It's Time for the Movie Studios to Step In To Save the Movie Theaters (500ish.com) 104
M.G. Siegler, former reporter at TechCrunch and now a VC at Google Ventures, writes: [...] It seems inevitable at this point that there's going to need to be a new path forward. And that path may very well be one that looks similar to a path forged at the beginning of the business. That is, studios owning theaters. People will remember that this type of vertical integration is what led to the Paramount Decree in the 1940s. The studios used to control not only the production of movies, but the exhibition of them and were forced to divest from the latter in the name of competition. As the above 400ish words should make clear: the world is very different now. And as a good bit of timing luck would have it, the consent decrees are being unwound. This doesn't mean studios will be able to partake in any kind of anti-competitive behavior, but it should mean they can own theaters again. Because, again, the world is a very different place than it was in the 1940s.
One could imagine Disney or the like stepping in to save AMC. Perhaps with the notion that they would still agree to show other studios' films as well. But perhaps they would go above and beyond to showcase their own. Or maybe Disney+ subscribers would get a deal. Etc. And then maybe ViacomCBS (Paramount) buys Regal. Comcast (Universal) buys Cinemark. Sony buys Cineplex. Etc. Or maybe Amazon buys one of them. Netflix has already bought/saved a couple of theaters, perhaps that continues. Again, in that case, it's less about the theatrical business model and more about marketing. And you know who loves marketing just as much as anyone else? Apple. A decade ago, it would have seemed comical to have Apple potentially owning movie theaters. Now with all the money they're pouring into Apple TV+ and wooing the best Hollywood talent, it may seem downright logical. Imagine a movie theater that isn't a public restroom, but instead is a cinematic palace. You know, like they were in the old days. Certainly, those still exist in places. But the AMCs of the world spent the last 20 years wiping them out and screening films in their hollowed out carcasses. It sounds crazy to hope for a world where some of the biggest companies on the planet -- the Amazons, the Apples, the Disneys -- step in to save movie theaters, but such is the state of the world.
One could imagine Disney or the like stepping in to save AMC. Perhaps with the notion that they would still agree to show other studios' films as well. But perhaps they would go above and beyond to showcase their own. Or maybe Disney+ subscribers would get a deal. Etc. And then maybe ViacomCBS (Paramount) buys Regal. Comcast (Universal) buys Cinemark. Sony buys Cineplex. Etc. Or maybe Amazon buys one of them. Netflix has already bought/saved a couple of theaters, perhaps that continues. Again, in that case, it's less about the theatrical business model and more about marketing. And you know who loves marketing just as much as anyone else? Apple. A decade ago, it would have seemed comical to have Apple potentially owning movie theaters. Now with all the money they're pouring into Apple TV+ and wooing the best Hollywood talent, it may seem downright logical. Imagine a movie theater that isn't a public restroom, but instead is a cinematic palace. You know, like they were in the old days. Certainly, those still exist in places. But the AMCs of the world spent the last 20 years wiping them out and screening films in their hollowed out carcasses. It sounds crazy to hope for a world where some of the biggest companies on the planet -- the Amazons, the Apples, the Disneys -- step in to save movie theaters, but such is the state of the world.
make the cut 70% With all licensing fees coved (Score:3)
make the cut 70% With all licensing fees coved
Ain't about theaters. It's about Google monopoly. (Score:4, Insightful)
It's an "Op-ed" by a Google VC drone arguing "What's so bad about monopolies anyway?"
While offering "reasons" such as "It ain't 1940s", "movie theaters are public toilets now anyway" and "sounds crazy that big monopolistic corps should expand their monopolies further - but such is the state of the world".
Did I say reasons?
I meant red herring bullshit thrown up to justify why is it OK for the corp that signs Siegler's paychecks and stock options to be a monopoly too.
It's almost as if Google is running a disinformation campaign on account of having their nuts in a vice. [cnet.com]
Maybe Their Time Has Come (Score:5, Insightful)
and gone. Everyone has large TV's now and so many rules at the theater you don't have at home to deal with. Pus you can pause it and go get refills etc.
I have not been to a theater in decades and don't miss it one bit.
No one saved the drive-ins either.
