[Stuart Wright]

What are your views on cinema prices?

[markbingo]

Pay money, to listen to other people eat and talk over the movie ?

The price is too high though. I wait the 2 or 3 months till the movie is out on DVD and then buy it for the cost of 1.5 cinema tickets. I can then watch it as many times as I like on my Home Cinema !

I get endless legroom and alcohol in my own cinema, and the sound is perfect !

The last time I went to the cinema, the sound was sooooo bad (too quiet, and popping sounds), I swore I would never bother going again. (and it cost me over £30 for 4 tickets )

[PoochJD]

HI,

- Prices too high.
- Picture quality not great, even with brand-new films just released.
- Too many people using mobile phones, despite warnings.
- People eating smelly disgusting food and/or noisy bags of sweets.
- People chatting or holding conversations during the movie.
- People putting their feet up on seats.
- Kids (in general)!
- The films I want to see, often aren't shown outside of specialist cinemas in London or other major cities.
- Films I want to see aren't shown frequently enough, for me to get a chance to see them.

I think that more or less sums up why I don't tend to go to the cinema. A year or two ago, I'd go every Tuesday or Thursday afternoon, for £2-50, and see both major Hollywood movies, and minor independent titles, as well as foreign language and animated material.

Now, I go maybe three or four times a year, if that! I'd love to go to the cinema more often, but it's simply too unenjoyable now. (See above list, for reasons why!) Such a shame, as I love the cinema.


Pooch

[Slipperystevens]

Ditto.

I rarely go to the cinema, and would prefer to wait for the DVD to be released. I don’t have a home cinema room, but the lounge has been pretty much designed around the AV kit.

Last time I went was to take my son to see the SpongeBob SquarePants movie (try to contain your laughter, please), which turned out to be an exercise in haemorrhaging cash. Tickets were about £12 and a visit past the drinks/popcorn counter (which is hard to avoid) cost about the same.

[Greg]

I find the ticket prices just a tad too high, but the real problem is the complete and utter rip off that is the food and drink. Fortunately as the cinema is dark, no one notices my sneaky food and drink that I purchase elsewhere and consume inside.

[GrahamC]

It's the high price of entrance that stops me going. The confection prices are not a problem because if you buy or not is in your hands.

[hottstuff]

Only if the movie is well worth it would i go , wait for the DVD mostly.

[windie]

I agree with just about all he comments made to be honest.

But the biggest deciding factor for myself is the 12 mile drive to nearest cinema and the fact that it is in "Shameless" country as my son calls it. You just do not know if you will be able to drive home afterwards, even with the security guards that are patroling the car park. The last local cinema shut down a couple of years ago (it's a night club now), and whilst it was a tired old place at least we could go by bus for a couple of quid and make a night of it.

[rooster-x]

The Regal Cinema in Lancaster has a passable Picture apart from a small tear on Screen two, but the sound is rubbish, still on Dolby Stereo I think it is closing this weekend as a new Vue cinema is opening.

The Dukes Cinema has OK sound, but crap picture quality, with really dirty prints as they get the films last. They do show lots of independent stuff and they have a bar They also boast a Digital Projector besides the normal film projector but unfortunately they have yet to show a film that I consider worth watching so can't comment on the quality.

This weekend there is a new Vue City Plex opening in the centre, I have high hopes, but I expect I'll be dissapointed.

Home cinema equipment just seems to be too good these days

Rooster-X

[Miyazaki]

I only go occasionally on wednesdays when I can get 2-4-1 on my orange phone.

Even then it costs £11.50 for two tickets when parking at the extortionate gunwharf quays is taken into account.

I don't even bother with their popcorn, it'd be cheaper to eat a box of 5p coins.

[Rasczak]

The price of admission doesn't bother me to much - nor the price of food/drink - it's just the experience isn't upto much these days IMHO. I'm sure it's just me getting old but I much prefer watching films at home on the projector where I can sit back with my own food/drink and where I don't have to sit through 30 minutes plus of adverts and trailers. It also means I get my own space with nobody sitting in front/next to me/behind me. Obviously it means a (average) 6-9 month gap between cinema release and DVD/HD DVD but that really doesn't bother me.

