http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15016572/

Thoughts?

i think most film fanatics can tell the difference between a great film and a #1 box office film. The movies I watch in theaters are completely different kinds of movies from the ones I typically buy or rent to watch at home. Unless it's just something I know I will love. I typically watch the big blockbuster types of movies in the theater but rarely buy or rent them and vice versa.

I thought it might be a conversation starter. I disagree with the guy's basic premise that it was better to have one or two "event movies" a year that dominated the box office and became part of the pop culture. I think it's good that you're seeing more "niche" movies and different types of movies out there. Sure that variety means there will be more crap, but somewhere in there is a movie for a smaller audience that otherwise wouldn't have had a chance.

This is how i operate my moviegoing philisophy....though mine is motivated more by location and hassle (the good theatre is across town, and it's always full of annoying high school kids). So, i only watch a movie in the theatre if it's a blockbuster type movie, the kind that needs to be seen on a big screen with a 10,000 watt sound system, as opposed to a 27 inch tv in my living room. Occasionally if there is a movie i really want to see and can't wait for a DVD release, then i'll catch it at the theatre. Other than that i am content to rent and watch in my home. I'd be shocked if i saw more than 4 or 5 movies in the theatre in a year.

I guess most movies are pretty disposable to me, and i don't really have the inclination to seek out the good stuff.

there are several reasons I have all but stopped going to the theater.

1. People don't know how to act in a theater. they bring babies, they can't turn off the cell phones, they can't shut the fuck up, and parents have zero control over their terrible kids.

2. 30 min of ads before the show.

3. the dark images on the screen. Damn you Roger Ebert for pointing this out to me! The theaters dull the projection bulbs to make them last longer. This puts a dark image on the screen. Ever notice when a movie looks great on dvd that you thought looked shitty on the big screen? (Descent anyone) Thats why !

4. Why am I going to pay $18.00 for my wife & I to see a movie once when I can but it for $15.00 three to five months later?

I'm 29 years old, and can remember going to the movies two times a weekend in my earley 20's, but it just seems like it's not worth it anymore.

The only exceptions I have been making are for "crowd" movies like Snakes On A Plane, or If I really want to see something I go to a noon showing on a tuesday.

Those are my main beefs with the theatre experience.

I fucking hate theatre crowds. I can't stand it when people talk during the movie (my girlfriend is guilty of this, and i've told her to be quiet or i won't be going to anymore movies with her). I hate the people that still think it's hilarious, cutting edge comedy to bring a pen light to the show. I hate having the back of my chair kicked for an hour and a half. I hate the fact that, as was mentioned in the article, movies are basically churned out in a constant revolving stream...so if i want to see one i have to go during the peak of it's run (when the big crowds are there) or risk missing it entirely. I hate that in order to get a decent seat, i have to get there 30 minutes early. I hate having to sit beside some fatass who is really only there for the popcorn and nachos. I hate being inundated with commercials...i paid to see a movie, not a commercial. The only thing you should be showing me before a movie are trailers for more movies. I hate that in order to go out to a movie with my girlfriend, it's a $20-40 expense. I'm much more content to spend $5 on a rental, and use the remainder on a bottle of wine and enjoy it in the comfort of my own home.

And that's what I have come to hate about the moviegoing experienece. Or maybe i'm getting cranky and old

Isn't the reason there are different number ones each week because theatres have many more rooms and seats? It used to take for fucking ever to get in to see the big movies. Now I can pretty much go to any theatre on opening night and see what I want to see. Within a week, anyone who's wanted to see the movie has seen it

It seems like little is good these days. The last few years really. We are far from the golden ages of film, with no new one on the horizon. Hollywood turns our sequals and remakes as fast as they can to turn a quick dime for the studios. It's almost too risky nowadays to rely on something unique or original, so they rehash old success'. Sure, there are some decent films here and there, and sure, there has been a rise of decnt indie films to try and fill the voids of good original film making. But really, overall, TV has produced far superior entertainment than movies. And I'm not a TV advocate at all. I still think most of what's on TV is terrible. But there are at least some terrific standouts that make it worthwhile. I cant say the same for the movies of today.

I pretty much agree.