The Demise of the Movie Theatre

Gone are the days where Movie Theatres across the globe ruled the entertainment world. Gone are the days of glamorous carpets, sticky floors and make out sessions in dark, secluded corners. The obvious decline in Movie Theatres should in no way be interpreted as a decline in Movies themselves. Theatres are after all, simply one method in presenting the movie medium. Producers could effectively showcase their latest accomplishments (or disasters) on the internet, internet television, television, DVDs and more. Movies are in relatively good shape right now. It is the Movie Theatre that is currently in the midst of a slow and painful decline. Here are five reasons why people just aren’t going to Movie Theatres anymore.

Money: With plummeting attendance, many Movie Theatres across the globe have slashed ticket prices in hopes of attracting customers back to the movie going experience. Yet the prices are still ridiculously high and a family of five will still end up forking over the proverbial arm and leg just for the admittance. With Blockbuster at half the price of a single ticket, it doesn’t make economic sense for families and other social groups to leave home.

Time: With the inception of gargantuan theatres, viewers are now forced to drive longer distances to their “local” hulking monstrosities. With the average movie length at about two hours, most of us simply do not have the time and energy to make the long trip during the week. Even on weekends, we are simply too exhausted and would much rather press the PPV button on our digital remote control than get in the car. 

Quality: While sound in the theatre has become cutting edge with the latest audio technology, picture quality is sadly lacking. Video quality on a computer monitor and HD television is far superior to the big screen. While the prototypical movie screen still provides an appealing nostalgic experience, it looks dated and unprofessional. Some Movie Theaters have made sufficient upgrades to fix this problem, many however, have not and that is keeping customers at home.

Ratings: The entertainment world is suffering from the lack of a centralized rating system. What garners a high adult rating in one country is considered perfectly acceptable in another. Nudity, violence, language and even certain political interpretations will alter ratings differently. We should remember that different cultures will obviously embrace or be repulsed differently, yet a high rating will limit the number of younger viewers able to the attend screenings. Producers are handcuffed when it comes to determining which content possess the most commercial viability. Though each cultural jurisdiction will remain forever independent, it is prudent that these jurisdictions surrender some sovereignty in order to make the rating a little more clear and allows parents some certainty to the type of content their children will be exposed to.

Concessions: Arguably the biggest nail in the Movie Theatre coffin is the woefully inadequate concessions available. It appears as if the Powers of the Movie Theatre are purposefully trying to alienate movie goers when it comes to sustenance. The price is not even the main issue with concessions, but rather the poor selection of available products. When was the last time you saw someone enjoying a bag of regular popcorn on the street? It doesn’t take a rocket science to understand that in an age of extreme food consumption, people are only eating popcorn by default. Why do concession stands not serve pizza, hamburgers and other types of meals/snacks that the public actually desires? Poor marketing and customer service will kill any business faster than Kevin Costner’s career after The Post Man. Also, why can’t the audience bring in a product from the restaurants inside the Movie Theatre complex? There is nothing more annoying than buying a burger at Burger King inside the theatre promenade and then being told that you can’t bring it in. The home movie experience is winning because people enjoy the freedom and relaxation it provides. Unless Movie Theatres start thinking along the same lines, they are doomed to be extinct. 

Ozzy Neav
De Novo Magazine

**Read more articles by Ozzy Neav**

 

Comments

[sassychef76]

I really beg to differ with you. Here in New Jersey the movie Theaters are making a killing. Try $10.00 per adult and $7.00 per child. And they wonder why people buy bootleg dvd movies. So here is the math: 2 adults($20) 3 children ($21) ( AND THAT WAS JUST TO GET IN $41). Then your talking about the concession stand here it goes (lol the math) chicken tenders ($7) 2 personal pizza's & 2 Icee's (23.50) 3 chld snkpk's w/ smll Icee's included (26.50) 1 pers. pizza (7.50) Total $64.25 The price of the movie to see Heath Ledger (Legend) in Dark Knight with my husband and my two children & son's bf (PRICELESS) Any other movie I think I am gonna take my cousin's advice and help out the lowest man on the totum poll and help myself in the process (sh@*) I save mileage and gas & pop my own popcorn and eat dinner while watching a new movie. Hell I may even have to watch people walk back and forth or talk during the movie. But to save money is the key. And the food wasn't even worth it.
Sincerely, Pissed off and Broke in NJ