I still goto the cinema occasionally if it is a social event (e.g.) preceeded by dinner and followed by drinks. But I never go on my own and try and avoid it fullstop these days. As I say I must be getting old and boring

[Greg]

One of the things that really annoys me with the cinema is these 12A certificates. It has really ruined the enjoyment of a lot of 12 certificate films when idiot parents take their 5 and 6 year olds along to see it.

For example I was watching POTC at the weekend and there was a Dad that had took his three children along to watch it and one must have been only about 6/8 years old. Now this film isn't really bad, but there are a few scenes which I would imagine were scary or frightening for children of that age. The only reason the 12A certificate was brought in was to increase the revenue for the films. I did hear rumours about a 15A certificate. Now that really would be a disaster.

[ahin4114]

It has to be a real must see movie to drag me to the cinema nowadays. Took my wife and son to see 'Over The Hedge' the other day (Cars was sold out). Cost me £30 for parking, one drink, one popcorn and the three tickets, ridiculous. Next time I'll buy two DVD's and a packet of butterkist.

[Crispin]

Since I've had twins I haven't been able to go to the cinema more than 2-3 times a year - so I pick the films carefully.

It's now at the point when the films I might have gone to see are now turning up on TV - which is fine by me. (I enjoyed 'Cypher' on C4 the other night, and I didn't have to get myself home afterwards)

I used to champion the cinema to friends and colleagues but I am less bothered by it now. A good film 'grabs' you regardless of the size of the screen. I rate comfort far higher. And the sound is virtually as good at home - the same if on DVD.
And I really don't mind not having my own personal narrator and back-seat-kicker in the seats behind.

I will probably go with the boys when they get a bit older but I'm not really the age group that Vue and the like are selling to these days anyway.

And, another point, is it just me or are most films these days just complete toss?

[Abbeygoo]

Got to agree with a lot of the comments posted so far. The prices are too high and the conditions to watch films in aren't the best.

I recently went to watch Superman Returns at the IMAX in Manchester which is superb for sound and PQ. The prices spoilt it a bit as it was £7.50 for me and £5.50 for my daughter plus of course the obligatory sweets, popcorn, 2 drinks etc which was about another £8.

Not great value - wait for the DVD, use the home cinema system I paid my money for and get a few cheap beers in.

[StooMonster]

My local cinema has a 'Delux' [sic] screen: with it's own private bar, food/snacks delivered to your seats, huge comfy seats each with their own table.

Beauty is that it's priced high enough to keep the riff-raff out.

Only trouble is our local cinema seems to have trouble with picture quality, many films are out of focus and I've even had ones at wrong aspect ratio until we complained.

On the upside they appear to be switching to digital projection -- and I assume automatic calibration too -- so PQ is getting better. But when watching 'Cars' with StooMonster Jnr the other day, you could see the pixel matrix of the digital projector in the front few rows.

StooMonster

[StooMonster]

Originally Posted by GregHook

One of the things that really annoys me with the cinema is these 12A certificates. It has really ruined the enjoyment of a lot of 12 certificate films when idiot parents take their 5 and 6 year olds along to see it.

For example I was watching POTC at the weekend and there was a Dad that had took his three children along to watch it and one must have been only about 6/8 years old.

Mrs StooMonster (a Johnny Depp fan) and I went to local regular screen to see PotC2, and the woman next to us had a FOUR YEAR OLD with her -- there were loads of pre-schoolers in there!

StooMonster

[dan1979]

What others have said, pretty pricey and always kids in there talking/using phones - just not worth the bother.

Too easy to grab a pirate off usenet as well though I'll go to the cinema for something special.

[BandWidthJunkie]

Only been to the cinema twice in the last 25 years

Both times because I had won or been given free tickets, even then on both occasions I brought the DVD and watched it on my home kit

The cinema experience just isn't the same as being at home for all the negative comments already stated.

[adrianwi]

Some films should be seen on a big screen, and I don't care how much you've spent on your "home cinema" it won't be as much as the local Vue, Showcase, Odeon, etc.

Stop being anti-social and get out more. There is another world outside the internet and your expensive consumer electronics.

[GrahamC]

Originally Posted by adrianwi

Some films should be seen on a big screen, and I don't care how much you've spent on your "home cinema" it won't be as much as the local Vue, Showcase, Odeon, etc.

