Audiences have made it clear they’re willing to pay an extra buck or three for the privilege of seeing blue Na’vis and other creatures in 3-D.
But would they pay a premium to watch films in whisper quiet theaters?
What if theaters started a new service guaranteeing audiences a talk-free movie experience? Customers would pay a $2 surcharge up front for special showings in which ushers would monitor the theater and kick people out at the first syllable uttered.
I’d be happy to pay the extra fee. Would you?
Some theaters have a variation of this now. These specialty houses offer premium seating, nicer chairs and other flourishes which help weed out jerks more eager to talk on their cell phone than actually watch the movie.
But I’d rather pay more to see a film in quiet than get an uber-comfortable seat.
Modern movie seats are just fine as is … the only problem WWTW’s hind quarters ever have is at old school movie houses clinging to antiquated seats.
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I woudn’t, but I might consider a theater armed with both a cellphone signal blocker and a laser zapping device that causes any twerp who pulls out their cell to have it explode in their hands for the violation of having their screen visible!
Nice! I’d buy that for a dollar!
I would not pay more for a quiet movie going experience. I expect as part my $10 movie ticket price now. That the theaters do not police their attendees for malcontents is just another reason for me to rent the Blu-ray or DVD later where I can buy popcorn for less than a tenth of the price, fix it to my specifications (chipotle seasoning!), and pause it go to the restroom if necessary.
I would go to the theater if the prices were more reasonable and/or they did a better job of making me want to pay their prices.
With the continued risk of both the movie possibly being a stinker and the rough-and-tough escort guy handling a situation (a distraction), more $$ doesn’t seem worth it. My Netflix is really coming in handy now since I canceled my Direct TV. The couch or recliner with a choice of food and drink has never been better. The only theaters where I’ve recently enjoyed myself offered couches, beer and fresh pizza (Portland OR) or some of the best wings and cocktail lounge atmosphere (Aurora CO). Those theaters didn’t have superior sound systems and the regular ticket price was cheaper. If regular theaters, like Regal, are going to offer a silent movie going experience and charge a premium, the screening had better offer some extra luxuries as if it were a first class ticket on Lufthansa.
I just wish they would lower the volume of more bombastic movies. Years ago, I couldn’t understand what anyone was saying in “Sense and Sensibility” because the obnoxiously loud “Jumanji” was playing next door. Talkative moviegoers are small potatoes compared to this.
Movie seats are fine, but it would help if there was more space between the rows. Not everyone is vertically challenged.
Warren Theatres in Wichita already have a variation of this ( http://www.warrentheatres.com/nocell.asp ) with no extra charge. It is enforced.
I shouldn’t have to pay extra for something they should be providing already.
Great link, Mike.
And yes, Opus, you’re 100 percent right. Maybe a theater chain could make some noise by actually enforcing silence without charging anyone extra.
You had me until “ushers would monitor the theater.” This would mean I’d have to figure out an even better way to hide the soda and candy we always sneak in… hmmm… it’s a real toss up!
I agree with Opus. The theaters are not doing enough right now! Some theaters in N. Colorado warn viewers to turn off their cell phones prior to the movie, but then others don’t even bother with a reminder. I think the theaters should do more right now – prices are high enough.
Though I do like the idea of a Movie Club, like we were all discussing last year.
Concur with Opus – and with a previous blog entry addressing this: if the cinema-going experience has devolved into yet another arena for public rudeness (flashbacks to my once-beloved KenCen), then my patronage goes elsewhere and may the free market effect follow.
D.
They shouldn’t charge a premium for quiet theaters, they should offer a discount for noisy ones.
I’d pay a premium to watch a movie where the volume of the dialog was matched by the volume of the soundtrack. Why should someone have to strain their ears or lip read to keep up with the plot, and then get blasted out of their seats when the inevitable chase scene starts?
I started off making an incorrect assumption about this blog post. I recently had a discussion with someone proposing the thesis that many movies today would probably be more enjoyable as silent movies. The bubble of fascination for CGI/FX has swelled to gargantuan proportions and script writing is not just a dying art, it’s six feet under. And to think, Hollywood was once able (and willing) to call on people like William Faulkner to write scripts! It seems to me that the majority of movies would be better enjoyed – allow room for ones own imagination, which is almost certain to be better informed and more creative – by simply having periodic flash cards (a la the 1920s) or maybe some Portentous Voice to establish context on occasion. Just sayin’.
boqueronman: That is one of the best comments I’ve ever read… and I read a lot of comments. LOL! I agree! Avatar would have been so much better if it would have been a silent film! Wow, I’d like to write my own blog post on this now… too funny.
Plus, a very good point on script writing. As an art, I fear it is gasping for one last breath.