Re: Maybe Their Time Has Come (Score:4, Insightful)
I second this. It's a lot easier to switch quickly to something -anything - when you discover that the overhyped dog of a movie like The English Patient is a waste of time that you would not watch if it was free.
Imagine having to physically go to the cinema, buy your ticket, get your food and drink, and then sitting there because of the sunk costs in terms of time and money!
And the ads for Glosettes and Raisinettes and other crap.
Seriously, maybe I might go in the future - if they had a free beer night - but even that's a stretch since I don't really drink (but it would sure have improved The English Patient or The Matrix #3 - the one that was so bad I don't even remember the name).
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When movies & malls were in their heyday (maybe 80s & 90s?), you have to admit there was something exciting in going to a movie. Smell of popcorn, anticipation of it all, etc. I may just be getting old, but it's like there are no more (or few) original ideas to even provide a legitimate reason to make a movie. Recycling/remaking/rebooting are all just about making money, not interesting movies.
Last movie I saw in a theater was Jason Bourne, and that was after a hiatus of several years before that. I
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My Fair Lady (1964) was about the last flick I can recall where the production of showing the movie wasn't shorted. Took my grandmother.
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The problem for movie studios is that they have become reliant on theatres to generate the vast profits they expect.
Consumers don't seem to be willing to pay large sums just to stream some movie once or rent it for a couple of days. They expect to pay monthly like Disney+ or Netflix or AppleTV or Hulu or any of the others. And they expect to pay less than the cost of a single cinema ticket for the entire family and friends to watch.
Instead of paying 50 bucks for the family to see a movie once they are now e
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Re:Maybe Their Time Has Come (Score:5, Insightful)
The decline of movie theaters is all but inevitable, but it is probably in the movie studios' interests to step in and control the descent. The music industry is a cautionary tale [visualcapitalist.com] of an industry which today is far from its peak before it was disrupted by digital media. Of course the movie industry will not go away, but making half the revenue in ten years that they make today would match what happened to the music industry almost exactly.
Perhaps this is the killing blow for tent-pole franchises like the MCU, which rely on billion dollar releases for each movie to pay for their huge production budgets.
Re:Maybe Their Time Has Come (Score:4, Insightful)
The decline of movie theaters is all but inevitable
I still remember a time when people claimed Blockbuster would kill movie theaters. That didn't age well.
The music industry is a cautionary tale
Not really. You're comparing various changes of media all consumed at home to a special service delivering something in a format / quality you can't get. Even Bill Gate's home cinema pales in comparison to a Dolby Cinema. If the music industry is anything to go by then ticket sales to see bands live haven't been affected. And sure that's a more unique experience, but it's also 10x the price of a movie ticket. .
Re: Maybe Their Time Has Come (Score:2)
Blockbusterâ(TM)s heyday isnâ(TM)t a good comparison to today. It was a hassle, you had to drive to the video store, browse for the movie you wanted to see, then hope it was in stock. Then you go home to watch a low def VHS on your 27â television set. You then have to remember to rewind the tape and return it in time or else face more fees.
Today you open an app on your TV and watch a movie on your 55â HDTV. I think thatâ(TM)s good enough for most people.
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Indeed. The app and convenience killed blockbuster. Much like streaming killed the CD and left live concerts alone. Pre-COVID theaters were doing very well despite Netflix being 20 years old now. Hell they just built* a new cinema in my city due to capacity issues. That will make it the 3rd premium cinema in my city from the same company alone, and we only have a population of 500000. By premium I mean Dolby Cinemas / IMAX Cinemas. We have about another 8 normal theaters around with standard cinemas in them
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Forgive me for not buying into the hype that streaming is killing the movie industry that was until January healthy in finances, and expanding.
Well I forgive you. The film industry has been doing well on paper, but only because of more focus on international markets. The movie industry is like a chain store which grows sales by opening more stores but keeps making less each year in the stores it has. That isn't very healthy, although not necessarily a horrible situation in the short term. With inflation adjusted figures, total revenue for the movie industry domestically has been dropping since 2002. It has lost about $3 billion in total since its
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I don't think anyone is predicting streaming will kill movie theaters. They are reporting on how it is already happening.
