Andrew mentioned the run time of older B-movies like THE AMAZING COLASSO MAN.
1) What if they brought back the 75 minute films?
2) Would the film also come with a cheaper ticket?
3) Would you pay $5 to see a 60-90 minute film?
4) Would double feature short films work at the regular movie theaters?
5) How much would you pay to see a double feature at your regular theater?
I very much doubt that shorter films would mean less money for tickets...it just doesn't seem like it would happen.
Your probably correct Odinn7 as they still have to assemble a cast and crew to shoot the film.
No, what they would do is have the "full length" theater run version, then the extended version on dvd for you to shell out more money. And I don't mean as in a "gee, the movie did so well, let's give the fans something more" mode, but rather in a cynical "let's sell a short version that'll just wet the appetites of the geeks into spending even more to get the real version."
What, they are doing it already?
I am shocked.
Maybe instead of just seeing one 60 minute film and charging full cost for that, perhaps they could run a double header of sorts, with two different films for the price of one perhaps?
The drive-in we go to does that. For $5 per adult in the car, we get two movies. On holiday weekends, like Labor Day, they show 3. It's a MUCH better movie experience (get there early and play frisbee or let my daughter play in the playground or ride the train, etc), and much cheaper than regular theatres also.
I honestly don't know what the draw is to the in-house theatre with its pricey-ness, people yacking, cell phones ringing, etc.
"I honestly don't know what the draw is to the in-house theatre with its pricey-ness, people yacking, cell phones ringing, etc."
Ya know, I always hear people talk about that, I even wrote about it in a paper I had to do for one of my classes, but I've basically never experienced it. Well.. Off the top of my head - I can name one or two instances in my life where people talked enough to bother me in the theatre. And I can name two times (the same family both times, by coincedence) where they had a crying baby they refused to shut up or take out of the theatre. And I can recall two or three times where a phone rang in the theatre during the film (that was years ago - I think the reminder shorts they have now really do help). And I go 20+ times a year to the theatre (though not this year or last year.. 10-15ish due to less films of the type I like).
And of course, I'm a student so my tickets cost $6. I don't buy food or drink at the theatre.. Well, rarely.
I do want to go to a drive-in. I've never been to one. I'm in St. Louis, and there's only one in the area I'm aware of (which I believe is more than 30 miles away, whereas there are 10 normal theatres within 15 miles)). I never did understand why they kind of died off - it's a great idea, and plays very well with the American love of cars.
Jim H Wrote:
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>
> Ya know, I always hear people talk about that, I
> even wrote about it in a paper I had to do for one
> of my classes, but I've basically never
> experienced it.
I'll admit that I have not experienced the problem of cell phones in movies, but the talking - oh yes.
I used to like being in the theatre with a bunch of people for a comedy or a horror movie - the audience adds to the experience. But it seems like most of the movie audiences anymore are teens, and frankly, I don't care to hang out with teens very much.
> I do want to go to a drive-in. I've never been to
> one. I'm in St. Louis, and there's only one in
> the area I'm aware of (which I believe is more
> than 30 miles away, whereas there are 10 normal
> theatres within 15 miles)).
Dude, drive the 30 miles, at least once a year. It's a great experience. We drive an hour each way (virtually all Interstate) to get to the one we go to. We get there around 7:30, movie starts around 9. That's an hour and a half of like a giant block party before the movie starts.
The one we go to is specifically 'family' oriented, meaning the generally show movies for kids for the earlier show. We usually go when there is something our 3 year old would enjoy. There is a playground for the younger kids, older kids always play ball (baseball or football or some of both); there is all kinds of stuff going on. They've added another screen this year, so there are four movies from which to choose.
(Side note: if you have small kids, it really is the best way to go the movies; your kids can be kids without disturbing the whole theatre).
It's worth the drive, and it is totally different than watching a movie in a regular theatre.
"But it seems like most of the movie audiences anymore are teens, and frankly, I don't care to hang out with teens very much."
