While I agree that the theater experience is the best way to see a new film, I suggest that technologies do matter. I say this as someone whose grandfather was a singer and actor in the late 1800s - even wrote terrible plays full of stereotypes. A brother was in a rock band that peaked with one performance at CBGBs. Another brother was a…
While I agree that the theater experience is the best way to see a new film, I suggest that technologies do matter. I say this as someone whose grandfather was a singer and actor in the late 1800s - even wrote terrible plays full of stereotypes. A brother was in a rock band that peaked with one performance at CBGBs. Another brother was a reporter who wrote film and theater reviews. So my family loves performance and theater.
I spent my teen and college years at the art house theaters in NYC including the old Thalia. But with the advent of true HD TV as well as streaming... well maybe the theater (for film) is passe.
We have seen the same with music. While live music is fun in a good venue, stadium shows often suck and a live outdoor show at a festival often is good only for those close to the stage. I consume all my music out of an electric player at home. Or almost all.
So maybe for movies or film, we have mostly moved on.
I have not been in a theater for a film in maybe 10 years. Again, I used to be waiting on line in NYC for a first run movie. Saw Patton and Annie Hall in NYC in decent well run theaters. But the multiplex is not the same as a great theater. Love live theater too. Once saw Wendy Hiller in a London Theater from un upper circle seat - the acoustics were perfect.
And at 71, well now I can stop the film when I want to use the bathroom, so not going back.
Again, my brief for movie theaters is less about the size/quality of the screen and more about the isolating effects of being in a theater. I think there's something to be said for enforcing attention and removing distractions (phones, computers, etc.).
i get your point. but I suggest that movies in person will be more and more a minority experience. the evolution of movie theaters began as television replaced movies for much viewing. so the comedy shorts and b pictures disappeared first and the film business tried to lure folks in with bigger pictures also cinerama and wide screen. I remember seeing Patton in the old Criterion. Giant screen and stereo sound. It was truly stunning. So the opening scene with the flag... the sound overall was stunning in an era when many of us still played music on small monaural record players.
The multiplex was an effort to keep movie theaters opened. It worked too. But for those of us who are older and no longer enjoy going out to families with kids - easier to watch TV at home - serve pizza and call it a night.
To agree that the theater is the best place. But i still suggest that the future is elsewhere. Radio still exists but the brightest stars are not there.
Hey, the era of the tonight show and similar is probably over too.
Next you are going to tell me that bacon is just going to be phased out. I just retired! I want more theater experiences! But I gotta admit parking makes me angry right off the bat. Then the girl in front of me who says 'oh, what should I get Popcorn? how big is it?'
While I agree that the theater experience is the best way to see a new film, I suggest that technologies do matter. I say this as someone whose grandfather was a singer and actor in the late 1800s - even wrote terrible plays full of stereotypes. A brother was in a rock band that peaked with one performance at CBGBs. Another brother was a reporter who wrote film and theater reviews. So my family loves performance and theater.
I spent my teen and college years at the art house theaters in NYC including the old Thalia. But with the advent of true HD TV as well as streaming... well maybe the theater (for film) is passe.
We have seen the same with music. While live music is fun in a good venue, stadium shows often suck and a live outdoor show at a festival often is good only for those close to the stage. I consume all my music out of an electric player at home. Or almost all.
So maybe for movies or film, we have mostly moved on.
I have not been in a theater for a film in maybe 10 years. Again, I used to be waiting on line in NYC for a first run movie. Saw Patton and Annie Hall in NYC in decent well run theaters. But the multiplex is not the same as a great theater. Love live theater too. Once saw Wendy Hiller in a London Theater from un upper circle seat - the acoustics were perfect.
And at 71, well now I can stop the film when I want to use the bathroom, so not going back.
Again, my brief for movie theaters is less about the size/quality of the screen and more about the isolating effects of being in a theater. I think there's something to be said for enforcing attention and removing distractions (phones, computers, etc.).
i get your point. but I suggest that movies in person will be more and more a minority experience. the evolution of movie theaters began as television replaced movies for much viewing. so the comedy shorts and b pictures disappeared first and the film business tried to lure folks in with bigger pictures also cinerama and wide screen. I remember seeing Patton in the old Criterion. Giant screen and stereo sound. It was truly stunning. So the opening scene with the flag... the sound overall was stunning in an era when many of us still played music on small monaural record players.
The multiplex was an effort to keep movie theaters opened. It worked too. But for those of us who are older and no longer enjoy going out to families with kids - easier to watch TV at home - serve pizza and call it a night.
To agree that the theater is the best place. But i still suggest that the future is elsewhere. Radio still exists but the brightest stars are not there.
Hey, the era of the tonight show and similar is probably over too.
Next you are going to tell me that bacon is just going to be phased out. I just retired! I want more theater experiences! But I gotta admit parking makes me angry right off the bat. Then the girl in front of me who says 'oh, what should I get Popcorn? how big is it?'