Does anyone go to the movies anymore?

[Uncle Bill]

I think the only movie I want to see this winter is the Savages with Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney. Everything else is pretty much forgetable, do we really need another remake of an old TV series?

 

[Bryce]

I've been to the movies I think 6 times in my adult life and wondered why I bothered each time. Why isn't there a "no, I don't watch movies" choice in the poll?
I'm 35, by the way.
O.K., I see the odd flick on other people's TV's once in awhile, and one in ten of them is actually entertaining. Doesn't seem like very good odds and that is the main reason I don't seek them out.
Hollywood is dead in my mind.

 

[BillBingham2]

I'd rather wait and buy a copy on DVD and use my projector. Which by the way rocks for projecting big still pictures on too!

B2 (;->

 

[Bryce]

I'll correct myself a little. Six movies seen in theaters and no winners there. I have seen a handful of good ones elsewhere over the years, just don't seem to predict well enough to be willing to see them in a theater.
The theater has always struck me as an odd thing also; I like to go out and be social. Going to the movies seems strange in that it is going out to be nonsocial...

 

[sepiareverb]

I don't prefer to watch movies at home... but mostly I do. I love the theater experience, personally. ...

I'm with you. I would love to get to the movies more often than I do. Few things as memorable as seeing the restored Fantasia at Radio City Music Hall.

We have a good alternative theater about 40 minutes away, but the films only run for a few days, and it's hard to get out with young kids at home- by the time you get someone here for them, get to the film, get home and get whoever home it's 1am. Yeah, I'm up at 6 by neccessity.

Netflix has made staying home pretty darn easy.

 

[Pakmanpdx]

Aside from all the rain, one thing Portland Oregon has is a plethora of great independant theatres. I went to a few movies last year and some of the smaller theatres show interesting stuff, albeit in a smalller space with crappier sound but most are only $3 and they serve BEER and PIZZA. I take my kids to matinees at one (Laurelhurst) where they get in for $1 each- total admission= $5!! A couple of bags of candy for the kiddles, a beer and popcorn for me, I still haven't cracked $15. We saw alot of blockbusters- Harry Potter, Pirates 3, Ratatoille etc. It's a nice way to get out and about.

 

[kevin m]

...but I wonder how much of this sort of big-screen experience translates to a decent plasma or LCD monitor.

Depends. If your theater has the typical indifferent projection, then it's easier to top in a home theater than you'd think.

I just watched "Pan's Labyrinth" on cable last night and, again, the picture was much better than the print we saw on opening weekend at the theater in the Providence Place mall.

I'm going to miss the social aspect of movie going, and I envy those of you in big cities who have access to good movie theaters, but I think we'll be spending our 'movie money' on Criterion DVD's. They just released "Two Lane Blacktop" !! 🙂

 

[somecanuckchick]

Depends on the film; some are meant to be seen on the big screen, some are okay to be seen on the 32".


😀

 

[Morca007]

Aside from all the rain, one thing Portland Oregon has is a plethora of great independant theatres. I went to a few movies last year and some of the smaller theatres show interesting stuff, albeit in a smalller space with crappier sound but most are only $3 and they serve BEER and PIZZA. I take my kids to matinees at one (Laurelhurst) where they get in for $1 each- total admission= $5!! A couple of bags of candy for the kiddles, a beer and popcorn for me, I still haven't cracked $15. We saw alot of blockbusters- Harry Potter, Pirates 3, Ratatoille etc. It's a nice way to get out and about.

I'm green with envy. I'm only an hour away from Portland, but I can't justify the gas to go see movies there.

Our local theaters are both owned by the same guy, one is a 4 screen that plays only blockbusters, and the other is a two screen with couches up front a pizzeria, and beer by the pitcher after 7pm (which is hell for minors, since we can only see matinees there). Aside from the occasional "indie" aka minor studio picture, we don't get anything off the mainstream. I was reading a best-of list by one of my favorite critics, and I noticed that of the ten movies, only two had shown here, of which, I got to see one.
:bang:

As to the poll: I would die if I could see Lawrence of Arabia on the big screen.

 

[aarathi]

I prefer to see the movies in the house with all members of my family. I found very pleasure in it.