What do you hate the most about going to the movie theater?

[yoda313]

I only go to maybe four or five movies a year. Generally there aren't enough that I like to bother going. Espescially not with such a short dvd release window these days.

I do like to go see a movie in the theater but it can be a hassle. The lines, bad movie times if its opening weekend and you can't get the tickets, noisy kids, cell phones, junk on the floors, etc... etc... etc...

What bugs you the most about the theater scene?

[videopoo]

The movies themselves....they suck

[yoda313]

The movies themselves....they suck

Thanks - I added the option - can't believe I forgot to add that one

[fritzi93]

The movies themselves....they suck

Do they ever...

Plus all the other reasons listed. There should be an "all of the above" option. :P

[Xylob the Destroyer]

I'll say it again -- this forum should allow you to choose more than one option! I know it can be done!

I picked "Rude movie viewers - cell phones, crying kids, talking during the movie, and so on" but I also want to choose "Poorly maintained equipment - bad projectors, distorted speakers, etc"

Why in the hell would you bring a new-born to an R rated action movie full of explosions during a 9PM showing???
The only answer I can think of is 'because you're a self-absorbed ******* who wants me to throw peanut M&M's at your head as hard as I can until you finally pack up your screaming baby and get the **** out of the theatre'.

When I went to see X3, there was a HUGE scratch on the film along the right side throughout the last 3/4 of the movie and the sound kept cutting out. I got my $$$ back for that crap.

[Innershield]

I hate the seats. I would rather stay home and sit on my comfortable couch or recliner

[MJA]

I hate the smell of popcorn

[SCDVD]

I also don't like the ridiculous prices for refreshments.

[Tyler2000]

The fanta and coke commercials.

[ZAPPER]

Other than speced


Figure a two hour plus flick
add
travel time 1/2 hour each way
add
a few minutes early arrival
add
Dinner before or after 1hour

Hell, you hit four or five hours. Who has time?

I do like the movie theater and have not had too many really bad expeirences. Vacations around the holidays are about the only chance that I get to go. You have to have a mind set to be able to just go and enjoy. Blow the money on tickets, popcorn and drinks and relax, and if the movie sucks, big deal. (although you should be able to tell before you choose) There are a couple of new (Ten years and newer) theaters nearby that have unbelievable seats and sound. At 6'-2" I am impressed that there are seats taller than me and leg room, the only problem is that after melting into the seat for the duration of the movie, the steps on the way out can be a bitch.


Once upon a time, Seven I think was the movie, there was a group of teenaged kids one or two rows infront of me that had been carrying on and being the general boisterous kids that I was, once upon an even earlier time. It was not really that big of a deal out in the lobby or during the preveiws, but once the movie started they didn't tone down to a level of accecptable behaivor. As luck would have it, the leader of the pack had been called by his name a few times by other members of his little following and for some reason it stuck in my head. A couple of minutes into the movie after I realized that these guys were not gonna shut up and quit with the horseplay I decided it was time to do something. So in a very casual voice I said "Bobby, (or whatever his name was) I will call you dad right now if you don't shut up" His dad must have been one tuff SOB because the whole group of them sat up straight and didn't act up for the rest of the flick. 3 million people in the metro Atlanta area and those poor kids thought that one of their dads freinds was sitting behind them.

Now back in the eighties, when the Rocky Horror Picture Show was the midnight movie, I got involved in a pretty good brawl, but it was all in good fun and nobody really cared about the movie as much as the party. Ahhh...The good old days.....

[MOVIEGEEK]

I hate crowds.

Nice poll yoda.

[Wile_E]

I picked the rude people option. But I also can't stand the projector flicker and slow 24fps frame rate. I really was hoping on 48fps from Maxivision or someone else to become the next standard.

[kato51]

During the '300', some kid next to me was texting during the whole film. Wrote an email to the theater about it and they gave me two free passes. It does pay to let them know of your complaints.

[Soopafresh]

Where I live, it becomes an all day affair. Going to the evening movies on a whim an hour before the movie starts doesn't happen - the show is usually sold out by mid afternoon. And then there's that person who kicks your chair...

[mats.hogberg]

I love going to the theatre - unfortunately, few(er and fewer?) movies take advantage of the big screen, and seem to be made with the home after market in mind. Some scenes takes the breath away on the big screen (last movie I saw was actually "music and lyrics" - could as well have waited for the DVD release but for one scene - the concert - Really felt like I was at that concert, something impossible to do viewing on the TV at home)

/Mats

[gll99]

On the rare occasions when I do go , I try to pick my time to avoid the kids showings. I don't like the refreshment prices so tended to buy less when I went more often. These 2 things might have contributed to my going less than I might have otherwise and probably made me choose another option.

I bought a Chinese made svga projector which uses $30 - $50 lamps lasting 6000 - 8000 hours or more so I can watch tv or DVDs at home with a screen size of 110 - 120 inches diagonal or greater and I don't need to worry about pricey replacement lamps. I also made a diy projector with a 19" lcd which has an even higher resolution but is housed in a much larger box than the factory unit. With DVDs coming out so soon after movie release in most cases it's better to just wait and buy the DVD. The few exceptions I made were done as a "dinner and a movie" night out with the wife and I still bought the DVD for home viewing anyway.

With generic brand and diy projectors with cheap easy to replace metal halide lamps it's a good alternative to theatre going unless you just want a night out of the house but frankly if it's just for that there are better things to do.

