To think the cinema is massively overrated?

[RagzRebooted]

Took the family to the cinema today. First time in years and actually the first time all 5 of us have gone together (2 adults, 3 12-15yr olds). Only did it because of the £3 Cineworld offer and brought our own snacks because OMG, the price of food and drink there is even more insane than I remember.

I'd been looking forward to it all week. Sat down and was initially impressed as they have built a new one in the town we went to and it's a much better layout, steeper seating (so no need to worry about view blocking) and more leg room, no flip down seats but big ones with headrests. Huge screen.

Here are my problems -
The picture quality is a lot worse than our TV. Obviously, as it's projected.
The screen is so big it's actually quite hard to look at.
The seats looked and felt comfy at first but my back was killing by the end of it.
Stank of various foods people were eating.
Full of people (kind of a given, but still a downside) all making various noises.
Can't just pause it, get up and have a wee, make a cuppa etc.

It was supposed to be a treat, but DH and I agree that we won't be doing it again!

The film was good, but I hadn't even heard of it before looking up what was on and would have been quite happy watching it next year on a streaming service. I can understand going to watch something highly anticipated if it's something you're really into (like Marvel or some other big serial thing), especially for teens. I'm just not that into films and happy to watch then a year later.

I just don't get the appeal of sitting and watching a film crammed in with a load of strangers. I feel like it's something other people do all the time and I'm just being wierd not liking it!

I love the cinema!! We pay about £14 though as reclining seats in an amazing new cinema. Can’t say I’d have high expectations for £3. Agree with another poster saying it was so busy as so cheap.

I agree - it’s way overpriced. My DH, DD and I went in December (first time in ages) and even though I had discounted tickets, it was still really expensive.

Years ago it was a real treat, but then I’m talking when we had tiny boxes for TVs!

Nowadays our teles are so big, to me they’re amazing. I don’t feel the need to go to cinema, especially as it seems the rooms/screens have got smaller.

I much prefer to watch in the comfort of my home.

Cinemas these days are disgusting and unpleasant.
The house lights are migraine-inducingly bright.
The sound levels are too high.
The smell of ketchup and vinegar is revolting.
The litter left behind is filthy and like other posters I’ve had clothes ruined because I’ve inadvertently sat or put coats in spillages.
I don’t want to sit so close to strangers that we’re touching.
Other people talk and play with their phones constantly.
You are continually disturbed by whole groups arriving late, leaving early, nipping out for yet more stinky food.
If you complain to anyone ruining the film with their shitty antisocial behaviour you’re likely to get stabbed, and for the same reason complaining to staff has no effect whatsoever.
And on top of all that they’re apparently infested with rodents!

I like going out but I wouldn’t spend five minutes in a pub or restaurant with such poor hygiene and comfort levels as the average cinema.
And the overall puke factor does imo make it unreasonably expensive. I don’t mind paying for nice experiences. I won’t pay for what is basically an ordeal.

There's a new independent cinema in my town. It's so civilised! There's a bar and you can take your drinks in when you watch the film.

My DH hates films so at home I'd be watching alone. With the cinema I can watch with a friend or family and have a nice chat with them at the bar before or after the film (or both).

Also there are no teens or cats distracting me, and I'm not tempted to glance at my phone or pause, so the film gets my full attention. That in turn, improves my enjoyment of the film. Even films that aren't as good can be enjoyably ripped to shreds in the bar after!

Cinemas these days are disgusting and unpleasant.

No they aren't all disgusting and unpleasant

I dislike the way that posters are making sweeping statements like this, and tarring all cinemas with the same brush.

Both our local cinemas are lovely.
Clean with big seats.
None of them are disgusting or unpleasant.

I love the cinema

I saw Parallel Mothers today, there was me and three other people, I didn't hear a sound from any of them.
I swear most of you are choosing the wrong times to go, or need to try a different cinema if yours is dirty.

I swear most of you are choosing the wrong times to go, or need to try a different cinema if yours is dirty.

I agree

Agree, describing cinemas as disgusting is a tad over the top

I love going to the cinema but you have to choose your seat and film times carefully otherwise it's shite.

@RampantIvy

Cinemas these days are disgusting and unpleasant.

No they aren't all disgusting and unpleasant

I dislike the way that posters are making sweeping statements like this, and tarring all cinemas with the same brush.

Me too. My local indie is lovely, comfortable, with proactive ushers and a nice range of snacks including cups of tea and home-made cake.

@PussInBin20

I agree - it’s way overpriced. My DH, DD and I went in December (first time in ages) and even though I had discounted tickets, it was still really expensive.

Years ago it was a real treat, but then I’m talking when we had tiny boxes for TVs!

Nowadays our teles are so big, to me they’re amazing. I don’t feel the need to go to cinema, especially as it seems the rooms/screens have got smaller.

