John Dirk

Re: Will Theaters Be Extinct In 10-15 Years?

Travis. I don't know about that. My screen is big enough at 150" diagonal and, depending on the source material, can look substantially [IMO] better than the local Cineplex.

I don't see commercial theaters going anywhere either, but my visits to them have become quite infrequent.

John

"The names Francis Sawyer, but everybody calls me "Psycho."
Any of YOU guys call ME Francis, and I'll kill ya!"

My Home Theater
My Blog
My Travels

Colin Jacobson

Re: Will Theaters Be Extinct In 10-15 Years?

Not the same thing. I go to 35-40 concerts a year, and these are mostly expensive acts for whom I travel - I'm not going to 40 local club shows. I still manage to afford it, even on a public school employee's salary!

Colin Jacobson
http://www.DVDMG.com

Qui-Gon John

Re: Will Theaters Be Extinct In 10-15 Years?

They still have theaters?

Seriously, I rarely go, for all the reasons mentioned, crowds, sticky floors, and I prefer seeing it in the comfort of my own home, being able to pause it if I have to go to the bathroom, or want to get a snack, or if something important comes up, (family crisis, what have you).

I usually only go for special occassions or specil releases that I feel in the mood to see. For example, I may go to see Natl Treas 2 on New Years, earliest morning shows, (which helps with the crowd issue). Of course, gotta watch NT1 tonight or tomorrow.

Ray Chuang

Re: Will Theaters Be Extinct In 10-15 Years?

I think you will see the larger theater companies (AMC, Cinemark and Regal) start to go after the "premium" moviegoer with things like screening rooms with full THX sound system certification and Kodak projector certification, digital projection, more comfortable seating and better concessions. Also, with these "premium" screening rooms (which will strictly ban any moviegoer under 17 regardless of MPAA film rating), we may see theatrical runs of "director's cuts" of movies not so fettered by cuts to meet MPAA ratings or time considerations.

Sure, it may end up costing US$15-US$17 per ticket, but when you get top-notch presentation of the movie with really comfortable seating people are willing to pay for such an experience.

Raymond in Sacramento, CA USA

John Dirk

Re: Will Theaters Be Extinct In 10-15 Years?

Ray. Interesting theory, but do you ever think a commercial theater will be able to compete with the litany of extras on some of the better DVD's? Of course the theaters get the films well in advance, but waiting for the DVD release no longer even bothers me. I just ignore all of the TV advertising. As far as sound and picture quality are concerned, I think we've already reached the point where this has become academic.

We all have some need for social interaction, and to that extent, theaters are a necessary outlet. I would welcome your ideas on how to limit that interaction to cut down on the problems associated with moviegoing, but I don't know if theaters will ever willingly restrict their own ticket sales.

All I can say is "thank God for Home Theater!"

John

"The names Francis Sawyer, but everybody calls me "Psycho."
Any of YOU guys call ME Francis, and I'll kill ya!"

My Home Theater
My Blog
My Travels

DavidPla

Re: Will Theaters Be Extinct In 10-15 Years?

Audience intereraction is a huge reason why theatres will always be around. I don't care how funny a movie is.. without a large audience with you it isn't as rewarding. Same with any type of picture. With the right audience, sitting at home with a few people cannot even compare.

Brad M

Re: Will Theaters Be Extinct In 10-15 Years?

We have an IMAX here in Tulsa and that place has spoiled me! After seeing Beowulf in 3D there, I hope that type of event continues to happen. Other than that the experience at home is much better than the normal theaters. The one thing that annoys me is the surround is always hit and miss. Sometimes it's like they never turned it on.

I'll be all around in the dark, I'll be everywhere. Wherever you can look, wherever there's a fight, so hungry people can eat, I'll be there. Wherever there's a cop beatin' up a guy, I'll be there. I'll be in the way guys yell when they're mad. I'll be in the way kids laugh when they're hungry and they know supper's ready, and when the people are eatin' the stuff they raise and livin' in the houses they build, I'll be there, too.