I mirror the cell phones. I went to the theatre around 2 years back after not going for a period of time, and it only hammered into my head why I no longer enjoy it. During Freddy Vs. Jason I start hearing exorcist music (!?) Realize after a minute it's a cell phone. There's this guy who kept talking before the movie started loudly about inaccurate facts with the characters, and throughout the movie I could still hear his asinine comments a few aisles away. There was this guy with this loud, guffawing laugh who laughed ALL THE TIME, when no one else did and when something couldn't possibly be considered funny. It distracted any attemped suspense scene to have someone laughing, let me tell you. There were an amazing amount of kids there, too - toddlers, five year olds, babies that had to be carried out screaming. It's Freddy Vs. Jason! There should be some sort of regulation against the parents bringing their kids under 5 to see that, to spare not only the children but the other movie goers. But the worst was this couple who sat next to me. They were hispanic and nice, I guess, but they kept talking to each other right by me in SPANISH. I dont know about you but I find it hard to concentrate on watching a movie where people are speaking english, while people next to you are speaking spanish at the same time! After awhile I just got up and moved a few seats but felt VERY awkward about it. There's no subtle way to just suddenly move away from someone and sit two seats away. The woman kept looking at me in confusion. I'm not outspoken enough to have mentioned the reason to them in the film, so they probably ended up thinking I was either a snob, racist, or thought they smelled. No clue. The point is no one should have to PAY to endure all this for one movie, geez.

One more thing I almost forgot about (since I haven't been to a theater since Revenge Of The Shit) but was recently reminded is the anti-piracy dots that have been on many film prints recently! Some movies will have a pattern of dots flash for a frame or two, so if someone sneaks a camcorder into a theater and makes a bootleg the studios will be able to tell which print that bootleg was made from and trace it to what theater had it. I saw them on a bunch of movies from a period of about 2 years ago. Last movie I saw that had them was "Boogeyman", which was a crappy movie to begin with but the dots flashing ruined a couple scenes. "Secondhand Lions" was even worse as that had random patterns of RED dots, and I heard the Lord of the Rings movies had those too which caused me to skip those altogether.

American movies are not only worse in recent times, but the movie distributors don't schedule the movies well. They think people don't go to the cinema in early January, so they put crappy films at the beggining of the year. That's B.S. It's all about the Oscars and they make sure to put good movies out when other good movies are coming out the same day. There should be a good movie or good blockbuster that comes out every weekend - not just during May, June, July and the December for respectable films. If they all put tons of good movies one weekend, they will lose money. X-men 3 and Superman Returns are going to screw each other because they are so close together. If they release one of those early in the year, it will rake it in. Blockbusters don't have to compete for they "Money" weekends. These types of days don't exist - due to boredom of movie company marketers trusting their efficiency charts - and people see a good movie whenever the time of the year....

Now i'll be willing to pay my 10.25 new york ticket price to see that!!!

Seriously, I was watching a film at a theatre today, and actually looked below the screen for a front counter LED to see how far into the movie it was; but then realized I wasn't watching a DVD!

10.25?! Man... I thought our 8.25 over here in New Mexico was high.

I went to a matinee to see Final Destination 3.

When they told me $9 for the Matinee, I couldn't even believe it. I haven't been to the show in a couple years. Then, it was $5.

I don't see myself going to the theater too often when I can buy the movie for nearly the same price.

Our Nighttime rates are $14.50 a ticket now.

I'm one of those mouth breathers who watches movies to be entertained. Show me some boobs and let's hear some fart jokes.

-Time to lower the ridiculous prices
-Clean the Theaters.
-I know they may tons of money off me....Remodel a little...Come on.
-Get rid of the freakin commercials!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Sorry big pet peave of mine I guess on the bright side if I"m late I'm not really late.)
-Go Digital
-Make a new rule...No Morons Allowed!

I mean seriously of course their dying. I don't see where there doing much to stay afloat. It seems every time I go they've added more commercials, raised the price, let it get naster.

I can avoid all of that and save money by staying at home.

I have a nice system and my visits have decreased...once i build a dedicated home theater room I'll only go for those very rare films I can't wait for like King Kong.

