Originally Posted by Ash Ketchum

That's exactly how I experienced so many Hollywood classics for the first time.

Originally Posted by Draven

I mean, Casablanca is a great movie but it was even better when I saw a special Sunday matinee on one of the biggest screens in town.

Originally Posted by Why So Blu?

In this we agree. Why even bother getting into the BD/4K hobby to begin with? A "good" movie should be able to stand on its own, even on a shitty 13" CRT television and its built-in speakers.

Originally Posted by Ash Ketchum

That's exactly how I experienced so many Hollywood classics for the first time.

Maybe not quite with a family like this, but you get the idea:

Originally Posted by Why So Blu?

Yeah, so did I. And I still went to the movies to get the best video/audio I could get. When I got my first job I built up my first HT and got an LD player and said I would never go back to the shit I grew up with. It was terrible and I don't miss it, not even for nostalgia's sake. But apparently I'm an elitist now because I prefer watching films in their best possible presentation.

Originally Posted by clckworang

Not sure why you didn't notice all the homoeroticism in the new Top Gun when you're such a drama queen.

I should have known you wouldn't understand. An elitist isn't someone who has certain preferences; it's someone who expects everyone else to also have the same set of preferences. It's having the attitude that others are wrong if they don't share them that is elitist. Not everyone wants to go to IMAX. Guess what. That's OK. They can still judge a movie as well.

Why can't you just get over it and start talking about the damn movie again?! I thought the post where I said that we should be able to respect each others' choices was rather sensible and a clear attempt at getting this thread back on topic. I'm again not sure why you won't just let it go. I don't have IMAX or Drafthouse in my area. I soured on the traditional movie theater experience years ago so wouldn't seek them out anyway. If that means my opinion on movies is less relevant to you, block me or keep scrolling. If you want to continue to talk about why you feel a drive-in is an inadequate viewing experience or why a premium theater is worth the extra, then why don't you start a thread about it? If you want to explain to me why I shouldn't have found this movie supremely cheesy, silly and riddled with clichιs, you're in the right place.

Originally Posted by Draven

Then the Na'vi River, with a similar aesthetic, was boring as shit - you just float through a forest. So my overall annoyance with Avatar was compounded by a boring ride, where it was ignored on an awesome one.

Originally Posted by Draven

Also just the inclusion of women in the program (and on the beach...which actually had a point this time rather than just the beefcake central of the original) cut any undertones way down.

Originally Posted by GoldenJCJ

Yeah, but her call sign was”Phoenix”. And does does a phoenix do? It rises…like an erection. Homoerotic.

Originally Posted by GoldenJCJ

This is exactly the kind of movie the Academy Awards needs to get back some viewers. If they were smart, they’d capitalize on this movie like a Mofo!

Originally Posted by Michael Corvin

No more boring than It's A Small World or Jungle Cruise or any of a half dozen other similar rides. The animatronic Na'vi is pretty impressive.

Originally Posted by Draven

I think the only point being made is that maybe, in your case, the cheese and cliches were more obvious because you weren't experiencing the thrills of the dogfights to offset them.

Think of it like a rollercoaster - it could have a super-cheesy cast of cutesy characters scattered around, but if it then goes balls-to-the-wall, you're gonna let that slide. But if you've got the cheesy characters AND a more boring ride, the characters will stick out more.

Here's my specific experience - I went to Disney and did both big Avatar rides, Flight of Passage and Na'vi River Journey. I dislike Avatar as a movie so I don't care that while waiting for Flight of Passage, you are winding your way through a mock-up of a lab from the movie with a life-sized Na'vi floating in a tank. I do not care at all. But Flight of Passage itself kicked nine kinds of ass and was one of the most thrilling things I've ever done. Then the Na'vi River, with a similar aesthetic, was boring as shit - you just float through a forest. So my overall annoyance with Avatar was compounded by a boring ride, where it was ignored on an awesome one.

Originally Posted by GoldenJCJ

In clckworang’s defense, there were a number of silly clichιs throughout and callbacks to the original that that could be considered retreads.

I also think that drive-in theater or not, if you go into any movie with an MST3k attitude with your friends, you’re going to automatically find fault with the movie you’re watching. That’s ok, it’s just a completely different movie watching experience.

