Poll: Would you pay for a super movie theater experience?

[tippy2k2]

I just got back from seeing Thor 2 at the Marcus theater in Oakdale, MN.

"tippy2k2, we don't care about what theater you went to, get to the point you sexy devil!" says the more jaded of you.

Well it does matter in this case as it is the inspiration for my thread. Now many of us have become cold and jaded toward the theater; it's crowded, it's expensive, and people are stupid.

Now picture this as your seating:

Spoiler

Also important with the seating; they recline. Front row or back row, it doesn't matter where you're at for you can adjust your seat accordingly. The average theater has 150 or so seats...Marcus had 60.

Picture a food court as your food choices; pizza, burgers, fries, ice cream...all available for you to purchase and enjoy while watching your movie.

Brand new projectors and brand new sound system.

And the best part? The prices haven't gone up compared to the regular theaters in the area (the food was a bit spendy; a 16" double topping sausage pizza was $17 but that's pretty good considering it fed two people)! Now granted, I have to drive 30 minutes to get here (ironically, past two other theaters in the process) but that was such a great experience that I may have to start seeing more movies in the theater again...

So I ask you Escapist members, if you've stopped going to movie theaters, would this get you to go back? If you still go to the theater often, would you drive farther to get to one like this? Or is this not enough anyways?

 

[Heronblade]

Yes, I can say that such a change would most likely get me to go to the theatre more often.

Of course, right now I only go perhaps twice a year, so that isn't saying much.

 

[Uhura]

Nah, I go to movies for movies, not for the extra stuff. The theater I usually visit (for movie archive stuff) doesn't sell anything but tickets (no popcorn, no candy, no beverages) and I haven't had any issues with it. People can bring their own soda/candy if they want to, but most don't bother.

If this option existed where I live, I would obviously try it out. I just don't see the appeal. I wouldn't want to hear people eat their burgers/pizza during the quiet parts of the movie and I think eating in the dark would be inconvenient. If you spill something, you wouldn't be able to pause the movie to go tidy yourself up. And the seats would get pretty icky quickly since people would get ice cream/pizza sauce/hamburger mayo etc. all over them (unless the theater had a special cleaning staff for the rooms where you can eat that stuff). Plus the cacophony of food odors might be a bit off-putting. Nah.... I'm not sold. I can eat pizza and lie down when I watch movies at home.

A good way to get me to visit theaters more often would be offering a wider selection of movies.

 

[Scarim Coral]

I would probably do it a couple of time since I know for a fact that my mate (who I go to the cinema with) would never take that option due to cost wise (I read that part that it cost the same except the food which he wouldn't afford) meaning I may take that option when I'm watching a film by myself (however my bro and my uncle who I also go to the cinema with may take that option).
In saying so I am happy the way it is now.

 

[Hero of Lime]

I would try it out at least once, but I don't really care for going to the movies much anymore. I would probably end up enjoying the seats and food more than most movies to be honest.

 

[Private Custard]

Already gone better than this. Gold class in Auckland.

Saee recliners (with larger spacing between them), same decent audio/visual experience, only 30 seats. And, most importantly, to-seat waiter service. Any food or drink (including beer/wine/spirits). Push the button and a man comes to take your order. Food can also be ordered beforehand, so you can have things arrive at certain times throughout the movie!!

I can't see myself enjoying the shitty cinemas we have here in the UK again, with the overpriced confectionary, stale popcorn smell and legroom that makes Ryanair look generous!

 

[loc978]

There's a similar theater called "Cinetopia" in Vancouver, WA (two, I guess... and one in Beaverton, OR plus one in... Kansas City? MO or KS, not sure [http://www.cinetopia.com/]) with a wait staff, gourmet food delivered to your seat and excellent alcoholic beverages... but it's still a movie theater, so they still pack in people entirely too close (double the room of an ordinary theater is still way too cramped for me. I require my own couch). Plus, it's expensive as all hell.

No, I prefer this place: http://www.mcmenamins.com/1300-kennedy-school-theater ...it's an elementary school gym from 1915 (closed as a school in 1975) that's been fitted with a theater screen and sound system, and all of the furniture is living room stuff they've picked up over the years. Much more comfortable, and though the food isn't as good, the drinks are better and going there costs about 80% less than Cinetopia.
Mind you, they get movies a few weeks late, too... but I only go to the movies when people drag me out anyway... I prefer to watch at home. Kennedy School is about as close as a theater can get to that.

Also, these are not new things... Cinetopia has been around a few years, I think I went there in... 2007? 2009? Something like that. Kennedy School theater has been open since... 1997? Maybe a little later. I didn't start going there until I turned 21, in 2002.

 

[prowll]

Depends. Are they going to start making decent movies again?

 

[Callate]

We've got Cinetopia in our area. A little more expensive (though we usually find special offers online through sites like Groupon that make it comparable) but definitely more comfortable, and the care they take in audio-visual quality tends to knock shoebox chain theaters like most of the Regals out of the park. Pity the food is kind of overpriced. When we go and actually get food and drinks, it's a bit of a splurge, but for the big blockbusters I'd say it's worth it to feel so pampered.

 

[yamy]

The comfort to me makes no difference. As long as the seats aren't made out of wooden spikes I'm fairly happy.