Stop being anti-social and get out more. There is another world outside the internet and your expensive consumer electronics.

Your spot on mate, trouble is your out there as well so Ill stick with my 20" Hinnari sunrise b&w tv under the stairs.

[EddThompson]

I have a bad back, makes for a very painfull experience at the local showcase.

cost wise, i dont think 10 quid each for a night out is to bad, i do find the drinks etc over priced, and i hate the, why have a small when you can have a bucket for 3p extra, i want a small DAMMIT.

edd

[KevD]

I think the cost of single admission at peak times is to high (along with all the other costs associated with trip!). However the Cineworld unlimed deal is a sensible option if you go alot, £11 a month for unlimed movies is cheaper than 2 standard priced movies (which is what I would generally see).

[Monster]

Originally Posted by adrianwi

Stop being anti-social and get out more. There is another world outside the internet and your expensive consumer electronics.

Sitting in a dark room concentrating on a film isn't really my idea of socialising

For me the downers are, too much noise and the fact they allow more people in AFTER the film has started. Why do they do this!!

I remember going to see Gladiator. Totally engrossed in the opening battle sequence, only to have a bunch of chavs march up 'scuse mate I wanna sit there' and sidle past. Part of the skill of a good director is to build up mood and tension. Too easy for some arse to spoil it.

I think the last film I went to see was Return Of the King, purely because I couldn't wait for the DVD. Took an afternon off work and went when the kids should have been at school but there were still plenty in there. They shouldn't be allowed in.

[mike7]

Cinemas stink of popcorn. Only animals eat out of buckets !

[Monster]

Originally Posted by mike7

Only animals eat out of buckets !

LOL!!!

[penumbra]

Wheres me bucket (oink oink !)
seriously tho, have to take the kids out sometimes, the cost of tickets is expensive, factor in the cost of parking, eats etc and i dont get much change out of £40!
so cant really afford it too often

[krakken]

I agree with the majority of the comments here.

Prices not bad for the time - £6 for 2 hours at cinema compared with £20-£30 for 2 hours at a footy match etc.?

But, food and drink overpriced ( and I'm not tight - I just don't like getting ripped off ).

Picture quality normally rubbish.

no beer for two hours

Too many unsuppervised urchins

Too many people with not enough consideration/respect for other people.

Home cinema kit now good enough value to have the 'home cinema' experience, well, in the comfort and convenience of your own home...

[The_kUrGaN]

Prices are too high, however I see at least one film a week on Orange Wednesday which makes the price much more bearable.

Also, Cinema's need to embrace Digital screenings and get their acts together. How many times have you seen a film at the cinema and thought 'I can't wait to get this on DVD to really appreciate the quality' ?? Experiencing most films at the Cinema is like watching them through a sand storm. The sound is hit and miss depending on the particular cinema and the staff don't seem to care or understand. That coupled with moronic parents who don't control their kids, teenagers who text their mates while the film is showing and hang their legs over the top of your seat, can make for an thoroughly annoying experience. So it's understandable why people don't go.

However, having been a cinema goer since I was little, I persevere. Thankfully the good times outweigh the bad. Find a Cinema with a good sized screen and a decent consistent sound system, and then hang onto it for dear life.

[TheOriginalGuru]

I live only a couple of minutes from my local Showcase cinemas (Walsall), so getting there only take about 5 minutes, tops. The downside to this is, it's a really crappy cinema...I can't really begin to guess at the amount of times I've had things go wrong in there; kids, mobile phones, general prats in the room, snapped film, BURNT film, no projection - only sound, projection on the ceiling, incorrect aspect ratio, incorrectly thread film into the projector, sound too quiet, having people talking through the film, uncomfortable seats, and all of this on top of the ticket prices ever so slightly going up without the customers noticing.

...and still, through all this, I go every weekend.

I could drive to the Star City in Birmingham, but with the repairs to the M6, getting there is a slow process, half the time, so it makes it a pain in the arse to get there - that, and including the fact that it's even more expensive than Showcase (£6 upwards, these days!), but the picture and sound quality is far superior, so I usually go there if it's an 'event' movie.

What can I say? I'm a glutton for punishment.