topic Re: Have Movie Theaters Been Replaced in Community Chat

Have Movie Theaters Been Replaced

Jordan2 — Mon, 18 May 2020 01:08:06 GMT

Since movies are now being released on platforms where you can watch from your sofa, do you think theaters are obsolete? I don't know if people will come back to theaters for fear of being in close contact with other people. I heard talk of bringing drive ins back. I don't know if theaters will ever recover.

Re: Have Movie Theaters Been Replaced

on the bay — Mon, 18 May 2020 01:15:35 GMT

@Jordan2 -

I think so too. I used to enjoy going to special ones especially with the theaters you could order like at a restaurant and really comfortable chairs but even before the virus, it started becoming not such a great experience-dirtier theater, and you had to figure a way to not have the waiters interrupt the movie get out the card etc etc.

Plus the large amount of money for anything but the ticket.

I like to watch at home where I can pause it if I want to.

Re: Have Movie Theaters Been Replaced

Bhvbum — Mon, 18 May 2020 01:15:42 GMT

There are just some movies meant for a theater, the last Star Wars good example. I want to see the new James Bond movie in a theater.

The problem is going somewhere and sitting in close quarters is a real turn-off. Especially now we are getting a better idea of how this virus is so easily spread.

Re: Have Movie Theaters Been Replaced

ROMARY — Mon, 18 May 2020 01:20:22 GMT

I've been wishing for drive-ins for thirty or more years.

It was fun, going with family or groups friends on nice summer evenings.

Trouble is, I'm guessing that land is very expensive in some areas.

In other areas where land is plentiful, I would probably be one to open a drive-in business.

Wouldn't be a huge investment, if one owned extra land somewhere. All that would be needed are microphones and a concession stand with delivering wait staff, and, of course, sanitary bathrooms with an attendant.

Well, the bathrooms could be a problem now, but later on, when everyone is healthy and virus-free, it would be a great investment. Imo

Well, maybe someone in the world will think of something better re: drive-in theaters.

Re: Have Movie Theaters Been Replaced

deepwaterdotter — Mon, 18 May 2020 01:23:24 GMT

I wonder if going to the cinema might become a more expensive, elaborate event. Perhaps private boxes with couches or recliners, and servers who take your order for a meal or snacks.

Re: Have Movie Theaters Been Replaced

Tinkerbell3 — Mon, 18 May 2020 01:28:05 GMT

No. Going to the theatre is an experience (size/sound) and, it won't be replaced by being at home! Movies are streaming now because of Covid-19. Netflix has been releasing very good films though!

Re: Have Movie Theaters Been Replaced

Bhvbum — Mon, 18 May 2020 01:33:58 GMT

@deepwaterdotter wrote:
I wonder if going to the cinema might become a more expensive, elaborate event. Perhaps private boxes with couches or recliners, and servers who take your order for a meal or snacks.

So funny, what goes around comes around, like the Boxes people had for the theater and opera years ago for the aristocrats. But might really be a good idea, the only trouble is theaters are alot smaller these days and renting a box would be expensive.

A box in an old theater held 5-6 seats and folks would rent them for a season.

Re: Have Movie Theaters Been Replaced

Anonymous032819 — Mon, 18 May 2020 02:39:30 GMT

Not everybody has a 72 inch tv with stereo surround sound to watch movies on.

Seating will be a butt in every other seat, and every other row blocked off.

Re: Have Movie Theaters Been Replaced

Tessa Mendoza — Mon, 18 May 2020 01:39:00 GMT

While we used to love going to the movies, that hasn't been the case for years now.

Too many people close together, coughers, hoping no one with a big head sits right in front of you, having to get up or have an a*s in your face every time some one wants to go outside for food or bathroom, etc,

Once the huge TVs came out, all you need is a big ol' comfy sofa or chair, a popcorn maker and cold drink and you were set. You could even pause your movie.

But....I do agree that some movies were just made for the big screen and there is something to be said for enjoying a great film together with a crowd.

I think movie theaters were kind of becoming obsolete even before the virus. Now I think even frequent movie-goers are going to be wary of returning till a vaccine is here.

It's kind of sad, isn't it?

Re: Have Movie Theaters Been Replaced

Meowingkitty — Mon, 18 May 2020 01:41:06 GMT

Theaters won't go away because not everyone wants to sit in a hot car to watch a movie. Where I live (Arizona) there are many weeks where the temperature is well above 100 way past midnight. And I'm not going to waste gas sitting In my car with the engine running for two hours with the a/c on. Now in winter a drive in might be fine.

Re: Have Movie Theaters Been Replaced

Sooner — Mon, 18 May 2020 01:55:31 GMT

In my world movies have been replaced. I haven't seen but maybe 2 or 3 movies worth seeing in many years. Fantasy, sci-fi, junior-high-school humor. . . not much that appeals to us any more.

Re: Have Movie Theaters Been Replaced

nana59 — Mon, 18 May 2020 01:56:03 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
Since movies are now being released on platforms where you can watch from your sofa, do you think theaters are obsolete? I don't know if people will come back to theaters for fear of being in close contact with other people. I heard talk of bringing drive ins back. I don't know if theaters will ever recover.

