Theater Rant.......

jakelm

I took the boys to see Transformers.

The UnitedArtist theater, was replaced with a Grand 14. We already have a Grand 16, in which my experience was decent.

Walked in this newly remodled theater, very nice. Bought popcorn and cokes for all of us (spent my whole paycheck).

Sat down in the theater, only to watch 15 minutes of local commercials (boooooo!!).

Anyways, the movie starts. What do I here behind me? A PROJECTOR!!! The movie starts with a blurrr, I mean a literal blurr. It took about 5 minutes for it to clear up only to reveal, dust spots and lines up and down the screan. (Like an old silent b/w movie) except in color (of some sorts). I couldnt beleive this. I'm sitting in a brand new theater in 2007. And I here a 20 year old R2R projector behind me and watching a shuttery, out of focus, dust infected, BRAND NEW MOVIE!!

I almost walked out, I couldnt believe this...but it was a good movie.

It has been a while since I visited a theater. I think WOTW was the last movie I watched, (which was at the Grand 16) and enjoyed it.

I guess I'm just spoiled to my Tv and DVD's (with no vertical lines and no dust blobbs).


Jake

jakelm

P.S ... I didnt expect IMAX, but that was rediculous.

millerman 3732

We have two theaters where I live and one of them is REALLY NICE, digital projectors, Klipsch speakers all around, about 15 per theater if I had to guess, big, nice, soft chairs with enough room to stretch out if you wanted to, and HUGE screens. Now the other is alot like what your talking about old R2R projectors, ancient Pevey speakers, they look alot guitar amps, an the old theater seating where every one is practically setting on top of each other. Acouple of years ago we went and saw Batman Begins opening night and for the first hour of the movie the didn't even have the front speakers on, all the sound was coming through the side channels, finally I went and said something to the ticket taker guy and he got someone to fix it. The really bad part about all this and I'm sure any one who lives in a town with two or more theaters knows this is that they splitt all the big releases, So far this year I've seen 300, Spideman 3, Knocked-up, Super Bad, Harry Potter, Halloween and I'm sure a few others in that Dump of a theater, even sadder is that this theater was THX certified at one time something they lost quite a few years back, but going to the movies is something I still really enjoy so I deal with it. Thank goodness the better theater got Transformers

danger boy

Why do some movie theaters let their systems to down the tubes? Doesn't make any sense to me.

I saw Bourne Ultimatum in an AMC 20 theater.. and was very impressed with the sound quality. Loud and in your face.. that's how I like watching a movie designed to be heard that way. The surround mix on that movie I thought was very good too.

kuntasensei

The opposite isn't any better. My local theater went all DLP and new speakers a while back... and now it has all gone to hell. Some of the images project like 10 feet off the screen, leaving a nice white section at the bottom. Worse, some theaters now have blown speakers. When I went to see Transformers, I got pissed off and walked into the next showing because there was a constant 60 cycle hum coming from the front soundstage. The next showing, they hadn't bothered to turn the A/C on... and here in Alabama, that's just crazy talk! Fortunately, it cooled down fairly quickly. Then, when I went to see Die Hard 4, there were ceiling tiles that had fallen out from leaks in the roof, and the theater smelled like a wet dog.

But... the picture's great when they actually have it aligned! I'm just glad I have a projector setup at home.

jakelm

Well. I'm floored at how one Grand (The Grand 16) can have excellent Pq and Sq, and the other Grand (The Grand 14), Which was in a UA theater that was maybe 5 years old, cant be so opposite of each other.

When I heard that R2R, I dint know wether to laugh, cry, or get up and talk to a manager (yeah, like he/she would know what the **** going on, or even care).

The seats were stadium , like all Grand theaters, but thats about the extent of the comfort.

It felt like I was back in the 80's. But with the knowledge and experience in A/V of 2007.

kuntasensei

Well, that's the danger... Once you know all this stuff from your home theater, errors in the real theater become glaringly obvious. And then you spend even more money on your home theater so you don't have to go to a real one.

halo

jakelm wrote: »

Sat down in the theater, only to watch 15 minutes of local commercials (boooooo!!).

Agree 100%. WTF did I pay to see commercials followed by (at least) 15 minutes of previews?

Seen a bunch of stuff in the theaters lately. While I'd like to show up 15 minutes "late" to skip the nonsense I don't want to give up the primo seating or miss the begining of the movie on the off chance they actually start on time.

Saw the Bourne Ultimatimum in a new theater and it was awesome compared to the "old" (5 years maybe) theater we usually go to.

bobman1235

danger boy wrote: »

Why do some movie theaters let their systems to down the tubes? Doesn't make any sense to me.

Because they can, and 98% of movie-goers don't even notice, let alone care?

cfrizz

Sigh. This is why I prefer the comfort & convenience & less costly experience of my own livingroom!

jakelm

kuntasensei wrote: »

Well, that's the danger... Once you know all this stuff from your home theater, errors in the real theater become glaringly obvious. And then you spend even more money on your home theater so you don't have to go to a real one.

+1000

Greyscale, tint, color, dynamics (in both audio and video) and the taste of the popcorn. These are the things I have become so critical on since my HT.

But even with a semi properly set up Theater, it is still a great experience.

Music Joe

Movies really suck in our area because there's a pissing match, carrot/stick approach to building a new theater.
In an area with a population boom in excess of 250k. Building code voilations and property prices have driven out the two 3 screen conversions and single screen drive-in leaving only the circa 1980's eight screen Cinemark.This small 8 screen is hard to get to and parking is difficult due having seen so much development all around it.They planned to keep the 8 screen as a second tier discount matinee theater. And build a nice new complex near the safer (camera filled) big box shopping centers and superstores.
The closest multiplex is 35 miles with several more @50+miles. The town counsel reversed a building permit a local Cinemark had pulled to build a 16 screen complex. Why? The city quietly decided and quietly voted they wanted any new theater build to spur a revival of 'old town' with old shops & potholed roads plus many transients. Property crime is high in the proposed mandated development area.
This specific location would require several builing tear downs, street, sidewalk and traffic light improvements. The carrot was a 5 year moritorium on all other theater builds.
Cinemark was pissed and delivered a legal suit and middle finger. They'd spent $$$ already on plans and property and had a city issued permit.
That was 2 years ago now fast foward...the little '3 plex owners that could', could not. Back in 05' Silverscrn said they could do a theater in old town. The fingers of blame pointed. Now the city looks real stupid with no new theater since they took interest in a theater being built.
Under pressure they remodelled the law to allow Cinemark to remodel (in a different location) a 14 screen complex. Now the small chain theater owners are suing due they having spent money and had plans drawn up.If they had stayed out of this we would already have a theater.

jakelm

We have 246k people in the Lafayette metro area. And 537k in the surrounding Acadiana area.

5 theaters in Lafayette and another 5-6 in the ~20 mile surrounding area.

The Grand 16 is the best and newest. About 3 years old.
The Grand 14 is actually the newest, but is in an older UA building.
Carmike comes in second, after The Grand 16, in Pq and Sq. It is about 6 years old.

We have another UA theater on the north side. Cant remember the last time I went there.

And another Westwood, Regals, theater, which is 30+ years old. Watched the last LOTR there. Still a great theater, after being remodled 15 times.

The others are fairly new but are much smaller.

But in all these theaters, there is only really one that is up to par. Sad.

madmax

Theaters are just a business. For most of you guys Home Theater is a passion...
madmax

jakelm

madmax wrote: »

Theaters are just a business. For most of you guys Home Theater is a passion...
madmax

Absolutly , but witht he right theater and the right movie, nothing can beat it.