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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think the cinema is massively overrated?

273 replies

RagzRebooted · 26/02/2022 20:40

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!

OP posts:
RampantIvy · 26/02/2022 22:02

YABU

We have a wonderful independent cinema in my nearest market town. The seats are comfortable, the screen isn't ridiculously big and the audience are there to actually watch a film, not to talk or munch through a load of noisy snacks (you can only buy popcorn or sweets). And then there is an interval break halfway through the film so you can buy a drink at the bar or get an ice cream.

It is only £6.50 to watch a film, so it isn't an expensive way to spend an afternoon or evening.

SelkieQualia · 26/02/2022 22:02

I love the "Gold Class" ones (different cinemaa have different names) where it's a really small theatre with reclineable seats, and you can order hot food and alcohol.

Fedupsotired · 26/02/2022 22:03

You need to avoid large cinema complexes! We go regularly to a fantastic independent, not overpriced, great screen quality and sound. We love it

jay55 · 26/02/2022 22:06

I love going. Usually it's dead quiet on a Saturday or Sunday morning.
It was weird to me for it to be so busy today. The first film I saw I had three teens next to me and I was a bit worried as I didn't expect Death on the Nile to be their thing, and they were quiet and well behaved all the way through.

I then saw The Duke, which is again not really a teen friendly film. So why some families were their with their 12-14 year olds I don't know. I'm sure they'd have rather been at almost anything else. The ones In front of me were little shits and parents just ignored it. Two other groups decided to leave part way through and stood for ages blocking the screen. Total nightmare. Great film though.

I don't think today was the best day to judge going to the cinema as so many were there who wouldn't normally go. And as it was cheap people were treating it as such.

katienana · 26/02/2022 22:11

For certain films the communal experience really helps - seeing a comedy in a packed cinema can be great as laughter is contagious. Years ago we went to see a Rocky film and the whole audience started chanting Rocky, Rocky as the film started.
My youngest will hardly ever watch a full film with us at home, but he concentrates really well in the cinema.
Its also great for going on a date, gives you something to talk about afterwards.
I'm not a fan of the hotdogs and nachos that have become popular though I'll give you that!

Original poster
RagzRebooted · 26/02/2022 22:12

It was The Duke we went to see, my teens enjoyed it but i did notice there were very few teens there.

Last time I went to the cinema, I felt something touch my arm - looked down and the teenage girl behind me had taken off her shoes and was using my armrest as a footrest! She got a stern glare and quickly desisted, but was a bit of a WTAF moment. Who thinks that's okay?!

OP posts:
BabyTurtIe · 26/02/2022 22:14

I went to the cinema and everyone started clapping at a certain part, it was hilarious as I didn’t realise people did this 🤣 I never go, I was sat there probably the only one not clapping!

PurpleBaskets · 26/02/2022 22:15

We went to see Sing 2 recently, and yes I get it’s a kids film but - I spent a lot of money going there, my kids want to sit and enjoy the film and I want to sit and relax for a bit while my kids are entertained! Yet it was just a free for all; babies and toddlers crying and whining (take them out, please! I didn’t take mine until they were old enough to sit through a film for this very reason!), older children just freely chatting, getting up and walking around, shouting out with the adults not even attempting to tell them to be quiet/sit down and grown adults sat on their phones lighting up the room. Will stick with watching at home!

katienana · 26/02/2022 22:15

@jay55

I love going. Usually it's dead quiet on a Saturday or Sunday morning. It was weird to me for it to be so busy today. The first film I saw I had three teens next to me and I was a bit worried as I didn't expect Death on the Nile to be their thing, and they were quiet and well behaved all the way through.

I then saw The Duke, which is again not really a teen friendly film. So why some families were their with their 12-14 year olds I don't know. I'm sure they'd have rather been at almost anything else. The ones In front of me were little shits and parents just ignored it. Two other groups decided to leave part way through and stood for ages blocking the screen. Total nightmare. Great film though.

I don't think today was the best day to judge going to the cinema as so many were there who wouldn't normally go. And as it was cheap people were treating it as such.

I recently found an old diary of mine and when I was a teen I was at the cinema every week and saw almost every release!! The town centre cinema did £1 tickets to compete with the multiplex. This was in the 90s. I don't think most teenagers could go the cinema so often now.
PuppyMonkey · 26/02/2022 22:15

Oh this is sad. I love going to the cinema. Although I do also acknowledge times have moved on and everyone is used to streaming what they want at home.

