Going to see movies these days

Going to see movies these days

by SouthernFriedInfidel | Published on January 5th, 2009, 9:58 am | Arts

It's been quite a while since my family regularly went out to the theaters to watch first-run movies. Really, this past 6 months has been AWFUL in regards to releases of movies. Nothing seems to be interesting in the theaters any more.

This past weekend, we finally broke down and decided by gosh, we're GOING to go see SOMETHING. We chose "The Day the Earth Stood Still." I figured that the original was one of my favorite sci-fi classics... this one can't be quite as bad as the critics said it was.

Well, it did sort of start out a bit weak. But after the first few scenes, it got much better, and turned out to be a pretty nice way to spend some time in the theater. And I have to say -- the casting of Keanu Reeves as an emotionless, wooden alien was right up his alley, acting-wise.

Luckily, the trailers that showed before the film started showed that there are at least one or two possibilities for movie fun coming up... though it appears that we'll have to wait for March or April before real relief comes along. Until then I suppose I just need to hunt for a sale on Wall-E Blu-Rays...

[Sanjuro]

It's been quite a while since my family regularly went out to the theaters to watch first-run movies. Really, this past 6 months has been AWFUL in regards to releases of movies. Nothing seems to be interesting in the theaters any more.

I disagree with that. There are probably 4 films out now that I'd love to see but don't have the time/money. A lot probably depends if you are the type of person that just goes to see the big blockbusters or not.

This past weekend, we finally broke down and decided by gosh, we're GOING to go see SOMETHING. We chose "The Day the Earth Stood Still." [snip] But after the first few scenes, it got much better, and turned out to be a pretty nice way to spend some time in the theater. And I have to say -- the casting of Keanu Reeves as an emotionless, wooden alien was right up his alley, acting-wise.

Better you than me sir. That's all I will say.

Until then I suppose I just need to hunt for a sale on Wall-E Blu-Rays...

You missed your shot at that when I posted the 20 dollar sale on Amazon last month.

[SouthernFriedInfidel]

It's been quite a while since my family regularly went out to the theaters to watch first-run movies. Really, this past 6 months has been AWFUL in regards to releases of movies. Nothing seems to be interesting in the theaters any more.

I disagree with that. There are probably 4 films out now that I'd love to see but don't have the time/money. A lot probably depends if you are the type of person that just goes to see the big blockbusters or not.

I rarely decide to see movies based on that criterion. "Titanic" was the last one I went to see purely based on its anticipated popularity, IIRC. Generally, I check out movies based on whether I expect to be entertained by the plot.

This past weekend, we finally broke down and decided by gosh, we're GOING to go see SOMETHING. We chose "The Day the Earth Stood Still." [snip] But after the first few scenes, it got much better, and turned out to be a pretty nice way to spend some time in the theater. And I have to say -- the casting of Keanu Reeves as an emotionless, wooden alien was right up his alley, acting-wise.

Better you than me sir. That's all I will say.

Snob.

Until then I suppose I just need to hunt for a sale on Wall-E Blu-Rays...

You missed your shot at that when I posted the 20 dollar sale on Amazon last month.

I passed that info on to my family. I don't buy anything for myself during the run-up to Xmas, due to the potential for ruining someone's gift-giving.

[Pineview Style]

I rarely see movies in the theaters these days. I saw the new James Bond flick a few months ago and it cost $9. BTW, has anyone seen Gran Torino. That looks pretty good....

[BecauseHeLives]

I saw Seven Pounds and, even though many gave it bad reviews, I thought it was pretty good. Kinda hard to follow at first but it all comes together at the end (sorta like 6th Sense).

Marley and Me is a joke and not really kid friendly either.

[HOPOMaster]

I saw Seven Pounds and, even though many gave it bad reviews, I thought it was pretty good. Kinda hard to follow at first but it all comes together at the end (sorta like 6th Sense).

Marley and Me is a joke and not really kid friendly either.