Yeah, I hear people say that too - people I know in real life. Maybe it has to do with the odd times I see movies, or maybe my slightly odd taste in film, but the only time I ever had a major problem with teens was when I went to the Evil Dead 20th anniversary screening. This one kid right behind me wouldn't shut the hell up with annoying, unfunny comments for most of the film. Even his friends were p**sed off pretty quick, and eventually he quieted down (with about a half hour left in the film...).
"(Side note: if you have small kids, it really is the best way to go the movies; your kids can be kids without disturbing the whole theatre)."
I don't have any, but we're having a huge family gathering in about a month. Lots of kids will be there then, including my nephew. I think maybe I'll try to get up there then.
BTW, what do they do for sound at the ones by you? From my understanding, some of them still use speakers, others use the car radio.
Jim H Wrote:
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> BTW, what do they do for sound at the ones by you?
> From my understanding, some of them still use
> speakers, others use the car radio.
The one where we go uses an FM broadcast. We often leave after the first movie, and listen to the beginning of the second as we drive away. The range is only about a mile, but for people living close by....
They still have the speaker stands up, though. I think it helps define where you are supposed to park.
The only 75 minute movie I've seen lately is 'Squid and the Whale'. Usually some of these animated movies are under 90 minutes. And even that, there will be a short (10-15 minute) movie precluding that, sometimes.
I haven't been to the drive-in in over 20 years. There used to be a slew of drive-ins here, but now there is only 1, that shows mainstream first-run movies. I do remember going to see 'Empire Strikes Back' at a drive-in in 1980.
Oh, I saw Emperor's New Groove in the theatre. It was like 70 minutes and cost the same....
Maybe they should bring back intermitions. Y'know, for folks with a prostate, or, uh, well, you know.
lilcerberus Wrote:
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> Maybe they should bring back intermitions. Y'know,
> for folks with a prostate, or, uh, well, you know.
>
> Normal is what people are until you get to know
> them.
Hell yeah! I completely agree! You'd think with all of the crazy long running times for movies like LOTR and such, that they would. I don't think any movie has had an intermission since the late '60s - early '70s though, and even by then it was rare.
LH-C Wrote:
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> lilcerberus Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Maybe they should bring back intermitions.
> Y'know,
> > for folks with a prostate, or, uh, well, you
> know.
> >
> > Normal is what people are until you get to
> know
> > them.
>
> Hell yeah! I completely agree! You'd think with
> all of the crazy long running times for movies
> like LOTR and such, that they would. I don't think
> any movie has had an intermission since the late
> '60s - early '70s though, and even by then it was
> rare.
>
>
>
>
> LH-C - my photography
The only time I've ever experienced one of these junctures known as an "intermission" was at a cinema in Houston back in'92 or '93, during a showing of La Belle Noiseuse. This was during my "anything w' T&A" phase, so I really didn't mind the four hour run time, but the intermission was a big help.
Here in Richmond, there's this "second run" theater called the Richmond Movie Palace, formorly known as the Byrde Theater. every Saturday night, they have this guy who plays the mighty Wurlitzer. It's a real experience.
Maybe in addition to intermisions, they oughta' bring back fancy decor, a little fanfare, and perhaps worthless swag.
I have to say that I would pay the normal ticket price for a 60 to 80 minute movie so long as it was entertaining. Now, agreed that I have some viewing habits that are not normal.
The last movie I saw that had an intermission was 1993's "Gettysburg." And was I glad that there was an intermission. Because I had to go to the restroom in the WORST way.
"
Maybe in addition to intermisions, they oughta' bring back fancy decor, a little fanfare, and perhaps worthless swag."
There's still a few. The Tivoli and the fox theatre here in St Louis, or the even better Fox theatre in Detroit. I saw Fairbank's Robin Hood in the Detroit Fox with a full live orchestra. One of the best theatrical experiences of my life.