Why cinemas can go to hell, and I will pirate [ MOD WARNING IN OP ]

Mickeroo · 22-06-2012 03:06PM

€27.80 for two tickets is extortionate, I don't think anyone would dispute that.

Galvasean · 22-06-2012 03:07PM

Mickeroo wrote: »

In Oz & NZ nearly every cinema has cheap tickets on a tuesday, turns what would usually be a dead night into a money spinner without detracting from the weekend crowds. Wish cinemas here would be as forward thinking. The one in westport is now a fiver on fridays for students which is great, but a cheap night for everyone is a missed opportunity imo.

I recall the IMC Dundalk used to do €4 tickets for students on Tuesday or Thursday. that was deadly.

johnny_ultimate · 22-06-2012 03:09PM

Mickeroo wrote: »

In Oz & NZ nearly every cinema has cheap tickets on a tuesday, turns what would usually be a dead night into a money spinner without detracting from the weekend crowds. Wish cinemas here would be as forward thinking. The one in westport is now a fiver on fridays for students which is great, but a cheap night for everyone is a missed opportunity imo.

Actually a lot of cinemas in Dublin have cheap days now. Cineworld has a lower price for everyone every Tuesday - it's still like six-seven euro, but still a massive improvement on their usual prices (and their new online booking does actually knock a good euro or two off ticket prices too). IMC is obviously still the best for students - I haven't been in a while but it's still either four or five euro - but if you're not picky about times you can go cheap to most cinemas. IFI is still the cheapest overall though: as a student member, I rarely pay more than seven euro, more usually 5.20.

g'em wrote:

Is there anyone here who would genuinely dispute that €27.80 for two adult tickets on a Thursday to a 3D screening (when no 2D version was available) and forcing the purchase is too much?

No, it is a lot, but nor do I think it's particularly surprising or unusual for peak hour in a multiplex. I always expect to pay a surcharge for 3D, but for the last year I have planned ahead and simply avoided the 3D screenings altogether

Galvasean · 22-06-2012 03:09PM

g'em wrote: »

Is there anyone here who would genuinely dispute that €27.80 for two adult tickets on a Thursday to a 3D screening (when no 2D version was available) and forcing the purchase is too much?

It is too expensive IMO. However, it is a simple case of supply and demand. If people keep paying the extortionate prices the cinemas will keep charging it. Why wouldn't they? Complaining that it's too expensive after you've paid helps no one. The only way to bring down such prices is to vote with one's feet and shop around.

zenno · 22-06-2012 03:10PM

Pay all that money to watch an out of date projector flash light of a film on a dark and grainy projector screen and then leave with eye damage and headaches lol not a chance.

News today... Japanese legislators are looking to pass a new law that would make piracy a criminal offense with potential jail time.

Anyone convicted of making unauthorized copies of movies, games or other content or downloading the content could face two years in prison or a two million yen (about $25,400) fine.

So never mind the criminals that should be jailed, they will jail a person for two years for downloading a movie, wait, did i wake up in a different time or dimension from the planet i was in before i fell asleep last night ? these new laws are insane.

They might reach ole Ireland as well soon if were not careful.

Sad Professor · 22-06-2012 03:11PM

Galvasean wrote: »

Unless they've changed the policy since I signed up you have to subscribe for a year, ie: You can't just buy a monthly pass (I wonder how many of those they'd sell on the week TDKR is released?).

Ah crap, you're right. It's a 12 month minimum subscription.

meoklmrk91 · 22-06-2012 03:13PM

krudler wrote: »

thats why I have nothing but praise for Showtime in Limerick, tickets are €9.00. 3D is no extra cost, the glasses are €1 and you can bring them again yourself. its all digital, 7.1 sound in all screens. they play maybe 3-4 ads and at least 3-4 trailers before every movie, including a really nice dolby digital demo trailer. I like seeing trailers so that doesnt bother me in the slightest. the 3D only option can be a pain alright, had to see Prometheus in 3D but they usually have a 2D option for most stuff.

