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!

@35andThriving

Darley368 - Peter Kay mentions problems with rats at the cinema, in his autobiography. He worked as an usher.

We had a massive mice problem at the one I used to work at! Big city centre cinema so HUNDREDS of mice. Management said it was okay though because if we had mice we didn’t have rats.

I worked there for three years and they couldn’t get on top of it.

I can't say YABU because your reasons are perfectly valid but I love going to the cinema, especially the new one near us. Super comfy armchairs with leg rests, a server will bring snacks (like yummy salads or salmon flatbread) and cocktails. It's like flying business but without going anywhere. Yes it's expensive but what isn't these days.

God I love the cinema, the whole experience!

I really don't care if people are eating popcorn or nachos or whatever, it just doesn't irk me. Someone in the next aisle on WhatsApp wouldn't bother me either.

I'd be cheesed off at loud folk for sure but in my many, many trips to the cinema this has happily only been an issue about twice.

I'd rather watch something at home than go to the cinema!

Our nearest cinema is usually £48 in bus dates and £40 off in cinema tickets. It's fine, it's a small town and ok.

Our town theatre does some films, we went to see sing 2 last week for £37 for 6 of us, bargain but I couldn't see a thing as the seats aren't tiered enough. Going there to see encanto tomorrow, booked the first row.

I love seeing films on the big screen but I can’t bear the noise and smell of everyone’s food.

@DrNo007

I hate the cinema too. Worst thing is being trapped with a boring film when you have gone with other ppl so you can’t just get up and go home. A few times I have got up and gone out for a walk round the town while the others sat and watched the film in its entirety. The system is, you get up, go to the foyer and ask the staff what time the film finishes, then go for a walk and come back at the finish time to reunite with your mates. But enough is enough and after doing this a few times I just stopped going.

I just can't imagine doing this at all, it sounds mad to me to buy a cinema ticket and then go for a walk

I agree but the cinemas are not crammed when I have been recently in fact it's practically empty. It's too loud as well! I don't know how they haven't gone bust especially after covid.

You're not wrong about the picture quality. We went to see Death on the Nile yesterday and we both remarked that the picture quality was actually better on our 4K UHD TV at home. Yes, I have my eyes tested regularly.
The showing only had about 10 people in there which was how we liked it. Still cost neatly £24 for two though

I'm just not that into films

In which case, no, the cinema is not a good use of your time/money.

I can’t think of anything worse than going watch a football match, but that’s not because the premier league is overrated, it’s because I have no interest in it.

YABU

I rarely go to the cinema but every time I do I'm like 'I should deffo do this more often'.

When I do go I make sure it's:

• midweek afternoon
• I'm alone
• the film is near the end of it's run so the cinema will be all but deserted

= I have lovely non rustly snacks.

Heaven.

The big screen is lovely. There is nothing like it.
However, I do like the cinema not to be too crowded. It was great in July 2021 when we had just come out of a lockdown and only a few of us were confident enough to go.
It is now possible to go on a winter afternoon and sit there with a fresh container of tea in hand, which can't be bad, but lots of the snacks are overpriced and too many people chatter too much.
I am a pensioner and I find pensioners are racketty chatterers before the film begins. I was furious with a friend of mine who talked all the way through a Denzel Washington trailer, but even if she'd shut up I still don't think I'd have been able to hear any of it.

I like taking my children when they have showings specifically for children. We normally go on a weekday before lunch, and there's usually not many others there and the sound isn't as loud. The cinema near us has been running a deal for ages which mean i pay around 12 quid altogether for myself and 2 children. Obviously it does mean I only ever see children's movies, bit I'm not overly fussed.

I certainly wouldn't go if I had to pay full prices, and it's not somewhere I would choose to go if I wasn't taking the children.

I loved it when I was younger but that was pre phones and people generally respected the keep quiet rule. The thought of being squashed in with all those people now and not being able to go for a wee as much as I want holds little attraction!

I don’t like the cinema much. Though I went to an Everyman cinema recently; sofa’s, alcohol and hot food brought to your seat. More expensive but bit of a novelty. I’m more a theatre goer now. As it my teenage daughter

EveryAvenue, that's horrid! Must be quite common though with all the food about.

I adore the cinema but hate Vue and Cineworld and won’t go to them. I go to our local independent film house. Big leather reclining seats with loads of legroom, drinks served in proper cups and glasses and the film starts at the time on the ticket so if you like trailers arrive 15 minutes early. I’d go every week if I could afford to

@35andThriving

EveryAvenue, that's horrid! Must be quite common though with all the food about.

I remember cleaning a screen once and it was completely dark (once the trailers end the lights go off until you’re ready for the next film) and I bent down to pick some rubbish up to bag and a mouse ran up my back. 🤢🤢

Oh - no - nothing beats a big screen!

I literally just got back from seeing Cyrano with Peter Dinklage - it’s a spectacular film when seen on a grand scale. (Do go and see it).

I love it cinema - but I love Everymans, local indie cinemas, and the odd middle of London showing. They are mostly expensive but it’s a lovely experience and the seats are comfortable.

I probably wouldn’t be half so keen if it was a badly maintained multiplex. Although when I go they are usually alright. Maybe see if there’s a better one? I agree it’s very expensive with kids.

I agree. Our nearest Cineworld cinema is grossly overpriced as it's the only cinema in a large town. I breathed a sigh of relief when DS reached the age where I could drop him off and pick him up later and I no longer had to pay to endure being kicked in the back by children who can't keep their feet still, listening to people chomping on sweets/popcorn/nachos and slurping from buckets of coke and being distracted by those pointless flashing lights in children's trainers. Very occasionally I see there's a film out that I'd like to see then remind myself that I can wait until its released in another format so I can watch in the comfort of my own home.

Wow, almost 50:50 split so clearly I'm not alone and feel vindicated. Thank you!

Also, obviously many people do love it otherwise they'd all go out of business. Pricewise, I find it expensive as a whole family activity. If the DCs want to go with a friend, I encourage them to use the independent one in a different town (same distance away) as they have really reasonable child tickets (up to age 15) for £5.50.

@WonderfulYou

I’d never heard of Everyman cinemas until this thread so I’ve just googled it and they look amazing!!

I love them.....my favourite is the York one....its in an old original cinema building ....whereas the others I've been to ( Leeds and Liverpool) are in modern shopping centres....still a great experience but the York one is something special IMO

Oh my goodness, EveryAvenue. That's bad.... This is rapidly putting me off going to the cinema. You poor thing having that happen!

@NeverDropYourMooncup

If the screen was too big and out of focus, you were

a) too close to it and/or
b) need to get your eyes tested

The best seats are at the back.

Agree with this, unfortunately the back seats were booked or I'd have chosen those as I have before. We were about halfway, I have no idea how the people at the front manage!

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!

@kitcat15

Didn't go for years but love it since the Everyman cinema arrived .....we always book the middle sofa on the back row ....we don't eat there...but always order 1 alcoholic drink which is brought to your sofa table....I have CEA card so its £14 for me and DP so not an overly expensive night out

I could be swung by sofas and alcohol, to be fair.