. It at least seemed like a film worth seeing. Aside from my terrible movie theater experience, I really did enjoy the movie. But here are the reasons why I won't be returning to the movie theaters:

1.) I'm appalled that AMC theaters has assigned seating nowadays. This is beyond idiotic and awful, in my opinion. One of the biggest joys of going to the movies, was entering the theater, and being able to pick your seat of choice. It's what added to the comfort factor. But I guess that's just not the case anymore. I even asked the guy at the ticket booth if there was assigned seating, and he clearly looked me in the eye and said, "no", and then shortly after, asked me to pick which seating placement I wanted. I mean, WTF?! But still, I really wanted to see the movie, so I just settled with my assigned seat. But still, from the start, that upset me.

2.) The audience was extremely obnoxious. They made little comments every minute and talked out loud. They were very disrespectful. It was so annoying. For a moment, I really thought I was going to walk out of the theater.

3.) Yet again, going back to the assigned seating factor...this created a lot of confusion within the theater. Instead of people just picking their seat of choice and sitting down, everyone kept searching for their seat number. This created so much unnecessary confusion.

4.) Yet again, at the ticket booth, I clearly asked the guy at the booth if I was paying for a "dine-in" theater, and he clearly told me no. But regardless, there were still buttons on the seats that had the option to request food and beverage services. This was also very distracting. During the middle of the film, some random audience member could push the button, and an employee would come rushing to their service. I mean, literally, during the middle of the movie, in front of everyone, someone would suddenly realize that they wanted some popcorn or a mini pizza. It was so distracting. This is a movie theater, not a dang restaurant.

5.) This guy next to me kept making these little snickering laughing sounds. And this lady next to me smelled like a combination of spicy chicken wings and beer. Yet again, super distracting. lol

6.) At one point throughout the film, I had to use the restroom. Believe me, I didn't want to. I didn't wanna miss the movie. But dang it, I had to go. When I got up to use the restroom, a bunch of people got really mad at me. They basically hissed. And all I kept thinking was, "Oh, so people can request service every 5 minutes and make comments throughout the entire film, and you're cool with that. But I gotta go take a piss, and I'm being as quiet as possible...and I'm the annoying one. Nice."

7.) And lastly, I guess I've just lost my patience for movie theaters. I'm used to enjoying movies in the comfort of my own home. There were way too many distractions.

So, yeah. There you have it. I apologize for my little rant. But these things needed to be said.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

that assigned seating business is a bit contentious with some, but i'm fine with it mostly. it gives you a chance to pre-select your optimal seats, & that's an option i'm happy to have. the only real downside is if someone next to you is obnoxious or smelly or whatever, and in most screenings there are enough open spaces to allow you to move.

but i completely agree with you on food delivery. i absolutely find that distracting & obnoxious, but in my part of the world it is currently restricted to a few theatres that specialize in that service. if it were to become a standard part of the theatre viewing experience, that would definitely make me re-think going.

personally, my own theatre-going experience tends to be pretty good. there certainly are occasions where things are tainted by idiots & their phones & kids talking or whatever, but those are still the exceptions & not the norm.

personally, i think there is something to experiencing a film on a big screen with a massive sound system with an audience. seeing 2001 in a theatre was one of the best movie experiences of my life. i don't think i would have loved some of my favourite movies like a ghost story, the red turtle or the lighthouse if i hadn't seen them in a theatre first. i think there is something to the forced focus & collective experience that comes in that environment that can't be replicated at home, at least not for me. maybe that's my deficiency as a viewer in that i simply can't focus at home the way i can in the theatre.

[–] samoanjoes (56665) 5 years ago

I never liked going to the theatre for a few reasons:

1. Ten minutes worth of trailers.
2. People kicking my chair.
3. Excessive cologne/perfume smells from people nearby.
4. Stupid movie watchers. Laughing at things that aren't jokes or laughing at jokes that aren't funny.
5.Popcorn chewing.
6. I don't mind people having to go to the bathroom, but I hate when there's no room for them to walk and I gotta get up.
7. Me going to the bathroom, missing the film and trying to find my seat again.
8. When audio is too loud or too low.
9. Too expensive.
10. I hate people in general.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

wow - i just typed the same list elsewhere in the thread!

[–] samoanjoes (56665) 5 years ago

Really? Where?