+1, they are brilliant , really love showtime, I remember the first time I went there I got my ticket, a large popcorn and drink and a little tub of Ben and Jerrys for a little over €17, that's seriously good value in my book. Plus the films look great, sound great, the seats are comfy, no sticky floors and the staff are lovely too. Best cinema I've ever been to by far.

mikemac1 · 22-06-2012 03:13PM

My complaint

Our local cinema takes your bag off you
You might be coming home from college Friday evening, head to the cinema with your bag and no way will they let you bring it in

Could be an expensive laptop in it and they don't care, just put it in the storage room with everyone else

No ticket system, you just tell them which is yours.
"Ah yes, that laptop bag there is mine"

I've never ever seen this in Dublin or Limerick

I know cinemas have rules about bringing in drinks and sweets but small local cinemas drive away customers with this

Your protests that you are just off the bus will get you nowhere

Hyperbullet · 22-06-2012 03:14PM

zenno wrote: »

Pay all that money to watch an out of date projector flash light of a film on a dark and grainy projector screen and then leave with eye damage and headaches lol not a chance.

Are you going to a 1940's themed cinema by any chance?

johnny_ultimate · 22-06-2012 03:15PM

zenno wrote: »

Pay all that money to watch an out of date projector flash light of a film on a dark and grainy projector screen and then leave with eye damage and headaches lol not a chance.

I know, it's kind of like paying to see a load of words printed on a technologically primitive page and giving you eye strain.

Apologies for the sarcasm, but the above is the most ludicrous quote of the thread yet.

22-06-2012 03:16PM

Galvasean wrote: »

I recall the IMC Dundalk used to do €4 tickets for students on Tuesday or Thursday. that was deadly.

Think it's about 5.80 for evening showing for students now, can't complain. Also a 3.80 daytime rate for people on the dole. It's good to see them making some effort and it has gotten them some custom from me that they wouldn't have got otherwise.

Sad Professor · 22-06-2012 03:16PM

Re: online bookings, don't ever book use the Vue website. They have a card handling charge which really adds up if you are buying more than one ticket. It's a bit ridiculous.

Hyperbullet · 22-06-2012 03:17PM

mikemac1 wrote: »

My complaint

Our local cinema takes your bag off you
You might be coming home from college Friday evening, head to the cinema with your bag and no way will they let you bring it in

Could be an expensive laptop in it and they don't care, just put it in the storage room with everyone else

No ticket system, you just tell them which is yours.
"Ah yes, that laptop bag there is mine"

I've never ever seen this in Dublin or Limerick

I know cinemas have rules about bringing in drinks and sweets but small local cinemas drive away customers with this

Your protests that you are just off the bus will get you nowhere

You can put that down to fire safety regulations. Cinemas are under strict orders that backpacks blocking up the aisles between seats are a hazard during an evacuation. The same applies to childrens buggies etc.

Handsome Bob · 22-06-2012 03:17PM

Hyperbullet wrote: »

Handsome Bob wrote: »

Whichever side of the argument you're on, you have to agree with one thing: to force someone to buy 3D glasses is absolutely incredulous. Never heard of that one before, I usually used either UCI (now Odeon) or Cineworld and I think I've always been asked "do you need the glasses."

That really is ****ing outrageous.

So they should be free? The cinema has to pay for the glasses, in the case of Dolby colour filtered systems they're incredibly expensive.

And don't take that as me having a go, just interested to hear what is the ideal scenario regarding 3D glasses.

People typically keep their 3d glasses, what i'm saying is that if you already have them, you shouldn't be forced to buy new ones. The price is already increased due to the film being in 3d, so to force people to buy 3d glasses on top of that is just pure greed.

Hyperbullet · 22-06-2012 03:22PM

Handsome Bob wrote: »

People typically keep their 3d glasses, what i'm saying is that if you already have them, you shouldn't be forced to buy new ones. The price is already increased due to the film being in 3d, so to force people to buy 3d glasses on top of that is just pure greed.

I see where you're coming from, you already paid for them once, you're attending the same cinema again, you shouldn't have to pay for them again. Fair point.

ebbsy · 22-06-2012 03:27PM

UCI in Newbridge d'ont charge for glasses if you already have them. So there must be others out there.

