.

[Edited 7/26/12 13:38pm]

ufoclub said:

heartbeatocean said:

I am in love with cinema as an art form, and that means light permeating a piece of celluloid projected onto a giant screen in the dark. I almost never watch movies in other contexts. I don't own a TV. My favorite is watching silent movies in a movie palace with a live orchestra, which happens regularly where I live. I have a home movie theater in my loft -- a video projector which produces a very large image on a wall. But even then, I rarely use it because I prefer the theater experience.

Movies have gotten really expensive, but I don't mind paying because I'd rather support them than watch them continue to disappear.

I miss the old days when some of the 70's blockbusters were kept by their creators away from any other venue but a movie theater.

1977's "Star Wars" one the biggest game changers and and was held from home video until 5 years after it's theatrical release. "E.T." took about 6 years. Those movies held onto a high value in the minds of fans despite the chance to make even more money through alternative forms of watching them being available (like network tv). They wanted them to be special. Only on the big screen.

Arguably, now with surround sound and big HD tv's, we are getting cinematic quality, but there is also a lot of value to the act of going to a venue, joining a crowd of strangers, getting the popcorn, etc.

For those blockbusters, the actof waiting in line was part of the fun, just like a music concert.

I couldn't agree more.

I don't go as often as I used to, but for certain movies you just HAVE to see it on the big screen, or it's not the same.

the ticket/food are insanely expensive these days, and the scripts are getting worse:

-I don't like how the current directors stage action sequences (saw the trailer of Total Recall yesterday and it looked like crap, in fact, many people booed), I'm a fan of the action cinema of the 80's and 90's, but I like only a few action/adventure movies of the 00's (the first Pirates, Casino Royale, Apocalypto, Lord of the Rings)

-never liked the drama genre, I don't like mundane stories (though I dig dramas with something to offer, like a doomed gay relationship or a struggling female boxer, you know what movies I'm talking about ), Crash is one of the worst movies I've ever seen

-the thriller/mafia genres are done and redone, the classics were already made a looooong time ago, The Departed was utterly disappointing...American Gangster bored me to tears, and the upcoming gangsta film with Sean Penn looks silly...

-sci-fi still has some life left, and the superhero genre looks indestructible, pun intended, X-Men First Class, Batman, new Spiderman, the Avengers, upcoming Superman, etc

frankly, the only relevant 00's comedy was Borat, in my opinion

-it seems that Hollywood has given up on historical movies, after the Gladiator/Troy craze. Shame...still many great stories left to produce...(Hannibal, Caesar, Napoleon, etc)

-horror genre: fast zombies and teenage vampires. Enough said Hopefully Brad Pitt's World War Zombie will revitalize the genre...

-I'm a fan of the Toy Story trilogy but, for some reason, I dislike the other Pixar movies, the CGI movies for kids look hysterical and unfunny, Ice Age sucks, Shrek was ok...perhaps I'm getting old...but I still like Disney's classics, so...

-conclusion: I'm also one of those guys who has made the transition to DVD/Blu-Ray-Cable-Videoclubs-Youtube-p2p, etc, that means that nowadays I barely go to the cinema, unless we're talking about films like Avatar, Prometheus, Dark Knight Rises or something huge like that...

[Edited 7/26/12 5:56am]

ufoclub said:

I miss the old days when some of the 70's blockbusters were kept by their creators away from any other venue but a movie theater.

1977's "Star Wars" one the biggest game changers and and was held from home video until 5 years after it's theatrical release. "E.T." took about 6 years. Those movies held onto a high value in the minds of fans despite the chance to make even more money through alternative forms of watching them being available (like network tv). They wanted them to be special. Only on the big screen.

I doubt that was the reason: cable/VHS was in its infancy then

and I don't miss those days at all!!!

JoeTyler said:

ufoclub said:

I miss the old days when some of the 70's blockbusters were kept by their creators away from any other venue but a movie theater.

1977's "Star Wars" one the biggest game changers and and was held from home video until 5 years after it's theatrical release. "E.T." took about 6 years. Those movies held onto a high value in the minds of fans despite the chance to make even more money through alternative forms of watching them being available (like network tv). They wanted them to be special. Only on the big screen.

I doubt that was the reason: cable/VHS was in its infancy then

and I don't miss those days at all!!!

