FWIW we built our own little theater in a 12 x 18 basement room. Big enough for a 10' screen and 6 nice leather power theater seats. Only used a cheaper Epson LCD projector (1080p w/3D, about $1600, and screen was $600) and not expensive 5.1 sound. Looks/sounds good to my old eyes and ears. We put up crown moulding and heavy drapes, etc. to give it a more "theater" look and got a theater-style popcorn machine. We rarely go out to movies anymore, and then just to IMAX movies.
It is both the competition and the prices/cellphones in the theater. After a few weeks the movie actually shows up on my cable's OnDemand, I think for $5, which is way cheaper and more comfy than making the trip. I usually go once a year to watch a movie, and the same with concerts. Youtube spoiled me rotten, full concerts in HD for free, not to mention the historical stuff what I missed in my youth...
to compete,,,, all the theaters are converting to recliner chairs, huge room between rows, food service, etc.... I still go to the movies
haha... no the darn airlines would have us sitting one on top of another , 2 to a seat if they could get away with it. Travel by flight used to be really cool and fun, like 20 years ago,,, now it just plain sucks
The bank that holds one of my current accounts likes to send me 6 cinema tickets a year...so I feel compelled to visit a theatre.
I haven't been to a theatre or cinema for years. The garbage they churn out of Hollywood now is mind numbing. I got awfully tired of seeing guys with guns chasing each other. Even the pretty women are like cardboard cutouts with no personality. The mindless masses still frequent these crap movies though !
I've seen the difference between movie theaters from one city to another and from one country to another. The ones that are thriving are connected to shopping areas, fast food restaurants, game rooms, free coat hanging services, baby changing area, crying baby/kid area that allows you still to watch the movie, movie payment ATMs and VIP services (dinner, drinks served to you with brief personal movie introduction cater to discussing the important actors in the film and discounts via your VIP card at local stores). Regardless, there seems to be a shorter time span between movies at the theater moving to premium cable a lot faster than before. Simply, if you hate going to the movie theater for the experience and to get out more or to just do an activity away from home...whatever is at the theater today...it'll be on your premium cable TV in about 4 - 6 months at a much cheaper price.