Going to the Cinema during Covid

Outlaw Pete · 19-03-2020 1:35pm

Drive In cinema @ Leopardstown Racecourse is open:

https://www.retrodrivein.ie/

pixelburp · 19-03-2020 1:38pm

Yet that Drive-In is still adhering to social distancing, even with its customers in cars. Makes sense, no point taking risks but that's kinda funny all the same.

Space Dog · 19-03-2020 3:45pm

Homelander wrote: »

Eye Cinema in Galway appears to still be open even though IMC have closed both, Omniplex closed too.

No, the Eye Cinema is closed, see their FB post.
The Palas in Galway is closed as well.

branie2 · 19-03-2020 4:14pm

I would imagine there'll be more closures.

silverharp · 17-04-2020 3:54pm

Movie business is going to be upended for the next year I'd imagine, lots of movies will be released around the same time at the back end of the year so they wont do so well. Production on new movies will be delayed. Cinema capacity may drop and some chains go under.
will some or more movies go straight or quick to pay per view? will movie budgets drop? (might not be a bad thing)

pixelburp · 17-04-2020 4:24pm

From an American perspective, one of the main cinema chains, AMC, is in serious trouble:

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/amc-theatres-bankruptcy-appears-analyst-says-1289514

Something else, while not immediately connected with Covid, but could be part of the fallout: the approaching possibility of the Paramount Decree disappearing (ie, the law preventing Studios from owning cinema chains)

https://deadline.com/2019/11/justice-department-paramount-consent-decrees-2-1202793402/

The article dates back to November, so not entirely sure what the latest on it is - and there doesn't seem much news out there since then either.

The Justice Department filed a motion Friday in a New York federal court to terminate the Paramount consent decrees, the 71-year-old rules that have restricted studio distributors’ control over exhibition.

If a judge approves the motion, it would clear the way for studios to once again take significant ownership of theater chains. But more importantly to exhibitors is the impact that it would have on a host of business practices that have been prohibited since the late 1940s.

Obviously it's not something that'll necessarily translate over here in the EU / Ireland, but it's still a potentially seismic shift in the relationship - and concept - of cinemas to studios.

19-04-2020 12:28pm

El Duda wrote: »

Me and some mates have tickets booked for a screening of Memories of Murder (2003) in London in a couple of weeks. It would take something special to stop me from going.

A classic.

Sad Professor · 07-06-2020 8:44pm

Just in time for Tenet (assuming it's planned release goes ahead, which it seems it won't).

What do you think? Will people risk it?

Update: The reopening of cinemas has been brought forward to June 29th.

Irishphotodesk · 07-06-2020 8:49pm

People are already ignoring social distance guidelines... People will goto the cinema.

grazer · 07-06-2020 8:53pm

I’m relaxed enough about things COVID in general now, but definitely wouldn’t be keen on sitting in a cinema for 2 hours. They were always filthy anyway, as I saw the few times I had to come back in after a movie to look for a dropped phone etc. My kids will want to go to the cinema but I’ll be trying to get them to hold off for as long as possible.

Fred Cryton · 07-06-2020 9:12pm

Sad Professor wrote: »

What do you think? Will people risk it?

There's pretty much zero risk of dying from Covid if you're under 65 and without underlying health conditions.

You might as well ask should you cross the street tomorrow in case you get hit by a car. Yeah, there's a risk you will but you'll do it anyway.

Life is about risks.

pixelburp · 07-06-2020 9:18pm

Sad Professor wrote: »

Just in time for Tenet (assuming it's planned release goes ahead, which it seems it won't).

What do you think? Will people risk it?

My first instinct is I won't. My wife is pregnant and was already in a somewhat risky category. In laws would be close to cocooning age, and it's not like cinemas have a thorough, rigourous workforce. They're run by feckless teens.

Nobody knows what this feared "second wave" might look like and there's no harm in playing it cautious until we know what shape the world takes.

IrishJedi75 · 07-06-2020 9:30pm

Last report i saw is that Tenet needs at least 80% of the worlds theaters to be open by its planned release date.So far it looks like 90% will be open.The fact that they released another trailer so close to release seems to indicate that they are confident in this film pulling people back to theaters.

