# Explain To Me What You Get Out Of Seeing A Movie In A Theatre **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 1, 2010, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345 "2010-01-01T23:41:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345/41 "2010-01-03T02:57:30Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > It’s sad because you’re out the full experience. It’s NOT sad, on the other hand, because not really knowing that you’re not actually missing it. Still, it’s sad. It’s kind of like giving someone a gift of a $50 bottle of great champagne, and they go, " What’s the big deal? The grape koolaid coolers I made with it tasted just like all the other grape koolaid coolers I’ve had." See? Sad. You may like grape koolaid coolers, and have no inkling how good a good champagne can be, but some people would be said you missed out on the great champagne for just another “regular” drink. Sure, but sometimes people don’t have the option of going out. Or they just don’t care to. And if they have a busy schedule, watching it in increments, like a TV episode, may be more appropriate to them. I think the whole, “Well, it’s sad because you’re not appreciating it as you should” attitude is what puts people off being interested in stuff a lot of the times. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345/42 "2010-01-03T03:12:18Z")
I think it’s safe to say pretty much everyone over the age of 2 has had the experience of watching a movie in a theater, so they know exactly what it is they’re supposedly missing. Believe it or not, some of us still find it much more enjoyable to watch at home, for any number of reasons. I personally don’t consider watching other people pretend to do stuff on a screen surrounded by a bunch of strangers in the dark any kind of social activity, but I don’t call people who do “sad” or tell them they’re missing out on real human interaction, either. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345/43 "2010-01-03T03:43:40Z")
I can’t help hearing all these “Sad” comments spoken in the Paul Giametti from “Sideways” voice. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345/44 "2010-01-03T04:07:50Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > I think the whole, “Well, it’s sad because you’re not appreciating it as you should” attitude is what puts people off being interested in stuff a lot of the times. It is, in fact, a snobby attitude. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345/45 "2010-01-03T04:19:18Z")
I don’t think it’s sad that people won’t or can’t appreciate seeing movies in the theaters, it’s their loss, but I’d appreciate it if they didn’t think I’m a weirdo for preferring to see movies in the theaters (or worse, if they think I’m a sadsack because I go to the theater all the time by myself). ---
**Author:** ![BigBertha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@BigBertha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigBertha)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345/46 "2010-01-03T04:25:08Z")
> [@HongKongFooey](#): > > All that and they make better popcorn than I can too. I disagree. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345/47 "2010-01-03T04:28:13Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > I don’t think it’s sad that people won’t or can’t appreciate seeing movies in the theaters, it’s their loss, but I’d appreciate it if they didn’t think I’m a weirdo for preferring to see movies in the theaters (or worse, if they think I’m a sadsack because I go to the theater all the time by myself). One of my favorite things to do when I have a lot of extra time on my hands is go see a matinee showing by myself a few weeks after a movie opens. There’s like three people in the theater. Quite relaxing. I actually don’t go to the movies much these days because the only person I’d go with hates going to the theater, and it’s not worth it to me to see it before her. So we wait for the DVD. It doesn’t lack for enjoyment as some would like to pretend it does. My TV is nice, the couch is way more comfortable than any theater chair, and drinks are free. Since it directly pertains to this thread, I’ll explain my friend’s preference. She’s something of a control freak and needs to be able to pause the movie. She might not ever pause it once, but she does need that control. She’s not a fan of crowds. And a little more uncommonly, she vastly prefers having subtitles on. I find them to actually add to the enjoyment of the film, because brief-but-plot critical lines get caught by subtitles much more easily than by ears alone. I wouldn’t mind going to the theater more often again, but I find nothing sad in enjoying a movie in the comfort of the home. Sure, you’re missing out on that social bonding thing, but the crowd can be just as irritating as it can be uplifting. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345/48 "2010-01-03T04:30:45Z")
