The "I love the theatre experience" master thread - POST HERE ONLY!

[WickyWoo]

I see these threads all the time where people hate going to the movies

I don't think there's any better way to see one. 40ft+ screen, seeing a comedy alone stinks, great sound system, the entire experience

Sure some areas have awful movie theaters, but I've driven up to 3 hours to see movies I love on the big screen (Lawrence in 70mm, w00t)

Enjoy

[sj001]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

I see these threads all the time where people hate going to the movies

I don't think there's any better way to see one. 40ft+ screen, seeing a comedy alone stinks, great sound system, the entire experience

Sure some areas have awful movie theaters, but I've driven up to 3 hours to see movies I love on the big screen (Lawrence in 70mm, w00t)

Enjoy

I agree 100%. My GF and I always go to the movies, it's a special experience and it cannot be replaced. I hope it never does either. While I do my fair share of watching BDs on my home theater, I always make it a point to see good movies when they come out in the theater. I can't imagine what the industry what be like without them.

[MCWHAMMER]

I think there is still a place left for movie theaters. The big screen, the rumbling speakers, and seeing a movie as soon as it comes out to avoid hearing the spoiled ending, it's good for some films.

But movie theaters owned by AMC, REGAL, etc., they are unwilling to change. Prices for tickets and concessions MUST come down, this is why people pirate movies (Much like Blu-ray prices MUST come down). Also, they have to crack down on annoying people, glaring cell phones and devices, babies crying, and bleed-through from the movie playing in the next room over.

In your movie room, you have much more control over annoying things, and you can make everything perfect. At your local Regal theater, you will have bad experiences, unless you go there at an oddball hour of the day (With less people in the theater with you, the movie is less likely to be spoiled by loud popcorn chewers and bag rattlers).

Some movies, I just want to see when they originally come out, and on that big screen. Saw I Am Legend week of release, am going to see Cloverfield, I am just too excited to wait 4-6 months to see it on Blu-ray. Plus, it's a fun diversion when the only new Blu-ray releases are of old old movies that I watched 15 years ago on VHS.

[JJ]

I value the movie theatRE (lol) experience for new movies and new releases - hearing collective gasps, screams, laughs from the audience is cool, too.

If I want to see it, I'll see it in the movies once or twice, then eagerly await it's release on Blu, then enjoy it again.

[sj001]

Originally Posted by MCWHAMMER

I think there is still a place left for movie theaters. The big screen, the rumbling speakers, and seeing a movie as soon as it comes out to avoid hearing the spoiled ending, it's good for some films.

But movie theaters owned by AMC, REGAL, etc., they are unwilling to change. Prices for tickets and concessions MUST come down, this is why people pirate movies (Much like Blu-ray prices MUST come down). Also, they have to crack down on annoying people, glaring cell phones and devices, babies crying, and bleed-through from the movie playing in the next room over.

Not too fond of AMC or Regal theaters. Around here we have a Cinemark theater, which we always go out of our way to go to. The place is awesome, it's like night and day compared to the others, the seats are nicer, the crowds seem better, and the prices are reasonable.

[MCWHAMMER]

Originally Posted by sj001

Not too fond of AMC or Regal theaters. Around here we have a Cinemark theater, which we always go out of our way to go to. The place is awesome, it's like night and day compared to the others, the seats are nicer, the crowds seem better, and the prices are reasonable.

Well, you're very lucky . If I'm correct, I'm pretty sure that in the entire state of North Carolina, you have to either go to AMC or Regal. There is no third party (Besides a few independently owned theaters). I'd love to try a different theater chain. I prefer AMC at the moment, but just barely.

Might do a search for Cinemark to see if there is one around here anywhere.

*EDIT* I had never heard of Cinemark before your mention. I searched their website, the nearest one to me is a LONG drive, and it looks like there is only 1 in NC. The bad thing is, either their website, or that particular theater is way behind on new releases. It says that Mr. Margorium and Dan in Real Life are "NEW" to that theater. They are also still showing SAW IV. So...

[LynxFX]

I'll always go to the theatre. There are event movies that can't be missed, and like you said comedies are great with an active audience. Even horror movies are more fun when the entire audience screams and then you hear laughter because so many people jumped.

I do have a strict theatre screening policy though. I always call up a short list of theaters and find out which screen the film is playing on. I'll only watch movies at certain theaters on specific screens. That usually means going out on opening week as well. Luckily I have 3 very nice theaters around me that have solid projectors, big screens and good sound. I don't even trust DLP screens anymore. I've been burned twice with horrible sound at them.