Maybe your view is American focused. But honestly I see nothing of what you're saying. Again there are more cinemas now with more patronage now in my city here in Europe than I ever have experienced in the past. I regularly struggle to get a good seat. Even now in COVID times finding a seat is hard and cinemas are typically booked to their reduced capacity.
Yesterday was ladies night, the girlfriend had a champagne, chocolate and games nite at the cinema combined with a cheesy chick-flic. She was excited. It
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Try 110" with a $800 beamer.
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That place already exists. It's my home. The environment is nicer, the people are nicer and the food is cheaper. I can watch whatever I want, whenever I want, with the added benefit of pause/rewind and complete control of the volume.
Movie theaters should have gone out of business 25 years ago, which is about the last time I was in one. Fuck all of them. They can't die soon enough.
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And I can have a drink. Or a joint.
And my feet don't stick to the floor.
And if I don't like the movie, all I have to do is swivel my chair and screw around on the computer, and my wife's pleasure isn't spoiled.
Oh rats, the screen isn't as big. Big deal.
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I’m also jumping on the “good riddance” bandwagon. The music industry tried fighting to keep exclusivity over their traditional distribution methods, too. They used to claim the industry would collapse if they couldn’t keep selling CDs with 2-3 good tracks and a bunch of filler. Music industry seems to be doing fine now that artists actually have to produce tracks people want, if they expect to earn a sale.
It’s your turn now, Hollywood. Plus, this also seems like karma for
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Lots of people don't have big TVs. Even less have decent sound systems (far too many people use the TV speakers. *shudder*).
And many can't install the sound system they want - if you live in an apartment, big sound is something you can't have unless you want the ire of the entire apartment block (it's a question asked all the time - how can someone have a subwoofer in an apartment).
The experience with headphone
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"The experience with headphones isn't the same, either."
No, it's better. Your right ear can't hear what the left one gets served, the effects are much more precise.
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Lots of people don't have big TVs.
Not sure if you've been under a rock, but big TVs have come down in price substantially. Walmart is already advertising a 55" 4k Black Friday deal for $150. If that's out of someone's budget, they probably shouldn't be spending their money on movie tickets, either.
Even less have decent sound systems (far too many people use the TV speakers. *shudder*).
Actually, I'd put this in the benefits of watching movies at home category. Some people actually want to watch a movie without a multi-kilowatt sound system turning their eardrums to goo.
Plus, with theatres still being a primary way for a movie to make money, unless you can find a way to replicate the billion dollar blockbuster using home streaming, well, ...
Let's be honest, does dumping a ton of money into a movie
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Yes, I know TVs are cheap. Have you measured housing? Just because I want a 100" TV, and can probably afford it (they aren't that expensive), doesn't mean I can have it - it just wouldn't fit anywhere where I'd want to put a TV. And I live in a re
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and gone. Everyone has large TV's now and so many rules at the theater you don't have at home to deal with. Pus you can pause it and go get refills etc.
I have not been to a theater in decades and don't miss it one bit.
No one saved the drive-ins either.
It's obvious that going to the theater is slowly sliding the way of buggy whips. However, I'd not be so quick to dismiss the theaters as an unnecessary part of the Hollywood feeding tough.
Theaters have been where movie-makers have made their money and their mark. Traditionally the distribution companies take a huge portion of the box office take (sometimes ALL of it for weeks) for first run movies. If Hollywood tried to make this money from online streaming, they'd be seriously pressed. You'd have to pa
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I have not been to a theater in decades and don't miss it one bit.
Speak for yourself. I go once a week. I can't fit a 17m wide screen with 2 8k laser projectors and a sound system that would question the structural integrity of my building into the living room.
No one saved the drive-ins either.
I wasn't aware they needed saving. We still have one here. Can't say I've been, stick shifts and bucket seats make that pointless. However there are plenty of other open air cinemas around, and that is fun when the weather plays along.
Re: Maybe Their Time Has Come (Score:2)
I have seen several new releases in 2018 and 2019 in theaters but before then I would go maybe once evey 2-3 years. Waiting at home for the 4.99 stream was better. I could get pizza and pause during bathroom break.
The thing is amc theaters are more like home with big comfy chairs. I hat stadium seating. My legs are too long, the seats to hard, the shoulder space to narrow. So if I had to go to a theater I only went to irs with resevered big chair seating.
Went to a concert at a basketball hockey stadium.
