The Film Forum Cinema Going Census

johnny_ultimate

Read an article today in the paper about how box office receipts are down this year. Tends to be the same every year, but personally I've noticed an increase in attendance in many respects - especially with the likes of re-releases, quickly appearing to be the best way to get someone into a cinema!

Anyway, been meaning to ask this for a while, having seen a few posts recently saying 'first time I've been to the cinema this year'. My question(s) is: do you go to the cinema anymore? How often? If so, why? And if not, why not?

Personally, if I can see a film I want to see in the cinema, I will. It's my preferred way of watching a film. I do tend to stick to afternoon showings or cheaper membership tickets in the IFI. I usually go once or twice a week - sometimes more, very infrequently less. I do find myself attending multiplexes with friends less and less - without the benefit of student tickets, 9 or 10 euro seems a lot to waste on miscellaneous crap - used to be once a week, now only once or twice a month. Will still happily go to see big budget films from time to time if they're worth it, but find myself frequenting the likes of Cineworld less and less as time goes on and ticket prices increase. If I do go, it's usually to IMC Dun Laoghaire.

Galvasean

I go at least twice a month, purely to make sure I get the value out of my Cineworld card. I usually go more than twice if there's anything in particular that I like on (for example I saw Thor 3 times).
I'm also a big fan of classic movies on big screens. I attend whenever possible.

Galvasean

PS: would the thread be better of being called the 'Film Forum Cinema Going Census' as to avoid confusion in relation to the Irish Film Board?

johnny_ultimate

Galvasean wrote: »

PS: would the thread be better of being called the 'Film Forum Cinema Going Census' as to avoid confusion in relation to the Irish Film Board?

Done

Also a big fan of re-releases, forgot to add. The IFI have really excelled there recently: getting to see Battleship Potemkin on the big screen was a wonderful opportunity, and their current 70s spree is great (still trying to make it in to see Apocalypse Now!). I am a bit concerned that it's clogging up a bit too much screen time - last month, there was a serious lack of interesting contemporary cinema in favour of re-releases. Oh well, still something that's nice to see, and seems to be attracting serious crowds.

Renn

Have gone 14 times this year and I don't know why because I kinda hate watching something in the cinema. Only 1 of them was somwhat enjoyable as there were only four people at it but the rest of them all had something that bugged me. Give me a blu-ray with some nice surround sound at home any day.

Renn

Oh and I've noticed how bloody useless ushers are.

Morag

Too many idiots, not being able to book seats, usually only big studio films being on in the local cinema, movies being gone after 2 weeks.

liah

Nah. Have a projector and the internet, cinemas are pretty much just giant wastes of money. Last time I went to the cinema (not counting watching Rejkjavik Whale Watching Massacre at midnight for a laugh) was Avatar (no point watching it anywhere else, really, not like I'd be watching for the story..), before that Sweeney Todd, I think..

At least here I can have free nachos. And no jerk kicking my seat or crunching in my ear.

Delirium

Don't go as much as I used to due to moving out of Limerick city, so it's a 30km trip to the cinema.

Generally going about once a month, where I used to go every week. Usually going to the latest release. but I really enjoyed when the cinema showed Casablanca. It's the only re-release aside from Back to the Future that I've seen at the cinema. Wouldn't mind going to see more classic movies.

Max Power1

I've gone 3-4 times a month.

Recently got the "unlimited" pass in UGC with the OH so making sure I take full advantage of the €20/month!

Miguel_Sanchez

I still go about 2-3 times a month.

I still love the cinema but prefer quieter afternoon screenings for obvious reasons.

amacachi

If I were living in Dublin I probably would go a lot with an unlimited thing but for the price it is here it's not worth it. There are very, very few new films that appeal to me at all and for most that do I'm more than happy to wait for the DVD release.

I've been to the cinema 3 times in about the last 2 and a half years and I'd guess it was at least 2 years before that that I had previously been.

LittleBook

Love cinemas, hate cinema-goers ... generally.

Mostly if I go now it's to bring my nephew to a kids flick so I'm not too bothered about people talking/texting and we make an event of it.

Having said even that, I don't think I can justify the expense much longer for the cráp they churn out for a four-year-old, it's absolutely outrageous.

For "grown-up" films for myself, it's just too expensive and the risk of some dingbat ruining it for me is too high.

