We have a theater here that shows films for $2 that are not new but are not on DVD yet. The wife, kid, and I go to the Carl's Jr. and get "pocketburgers." These are exactly what they sound like: burgers you put in your pockets to sneak into the theater. They are cheaper and a lot tastier than anything you can buy at the concession stand.

Before we throw a pity party for the studios, let's consider that NetFlix, Blockbuster Network and cable TV and PPV outlets pay $2.1 billion for distribution rights.

WhoIsWillo: So, you are enjoying this cheaper theater, yet not supporting the only way the theater makes money.

Really? This theater, owned by Cinemark (a giant corporation), only makes money from concession sales? They don't make money off the 15+ minutes of advertising before the movie? Sounds like they need to work on their business model. How does this concern me again? They might go out of business? Well, then, I'll watch the movies at home and probably enjoy them more.

Things would be different if it were a local independent theater, but it's not. I'm assuming that's what you were assuming the place was.

WhoIsWillo: I don't have a problem with people not buying things at the concession stand, more so given the prices, but sneaking food in to a theater just drives me up a wall

I almost never buy anything at the concession stand, and rarely sneak in more than a few pieces of candy. Of course, I seldom go to movies anymore.

There was a theater in Maryland that played double features of second-run movies -- this was before even VCRs -- and a friend and I would each sneak in a six pack of beer, but they didn't sell that at the concession stand, anyway.

I can deal with the ticket and concession prices but I'm going to end up getting arrested one day for smacking a phone out of some idiots hand.

coco ebert: Also, going to the movies is fun. It's an event. You have to get somewhat dressed up for it. It's not the same as watching a DVD.

The First Four Black Sabbath Albums

...The wife, kid, and I go to the Carl's Jr. and get "pocketburgers." These are exactly what they sound like: burgers you put in your pockets to sneak into the theater. They are cheaper and a lot tastier than anything you can buy at the concession stand.

They would almost HAVE to be.

Complicit: Shostie: Beyond the Valley of the Dolls kicks ass.

It truly, truly does.

Is this the same movie that is chock full of titties that I remember from my jr high days of sneaking 2am Cinemax/hbo?

If so, I must concur.

Hollywood is losing money because it is out of ideas, and it will remain out of ideas until the maximum copyright term is reduced to 14 years. When remakes of movies even one generation old have to compete on the open market, most of them will die, and genuinely new ideas will once again become the most profitable way to go.

ginandbacon: I only saw one movie this year in a cinema: Being Elmo. It was worth every penny and Kevin Walsh (Elmo) was there--he's from Baltimore.

The first time I saw Elmo was on the Frugal Gourmets show on PBS. To this day when I see that muppet I can only think of the Frugal Gourmet sexual harassing his male assistants.

/and writing books with rather hot blond male chef who disappeared off the face of the earth after Jeff Smith was sued by those assistants
//lord only knows what Elmo saw and endurred

skinink: Unfortunately good stuff like The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo isn't drawing crowds either.

I have no idea why they released it during Xmas. Nobody wants a 40 pound box of rape from Santa.

FishyFred: He's pretty much right. It's all about the theater experience. My local multiplex blows. Massively blows. I went to see Young Adult there and the projection was noticeably... well, something was wrong with it. It was like the bulb was flickering. I probably won't go back.

A lot of theatres are turning down the brightness of their projection bulbs because it doesn't use as much electricity and the bulbs last longer. You might not be able to see what's happening on the screen, but hey, they're saving money.

FWIW, the minute a theatre chain decides to hire a bouncer to kick out talkers/texters without refunds, they will have my immediate and imperishable loyalty.

Millennium: Hollywood is losing money because it is out of ideas, and it will remain out of ideas until the maximum copyright term is reduced to 14 years. When remakes of movies even one generation old have to compete on the open market, most of them will die, and genuinely new ideas will once again become the most profitable way to go.

Nothing in your argument is remotely supported by anything that is going on in today's movie industry today. But have fun believing that anyways.

I wouldn't mind paying money for concessions but sneaking food in doesn't bother me when the stuff the theater sells tastes like crap.

If you can't get some kid to at least pay attention enough to make sure I don't receive a piece of charcoal that was supposed to be a burger, then you're not doing your job as manager. I'm not paying for your damned kids while you sit on your ass and do nothing.

