Movies & TV Jun 18, 2012 at 3:14 pm

How Often Do You Go to the Movies?

Erik Henriksen
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Comments

1
Why on earth would I go see movies in theaters anymore? Even if you have the luxury of an art theater that will show something other than blockbusters, the chance that there is a competent projectionist is slim. Possibly the only thing in favor of chain theaters is that most of them are transitioning to digital projection, which has its own faults, but at least is hard to screw up. Dim projector lamps, mis-focused, off-center pictures and barely audible or deafening sound is the norm when I do make it to a theater.
Crown Graphic on June 18, 2012 at 3:34 PM Report this
2
I go to maybe 4 a year. Probably down from the past, mostly because you can only get burned by so many crappy movies and unreliable actors/directors without learning a lesson. Halfway decent and free, maybe a movie will get my time. Better be mind-blowing and fully worthy of a theater if a movie wants my money as well.
on June 18, 2012 at 3:38 PM Report this
3
I'm a fan of the theater experience, and most of the movies I watch are in theaters. However, almost all of them are in second run theaters. It's cheaper than renting, plus there's cheaper/better food and booze.

Rarely do I pay full price for a movie. Maybe a few a year.
Andy Mesa on June 18, 2012 at 3:42 PM Report this
4
I saw Prometheus (which blew) recently. It was the only movie I've seen at a conventional theater for at least a year. Two 3D tickets: $32! Not to mention ads, ads, ads, and another $15 for popcorn and soda. That's what these fuckers get for the non-stop gouging.

I'll stick with the beer theaters thank you.
Spindles on June 18, 2012 at 3:44 PM Report this
5
The 'theater experience' can mean many different things. I quite enjoy some audience participation, or at least a reactive audience who is willing to laugh loudly or make a joke, so I mostly go to midnight shows or revival screenings.
Crown Graphic on June 18, 2012 at 3:44 PM Report this
6
I want to preface my comment with the fact that, I LOVE movies. There was a time when I'd go several times a month. I saw Fellowship of the Ring something like 12 times in the theater.

These days I go rarely. I hit up Hecklevision and superhero movies regularly. However, there's little else being made that I find interesting. I enjoy bad horror movies. However, my BF doesn't care much for movies in the theater in general. Let alone horror flicks (his least fave). If I'm going to get him to a theater, I need a STRONG case for it (or a second run theater with beer). I typically go to stuff I REALLY want to see alone.

Fruit Cup on June 18, 2012 at 3:45 PM Report this
7
I would much rather see a movie in the theater rather than at home. Even with having a competent surround sound system and decent LCD TV I still prefer the theater experience. That said, I do find myself going less and less. The costs really are nearing prohibitive. And this is from someone that isn't what you would call frugal.
jim on June 18, 2012 at 3:55 PM Mercury Staff
8
About twice a year
on June 18, 2012 at 3:58 PM Report this
9
I wait for second run, I don't think most movies are worth the 10+$ they are these days at Regal. So I'd rather pay 3$ and get a beer or dinner with my movie at some place like McMenamins, or pony up 9$ for a nice theater experience like Living Room with cocktails and comfy cozy small theaters, than patronize Regal.
Or I just wait to rent it.
on June 18, 2012 at 4:01 PM Report this
10
Only $30 to be annoyed by people texting and seat-kicking, getting a headache and have to crane your neck around just to see shit and not be able to pause to go pee and be forced into a pile of ads and smell like fucking popcorn and have to commute for it all and then have the movie probably be a recycled creatively bankrupt piece of shit anyway? For the price of 3 months of unlimited movies from the entire backlog of cinema? Sounds like an awesome deal!
lithell on June 18, 2012 at 4:40 PM Report this
11
About 4 times a year is where I am lately and only one of those was first run, "Hugo".
I tend to rank movies as: "worth seeing on a big screen", "worth seeing with an audience", "worth seeing at all" & "looks like crap". 70% of what I see ads for fall in the last category, especially when it comes to mainstream Hollywood flicks.
Not to mention the theater experience at the beer theaters in town tends to be way better than what can be had at the multiplexes. Rarely do I find people answering their cell phones or bringing a toddler to the latest gore-fest flick at Laurelhurst or the Academy.
MonkeyBeat on June 18, 2012 at 5:38 PM Report this
12
I still love love love going to movies, especially in Portland. I would rank Laurelhurst, Hollywood, Bagdad, Roseway, Living Room, Cinema 21, and even Fox Tower as some of the best theaters anywhere, and they are all here! And lots of them are cheap and have beer and decent food! Beyond that, I just enjoy seeing a movie in the theater so much more than sitting at home watching a crappy pixelated streaming video from netflix or hulu on my computer screen. Honestly, I watched more movies at home when there were a decent number of video rental places, but now that they are mostly out of business I am more likely than ever to just go to the theater. The library is still good for dvds, but I mostly use it for tv show seasons.
zefwagner on June 18, 2012 at 6:31 PM Report this
13
I like going to movies. I go to probably one or two a month, aside from screeners for this rag, split between new and second-run.