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But drive-ins are coming back!
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Hooray!! That's where I saw Close Encounters Of The Third Kind when it first came out at the SKyVue Drive-In in Dothan Alafuckinbama.
Time to roll up a fat joint and pack the cooler cuz it's drive-in time again!!!!
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One inescapable problem with drive-ins is that they are a seasonal business in much of the US. They don't work in the winter; it's hard to keep show cleared off the lot and the screen, and it gets too cold inside stopped cars. Some drive-ins tried to extend the season with electric heaters that you bring into your car much like you did with the speakers, but that is only a partial solution.
Another problem with drive-ins is that they take up a lot of real estate, something that is very costly in dense urban
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Drive-ins never went away completely. And (knock on wood) neither will movie theaters.
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No one saved the drive-ins either.
Drive-ins have undeniably the worst movie-watching experience. The screens aren't nearly as good, and they all suffer from light pollution. The sound is whatever you've got in your car. The food is no better than an indoor cinema and often much worse. The weather is unpredictable. The seats can be good, if you deck out the back of your station wagon or minivan appropriately.
But they have social aspects you just can't get at home or at an indoor theater. I've gone to drive-ins where we could show up an hour
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They said drive-in theatres were dead but look what at happened this year. Will drive-ins continue to thrive after we have a vaccine? That is the million dollar question I guess.
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A dead product (Score:2)
What caused me to stop going was the movies themselves. Who wants to see a reboot of a remake of a comic book movie, again.
Re: A dead product (Score:2)
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Yeah, very few movies worth watching in the cinema has been released in years.
I think I would have prefered to see Fury Road on the big screen, though it requires a beer in hand. And the first LEGO movie and the first and last two Avengers movies, were good enough, but that is it.
I just read Danish cinemas are doing fine during the pandemic, though they have had to rely on local movies that are still being released unlike the American ones.
Why? (Score:2)
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Movie theaters are a nice social venue, but in the age of streaming they are a buggy whip.
Perhaps a better analogy is live theater. Live theater still exists, but far more people go to movie theaters each Friday night. I don't see movie theaters going away in the next few decades, but I wouldn't be surprised if 75% of them do. Most people would enjoy the movies from their home, but if you want a date night out of the house there is still a theater relatively nearby.
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Movie theaters are a nice social venue, but in the age of streaming they are a buggy whip.
Yea, they are, but Hollywood makes a lot of money from them. Theaters give up a HUGE portion of their box office sales to the distribution company, which is why that concession stand pop corn is so blooming expensive while being nearly 0% food cost.
They may be antiques, but the business model is stuck using them to make money. The alternate business model isn't working well enough yet for the industry so the local theater will have to be bailed out somehow, by Hollywood most likely.
The question is who w
I don't see it helping or happening (Score:5, Insightful)
This isn't the golden age of cinema when the studios released many more films than now and the only real competition for that sort of entertainment was live theater. (Radio was great, but lacked the visual element)
The better venue is streaming and indeed everyone and their dog is rolling out their own streaming service as cable withers. If you've noticed that there's not always a great selection to stream, imagine how much worse it would be for movies; in a major city, you'd have separate theaters for each studio, and in a small city you might get by with only one theater which would either favor some films over others or would be independent or unaffiliated and thus get short shrift from all the studios.
I predict that what will happen instead is that movie theaters will become like other forms of popular entertainment that couldn't keep hacking it financially, like opera and ballet. A decent city might have a theater with a stage and screen and offer special showings of some films before their wide release (if studios play along, which I doubt, at least not after long) or after just for the novelty of seeing it on a huge screen.
Generally streaming is where it's at, probably with an up charge if you want to see an expensive tent pole movie immediately upon release.
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If Comcast owned a theater (Score:5, Insightful)
You'd get charged to go inside, for "preferred" seats, and get strip searched for "outside food".
And there would only be enormous sizes of food, for 10-20x what they cost now.
And you could only watch so many movies a month. Otherwise you'd be put into a higher priced tier.
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And you could only watch so many movies a month. Otherwise you'd be put into a higher priced tier.
To be fair on them, that last one would only apply if they offered a subscription service. If you're paying for each movie, there is no reason to prevent you from paying them more. Maybe, if you want to stretch the joke analogy out, they might limit your number matinee priced tickets or something.