I'm also including network tv as the next phase of possible viewing. Other movies were already coming out very soon after theatrical release back then ( I saw The Howling, American Werewolf, Conan, Star Trek 1 & 2, Tron, ALIEN, The Shining all at home within a year or so of their theatrical release). My friends and I were in anticipation of those two movies in particular.

Cable was already a huge way to see movie as early as 1981, because that's how I was seeing everything I wasn't allowed to or couldn't get to in the theaters.

Star Wars was rereleased (maybe twice?) in cinemas instead of coming up on cable and Beta or VHS.

I still remember watching bootlegs of Star Wars and ET on blank black Beta tapes before they were released. Those were instances where a theater owner was paid and someone set up a tripod and a big ole camera/VCR setup and recorded it.

I still see at least one movie a month on the big screen. I try to go when when I know the theater will be more empty.

I saw the movie Ted on the first day and there was a six year old girl sitting next to me.

I've been going to the theater pretty often lately. I like the surround sound, huge screen, cold room,

strangers in the dark feel of it all. I also (sometimes) like to hear/see other people's reactions to

the movie, see what surprises or causes people to laugh, clap, cry etc. I will usually end up talking

to someone I don't know about the movie and how they felt about it.

I don't want any of this when I am watching a movie at my house. If I find a random stranger in my

house things are going to be all kinds of bad.

LadyCasanova said:

I've been going to the theater pretty often lately. I like the surround sound, huge screen, cold room,

strangers in the dark feel of it all. I also (sometimes) like to hear/see other people's reactions to

the movie, see what surprises or causes people to laugh, clap, cry etc. I will usually end up talking

to someone I don't know about the movie and how they felt about it.

I don't want any of this when I am watching a movie at my house. If I find a random stranger in my

house things are going to be all kinds of bad.

Please don't tell me you do this during the film??

There are times (especially in the summer) when I am taking my son to movies once a week.

We go all the time...and if not at the theatre, we are seeing movies at the drive-in.

Stymie said:

I still see at least one movie a month on the big screen. I try to go when when I know the theater will be more empty.

I saw the movie Ted on the first day and there was a six year old girl sitting next to me.

The Sundance in Madison shows films at 10:30 or 11 on Sunday mornings. Perfect time to go.

Genesia said:

Stymie said:

I still see at least one movie a month on the big screen. I try to go when when I know the theater will be more empty.

I saw the movie Ted on the first day and there was a six year old girl sitting next to me.

The Sundance in Madison shows films at 10:30 or 11 on Sunday mornings. Perfect time to go.

I love going that early. I saw The Artist in a completely empty theater.

Stymie said:

Genesia said:

The Sundance in Madison shows films at 10:30 or 11 on Sunday mornings. Perfect time to go.

I love going that early. I saw The Artist in a completely empty theater.

It was pretty empty when I saw The Artist, too. I went with a friend, though.

JustErin said:

There are times (especially in the summer) when I am taking my son to movies once a week.

We go all the time...and if not at the theatre, we are seeing movies at the drive-in.

Drive-in with kids are great, especially if there are multiple screens, all visible. Bring lawn chairs radio with headphones, and you guys watch that one and I'll watch this one.

I try to see at least 100 separate films at the cinema every year (I have an Unlimited membership with Cineworld chain).

I;m doing well on 74 so far this year, but only managed 99 last year

DaveT said:

LadyCasanova said:

I've been going to the theater pretty often lately. I like the surround sound, huge screen, cold room,

strangers in the dark feel of it all. I also (sometimes) like to hear/see other people's reactions to

the movie, see what surprises or causes people to laugh, clap, cry etc. I will usually end up talking

to someone I don't know about the movie and how they felt about it.

I don't want any of this when I am watching a movie at my house. If I find a random stranger in my

house things are going to be all kinds of bad.

Please don't tell me you do this during the film??

Nope, only after.

I go a few times a year, but not much.

People are noisy and fidget all over the place, get up and down, talk on their phones etc. I would rather watch the movie at home unless it's a must see on the big screen.

I haven't seen a good movie at the pictures since 2009 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus'. Been disappointed so many times, if the Habbit and Django are let downs I will call it a day.

