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Why go out???

Just returned from watching Knives Out at one of these supposedly premium theaters. Well the seats at least are premium. Big, reclining, and comfortable enough. None of the usual crammed in like cattle feel. That's it for the good news. For some unfathomable reason the theaters are numbered but without movie names. We walk down the hall, not one name or even a poster. We weren't the only ones, another couple was roaming around wondering where to go. 

The screen was (Guessing) not even 16:9 and with awful grainy coarse quality which you think well it'll be better for the feature but no, its not! Who in this millennium shows movies in pan and scan? Woodinville! Hard to believe this is the only one- let me know! 

In case you're wondering no, this isn't me being audio/videophile finicky, my wife was complaining all the way home! My projector is Sony, not even the latest, not even 4K, and no Blu-Ray I'm a Pirate Bay/RARBG scofflaw kinda guy, all movies watched off the MacBook Pro (with ECT, and the system is to die for but still....) MY WIFE was complaining! She actually thought it was worse than me! (Well I make allowances, but still...)

What gets me is, I've seen and know how good movies can be. Seen Lawrence, Hamlet, My Fair Lady etc in 70mm. Hateful Eight in 70mm too but that one the projectionist clearly didn't know what he was doing. Beside the point. Cinema should be an experience. A memorable experience. Hamlet was. My Fair Lady was. This one was memorable only in the sense that we will remember not to come back.

Time was not all that long ago no amount of money would get you to cinema quality. But now? Cinema has descended, home theater (IF you do it right!) is actually better. Not a little either. WAY better!

Is it me?Or are they killing the motion picture industry?

Why go out? 
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spinaker01
491 posts
 
...don’t blame digital, it sounds way better than the low res analogue imbedded on old film tracks ever did. As for Hollywood movies: the dreck they’ve been churning over the last ten years has driven me away from home theatre and movies in general. Comic book heroes, remakes and formulaic garbage that appeals to the lowest common denominator. Netflix is offering better content nowadays
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three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
I suggest never leaving the house.  The outside world can only disappoint you.
edcyn
1,876 posts
 
I saw lots of first-rate projection and sound quality when I lived in L.A. Of course it depended on where you went but still...it still can exist. To me, though, the problem with the way the movie business now works is that, eighty percent of the time, the theaters only show big commercial super-hero type features.  All the smaller, more interesting stuff is now shipped directly to the premium television channels.  It doesn't help that the new, premium channel television series not only feature the best writing, they possess the best production values.  If you want to see something really good, watch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Plotting can sometimes be a bit tentative but the acting & dialogue are wonderful. Still better, the physical production values can only be called magnificent.  Colors are 1950's-1960's rich and vivid. Backgrounds swirl with action and people-on-the-move.  They're essentially choreographed.  The camera is ever on-the-move, as well.
big_greg
6,619 posts
 
I went to see the latest Star Wars movie tonight at the local multiplex in Lacey. As good as my home theater system is and as much as I enjoy the comfort of watching a movie in my own home, there are some movies that just seem to demand being seen on a big screen. The image quality and sound was excellent and the seats were comfortable. 

It took me back to when I was 15 and rode the bus to Seattle with some friends to watch the first Star Wars movie (Episode IV) at the UA150. We stood in line around the block to get our tickets and were so blown away that we stayed and watched the next showing. It was shown in 70MM on a huge curved screen. I remember seeing Apocalypse Now and hearing "surround sound" for the first time. Movies have come a long way since then. Last night the grandkids were watching the new version of The Lion King and I was amazed by the quality of the CGI.

I've had a couple of experiences where there were technical difficulties and that's frustrating, but overall I enjoy going out to the movies. Some of my favorite places are small indy theaters like The Grand in Tacoma. No blockbusters, not the greatest sound systems, run by volunteers, hard to find parking, but a lot of cool small films played there. 

For me, it's more about the movie and the experience than technical aspects. I would have been disappointed if I had the kind of experience described, but no way I'm waiting for this last episode of Star Wars to come out for home rental. 
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bruce19
231 posts
 
Your header triggered a tangential thought for me....why hear live music? It has struck me that there is a disconnect between the notion of the pursuit of obsessive audiophile perfection and the reality of live music. I have seldom heard live music where the audio is perfect. Even when I have been part of the band what you hear is nothing like what comes out of a decent set of home speakers. But, as others have noted eloquently above, you go for other reasons. It so happens I am not a big movie fan so I agree 100% with your original thesis. At least at home you can hit the pause control and go to the bathroom.
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