But I still just have such a feeling of joy when I go into the foyer and it’s all mixed up with memories of big big movies I’ve seen like Grease and Ghostbusters and Ferris Bueller and Fatal Attraction and Terminator and every single “event” movie there’s ever been. And the wine gums. And laughing at all the funny bits along with hundreds of other people.

Don’t let it end.Sad

Hadenoughofthisbullshit · 26/02/2022 22:16

Any excuse to post this

Viviennemary · 26/02/2022 22:19

I like going. But some cinemas are better than others. Shame you had a bad experience.

TheMindBoggle · 26/02/2022 22:19

I like going in the day on my day off. One or two other people there, so no disturbances.

I went a couple of weeks ago and someone actually sat next to me when there were tonnes of empty seats. That felt weird so, after about 20 mins, I moved to a row with noone else on it.

Hbh17 · 26/02/2022 22:20

Most films really need to be seen in the cinema, as you need a big screen & a good sound system. The whole point is to be fully immersed & not distracted - so the need to "pause", look at a phone or wander off to the loo just never arises.
I agree that other people eating in the cinema is vile - I wish it could just be banned. Nobody needs "snacks" when they are only there for a couple of hours, ffs.
Other people on phones, talking etc is also distracting but you learn to pick your cinema & the best time to go - early afternoon is my favourite, when it's quiet and most people just want to watch the film.

HisHX · 26/02/2022 22:21

Hate it.

Dreamstate · 26/02/2022 22:22

I only go during the day time as there are less people so thankfully these people know how to keep there mouths shut and not talk nor turn on their phones.

Anytime I've been when its busy I really hate it. I dont understand why people have to talk its at most 90mins, is it really that hard to shut up. Clearly it is.

Blossom64265 · 26/02/2022 22:24

The best thing to happen out of the pandemic
was same day home streaming. We installed theater seats and bought a movie theater popcorn machine. I’m frustrated to have not seen Spider-Man yet, but otherwise I don’t miss the cinema at all.

MostlyNormalSometimesOdd · 26/02/2022 22:24

We go at least fortnightly if not weekly and for us it's a proper treat.
We keep costs down by booking 2 for 1 seats on a deal we got via our car insurance and bringing our own snacks if we want them, we don't always take, and a couple of tins of G&T in our pockets

WhateverHappenedToFayWray · 26/02/2022 22:26

I love the cinema but I do tend to go to independent ones. I love watching old films.

fitflopqueen · 26/02/2022 22:27

Been twice to a Cineworld in last couple of months - great experience to see latest Bond film and then Westside story - I have the Meerkat app so becomes a good deal and it was quiet on both occasions. The treats are way too expensive though (both my adult kids came, they have to buy their own popcorn which is way more than the tickets!)

snakewillow · 26/02/2022 22:30

I love the cinema and usually go to the local independent one which is really reasonable for tickets and snacks. I do get annoyed by the other people though, as they generally seem incapable of turning up on time (making a huge fuss about finding their seats when they do) or want to talk all the way through. I have to point out that conversations can be had outside for free to at least one group of people each time.

steff13 · 26/02/2022 22:31

I love going, but I have a membership where I pay $20 a month and can see three movies a week. They have nice reclining seats, and the bartender will put vodka in your Icee if you ask him to.

DreamTheMoors · 26/02/2022 22:33

You know it’s bad when you go to the counter & they lay out a square of black velvet and you say, “I’d like to see something in a Tootsie Roll, please.”

godmum56 · 26/02/2022 22:36

@2022HereWeCome

I used to love the cinema but I took DS to see Sing 2 recently at one of the chains and OMG the sound was far, far too loud especially for a children's film - my ears were ringing after it which is not a good sign. So I won't be going back.
that's why i stopped going too. Used to come out with ringing ears and a headache. and yes to all the OP says about pausing the movie for a wee, rewinding if you miss a bit, enjoying lovely food and wine while watching, comfortable seats and so on
mydogisthebest · 26/02/2022 22:37

I think a decent film needs to be seen on a big cinema screen. The big problem with cinemas is the people in them.

Me and DH go to watch a film not eat and drink and it pisses me off when people are rustling wrappers, slurping drinks etc. Pretty sure they manage to sit and watch tv without having to eat all the time.

Also people in and out, presumably to go to the loo. I honestly think the majority of people have something wrong with their bladders. I can sit for 3/4/5 hours or longer without keep going to the loo. They must know they have a problem so why not sit on the end of a row? Oh no they sit further down so everyone has to stand up each time they go out and then come back in.

Going to the cinema uses to be great about 40 years ago. People didn't keep talking through the films, didn't seem to have to eat as much and just generally had more manners and respect for others