If you d'ont want to buy the popcorn or the drinks in the cinema well then nobody is forcing you to.

A lot of the movies I have seen in the cinema I would not have enjoyed watching on a computer or some copied dvd.

Bullseye1 · 22-06-2012 03:28PM

There is a tiered price at our local cinema so a show at 4.15 will cost €6.75 with an 0.80 credit card charge. If you order more than one ticket it's still 0.80 CC charge.

A show at 19.00 will cost €7.70 ditto cc charge.
A show at 21.30 will cost €8.65 (most expensive ticket).

Child prices are cheaper and there is a family ticket for €24.00.

You pay €1.00 for your 3D glasses but you can keep them. They were originally free and people would just return them on exiting the cinema. Maybe this was abused and that is why they introduced the charge. I just keep a pair of glasses in the car so it doesn't bother me.

It's the price of popcorn and drinks that are expensive but I try to limit the amount of eating I do there. Overall I'm very happy with my cinema and with he Reward points system I get free tickets every few outings.

zenno · 22-06-2012 03:28PM

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

I know, it's kind of like paying to see a load of words printed on a technologically primitive page and giving you eye strain.

Apologies for the sarcasm, but the above is the most ludicrous quote of the thread yet.

I must be going to the wrong cinema so as the quality on screen is terrible and always a headache from using those 3d glasses. I must be the only one so, ludicrous indeed.

22-06-2012 03:29PM

Galvasean wrote: »

Of course one can argue with that sentiment since it is a rather moot point.
The fact of the matter is if everyone collectively stopped paying money into the film industry (and instead spent it elsewhere) the film industry would go bankrupt and there would be no new movies. Now, you're probably thinking that is a very unlikely scenario, but even in smaller doses it does harm the film industry. As others have pointed out, perhaps not so much the big Hollywood blockbusters, but certainly the damage trickles down to smaller indue studios an their films.
It's a red herring to say, "Ah sure the money would just go elsewhere, like the offo/pub" when the topic at hand is discussing piracy's effects on the film industry, not the drinks trade.

No, you can't argue with it.

If you're pirating all your movies and not spending money in the cinema then the money will go somewhere else. Even if you save it, eventually it will go somewhere else. Its basic economics.

However I thought it was obvious that was made in jest, it was not an actual viewpoint. The point was that no industry 'deserves' to exist. They are all competing for our money. The independent movie industry doesnt deserve to exist any more/less than the Hollywood blockbuster, just because some film prats prefer arthouse movies. And the local cinema industry doesnt deserve to exist any more than the IT industry.

If an industry wishes to exist it needs to win over the customers and earn their money. £27.80 for two tickets to a trailer screening isn't the way to achieve that.

DoesNotCompute · 22-06-2012 03:31PM

Sanjuro wrote: »

And here's the first problem. Almost every cinema I looked at the listings for, either didn't give you the option of 2D, or had final 2D showings during the day. Post 5pm, it's 3D or nothing. You want choice? Fuck you. It's our way, or no way. Second problem. I went up to the desk to purchase the tickets. Two regular tickets, no premium bullshit seats. No extras. No popcorn. No drinks. Nothing but the damn seat tickets. My jaw hit the floor when I was charged €27.80. Almost thirty euros for two tickets. 'Wait, I have brought 3D glasses with me. I don't need to purchase any more.' I was told that I had no choice. The glasses were a mandatory charge. This further annoyed me. However, I paid the price as I was damned if I was waiting any longer to see the film. But the annoyance didn't stop there.

While I agree to a certain extent that cinemas are, in general, a right rip off, you could always sign up for a Cineworld Unlimited card, and go see as many movies as you like for €20 a month? There's no obligation to purchase any of the optional extras like popcorn, VIP seating, etc? Even with the extra hidden charges for 3D movies/glasses, it still would work out signifigcantly less than €15 per movie if you got enough use out of it every month

mikemac1 · 22-06-2012 03:32PM

Hyperbullet wrote: »

You can put that down to fire safety regulations. Cinemas are under strict orders that backpacks blocking up the aisles between seats are a hazard during an evacuation. The same applies to childrens buggies etc.