Renn

LittleBook wrote: »

Mostly if I go now it's to bring my nephew to a kids flick so I'm not too bothered about people talking/texting and we make an event of it.

Funny you should say that - one of the better cinema trips of last year was Toy Story 3, kids leading by example.

LittleBook

Renn wrote: »

Funny you should say that - one of the better cinema trips of last year was Toy Story 3, kids leading by example.

True! But Toy Story 3 was very exceptional. In fact, I didn't bring the little fecker in case he'd ruin it for me!

The last one we saw was Winnie the Pooh which was just a re-hash of the original film and ran for under an hour, what a waste of money.

00112984

I think I've gone to the cinema more in the past 12 months or so than I ever have before.

Couple of factors but the main ones are the fact that it's cheaper for the two of us to go to the cinema for the evening than head out for a meal and drinking and also the discovery of the IFI.

Used to favour the Savoy and the Screen but for many reasons, many other people, it got to be a bit of a chore. Now, the IFI isn't without its fair share of annoying twats but at least they're annoying without having to endure 2-hours of popcorn crunching. I also like the fact that the crowd is typically slightly older than a typical plex. I like being able to have a vodka and Coke with the film and the cafe is very nice and great for people-watching and membership and loyalty points makes the whole thing more affordable. The selection of films is obviously a big lure as are the events and themes.

Also enjoying the re-releases. Wanted to see Jaws last month and was gutted when it was sold out. Went to Acocalypse Now last night, booked in plenty of time and the theatre was completely full which is good to see at 6pm on a Monday evening!

So I think I'm another exception to the article you read, OP. I'm really enjoying getting to the cinema more

Renn

LittleBook wrote: »

True! But Toy Story 3 was very exceptional. In fact, I didn't bring the little fecker in case he'd ruin it for me!

Well I went to it in Dundrum and it was nothing but parents and kids. Packed too.

krudler

Depends tbh, I like seeing big summer movies on a big screen, but I make use of the €4 O2 tickets during the week for small movies, i like going on my own during the week, no crowds, no queueing, its nice and peaceful and the screens are either empty of close to it.

McLoughlin

Haven't gone to the cinema since the end of 2009 due to that fact that I have been ill and was unable to leave the house I used the internet to track down films on DVD that I hadn't seen and probably wouldn't see in my local cinema and I don't miss the cinema.

Mickeroo

I go anytime there's something on I want to see, I probably average 2-3 times a month. I try to avoid nights its busy such as weekends and that. I'm a student at the moment so don't have much disposable income, when I was working I used to go maybe twice a week depending what was on, I'll probably start going more often again when i rejoin the worke force next year. Usually go with my mates, not gone alone in a long time and I'd probably feel like a saddo now if i did :P

Sad Professor

It depends on the time of the year and whether I'm busy with work or college. Some months I might go to the cinema several times, others not at all. My local cinema is Vue and I find myself very frustrated with the type of films it shows most of the time. If not for that I'd probably go a lot more frequently. I like going alone to morning and early afternoon screenings and as a result the IFI doesn't really suit me anymore unless I'm skiving off or going with a friend.

But like Mickeroo, if there's something on that I really want to see, I go see it. So if anything ever stops me from going to the cinema it's the poor choice of films. I can live with inflated ticket prices, overpriced food, annoying kids and shoddy presentation, but I can't live with crap films. If I didn't live in Dublin I'd probably barely go at all. I mean, I've no problem with turn-your-brain-off type movies, but a bit of variety in the multiplexes would be nice.

bnt

Cost has always been a big issue for me: when I lived in London I used to go to the Prince Charles Cinema quite a lot: they got films in after their "1st runs" were over, as well as odd cult films, and charged only a couple of pounds off-peak. I moved to Dublin in 1999 and rarely went to the cinema at all, happy to see the occasional film on TV. I'm simply not going to pay inflated prices for the typical Hollywood output - and don't get me started on the "concessions"!

The IFI membership got me interested again: I've been a member for over two years now, and I'm also a student, which makes it even more cost-effective. They have free screenings (such as Le Quattro Volte recently) and I rack up sufficient loyalty points for the occasional free film.

