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

indough · 11-07-2012 12:00PM

wandatowell wrote: »

Going to the cinema in Ireland is becoming a horrendous experience.

I was at Mahon Point cinema on Sunday night to see Spiderman, we were in Screen 1 which I would think is one of the larger screen in the complex but the place was stinking. The smell was only aweful in there.

We eventually moved towards the back of the room but thats not really solving the issue of the smell of puke.

Mahon Point is a decent, albeit expensive enough cinema. I bet if you had politely complained they would have sorted something.

the_syco · 11-07-2012 12:41PM

Buy the movie; forced to watch 5 minuntes of "piracy is bad" warnings.
Pirate the movie; watch it straight away.

=-=

Went to see Spiderman3 in Cineworld there recently. It wasn't bad, but I found the seats to be not comfortable.
The seats in Vue, Liffey Valley are comfy, but there is a higher amount of scumbags there, most of whom like to annoy the other people in the room.

speedboatchase · 11-07-2012 01:01PM

the_syco wrote: »

Buy the movie; forced to watch 5 minuntes of "piracy is bad" warnings.
Pirate the movie; watch it straight away.

=-=

Went to see Spiderman3 in Cineworld there recently. It wasn't bad, but I found the seats to be not comfortable.
The seats in Vue, Liffey Valley are comfy, but there is a higher amount of scumbags there, most of whom like to annoy the other people in the room.

Tell me of a movie - not a rental copy, the version you buy - which has 5 minute of unskippable anti-piracy content please. I'd say it was one minute max.

The only time I ever experienced unskippable content was on a rental copy of a film in which I had to watch some Unicef clip with Gwyneth Paltrow. Torture obviously, but that was the only occasion.

Either way, watching a few minutes of unskippable anti-piracy content - which doesn't happen as far as I can see - is hardly a reasonable justification for illegal downloading. MP3s don't have any such issues but people just conjure different excuses for their illegal downloading there.

11-07-2012 10:13PM

Feckin woman in the Cinema today let her kids run around the cinema for the 2nd half of the movie. It wasn't too annoying for me as it was around an area that didn't intrude with my view-line, was in the Savoy screen 2 if anyone's familiar with it. Not the type of person to do it but it was the closest I've come to giving out to someone in the cinema, especially when one of them stood directly in front of the screen and the woman just sat there. When does school start back again?

krudler · 11-07-2012 10:32PM

Liam O wrote: »

Feckin woman in the Cinema today let her kids run around the cinema for the 2nd half of the movie. It wasn't too annoying for me as it was around an area that didn't intrude with my view-line, was in the Savoy screen 2 if anyone's familiar with it. Not the type of person to do it but it was the closest I've come to giving out to someone in the cinema, especially when one of them stood directly in front of the screen and the woman just sat there. When does school start back again?

so why not complain to staff and get her chucked? I cant understand why people complain about others ruining the cinema experience then wont step up and do something about it, all you have to do it go out and say it to someone and they'll have someone come in and look, have a word and then chuck em if it continues. I worked in a cinema years ago and you'd be amazed how quickly people will stfu when they have a flashlight shined in their face and all attention is on them.

CL7 · 11-07-2012 10:39PM

I've never experienced anything like that but I usually go to late night shows so I avoid younger kids and teenagers. I wouldn't confront her either but I would complain her and get a lot of satisfaction when management threw herself and her kids out. I can't stand people that have no consideration for others.

phasers · 11-07-2012 11:01PM

When I was seeing Spiderman in Vue the other day some fella had brought his young sons. I'd say they were about 3 and 5. Well clearly the 3 year old felt the same way I did about the film because after about 45 minutes he couldn't stand it anymore and started balling his eyes out. Good Guy Dad brought him outside until he calmed down. If you're reading this, thank you.

Why can't all parents be this considerate?

I second going to get staff though. I'd never suffer silently through some inconsiderate idiot ruining the film for everyone, I dunno how others do it.

Oracle · 11-07-2012 11:13PM

Deleted User wrote: »

It's a vicious circle, really.

A cinema is a business and the more people that pirate stuff, like I and a lot of others do, then they're obviously going to have to look to other means to raise money.....

Yes, the movie industry makes billions each year, but that's worldwide. The more you pirate, the more you damage the actual cinema industry. The more it's damaged, the more it'll have to raise it's prices.

I pirate sometimes, but I still love going to see a movie in a cinema.

