A NEW kind of movie theatre...what would YOU want it to be?

tuckpendleton · May 2007

After yet another miserable movie-going experience this weekend (@ Cobble Hill, though it could have just as easily been the Court Street Stadium or the Pavilion...) I started thinking of a kind of movie theatre I would want to go to...a place with something for everybody, and where movie-lovers could go knowing they would have a top-notch experience.

What if there was a movie theatre that:

Showed indies and major releases?

Had kid-friendly showings, and showings where kids weren't allowed? Strictly enforced. For instance, no kids after 6pm. Or there might be a child-allowed 7:30pm screening of say, Spiderman 3, and a 7:30pm showing that's 18+ or 21+.

No kids without parents in R-rated, or PG-13 movies.

If your kid can't walk, your kid can't come into the theatre. No more screaming babies or infants. (This theatre would have separate "Stroller Showings" where moms/dads could bring infants and still see the latest releases.)

No cell phone use. In fact, the walls would be made of special material that makes cell phone use impossible.

No talking. (This is different than laughing, screaming, crying...that's participating in the movie, and I'm all for it. It's great. Loudly talking to your wife about the grocery shopping you need to do later is not.) This would be strictly enforced, within reason. One initial idea would be to hire police officers as off-duty security, and make it financially worth it for them.

Had 21+ showings, where alcohol would be served?

A theatre where ushers actually gave a damn about anything? (And where they would be paid accordingly, and held to a high standard.)

A theatre with TRAINED projectionists, who know how to frame the movie on the screen, no matter the size.

Screens that are lit properly so that you can see the movie as the director intended.

And of course, stadium seating, top notch sound, etc.

Maybe the theatre could have daycare -- you could drop your kid(s) off for four hours, see a movie and have some dinner.

(For those of you that have been to the Arclight theatre in Los Angeles, this theatre would run a lot like that.)

Now here's the kicker: how much would you pay to in order to have the movie experience YOU want to have? Last time I was there, the ArcLight charged $14 a ticket.

Would you pay $14? $15? $16? Etc. I'm curious.

Or are you happy paying $9-$12, and taking your chances?

I think Brooklyn can support this kind of theatre.

The above is just a starting point. I'd really like to hear your thoughts.

(I'm sure it would be easy for the responses to turn into a laundry list of all the selfish, terrible behavior we've put up with in theatres. But I'm really interested in keeping this positive, and hearing what your ideal theatre might look like...)

Thanks!

erikka · May 2007

Something like Alamo Drafthouse in Austin. I wish they'd open one here.

tuckpendleton · May 2007

Yeah -- I forgot about the Alamo. Another great example.

8thandprez · May 2007

I think the ArcLight is a great model... when I lived in Hell's Kitchen I absolutely refused to see any movie at any of the theaters on 42nd St. Talking, shouting, texting, cell phone calling were all a normal part of the moviegoing experience there. Court St is just as bad. Battery Park City is usually ok, as is Kips Bay.

I'd like to see (in addition to stadium seating, which is required):

1. Reserved seating, booked online.
2. Good beer/wine selection
3. Cell phone jamming
4. General education on how to comport yourself when in a public theater (something that New Yorkers sorely lack).

I'd happily pay $15 for a good movie viewing experience, but I have serious doubts about the ability to deliver on point #4, above, in NYC... I just don't think it's in the culture.

drano · May 2007

8thandPrez wrote: I'd happily pay $15 for a good movie viewing experience, but I have serious doubts about the ability to deliver on point #4, above, in NYC... I just don't think it's in the culture.

Right you are. This town has put me off going to the movies, something that I once enjoyed. Once in a while I go to Battery Park where you can have a tolerable experience if you're not seeing something that has broad appeal.

oiseau · May 2007

Basically, it comes down to the mentality of these rude-ass people. I mean really, is this what America produces? Or is this just a product of NYC? I haven't been to many movie theaters elsewhere in this country.

