I think that the commercials and previews of coming attractions are played prior to the feature presentation(s) in movie theatres to benefit any late-comers who straggle into the movie theatre.

The only trouble with going to a grocery store for snacks prior to entering a movie theatre is that many, if not most movie theatres ban bringing in food from outside.

To each their own, but watching a movie at home, whether one has an expensive, elaborate home-entertainment system is never, ever the same as seeing a movie on a great big, wide screen, in a real movie theatre, with the lights down low. Sometimes I go to movies with family and/or friends, but I often go solo, as well. It's agreed, however, that concession stands can be and often are a rip-off. Even the more independent, non-profit movie theatres overcharge for their concessions, whether they're healthy or not. What I often try to do, however, is to have a substantial bite to eat (preferably a meal.) prior to attending an evening showing of a film so that I don't feel the need to go to the concession stand. If, however, I'm running late, I'll generally buy a small thing of unbuttered popcorn, to tide me over until after the movie. Popcorn is okay for you, and also has fiber in it, and has been endorsed by the American Dental Association as well.

While your article succinctly points out some of the problems that can and do crop up in movie theatres, it also depends on the kind of movie theatre one goes to, the location of the theatre, the kind of clientele a movie theatre draws in, but most importantly, it depends on management, as well as the overall quality of movies that are being shown in a given movie theatre(s). For me, nothing beats seeing a wonderful movie (especially one of the great, golden oldie-but-keeper classic films) on a great, big wide screen, in a real movie theatre, with the lights down low, and sharing the experience with a whole bunch of other people, whether one knows them or not! Some movie theatres (there's one in my area.) will not allow children under the age of 8 years old into their evening showings, due to their propensity for making a lot of noise. Sure, watching a movie on TV can be enjoyable, but it still fails to beat seeing it in a real movie theatre. I have also noticed that in theatres that show better-quality, more interesting movies, that the problems that you've brought up in your article, plus more, such as cellphone use/texting, etc., tend to occur far less often. Holding yearly memberships to the two independent movie theatres in my area of residence has been of tremendous help to me. Not only can I get into a movie in those particular theatres on a considerable discount, but they show all kinds of really interesting movies, including older classic films. Moreover, on rare occasions where I've observed a patron near me cellphone texting, talking, etc., I've managed to get a person to stop just by speaking up politely and matter-of-factly. Texting and cellphone use, generally, is rather distracting, with the small, bright lights that are emitted by cellphones/smartphones, and rather inconsiderate of others who've more than likely paid good money to see a film that they've wanted to see, and not to be distracted. The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, which originated somewhere in Texas, but now has other theatres cropping up in other parts of the country (how I wish Boston would get an Alamo Draft House!), has a zero-tolerance policy towards texting and cell-phone use generally in their movie theatres. Anybody in the audience who continues to text/talk on their cellphone despite two warnings, gets kicked out of the theatre, with no refund of their money. If more movie theatres had that kind of zero-tolerance policies towards texting/general cellphone use in their theatres, more people would come back to the movie theatres, I'm sure. There's a youtube recording of a young woman who wouldn't stop using her cellphone in an Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, despite two warnings by a theatre staff person, and was kicked out, with no refund of her money. She later responded to her having been thrown out of the Alamo Drafthouse Movie Cinema with an opinion that was laced with expletive after expletive--lots of "blue" language. If you can find it, it's very funny to read. It went viral! I know that I had a good laugh reading/listening to an uncensored version of it, and felt that the young woman who persisted on texting and using her cellphone in the movie theatre despite warnings and ultimately got expelled with no refund of her money, totally had it coming to her.

I can get them here for five bucks.

This is the worst expose on movie theaters I have read this week.

I totally agree with you Laura!

The thing I love about movies personally isn't necessarily the movie itself, but the experience.  If I just want to see a movie, I will watch it online or buy the DVD. But to me, going to the movies is about being with your friends.  Posing with posters, racing the arcade cars, sharing popcorn, or laughing when the movie is bad. The prices I pay are well worth the memories.

I love movie theaters. Eerything about them. Everything except people who unwrap noisy plastic in the middle of a scene or those who bring their little babies who suddenly start crying (usually in the middle of the most important scene)...Anyway, I really liked your piece- it made me think of somethig I hadn't thought about in a while :)

I absolutely love movie theaters. But I also agree with your article. Movie theaters are so expensive and to top it off, they are sometimes dirty and disgusting. Good work.

great piece, and i know what you mean...personally, i love going tot the movies, but so much is getting so annoying...like prices and the couple one row ahead of you tht ends up making out....not soemthing you want to see, especially if you happen to know them....but overall, great idea =]

 

--BriarRose

I love the movies 'cause you have this big awsome screen infront of you and this greasy, buttery bucket of popcorn, but the babies crying, the tall guy sitting infront of you, someone talking on the phone behind you, or your freind holding her hands over her ears and peeking out every so often on the world's leats-scariest horror film ever.... *Breath* now thats the worst, I mean how can you ENJOY that?!?

I LOVE movies theatures and movies in general. Theres just something wonderful about the dark and dirty theature with its red seats and hords of strangers all going to try to enjoy the same movie. I LOVE movie theatures just the way they are:)

The best movie theater is in your dreams.

But really.

Advertising and corporate america hit movie theaters a while back. I agree that it is not exactly a cleansing or cheap fun anymore, but that doesn't mean all movie theatres have to be like that. There are a lot of small independent theaters around (if you look) that give a more vintage feel to moviegoing. Perhaps if you try that out you'll have more fun watching movies on the big screen!

I think that the best movie theater would be in your own house, your own basement, with your own tv, and your own yummy popcorn. :)

try going to a more "luxury" theater

well when evr i go to the movies lol i just go to watch or to get into a fight lol

I totally agree with you. While movie theatres are a great place to meet friends, it is so expensive. The description, "a dark scary room of death" was creative, humorous, and made me want to continue reading. You are completely right when you said, "the concession stand is an ultimate rip off." It makes perfect sense to go to a grocery store or in your case, Rite Aid, and buy popcorn, drinks, and candy for half the price than at the concession stand. You do have a few grammatical errors in your writing. For example, you are suppose to write out the numbers one through ninety-nine. You also misspelled Rite Aid. However, you did an execellent job at getting your point across. Continue to post your opinions about other topics. I enjoyed this writing.

that was really funny haha it made me laugh. but i didnt get the part where you put "sketchy steeps." some of your reasons didnt really make sense at all, but yeah it was pretty funny. next time try to make it a little more clear instead of mixing ideas that dont really go together. oh and good job!

Really funny I've got to say but that last part with the wet spot on the seat doesn't seem too common and the 8 bucks for the ticket is no more (so sad)