Anyone here still go to the movies? > Likes and Comments

I definitely still go to the movies. Just last Friday I went to see Tron: Legacy in amazing Imax 3D. Problem is that my town isn't the largest, and so the only movies that get here are safe blockbusters and romantic comedies. And 90% of those just don't interest me. 127 Hours and Black Swan had zero chance at getting into the theater here. I have to wait till a week or so before DVD release to see those at the small art cinema we have.

I find myself going to the movies less often these days largely because of the high price of movies, the terrible projection in so many theatres, and most damagingly, the idiots who make up most of the audience who can be counted on to text, take phone calls, talk loudly as if they were in their living rooms, loudly rattle plastic bags, and generally do everything possible to demolish the movie-going experience for anybody who isn't them.

That said, I go when there's something I want to see.

I've avoided BLACK SWAN because there's absolutely nothing of any interest there for me at all. In any way. Zip. Zero. Zilch. A director whose work has annoyed the hell out of me in the past, directing a story that I couldn't care less about, that (based on the reviews I've read) seems to turn into yet agoddamnnother of those "OMG SHE'S GOING KEE-RAZY!" stories where reality and fantasy collide, and I'm just sick to death of that kind of stuff.

Likewise with 127 HOURS. No interest. Zip. Zero. Zilch.

There. I said it.

i see a lot of films in the cinema. it's tough, because i'm a musician - teach music 6 days a week, and i am usually rehearsing or performing 5 - 7 nights a week. there is the rare week when i have three nights free during a week. i try to catch films i really want to see on the big screen, whether they are new or old, but i don't always have time. i usually see one movie a day, because i'm a film junkie, but i usually don't get around to being free to watch something until midnight. there aren't many theaters open at that time of day. so i try to catch matinees on the weekends when i don't have private students or rehearsals. it's ALWAYS better to see a film on the big screen, whether it's a new release or a classic, but time isn't always friendly.

I do not see many movies in the theater due to the sub-standard theater in my town (which is the closest one for 40 minutes in any direction. Now, I did drive 1 1/2 hours to go see "Alice in Wonderland" at a 3-d theater. And, just earlier this month I traveled nearly as far to see "Rare Exports" on opening night.

If there was a decent theater in my area I would go regularly.

Goodness, Cesar. Such profound insight into my personality! How can I have been so blind! To be perfectly willing to drop everything and see each and every well-reviewed bit of fashionably hip crap that comes out to dazzle the easily dazzled should be my goal! I'll not stray from that course again!

And just think, I have you as my guide in all things "WITH IT"! Let none presume on their good fortune until they find themselves able to join Cesar at the High Table Of WITH IT.

Dear God. "With it" indeed.

you mean how everyone just keeps talking of cable stuff and old movies ...i guess we as a group have done a lot of the recent movies except the ones nominated for the oscars...or did we? i can't remember which ones were in the list, errmmmm ...:)

I feel like watching a really huge 3D movie, seems so long ago

Cesar wrote: "well Tom, you've basically made up your mind about two films you've never seen.
Black Swan and 127 Hours are among the best reviewed films of the year. Highly praised by many of educated critics b..."

I really think your comment towards Tom was terribly uncalled for. But he already responded, so I'll leave it at that.

Another issue with movies is scheduling. White Ribbon was playing at the art cinema and I was dying to see it. I was just getting into Haneke, and the thought of seeing one of his movies on the big screen had me squealing with excitement. But I'm still under that delightful age of 17, and neither of my parents could find the time to go with me to see it. One day soon though....

Insults do not qualify as insights, Cesar dearest. I've blocked your postings, however, and will no longer be bothered with them.

I go to the movies--but infrequently. My work hours have been cut so the high price is certainly a factor.

But the main problem as listed above is inconsiderate other people. I hate to pay $$ for a movie and have some jerk start yapping at a critical time!

I enjoy films in a theatre and some films can only be done justice on the the big screen. So I do take in the occasional film at a theatre, but I'm in the same boat of some of the group's other members -- I just live too damn far away from a decent venue (even the good mainstream films are over a hour away, 2-1/2 hours for indies and foreign). There is a local theatre (20 miles...I live in a rural area, i.e. the boonies), but they only show: family/kid films, anything that smacks of westerns (AUSTRALIA made it here) and stuff like HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL. Plus the theatre itself is FAR from state-of-the-art -- only slightly more advanced than hanging a sheet on the side of the garage.

Another issue I have is the glut of remakes and sequels and "reboots" being released these days. The vast majority of them merely rip out the guts of the original, taking what was good about it and replacing it with CGI overload.