If theaters follow social distancing protocols and guidelines ( Such as temp checks at doors,wipe downs of seats,masks,and spaced seating ) it can be done.In fact it might actually lead to a better theater experience as the auditorium will be less packed and less assholes on their phones.

RurtBeynolds · 07-06-2020 9:30pm

Fred Cryton wrote: »

There's pretty much zero risk of dying from Covid if you're under 65 and without underlying health conditions.

You might as well ask should you cross the street tomorrow in case you get hit by a car. Yeah, there's a risk you will but you'll do it anyway.

Life is about risks.

It's not about the risk to you, it's about the risk to other more vulnerable people should you get it and pass it on. How on earth have you not figured that out yet?

johnny_ultimate · 07-06-2020 9:33pm

If the situation continues to improve - or even if there’s just a sort of steady, low number of new cases as is the case now - I’ll be down the cinema on July 20th without question. Obviously not in a sold out, packed screen as was once the case, but assuming some form of sensible social distancing is in place (and potentially with a mask) I’d have zero problems going to see something in a month’s time. I wouldn’t go near a cinema with any sort of symptoms, naturally.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m reasonably young and healthy, and wouldn’t for a second dismiss or shame people who may feel the risk is too great. But some kind of normal life will resume in the next few months, and cinema is a normal part of life for me, so unless there is a notable surge or what not I’ll be among the first in line. How many people will be in the same boat, I can’t say. I’ll say there’ll be a split between those who are eager to see some sort of normality resume, and those who want to be safer rather than sorry. I completely understand and respect both perspectives.

IrishJedi75 · 07-06-2020 9:37pm

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

If the situation continues to improve - or even if there’s just a sort of steady, low number of new cases as is the case now - I’ll be down the cinema on July 20th without question. Obviously not in a sold out, packed screen, but assuming some form of social distancing is in place (and potentially with a mask) I’d have zero problems going to see something in a monthly time.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m reasonably young and healthy, and wouldn’t for a second dismiss or shame people who may feel the risk is too great. But some kind of normal life will resume in the next few months, and cinema is a normal part of life for me, so unless there is a notable surge or what not I’ll be among the first in line.

Agreed.I think people are desperate to get back to some kind of normal life.Not saying its smart but in america,the beaches are packed again and restauraunts are open ( With Covid protocols in place ).

Im not one for eating watching movies at the cinema so id have no prob wearing a mask as long as i got to see Tenet in a giant theater that is half full.

JP Liz V1 · 07-06-2020 9:43pm

Fred Cryton wrote: »

There's pretty much zero risk of dying from Covid if you're under 65 and without underlying health conditions.

You might as well ask should you cross the street tomorrow in case you get hit by a car. Yeah, there's a risk you will but you'll do it anyway.

Life is about risks.

Young healthy people have died too from it

I will see how we do with cases with phase restrictions lifted and maybe try showings near end with less crowds

Irishphotodesk · 07-06-2020 9:49pm

Fred Cryton wrote: »

There's pretty much zero risk of dying from Covid if you're under 65 and without underlying health conditions.

You might as well ask should you cross the street tomorrow in case you get hit by a car. Yeah, there's a risk you will but you'll do it anyway.

Life is about risks.

Pretty much zero risk for you but if you become a carrier, you could infect those you come in contact with ....even if you don’t have any symptoms, you could infect your parents, grandparents, kids... anyone that you come in contact with.

pixelburp · 07-06-2020 9:52pm

IrishJedi75 wrote: »

Agreed.I think people are desperate to get back to some kind of normal life.Not saying its smart but in america,the beaches are packed again and restauraunts are open ( With Covid protocols in place ).

Im not one for eating watching movies at the cinema so id have no prob wearing a mask as long as i got to see Tenet in a giant theater that is half full.

America wouldn't a good example of safe reopening given its culture of individualism, and noted (armed!) resistance to the lockdown - including its president. If there is a second wave I'd put money on it happening there. Americans' love of "freedom" trumps sense at times.