If they start to release movies on theater and Dvd at the same time I'll probably never go again unless they can prove their expierence is better than mine.

Last year I saw a total of three movies: Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Narnia. There were other good movies last year, but none of them made me want to run out and go to the theatre.

I am sure these points have been brought up but here is my list of reasons I avoid the theatres.

Cost. It costs me 9.00 (before snacks) to go to see a movie. I can buy the DVD for much less and watch it as many times as I want. And most movies I would go see I would end up buying the DVD anyway.

People. I can't stand it when people disrupt a movie. When I went to see Potter, there was a dolt down in front who would check his cell phone every five minutes. When he did this a bright ass light would appear distracting you from the movie.

Previews. I like seeing the upcoming blockbusters as much as the next person. But why the hell should I have to sit through 20 minutes of television commercials BEFORE the movie previews!!! If I want to watch commercials I'll stay at home.

This year there are only two movies on my must see list: Bond and X3. There are other movies that I want to see, but I'm not dealing with going to a theatre to see them.

Trips to a theater are way too much money, movies suck lately, DVDs are cheap. I'd rather wait for a DVD release being I invested so much in a home theater unless it's something I'm very interested in..then i'll see it in the theater and get the dvd when its released.

^ agreed...in fact the last movie I saw in the theatres believe it or not was I,Robot

My wife and I go to the theater on average once a month. I think if you want to have a good experience at the movies nowadays you have to plan in advance. Gone are the days of enjoying a film on opening day. We go on Sunday to the earliest show. The late night Friday/Saturday crowd is composed of mostly teens, who simply want to be away from mom and dad for the evening and choose to hang out at the local multiplex. On Sunday, hardly anyone is in line at 11 a.m. for a rated R film.
We used to frequent going out to the movies, but now with owning a "65 widescreen TV and a great DTS sound system, it's more fun to stay home. Add an all region player and the world of cinema is yours to watch at the push of a button.

If true (and I don't completely buy into it...yet), I have to say "they" (meaning the "entire" industry; movie studios, management, talent, theaters, etc.) have no one but themselves to blame.

Going to a movie should be an "experience" (and obviously a pleasant one), not something you have to endure, whether at the level of the theater presentation or the quality of the movie.

What I'd like to see is a section of movie theaters reserved for adults, like a 21+ section, just serve beer in that (hey they serve it in canadian theaters ) part to weed out the teens. Sometime this year, near me, they're opening a cinema de lux with a "directors hall" whatever that is. Hopefully itmeans a sectioned of place like this. And also how about a frequent customers card! I see movies every week, why can't I rack up points like a best buy rewards card , criterion cinema does this and its great, but they're a small art house. Theaters need to learn to treat there customers better.

$$$ is what has caused me to go to only about 3 or 4 movies a year now, just can't afford it anymore.

$14.99 a month to Blockbuster get me about 6 or 8 online rentals and 2 instore rentals, that is about 10 movies a month.

Plus my Family enjoy:
1. American Idol (Twice a week)
2. 24
3. 7th heaven
4. Smallville
5. LOST
6. Invasion
7. Medium (No kids on this one)

If my wife and I go on a date, it cost us almost $30 if I get popcorn (and I have to have popcorn), so Hollywood needs to bring the price down if they want me back in their movie seats.

The movies I want to see this year:
1. Superman Returns
2. X3
3. Mission Impossible III
4. A a great date movie with my wife, whatever that may be

Regal has a customer loyalty program now, I was asked if I wanted to join a few months ago when I visited. I don't go enough to rack up lots of rewards (signed up anyway), but it was a decent program, lots of bonuses for certain new movies.

http://rcc.regalcinemas.com/CrownClu...abel=CROWNCLUB

Wherenberg and Goodrich both have loyalty plans. At Wherenberg you can rack up points for movies and snacks but I don't go there as often because it's NASTY. It's bad when you walk into a theater and the odor of sweat and B/O hits you so hard it almosts knocks you down!

We go to Goodrich most of the time. (A little cleaner) THey have a punch card where you can get free snacks when it's full. We've gone through quite a few of those.

When my wife and I first started dating it was a movie every weekend. Now we've slowed down some. Prices have come up and quality has come down.