I like the idea of reserved seating booked online but this is really not fair to those who are without a computer. I don't think alcohol should be sold at movie theater unless they were to allow people to smoke (whatever they wanted) inside the theaters as well ;-)

I think DVDs are part of the solution and the problem: Instead of spending $10 for a movie one can rent a film and stay home where one can stop the film as much as they want, talk over it as much as they want and be as loud as they want which carries over to when they go out to a movie theater and act the same way.

Or maybe it's just society which brings out the worst?

windowdressing · May 2007

I was in Plainfield NJ this weekend and my sister told me about a theatre there that offered the following for $25.

1) Two adult tickets
2) A small pizza (delivered to your seat by waitstaff at the start of the film)
3) a pitcher of domestic beer

I didn't believe her at first, then realized she didn't have a reason to lie.

new2slope · May 2007

Add air-popped popcorn, with real butter at the price they are charging now for yellow-colored popcorn that comes out of a big plastic bag, and I'm there! I would like to be able to pay normal prices for normal food, or current movie-theatre prices for better food, like fresh sandwiches or salad... they can be pre-made that same day, like at any city deli in the refrigerated sections. I just hate paying so much for generic snack foods that are marked up a huge % and not even good!

And one more rule that the ushers should enforce would be to not allow patrons to put their coats/purses/shopping bags on the seat next to them. I find that to be incredibly rude. Maybe a coat-check should be available?

8thandprez · May 2007

Oiseau wrote: Basically, it comes down to the mentality of these rude-ass people. I mean really, is this what America produces? Or is this just a product of NYC? I haven't been to many movie theaters elsewhere in this country.

I like the idea of reserved seating booked online but this is really not fair to those who are without a computer. I don't think alcohol should be sold at movie theater unless they were to allow people to smoke (whatever they wanted) inside the theaters as well ;-)

I think DVDs are part of the solution and the problem: Instead of spending $10 for a movie one can rent a film and stay home where one can stop the film as much as they want, talk over it as much as they want and be as loud as they want which carries over to when they go out to a movie theater and act the same way.

Or maybe it's just society which brings out the worst?

I've been to theaters in South Florida, Los Angeles, Seattle, and western Mass. NYC is, in my experience, the worst place to see a movie. The only other place that compares is Peru. I saw Terminator 2 in northern Peru and it was hilarious.... everyone talking, full-volume conversations, people walking around, vendors selling food. But that was Peru... in Brooklyn (or Manhattan) I want to actually enjoy the movie not the cultural experience.

Re: computer booking... people w/o computers can go to regular theaters, or try for the reserved seats when the get to the theater. i dont see anything unfair in that, since it already works that way for buying regualr tickets. Also - what does alcohol have to do with smoking? Many theaters already offer alcohol... doesn't mean you have to allow people to bring their bongs (although I wouldn't necessarily complain on that point either).

slope4-35yrs · May 2007

Subject: Movie theaters

These are all good ideas. But I'd settle for a theater where I could see the movie to its conclusion.
On Saturday night, I and the rest of the audience at the Brooklyn Hts. Cinema were left hanging when their projector blew up with about 20 minutes yet to see of The Black Book.
This was a movie with a lot of twists and turns, double agents, Nazis, resistance fighters, and other hidden issues so the ending wasn't exactly easy to figure out.
Yes, they refunded our money but now we have to go back there or to some other theater to catch the last bit.

oiseau · May 2007

8thandPrez wrote: Re: computer booking... people w/o computers can go to regular theaters, or try for the reserved seats when the get to the theater. i dont see anything unfair in that, since it already works that way for buying regualr tickets.