My sticking point is I just wouldn't trust the hygiene protocols: is there any press releases about their plans? Cos my first question is: even if they reduce capacity, how can the cinema clean up the seats used in time between showings? Pre CoVid They could be pretty badly cleaned at the best of times.

GT89 · 07-06-2020 9:57pm

If they're keeping every second or third seat can you still sit beside someone

johnny_ultimate · 07-06-2020 9:59pm

Yeah, while I’m happy to return to the cinema next month if circumstances permit, it’s crazy to me to play down the risk of the virus. I sure as hell wouldn’t want to get it, and the risk of passing it on to others who may become sicker is very real and very serious. I am 100% supportive of restrictions and a careful, gradual easing of them, even with the very serious consequences of a lockdown.

If I go back to a cinema in six weeks - as I fully intend to at the moment, given the situation in Ireland currently - it’ll be in the context of weighing up the risks and hopefully with a new sort of cinema experience that is safer than before. I do think we can’t live in semi-isolation forever, but any increased risk of coronavirus and I’ll have no hesitation reverting back to an even more cautious approach to my daily movements and activities. Tenet or whatever else can wait in that case.

ongarite · 07-06-2020 10:03pm

That's in 6 weeks time.
Compare the situation of where we are now to 6 weeks ago.
Its was very different Ireland and Europe then, full of fear & worry.

Daily cases & deaths should be very low.
Even now, Irish COVID cases aren't the first headline on the evening/nightly news.

In 6 weeks people's attitude will have softened to the risks even more than now.
Cafes, restaurants/bars will have been open for 3 weeks with people getting used to how they will work.

ixoy · 07-06-2020 11:57pm

I can only see myself trying it for a couple of films maybe - 'Tenet' and 'Dune' right now which will likely beg to be seen on a big screen.

I will be curious to see how it's monitored - will staff be coming in to ensure people are sitting in their assigned seats for example.
How clean they're being maintained - which will vary with the cinema - will be a thing too, although since I don't intend to touch many surfaces that won't be a big issue.

As to the risk - well if nobody is beside you, it is next to negligible as otherwise, no restaurant could operate which will have similar spacing criteria. I've seen no reports of spikes related to cinemas elsewhere yet (other countries will have cinemas with precautions in place). You can take sensible precautions without locking yourself in at home permanently.

iguana · 08-06-2020 11:10am

I'll be going to some kids' movie with my 7 year old. But I'm 99.9% sure I had Covid and about 95% sure my son did too. I'd caution against being dismissive of the virus though. I'm not exaggerating when say I was an extremely fit 41 year old and this thing took me out for 12 weeks. I'm not quite fully recovered yet as too much exercise (a tiny amount to the me of early March) tends to trigger a relapse of my post-viral conditions and I still need daily anti-inflammatories and proton pump inhibitors. And when I am recovered, it will take a while to bring my fitness and strength back to where I was. It's not deadly to younger people but it's very frustrating and boring.

IrishJedi75 · 08-06-2020 9:41pm

I really want to see Wonder Woman 1984 as i loved the first movie.This one has been delayed so much already so i hope its not pushed back again.How Tenet performs will be the barometer of course.

Ohmeha · 08-06-2020 10:07pm

Like with the shops reopening now I will wait 3/4 weeks and see how cinemas reopen with effective social distancing before deciding if I feel comfortable to return, I have parents just at cocooning age and I have a mild underlying condition myself. My cineworld annual subscription expires in July so they will extend for extra 4 months that I lost out since March but no refund if I don't want to use again

Technocentral · 10-06-2020 8:16pm

Fred Cryton wrote: »

There's pretty much zero risk of dying from Covid if you're under 65 and without underlying health conditions.

You might as well ask should you cross the street tomorrow in case you get hit by a car. Yeah, there's a risk you will but you'll do it anyway.

Life is about risks.

Complete ignorance, you need to educate yourself, a huge number of people in their early 40s and 50s who didn't need ICU being completely fcuked up by Covid 19.

Sad Professor · 20-06-2020 8:34am

The reopening of cinemas has been brought forward to June 29th.

