CrunchGear

I never go anymore. That is equally because:

A) I have a 50 inch Pioneer (obviously plasma) at home;
B) I have a great surround sound system wired throughout the room, and, finally;
C) I suffered though X-Men 3 in a theater, and vowed never to visit a movie theater again.

There will probably be a few exceptions, though. For example, when “The Dark Knight” comes out, I’ll probably go see it in a theater. Otherwise, paying exorbitant amounts of money to sit in a dirty, uncomfortable seat with people I don’t know or want to know — while hearing snide remarks and having terrible songs turned ringtones burn into my head — is reason enough to stay at home.

The funny (or sad) thing is, I’m more than willing to pay to see movies. I’m curious to see “I Am Legend”, but am not willing see it in a movie theater. If they released the thing online, or even better, on Blu-ray, I would have picked it up last weekend. As it stands now, well, those aren’t (legal) options, so where does that leave me?

(Yes, that was rhetorical)

Agree, I haven’t been to one in almost two years. I just wait a few months and watch it on my 61 inch DLP Samsung with the THX cranked up.

The only reason I go to the theater, is so my wife and I can spend an evening out. We spend enough time at home. Sometimes it’s nice to get out.

It doesn’t hurt that my area has excellent theaters, though.

I still like going to the theater. I actually did just go see I am Legend in theater the other night (real cool movie), but I also do enjoy watching movies on my 42″ plasma with surround. But I don’t know…There’s just some theaters ya just can’t beat.

I went to see I am Legend a few days ago. 15 minutes into the show a couple sat next to me and asked me for “an update to the film so far”. I cannot publish my response here.
Cell phones and text messaging are also serious problems because of the audio and visual distractions. If theaters don’t get a real handle on this sooner than later I can see the day when I will watch everything at my home theater on Netflix.
Don’t people understand that a crying baby is just not welcome in a crowded theater?
Theater owners have to do more than just show a few clips asking for quiet before the show. Rude patrons should be shown the door!!

I rarely go to the movies, but I was recently impressed when I went to see Beowulf in IMAX 3D. You can’t get that kind of experience at home … yet. Nonetheless, it was still crowded, the theatre had a collection of odd odors and inconvenient. People even brought their infants to this loud movie - come on folks don’t bring infants to the movies - they suffer needlessly.

Movie theatres are dying unless they can truly find ways to differentiate themselves from the home experience. And I’m nat taking about $10 buckets of popcorn.

Rarely, but I did go see Juno last night. Having a 42″er w/ 5.1 (yea yea) helps with that but still want to go to the movies every once in a while.

That said, at the movie last night there was the usual collection of douchebags who laugh at moments in the movie that I cannot fathom why anyone would be laughing at. The type of person who wants YOU to know how much THEY are enjoying the movie. Fuck.

Like the other posters here, it’s the other people that ruin movies for me. The problem with that is I’m not sure what the theaters can do about that. If they chased out all the obnoxious people the theaters would be half as full as they are now. At least if it was something like projection quality or seating they could fix it, but I don’t think it’s possible. They really do need to come up with some way to add value…but what else do you want when watching a movie? Especially for 8-10$/person.

Well, i must be the one of the last people still enjoying going to the movies. No matter what ur home cinema specs are, watching a movie in a theater is a special experience… Sharing the experience of watching a film with hundreds of people you dont know and observing their reaction to something going on on the big screen its pretty special. No doubt, not all movies are worth the price of admission, so i only want to watch movies i know i will like. And one more thing, when are u fat lazy americans gonna move ur butts off the couch and get out?? Cinema going is a social experience folks:)

I agree with raadud - movie theaters are more about the social aspects some times. The wife and I still go to the movies every few months and even bad movies can be made better when in a crowed theater. I remember sitting through “Tomcats” and hating the film - but loving the cheers I received after telling some loudmouth 12 year old to “shut the fuck up” a few minutes into it. Home theaters are great for movies you love - but the experience of watching a movie with strangers cannot be replicated in you home unless you live in a YMCA.

I don’t go to the movies very often for financial reasons. However, sometimes it’s nice to see something without having to hit pause whenever one of the kids starts crying and needs something. Like Nate said, getting out of the house can be a very good thing.

Also, due to the above mentioned financial reasons, I don’t have a sweet setup like some others, and I don’t believe a good setup can be had “with a couple hundred dollars”. You can’t even get a decent TV for close to $1000.

Yes, I go to the theaters. First, b/c I don’t pirate movies, so if I want to see it when it is released I have to go to the theaters. Secondly, because I don’t have a large screen. Growing up I actually mainly saw movies at a drive-in. Those places are pretty awesome, though there are only a few left.

I have a 58″ 1080p panasonic, but I still go to movies ALL the time. I’ve been known to go out and see a movie than go to block buster, come home , and watch another movie. You can’t beat the theater experience and getting a HJ , BJ , or TJ in the back row while everyone is obvilious is priceless.

How anyone can compare a measily 50″ plasma display (no better than my 36″ 4:3 display mind you its wider yes but also SHORTER since its 16:9)

you guys DO realize just how large a movie screen is right? our local theatre in the franklin mills mall has $5 movies too (I will NOT pay $10 to see a movie)

On top of that who can afford a 50″ plasma. I know I can not and if I had that kind of money I would not spend it on a Television thats for sure.

Don’t get me wrong they are gorgeous screens. They are just not worth 2-3 thousand dollars and are not NEARLY large enough for that kind of money.

When I can get a 65″ or larger screen for $1500 or less THEN I might have some interest and it has to be a high black high contrast 1080p minimum WITH components inputs. (I have issued with ANY form of shoved down my throat DRM such as HDCP)

I watched the screener on my 104″ screen using a Panasonic AX200 projector.

I had managed to get hold of the .mkv version with 5.1 sound - and I’ve got to say –> it was awesome.

Cinemas suck balls - uncomfortable, expensive, full of chavs (yeah I live in the UK) and stink of popcorn, have people rustling sweets continually and lastly - I can’t get a cold beer from the fridge when I want one….

I last went to the cinema with my 5 year old son about 6 months ago and to be honest with the advent of x264 .mkv hd rips and their huge gain in popularity l will never go to the cinema again.