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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:
AthenaPopodopolous · 27/02/2022 19:32

I bought an Pdeon pass, loved the last Bond film and another historic one. They next couple were sci gi and I couldn’t suffer the loudness and noise. So I’ve not been back since. I think the kids enjoy it though as it’s really exciting for them and the popcorn and snacks are a treat.
Loved the cinema back in the day with a pal or when I was a young thing courting.

DdraigGoch · 27/02/2022 19:33

@Momicrone

Draig, but a movie is shorter than the theatre, most people can last without a wee break
Some people don't seem to manage more than 30 seconds in the cinema without rummaging through a bag of sweets, or slurping a drink.
Tumbleweed101 · 27/02/2022 19:35

I use meerkat movies. It works out a free night out with someone who has a cineworld card. I enjoy it as a.cheap night out. Not sure I would like it so.much at Full price.

Featuredcreature · 27/02/2022 19:40

I kind of agree that it's a waste of money but I do miss going. The last thing I saw was ready player one with the kids, a bit meh. I loved the kids club thing when the kids were younger, no idea if they still do that? Was like £1.50 a ticket for slightly older films, usually on a Saturday morning.

I think I will go by myself if there is a film I want to see. No idea what films are even being made now.

Featuredcreature · 27/02/2022 19:43

When I was about 12 the local cinema had an offer in the summer holidays which was £1 per film, we saw such weird films that summer haha.

londonrach · 27/02/2022 19:44

I don't it is either....

OnaBegonia · 27/02/2022 19:58

We do like the cinema and were so
looking forward to The Godfather tonight, had booked Odeon Luxe, then the couple next to us had brought their own snacks; proceeded to rustle about then start cracking nuts out the shell and popping cans of cola open, not to forget the guy saying in a loud voice oh yes this is the bit ...
Really spoiled it for us.

ISpyCobraKai · 27/02/2022 20:06

@OnaBegonia

We do like the cinema and were so looking forward to The Godfather tonight, had booked Odeon Luxe, then the couple next to us had brought their own snacks; proceeded to rustle about then start cracking nuts out the shell and popping cans of cola open, not to forget the guy saying in a loud voice oh yes this is the bit ... Really spoiled it for us.
I saw it with only 4 other people in the screen.
MondayYogurt · 27/02/2022 20:10

I remember reading someone's suggestion for Silent Disco but with cinemas. Everyone wearing Noise cancelling headphones.

Think it would help tbh.

OnaBegonia · 27/02/2022 22:09

@ISpyCobraKai
Ours was fairly quiet, thought it would have been busier

RampantIvy · 27/02/2022 22:46

@Momicrone

Yeah but what if you need a cuppa in the middle of it
Our local cinema always has an interval so you can get one then.

It's massively expensive!!!

Don't you have a Vue cinema near you @UserError012345?

Yourinmyspot · 27/02/2022 22:55

YANBU it’s very rare we go, I occasionally take DD but I hate it if it’s busy. I always get awful backache as my feet don’t reach the floor (I’m only 4ft 11 and have that problem with most chairs to be fair). I hate it as it always makes me feel a bit ‘strange’ for the rest of the day too. A lot of it is me rather than the cinema but I don’t like going.

ShreddedMarmalade · 27/02/2022 23:19

I've had so many films ruined by other people's inconsiderate behaviour in the cinema so I avoid it. I asked two women to be quiet as they were talking at normal conversational volume during the film. They were aghast that I had dared to ask them to be quiet and verbally abused me.

Another time, a woman allowed her child to play a game on an iPad during the film with the volume turned up so high that I could hear it from two rows back. She also kept taking photos of her kid in the cinema with the flash on her phone camera. I ended up in an argument with her at the end of the film and she couldn't see what the problem was.

My favourite suede coat got ruined at the cinema as someone spilled their massive drink under my seat and the end of my coat must have been trailing on the floor and absorbed large quantities of said beverage.

Another time, I missed the first crucial minutes of a film as two women stood in front of me to argue about who's seat was where.

I'm sure there have been more cinema incidents. I'd rather just stay home and watch films on my lovely big tv with no selfish twats to annoy me.