20-06-2020 8:49am

Technocentral wrote: »

Complete ignorance, you need to educate yourself, a huge number of people in their early 40s and 50s who didn't need ICU being completely fcuked up by Covid 19.

To be fair, he said there's "almost zero" chance of dying not actually zero chance. It's true for a healthy person in that age bracket. Needing ICU doesn't mean you died.

At present I'm not crazy for any movie coming out but I do want to leave the house being just work and shopping. I'll probably try bowling, etc first and just see how it works out

branie2 · 20-06-2020 8:49pm

Great news

titan18 · 22-06-2020 12:11am

Nothing out until Mulan so just going to be older films being shown if they open up. Wouldn't surprise me if Mulan and Tenet are pushed into August too based on how things are going in the US.

Sleeper12 · 22-06-2020 12:24am

Irishphotodesk wrote:

People are already ignoring social distance guidelines... People will goto the cinema.

I wouldn't have a problem going to a morning showing. You'd usually have the place to yourself anyway. Night time showings are a different matter.

CastorTroy · 22-06-2020 11:46am

Does this mean there'll be no one kicking your seat and putting their feet on your arm rest? Crazy talk.
They would need to be constantly monitored, at least for the first 15 mins of the film.
My local cinema doesn't use assigned seating but that would probably have to change.

And as was pointed out about other businesses, will they increase ticket/food prices to offset loss of custom? Like what percentage of seats will they be allowed to sell?
Though increasing prices would reduce customer numbers even more

iguana · 22-06-2020 12:17pm

Have any cinema groups actually made an announcement about opening? And if they do will they be showing anything new as not too many studios will be keen to release a movie to the kind of limited audience social distancing demands.

Ohmeha · 22-06-2020 6:27pm

If they're not re-opening on June 29th it probably won't be too much longer after that, some of our large cinema chains are likely to re-open when their counterpart chains in the UK can re-open from July 4th

This article details the status of some of the UK chains

https://www.thesun.ie/news/5566198/when-will-cinemas-open-uk-vue-cineworld-odeon/

Telecaster58 · 22-06-2020 7:44pm

Cinemas are due to re-open next Monday. I've just looked at a few of the sites and none of them seem to be aware of this. I would have thought that the cinemas would have had contingency plans for re-opening in July which can now be moved forward to next week. This is very disappointing, particularly from The Lighthouse and IFI. I renewed my subscription for The Lighthouse just before the shutdown and my IFI membership expired in April. All I've heard from them are requests to renew my membership, nothing about when they might actually show some films.

pixelburp · 22-06-2020 7:48pm

I suppose just because cinemas can open, doesn't mean they will. Not least because until they have something big enough to offset the losses of reduced capacity and sales of overpriced snacks, it won't be worth opening. Cinemas were probably already losing money on the non-blockbuster screenings. So it's kinda up to the studios as to when they release Wonder Woman 84, Tenet, Fast & Furious 9, and others. Or the various B Tier material.

johnny_ultimate · 22-06-2020 8:01pm

TBH cinemas were told for a few weeks they were allowed open on July 20th, having been told for weeks that it’d actually be August, and then on a Friday night were told ‘actually you can open in a week’. No surprise the cinemas were caught a bit off guard and aren’t quite sure yet when they might be ready to go.

All of these cinemas are reliant on the UK for films - Cineworld and the like obviously through their parent companies, but IFI and Light House too as they’re tied to release dates set by UK distributors. Lots of logistics to figure out before you can reopen - revised booking systems, screen layouts, programming, phased screenings, staffing, health & safety / social distancing measures etc... These things may be / are all be eminently manageable, but condensing a four week plan into seven days is always going to be tricky for any business. I’ll sure they’ll reopen shortly, but can’t begrudge any of them for wanting to be certain before they announce a definitive date.

As an aside, I’m hoping there’s a few weeks’ buffer where cinemas are able to screen more unusual fare to fill up screens. While I’m sure a lot will just screen Tenet in more screens to make up numbers, there’s a good opportunity for the likes of retrospectives, seasons and smaller releases in the window between cinemas reopening and the blockbusters arriving.