I mostly go because I am not patient enough to wait for DVDs and I hate seeing conversations on the internet about something in pop culture that I do not understand. So I catch most of the buzzed-about stuff.
on June 18, 2012 at 7:44 PM Report this
14
I don't go as much as I used to, for several reasons: jacked-up prices at the 1st run theaters, alternatives for my time (the internet, my family), and a variety of viewing options at home. I still think there's value in "the theater experience", though. Having a darkened room and a big screen is more immersive than my living room's familiarity and distractions. (Anyone want a needy cat or three?) My current thinking goes like this:

1) Is it worth seeing first run? That is, is there enough spectacle involved that the IMAX 3D Digital Percepto hootenanny is worth the cost -- or is it a film I feel strongly enough about that I want to support it with a first-run view? If not...

2) Is it worth seeing in the theater at all? Second run it is, and we've got a lot of fine second run theaters around here. However, I often find the movie never makes it to second run or the show times just don't work with my schedule, so I see fewer films this way than I'd like. If it fails this check, or I just never see it 2nd run...

3) Is it worth seeing at all? Then I'll nab it some way or another: NetFlix, DVD rental, what-have-you.
on June 18, 2012 at 7:55 PM Report this
15
The biggest thing that theaters could do to make me go more than the 3-6 times a month I do now would be USHERS!!! The behavior at some theaters is atrocious and I basically quit going to any regal theaters because they charge the most, yet do the least to deal with problem customers. I am hoping the alamo drafthouse will open up a branch here. Oh to go to a place where you know that anyone with their phone out will be asked to leave.
econoline on June 18, 2012 at 8:24 PM Report this
16
I watch a lot of movies but I see them in places like living room theaters- half the price and much better quality of movie. I simply refuse to pay outrageous prices for Hollywood box-office garbage...
ConflictArtist on June 18, 2012 at 11:47 PM Report this
17
I probably see three or four movies a year in the theater. A lot of the reasons why have been covered above: home theater setup is decent enough, movies are expensive, and there's a gajillion things on the iTunes store or Netflix streaming all at my fingertips. It's easier than ever to be a total shut-in!
tk. on June 19, 2012 at 8:26 AM Report this
18
Lower the price and I'd go to more movies!
stupid jerk hollywood.
Chester Copperpot on June 19, 2012 at 9:08 AM Report this
19
The fact that the options end after "in a month" pretty much makes this poll useless.

As a shut-in, when I leave the house, I generally do so to talk to people. Movies aren't a very social experience, and if I'm going to watch something alone, there aren't a lot of films I'm going to pay that premium for.
Melogna on June 19, 2012 at 9:26 AM Report this
20
We go to second run beer theaters almost every weekend. Even if it's a dumb movie, $4 is not a bad deal if you're sitting on a sofa at the Kennedy School. No one under 18 at beer theater! Fuck teenagers.

First run/AMC/Regal/etc is a fucking joke, as everyone has pointed out. This trend of $15 tickets for bad 3D films is not going to last. I only go when I'm stranded with in-laws.

Movie theaters are the next to go, after newspapers, cd retail, and book chains. Digital media is affordable and accessible for most consumers.
cat & beard on June 19, 2012 at 10:52 AM Report this
21
Woah. Those poll options are messed up. More realistic choices would be: once or less a year, 2-5 a year, 5-10 a year, or 10+ a year.
on June 19, 2012 at 12:23 PM Report this
22
Yeah, I don't know a single person who goes to the theater even 12 times a year.
Crown Graphic on June 20, 2012 at 12:21 PM Report this

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