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Cinemas and Theaters - Are They on their Last Legs?

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  • Cinemas and Theaters - Are They on their Last Legs?

    Special "mucho very thank yous" to Rob for the OK for this thread! Part of this subject was inspired by a discussion awhile back on DERP that I'd read.

    On the way back from watching Machete Saturday night, my wife and I were talking about our local Blockbuster's impending demise, as well as Netflix making a killing, etc. During our discussion, Jen mentioned that, since Blockbuster is sort of the last video and DVD store,and Netflix can deliver films straight to your computer or TV, like OnDemand does, when will movie studios decide to just bypass theaters and DVDs completely and just make new films available for download the day of release?

    I thought this was a pretty cool idea, and would likely be a damn sight cheaper than dropping $20 for two people to go to the movies (not counting all the costs for food, gas, etc.). Plus, I reasoned, it'd also save the studios a fuckton of money as they wouldn't have to sweat DVD production costs.

    I'm of the firm belief that, while it may not happen right away, with the advances in TV and computer technology, I could be looking at the death of the multiplex in my lifetime.

    What do you think? Think cinemas will be around for another couple of decades? Think they're going to be gone within a few years? What say you?

  • #2
    I'd fucking kill not to have to go the theater for the most part. I'd see way more movies "opening weekend" as it were if this was the case. The only reason I dig going to the theater still is the goddamn popcorn and for 3d flicks.
    "Looking like Nic Cage dressed in Kurt Cobain's closet. I mean that as a compliment" - BillyG

    "Too cunty for wine bars, too dainty for real bars." - Anderson

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    • #3
      I was able to watch "Survival of the Dead" on instant and it was worth it. I would have been bummed out in the theater but at home it was worth the 10 bucks I spent to download it.
      "Looking like Nic Cage dressed in Kurt Cobain's closet. I mean that as a compliment" - BillyG

      "Too cunty for wine bars, too dainty for real bars." - Anderson

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      • #4
        You really don't want this. Not with the current studio heads at Universal, FOX and LionsGate
        My readers come to me for my thoughts and opinions. I've built myself into a brand


        Click here to visit AndersonVision!

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        • #5
          Meaning?
          "Looking like Nic Cage dressed in Kurt Cobain's closet. I mean that as a compliment" - BillyG

          "Too cunty for wine bars, too dainty for real bars." - Anderson

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          • #6
            Only go to the theater for special movies and/or date night. Waste of money for the most part to me.
            Touch it. Touch my fuzziness! It's like petting a kitten!
            Now drop the pants and take the bacon!
            POUTINE AND CELINE DION FOR EVERYONE!!!!

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            • #7
              Same here. I used to go the theater every weekend. I'd see 2-3 flicks a week that way. Now it's not worth the money, hassle, etc.
              "Looking like Nic Cage dressed in Kurt Cobain's closet. I mean that as a compliment" - BillyG

              "Too cunty for wine bars, too dainty for real bars." - Anderson

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by Abraham Smashington View Post
                Meaning?

                They're not going to hear it as:

                "We want an OnDemand In-Home Distribution of Cinema Releases"


                They're going to hear it as:

                "We want a premium at-home service for new releases where we pay twice the ticket price. Also, the studios are given the right to determine what releases actually make it to this service. They also can change their minds at any time and hike rates when they feel like it. Also, if they have a film they like that isn't doing well...they'll make it regular theater only. Hell, if they just want to be dicks and push films off the new system...they'll do it too. Also, they want 25 dollars a viewing. They changed their minds again."


                The economics of the theatrical circuit are fucked and they've been fucked since the 70s.
                My readers come to me for my thoughts and opinions. I've built myself into a brand


                Click here to visit AndersonVision!

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                • #9
                  Good point. Hmms. So where is the middle ground here?
                  "Looking like Nic Cage dressed in Kurt Cobain's closet. I mean that as a compliment" - BillyG

                  "Too cunty for wine bars, too dainty for real bars." - Anderson

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Why not? For $4 - $5 bucks I can download flicks via OnDemand, and can watch the same movie for 24 hours, burn it to a DVD, etc.

                    Will prices get jacked up? Yeah I'd be a fool not to believe they wouldn't, but those costs would drop after a bit (look at videotapes. Used to cost upwards of $100 for new releases, but those prices dropped dramatically over time).

                    ETA: Ruckus raises some valid points, and I wish I was faster on my response!

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                    • #11
                      Its got to hit critical mass at some point. If people cant afford it, they can't afford it.
                      Touch it. Touch my fuzziness! It's like petting a kitten!
                      Now drop the pants and take the bacon!
                      POUTINE AND CELINE DION FOR EVERYONE!!!!

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        I'm almost at that stage now - $10 a ticket is fuckin' nuts when for $20 I can own the damn thing three months later, or wait six months and watch it for free on HBO.

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                        • #13
                          We only go to the theater if it's before noon. fuck 10+ bucks a ticket for some shitty theater with asshole people in it.
                          "Looking like Nic Cage dressed in Kurt Cobain's closet. I mean that as a compliment" - BillyG

                          "Too cunty for wine bars, too dainty for real bars." - Anderson

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Abraham Smashington View Post
                            We only go to the theater if it's before noon. fuck 10+ bucks a ticket for some shitty theater with asshole people in it.
                            That is why I haven't seen Machete or Inception.
                            Touch it. Touch my fuzziness! It's like petting a kitten!
                            Now drop the pants and take the bacon!
                            POUTINE AND CELINE DION FOR EVERYONE!!!!

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              I'm usually the same way, Rob, but matinee prices have been going up in my neck of the woods as of late to the point where there's no discernable difference price wise from an afternoon or evening showing.

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