Renn

Actually, how many points gets you a free screening do you know? Can't see it on the site

Handsome Bob

I'm a fan of the cinema, in spite of the prices. When I was in uni I'd go every week, the odd time even twice. I loved going to early viewings, there's something so comfortable about a spacious big dark room watching a good film on a giant screen! I love the spectacle of watching films in the cinema that I've been anticipating and discussing for a long period of time.

Don't get to go as much now that I'm working, but if there's a film that I want to see, you can bet your ass I'll be watching it in the cinema.

bnt

Renn wrote: »

Actually, how many points gets you a free screening do you know? Can't see it on the site

It's based on the cost of the screening, and a point is worth 1c, so e.g if you would be paying €8 and you have 800 points, you can use the points for the ticket.

The Mad Hatter

I get to the cinema as often as I can, which is usually once or twice a month. Often (like now) affording either the ticket cost or the several hours it takes to get there, watch the film and get back again isn't really doable, so everything I'm watching right now is on DVD.

Hank_Jones

I would say that I go two or three times a month.

Having said that though, I find myself going to see woeful films, really wish there was a better selection of films here.

If it's not Hollywood trash, it's not available.

OutlawPete

Well, this will be embarrassing ..

I see movies in the cinema on average, six or seven times a week

Will usually see three or four films in Cineworld and another three between the IFI, Screen and Savoy. For health reasons I could not attend the cinema between the year 2000 and 2007, so I'm making up for lost time

I don't watch trailers at all (surf m.boards and listen to ipod while they're on) and don't watch or read anything to do with upcoming movies. The ONLY thing I know I remotely know about most movies that I go to see it, is from what I glean from the poster used in the advertising, that is it.

I will literately go to see anything (Classics, Bollywood, Docus, Animation etc) but I walk out of a lot of stuff too. If a film doesn't suck me in within a half hour, I will usually leave, half interesting and I may give it an hour, but I just can't bear sitting through anything diabolical.

Cinema goers I despise - well, the tossers that are becoming more and more common at least. Going to the cinema is not an occasion anymore it seems and idiots treat the place like it's their living room. I used to have arguments will these clowns but now (if I'm alone, and I usually am) I will walk, as even if you do manage to get these bafoons to remove their feet or STFU, they will have ruined the damn thing to a degree. Best to take a deep breath leave and see it another time.

Renn

Hank_Jones wrote: »

I would say that I go two or three times a month.

Having said that though, I find myself going to see woeful films, really wish there was a better selection of films here.

If it's not Hollywood trash, it's not available.

Not having a go here but are you not just giving them an incentive to make more woeful films if you keep going to them?

johnny_ultimate

A lot of people complaining about people in the cinema - TBH, haven't experienced anything particularly negative in a long time! Used to get a few idiots in Cineworld during morning showings but just stopped going then!

Actually, was in the IFI yesterday and someone turned around and politely yet aggressively asked the guy behind him to remove his feet from under the chair. It's perhaps the most distracting thing I've experienced in the cinema in months, and that can only be a good sign :pac:

the culture of deference

Galvasean wrote: »

I go at least twice a month, purely to make sure I get the value out of my Cineworld card. I usually go more than twice if there's anything in particular that I like on (for example I saw Thor 3 times).
I'm also a big fan of classic movies on big screens. I attend whenever possible.

Can I ask which Thor was better the 2d or 3d, we were supposed to see 2d but got the times wrong and went to the 3d.

jaykhunter

I go to the cinema maybe 4 times per year. In general I wait for something to come out on Blu-Ray unless it's something I desperately want to see. I prefer being able to see it in the comfort of my own home, when I want to, in high-definition and in 2D. I find going to the cinema to be a chore, whether it's the time spent "preparing" to see a film (check time, make plans, go there, get seats, watch ads etc etc) or ignorant, chattering teenagers. This business of "go complain to the manager or tell someone to be quiet" etc? Not for me. At home, you stick in the disc and you're ready to go.

There are positives to seeing a film in a packed house but in general i've had more neutral or negative ones than positive so i'm apathetic about seeing films in the cinema.

LittleBook

Renn wrote: »

Well I went to it in Dundrum and it was nothing but parents and kids. Packed too.

No, I mean "exceptional" in that it was worth running the gamut of rugrats to see it. I've a lot more patience with da kids when it's one of "their" films I'm seeing.

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

A lot of people complaining about people in the cinema - TBH, haven't experienced anything particularly negative in a long time! Used to get a few idiots in Cineworld during morning showings but just stopped going then!

