Why I Stopped Going to the Movies
July 18, 2008 by J.C. Hewitt
My friend Steve texted me six times yesterday with his countdown to the midnight showing of The Dark Knight. His level of excitement was about as high as I have ever seen from him. He was boiling over with anticipation. I wish I could say I shared the excitement. It sounds like a good movie. The reviews are great. I know the Batman mythology well and it sounds like they may have finally gotten it right. The problem is, to see it I have to go to a packed movie theater, and for the most part I just don’t enjoy doing that anymore.
Back in the eighties and into the nineties, a typical weekend for me included seeing at least one and as many as three movies. I wasn’t picky about what movies I saw. I went to almost any comedy, most action movies, plenty of dramas and a smattering of foreign films. I had plenty of company too. Most weekends I had no problem finding two or more friends to go to the movies with me. Life changes for everyone, and it certainly has for me. At this point, I go to the movies about once a month and usually at someone else’s urging. I almost always regret it. The experience has changed, and I have as well. Below are five reasons why I’ve stopped going to the movies:
I don’t want to spend the money
I’m not usually strapped for cash these days, but I’m cheaper than I used to be. When I made six dollars an hour, plunking down twelve dollars for a ticket, popcorn and a soda didn’t bother me. Now I make several times that, but the thought of spending forty dollars or more for my wife and I to go to the movies just seems like a waste of money, especially when my local video store (Sorry Blockbuster, I found a better deal) charges me $.99 to rent the DVD complete with features and I can spend the other 39 dollars on far better snacks with money to spare.
I’ve already seen it
Hollywood stopped making new movies years ago. They were already recycling pretty heavily in the eighties and nineties, but now it seems to have reached a fever pitch. Every major movie this year is a sequel or based on a comic book (or both). I’ve seen them all before. As for the rest of the cineplex, try to tell any two romantic comedies apart these days. The pattern is so hardwired that you can time the beats on your watch.
Commercials
I don’t go to movies to watch commercials. Thanks to Tivo, I rarely even watch commercials at home. I am perfectly happy to sit through previews of coming attractions, but I do not want to experience jingle spouting dancers shouting the word Fanta at me in Dolby Surround Sound. I also don’t want to be lectured about movie piracy. I don’t steal movies, and I don’t know of any reason that those annoying commercials would stop somebody who did. They are just punishing the innocent.
People don’t know how to watch a movie anymore
Even in the eighties, you had to deal with people talking in movies, but the trend is growing exponentially. Between the people chatting with each other, the people talking on their cell phones and the people texting each other, the theater isn’t just loud, it’s glowing. It’s easy to blame this sort of thing on these kids today but I see plenty of older offenders who should know better. I am also shocked by the number of people bringing small children to late showings of movies — especially R-rated movies. It is simply inappropriate.
Television got better
While the quality and originality of movies seems to have fallen steadily during my time as a moviegoer, the quality of television has risen dramatically over the same period. Shows like Lost, The Shield, Weeds, Dexter, Californication, Entourage and The Office have raised the bar for writing and production values to the point that they are every bit as entertaining as movies. Sure, there is a lot of junk out there, but the beauty of Tivo and other DVRs is that you can watch what you want, when you want. In the past, movies (with their multiple viewings per day) were more accessible than television shows, but now that gap has closed.
I’ll always be a fan of movies, but more and more I am waiting for the DVD to come out. There isn’t the sense of urgency that there once was. I know I can see it sooner or later, and I’m perfectly happy to wait most of the time. Also, it seems as if the truly unique movies only make it to the video store. The theater is too busy showing the latest bland blockbuster on eight different screens.
Much plays into the decision to go or not go to a particular movie. We can ignore the fact that many people enjoy technical devices that not only screen comercials, but can present the dazzling digital vista and dolby sourround sound in the comfort of one’s own recliner. No more busted seats, no more oozy gooey mess under the seat. No more sticky floors or overprices popcorn. We can safely ignore these, as they maake little difference. My decision usually hang on the personal interaction of my family members, and most especially my wife’s desires.
Not long ago, I was confronted by my two daughters screaming at the prospect of Mama Mia coming to the Big Screen. I told them, I could either send them to the theater once, or buy the DVD, which will allow them the distinct pleasure of driving their brother crazy as they watch it a zillion times. Bring plucky sisters, they opted to wait for the DVD.
Oh the joys of anticipation! The girls are giddy with the anticpated torture of thier mutual sibling. My son looks at me like a traitor. I for one am glad to have saved some money, which will likely get spent on my wife. My wife smiled, which made it all worth it. I have to admit that this is by far among the most benign things I have done to please some females. In a few years, my son will learn the weakness all men share when delaing with girls. Perhaps then he will be alittle more forgiving. Until then, I am the man who sold out to a bunch of screaming girls for the sake of a few dollars.
@ James,
All I can say is “Ouch!” Your poor son.
John,
Hardly ever go to the movies myself. But, I don’t really miss it, since the movies I enjoy most are the classic (usually B&W) ones–and those aren’t the ones showing in the theaters. Also, some of today’s movies (particularly the comedies) are so juvenile and so lacking in class that I inevitably end up regretting having gone to see them in the first place. I definitely have no inherent need to pay someone to offend my sensibilities or insult my intelligence. I’d much rather watch a movie in the comfort of home with remote control firmly in hand–enjoying the power to change the channel or press “Stop” anytime I feel I’ve reached the limits of my tolerance.
Great piece!
Jeanne
Great post. I love seeing movies (good ones). Growing up, we saw one 3-4 times a year and now that I am a mom, I enjoy seeing one 1 or 2 times a year.
While I really enjoy the movie experience, I want to spend the money and time on one that appears to be really good, then I allow myself the full treat, popcorn and all.