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if any thing you get an discount say after 4-5 full priced movies are more are X off for the rest of month.
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Huh (Score:3)
I seem to remember the banksters making the same kinds of arguments back from the late 70's to the early 90's, and THAT worked out so really, really, really, well... Because today is completely different than yesterday, and NOBODY would ever, ever, ever seek to take advantage of a rigged system.
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Cable's first selling point was to be commercial free. That lasted huh?
No. (Score:2)
...and restore Glass-Steagal. Maybe expand it so FAANG can't run hedge funds.
Should We Also prop up the Horse Buggy Companies? (Score:3)
I mean their time has come, and now it is gone. Let them die.
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I mean their time has come, and now it is gone. Let them die.
The future for them is in the dinner theater model, where it becomes more than just watch a film; and theaters get significant revenue from food and drink, revenue they don’t have to share with studios.
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I mean their time has come, and now it is gone. Let them die.
If you are talking about movie theaters, then I would agree. I have not been to one for many years. But then what pays for films to be made? I like watching films on TV, but that is on Freeview, so I guess there is only advertising revenue there. The kind of science fiction, horror, and adventure films I like do not come cheap. It would be a pity if big budget film making is no longer feasible.
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Here is another suggestion (Score:2)
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Offer something that one can't get at home.
"The Kentucky Fried Movie: Feel-A-Round":
A man watches a movie presented in "Feel-A-Round." The usher takes the role of the on-screen female lover. As she asks her male lover to smell her perfume, the usher sprays the viewer with said perfume. It eventually proceeds to chest rubbing and then to a lovers' quarrel. The latter culminates with a knife to the throat, but ends with a quick kiss. The cinema's announcer invites the man to also stay over for the next film – Deep Throat. The viewer runs away screaming.
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Dolby atmos on all screens that is still pricey (Score:2)
Dolby atmos on all screens that is still pricey in the home for an good setup (costs are coming down) also good internet for some you don't really have the speed for 4K
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I have been to see movies (including Star Wars) in a theater with really comfortable leather seats, Dolby Atmos surround sound, high-end projection systems and enough junk food for 5x the recommended daily intake of sugar and its an amazing experience. Oh and they have rules in place about not using phones or talking during the movie (and actually play messages about that at the start)
The problem is that most movie theaters in the US are not that. They have crappy seats, they have crappy sound and video and
Re: Here is another suggestion (Score:3)
Pretty much ALL the Cinemark & AMC theaters in South Florida are either large-leather-recliners (new/big) or dine-in (the older, size-constrained 4-8 screen AMC theaters in locations that are too prime to give up). Most have at least one IMAX-capable auditorium, and all are equipped for both 3D and "rumble seats".
Two weeks ago, thanks to the epidemic, my friends and I had an almost UNFATHOMABLE experience... we saw the Empire Strikes Back in an AMC theater my friends and I literally HAD TO OURSELVES. Fo
Because it's worked so well in the past... (Score:3)
[...] Perhaps with the notion that they would still agree to show other studios' films as well.
Oh yeah, because that worked so well with TV.
Check out how many shows on ABC are produced entirely by a company not owned by Disney. Same with CBS/Paramount or NBC/Universal. But they promised that they wouldn't do that...
Here's a hot-take... (Score:4, Insightful)
How about we let the entire Hollywood infrastructure fucking burn? The entire industry is like a giant rotting fish that washed up on the shores of Malibu. It's rotten from the head down. A solid 90% of everything coming out of tensile town is either socio-political motivation art-house tat or just another rehashing of a classic IP, but this time made by people with double the budget but half the talent.
Tensile town? (Score:2)
Tell me that was a spell checker.
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How about we let the entire Hollywood infrastructure fucking burn? The entire industry is like a giant rotting fish that washed up on the shores of Malibu. It's rotten from the head down. A solid 90% of everything coming out of tensile town is either socio-political motivation art-house tat or just another rehashing of a classic IP, but this time made by people with double the budget but half the talent.
So what is new? Most popular entertainment is dross, and I guess it always was. Shakespeare's plays have stood the test of time, but I dare say there was complete crap being performed in his day, which we no longer see, and jolly good thing too.