Oh, I SO agree with the subtitles thing. I’m one of those controlly types who if she mishears something HAS to go back and rewind and listen. Love DVDs with subtitles for that reason–no need to go back and rewind if I’m paying attention and reading along. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345/49 "2010-01-03T04:38:25Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > It is, in fact, a snobby attitude. It’s actually exactly the opposite. But thanks for introducing namecalling to a CS thread. Always helpful. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345/50 "2010-01-03T04:41:28Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > But part of the problem was that the background and music levels in the films were too high. I think that film makers think that louder background music and sound means that the movie will seem more dramatic. I’ve gone to different theaters, and each theater is part of a different chain, but the problems are the same. I am not deaf, but if I want to watch a movie so that I can understand the dialog the rest is deafening and I STILL cannot hear the dialog. As an A/V pro I know that if I had a proper 5.1 system I could adjust my way out of it, but as an unemployed A/V pro I’m stuck with turning on the closed captions. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345/51 "2010-01-03T04:42:42Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > It’s actually exactly the opposite. But thanks for introducing namecalling to a CS thread. Always helpful. That honor would go to the person who thinks it’s sad that someone can enjoy a thing in a different way than they do. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345/52 "2010-01-03T04:44:27Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > It’s actually exactly the opposite. But thanks for introducing namecalling to a CS thread. Always helpful. How is it the opposite of snobby? I don’t mean to come off as an asshole, but I think a lot of people often get rubbed the wrong way by your posts. It’s nice that you’re interested in film, but your whole, “You aren’t really appreciating it” vibe just feels really nasty. Not just in here, but in other threads. I like film as well, but I think it’s possible to enjoy it without trying to imply that other people aren’t enjoying it on my level. It’s really condescending, and I just don’t see the point. Is there something you’re getting out of implying that other people Just Don’t Get It? ---
**Author:** ![FordTaurusSHO94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f07891/32.png) [@FordTaurusSHO94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordTaurusSHO94)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345/53 "2010-01-03T07:41:08Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I saw the first Star Wars when it came out on a full size screen (not the wimpy little ones today). It was a spectacular experience. If Avatar wasn’t such a dork-ass movie it would be the same experience today. And the 3D effects couldn’t be reproduced at home. Optoma released the HD66, a 3d home projector a week or two ago. More are on the way. You can also stagger two regular projectors and use a polarized sheet to get 3d. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345/54 "2010-01-03T07:47:06Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > How is it the opposite of snobby? > > I don’t mean to come off as an asshole, but I think a lot of people often get rubbed the wrong way by your posts. It’s nice that you’re interested in film, but your whole, “You aren’t really appreciating it” vibe just feels really nasty. Not just in here, but in other threads. I like film as well, but I think it’s possible to enjoy it without trying to imply that other people aren’t enjoying it on my level. It’s really condescending, and I just don’t see the point. Is there something you’re getting out of implying that other people Just Don’t Get It? Exactly. As I said, _everybody’s_ seen movies in theaters, so we do know exactly what the experience entails, and some of us just don’t miss it. I was just as impressed with _No Country For Old Men_ when I watched it on Blu-Ray on my big-ass flatscreen TV as I was when I saw it in the theater. The technical stuff - sound system, screen size - of the theater systems that some people go crazy for do nothing for me. Doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate movies. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345/55 "2010-01-03T08:08:44Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > I am not deaf, but if I want to watch a movie so that I can understand the dialog the rest is deafening and I STILL cannot hear the dialog. As an A/V pro I know that if I had a proper 5.1 system I could adjust my way out of it, but as an unemployed A/V pro I’m stuck with turning on the closed captions. I’m not exactly deaf, but I have suffered some hearing loss, and sometimes I have trouble distinguishing words. I think that this has two causes…the fact that the music and “background” noise are not really in the background any more, and the actors don’t speak loudly and don’t elocute well. Having an actor mumble lines might make the scene more realistic, but I usually miss the words and meaning of the line. > [@](#): > > I actually don’t go to the movies much these days because the only person I’d go with hates going to the theater, and it’s not worth it to me to see it before her. So we wait for the DVD. It doesn’t lack for enjoyment as some would like to pretend it does. My TV is nice, the couch is way more comfortable than any theater chair, and drinks are free. > > Since it directly pertains to this thread, I’ll explain my friend’s preference. She’s something of a control freak and needs to be able to pause the movie. She might not ever pause it once, but she does need that control. She’s not a fan of crowds. And a little more uncommonly, she vastly prefers having subtitles on. I find them to actually add to the enjoyment of the film, because brief-but-plot critical lines get caught by subtitles much more easily than by ears alone. And I didn’t know that I’m **Bosstone’s** meatspace friend, or that he’d been watching movies with me. 