Watching stuff at the theater is an experience that you can't get at home. It's something kinda cool about hearing other people's - total stranger's - reactions to what you're all watching together at the same time and I kinda just like everything about going to see a movie at the theater, even the dumb shit like how they keep it too cold and the floor is usually sticky because someone spilled soda all over it.

And smuggling in your own soda and candy cuz the shit is too expensive there . Last time we went my sister and I smuggled in entire meals from Topper's, it was hilarious cuz I was eating a gigantic gyro and she was gobbling a personal pizza in the middle of a showing of "First Position".

Going to the theater is just a cool way to watch a movie and I think that deep down a lot of people really agree with that so in the long run I don't think the movie studios have anything to worry about. I kinda think that movie theaters are the modern version of villagers gathering around the campfire to hear a story together.

All that corny bullshit aside - I will say that I don't go to the movies much, at all. In fact very rarely because most movies that come out aren't really worth going through all the trouble of going to the movies to see them. I only end up going when it's something that's a big deal to myself or my family members for whatever reason.

I've only been to the movies less than a handful of times in the past 5, 10 years. But I think as long as they put out at least SOME movies that are so epic that you just have to drop everything and go see them...the movie industry will be fine.

now that i can stream movies or obtain them easily, i rarely go to movie theatres. i don't even go to matinees much anynmore, actually. it's 'cause the floor is sticky, it smells funny, it's too loud in there and if it's crowded i feel claustrophobic.

I only go to see one or two blockbusters a year, and even then only in their 3rd or 4th week, and the odd Oscar-bait film now and again. It's too expensive and there are too many ads and trailers, plus I am really busy so I prefer to watch a movie at home where I can multi-task or hit pause. I feel like I need full control over my entertainment just to fit it into my schedule.

My movie season is drawing to a close. I love to go to a Sat or Sun matinee, as early as 9 am.

However, once football starts, it's hard to get to a movie as I am not leaving a football game for a movie. Sat. college, Sun. NFL.

I don't see as many movies as I used to because I think there's less to see. Retreads are disappointing, even if done well.

I will go to as many movies as I'm interested in seeing. Some dramas I won't see, as it won't lose anything being seen on television.

Action and sci-fi get the big screen first. Avengers has had three theater viewings and Dark Knight two. Only multiple viewings this year.

SUPRMAN said:

My movie season is drawing to a close. I love to go to a Sat or Sun matinee, as early as 9 am.

However, once football starts, it's hard to get to a movie as I am not leaving a football game for a movie. Sat. college, Sun. NFL.

I don't see as many movies as I used to because I think there's less to see. Retreads are disappointing, even if done well.

I will go to as many movies as I'm interested in seeing. Some dramas I won't see, as it won't lose anything being seen on television.

Action and sci-fi get the big screen first. Avengers has had three theater viewings and Dark Knight two. Only multiple viewings this year.

Yeah, you can't really beat seeing the blockbusters and big spectacles on the big screen....they're made for that. And even more so with the modern 3D, which has even managed to win over this staunch pessimist!

DaveT said:

SUPRMAN said:

My movie season is drawing to a close. I love to go to a Sat or Sun matinee, as early as 9 am.

However, once football starts, it's hard to get to a movie as I am not leaving a football game for a movie. Sat. college, Sun. NFL.

I don't see as many movies as I used to because I think there's less to see. Retreads are disappointing, even if done well.

I will go to as many movies as I'm interested in seeing. Some dramas I won't see, as it won't lose anything being seen on television.

Action and sci-fi get the big screen first. Avengers has had three theater viewings and Dark Knight two. Only multiple viewings this year.

Yeah, you can't really beat seeing the blockbusters and big spectacles on the big screen....they're made for that. And even more so with the modern 3D, which has even managed to win over this staunch pessimist!

I don't need 3D, yet. Last 3D I saw was Thor.

XxAxX said:

now that i can stream movies or obtain them easily, i rarely go to movie theatres. i don't even go to matinees much anynmore, actually. it's 'cause the floor is sticky, it smells funny, it's too loud in there and if it's crowded i feel claustrophobic.

you don't like the scent of your fellow humans?

