Monday, March 2, 2009

Blog 8 (Decline of Movie Theatres)

I love going to the movies. I find it more fun than sitting at home on my couch watching movies. I don't have a home theatre system or even a very big T.V., so one of the main appeals of the movie theatre is the surround sound and big screen. I know that those are becoming more common in the household, so that could be a contributing factor in the decline of movie theatres. I know not everybody likes to go to movies as much as I do. Some would rather save their money and wait until it comes out on DVD and rent it. If it's a good enough looking movie, I can't wait that long to see it.

This blog will look into some of the reasons behind the decline in the popularity movies as well as my opinions on what the theatres could do to fix this problem.

According to this website, one of the largest contributing factors to the decline in movie theatres is social issues, such as people talking on their cell phones, babies crying, etc. I also think people having conversations in person plays a part in this.

"Purple Violets" is a movie that won't release in theatres; it will release on iTunes. Anyone who has $13 to download it can. But is this really cheaper than going to the movies and seeing it? With all factors considered, probably. First there is the movie ticket itself. In my hometown we could see a movie for $3. That movie wasn't just released, but it hadn't come out on DVD yet. However, other theatres have much more expensive tickets. Then there's the gas to get there. We can see movies at our theatre in Valley City, but they stay here for like two weeks and there's only two at a time, so we have to drive to Fargo or Jamestown if we want to see a specific one. Then of course, there's the popcorn and pop which is rediculously over-priced at theatres. (Though in my hometown we could get popcorn and pop for a dollar).

Josh Wolf says that the value of actually going to the movies is becoming less and less significant. "At the same time, I can't see the movie theater going away as a dating oasis and the refuge for teenage lovers that it has always been," Wolf says in his article.

Going back to home theatres systems, some think Blu-Ray will knock off movie theatres. For me, who has a small T.V. and a regular DVD player, the movie theatre's movies are much better quality and more enjoyable, but I've seen high-def. and Blu-Ray, and it's probably better quality than watching movies at the theatre.

An article says that distinct advantages movie theatres once boasted, such as superior picture quality and surround sound,have been eliminated by the latest innovations in home theater technology.

I think that in order for theatres to make a comeback, they have to keep up with high-definition technology. They also have to realize that people want to feel more at-home in the theatres, so reclining, comfy seats and maybe even couches might offer that. One disadvantage with that, though, is that then people may feel even more comfortable and the social problems I mentioned at the beginning of my blog might escalate.

Do you think movie theatres are becoming/will become obsolete? What do you think will be the ultimate downfall for movie theatres? What do you think they could do to make a comeback?

5 comments:

  1. At the rate that technology is booming, whether or not movie theaters are going to last is a very good question. I like to go to the theater to catch a new movie so I can be one of the first to talk about it, but I think I prefer just staying home and renting a movie over the theater. This is because, to me, its much more comfortable, and I don't waste as much money.

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  2. It's a good question, will movie theaters be able to survive? With all the new technology it is becoming easier to stay at home, and most importantly (for me at least) more comfortable! I would much rather sit at home in comfortable clothes and watch a movie versus going out! Staying at home is also a lot cheaper then going out. It always seems that when I go out I spend more money then I intend to.

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  3. I do not go to movies near as often as I used to. They are becoming a lot more expensive for one reason that I do not go to them as often. Also, I know people who have mini movie theatres built in their basements of their house. They are very nice with the big screen, surround sound, and comfortable reclining chairs. I don’t think movie theatres will ever totally go out of business.

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  4. I enjoy going to movies in the theater, but I tend not to because it is so expensive. That is why sometimes I will go to the cheap theater in Fargo instead, even though that has got expensive; before it was the dollar theater now it is more like the four dollar theater. Going to movies in the theaters is always nice because you are getting out of the house and feel like you are actually doing something productive. Movie theaters do seem like they are going downhill, but if they have incentives or make the theaters feel more at home. The theaters might end up being a more of a get together scene.

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  5. Wow, i barely remember writing that review...

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