😉 I prefer to have the ability to pause a movie, although I might not use that ability. I prefer to watch movies all in one go, but if I MUST take care of other business in the middle of the movie, I like to be able to pause it, take care of business, and then pick it up where I left off. Having said all that, I really would prefer to see some movies on the big screen first, before I watch at home. The big screen can enhance the experience, if the sound is right and the other viewers behave appropriately. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345/56 "2010-01-03T08:28:27Z")
> [@HongKongFooey](#): > > All that and they make better popcorn than I can too. > [@BigBertha](#): > > I disagree. Have you tried HongKongFooey’s popcorn? ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345/57 "2010-01-03T08:31:35Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > How is it the opposite of snobby? > > I don’t mean to come off as an asshole, but I think a lot of people often get rubbed the wrong way by your posts. It’s nice that you’re interested in film, but your whole, “You aren’t really appreciating it” vibe just feels really nasty. Not just in here, but in other threads. I like film as well, but I think it’s possible to enjoy it without trying to imply that other people aren’t enjoying it on my level. It’s really condescending, and I just don’t see the point. Is there something you’re getting out of implying that other people Just Don’t Get It? Aah, I see. You’re insulted because you’re manufacturing insult out of thin air. No one implied any such thing. It would be snobbery to be secretly thrilled that you “don’t get it” while “I” do. The sadness express is related to, say I gave someone a great book for their birthday, but they never get around to reading it. Ultimately a gift refused. Again, not snobbery. Even less so because the “gift” in this case is not from me. Please don’t manufacture insults where there are none. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345/58 "2010-01-03T08:39:36Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > I don’t think it’s sad that people won’t or can’t appreciate seeing movies in the theaters, it’s their loss, but I’d appreciate it if they didn’t think I’m a weirdo for preferring to see movies in the theaters (or worse, if they think I’m a sadsack because I go to the theater all the time by myself). Don’t worry, this is definitely an “Only on the SDMB” thing. Going to the movies is expensive and a lot of people (myself included) now weigh up the cost of actually going to see the film at the theatre (You’re unlikely to see change from $30 for the tickets, coke, and popcorn) vs just renting it on DVD when it comes out. Going to the movies is an experience- it’s about the enormous screen, the sound, the making an event of it and having dinner first, and generally- you know- actually being outside the house. Frankly, I’m surprised there are people who can afford to go to the Movies three times a week. Luxury! I doubt I could find three movies a week I wanted to see, but I’m glad someone out there does and gets so much out of it. And there’s nothing wrong with going to the movies by yourself- especially if your friends or SO doesn’t like the same sort of films as you do. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345/59 "2010-01-03T09:24:37Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > Don’t worry, this is definitely an “Only on the SDMB” thing. Going to the movies is expensive and a lot of people (myself included) now weigh up the cost of actually going to see the film at the theatre (You’re unlikely to see change from $30 for the tickets, coke, and popcorn) vs just renting it on DVD when it comes out. Why do they people who don’t like going out to the movies **always** include the cost of a large popcorn and soda? That’s like including the cost of tailoring with any clothing purchase. As I said, some chains allow you to bring in your own stuff. I haven’t bought anything from the snack bar in half a year. I don’t drive either, so I don’t have parking costs. So all I count, and frankly all that _should_ count, is the ticket cost. 90% of the films I see are at the same chain, AMC. I buy passes at CostCo to bring their maximum ticket price down to $7.50. In addition, they have an “AM Cinema” program for films before noon to bring the cost down to $5, $6 or $7 depending on the market. > [@](#): > > Frankly, I’m surprised there are people who can afford to go to the Movies three times a week. Luxury! I doubt I could find three movies a week I wanted to see, but I’m glad someone out there does and gets so much out of it. See above. I can do it three times a week and spend less than $20. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345/60 "2010-01-03T10:00:58Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > Why do they people who don’t like going out to the movies **always** include the cost of a large popcorn and soda? That’s like including the cost of tailoring with any clothing purchase. I like going to the movies. And part of the experience is the popcorn and the cola drink. Also jaffas. Therefore, the cost of that factors into what I’m paying for the ticket. The ticket alone is AUD$15 ($20 for 3D), which isn’t exactly cheap either. > [@](#): > > See above. I can do it three times a week and spend less than $20. Evidently going to the movies in the US is a fuckload cheaper than it is here, then. Three weekly trips to the movies here is AUD$45 without drinks or popcorn. I didn’t say there was anything wrong with going to the movies lots. I was just saying it’s not economically viable here and I’m surprised it is in the US, that’s all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-you-get-out-of-seeing-a-movie-in-a-theatre/523345.md?page=4)