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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
budgiegirl · 27/02/2022 18:41

I love the cinema - films are almost always better on the big screen. I do think it can be expensive though - Spiderman is £14.99 !

We have unlimited passes, £18 a month, so go three or four times a month, so the cost isn't too bad over all. We usually go in the day, when it's quieter, and the seats are very comfortable, and well spaced.

We did go on opening night of Spiderman, the cinema was heaving, and the atmosphere was fantastic- people cheering and clapping. I haven't experienced an atmosphere like that since I saw Die Hard in 1988 !

Momicrone · 27/02/2022 18:57

Yeah but what if you need a cuppa in the middle of it

ISpyCobraKai · 27/02/2022 18:59

@Momicrone

Yeah but what if you need a cuppa in the middle of it
It hasn't happened yet, if it did I'd buy one, they do Costa drinks.
hangrylady · 27/02/2022 19:00

You either love it or hate it. I love the cinema.

ItsDisneyBitch · 27/02/2022 19:02

I’m an Everyman member and bloody love it. But I go by myself to get peace.

Moneyhunter · 27/02/2022 19:02

I love the cinema but I go early on my own and quite often I have the whole cinema to myself. Take my own sweets

I8toys · 27/02/2022 19:04

I used to love it now I hate it. It seems that attention spans have changed over the years and people just can't concentrate for long now. Also the inability to leave their mobile phones alone for the length of the film seems impossible. Don't get me started on individually wrapped sweets and the constant need to trough through the whole thing.

Peachy7 · 27/02/2022 19:06

The reason food is so expensive at cinemas is because it's the only thing they make a profit on!

CrimbleCrumble1 · 27/02/2022 19:09

I don’t seem to notice much rustling or slurping and I’ve never seen any phone usage.

DdraigGoch · 27/02/2022 19:11

@Classica

I find it so depressing when people are all 'cinemas are dead, you can see at home'. It's a totally different experience. And some people like to leave their homes.
A different experience, yes. A better one though? I'm not so sure any more. Too much anti-social behaviour for one thing.

Hopefully the days of the massive multiplex cinemas are numbered and we will be left with smaller venues which offer a better quality experience, harking back to the days when "going to the pictures" was a real occasion that you'd dress up for. Preferably with proactive ushers who deal quickly with people talking or using their phones.

Happypootler · 27/02/2022 19:12

As lots of people have said, if you choose your time and your film wisely you're less likely to get disruptive behaviour. As a family we really struggle to watch a film at home without variously making drinks, checking phones, or nodding off (me). The cinema experience is good for us. We went to see Death on the Nile this afternoon and we sat in silence concentrating on 1 thing for 2 hours. It was great! How often can you say you do that these days? I also went to the theatre this week and the same few kids got up a half a dozen times for the toilet, they just couldn't maintain their concentration, whilst you could tell that other kids were more used to it. It's a skill we all need to practise these days.

Momicrone · 27/02/2022 19:13

Draig, not sure where you go to the cinema but there ain't much anti social behaviour at ours

choirmumoftwo · 27/02/2022 19:14

I've been to the cinema four times in the last two weeks but mainly go to Vue where seats are £4.99.
I also tend to go at quiet times when possible.
Cinema is great but like everywhere else, some people just don't know how to behave.
I don't know where else you can be entertained (outside the home) for 2-3 hours for less than £5.

DdraigGoch · 27/02/2022 19:19

@MyGPsurgeryisUseless

We went yesterday as well.

A lady changed her small child's shitty nappy in the middle of the film on the floor in front of me, which made the entire place stink.

A family with a small baby (3/4 months) both parents and 2 other children the baby screamed through a good 45 mins ruining most of the film.

Was an absolute disaster I said to dh we should have saved the £15, closed the curtains and made pop corn and pizza at home.

The level of entitlement and gross behaviour reminds me why I don’t go.

What sort of lunatic takes an infant to see a film?
budgiegirl · 27/02/2022 19:21

As a family we really struggle to watch a film at home without variously making drinks, checking phones, or nodding off (me)

I agree. My DH and I tried to watch a film at home last night - it took three and half hours to watch a 2 hour film - between the phone ringing, the dog wanting to go out , then in, then out again, 2 DSs coming in and out of the room to chat, and my DD asking for a lift to town!

LooksLikeImStuckHere · 27/02/2022 19:22

I love the cinema but I hate sharing it with other people. We went yesterday and the family next to us spent the entire film shuffling and shoving their hands loudly in the bag of popcorn. How they made it last that long I have no idea but they were soooo noisy and inconsiderate. Other people on their phones. Absolutely no thought to anyone else watching the film. Baffling.

DdraigGoch · 27/02/2022 19:24

@Momicrone

Do you want to pause theatre productions as well so you can have a wee and make a cuppa
They've got intervals where you can go out to relieve yourself and visit the bar.
burnthur5t · 27/02/2022 19:24

I haven't been to the cinema for over ten years and have no plans to go ever again

mugoftea456 · 27/02/2022 19:24

I hate the cinema. The amount of people on Their phone was shocking. Not on calls obviously but texting.

The lady in front of me Is on here. She had the MN app up.

DdraigGoch · 27/02/2022 19:26

@Momicrone

So you've got a nice big room with big soft tiered seats as well? I mean why bother going out at all, restaurants, pubs, clubs, they can all be recreated at home
Why would I need tiered seats when there isn't anyone sat in front of me?

And the point of going to a restaurant (in my view, anyway) is that I don't have to do the washing up.

UserError012345 · 27/02/2022 19:27

It's massively expensive!!! No longer a cheap night out. I can only afford to go on meerkat days now.

Momicrone · 27/02/2022 19:27

Draig, but a movie is shorter than the theatre, most people can last without a wee break

PrescriptionWine · 27/02/2022 19:28

I hate the cinema too for all the reasons op stated, I can get a tango ice blast thing from my local shop, and make popcorn at home.

We get a dominos close the blinds and make our living room a cinema whilst curling up on the sofa, our cat and dog can join in too - much preferred!

Kenwouldmixitup · 27/02/2022 19:29

Went last night to ‘the’ posh cinema in town to see The Godfather. Twice changed seat because someone tall in front obliterated part of the screen. Ended up seated in a spot with a wind rushing through. Disturbed by sweet wrappers rustling throughout. Left halfway through the film because watching was simply too much like hard work.

Went to see ‘Duke’ this afternoon and someone was on their phone in one way or another throughout.

This has done it for me. I can understand the experience of big action films. My film of choice can be just as well enjoyed on my home tv.

Such a shame.

T

DdraigGoch · 27/02/2022 19:31

@Momicrone

Draig, not sure where you go to the cinema but there ain't much anti social behaviour at ours
Admittedly it was a few years ago now (I think it must have been Solo that I saw). I've been to many concerts, a few operas and the odd musical since though and have seen some ASB at the concerts. It only takes one family of morons to ruin the night.

There's even stuff which isn't even prohibited but is still really irritating - crinkly wrappers for one. Still, this thread has listed a few chains of smaller cinemas which I may try out in the future.

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