JoeTyler said:

XxAxX said:

now that i can stream movies or obtain them easily, i rarely go to movie theatres. i don't even go to matinees much anynmore, actually. it's 'cause the floor is sticky, it smells funny, it's too loud in there and if it's crowded i feel claustrophobic.

you don't like the scent of your fellow humans?

hmm, no. not always. but when i said it smells funny i meant more in a stale buttery popcorn soaking the seats and the scent of souring soda spilled underfoot, if it even IS really soda. not that i'm a neat freak or anything. but some threatres are like no one ever cleaned them and to me that's a bit

i do go see films like avatar and such, that can't really be experienced elsewhere sometimes

XxAxX said:

JoeTyler said:

you don't like the scent of your fellow humans?

hmm, no. not always. but when i said it smells funny i meant more in a stale buttery popcorn soaking the seats and the scent of souring soda spilled underfoot, if it even IS really soda. not that i'm a neat freak or anything. but some threatres are like no one ever cleaned them and to me that's a bit

i do go see films like avatar and such, that can't really be experienced elsewhere sometimes

and don't forget the white stain on the armchair

I mean it, I've seen it sooooo many times...

JoeTyler said:

XxAxX said:

hmm, no. not always. but when i said it smells funny i meant more in a stale buttery popcorn soaking the seats and the scent of souring soda spilled underfoot, if it even IS really soda. not that i'm a neat freak or anything. but some threatres are like no one ever cleaned them and to me that's a bit

i do go see films like avatar and such, that can't really be experienced elsewhere sometimes

and don't forget the white stain on the armchair

I mean it, I've seen it sooooo many times...

just pretend it't a melted junior mint and keep your hands in your lap, eyes on the screen

JoeTyler said:

the ticket/food are insanely expensive these days, and the scripts are getting worse:

-I don't like how the current directors stage action sequences (saw the trailer of Total Recall yesterday and it looked like crap, in fact, many people booed), I'm a fan of the action cinema of the 80's and 90's, but I like only a few action/adventure movies of the 00's (the first Pirates, Casino Royale, Apocalypto, Lord of the Rings)

-never liked the drama genre, I don't like mundane stories (though I dig dramas with something to offer, like a doomed gay relationship or a struggling female boxer, you know what movies I'm talking about ), Crash is one of the worst movies I've ever seen

-the thriller/mafia genres are done and redone, the classics were already made a looooong time ago, The Departed was utterly disappointing...American Gangster bored me to tears, and the upcoming gangsta film with Sean Penn looks silly...

The Departed, really?? I thought it was superb for Mark Wahlberg's performance alone! "You calling us c*nts?" ...Ray Winstone allowed to be typical Ray Winstone alongside some big players for a change, Big Jack getting his Jack Torrance on again. Great entertainment

-sci-fi still has some life left, and the superhero genre looks indestructible, pun intended, X-Men First Class, Batman, new Spiderman, the Avengers, upcoming Superman, etc

So true...the comic book genre has smashed it the last few years!

frankly, the only relevant 00's comedy was Borat, in my opinion

Shaun of the Dead and Anchorman

-it seems that Hollywood has given up on historical movies, after the Gladiator/Troy craze. Shame...still many great stories left to produce...(Hannibal, Caesar, Napoleon, etc)

-horror genre: fast zombies and teenage vampires. Enough said Hopefully Brad Pitt's World War Zombie will revitalize the genre...

There's been waaaay more than this, the genre has reverted to cheap / underground projects again, which is where much of its best work was done in previous years, so no bad thing.

Check out Eden Lake, The Descent (the Euro version, not the US version with crap happy ending), Rec (admittedly fast zombies but brilliant), Triangle (Melissa George stars), Buried, The Mist, The Orphanage, Ils/They, Switchblade Romance, Paranormal Activity (which I thought really got the job done scare wise)

...and obviously the Asian markets have been a treasure trove over the last ten years, A Tale Of Two Sisters, Audition, The Grudge, The Eye...

-I'm a fan of the Toy Story trilogy but, for some reason, I dislike the other Pixar movies, the CGI movies for kids look hysterical and unfunny, Ice Age sucks, Shrek was ok...perhaps I'm getting old...but I still like Disney's classics, so...

-conclusion: I'm also one of those guys who has made the transition to DVD/Blu-Ray-Cable-Videoclubs-Youtube-p2p, etc, that means that nowadays I barely go to the cinema, unless we're talking about films like Avatar, Prometheus, Dark Knight Rises or something huge like that...