I just wish there were more date options in my town.

Movies, Bowling, Eating, Shopping are about it for a good night out and sometimes you just want to get out of the house

We are getting an IMAX soon so that should be interesting

Gotcha beat. Minority Report!

And now that I have a projector with 120" screen, I don't plan on ever going to a commercial theater again, I don't care what's showing.

Ticket prices are what keep me from the movies more often. Honestly if it were back to 4 dollars a ticket I'd go much more.

If DVDs are killing movies (meaning theaters), then I dare say high-def discs (whatever the format) will probably be the final nail in the coffin.

Eventually. Say, ten years at most.

Unless the studios and theaters work something out.

Personally, I never thought much of the idea of simlutaneous theater/DVD releases, but.... maybe releasing a limited number of bare-bone edition DVDs that are available only in the theaters where the movies are showing. If you liked the movie, you could get a copy on the way out for about $12-$15. And if you present multiple ticket stubs, there would discounts available down to a minimum of $6. Big releases (Kong, Star Wars, etc,) might cost more.

People having private showings to family/friends could help generate word-of-mouth and interest in seeing a movie before it ends its run at the theatrical level. Of course, that really depends on the movie.

Then the studios could hold off for a minimum of three to six months after the initial theatrical release to offer special edition/hi-def versions at the retail level. Rebates could be offered with the "bare-bone DVDs" for those who bought them at the theater and who want the "special-edition/hi-def" version when it's released.

BTW, personally, I like seeing movies in theaters.

It's just the other theater goers I can't stand.

Interesting ideas Jon.

I love movie theatres and have worked at many (love seeing free movies) ranging from a drive-in to an 18 screen currently. Love seeing it on the big screen epsecially since dont' have anything fancy at home yet. I hope theatres don't die because i would like to own at least one. They thought vcr would kill movie theatres but it didn't, i think people will always want an excuse to get away for a couple hours.

There is a whole fraction of "prestigious" movie theaters in Paris where you could basically see American classics (B/W oldies) and Art House/International productions and I can assure you that there is an unofficial "entry-code" which pretty much weeds out any under 21 crowds. In fact, there are high-end luxury art house venues where pretty much only serious film affisionados go. The one linked above is of course owned by Marin Karmitz and Co. (the distributor for the upcoming MK2 disc of The Double Life of Veronique). Many of these theaters have very nice and luxury boutiques where you could buy anything from the MK2 catalog (from Kieslowski to Zurlini).

I saw a similar thing in Prague where a Czech-German company had renovated a few theaters with luxury seats (and I mean very high quality leather seats) where no one sells junk food or drinks...it is basically like you are going to a nice restaurant but with the idea of seeing a good movie. On the far end of the theater there were a few luxury cafes where people would go for a drink (and they do dress up as these are not cheap places) after they have seen a nice film. The crowds are usually from mid-30s to upper 40/50. Indeed a great place for a classy date!

The roster was once again classis restored Hollywood films/European classics plus Art-house features.

Ciao,
Pro-B

I believe several things are killing the movies,number one i would and most would agree are the quality of movies being put out by Hollywood,man we need some good young new directors in Hollywood today that can make something fesh and innoventive instead of all this uber crap being released.

Second,Theatre prices are outrageously high and prices contiue to climb

Third,this could even be considered first but look how fast movies today are released on DVD after there theatrical run.I mean summer blockbusters(if you want to still call them that) are rweleased towrds the thankgiving/Holiday season.Some even before in October.Heck,King Kong is already being released at the end of March,didn't this just come out? This has been this way for several years now.Remeber how long it use to take when DVD was first out and than for at least the next 5 years titels did not come out no where near as fast.I really think if the studio waited longer to release the DVD after its theatrical run no matter how muuch it grossed than they would probally do better at the box office.Now people just wait for a few months for the movie to come out on DVD to rent or buy which to me is the most logical choice to do considering everyone knows Holloywood is putting out either sequeal after sequeal or otehr movie formulas that have been overdone aka Firewall.You do the math,spend $10 for a single movie ticket not including pop/food/gasoline or wait for a few months and rent for $3.00 for the whole family to watch.

BINGO! There's your awnser.