[–] AndyKing1967 (38085) 5 years ago

Page 1, halfway down - very similar.

[–] samoanjoes (56665) 5 years ago

Three were the same. I was thinking it was almost exact.

[–] AndyKing1967 (38085) 5 years ago

Yes, it’s the usual complaints; cinema chains really need to take this on board because with the rise of home cinema and streaming services they’re sleepwalking towards extinction.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

3? i count 6:
trailers
chair kicking
stupid movie watchers
me going bathroom
too loud
too expensive

i just missed out smelly, popcornchewing , isle wandering , hateful people

[–] CinemaDemon989 (1286) 5 years ago

The trailers were annoying, I must say. And there were a ton of people loudly laughing at moments that had absolutely no comedic intention. And 20 bucks for one ticket seemed steep to me.

[–] jobiwan58 (212) 5 years ago

I agree with how you feel, CinemaDemon. I haven't been for about 3 years and have no interest in going back. With so many movies I can watch at home whenever I want, pause when I want to, et cetera, why pay ridiculous prices to see a movie one time, without captions, and with a lot of the annoyances you mentioned. Once you get past the "gotta be first to see the latest movie" concept, it's easy enough to wait until it's available on some service at home. I was kind of interested in Zombieland 2 but all in good time.

[–] kspkap (13555) 5 years ago

When you refer to assigned seating do you mean the theater assigns your seat? If so, I agree with you. But, if you purchase your tickets online you are permitted to reserve your seat. This is what I do which I prefer. I also attend the early matinee, sometimes starting at 10:30 AM. No kids, but in the past I found the adults are worse.

I stopped going to the theater years ago, “Superman Returns” due to your list of why you are staying away. My granddaughter suggested the matinee which I found works great. There are times I have the mini theater to myself.

[–] CinemaDemon989 (1286) 5 years ago

Assigned seats / reserved seats are wrong. It takes away the essence of what a movie theater is supposed to be.

[–] kspkap (13555) 5 years ago

I beg to differ with you, but you are entitled to your opinion. “the essence of what a movie theater is supposed to be.” What in the he** does that mean? The essence of a movie theater is to view a film. The soul of a movie theater is not the seating....it’s the movie!

“Question class. what is the essence of a movie theater?” Very astute Jane answers: “Conflict is the essence of drama. In other words fighting over which seat to sit in.”

[–] CinemaDemon989 (1286) 5 years ago

The seating is indeed, part of that essence. Lol

[–] kspkap (13555) 5 years ago

“The seating is indeed, part of that essence.” If you say so, but bad seating ruins the essence of the film.
Seriously, why does it bother you so very much to have reserved seating. Isn’t that the case with any other venue? I doubt you would be able to sit where ever you wanted at a football game without paying more. I don’t want someone in front of me. I wish to sit where I want to sit. I don’t want more than one person standing by me asking each other “Where do you want to sit? I don’t know. What’s good for you? How’s that over there? No, it’s too far from the screen or it’s too close.”

Good Grief People! Buy your tickets on line. Study the layout and choose your seat. That’s one of the reasons I hate Disney and the theater type attractions. It’s like a herd of buffalo stampeding to get the best seat. I always ended up clear at the end of the row and missed some of the show.

[–] CinemaDemon989 (1286) 5 years ago

If we've reached the point in society where people can't even decide where they'll sit... than we're in trouble. And I wouldn't equate the seating process at a theater to that of a football game.

[–] AndyKing1967 (38085) 5 years ago

The allocated seating system in the UK, means you get to choose your seat. Are you saying that where you are you have no choice?

[–] kspkap (13555) 5 years ago

But, I am deciding before entering the theater. Reserved seating gives *me* the choice before hand. Instead of entering with the house lights on, hoping my seat is empty, I’ve made the decision when I purchased my ticket online.

[–] CinemaDemon989 (1286) 5 years ago

I still think that sounds lame.

[–] kspkap (13555) 5 years ago

I’m at a loss as to why this eats at you. Why is it lame? Do you enjoy jumping up and down like a jack-in-box in order to accommodate the constant “Excuse me.”refrains? Have you ever and your significant other joined another couple at the movies? Suppose there aren’t 4 seats together? That’s not so bad, but what if there aren’t two together? Your other may have to sit down a few seats. Whatcha gonna do? Throw popcorn at each other since you only bought one container?