Previews to me are part of the movie experience, but the quantity shown before the feature has indeed gotten out of hand.
I most agree with your fourth point, people do not know how to watch movies, or how not to bring toddlers to inappropriate shows, or how to make the sacrifice of going to see a movie just because you don’t have child care. And cell phones in theaters-like so many other indoor places-are just plain rude.
John, another great post. In all the previews I’ve seen of Dark Knight, it makes me wonder whether anyone remembers Brandon Lee (son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee) in The Crow. Admittedly, I haven’t seen the new Batman movie, but it looks as if Ledger’s and/or the director is/are taking a page from Brandon Lee’s book.
That being said, I can’t say I’ve enjoyed going to the movie theater for years either. I invariably get in front of the person who kicks and hits my seat constantly–and I’m not talking about large or tall people uncomfortably wedged into a too-small seat, which would be understandable. Besides texting, ringing cell phones, and bringing small children to inappropriate movies, I consider this a rampant rudeness.
The only time I miss the theater is with the epic and/or special effects-studded movies that don’t look good on my small TV screen.
I can’t say I share your enthusiasm about most modern television shows either, but, hey, what a boring place the world would be if we all agreed on everything!
I would typically agree with you on this one. Movies in the theater are just way too expensive these days. But “The Dark Knight” was a fantastic film and if you can’t wait to see it, then by all means treat yourself. Check out the matinee, which I did with my wife today. You’ll only drop about $15 on the tickets (for 2). Bypass the snacks (or bring in your own) and you’ll save a boat-load there as well. And the matinee I went to this afternoon wasn’t too packed at all and everyone was so engrossed with the film that nary a word of side-conversation was heard. Overall, well worth the extra cash for a rare treat! And did I mention the movie was tremendous?!
Oh, and show up about 15 minutes late and you’ll miss all those annoying commercials.
@ Jeanne,
The intelligence level of today’s movies is sadly lacking, but I don’t mind a little juvenile stupidity. I just wish not every comedy needed to copy “There’s Something About Mary” which managed to be juvenile, funny, and oddly heartwarming. Every gross-out comedy since has basically copied the formula without getting the heartwarming part (or even the funny part) right.
@ Rhonda,
I actually would support movie theaters using some sort of signal dampening equipment so people couldn’t use their phones in the theater.
@ Leigh
I don’t think that television overall has improved. The best has gotten better, but the worst has gotten worse too, As for “The Crow” I loved that movie, and I got to see it at the huge Mann’s Chinese theater in Hollywood, so it was especially memorable.
@ Trevor
I’ll definitely see Dark Knight in the theater. It is worth the distractions, I’ll probably just wait for a weeknight.
My husband and I saw “The Dark Knight” early Friday, missing the huge crowd!
Being one of the only superhero comic book characters I even got excited about made it a must see for me.
He was a bit disturbed by Heath’s performance, as for myself, the Joker was always my favorite villain in Batman, so I was in rapt joy to watch as realistic a portrayal as I have ever seen of Arkham Asylums most insane resident!
I will not continue as I do not want to make a mistake in giving away anything from the movie. I will say that “The Dark Knight” is a great one to spend the money on!
As for the going to movies, we live in a huge city, (San Francisco), going to the theater is about all we can afford to do as entertainment here.
I am surprised at some of the complaints, well besides cost. The theaters here have stopped playing commercials and the only advise they give is to not add your own sound to the movie sound tract.
It is a bit cheeky, though it seems to work. We do get a few annoying movie goers, but once the feature presentation starts I am lost to their noise.
We only go when there is something we feel would be a good showing in the theater, other than that we are mostly readers, the television, (what is television?), is never on.
I hope you all have as good a time seeing it as I did!
I still go to the movies because my brain is wired since childhood that it is something special to do – but I a gree with much of what you wrote here. The thing that drives me the craziest is when you see parents bringing kids into clear inappropriate movies, I just want to ask them what they are thinking.
Bill
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well, just took my two kiddos to the WALL-E 8:30pm Sat nite showing and they were the only kids there. WTF? Is 8:30 late? Inthe summer? On a saturday?
Hope you weren’t there!! (actually, they were angels, except for LOLing a LOT)
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Hi Allena,
At least Wall-E is a kid-friendly movie. I expect there to be kids at that.
@John: I hate it when people use cell phones in theaters–I once threw a pen at a guy who was talking on his cell phone during a movie–but I don’t support signal-blocking for just one big reason: if my husband and I go to a movie, we go when our church or the YMCA we belong to has a “parents’ night out” event, where we can leave our toddler with them for a few hours. They *require* a cell phone number so they can call us if they need to. We set the phone to silent mode, but signal-blocking would mean that they couldn’t get in touch with us in case of an emergency.
I agree about the quality of movies. I was actually angry a couple of weeks ago when we saw Hellboy II. I liked the first one pretty well, and was sort of looking forward to it (although it wouldn’t have been my first choice; it was my husband’s turn to pick the movie), but I couldn’t believe somebody spent $82.5M to make such a stupid, pointless, plot-free waste of two hours.
@ Molly,
I understand that there are a lot of legitimate used for a cell phone, even in a theater, but I would still pick a theater that blocked cell phones over one that didn’t.
I haven’t seen Hellboy II, but from my friends reactions, it is really a love it or hate it affair. no one seems to be in the middle.
Though I agree with you that watching movies on DVD is more practical and more comfortable, watching movies in theaters have a different thrill. A different excitement.
@ Car,
It does have a much different feel and is a better experience, until some idiot starts texting in front of you.
I caught a midnight screening of The Dark Knight opening day and was shocked at how well behaved the audience was. Every time I drop a ten spot on a movie, I fear for the worst… and usually get it.