I much prefer to watch in the comfort of my home.

For me a tv is never ever going to match a cinema screen.

We don't have a particularly large tv because I think unless you live in a big house with very large rooms they look awful.

I can't stand the cinema. Always hated it. I can't concentrate on one thing and sit still for so long. Would much rather watch a film in my own house.

There are some films that just need to be seen on the big screen, to do them justice.

I like the Cinema but only go if there's a new film I really want to see on the big screen, and I only ever go in the daytime when its quieter. Or early evening on a Monday.

No way would I go evening or weekends, I can't take the audience noise its too distracting and annoying for me.

@DeeCeeCherry

There are some films that just need to be seen on the big screen, to do them justice.

I like the Cinema but only go if there's a new film I really want to see on the big screen, and I only ever go in the daytime when its quieter. Or early evening on a Monday.

No way would I go evening or weekends, I can't take the audience noise its too distracting and annoying for me.

I was there the first Friday Eternals was showing, it was rammed. At least the foyer was, and the car park. I went to see the 25th anniversary of Baz Luhrmanns Romeo and Juliet with around 20 others! I saw the ballet of it on Valentines Day. That's something else about cinemas now, they show plays, ballet, opera, music concerts. Not as good as the real thing, but better than nothing and much cheaper, also often the only way of seeing them.

I love going, but I make a point of choosing independent or smaller cinemas and tend to go at unfashionable times. Much fewer people, the snacks are not overpriced and the screens are not ridiculously huge.

But my sofa is on the way out and gives me bum-ache so I might be biased.

*DeeCeeCherry:

There are some films that just need to be seen on the big screen, to do them justice.*

Plus, this ^. saw No Time to Die at the cinema and then more recently at home and it was SOOO much better at the cinema. We do have a large TV but not surround sound.

Cinema is brilliant. I've seen a couple of films recently (Boiling Point and Belfast) which, if I'd have watched them at home, would have diverted myself by going on my phone or making a cup of team as they were pretty intense. As it was, in the cinema, I stuck with it and had the proper immersive experience.
I love the feeling at the end of a good film where, instead of getting up and leaving, the audience sit there and don't rush off.

But, I do hate some people who go to the cinema. Eating hot food is just rank. In fact, you'd think that people were going to be sitting there for 2 days instead of 2 hours by the refreshments they take.
I worked at a cinema for a while and so many people were 'oh yes, I'd better take a bottle of water'. Yes, like you're going to dehydrate into a prune in 12 minutes.

The set of rules made by Mark Kermode should be signed by every ticket buyer before they go in.

...and while I'm on the subject, elderly people explaining the plot to each other. Loudly, because they're a bit deaf.

I love the cinema, it's just the idiots I can't stand.

It wasn't out of focus, just not as sharp as I'd expected. But I think we're spoiled with HD television these days!

Get your eyes checked. Unless you have a TV that cost thousands with extreme picture quality, and even then the cinema isn't that bad, your sight is not as good as you think it is. I am short sighted and wear glasses and have never noticed a difference in quality, nor had my partner who has perfect vision. We also have a HD TV.

@AllOfUsAreDead

It wasn't out of focus, just not as sharp as I'd expected. But I think we're spoiled with HD television these days!

Get your eyes checked. Unless you have a TV that cost thousands with extreme picture quality, and even then the cinema isn't that bad, your sight is not as good as you think it is. I am short sighted and wear glasses and have never noticed a difference in quality, nor had my partner who has perfect vision. We also have a HD TV.

Nowadays a lot of people watch films at home on large 4K ultra HD TVs and the quality on those is better than at the cinema. Maybe not so much on a normal HD tv though. Yes, I get my eyes tested regularly.

I hate the cinema tbh. I decided to try it out one last time to watch a film I really wanted to see, and because I can't stand the sound of people eating I picked one seat in the corner at the back. There were loads more empty spaces available but a couple came and sat right next to me. I was gutted and felt really uncomfortable perched up in the corner. Then they opened crisps and had popcorn and all I could hear was the saliva sloshing about in the man's masticating mouth which drove me so nuts I couldn't concentrate on the film. Other times i've been there have been kids kicking the back of my seat, being generally unruly while the parents smile and do nothing about it (I hate that!). The whole thing just gives me the ick. And don't even get me started about the astonomical cost of it all. Given that the AIBU vote is 50/50 im suprised how these places stay in business - or then again, maybe not given the crazy prices they charge..

I have to agree. I like to go for the big blockbusters but other than that I'm not sold.

There is a cinema near me that has sofa-like seats for £15 a pop, how is that different to being at home? There is also one that serves food and alcohol but it's eye watering lot expensive and I have to add a taxi to the cost.

Nah. I can sit on my comfy sofa, with my beer and takeaway quite happily.