Watching movies in the Cinema: Does movie theatres have their days numbered?

[Ketch Rossi]

And you should indeed Evan,

as my plan will be soon revealed, as RED has forced the industry to take a turn, we'll force the Cinema experience to return to what it should be, and this time under a NEW ERA of technological advancements and establishments that don't stink of old carpet, and were the Projectors are actually in Focus and with the proper illumination and sound system, but also importantly, this will be all facilities opened world wide with controlled prices for both tickets and foods/drinks.

I already have said too much... But I'll say much more soon...

All tho i like the sound of what Ketch is hinting at

 

[Elsie N]

At the moment cinema is going the way of the arcade yes its there but why would you ? seems to only serve the impatient or those that dont know about torrents. For a modest price your own acoustically treated sweet spot + Blu-Ray at home with a beer √
All tho i like the sound of what Ketch is hinting at

Maybe Ketch is the modern day *Sam the Lion.

* Theater owner from the movie "The Last Picture Show", only on a much larger scale '-)

 

[Scott Crawley]

Why is Box Office down? Because the vast majority of films are targeted to a teen audience that is preferring more and more to get their entertainment elsewhere. You could also say that big tent pole films are not necessarily targeted to teens, but rather to the lowest common denominator in attempt to reach the broadest audience. Targeting the LCD is a race to the bottom. It necessitates choices that are safe and bland and therefore uninteresting to most everyone, either on a conscious or unconscious level. Film making is an art. The greatest works of art in our history have been created by individuals, not a Board Of Directors. Film making for the most part needs to get out of the boardroom. It's an old argument at this point.

As many have said, the film going experience is a social one, but that portion of the experience is out of the control of the film maker. It resides in the hands of the theater operator, who is either unable or unwilling to do much to shape that part of the experience at the multiplex. One way to control and shape the communal experience is to be specific in the demographic that you cater to. This is part of the reason why specialized theaters are doing well. They draw a specific audience with the amenities they offer, and a specific audience is much easier to satisfy than a broad audience. Take the dinner and a movie example. That is a particular experience that should include a quiet and respectful viewing atmosphere. If folks who are looking for that kind of viewing experience know they will get it at a "Dinner and a Movie" type of venue then that venue may prosper, provided they can and do program the right kind of material in sustainable quantities.

Movie theaters today are screwed because they are stuck doing business with what is essentially a monopoly. They get all of their product from a small number of outlets. That leaves them with little or no bargaining power or any kind of control over their supply chain and it even costs them control over every other facet of how they do business. The studios essentially still run the theaters without having to directly bear the risks of ownership on an individual basis. That is great for the studios, but horrible for theater owners. The studios have basically trained a pivot man to accepts that he or she will never get to pivot, if you take my meaning. This is coming to a head. (Pun intended.) The problem for the movie goer is they are stuck on the shit side of the deal... Again, the pun is intended. ;-)

My views may be over simplified because they are mostly consumer opinions, but I like them.