Really, with Owen Wilson as the lead, who would have expected it to be kid friendly? :-\

Anyway, my girlfriend and I went out to see the Tale of Despereaux the other night, and we found it to be an incredibly cute, well-written film. The acting was really good, the story was imaginative, and the characters were enjoyable. Sure, it was pretty formulaic and a traditional children's film with the morals simple and the ending happy, but it was still a pretty good watch. Special props went out to Stanley Tucci for his role as an enchanted pot of vegetables.

Edit: As a side-note, I'm definitely looking forward to Coralline, which is coming out in the near future. Anything made by one of the heads of the Nightmare Before Christmas and written by Neil Gaiman has to be seen by me.

[Liv]

We haven't been in a long time either. Partially, the whole kids thing, partially too busy. Luckily Netflix works perfect for us other then the long wait.

[C. Alice]

we'd rather watch a DVD than go to a theater. It's cheaper, but way more importantly, we can stop the thing and refill a soda or run to the bathroom and we miss nothing. (definitely can't do that at a theater.) Captions are available, so if the sound quality's not so hot, we still know what's being said. (noisy patrons in a theater or crappy acoustics- you're SOL) The deleted scenes are usually worth watching (you don't get to see them in the theatrical version) and we can hit reverse and watch a scene over again if we want to see if right away- like for context. Don't have to dress up, don't have to stand in line, don't have to step in gum or soda...

[SouthernFriedInfidel]

I wonder why anyone goes to theaters at all any more.

[Liv]

I especially agree with this now that we've got the big tv with high definition and the blu-ray player.... I mean stunning movies, and I'll often make pizzas, and have a beer... it's really a fun family experience....

I think that's why theaters are going to have to go to 3-D now that HDTV is readily available.

[Sanjuro]

I wonder why anyone goes to theaters at all any more.

You forgot to add the sticky pokey Smilie.

[Sanjuro]

I especially agree with this now that we've got the big tv with high definition and the blu-ray player.... I mean stunning movies, and I'll often make pizzas, and have a beer... it's really a fun family experience....

I think that's why theaters are going to have to go to 3-D now that HDTV is readily available.

My personal thoughts on this are as follows...

First: Sometimes half of the reason to go to a movie is because of the audience experience. See my "Its a Wonderful Life" review for an example.

Second: One fabulous point of a theater is the LACK of home distraction. I can't get online to check news, I can't get calls, I can't be distracted by work. I can focus on the movie.

Third: There is no law that says people have to go to see a movie after 7pm on a weekend night when 90 percent of the annoying people (IE: Teenagers) go. Matinee and weekday evening shows are the same movie (believe it or not) played at 8pm on Saturday nights. I find opening night about 6pm or 7pm the best time actually, because most people who see it then really want to see it in the first place and took the first convenient opportunity. Most people there on Saturdays at 8-midnight shows are just there for lack of anything better to do.

Anyone who thinks a HDTV is the same as a movie theater are being naive. Resolution is a fraction at home, and 95 percent of the people have their TVs so badly adjusted it negates the picture quality anyway. The theater is one of the only ways to truly appreciate a film as the Director intended for most of the populace.

[Liv]

I agree, but not "all" theaters are even up to modern standards either.... There's nothing like going to see a move with high tech audio to hear the speakers cracking, or a poorly equalized surround system...

I tend to get picky and somewhat loyal to the theaters I visit because of this.... and the audience is an important part.... but, because of the cost and logistics it's often much more affordable and convenient to watch at home, and high def does equalize the playing field to major degree if hooked up correctly. But my first reasoning for going to the theater was never the audience, or the quality... it's something to do, something different... and that has been lost for the most part....

Now give me an Imax in Greensboro, and I'll never press play at home again...

[Sanjuro]

I agree, but not "all" theaters are even up to modern standards either.... There's nothing like going to see a move with high tech audio to hear the speakers cracking, or a poorly equalized surround system...