XenoBitch · 27/02/2022 23:27

I love big epic sci-fi films that beg to be seen on the big screen. I don't often go to the cinema, so it is a treat when I do.
Tbh, I don't see the point in going to see things like romance etc there, but to each their own!

MangyInseam · 27/02/2022 23:56

I'm very sympathetic OP. Theoretically I like the cinema, and some things you mention don't bother me. But I agree that the huge screens can be quite difficult to watch.

What really gets me though is the noise. At our local theater and several others I've been to it is so loud that I have a pounding headache before long and I also think it tends to distort the sound to a certain extent. It's bad enough that I have just stopped going.

It makes me sad as I used to enjoy it a lot. Though I have to say there are fewer films I want to see now as I am not really interested in endless comic book stories.

MangyInseam · 28/02/2022 00:02

They've got intervals where you can go out to relieve yourself and visit the bar.

I've thought a few times that it would not be a bad idea for longer films to have an interval. They used to in order to change the reel but it's also very practical for people to use the facilities.

It's easy for younger people or those with better bladders to forget that there are quite a few people for whom waiting longer periods to pee is rather difficult. I think there are plenty of people who avoid the cinema because they know they are likely to need to take a toilet break and don't want the hassle of sneaking out and in again.

Aquamarine1029 · 28/02/2022 00:15

I absolutely hate the cinema. Grotty and horrible. Much nicer in my own comfortable, clean home.

D0lphine · 28/02/2022 00:45

My local cinema is £5 per ticket.

Netflix is £6 per month.

The maths doesn't really add up.

Why go and spend money to stare at yet another screen?

XenoBitch · 28/02/2022 00:48

@D0lphine

My local cinema is £5 per ticket.

Netflix is £6 per month.

The maths doesn't really add up.

Why go and spend money to stare at yet another screen?

It is a massive screen (not everyone has a 60 inch flat screen at home!), good sound system that almost rattles your seats at times. It is an experience!
Florenz · 28/02/2022 01:10

There needs to be cinema showings with an outright ban on phone use that is strictly adhered to - if you are seen with a visible phone, you are escorted out, no warning, you're out and that's it. No food or drinks in the auditorium either. Obviously clearly advertised as such and I wouldn't mind paying a bit extra to make up for the cinema not making as much money from the food and drink.

milkyaqua · 28/02/2022 02:42

People's behaviour has changed. When I was young, the worst you'd experience was someone unwrapping their Fantales distractingly, or some oblivious person not getting the plastic wrap off their Choctop before the ads before the film finished.

Now people eat stinky burgers! Play on their stupid phones. Talk loudly all through the film. Eat loud crap nonstop. And the cinemas half the time have the air-conditioning on to sub-zero, forget to turn the lights off, or have a problem with the speakers and/or sound.

And in a totally empty cinema, you can pretty well guarantee someone eating a stinky tuna salad, wtf, will come and sit two seats away from you.

avamiah · 28/02/2022 03:02

My daughter went to see the new Spider Man film on Saturday and there were 4 of them and they booked it in advance.
Yes it was only £3 each but they spent over £30 buying natcho’s and hotdogs as one hotdog was £6. They took water in with them and sweets but let’s be honest we all like to buy something from the cinema to eat while we are watching the film as that’s half the fun.

This is a big money maker for Cinemas

liveforsummer · 28/02/2022 05:52

@D0lphine

My local cinema is £5 per ticket.

Netflix is £6 per month.

The maths doesn't really add up.

Why go and spend money to stare at yet another screen?

Because it's not really a novelty sitting in your living room watching a dated or straight TV movie I guess
Whammyyammy · 28/02/2022 05:56

YANBU, I loathe them, rather watch a film in the comfort of my own home. The cinemas are also pricing themselves our of the overall enjoyable experience with tickets prices and sakes of popcorn/sweets etc

Although I do enjoy an outdoor cinema.

AliTheMinx · 28/02/2022 06:36

Agree... not a big cinema fan. Too loud, too uncomfortable, too expensive and always freezing!