[bluseminole]

Originally Posted by MCWHAMMER

Well, you're very lucky . If I'm correct, I'm pretty sure that in the entire state of North Carolina, you have to either go to AMC or Regal. There is no third party (Besides a few independently owned theaters). I'd love to try a different theater chain. I prefer AMC at the moment, but just barely.

Might do a search for Cinemark to see if there is one around here anywhere.

*EDIT* I had never heard of Cinemark before your mention. I searched their website, the nearest one to me is a LONG drive, and it looks like there is only 1 in NC. The bad thing is, either their website, or that particular theater is way behind on new releases. It says that Mr. Margorium and Dan in Real Life are "NEW" to that theater. They are also still showing SAW IV. So...

I live in a town of about 80,000 in Virginia, and the Cinemark here is a discounts theater ($1.50 for an evening weekend ticket, $.75 all day Tues. ). Unfortunately, this highly discounted price comes along with terrible seats, tiny screens, and, worst of all, it doesn't get movies in until they have completed their box office runs in all of the surrounding "regular" theaters. The Cinemark you found is probably the same: a discount theater that gets the "leftover" movies after the regular theaters are through with them.

On a side note, I hate the theaters because even the full price theaters in my area are junky, outdated things. Yay BLU, it totally trumps the theater experience available in my area.

[JJ]

The Muvico theaters are the finest ones around my area. Stadium seating, wonderfully spotless, vast food options, incredible Egyptian-themed building.

Those are the only ones worth going to, to see a new release.

[dadkins]

People talking, no control(pause?), over priced food/snacks/drinks, uncomfortable seating... not for me.

YMMV.

[Bluray_ne1]

Given the disapointing nature of the movie-going experience these days and with the summer movie schedule officially in full swing, I ask this question:

What was the most fun and/or memorable time you had at the movies (not the time you made out with what's-her/his-name in the back row)? I'm talking about the most engaging and fun time actually watching a movie at the theatre.

Mine was when the first Die Hard came out. The place was packed. People cheered everytime a bad guy got smoked. They bursted into laughter at every cheesy one-liner. And after the film was over, the crow stood to their feet and cheered. That was a great time at the movies. What's yours?

[un4gvn94538]

jurassic park when it was first released. seeing dinos for the first time like that blew me away. loved dinos since i was little

[Moefiz]

I would say Batman in 88 or 89.Me and a few friends cut school to see the movie on opening day, the place was packed with kids and I remember the first frame that showed Keaton in the Bat suit the place went nuts.
That would be my most memorable experience at the movies.

[Ranger-R]

Ex-wife gave me a bd during "The Power of One"

[Nerdkiller likes BD]

I went to see the 1st Harry Potter movie around 2001. When I got to the cinema for the first attempt to see it, the movie was sold out. The second time, the projecter wouldn't play, so we had to go home again. Fortunatly, third time was the charm.

[Bluray_ne1]

Another came to mind, albeit on the other end of the spectrum.

I'll never forget when I saw Saving Private Ryan at the theater. At the end of the movie the packed audience remained in their seats through the entire credits not saying a word. No one got up until the screen went black. It was like everyone was just taking it all in and contemplating what they had just seen and heard. It was amazing. I'd never seen that happen before or since.

[Nerdkiller likes BD]

Originally Posted by Ranger-R

Ex-wife gave me a bd during "The Power of One"

Woah, woah, woah, I don't think you can say that unless it's a porno movie discussion. You wanna risk getting suspended?

[zweet77]

The Matrix i had no idea what it was about just wanted to kill some time but man was my mind blown when neo took that pill That movie changed my life got me into philosophy and technology.Idont think I could ever be that suprised at a movie again.

[Deciazulado]

STAR WARS 70mm 6-track print on a giant D-150 curved screen with the Star Destroyer sound coming from the back of the theater and passing hard over out heads, running through the ceiling sounding like a plane was about to crash on it. Which we thought was what was happening because the theater was next to an airport . Then we saw the point of the Star Destroyer showing on the top of the screen and history was made.

Before that probably 2001 in 70mm but I was too short then too fully appreciate it. (I remember my friends and I playing floating spacemen around the screen during the intermision (the screen had a sloping ramp that lead up to it) so hyped up we were with the movie. So the projectionist had to use the PA to warn our parents that the screen was probably worth more than us kids ) (I met him 25 years later )

[Blu-ray Fanatic]

Watching Beowulf at my local IMAX 3D Theater. It wasn't my first time at an IMAX or a 3D movie, I just couldn't believe how technology improved that much. My first 3D experience was back in 1991 when Freddys Dead first came out at theaters. My first time at an IMAX was here in town and saw 300. I recall walking in the IMAX and my eyes just grew larger than it usually is because of the size of the screen. As a matter of fact, I saw Iron Man at the IMAX this past month.