Absolutely right. That's why I am very selective. Many will judge a theater on its seats or cup holders or whatever. That can have its merit, don't get me wrong, but when they completely fail to mention audio quality, image quality, etc, they are losing sight of what the REAL draw is supposed to be.

I tend to get picky and somewhat loyal to the theaters I visit because of this.... and the audience is an important part.... but, because of the cost and logistics it's often much more affordable and convenient to watch at home, and high def does equalize the playing field to major degree if hooked up correctly. But my first reasoning for going to the theater was never the audience, or the quality... it's something to do, something different... and that has been lost for the most part....

Fair enough. Many a film (generic comedies mostly) I will wait for the DVD to see. But equally, many quality films I will make extra points to experience on the big screen. Wall-e was one that I will always thank myself for doing this with. To me, a theater will always be 'something different'.

Now give me an Imax in Greensboro, and I'll never press play at home again...

Well, not everything comes out in Imax format so... LOL

[Liv]

Yes... but it's an impressive set up....

I'm just waiting for 3-D....

I will tell you one way I love to experience the movies is the Drive-In... Horrible sound, horrible picture, fatty greasy food.... triple feature for $5.00... there's nothing like it.... We love it...

If I ever get rich again, I'm going to build one in Greensboro.

[HOPOMaster]

Yes... but it's an impressive set up....

I'm just waiting for 3-D....

I will tell you one way I love to experience the movies is the Drive-In... Horrible sound, horrible picture, fatty greasy food.... triple feature for $5.00... there's nothing like it.... We love it...

If I ever get rich again, I'm going to build one in Greensboro.

Wow, you really haven't been to theaters in a while, have you? There've been a number of movies coming out in 3-D recently, many of them CGI animated flicks, but also a handful of live-action films (Journey to the Center of the Earth, My Bloody Valentine in a week or two, etc.). Or maybe I misunderstood your statement.

In defense of the theater technologies, some theaters have been upgrading to digital cameras recently, like the Wynnsong in Durham and the Carmike in Greensboro (although the rest of the facilities have generally sucked for some time). It definitely makes the films better than viewing with normal projectors.

As for the cost, I generally don't mind, since it's more for the experience of seeing a good (or not-so-good, if that's what you're into) film on a big-ass screen, which I don't have and likely never will have in my house, that makes it worth a little extra money. Besides, rentals are becoming a lot less economic these days, as Blockbuster is implementing more and more Draconian rental schemes to try and make up for lost profits.

Oh, and with respect to the IMAX issue, we'll just have to wait for the Natural Science Center's IMAX to sell out and start showing like the Dark Knight sometime in the future.

[Sanjuro]

some theaters have been upgrading to digital cameras recently,

*cough projectors*cough

[SouthernFriedInfidel]

some theaters have been upgrading to digital cameras recently,

*cough projectors*cough

Thingies with lenses.

[Sanjuro]

some theaters have been upgrading to digital cameras recently,

*cough projectors*cough

Thingies with lenses.

Lighty shooters

[Serendipitous]

I'm thinking of hitting Tale of Desperaux this weekend. The kids have already seen it with their grandparents, but I'd like to check it out. The book was very well-written... Kate Di Camillo has some great descriptions, I'd like to see what they do with it in a film.

Now... to find one of the theatres with the digital lighty shooter thingies...

[Liv]

Wow, you really haven't been to theaters in a while, have you? There've been a number of movies coming out in 3-D recently, many of them CGI animated flicks, but also a handful of live-action films (Journey to the Center of the Earth, My Bloody Valentine in a week or two, etc.). Or maybe I misunderstood your statement.

Yes it's been almost a year since I've been... perhaps they have been upgraded... but I'm not referring to traditional 3-d with glasses....

The technology I'm talking about is 2nd generation 3d that the industry has been sitting on which is done without the glasses....

There was some talk about Lucas refusing to put anything out in the future without it.... but at the time it was somewhat expensive due to the projector upgrades...

I do think it's coming though, it's an end-all to piracy, and current 3-d technology releases are grossing more than the standard versions.