[edDV]

Interesting that nobody so far has mentioned the technical quality of the projection. Back in the 70's - 80's George Lucas was shocked by the poor technical performance at most local theaters. He carefully selected theaters for his films (Star Wars and Indy Jones back then) and demanded the others shape up. This was the start of his THX campaign.

During the same period, members of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Enginners were sent survey forms covering every aspect of the movie presentation. They were asked to rate each movie showing they attended.

[Nitemare]

I agree with SCDVD. For me it's the refreshment prices that keep me away. I have kids, and they can't appreciate smuggling their own snacks into a theater. They go in for the "whole experience", which includes popcorn, candy, and a drink for each of them. When the three of us went to see Bridge to Terabithia, it cost $21 to get us in the door and another $24 for 2 popcorns, 2 drinks, and 2 boxes of ju-ju-bies!!!!!!

Yeah...yeah... I've heard all of the theater's arguments for this kind of price gouging and I reject them all! I just don't go. When they DO manage to drag me out, the movies usually suck. (although "Bridge to Terabithia" was surprisingly good since I knew NOTHING about it going in)

[dvdguy4]

I voted for "Other reasons not specified" because I didnt have the option of voting for all of the above. Movies just arent fun to go to anymore. Havent been to see a movie since SW 3. Maybe this summer Ill go with the family to see Pirates 3 and Transformers . Cant forget about Shrek the third. Thats 3 movies in about 2 years . The wife and I agree that the experience of the theater isnt the same when we were young. The prices of tickets , drinks , and snacks just arent worth the price of admission. You can buy 4 or 5 dvds for the price of seeing the flick in a theater. Lets not talk about how nasty theaters are. The bathrooms smell . I can keep complaining but Id rather not. Have a great day.

[Bullworth]

Last time I went to the movies was to watch 300 on the IMAX screen. Couldn't pass up that experience. Before that it was Silent Hill and before that Star Wars III. Can't remember what movies I saw before that.
It has definitely become too expensive and just isn't worth it, unless it's a movie that only a big screen will give you the full experience.
Once I was at the movies and the guy behind me crosses his legs and kicked me in the head in the process. I turned around and gives me this look like "What are you gonna do?" My friends who were behind him saw it and returned the favor. Movie did not start on time to say the least.

[Cole]

Definitly the rude movie goers. I hardly go to the cinema these days either (four times at the most last year) and there is always someone having a conversation, in the auditorium, during the film somewhere. You have to put up and shut up or risk a stay in the local A&E.

My last trip to the Cinema, to see Casino Royale, we went to London's West End to avoid the usual frustrating experience; then some chap behind me kept repeating lines! Obviously not the full ticket there.

[ron spencer]

I hate the sticky floors and arm rests...then of course there are the previews

[TheFamilyMan]

Rude movie goers, followed by the 10 minutes of adds and previews before movie starts, and finally the outrageous prices for refreshments. My pet 'hate' are parents who don't give a hoot about their misbehaving kids even though they are sitting right next to them. More than once I've let them and their kids know my displeasure.
We're lucky to live 15 min. from a state of the art theater complex, where if the movie is good enough, the experience is worth the price of admission.

[AlecWest]

I picked the rude people option. I can't remember the number of times I've wanted to rise from my seat and shove a cellphone up someone's keister. Also, people who talk during films is a bugger ... though the biggest offenders in that area seem to be kids.

One "talker," however, did me a favor by pointing out a film flaw I'd never have noticed. I went to see "300" and, a few minutes into the film, a guy two rows behind me giggled and said, "Oh, God, a smallpox vaccination." My attention was immediately directed to the upper arm of a Spartan character who was talking to King Leonidas. Sure enough, the guy had the classic circular smallpox vaccination scar on his upper arm ... right about where my scar is. Don't think they had those vaccinations back in 480 BC.

On a positive note, I know of one theater chain in my local area that uses cellphone disruptors ... even though, in the USA, they're illegal. God bless them, hehehe.

[handyguy]

Most of the times they aren't captioned so I can't hear them. I hear with digital theatre that is now possible.

[sfhappy]

The rude, obnoxious crowds steer me away from opening nights. I would actually prefer a daytime showing (while most teens are still in school) with families and crying babies, as opposed to after-school hours when obnoxious teens (and sometimes obnoxious college students) crowd the theaters. I watched 300 few weeks ago, and right in the middle of one of the battle scenes, a college student yelled out "SJ Spartans!" I think he meant the San Jose State University Spartans...what a dork, you are not cool, and no one cares unless they also attend your school.

Really, it's not hard to NOT be annoying and just sit and watch the movie. I really don't want to hear anything other than the movie theater sound, music, and dialogue until the movie is over.

[träskmannen]

Other reason - here in Belgium they often have a pause in the film. I absolutely hate that! The movie is half-way through, you are beginning to get caught by the story and WHAM! the lights go on and the magic is gone.

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

Rude People.- The one messaging with his/her cellphone, the guy that starts kicking your chair, the talker, the couple that confused the movie theater with a motel.. etc.

Extremely overpriced refreshments.- no explanations needed.

I voted for ALL OF THE ABOVE...... now wait a minute.... where is that option???.......

Yodaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

There should be a buffet theater... ALL YOU CAN SEE $4,99!!!

[Ditka1985]

...yeah, this poll needs an "all of the sucky things above" option or something like that...

Bad product, rude people, sticky floors, advertisements, poor quality sound, poor picture quality, damaged screens, overpriced crap peddled as snacks, overpriced tix, 30 minutes of previews and other crap, uncomfortable seats... and the list goes on...

I cannot think of a movie that I attended in the last couple of years that didn't have at least 2 or 3 from the list above going on.