It doesn;t really work that way because a person who buys tickets online still has to show up a good 20 - 30 minutes beforehand to get his tickets and get a choice seat. If one were allowed to choose seats online, there'd be more people showing up at just the last moment and sitting in choice seats. Now that is unfair. It's one thing for the computer to guarantee you a seat, it's another if it guarantees you the best seat.

magic1 · May 2007

I would just be happy with any kind of art house in Park Slope. I can't figure out why we don't have one yet - not everybody in the Slope is a Netflix-addicted parent who can't go out to the movies.

jennitrixie · May 2007

I'd wager that someone who couldn't afford a computer probably couldn't afford $15+ movie ticket. "Besides, no one ever said life was fair!"/Mommie Dearest

I think the neighborhood could support a small art-house with a cafÃ© attached. Like the Pavillion, but nice. (Though I will give the Pavillion props for attempting to keep a cross-section of movies--there's usually a blockbuster, a kid's, and a couple dramas and a couple comedies. Not always the one's I would have picked, but I can see that they're trying for a broad appeal in a limited space.)

I wouldn't pay for premium tickets to any old movie, though. And some movies need audience chaos to be enjoyable--sometimes I like a good rowdy showing at the AMC 25. However, those are the theaters I avoid 90% of the time because I know that's the character of the theater there's nothing you can do.

oiseau · May 2007

jennitrixie wrote: I'd wager that someone who couldn't afford a computer probably couldn't afford $15+ movie ticket. "Besides, no one ever said life was fair!"/Mommie Dearest

Now movies cost $15? And of course you could always use the computer to get you the best seats to the discount matinee.

Yeah, life may not be fair. But one of the great things is that many things in life are fair and they should be kept that way. In your world someone who gets to the movie theater 30 minutes early might get shit seats because some savvy "world-is-my-oyster" types have booked tickets online and show up at the last moment. Give me a break.

oh and...

Once upon a time there was a movie theater on Flatbush Avenue near Park Place which played both new releases and art house movies! The new releases weren't the always the best and the art house movies were only played Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings, but it still was a great theater. Now there is some shitty clothing store there. sad.

erikka · May 2007

Oiseau wrote: Once upon a time there was a movie theater on Flatbush Avenue near Park Place which played both new releases and art house movies! The new releases weren't the always the best and the art house movies were only played Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings, but it still was a great theater. Now there is some shitty clothing store there. sad.

Uh, no it wasn't. That place was NASTY! There were huge gaps of missing seats and third run movies.

magic1 · May 2007

Oiseau: yeah, where the American Apparel is now. (Just what the neighborhood needed....). I liked the place - a very diverse selection of movies and bargain matinees.

oiseau · May 2007

erikka wrote: Uh, no it wasn't. That place was NASTY! There were huge gaps of missing seats and third run movies.

Maybe to you. Sure it might have needed some new seats, but it was a whole lot better then trudging down to BAM or over to the Childrens Pavillion in Park Slope.

Brooklyn Brownstonetique (or something) played lots of great movies.

8thandprez · May 2007

BAM is a great movie theater... it's barely a trudge from Park Slope.

And I never though movie viewing was a great social justice crusade... I'm just saying that they should offer online reserved seating. Doesn't have to be for every theater or every show, it should just be an option. It's where things are headed anyway. Plus, you can book movies from your phone and EVERYONE has a cellphone.

turtle95 · May 2007

I'd pay $20 if there were bouncers who would kick out talkers, texters, Blackberry addicts, smokers (yes, had that at Union Square and I did not feel comfortable asking him to put it out).

A few years ago I remember booking reserved seats online for movies at the Ziegfeld and the Chelsea Theater (the one between 8th & 9th). It didn't work out so well when you had a ticket and someone was sitting in your seat because the ushers (when there were any) didn't want any part of enforcing the assigned seats. I guess it would somewhat depend on the movie (Terminator 3 vs. Remains of the Day?) However, there was nearly a fist fight at "Beloved" and that wasn't necessarily a movie with wide appeal!

evilbert · May 2007

There's an awesome movie theater I use every weekend:

Right in the middle of Park Slope
52" plasma screen
surround sound
comfy seating
cheap beer and popcorn
Smoke if you like
hell, sit around naked if you like
soon to be featuring full HD movies (when something decent comes out on Blu-ray)
Invitation only. Sorry.