To get a bit more nerdy on this subject, there is a statistical effect called "survivor bias", so what we see as the "Golden Age of Hollywood" is very selective: eliminating all the crap, which nobody sees any more.
Let's be honest, this is not about the industry (Score:2)
It's about the Rona, the impossible standard of prevention, the inadequate information, and the failing responses of the states to this pandemic.
Despite a low rate of infection, lower rate of death, and no good data - because all the data we have is wrong - states and cities dare not let theaters open in a sustainable way, and that is the deliberate, justifiable or not, destruction of an industry in a failed and failing attempt to address a pandemic that cannot be dealt with in time measured in months. Unti
Why save them? (Score:3)
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but today I have a much better movie watching experience at home
I'd be curious to know how many people have such a competitive setup. I imagine you need a house or a sufficiently large apartment with good sound isolation from your neighbors.
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I think there's a romanticized view of the movie theater, but it's a relic of old.
An HDR tv, has better picture quality than any cinema I've ever been in. Even IMAX theaters.
No Risk -- alll the rewards! (Score:1)
Movie studios won't buy movie theaters because that would take on additional risk.
They enjoy making hundreds of millions of dollars (which comes from theaters and
licensing deals) and then turning around and spending it on their "fake 3rd party"
caterers, accountants, staff, etc., and leaving a pittance for the "regular" movie stars
who can't negotiate a Tom Hanks or The Rock kind of a cut off the top.
To judge the idea on its merits, there is a reason for the Paramount Decree. That
hasn't changed monopolistic
Theaters committed suicide (Score:3)
Theaters killed themselves off long ago when their indifference to disruptive patrons and obvious problems made going to the movies something to dread.
Examples:
Folks who can't possibly go two hours without playing on their phones.
Folks who can't possibly STFU for two hours.
Folks who bring their two year old heathen(s) who roams the isles, screams, cries and goes full tantrum while the show is running.
Folks who kick the back of your chair or put their feet on your headrest.
The floors covered in spilled soda, popcorn and candy.
The audio system with the busted / buzzing speaker(s) cranked up to 135db.
The fact that the entire auditorium smells like mold.
The cost of snacks.
The worry of " Will my vehicle be safe in this parking lot while I watch the show ? "
The twenty minutes of *%$#@!* ads, commercials and trailers.
The joys of standing in lines to purchase tickets, use the restrooms or the concession areas.
The lady next to you who gets up and walks past you no fewer than six times for $reasons during the show.
If I never step foot inside a theater ever again, it will be too soon.
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What I don't get is why one of the theater chains hasn't gone "hey, maybe if we invest some money so our theaters aren't so crap, we can take business away from the other guys".
Bring in rules that say "if you talk loudly during the movie or use your phone or put your feet on the seats or allow your kids to disrupt the movie, we reserve the right to eject you from the premises" and then enforce those rules.
Invest some money to make the theaters nicer inside, fix broken or worn seats, fix broken speakers, ins
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Too late (Score:2)
Except for novelty factors, the movie theaters do not provide any *natural* advantage.
I have a comfortable setup at home. A cheap Vizio TV with Dolby Vision matched with Atmos supported soundbar is more than enough to enjoy great movies. With 4K BluRays, and streaming, there is not *so much* difference in terms of quality.
However what differs is convenience, and a great deal of it. Yes, we have noisy kids at home too, and popcorn might not be as good. But we can control when to watch it (when kids are not a
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Except for novelty factors, the movie theaters do not provide any *natural* advantage.
If a movie relies on novelty factors to be worth watching, then perhaps it is a bit crap. I watch my Freeview TV on a fairly good LCD monitor, with 2.1 sound. No problems, if the movie is good. I watch quite a few old movies, from before clever CGI effects and so on. Some of the special effects are rubbish, by modern standards. But do I still love Quatermass and the Pit? Sure I do.
Why? (Score:2)
Why should production companies step in and buy theatres in a market which was sliding before COVID ?
The world is moving towards streaming - I just replaced my 10 year old TV with a brand new 65 inch TV especially to watch 4K streams. There are rumours the next Bond film is going to be streamed instead of a cinema release.
This has to be one of the most ill-thought and pathetic rants I've ever read on Slashdot.