I don't think thats really the situation. In fact, the movie and cinema industry is about greed, on a massive scale. Do you think if everybody stopped pirating movies tomorrow the cinema experience would suddenly improve? or cinema admission prices would drop? or they'd show fewer adverts? or the price of cinema drinks and food would fall? No none of this would happen because they want to continue making a lot of money. They battle against piracy because the movie industry want to protect and increase their massive profits.

don ramo · 12-07-2012 10:24AM

cinemas should set up some kind of text alert system for their patrons, have a number at the counter so you can just text the staff that someone is acting the maget in a screen, some people are just assholes and will confront some one if they suspect they ratted them out, their few and far between but it only takes one,

Theboinkmaster · 12-07-2012 10:35AM

don ramo wrote: »

cinemas should set up some kind of text alert system for their patrons, have a number at the counter so you can just text the staff that someone is acting the maget in a screen, some people are just assholes and will confront some one if they suspect they ratted them out, their few and far between but it only takes one,

Yeah but the last thing you want is people taking out their bright phones in a dark cinema, that drives me nuts....

don ramo · 12-07-2012 10:38AM

Theboinkmaster wrote: »

Yeah but the last thing you want is people taking out their bright phones in a dark cinema, that drives me nuts....

well itll only happen when their disturbed, save them having to annoy the 10 people beside them while the scoot out and complain,

podgemonster · 12-07-2012 11:09AM

don ramo wrote: »

well itll only happen when their disturbed, save them having to annoy the 10 people beside them while the scoot out and complain,

Nah no need for this texting plan, ushers ideally should be assigned 5-6 screens each and walk around each one. After 5 or 6 runs, they should identify the screens that need no supervision and concentrate on the 2-3 screens that may require their presence and split their time between each one. The presence of the cinema's authority should deter horseplay.

Sadly though most ushers get lazy/bored and are usually out flirting with the girls at the till when i go to complain.

krudler · 12-07-2012 11:20AM

don ramo wrote: »

cinemas should set up some kind of text alert system for their patrons, have a number at the counter so you can just text the staff that someone is acting the maget in a screen, some people are just assholes and will confront some one if they suspect they ratted them out, their few and far between but it only takes one,

yeah but what if people are texting complaining that people are texting complaining? who watches the texters :pac:

Thwip! · 12-07-2012 02:11PM

krudler wrote: »

yeah but what if people are texting complaining that people are texting complaining? who watches the texters :pac:

"This cinema is afraid of me. I have seen its true face (through the light from the screen) . The aisles are extended gutters and the gutters are full of Coca-Cola and when the butter finally pours over, all the popcorn will drown. The accumulated filth of all their texts and murmurs will foam up about their waists and all the tweens and scumbags will look up and shout "ANTO!"... and I'll whisper "Quiet, this is a cinema".

e_e · 12-07-2012 02:44PM

I'm all for phones being taken off people as they enter a screening. Give 'em a ticket so that they can pick it up afterwards.

d@rk l0rd · 12-07-2012 02:46PM

If cinemas just keep one usher in each screening a lot of bad behaviour would be nipped in the bud. But they don't care. I can't understand why people pay to see a movie but just spend their time tweeting and texting and why there are no warnings anymore (well not in Odeon or Vue anyway) on screen to switch off phones. It wouldn't bother me too much but with smartphones it's so distracting but again we live in a mé féin society and a lot of the time you just just get a mouthful of verbal abuse if you say anything to them!
I love going to the cinema but now avoid weekends, avoid peak times, avoid the opening weeks of a popular movie, try to avoid cinemas in shopping centres or places where teenagers congregate, try to avoid cinemas around areas which are populated with scum bags - I shouldn't have to do this but there's so much anti-social behaviour and a complete lack of respect for other people and for authority now that it's the only way I can find where I can watch a movie in peace!

CL7 · 12-07-2012 02:55PM

jpcarlow wrote: »

"This cinema is afraid of me. I have seen its true face (through the light from the screen) . The aisles are extended gutters and the gutters are full of Coca-Cola and when the butter finally pours over, all the popcorn will drown. The accumulated filth of all their texts and murmurs will foam up about their waists and all the tweens and scumbags will look up and shout "ANTO!"... and I'll whisper "Quiet, this is a cinema".

This post deserves more love imo.

the_syco · 12-07-2012 05:10PM

speedboatchase wrote: »

Tell me of a movie - not a rental copy, the version you buy - which has 5 minute of unskippable anti-piracy content please. I'd say it was one minute max.

Sorry, I meant rent the movie. Most of the movies which I bought were VHS, which luckliy I could fast forward.

speedboatchase wrote: »

people just conjure different excuses for their illegal downloading there.

I don't get people who give excuses for this.

=-=

Work in a cinema four or five years ago, and used to hunt for travellers from the local halting site in the cinema. Would usually catch a few of them. They'd either run by security, or sneak though the back yard.

As for ticket prices, for the most part cinemas get only 10% or 15% of the ticket price, and thus make their money from the snacks and popcorn. I think I stopped going to the cinema regularly when they stopped putting butter on my popcorn, and only go now to see films that I can't wait to come out on DVD and/or Bluray.

kingtut · 12-07-2012 05:30PM

speedboatchase wrote: »

Either way, watching a few minutes of unskippable anti-piracy content

Unskippable ... you sure about that?

Thwip! · 12-07-2012 06:22PM

CL7 wrote: »

This post deserves more love imo.

Thank you

cloud493 · 12-07-2012 07:55PM

Loving the rorshach quote :pac: I still like the cinema. Long as I go early enough, not too much of a rip off, bring my own snacks.

TonyD79 · 12-07-2012 08:58PM

d@rk l0rd wrote: »

If cinemas just keep one usher in each screening a lot of bad behaviour would be nipped in the bud. But they don't care.