The movie theater is dead. Long live HDTV.

erikka · May 2007

turtle95 wrote: I'd pay $20 if there were bouncers who would kick out talkers, texters, Blackberry addicts, smokers (yes, had that at Union Square and I did not feel comfortable asking him to put it out).

A few years ago I remember booking reserved seats online for movies at the Ziegfeld and the Chelsea Theater (the one between 8th & 9th). It didn't work out so well when you had a ticket and someone was sitting in your seat because the ushers (when there were any) didn't want any part of enforcing the assigned seats. I guess it would somewhat depend on the movie (Terminator 3 vs. Remains of the Day?) However, there was nearly a fist fight at "Beloved" and that wasn't necessarily a movie with wide appeal!

I once saw someone doing backflips in the aisles during "Booty Call" while everyone yelled and cheered, and a preschool class in an early showing of "Freddy vs. Jason." Oh, and an all-out brawl during "Jason's Lyric"--over what, I have no idea. I am embarrassed for admitting I saw all of those in the theatre and not on DVD.

twhalliii · May 2007

I work as a film programmer at a film festival, and this issue is near and dear to my heart because of the major decline in film attendance overall in America. The exhibitors (theater owners) are so desperate for people to walk through the door and buy concessions that I think they have sunk most theaters to the lowest common denominator. In exchange for an anything goes policy towards patrons, they have alienated most adult movie-goers from attending films which has, in turn, destroyed box office numbers for foreign and serious dramatic titles (the cash power of Oscar nominations aside). The model for most movie theaters is to embrace teenagers; Video game plazas, food court like concession stands that serve children's junk food, etc. In exchange for the admissions dollars (and let's be honest, a film like Spiderman 3 makes the vast majority of its money from teeagers and young adults attending) and the concessions, most theaters (and I say most, because I do think NYC is a bit of an anomaly) have become the equivalent of a shopping mall. And they are suffering terribly financially for making this deal with the devil, losing tons of money to people like you and me who would rather do anything else with their time than negotiate this minefield of immaturity. It is also one of the reasons for the decline of American movies (in my mind, anyway) and for public funding for film and film festivals; In America, we see movies as disposable commodities. Cinema is treated as junk. None of this is new.

I moved to Park Slope in 1997 and things were bad then, but I have to say, BAM saves the day as far as I'm concerned. As an example, I can pretty much guarantee that if you come on Wednesday night to the screening of LibertÃ©, la nuit at BAM, you're pretty much guaranteed a room full of respectful adults. That said, I go to a ton of movies and rarely have the experience you all describe here because I simply won't see Spiderman 3 in a multiplex. I'll watch that one on TV. But you never know, I've seen loud arguments at Film Forum over seating issues, etc etc; people in New York City are generally very polite and conscientious moviegoers, but sometimes, we blow up. Cest la vie.

In my opinion, someone would make a KILLING by turning the Lyceum on 4th Ave and President into an Alamo Cinema Drafthouse style place; Get Brooklyn Brewery as your sole beer sponsor, a recognizable food vendor (Grimaldi's?) to sponsor your pizza and a good programmer who shows a diverse array of films (including midnight movies) and you'd have a winner; Renovations would be expensive, but you could make it back in food sales. That said, the Alamo isn't the most profitable (it just moved locations) and it isn't the most polite; Waiters talking and bringing food during a screening isn't ideal, people get rowdy during the midnight movies (which is part of the fun, I guess), etc. But I have always wanted to see that space converted.

Anywho. A topic of great personal relevance for me... Count me in!

tuckpendleton · May 2007

@ Twhalliii. Thanks! That's a good perspective to hear from.

@ Oiseau: Movies don't cost $15 here. (Yet.) The ArcLight in Los Angeles has a top price of $14 for weekend and evening movies. (This includes 4 hr parking, though I've heard that might have changed.) Matinees are $11.

I think the $15/ticket came from my asking how much you *would* pay...