Actually, was in the IFI yesterday and someone turned around and politely yet aggressively asked the guy behind him to remove his feet from under the chair. It's perhaps the most distracting thing I've experienced in the cinema in months, and that can only be a good sign :pac:

It really boils down to where and when you go.

The IFI, The Screen and (until recently) The Lighthouse are what I consider to be "grown-up" cinemas where you get very little messing about. The audience can be a little less mature in Cineworld, Vue, Dundrum, etc.

And I work 9 to 5, Monday to Friday like the majority (I think) of people, so when I can go to the cinema is when the world and his wife is going, much more risk of disturbance.

One place I found that falls between the two (by my definition ) "types" of cinema is The Swan in Rathmines. It shows mostly mainstream films like the other mainstream type cinemas, but it's very quiet ... not sure how long it will last to be honest.

Hank_Jones

Renn wrote: »

Not having a go here but are you not just giving them an incentive to make more woeful films if you keep going to them?

It's fairly easy to say that if there are films available to you,
but try living somewhere there are very little good films shown.

I go in the hope that I will stumble upon a gem more than anything else really.

Should I stop going to see Irish films because the chances are that they are going to be bad?

ztoical

I go the cinema on average once a week. The studio I currently work at is right beside two fairly large VUE cinemas [based in London at the mo] so I will usually head to something on either a Tuesday or Wednesday after work. The set up with the two VUE's is interesting as one is in an older shopping center and then they built a massive new shopping center right across the street and built a bigger VUE there but rather then close the older one, the older one tends to show the 2D versions of 3D films playing at the new one and they also show an interesting selection of Bollywood and other film imports.

I've always enjoyed the cinema over watching at home....at home I'll end up doing something while watching be it drawing, colouring, cleaning, cooking, surfing the net etc etc....even when I make the effor to sit down and just focus on watching something I'll always get distracted. There is something I just really enjoy about sitting in cinema seats and getting sucked into a film. I remember my first cinema trip when I was three and half to see Supergirl while on holidays on the Isle of Man and I've been hooked every since.

Renn

Hank_Jones wrote: »

It's fairly easy to say that if there are films available to you,
but try living somewhere there are very little good films shown.

I go in the hope that I will stumble upon a gem more than anything else really.

Should I stop going to see Irish films because the chances are that they are going to be bad?

Well I didn't mention anything about Irish films - just films in general. Although I don't know what I'm on about, I went to see Thor last month and still feel dirty about that.

Rabidlamb

I used to go once a week but since kids have arrived that's gone out the window.
By the time we pay for a babysitter, tickets & food we could be down €50.
The last film I saw on the big screen was Inception & before that Avatar.
The next one I expect to see is probably The Dark Knight Rises.

I now find it much more enjoyable to watch nearly all the new releases at home with a bottle of red & the pause button.
I'm not proud to say most of these come from the internet but it really suits my life right now.

Duggy747

Since my GF's mother gets free cinema tickets every month from o2 we pop along every month, even if there's nothing but shìte on.

Very rare that a film will push me to actually go and pay to see a film in the cinemas, it has to be a spectacle of a film that needs the big screen for me.

Which is why I'll probably pay to see Super 8 and Transformers :pac:

The Recliner

I go as often as I can (time permitting)

But not as often as I would like too (money permitting)

Now that I have moved nearer Cineworld I will consider getting an unlimited card as when I had one before I went to see everything but might not be in a position to fork out for something I might not use

pinkypinky

It totally depends on what's on - sometimes it'll be once a week and then there could be a drought, like at the moment, and I haven't been since Thor (which was not worth the extra for 3d, imo). Going to X-Men tomorrow night and looking forward to it.

Renn

Renn wrote: »

Have gone 14 times this year and I don't know why because I kinda hate watching something in the cinema. Only 1 of them was somwhat enjoyable as there were only four people at it but the rest of them all had something that bugged me. Give me a blu-ray with some nice surround sound at home any day.

You'd think you'd be safe with an early screening of Chinatown in Screen 2 in the IFI but we had an old guy conked out and snoring, an old woman managing to come out from the emergency exit at the front of the screen (totally lost and required assistance), two guys arguing out loudly about one being rude to the other and of course the obligatory munching of sweets...

Yes I'm getting old.