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Atlantis: Why I Hate Movie Theaters (1 Viewer)

Scooter

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Over the last year...and after my 18 month moritorium on seeing movies in theaters, my son Morgan took me to see Atlantis for Father's Day this past summer. I LOVE a good Disney flick.

Well..suffice to say I was underwhelmed by the experience...thought the film was flat and not all that exciting...que sera.

Well...today I got the DVD and sat down to watch it again in my main theater here and WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!!!! The image..the sound...the effects...100% and then some difference between watching here and seeing it at a theater. I should mention the one I went to is a 3 year old Clearview (can we stick even more commercials in) Cinema's theater...alleged to be state of the art. PHOOEY!

I have seen more than a coupla threads on HTF over the years that were HT vrs Movie Theater..and if any single thing reinforced my attitude and viewing habits..it was the significant difference in the presentations I experienced of Atlantis! So I forgo 35 or 70MM and the "wonderful" environment of an audience...know what..you can keep all that! Lemme simply enjoy the movie...the image..the sound..the story. If I want crowds..I'll shop in a mall at Christmas!
 

Eric Huffstutler

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Hey Scooter!
Haven't seen you around for a while - at least as a lead poster.
I also haven't been to a theater for several years now and you just gave me one more good reason why NOT to go!
I guess these "hi-tech" theaters have either dulled or downgraded to suit J6P senses rather than to enjoy the true experience huh? ;)
 

Adam Lenhardt

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Steve: More like to save cash... economy over quality. Stuff begins to fail and God only knows how long it's going to be until they get around to fixing it.
 

Morgan Jolley

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If there was a movie theater run by a bunch of people who knew the importance of a good experience, then maybe the quality would improve, but as long as its a bunch of people who could care less running the theater, the quality will always be poor. The audience also doesn't appreciate what you can do with a few slight modifications to the sound and picture, so if its imperfect they won't care and won't try to have it fixed.

Its kinda sad.
 

Jon D

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Most megaplex's cost so much to build that they probably skimp on the sound systems. The best sound system I've heard lately was in a theater that seemed like a converted warehouse. They splurged on a DD EX system when The Phantom Menace was released. They had the money to buy a really good system because this theater didn't engage in the costly excesses of most megaplexes.
 

Lewis_W

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I live in the United Kingdom, and we too, get our fair share of under-equipped cinema's.

There is one chain though which I am always impressed by. UCI Cinema's (which are owned by Universal and Paramount) are brilliant. I saw Lord of the Rings last week, and it was presented in SDDS (Sony Dynamic Digital Sound), and that blew me away. The sound was very clear, very loud and the bass was incredible!

Suffice to say, that there are a few goodies still out there! Although, I still love my home theater to bits, and prefer watching films at home, than at the cinema.

Lewis.
 

Lance Nichols

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I went to see Monsters Inc. at one of the big Coliseums in Town (Famous Players, Richmond Hill) and the projector was broken, but they still continued to show the movie! The image was off center on the screen, and running along the left hand side was clearly visible the optical print for the soundtrack! I went and found the "manager" and complained, asked for my money back etc. She did not know what I was talking about, so I showed her. Apparently it had been busted for some time, as she stated:

"Most people aren't bothered by it." Eventually the projectionist rigged something to matte out the print….

I also get into a number of films free these days, as I complain to the managers about the increasingly larger number of advertisements in front of the films. Politely, I state that I have not come to the theater to be accosted by rude staff, loud kids with cell phones, and 18’ tall Britney Spears commercials promoting Bob Dole’s Viagra side effects. I know they are not in charge of what gets shown, but I ask them to forward my complaints on.

I am eagerly waiting for my HT to be completed.
 

Scooter

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As a follow up to this...I went to see Black Hawk Down...mostly for reasons politic...and again..disappointment!!!! Crappy sound...damn commercials...at least the print was overall in good shape. And this was in a formerly owned by Sony theater that has SDDS but Loewes refuses to crank it up.

Again..I went today as a statement to something..but as regards my revelation from last evening...simply reaffirms things.

BTW..enjoyed the movie...just not the presentation.
 

Juan C Toro

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Ditto for Black Hawk Down.
I don't go to the movies much. Since we moviegoers are the ones paying the big salaries in Hollywood, I got tired of paying 20 and 30 million dollar salaries to all this big egos... Call me cheap if you want, but I am firing them all!!! But anyway, during the movie, I couldn't help but keep thinking how much better my movies sound at home with my HT system (although I only have a small screen). I think I won't be going to the movies for quite a while.
JC
 

Kent Nelson

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I feel the same way about most theaters, and unless it is something I absolutely HAVE to see - I just wait for the DVD. But, I also went to see Black Hawk Down over the weekend at the old York theater in downtown Elmhurst, IL. For those who haven't already guessed, the York is one of those older historic theaters which consists of 3 or 4 small rooms to view in. Black Hawk Down was playing in their main theater, and the sound was unbelievable. At first, it was so loud it was painful. Some of the gun shots fired were so loud they sounded like they were right next to my ear. If you want to see this movie, and live in the Chicago area, try out this theater.
 