While certainly, the 10pm movie on a 'school night' is a good option, I'm sure a lot of us are too wiped out during the week to go to a movie (or work too late) and I hate feeling like I have to tailor my movie-going around other people's behavior. There used to be NOTHING I loved more than the weekend event movie with a bunch of friends. Now going to be movies is just an exercise in waiting to be annoyed.

NYC does seem to be bad...I lived in Los Angeles for a long time, and never had problems like this. Part of it might be because it's a 'company town' where movies are held in much higher regard. I think part of the problem with NYC is that it is such a me-first kind of place (partially required for survival here) that it carries over to the theatre.

Still, there's no excuse for bringing your infant to an R-rated movie. Etc.

kaiserkai · May 2007

I personally dont go to the movies anymore for the exact reasons listed above.

But I am also with Oiseau that theings should be kept equal, the worker making minimum wage should have the same chance at a good seat that the rich I-banker has. No reserved seating, if you want a good seat, be on time.

idlewild · May 2007

erikka wrote: [quote=Oiseau]Once upon a time there was a movie theater on Flatbush Avenue near Park Place which played both new releases and art house movies! The new releases weren't the always the best and the art house movies were only played Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings, but it still was a great theater. Now there is some shitty clothing store there. sad.

Uh, no it wasn't. That place was NASTY! There were huge gaps of missing seats and third run movies.

That was The Plaza theater. I'm with Erikka on this one the place was a dump. Dirty seats and a very talkative audience. Right out of the Eddie Murphy skit. Before that it was a porn theater, something you can verify by watching the opening montage of Dog Day Afternoon. I think Flesh Gordon is on the marquee.

idlewild · May 2007

Barring kids from PG-13 & up is a great way to start. So is macing loud talkers and then throwing them out. I mean we all know there's going to be a fighting/screaming match between management and the offender so why not make it fun for every one? When I saw T-3 up in Kennebunk, Maine the theater had a dinner theme going on. Waiter service and everything. Everyone was well behaved and except for the dumb teenage waitress blocking my view during the opening so she could collect on the bill it went very well. I withheld her gratuity.

i love hate · May 2007

xxx will be nice

pitu · May 2007

twhalliii wrote:
In my opinion, someone would make a KILLING by turning the Lyceum on 4th Ave and President into an Alamo Cinema Drafthouse style place; Get Brooklyn Brewery as your sole beer sponsor, a recognizable food vendor (Grimaldi's?) to sponsor your pizza and a good programmer who shows a diverse array of films (including midnight movies) and you'd have a winner; Renovations would be expensive, but you could make it back in food sales. That said, the Alamo isn't the most profitable (it just moved locations) and it isn't the most polite; Waiters talking and bringing food during a screening isn't ideal, people get rowdy during the midnight movies (which is part of the fun, I guess), etc. But I have always wanted to see that space converted.

yes PLEASE!

I would just be happy with any kind of art house in Park Slope. I can't figure out why we don't have one yet

BAM! Love love love them - located @major subway hub, walk home afterwards, stopping at Sheep Station on 4th Ave. Rinse, repeat.
BAM cinema schedule

gowanus · May 2007

Subject: brooklyn lyceum thoughts

"twhalliii" wrote:
I moved to Park Slope in 1997 and things were bad then, but I have to say, BAM saves the day as far as I'm concerned. As an example, I can pretty much guarantee that if you come on Wednesday night to the screening of LibertÃ©, la nuit at BAM, you're pretty much guaranteed a room full of respectful adults. That said, I go to a ton of movies and rarely have the experience you all describe here because I simply won't see Spiderman 3 in a multiplex. I'll watch that one on TV. But you never know, I've seen loud arguments at Film Forum over seating issues, etc etc; people in New York City are generally very polite and conscientious moviegoers, but sometimes, we blow up. Cest la vie.