[Edited 7/26/12 5:56am]

DaveT said:

JoeTyler said:

-the thriller/mafia genres are done and redone, the classics were already made a looooong time ago, The Departed was utterly disappointing...American Gangster bored me to tears, and the upcoming gangsta film with Sean Penn looks silly...

The Departed, really?? I thought it was superb for Mark Wahlberg's performance alone! "You calling us c*nts?" ...Ray Winstone allowed to be typical Ray Winstone alongside some big players for a change, Big Jack getting his Jack Torrance on again. Great entertainment

I LIKED ALEC BALWDIN, MARK WAHLBERG AND MARTIN SHEEN, THE PROBLEM IS THAT I HATED THE PERFORMANCES OF DAMON, DI CAPRIO AND NICHOLSON, AND THE SUBPLOT INVOLVING THE "HOT" PSYCHOLOGIST WAS JUST

-sci-fi still has some life left, and the superhero genre looks indestructible, pun intended, X-Men First Class, Batman, new Spiderman, the Avengers, upcoming Superman, etc

So true...the comic book genre has smashed it the last few years!

frankly, the only relevant 00's comedy was Borat, in my opinion

Shaun of the Dead and Anchorman

I'LL GIVE THE ANCHORMAN A TRY. FORGOT ABOUT SHAUN, THAT'S A GOOD ONE

-horror genre: fast zombies and teenage vampires. Enough said Hopefully Brad Pitt's World War Zombie will revitalize the genre...

There's been waaaay more than this, the genre has reverted to cheap / underground projects again, which is where much of its best work was done in previous years, so no bad thing.

Check out Eden Lake, The Descent (the Euro version, not the US version with crap happy ending), Rec (admittedly fast zombies but brilliant), Triangle (Melissa George stars), Buried, The Mist, The Orphanage, Ils/They, Switchblade Romance, Paranormal Activity (which I thought really got the job done scare wise)

...and obviously the Asian markets have been a treasure trove over the last ten years, A Tale Of Two Sisters, Audition, The Grudge, The Eye...

HMMM, I'VE SEEN REC 1 (I LIKED IT, GOOD/BLEAK/GORY SPANISH HORROR), BUT PART 2 LOST ME WITH ALL THOSE SATANIC OVERTONES (I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A VIRUS), THE DESCENT WAS OK, BUT I HATED THE ENDINGS (BOTH THE ORIGINAL AND THE HOLLYWOOD VERSIONS)

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY SCARED THE SHIT OUT OF ME THAT'S A GOOD ONE. PART 2 WAS DISAPPOITING, I STILL HAVE TO SEE PART 3 BUT I THINK THEY'RE MILKING THE COW

I'LL WATCH THE REST OF THE MOVIES YOU WATCHED, THANKS I'VE ALREADY SEEN THE EYE, THOUGH, THAT MOVIE IS OLD, 2000? OR EVEN 1999? (OR PERHAPS I'M TALKING ABOUT "RINGU") AUDITION? THAT ONE WITH THE CRAZY JAPANESE CHICK MAULING PEOPLE?

[Edited 7/29/12 7:15am]

JoeTyler said:

DaveT said:

[Edited 7/29/12 7:15am]

- I could get over the Di-Caprio / Farmiga sub-plot as it was Vera Farmiga and she's smoking hot

- Anchorman is a bit of a marmite film....you ever love it or hate it. I found it gets funnier on repeat viewings.

- I quite like the twist in Rec 2, where the story moved in a completely different direction...I thought it was just going to be the zombie virus outbreak cliche, so it was refreshing to see something different. Descent got better on repeat viewings. Haven't seen the Paranormal Activity sequels...I hear they aren't as good, but I'll probably give them a look later. Yeah, The Eye is a little older, but an excellent premise, and the end is fantastic (try and avoid spoilers). Yup, that's Audition...another film that is best to watch with out spoilers as it starts heading in one direction and you think "Is this a horror film?" then it really changes direction and takes you by surprise!

You need some extra inspiration in the horror genre, check out this book:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/F...amp;sr=8-1

I hear the book is excellent and the writer is quite a talent!