Movies

Many people rank movies according to a scale
(1) Can't wait until it comes out in theater. Will see in first weekend
(2) Worth seeing in a theater
(3) Looks good, but will wait until it comes on pay TV
(4) Will watch on commercial TV
(5) Won't turn it off if I have to get up off the couch and find the remote
(6) Makes me want to claw my eyes out

Now Prima Cinemas has a $35K device that allows you to see first run movies at $500 apiece. So that is $130K to watch a new movie every other week for 5 years.

There was a plan to start releasing first run movies on pay per view for $60 per movie. I think it would have started at least a week after opening night. I thought that was ridiculous, but you could make a case that four people could spend that much on a Saturday night if you include popcorn and soda.

Maybe they are aiming at small institutions or already know that alot of people grab a few movies, some snacks and watch in small groups anyway.

Quote: Fleastiff

Maybe they are aiming at small institutions or already know that alot of people grab a few movies, some snacks and watch in small groups anyway.

If you spend $60 on a movie, that says you shelled out at least $900 for a 60" big screen TV, and you would rather have movie night with your friends or kids than go to a theater. It could also mean you hate the idiots in the movie theaters, and you would rather sit at home where you can pause the TV and not deal with anyone else. The theater chains have a right to fear this concept, as they may lose serious business.

But if you spend $500 on a movie, and $65K on the equipment, what does that say about you? I guess if you spend a million dollars on a home theater, that isn't out of line.

For those who can afford it sure it may make inroads on traditional ticket sales. Privacy and status can drive the financial outlay.

Few people like the trek, the parking, the rowdy movie goers, the smell of popcorn, and the risk of a DUI coming home from a post movie night cap. Those who can afford a group get together will do it; those who can afford to make it for themselves and a spouse only will in fact do it eventually. Pot holes only get worse, traffic jams get worse, shootings get more common, DUIs get more expensive, ... "cocooning" can be expensive, but there comes a time when people say " so what ". People who have money hire drivers to be on call so as not to have their own time be at someone else's schedule. After a while, they extend the concept to other events such movie start times.

Some initial release on demand prior to general release is probably going to work for a bit but "Movies" are now "An Experience". You've got websites to do and star's blogs and fan sites to organize and control and ssshhheeeeshhh... its just no longer just a movie, its contests and voting and prizes and yipes....there is not really an opening date anymore 'cause pre-production shenanigans now get blogged and showrunners get interviewed and its really all a PR event from start to finish; its no longer a "Roll It" event.

I was trying to find the threads that dealt specifically with behavior at the movies versus dwindling revenue and non-casino-related screens closing.

I want to provide a link to an article wherein those who want movie goers to turn off their cell phones or stop chatting are likened to the "You Kids Get Off My Lawn" Types of social misfits who think its proper to take a shot gun to a twelve year old kid who constantly trespasses on his lawn.

A changing economics and changing society article about the 300 screens at even the smallest movie theaters. One that argues that not all changes should be viewed as bad and that perhaps the person turning around and saying "hush up" should just mind their own business or bring their own group of friends and talk through the movie... or atleast complain to theater management promptly since theater managers and ushers no longer think it is their job to enforce proper social behavior.

Quote: Fleastiff

I was trying to find the threads that dealt specifically with behavior at the movies versus dwindling revenue and non-casino-related screens closing.

I want to provide a link to an article wherein those who want movie goers to turn off their cell phones or stop chatting are likened to the "You Kids Get Off My Lawn" Types of social misfits who think its proper to take a shot gun to a twelve year old kid who constantly trespasses on his lawn.

A changing economics and changing society article about the 300 screens at even the smallest movie theaters. One that argues that not all changes should be viewed as bad and that perhaps the person turning around and saying "hush up" should just mind their own business or bring their own group of friends and talk through the movie... or atleast complain to theater management promptly since theater managers and ushers no longer think it is their job to enforce proper social behavior.

A simple answer is for the theaters to jam cell signals so the phones don't work.

Quote: AZDuffman

A simple answer is for the theaters to jam cell signals so the phones don't work.

Simple, but illegal.

Sounds like this idea was invested in before CISPA, SOPA, etc. failed. My personal opinion is they should spend their profits to protect their own investments by creating the technology to protect it instead of passing the costs onto us bailing out their failure. It sounds easier providing the luxury experience at the theater of a home viewing with beers, Lazyboy chairs, masseuses, and a smoking section. Theaters should just be whores and give them whatever people want.