Not so strict if the large cinemas in cities with security never bother but the small family owned cinemas in towns are ruthless over it

Should be everybody or nobody

Sad Professor · 22-06-2012 03:34PM

zenno wrote: »

I must be going to the wrong cinema so as the quality on screen is terrible and always a headache from using those 3d glasses. I must be the only one so, ludicrous indeed.

Stop going to 3D films then.

Galvasean · 22-06-2012 03:36PM

Sad Professor wrote: »

Re: online bookings, don't ever book use the Vue website. They have a card handling charge which really adds up if you are buying more than one ticket. It's a bit ridiculous.

That's harsh. cineworld give you a 10% discountif you book online.

Deleted User wrote: »

No, you can't argue with it.

Eh, yes I can and I just did. Just because you are skipping over the fact that this is a debate confined to the film industry does not make my retort any less valid.

reprazant · 22-06-2012 03:43PM

Went to see Promethius in the LightHouse cinema.

Tenner to see the film and they give you the glasses which you give back when you leave the screen.

Best cinema in Dublin in my opinion.

zenno · 22-06-2012 03:43PM

Sad Professor wrote: »

Stop going to 3D films then.

I did, as I think 2d is a lot better quality wise and when I leave the cinema after watching a 2d movie I don't have one eye facing north and the other facing east. Like the o.p said 3d is a gimmick at the moment but in a few years time it might be better without the use of them spec-saver glasses. bring on the hologram 3d which will be out in 6 years then the cinema might entice people to pay the extra. As it stands now, 3d and having to wear whack-job glasses is not helping anyones eyesight imo.

Hyperbullet · 22-06-2012 03:46PM

mikemac1 wrote: »

Not so strict if the large cinemas in cities with security never bother but the small family owned cinemas in towns are ruthless over it

Should be everybody or nobody

It's down to the management and staff of the cinema to enforce the rule. Simple as that. If it seriously bothers you I'd take it up with the management.

Sad Professor · 22-06-2012 03:48PM

I just checked on the Vue site there and the card handling charge is 75 cent per ticket. So if I was going to an off-peak showing of TDKR, it would cost me more than 10 percent extra to book in advance. lol.

Anyone who visits Vue regularly, please give them your thoughts on this and other things using their website's feedback form:

http://www.myvue.com/contact-us-customer-survey

In the meantime, I think I'm going to start going to Cineworld a bit more often.

phasers · 22-06-2012 03:57PM

I'm a member of the Vue audience panel thing (http://www.vuepoint.co.uk/ if anyone's interested) and they sent me a survey just the other day about a loyalty scheme. people are crying out for it on their forums too. There may be hope yet!

I love the cinema experience, but you're completely right about the prices OP. I cannot justify going to Vue anymore, it's only 2 minutes from my house but the prices are beyond a joke. I also hate that you can't bring your own 3d glasses and save a couple of quid, I have so many feckin pairs lying around! I drive to Tallaght now or get the bus into town and go to the Savoy or the Screen. Even including bus fare in and out I save money!

Brendog · 22-06-2012 03:59PM

I understand your frustration, but shouting "GET ON WITH IT!" is a bit dramatic.

Just don't go to that Cinema again. I use Omniplex Cinema which is €11 for tickets. No matter what film they show, the ads are never more than 10 mins, unlike that Cineworld ****e where they show 5 mins of ads for cineworld.

In my opinion you can't beat the cinema for experience. There is now way watching a film on a tv will ever be better that in a cinema.

puffishoes · 22-06-2012 04:02PM

Brendog wrote: »

I understand your frustration, but shouting "GET ON WITH IT!" is a bit dramatic.

.

Pretty bizarre it must be said.

They also have Tallaght/Dundrum a few otherts on the same side without crossing the m50.

Why cinemas can go to hell, and I will pirate [** MOD WARNING IN OP **]

Comments

Why cinemas can go to hell, and I will pirate [ MOD WARNING IN OP ]