Kevin Coleman

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Some of you guys should really be more discriminate on the theaters you go to. Surely there are some nice newer theaters in New York?
If there was a movie theater run by a bunch of people who knew the importance of a good experience, then maybe the quality would improve,
Morgan,
It most certainly would. Look at where I go to see movies. I definitely think it meets what you outlined. I also think that is why there were such differing opinions in the home VS movie theater thread.
abc8.jpg

aud4.jpg

outside1.jpg

Stadium Seating anyone? THX-EX anyone?
aud5.jpg

inside4.jpg

inside5.jpg

I think some of you guys that prefer home over commercial theaters just aren't going to the right commercial theaters. Surely there are theaters as nice as this one from Wichita KS in New York?
Kevin C. :)
 

John Berggren

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Watching Atlantis in the movie theater (where I beleive it was played properly) made me turn to my partner and say "I will have surround sound when this one hits DVD". I'm ready for tomorrow. I can't wait!
 

RAF

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I think some of you guys that prefer home over commercial theaters just aren't going to the right commercial theaters. Surely there are theaters as nice as this one from Wichita KS in New York?
Kevin,
You obviously haven't seen the ScooterPlex 2002!
:laugh:
Seriously, that's a nice theater (a diamond in the rough) and, if I were ever in Wichita I might just check it out for the experience. However, I would also like to add that as pretty as the pictures of this beautiful theater are, the important thing is what happens once the lights are turned down and much of the peripheral items (the malt shop, etc.) don't add to presentation of the actual film. In other words, I think you have a great resource there and it looks like they probably do a super job in that theater but many of the negatives of commerical theaters discussed in other threads still apply.
I have access to lots of very nice theaters in NYC and I still don't go that often. We're not in Kansas any more.
;)
 

Michael St. Clair

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If you want to avoid chatty crowds at the movie, I recommend the first showing on Sunday morning/afternoon. Most places you will practically have the joint to yourself.
 

Michael Reuben

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Since we moviegoers are the ones paying the big salaries in Hollywood, I got tired of paying 20 and 30 million dollar salaries to all this big egos...
Then you'll have to quit spending money on films altogether. Whether you go to the theater or buy the DVD, Hollywood still gets your money. The only guy who loses out when you stay home is the theater owner.

M.
 

Scooter

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R.A.F. you gotta name your theater!!!!! How about "The Bob-O-Rama"!!!! And you are absolutely on the money...when the arc lamp fires up and the screen illuminates...THAT'S where the differene is drawn. Frankly tho..one of the best theaters I have been in in the last 10 years was in Des Moines.

None the less..I still prefer The ScootPlex 2000.
 

Kevin Coleman

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RAF Said,
And you are absolutely on the money...when the arc lamp fires up and the screen illuminates...THAT'S where the differene is drawn.
I think from what you guys are saying here we agree that the actual presentation of the film is the most important part not the surroundings. I just happen to be in the vast majority of people that prefer 35MM film to LCD. Hell I even prefer film over CRT also.
Scooter,
I used to own a Sony 400Q and I know it throws a beautiful picture but surely you are not comparing LCD to actual 35MM film on a 50 or 75 foot wide screen. To me (and I think most people) nothing compares to a clean 35MM print.
Like I said earlier I think it comes down to what type of commerical theaters you have access to. But film will always look better than video to me if both are done right.
Kevin C. :)
 

TimG

Second Unit
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Oct 5, 1999
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361
I'll have to agree with Kevin on the Warren. My wife and I have seen several shows there and haven't been disappointed yet, which is more than I can say for several other theatres around Wichita. The best part is the addition of "Crying Rooms", if your kid gets rambunctious or the baby starts crying, you step into the soundproof room and the rest of the crowd doesn't have to put up with it. Of course don't get me started on people that bring babies to shows in the first place. Anyway, there are still some good theatres around. :)
TimG
 

Scott Kimball

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May 8, 2000
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Hmmmm... back in the days when I worked at a local theater...

(insert harp crescendo / picture ripples here)

The last show on Tuesday nights was always the slowest. If a film had been out for more than 3 weeks, you were almost guaranteed a private screening...

My last negative experience was when I saw AI. I keep thinking it was a bad movie, but my bad experience may have contributed to the experience.

First, there was a problem with the sound. As in... there wasn't any.

Then there was, but only mono. I complained about the sound and got this response: "Somebody else just comlpained, but I can hear it just fine." Then I had to explain the difference between mono, stereo, surround, etc... all the time having these blank eyes stare back at me.

Finally, the soundtrack was fixed, but then there was a very large hair in the frame, bouncing up and down the right-hand side.

I complained again.

No fix.

I complained again, then went back in the theater. Everyone in the theater was able to hear part of the expletive-laden dialog between the "manager" and the projectionist. Then we heard this loud pounding, all the while the picture rocks back and forth. The hair is dislodged...

Finally, 25 minutes into the film and all is well.

Then somebody's phone rang...

No sir, going to the theater ain't what it used to be...

-Scott
 

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