And finally, I just prefer films from the early years of cinema. I'm a big fan of German and Scandinavian films, and many of the early Hollywood films were made by directors who had emigrated from those very areas, so the films had the tone of those older films. Plus I like B&W. It has a glow that color films just don't have.

I want to see black swan that looks really good - 127 hours, not so much, i don't wanna see a guy cut off his arm. i'm just glad he survuved.

I went to see True Grit. Wonderful movie. Saw Winter's Bone earlier this year. Even better.

When there are movies worth going to, I will go. So many movies aren't worth the celluloid they are printed on much less the vast CGI effects put in them. As for older films, I still often go to the movies to see them. They are still shown in several places.

I saw Black Swan instead of 127 hours. It was a touch choice, as both are so well reviewed. It took me a few days to digest Black Swan and decide that I liked it.

Since AMC bought out Kerasotes, it sux to go to movies where it cost $25 to get some popcorn and a coke!

I go whenever I can. Seeing a movie on the large screen with a great sound system just isn't the same as watching it on a large screen tv with a good sound system. but the collective emotional experience of sharing the film with others in an audience makes the real difference. there is no way to compare seeing a Psycho with a live audience for the first time to seeing it at home or any number of other films for that matter.

I enjoy going to the theatre, many films are best viewed on the large screen. On the down side damn it's expensive after you add popcorn and drink, you could see a local play, and can be annoying if people are talking, coughing, or texting.

It can also depend who you go with.

When I saw SHOAH the other day, I sat next to a couple. At the first break, about 2 1/2 hours in, the guy seemed to be giving the girl grief, because she had evidently nodded off at some point during the first section of the film. I only heard her half of the conversation, which was going something like, "Yes, I nodded off once. Because it is a cozy Sunday afternoon, and it is dark and warm in here. I don't believe you're making a big deal about this. I only did it once. Not four times. You're going to have to get over this. Are you saying I'm not capable of appreciating this movie? I can't believe what an asshole you're being over this. I only missed a few seconds of the film. I can't believe you're doing this. What an asshole you are." The last line was spoken as she gathered her possessions and split, hopefully for good out that guy's life.

I just couldn't believe what an asshole the guy was being, either. I'd nodded off a couple of times during the film, too. Sometimes the spirit is willing but the flesh is just not able.

indeed. there are assholes out there and they sometimes frequent movie theaters.

i saw black swan for a second time (no heckling, tom!), and on the second screening there was a row of teenagers behind me talking non stop throughout the film. i really really wanted to tell them to shut up but i can't get the nerve, i'm such a wimp sometimes. so i sat there completely distracted throughout. they talk to the screen and to each other like they're at home.

Phillip wrote: "indeed. there are assholes out there and they sometimes frequent movie theaters.

i saw black swan for a second time (no heckling, tom!), and on the second screening there was a row of teenagers be..."

Good Idea to ignore people rather than yell at them. I used to start stuff with idiots and it usually ended up in a argument that was more disruptive. I usually give the people a dirty look once, and on the third ocassion, I ask the usher to come in.

No heckling Phillip. Did they show the trailer for the sequel?

BLACK SWAN II: NUTCRACKER ATTACK

love you, tom :)

gotta say, I don't know I'd last 9 1/2 hours in a dark room. that's a movie I'd prefer to catch on DVD over time. not to mention 9 1/2 hours of nonstop Holocaust sounds extremely wearing emotionally. perhaps the guy was just dealing with his own horror, or maybe he really was just another asshole. certainly no shortage of those in the world. I've tended to be more interactive with them at showings, but not always. never actually yelled though.

it's more uplifting than you might think. and most theaters screen it over two days...

ah, well good, I probably will catch it on DVD anyway, someday. I had visions of turning into Alex and being under restraints with my eyes wired open in front of the screen.

naw, you don't need to go there with that ..

so glad to hear it.

No, you can see the movie in two parts, they usually set up screenings so you can do that, see Part One on Monday and Part Two on Tuesday, that kind of thing. I wouldn't want to spread it out much more than that, though, as the cumulative effect of all those little details would be dissipated.

And the movie isn't just a catalogue of horrors. There are interviews with a historian who makes it clear that these things weren't exactly being kept secret, who gets some fascinating information out of a simple train schedule, for example. And an astonishing interview where a group of villagers, who seem so happy at the return of one of their Jewish friends who had survived the camps, gradually, under gentle questioning, reveal their true colors.

Wow. I'm still thinking about this movie, days later, when so many other films fade from memory as you leave the multiplex. There are plenty of movies that I'm only reminded of when I see them on year-end Best Of lists...

well, I'll work a bit harder on catching up with it sometime then. thanks.

