Is The Cinema Dead?

[peter]

Later today I will watch my first Netflix produced movie, Okja, which was boo'd at it's premiere in Cannes last month, not as a result of it's quality [the film received a standing ovation at it's conclusion], but due to it's producers disdain for general release of their works into cinemas.The film was given only the minimal cinema release that would qualify it for inclusion into The Cannes Film Festival, but like most other Netflix products, has gone pretty much straight onto the Netflix streaming service, for domestic viewing in the home. Just days before I had noticed that Empire, the UK's top specialist film monthly, had begun to include Netflix and Amazon straight to streaming movies in the 'forthcoming release' section of their magazines, and with the increasing presence of big-name Hollywood stars in these products, it begins to look as though a sea-change in what we understand a 'movie' to be may well be on the way.
With cinema auditoriums becoming ever more expensive to run, maintain, and keep up to speed in terms of the technical advances of film-making - and home-cinema systems getting more advanced in leaps and bounds [and falling in price to boot] it seems likely that, even against the wishes of an old-guard audience of cinema going enthusiasts like myself, the writing may be on the wall for the cinema auditorium as the venue into which new movies are released. Given the power that Netflix and Amazon have in terms of their ability to both fund and distribute the new films, it seems inevitable that it is they who will be able to attract the big names - and ultimately make them themselves - and set the agenda for the direction that the industry follows. Any thoughts?

[aTOMiC]

Was thinking this very thing back about 15 years ago.

I've been surprised to find that, locally at least, theater attendance hasn't changed much.

I've also resigned myself to the idea that the theater experience can't be duplicated at home, at least not entirely. There something about theater's communal nature that still makes it unique.

[peter]

Agreed, the group experience element of the thing will always be part of the pleasure, but business tends not to care much about what the customer wants if it can achieve greater profit by forcing a change in behaviour - and let's face it, the younger generation are half-way there already in terms of their viewing habits.

[Hashi Lebwohl]

Not yet because most people cannot get the visual or sound quality a cinema can provide at home, unless they feel like spending anywhere from $1,000 up to $20,000 for a large OLED TV and another couple of hundred on theater-quality speakers for their system.

Many theaters are now also "dinner and a movie" places so you can order your dinner to eat while you are enjoying your show in their overstuffed reclining seats, many of which also allow you to raise the feet for increased comfort. This is how we normally enjoy our movies.

Except for the last one, of course. We went to a drive-in. Yes, a drive-in. I haven't been to a drive-in theater in probably 40 years. The food wasn't as good as Movie Tavern but the overall experience was quite enjoyable.

[Avatar]

It's dead for me. I knew it was dead for me as soon as I realised I wasn't going to bother watching "The Force Awakens" at the cinema.

Perhaps I'm just not a communal person, but watching something in the comfort of my own home is a far more pleasant experience than going to the movies.

It's certainly going to hang on for a long time though...apart from anything else, in places like this, far fewer people have access to things like Netflix for example.

--A

[aTOMiC]

Seeing a film in a theater isn't only about viewing the movie to me. Its an event. Its something out of the ordinary that you do.

I have a terrific home setup. 60" LED Smart TV, great sound system, comfortable seating, bluray, streaming etc. The movie's I've watched (Dr. Strange was the last one) that I didn't get the chance to see at the theater, I have thoroughly enjoyed at home. My film library is extensive and what I don't have I can get easily. There are no barriers.

However nothing I do at home can replace the theater experience.
There is an additional level of subtle energy and excitement produced by going to the movies that is absent when translated to familiar surroundings, no matter how comfortable and technologically effective they are.

Its not quite on par but its at least similar to the difference between watching a football game on television and experiencing it sitting in the front row on the 50 yard line at the stadium.

I realize most of it is psychological but it doesn't matter much to me.

In the future when theaters finally die out I will miss them.

[High Lord Tolkien]

I'm always torn by this discussion. I like going to the movies with the popcorn and a giant free refill diet coke.....mmmmmm.
But it's so damn expensive.

I like the crowds but I don't like people sitting next to me because I get up often for refills....and because of that bathroom breaks....

I find that when I watch it at home I care less about the movie. I can pause it, get distracted and my home isn't any different so maybe it's not as exciting.

I also can't figure out how these movies make the money that they do because unless I go the Fri night or Sat that the movie opens I find that the movie theater is usually pretty empty on Sun and even less people the following weekend.

[Zarathustra]

I'll go to a theater for an experience I can't replicate at home--like Peter Jackson's enhanced frame rate for the Hobbit movies--but most of the experience, like texting teenagers, I can easily replicated at home. And I can drink beer at home.

[Avatar]

Yeah, or smoke a joint.

--A

[peter]

Takes me all of my time to follow the films as it is, what with their convoluted plots and often mumbled dialogue, never mind being wasted at the same time!

[Avatar]

Well, to be honest I'm not much into movies these days. Would much rather play a game or read a book. Movies seem like a waste of time. 'Bout the only thing I really seem to watch these days are documentaries.

--A

[Zarathustra]

No one said anything about being wasted. If it doesn't enhance the experience, then you're not doing it right.

[peter]

Off topic I know, but the milder forms of hash seem to be not so much available these days - it's all 'skunk' or the like; stuff that tears your brains out of your head and stuffs them up your ****. When I was young a little spliff of Morrocan would give you a lovely mild hit that you could happily go and see your dad while experiencing and him be none the wiser. The stuff they smoke now would have had mine reaching for the telephone to call for the men in white coats!

[Avatar]

Smoke less. These days a couple of puffs is enough for me.

--A

[peter]

I stopped a long time ago Av. Don't miss it a bit!

[sgt.null]

I like going to matinees during school days.
sometimes I am the only one in the theater.

I miss Blockbuster.

[peter]

Give me a clue as to your thinking here Sarge - what time would you cite as true examples of blockbusters?

[sgt.null]

the movie rental place. sorry about that.
they did not have them where you are I am guessing.

[peter]

Yes Sarge, they did - it was just so long ago I'd forgotten!

[Sorus]

I like going to matinees during school days.
sometimes I am the only one in the theater.

I miss Blockbuster.

I don't like being the only one in the theater, but I like it when it's empty enough that I have a little island of personal space. One nice thing about the current level of tech is I can check my local theater and see how crowded it will be.