In my opinion, someone would make a KILLING by turning the Lyceum on 4th Ave and President into an Alamo Cinema Drafthouse style place; Get Brooklyn Brewery as your sole beer sponsor, a recognizable food vendor (Grimaldi's?) to sponsor your pizza and a good programmer who shows a diverse array of films (including midnight movies) and you'd have a winner; Renovations would be expensive, but you could make it back in food sales. That said, the Alamo isn't the most profitable (it just moved locations) and it isn't the most polite; Waiters talking and bringing food during a screening isn't ideal, people get rowdy during the midnight movies (which is part of the fun, I guess), etc. But I have always wanted to see that space converted.

Anywho. A topic of great personal relevance for me... Count me in!

fwiw....

the lyceum regularly shows films now.

have hosted the brooklyn underground film festival, flickernyc and asbury shorts of new york and have been showing classic films off and on for a few years.

some things that you may find interesting:

...the regular listings publications seldom(brooklynpapers, courier life, L magazine), rarely(voice), and never (time out new york(excepting the around town section), new york magazine, nypress) list the movies.

until such time as they do list them it is unlikely that most of you will know about the films. thus, on any given nite, about 75% of the attendance is from the other 4 boros and new jersey.

...films(as stated by a few persons in this thread) live and die by the exhorbitant pricing(i saw spiderman yesterday afternoon at union square with $11 admission and $11 for soda and popcorn. and there were only 30 people in attendance). the lyceum doesnt have $7 beers or $6 popcorn or $4 candy. so it must be on admission.

what the lyceum offers is : convenience, reasonable concession prices, a 25 foot screen with a decent sound system. not the bam, but not publicly subsidized either.

...as for the beer hall/pizza ruse. most places that play that fizzle out like karaoke. in the end only the zealots go.

brooklyn brewery was approached as a sponsor every now and again. no response. currently negotiating with other brewers.

another thing... there are many, many buildings that you can invest in if you want to run a pizza joint that sells beer. the lyceum is an odd building that has NOT been cut into smaller revenue units. it is 12,000 square feet of 20 foot ceilings used for film(asbury, buff, flickernyc and classic films), theatre(report to an academy, taming of the shrew, richard III), opera (cosi fan tutte), singer-songwriters(jen chapin, greta gertler,...), bands(barbez, polphonic spree, the sharp things, cyro baptista, marc ribot, chris berry, schwervon, dresden dolls, etc.) and parties/weddings.

it, until very recently, was too far away for any self-respecting sloper to venture. now not so much.

oh yeah, to spend money outfitting a pizzeria that shows films to make it up in food sales seems a bit much. maybe just sell the food and let people troll the bars on 4th ave before/after a show/dinner.

it is also a quandary best expressed by other posters in this thread. 1/2 want beer/pizza with a movie you may or may not pay attention to. 1/2 want to be allowed to watch a movie in peace. we cater to the latter.

also, maybe you should offer to do some programming realizing that you will have to live with non-fri/sat nites as they are a highly competitive time slot.

just some thoughts.

YMMV.

brooklynswordstyle · May 2007

I like the movie theater I built in my apartment. 98" screen, hi-def capable, better sound than most theaters I've been to in NYC. Am I kind of a nut? Yes. I was sick of theaters for all the reasons mentioned above. Now I can order in some good food, sit back with a bourbon and watch whatever the hell I want with my friends. No more noisy kids, no more nasty seats, no more overpriced crappy food, and the show time is whenever I want it.

sennheiserz · May 2007

Yeah, I'm starting to lean towards HT in this venue as well. The technology is available and I think that once people start to mentally make the switch that its natural to see a new release at home it will happen more often. And thats not going to be a detriment to the smaller film festivals out there, Tribeca is mostly funded by Amex and people who are in the industry, as well as casual movie watchers alike. So I like the idea of watching movies on my TV at home, and I'm not going to apologize for it. On top of this, I work at Sony and while I'm glad it made back its money, I'm not going to see Spiderman 3 with a bunch of inconsiderate morons for $30.

Muvico in Boca Raton FL has always been my jam as far as crazy decadent movie theaters. Classy restaurant with VIP love seats and a great selection of beer. Plus valet parking, the Geez love it and I wish we all could too...

A NEW kind of movie theatre...what would YOU want it to be?

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