They would need to employ extra staff in that case! Sure they have got rid of the box office staff in many cinemas with just a a machine and the concession stand to purchase tickets.

d@rk l0rd · 12-07-2012 09:09PM

I know, so I can't see it happening anytime soon. :rolleyes:

GavMan · 13-07-2012 01:59PM

Just on the food and drink thing, has anyone noticed that Movies-At are trying to enforce a no external food and drink policy these days.

**** like this really pisses me off. **** you if you don't like that I wont spend 20 quid on popcorn 2 drinks and a bag of sweets.

Any one seen it being enforced on the ground? I for one will continue to bring my own popcorn and drink and to hell with them. They are not a cafe or a restaurant where it would be understandable that one cannot bring their own grub on to the premises, as it is a cafe/restaurants primary purpose to sell food and drink. It's a cinemas primary purpose to screen movies....

d@rk l0rd · 13-07-2012 05:11PM

I've never seen any sign like that at any cinema and have never had any issues bringing in my own drink (usually just a bottle of water) or snacks.
Was in Movies@ Swords last week and I didn't notice them stopping anyone bringing in their own snacks.
I rarely eat anything when I go to the cinema anyway, I go to watch a movie, not stuff my face with crap!

Borderfox · 13-07-2012 05:17PM

One thing that ticks me off about the cinema is people kick the back of my seat.

Price would be another

d@rk l0rd · 13-07-2012 05:27PM

If you go at peak times then it is very expensive. I try to go at off peak times, can often get in for around €6/€7 and it's much quieter too.
Also Cineworld does the unlimited card for around €20 a month. The other cinemas should be doing this but when I ask them it's always the same reply that they value their customers' opinions and will consider it in the future (which never happens).

As for kicking seats, making excessing noise, talking and using phones - I would gladly pay a bit extra to any cinema that addressed these issues in a speedy manner.

Fysh · 13-07-2012 05:46PM

GavMan wrote: »

Just on the food and drink thing, has anyone noticed that Movies-At are trying to enforce a no external food and drink policy these days.

**** like this really pisses me off. **** you if you don't like that I wont spend 20 quid on popcorn 2 drinks and a bag of sweets.

Any one seen it being enforced on the ground? I for one will continue to bring my own popcorn and drink and to hell with them. They are not a cafe or a restaurant where it would be understandable that one cannot bring their own grub on to the premises, as it is a cafe/restaurants primary purpose to sell food and drink. It's a cinemas primary purpose to screen movies....

I understand your frustration with this, as it's something I share, but the fault for this lies in the economic model that applies to money gained from screening films, where something like 90% of the ticket price for a film that's just been released goes to the film distributor, not the exhibiting venue. So to really get the value out of big hit films, cinemas have to keep showing them (and hope people still turn up to watch them!) for around 6 weeks.

Knowing this doesn't make it better, obviously, but it's always good to understand the root cause of a problem.

My biggest bugbear with cinemas is actually not the price but the terrible selection of food generally offered. If I'm going to be sitting down for two hours watching a screen, I don't need 1-2 litres of caffeinated beverage - because if I buy and drink that I'll spend half the film dying for a piss, and trying to decide whether I dash out (annoying people and missing bits of the film) or hold it in and hope I don't wet myself (annoying people and probably getting barred from the cinema). Similarly, I don't want feckin' cardboard nachoes and let's-pretend-it's-cheese-but-it's-more-like-rubber, or some gammy reject hotdog.

A few Odeon cinemas in the UK are copped on in this regard; their concession stands include stuff like dried fruit and nuts as well as sweets. The one in Swiss Cottage is particularly good, in that they have a coffee shop as part of the complex where you can collect pre-booked tickets, as well as a bar on the first floor.

Kolido · 13-07-2012 06:59PM

Fysh wrote: »

I understand your frustration with this, as it's something I share, but the fault for this lies in the economic model that applies to money gained from screening films, where something like 90% of the ticket price for a film that's just been released goes to the film distributor, not the exhibiting venue. So to really get the value out of big hit films, cinemas have to keep showing them (and hope people still turn up to watch them!) for around 6 weeks.

Knowing this doesn't make it better, obviously, but it's always good to understand the root cause of a problem.

I hear what your saying. You make some good points. So if the cinema charges more for tickets then the movie makes more money?
Also, who gets the money from the adverts before the feature, cinema?
As for the grub and drinks, well I can watching a movie without eating so it doesnt bother me, but I agree that the prices are outragous.

Fysh · 13-07-2012 07:13PM

Kolido wrote: »

I hear what your saying. You make some good points. So if the cinema charges more for tickets then the movie makes more money?
Also, who gets the money from the adverts before the feature, cinema?
As for the grub and drinks, well I can watching a movie without eating so it doesnt bother me, but I agree that the prices are outragous.

Advert money goes to the cinema AFAIK. The increased ticket price for 3d screenings (and additional cost of 3d glasses for cinemas that don't provide them free of charge) means the cinema gets a greater amount of money for their share, hence multiplexes in particular being so keen to push 3D screenings.

The whole sliding-scale split is why you sometimes get small cinemas that sell cheap tickets but only show films 6-8 weeks after they go on general release.

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

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