Tom wrote: "And the movie isn't just a catalogue of horrors. There are interviews with a historian who makes it clear that these things weren't exactly being kept secret, who gets some fascinating information out of a simple train schedule, for example. And an astonishing interview where a group of villagers, who seem so happy at the return of one of their Jewish friends who had survived the camps, gradually, under gentle questioning, reveal their true colors..."

I have tended in the past to avoid Holocaust films just because of the sheer wallop they always seem to deliver...with good reason of course. It's usually more emotionally devastating than I'm willing to endure. But this film sounds like it might at least attempt to answer some questions I have about the hows and whys of the Holocaust.

I love going to the theater but that said, the two closest to me have closed so now I have to go a lot farther so it just doesnt happen that often

I love going to the theatre also . . . but with three young kids, adult movies were put on the backburner . . .I've just recently seen Bridget Jones Diary and Mamma Mia . . lol because I don't even have cable channels. . . .
The last two movies we saw in the theatre were Yogi Bear and Toy Story 3.
I just joined this group because I'm ready to start watching movies for me . . maybe I'll join Netflix.

the netflix instant view makes it all very convenient. the selection is still a bit wanting, but i think they'll improve, as their traditional service improved.

well, I can't get it overseas, but when I saw it at someone's house in the US, I was very unimpressed with the signal quality as opposed to DVD.

Just watched The Majestic on television. I had seen it many years ago and remembered it as one of my favorite movies. Jim Carey was great. I never liked his comedy roles nearly as much as this one and his role in Truman. Maryanne Raphael

Likewise, my options are quite limited. I live in a small Mexican city with only two movie theaters with overlapping billing. So for any given weekend, I most likely have seen all the films that interest me.

Things are rough all over and I like to go to inspiring, uplifting, funny or dramatic films that raise my spirit. I have been told that during the "Great Depression" and during the second world war movies were relatively inexpensive and uplifting. I don't know why so many movies are violent and depressing now. Maryanne

Violent and depressing, we are not in a depression per se, but that is what people want to shell out their dollars to see. We as viewers are relegated to renting DVD's because of teenagers, or someonel's cell phone going off, or sometimes someone pulls the fire alarm bell, and it gets to be pandemonium. I would rather pay $1 to rent than $8 to see a movie. Economics pure and simple.

I liked the King's SPeech. Thought the acting was great. When the movie ended the audience stood and applauded. Maryanne

I have wanted to see that one, There are just a few that I want to see and that is one of them.

I wanted to see Black Swan but my sister Susie who is a dancer told me not to see it because I get sad when I see violence or too much pain. Maryanne

the opening post on this thread baffled me a little ... have i got this straight? ... Did we all cop a serve because we haven't commented on two recent films?... and because we haven't commented on these films we aren't up with contemporary goings on? ... AND poor ol' Tom is even less with it because he has no interest in either? ... really truly?

well if that IS the case (which it ain't) - yippy bloody yay for us I reckon

I have rec'd so much more value from this group than just keeping up with the latest blockbuster ... I've been challenged to look at what I like and don't and why - formed my own opinions and debated them - been exposed to films and genres and points of view that I would never have even knew existed ...

because of this group (the wonderfully eclectic group that we are) I see more film - both in theatres and privately - and am more with it than ever

forgot to add - so there ...

I see many old movies and enjoy seeing them over and over. Maryanne

Same here none of the new drivel that passes as movies.

Sam wrote: "forgot to add - so there ..."

you seriously rule, sam. always have, always will.

Ilove watching old movies over and over.
Maryanne I loved Chicago.
Maryanne

for myself i will say, it is easy to find movie-goers to have discussions about new releases. but a group that can discuss silents like Flesh and the Devil, The Battleship Potemkin or Metropolis; a group that can jump from Fellini's 8 1/2 to spaghetti westerns; a group versed in the French New Wave directors and modern Korean cinema? that's a group i feel very lucky to have wandered into. i have friends who will go see (and discuss) with me something like The Social Network, Scott Pilgrim vs the World, Black Swan etc. when it comes to older movies, indies and foreign this is the group i turn to.

well, actually we did post on enter the void - tom and i both posted on it - tom was the first actually. baxter recently posted on that film.

i think there's a good mix - and it is so open here that you can talk about anything - different people bring different tastes and preferences - people get exposed to new things as a result - that's how the whole democracy thing works as it turns out.

i'd much rather talk about films than how we talk about talking about films.

Oh, Phillip, there you go, being the voice of sweet sweet reason again.

I'm very entertained by the recent posts. Is there a post on "recent movies that we've just seen"?