Screw the 'theater experience'. My tv and home theater system are better than the movie theater. If they made new movie releases instantly available for streaming to my home, I would pay for a LOT more new movies.

I live in the Phoenix area where we have Harkins theaters which we didn't have back in MI or Chicago. I have to say that Harkin's totally rocks in comparison. They have comfortable seats, a yearly cup that you buy for $4 where you can get refills for a $1 all year, and a yearly pop-corn t-shirt where you get a free medium popcorn every time you bring (or wear) the shirt. You can upgrade to a large popcorn for just a $1.

If you forget your t-shirt you can buy a $25 gift card up front and get a free medium popcorn ticket, and then buy your tickets with gift card. One free refill on large popcorn bags and concession people tell you to bring bag back on next visit if you don't get a refill that night (they put an x on bottom once refilled). I know nothing about the owner or their personal policies, but they have daycare up front for kids and I have yet to have a terrible experience after living here for four years. Decent movies, great video and sound, and typically a pretty cheap evening considering.

WhoIsWillo: That's not mentioning the beer cans, the entire bottle of vodka, the four pack of little plastic wine bottles

Are you not supposed to do that?

FishyFred:
ginandbacon: Ink was a standout for me and it was never released theatrically.

I saw that movie once and it was instantly vaulted into my Top 10 of all time. Damn, that was a great movie. The director's other work is kind of lame, though. I guess that makes him the independent, special effects-heavy version of Chris Columbus.

Fan-farking-tastic movie. Low budget, but very well done. Top 10 on my list.

HAHAHA! Noice.

I guess he's ready to retire.

Roger Ebert: "The film industry is losing money because they charge too much and deliver too little."

If that were true, the discount weekday afternoon shows would be full of people who are also sneaking in their own snacks.

Most people go on Friday or Saturday night and the theaters are crowded then. Tthey lose money because all those seats, equipment and employees are there seven days a week and are underutilized.

No real good solution to increase traffic in those off-days.

/If they'd just show porn on their IMAX screens and sell beer, they could be busy 24/7.

skinink: Unfortunately good stuff like The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo isn't drawing crowds either.

Who says? Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a three hour crime drama that features well ... lets say ... less than light and fluffy subject matter. Its not going to draw the same amount of money as the latest Mission Impossible movie. And frankly it shouldn't.

/saw it last weekend - theatre was packed - by simple arithmetic - its going to not do as well against a shorter movie that is more action and lighter

My favorite Ebert was the one that couldn't talk.

Now showing:

Old Franchise V: Beaten to Death

Blockbuster II: Lazy Sequel

Unnecessary Prequel

Ben Stiller / Adam Sandler / Will Ferrell "Comedy" You've Seen Before

Jennifer Aniston Might Show Her Tits but Doesn't

Cameron Diaz Acts Like She Isn't Ugly

I only see films in the theater that I can take my family to. This severely limits the number of films I go to. Ever go to a G or PG rated film within the first few weeks of opening. It's packed.

If film execs had two brain cells to rub together, they'd triple the number of G rated films they make. If the execs that own these huge theater chains had two brain cells to rub together, they'd refuse to show the latest sequel thats going to be gone in 2 days and insist that more G movies be made. But no, execs know what we want after all.

Why spend $12 for a single movie ticket and end up in a crappy back row, or too close to the front, seat with annoying teenagers who can't STFU ? $5 bucks for a small coke and cell phones constantly going off. I'll just wait for the movie to come out on Netflix and watch it on my 42" plasma, in the warmth and comfort of my own living room thankyouvermuch.

Saw Mission Impossible 4 the other day with three other members of my family and when the ticket guy said "That'll be 60 dollars" I paused for a moment and thought, "What? Did I hear that right?" Good thing I still had a bunch of gift certificates laying around since there has barely been anything I wanted to see this year up until now.

I go to the theater often, but never had a cell phone problem and only rarely dealt with people gabbing or making noise, then only for a little bit. Worst problem I've faced is when I'm with my family and they keep shoving all that concession stand junk food into my face. (FOR THE FIFTIETH TIME I'M NOT HUNGRY.)

It might have something to do with the fact that I tend to watch good movies with intelligent audiences instead of another Twilight sequel.