Just a plain normal (fake) leather seat is good enough for me because I don't really expect comfort in a public space - if I cared about comfort more than the film then I would've just stayed at home and curled up in my blankets.

Sound though. Sound is something that I would gladly pay extra/go to cinema for. A good sound system isn't something that can be had at home on the cheap (at least $1500+ for a decent system), and even good headphones ($300+) doesn't give you that feeling that certain genres of movie requires (the deep bass rumble, explosions etc).

Something else that would attract me to go into cinema is the people. I've recently gotten into more indie films lately and there's a small-mid size cinema near me that shows more indie/smaller budget films, and it;s good to know you're watching a film with people than appreciates them as much as you do rather than with the standard blockbuster crowd (not to say there's anything wrong with blockbusters, of course, bar the crying/whiny kids).

 

[Yopaz]

I don't really go to theatres except for movies I've greatly anticipated, but there is in fact a similar thing not too far away from here. Small screening room which makes the screen easier to see even in the back without making it too big for those in the front. Comfy seats (not sure if they recline), but they serve wine there.

For those rare occasions that I do go to see movies I'd say this would be my preferred choice.

Depends. Are they going to start making decent movies again?

You should test out the theatre I'm talking about. Because of the wine you won't actually care that the movie sucks.

 

[Vegosiux]

Maybe, but only if I can see it lift a building in a single bound!

Wait, you didn't mean that kind of "super". Well, when they start making interesting movies again, I might go to the theater more often, I suppose. And well, when I have company for it.

 

[Dascylus]

Yes, I can accept a small price increase for comfort.
I am tall, my friend is big. Other friends are also big. I lack elbow and leg room in every theatre I attend.

A local cinema has a VIP salon which is also not too much more expensive and really comfy with a private bar you can sit and wait in before you go in.
It has an 18 restriction so alcohol is served and pissy noisy bratty shitty little teenagers are out.

If I could I would go VIP every time but they only have on VIP screen and whoever is choosing the movies is thick.
Avengers got rotated out pretty quickly.

 

[Username Redacted]

Unless the amenities include a setup where I'm basically watching the movie without any interference from the other patrons then I don't care what the theater offers as far as food or seating goes and I certainly wouldn't pay more for it. There isn't a single theater in my area that I can think of that doesn't have food options near it that a theater has no hope of matching. I'm not so starved for time or flush with cash that I feel the need to eat during my movie. Worse case scenario is that the food gets smuggled in.

You know what actually gets me into a theater these days? Good movies.
You know what there haven't been many of lately? Good movies.

I would also appreciate theaters that have more proactive ushers/security. More than once I've gotten stuck with an entire family sitting behind me where the children (usually too young to be watching the movie) are translating the entire fucking movie for their parents. I cannot emphasize enough how irritating this is and how much it ruins the movie going experience. The fact that theaters give (already got your money) approximately zero fucks about this sort of thing is a problem.

 

[Nouw]

My only concern is that it'd be a bit loud, what with everyone eating and all. Can someone confirm or deny this?

Fun fact: most cinemas get no money from selling tickets, only from the food and drink they sell - that's why it's so overpriced - that's why the tickets weren't as expensive, and also probably why their food court was so extensive.

Does this mean they have no control over the the ticket prices or..?

 

[Alcamonic]

I saw the latest Bond movie in one of these more fancy theaters. Price was double the normal fee (about 300 Swedish = roughly 45 US dollar), popcorn, drink and some candy was free though.

I did very much enjoy the large area for my legs to really stretch out, being a tall guy that is my major issue with normal cramped saloons.

But the experience was somewhat meh though (as well as the movie).

 

[Ihateregistering1]

Honestly, nice seats, sound systems, and a great food court are all fantastic, but I'd REALLY pay more to go to a movie theater that didn't allow children into anything except kid's movies, and actually goes out of it's way enforce noise codes.

The last place I lived was AWFUL about people bringing their kids (babies included!) into R and PG-13 movies, and the theater wouldn't do anything when people would talk on their cell phones during the movie.

 

[The_Great_Galendo]

Fun fact: most cinemas get no money from selling tickets, only from the food and drink they sell - that's why it's so overpriced - that's why the tickets weren't as expensive, and also probably why their food court was so extensive.

Does this mean they have no control over the the ticket prices or..?

I think the idea is that, especially on opening weekend, something like 70% of ticket sales go to the movie producer and only 30% to the theater. So in order to make an extra dollar per sale, they'd have to raise the ticket price by about %3.50, which would tick off moviegoers and probably cost them more in decreased attendance than they'd make in increased revenue.

 

[tippy2k2]

Honestly, nice seats, sound systems, and a great food court are all fantastic, but I'd REALLY pay more to go to a movie theater that didn't allow children into anything except kid's movies, and actually goes out of it's way enforce noise codes.

The last place I lived was AWFUL about people bringing their kids (babies included!) into R and PG-13 movies, and the theater wouldn't do anything when people would talk on their cell phones during the movie.

That is an excellent idea.

While adults can be dipshits who seem to think that NOW is the time he should be texting with his friend, it seems to be the youth that have that light shining from their seat like a beacon in the night.

I know a few movie theaters in my area do this (they have 21+ times when you can get yourself a beer with your movie) but it would be an interesting option to a standard theater.

 

[likalaruku]

$5 says those chairs never ever get washed. EVER.