Funny thing that. (Score:2)
This article piqued my interest since my great-grandfather was involved in that lawsuit in the 1940s which forced studios to divest their interest in theaters. As an independent theater owner, he was a first-hand witness of the studios' underhanded tactics ... not through withholding of movies, but by sending agents into theaters to cause disruptions.
I can't really imagine the studios want back into that game tho. They have such crazy profit margins by simply producing ... and with the way digital media i
Movie theaters are an anachronism (Score:1)
Nope (Score:2)
This is an incredibly dumb idea.
The world is **not** in such a different place than it was in the 1940s. Just because people are streaming more movies from home, particularly during a pandemic, does not mean that the silver screen should be converted into yet another monopoly market, or that people who actually *enjoy* the movie theater experience should have to suffer.
Allowing studios to control individual theaters would massively stifle competition, both among theaters vying for the patronage of consumers
The cinema is dead (Score:2)
IMHO nothing can and will save the cinema. Of course there will always be some cinemas but they will become a niche player (extra luxurious or extra cheap).
The average cinema cannot compete with my home cinema: ;-)
- There are no people I don't know around me
- Better screen
- Better sound
- Better catering
- Flexible times
- No advertisements
- Clean restrooms
Of course my setup (with 75'' screen and Dolby Atmos Sound) is not the standard, but since I created my setup, costs have fallen by a factor around 4. In a
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I agree with your analysis of the home theater experience. But even if you spend a lot on your home theater kit, how much of that money goes towards funding new film production? I would guess none. I am not suggesting that there should be some kind of levy on home theater hardware, to pay for film production. Subscription models look feasible for the future. I am not that fussed about watching the latest film releases, so my Freeview is good enough, where I watch films a few years old for nothing.
Re: (Score:2)
Believe me, with my home movie theater I spent more money on movies than I ever did in the cinema. I have the 4K editions with the best sound, often the extended version.
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Believe me, with my home movie theater I spent more money on movies than I ever did in the cinema. I have the 4K editions with the best sound, often the extended version.
All I can hope is that the money you spend on movies shown on your home theater actually ends up funding new creative work. Maybe this is how it works, when the cinemas all go bust.
You save the theaters (Score:2)
Movie theaters are on sale, they're cheap to buy.
If you want to save them, YOU buy them.
I don't want Disney buying them, I think it's a bad investment, and it would be irresponsible for them to do so.
I love how it's always what other people should do, never about what you can do.
Go ahead, buy a theater, buy the chain. Do whatever you want, but don't expect my money to pay for your recreation.
Fresh Air? (Score:2)
I'll think about going to a cinema that has 100% turnover of the inside air.
Buh-bye (Score:1)
I'd rather watch a movie on my phone with buffering than go to a movie theater. The volume is too loud, the floors are sticky, the staff are rude, the other attendees are rude, and if I have to go to the bathroom I miss stuff. The screen is so big I can't see everything at once.
Nope. I miss drive-in theaters but won't miss conventional movie theaters at all.
At home we see movies cheaper (mostly part of our cable or streaming accounts), we eat and drink better and cheaper, we can pause for bathroom breaks or
Drowning swimmer MUST save other drowning swimmer. (Score:1)
Retarded Commentary (Score:1)
dumb and pointless (Score:1)
Why? (Score:2)
Why should we try to save movie theaters? It isn't for the part time jobs that are typically within a dollar of minimum wage. The teenagers working those jobs can certainly find better jobs.
They are seriously overpriced and the last time I went the cost for the movie, regular size popcorn and a couple size pops one kid and myself was around $50 - $60. That wasn't even a special showing like an IMAX and we still had to sit through 20 minutes of commercials at the start of the movie. That's nuts.
The movie ind
Why? (Score:1)
The studios don't need the theaters, because, as many have noted, people can watch the stuff quite well at home. That is why they will hang them out to dry.
Meanwhile, the studios also are mainly a dying breed because they fail to take risk, and produce only the same product over and over.
And nothing of value is lost. (Score:2)
Theaters are worth avoiding for the nasty audiences, high prices, travel, parking and now the permanent hazard of COVID.
Mass gatherings are bad for many reasons and good for none now that modern home entertainment systems have made theaters obsolete.
Fuck 'em (Score:2)