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Movie Start Times

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tait

So, what's up with movie start times these days?


I went to a movie that was supposed to start at 2:05.  Walking up to the room, though, the LCD outside proudly proclaimed that it was starting in 5 minutes.  This was at 1:45, and I admit I was perplexed.  Well, sure enough there were slides playing upon my arrival, but the lights dimmed at 1:50pm and I had the fun and exciting opportunity to watch - you probably guessed it - commercials!  Sure, some were well-produced ones (not necessarily entertaining - please don't confuse my verbage, here) including a bizarre Coke one involving some cartoon characters and a tree that apparently needs High Fructose Corn Syrup to survive prior to dispensing drinks for a buck (or $4, if you're in a theater, right?).  But, seriously, commercials?


Then, at 2:05, the commercials shifted into the more familiar slew of trailers, pretty much all from the same studio as the movie I had paid my $7.50 for.  Trailers for movies I might want to see, and trailers for movies noone should ever be subjected to.  Wide variety - hit everyone in the audience, I suppose.  Then, finally - oh, finally - the main feature began and I went ahead and glanced down at my watch:  2:28.


2:28!  From commercial beginning to movie start, 38 full minutes!  That's an incredible travesty, and only cements my normal decision to just stay home and wait a few weeks for a DVD that has a Fast Forward button for previews, a pause button for restroom breaks, no screaming kids, audio control, a clothing optional couch and food/beverages that cost less than the gross national product of a small underdeveloped country (just wondering, do they have loan forms available at the concession stand?  Like, buy now and pay off your popcorn/soda/candy over the next 90 days?).


It just seems wrong.  And, it seems to be a bad idea.  Aren't movies struggling enough already without giving me another reason to not show up?  Ah well, what do I know about the biz....  :-)

Comments (12)

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VenomRudman·
Yep, that's why I don't go to movies anymore.
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TANK·
Putting up with advertising is an unfortunate reality in todays society. They're everywhere. Have you noticed how many ads are now in your Xbox 360 dashboard? It's getting nuts.\r \r I pretty much only watch TV shows after i've recorded them so i have that handy fast forward button to go through commercials. Movies you either need to wait for DVD release or show up to the movie 20 minutes late so you're just in time for the starting... of course that means taking what's left for seating and stumbling around in the dark.\r \r I wonder if it would be possible to calculate how much time people in todays society waste viewing ADs on any media.\r \r
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stang503421·
At least the ads a few years ago were built into a \"pre-show\" show...with trivia and stuff....now it's just one commecial after another. Man, I totally hear you tait, but I haven't gone to the movies lately - don't have a spare $100 for me and the wife to see one...
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tait·
right, stang! it is freaking expensive!!! I go maybe twice a year now, and usually for very specific reasons (ie, other people) - if it was just me, it'd be strictly home theater. Oh yeah.
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Durty·
I hate the commercialization of everything...drives me crazy! If you are already paying for a movie, I don't see any reason to sit through 30 minutes of shitty commercials and movie trailers. Bullshit! I also pretty much only watch TV or movies at home...I love DVR, fast forward rules!! I go to the cheap movie theater in town for movies I want to see on the big screen but don't have the $8 a piece to see in a 'normal' theater. They show movies about a month or two after the original release and it only costs $2...great for the kids and great for my wallet!!!
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CMA·
It is only $7.50 for a movie where you live?!?!?!?!? Try $14.50 instead.
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Stryker927·
I love to go to the movies and go quite a bit in the spring to see some of the bigger releases, but will go to a matinee by myself or with a buddy. Or take my son to see a super hero movie. But now that my daughters are older they want to go to so we have lately taken more family trips to the movies. Sets me back $80.00 or more by the time we get just two popcorns, two pops, and our tickets. We did this two weeks ago to see Alvin and the Chipmunks. Cute movie, but not worth $80.00 to be sure. Espeically when we could own the dvd for $15. Looks like I need to stick to my Saturday matinee with my son plan from now on. *sigh*
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Big0ne·
I used to love going to the theater. We'd go every weekend. Between the prices, the inconsiderate general public and the general lack of quality movies, I just don't have the desire anymore. Netflix is so much cheaper. :)
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SoupNazzi·
You actually go to movies still?\r \r Screw that... When I have to shell out $50 for the family to watch one movie... no thanks.\r \r I'd rather shell $50 for a game. At least I know I'll get more then 2 hours of entertainment out of it.
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dkhodz·
Knowing that movies start \"later\" lately, I went to I am Legend just at or past the published start time... and had to sit through about 15 minutes of previews and commercials. I feel your pain. But at least I didn't have to pay for my ticket (I won some free tickets in a contest at work).\r \r Funny thing that happened during the show was a guy sitting with his girl 2 seats down from me left in the middle of the show to use the restroom and came back and sat beside me instead of his girl! That was pretty funny. I stopped him before he put any moves on me thankfully!
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Castlemonster·
Well, I had all but stopped going to the movies for the reasons you state, plus the frikkin teenagers texting on their phones. I've been very happy to view movies at home..... But our city just installed a new theater with the latest projection technology. WOW. I've been twice in 2 months and plan to go next week again. It helps that we are able to go to matinees.
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tait·
oh, gosh, i forgot about the crazy TXTing!!!! Good point Castle!\r \r By \"latest projection technology\", are you talking about the 3-D craze sweeping the nation? IMAX? DLP?