Originally Posted by Draven

Also just the inclusion of women in the program (and on the beach...which actually had a point this time rather than just the beefcake central of the original) cut any undertones way down.

Originally Posted by GoldenJCJ

Yeah, but her call sign was”Phoenix”. And does does a phoenix do? It rises…like an erection. Homoerotic.

Originally Posted by clckworang

One of the friends who went with me is bi. She tends to go for more butch types. She actually said yesterday the presence of Phoenix didn't help alleviate it any because "she is too macha."

Originally Posted by GoldenJCJ

I’m surprised Tom hasn’t interviewed her to be his next wife.

Originally Posted by clckworang

Nothing in my critique complained about my theatrical experience. The actual theatrical experience was great. I never said we had a crummy drive-in. It's quite the contrary. It's everyone else that said it had to be that. I mentioned to my friend that everyone here was saying we would have liked the movie more if we had seen it on a different screen. She laughed and agreed with me that they probably don't realize how good it actually is at our drive-in.


I'm sure one's experience will likely depend on the drive-in itself and the car one brings. First, I know a lot of you have a hard-on for IMAX. That's great, but I can tell you right now that there is none in my area. So, we're talking normal sized screens.

The screen at our drive-in is no IMAX, but it's plenty big, especially if you arrive early enough that you can find a good place to park. If you're near the front or middle of the place, it's very similar proportionally to watching in a movie theater. In fact, like the first couple of rows at a theater, the first couple of rows of parking are a little too close to the screen. You'd need to really put your seat back. But I totally agree that if you were parked in the back, it would be a much poorer experience. As for the windshield, well, you clean it before you go. If you have a nice clean windshield, then you really don't think about it; it's just clear glass. We've always been very pleased with the presentation, which is why we've continued to go back.

As far as audio goes, the theater uses an FM frequency, so it comes down to how your car speakers are - unless you bring another device, which some people do, especially if they're going to sit outside. If you have a decent sound system, you can still get some rumble, but you can obviously control the audio more yourself. I guess it's more similar to watching at home where you can have it a volume you are comfortable with. I tend to keep it fairly loud, but it's nice to be able to adjust.

As far as other reasons, there are quite a few, some of which might mean more to some than others. Admission is per vehicle, so it's $10 for a double feature, both new movies though the second film has usually been out for a few weeks. That's pretty tough to beat. You're allowed to bring outside food in with you, so you can pick up dinner beforehand along with whatever snacks you want. I have trays, so it's really easy to set up and get comfortable to eat. There's a concessions stand there as well should you need one. Bring a cooler for drinks if you want. Their official rule is alcohol is prohibited, but as long as you are respectful, there's not an issue if you do bring some in. My friends and I smoke, so it's nice to be able to do that in the car while we watch a movie, similar to what we'd do at my place.

A lot of the things that I don't like about the traditional movie theater experience can also be eliminated or at least reduced. We put window screens along the passenger windows and back glass, so you're basically able to put blinders all around you. You don't have to worry about people talking next to you or people getting to the theater late. You don't have to notice the person checking their phone during the movie. You can better focus on the movie rather than outside variables. Along those lines, I'm always freezing in theater. This way, I use my AC and am able to be comfortable, and this has minimal impact on my car's range. Speaking of comfort, my car seats are plenty comfortable and very adjustable. Of course, this isn't even addressing ability to social distance. You're able to create your own bubble.

Many of us soured on the theater experience well before the pandemic for a number of reasons, some of which I already mentioned. The drive-in has actually made me excited to go to the theater again. I've actually gotten a lot more out of my screenings there than I did at the regular theater. I've been pleasantly surprised at the diversity. Plenty of blockbuster types but also ones like Licorice Pizza and Last Night in Soho I have zero complaints about the quality of the presentation, but as I said, that's really contingent on planning ahead to get there in time for a good space, something we've always done.

Originally Posted by GoldenJCJ

They “manly-ed” her up for the movie for sure but she’s a very pretty woman in general. A quick Google search shows how hot she actually is!

Shes got a little bit of a Katie Holmes look to her. I’m surprised Tom hasn’t interviewed her to be his next wife.