Another nice thing about reserved seating is the front row has a few handicap seats with a caretaker seat next to it. The theater I attend has 2 open seats between the handicap sections. I choose one of those.

I deem you’re all for Southwest Airlines non-reserved seating. It doesn’t matter if you have friends or family traveling with you as the lot of you could be scattered all over the plane. How much fun is that? I want my drinking friend next to me, not in the last row! Watch out! Stampede!

[–] CinemaDemon989 (1286) 5 years ago

Seating arrangements at a theater is nothing like reserved seating on an airplane. They are different. Equating them is useless. I still think assigned seating at a movie theater is lame af.

[–] kspkap (13555) 5 years ago

I give up! 🙇🏼‍♀️ This is rather weird. If the theater is packed and you have to sit in the very last row or your favorite area is taken....I’ll be comfortably sitting in my seat of *my* choosing. 💁🏼‍♀️

[–] CinemaDemon989 (1286) 5 years ago

Well, I won't be returning. So I'm not worried about it.

[–] McQualude (4231) 5 years ago

First world problems.

[–] CinemaDemon989 (1286) 5 years ago

Yeah I know.

[–] db20db (17235) 5 years ago

I've been an avid moviegoer since I was a young boy, even worked in a theater as a teenager. My excursions now are few and far between. The last one was over a year ago where I encountered a first. Just before the move was due to begin, an usher appeared at the front of the screen and made an announcement. It was a brief admonition about maintaining an awareness of exits and anyone that might appear suspicious. It was a clear allusion to a potential active shooter situation. It was so unexpected that it was creepy, unnerving and surreal that this harsh reality was now hitting so close to home. And yes, this was an AMC theater and since I've seen no mention of this practice anywhere else so far in this thread, I'm speculating maybe it's a policy adopted at the local level ?

[–] kspkap (13555) 5 years ago

I haven’t witnessed such yet at my theaters. It would be unnerving....akin to being on a plane.

[–] db20db (17235) 5 years ago

That's exactly what it reminded me of, kap, when the flight attendants go through their emergency preparedness routine at the front of the cabin, prior to departure.

[–] TandyMan (11096) 5 years ago

I'm with ya. In their efforts to make movie theaters more luxurious, they have utterly ruined them.

[–] kspkap (13555) 5 years ago

I’m enjoying theaters again because of reserved seating and early matinees. Love the reclining seats with cup holder, not fighting over armrests, having to stand up several times to let people out for whatever reason. I don’t understand how they are ruined. IMO they are a much more rewarding experience including the sound. We went to one of the best theaters in the Orlando area to see Titanic. I was awed by the experience. Wonderful seating with sound so realistic I felt I was on board ship. Every sound was heard.

[–] TandyMan (11096) 5 years ago

The reserved seating is a total headache as the OP pointed out. I absolutely loath the big fancy chairs. I liked it better when theaters had crappy stadium style seating. Keep the food and the booze out of there. The stink of the popcorn and nachos was bad enough. As for sound the theaters are WAY too damn loud now. I'm hear to see a movie. I got the comforts of home at home. I don't want a theme park experience. And F off with the 30 minutes of trailers before starting the picture. Booo!

[–] kspkap (13555) 5 years ago

☺️ Okey Dokey! But, there are some movies which call for the largest screen possible. The sound can be loud, but it was part of...what’s that word?...oh, yeah, the “essence” of Titanic. The one thing I do miss when attending the theater...no sub-titles. The portable ones handed to you after a request don’t work so I miss half the dialogue. I’ve lost my hearing in my left ear so at times I appreciate the wonderful surround sound.

Another reason to go to the theater is to see movies which cost an arm & a leg to rent at home. I did have Netflix’s DVD subscription, but recently dropped it. I have Directv...$4.99 to rent a movie. Amazon Prime...$3.99, Red Box at home $4.99. I can go to the theater, buy the largest popcorn, I take my water, sink into those wonderful seats with a huge screen in front of me for around $7.00. How anyone would prefer those seats where you have to keep your arms by your side, where the motor mouths are so close by your side and in back you can hear the loud whispers....is beyond me. But, to each his own I guess.

[–] slimone (7996) 5 years ago

I haven't been to a movie theater in years. Lion was the last movie I saw in a theater.