2 drive-ins opened up in my home state of RI this weekend....glad to see them back!

Re: Have Movie Theaters Been Replaced

nana59 — Mon, 18 May 2020 02:00:15 GMT

@ROMARY wrote:
I've been wishing for drive-ins for thirty or more years.

It was fun, going with family or groups friends on nice summer evenings.

Trouble is, I'm guessing that land is very expensive in some areas.
In other areas where land is plentiful, I would probably be one to open a drive-in business.

Wouldn't be a huge investment, if one owned extra land somewhere. All that would be needed are microphones and a concession stand with delivering wait staff, and, of course, sanitary bathrooms with an attendant.
Well, the bathrooms could be a problem now, but later on, when everyone is healthy and virus-free, it would be a great investment. Imo

Well, maybe someone in the world will think of something better re: drive-in theaters.

there are a couple of drive-in theaters here in RI....they opened up this weekend...capacity was limited...but they were sold out!

Re: Have Movie Theaters Been Replaced

Janey2 — Mon, 18 May 2020 02:10:55 GMT

drive in theaters are opening again. So far they are showing family movies and are selling out at each showing

Re: Have Movie Theaters Been Replaced

Drythe — Mon, 18 May 2020 02:18:59 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
Since movies are now being released on platforms where you can watch from your sofa, do you think theaters are obsolete? I don't know if people will come back to theaters for fear of being in close contact with other people. I heard talk of bringing drive ins back. I don't know if theaters will ever recover.

Movie theaters have been out for me for a long time.

Most available here are nasty, just nasty. People yacking all the way through, folks on electronics text, games, w/ lights and noise, people bringing in take out, fried fish, kimchi, trading places, getting up constantly.

Last one, a family of four came in 20 min. after feature started, asked DH, Dad, and me to stand up to let them in, the theater was 1/2 empty, wife stopped front of me while I was still standing to take off coat, Sunny, age

8 - 11 went out to 3 times, requiring us to stand, rather than disturb his family. His request to us each time, “let me out,” 4th time I said, “No, go around.”

I was finished way pre- virus.

Re: Have Movie Theaters Been Replaced

stevieb — Mon, 18 May 2020 03:30:50 GMT

I haven't been in ages so don't miss them... Movie theaters started to tank when the whole multiplex nonsense took off, with cheap construction small screens, walls so thin you could hear the film playing in the theater next door and so on... I wish they'd go back to big theaters with balconies, big screens, beautiful velvet curtains that opened when the film started and all the bells and whistles... Of course, the ridiculous price of admission to the movies not even to mention the concession prices might also have something to do with them not returning to favor if that should happen...

Re: Have Movie Theaters Been Replaced

patbz — Mon, 18 May 2020 02:23:16 GMT

DH and I were talking about movie theaters or????not an hour ago. We feel that they will become few and far between. We have Netflix, Prime, and recently added HBO and Disney. Depending on what happens around us in the next year, we may remember movie theaters fondly and maybe also add Showtime. My "childhood theatre, the Silver (in Silver Spring) was rescued from the wrecking ball (largely through the efforts of my former classmate, Ben Stein) and became an AFI showcase for classic films. It brings back fond memories every time I'm back "home"; maybe something wonderful will come of this mess when it comes to theatres?

Re: Have Movie Theaters Been Replaced

msclassylady717 — Mon, 18 May 2020 02:28:30 GMT

A few days/weeks ago (lost track of exact time) heard on our local news that they are gonna put a drivein theater in St. Augustine, Fl., they did mentioned that there would be a limit of people allowed in each car.

Mom and a cousin that lived in Brentwood, Long Island .... back in the 60s, we went to spend the weekend with them. They held Sunday Mass in the drive-in .. it was great, we all piled in the station wagon in our pj's for church ... lol We thought that was the greatest thing.

Re: Have Movie Theaters Been Replaced

beach-mom — Mon, 18 May 2020 02:34:10 GMT

DS worked at our local theater during high school and college breaks when he was home. It has reserved seats that recline and are really comfortable. There aren't many seats as it is - when they converted the theater they lost the number of seats per showing room. The restrooms are always clean, and you can take only food purchased there inside. (We never have, unless it's papcorn and soda or water.) They clean the theaters between showings.

I agree with other posters - there are some movies you want to see on the big screen. Recenly our theater was sponsoring special showings of older movies and TV shows too. DD and I went to some of those.

They will have to make changes. I don't know how, and I don't know if I want to watch a movie with a mask on my face, no popcorn, and no drinks.

Drive in movies are a great idea. We don't have any around us. There was one nearby, but it closed long before we moved here. We always pass a big one when we travel to visit DH's family that is not far from them in a very rural area. I imagine they're doing a big business.

I wonder if we will see more of them being built, or do you think they might tear down struggling shopping centers/malls to do something like this?

Re: Have Movie Theaters Been Replaced

tansy — Mon, 18 May 2020 03:10:55 GMT

I can't imagine enjoying a movie at the drive-in theater at this point in my life.

Truth is I am rarely excited about seeing any of the movies being produced.