CastorTroy · 22-06-2020 8:55pm

Does this mean we'll finally see New Mutants?

dublinman1990 · 23-06-2020 4:52am

WB have said a while ago that Wonder Woman 1984 has already been pushed back again to October. That is good news for me because I would probably not want to go back into the cinema that quickly with all of the restrictions currently in place if they are to re-open from Monday. That doesn't mean that I will take any chances though. I would prefer to be leaving out the cinema trips for a while right up until this pandemic is officially over. It's too much of a risk for me at the moment.

sheepsh4gger · 23-06-2020 8:01am

pixelburp wrote: »

I suppose just because cinemas can open, doesn't mean they will. Not least because until they have something big enough to offset the losses of reduced capacity and sales of overpriced snacks, it won't be worth opening. Cinemas were probably already losing money on the non-blockbuster screenings. So it's kinda up to the studios as to when they release Wonder Woman 84, Tenet, Fast & Furious 9, and others. Or the various B Tier material.

That's what I think also.

Firstly I think they are blind-sighted by the government announcing this last minute.

Secondly it looks like just politicians playing PR games as only 50 customers are allowed at a time. Maybe for a country cinema with 2 screens that will work.

This is an interesting time we live in. They might reopen some of the old train lines now that everyone is moving out of the suburbs into the country to not live like a prisoner.

But really I wonder if they will bother reopening at all. They rely on volume and if you can't get x number of people then you're probably just burning money. Also all of the employees probably already found better jobs at Tesco so it's going to be a cold start.

Finally the second wave in fall will likely derail any reopening efforts. October/November I think will be lost. The hospitals need to deal with surge capacity. They will have the regular surge from influenza and on top of that need to deal with a second wave of COVID.

That makes me wonder whether there's a point in re-opening for 2-3 months. Also who wants to deal with the stigma getting shut down because of infections? If you look at news from China and Korea these places are a hot spot for infections.

The distancing doesn't really make sense. You're in a closed space with recirculated air.

1o059k7ewrqj3n · 23-06-2020 11:30am

Have a pass to Odeon cinemas and regularly went before Lockdown. Would love to go again when they reopen and will wear a mask or whatever is required but I reckon the cinema will be far busier when it reopens so might give it a week or two before going in.

Telecaster58 · 23-06-2020 12:03pm

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

TBH cinemas were told for a few weeks they were allowed open on July 20th, having been told for weeks that it’d actually be August, and then on a Friday night were told ‘actually you can open in a week’. No surprise the cinemas were caught a bit off guard and aren’t quite sure yet when they might be ready to go.

All of these cinemas are reliant on the UK for films - Cineworld and the like obviously through their parent companies, but IFI and Light House too as they’re tied to release dates set by UK distributors. Lots of logistics to figure out before you can reopen - revised booking systems, screen layouts, programming, phased screenings, staffing, health & safety / social distancing measures etc... These things may be / are all be eminently manageable, but condensing a four week plan into seven days is always going to be tricky for any business. I’ll sure they’ll reopen shortly, but can’t begrudge any of them for wanting to be certain before they announce a definitive date.

As an aside, I’m hoping there’s a few weeks’ buffer where cinemas are able to screen more unusual fare to fill up screens. While I’m sure a lot will just screen Tenet in more screens to make up numbers, there’s a good opportunity for the likes of retrospectives, seasons and smaller releases in the window between cinemas reopening and the blockbusters arriving.

I accept your point concerning release dates of films but as some of the chain cinemas have already stated they were going to start showing some "old favourites" that isn't really a problem. As for the issues highlighted in your piece this has been on the cards for weeks and everyone knows that regardless of when cinemas reopen these protocols were going to be in place. Moving it up a couple of weeks should not have caught them by surprise. Hairdressers for example have had their protocols in place and were clamouring for a reopening date much earlier. No reasons why cinemas shouldn't be "good to go".

stesaurus · 23-06-2020 12:20pm

Looks like my local Movies@ is opening Monday. Nothing on their site regarding instructions or how they'll operate. Movies seem to be a mix of what was out pre-lockdown and Harry Potter/Twilight.
I'll give it a miss for a while until something worthwhile is out

pixelburp · 23-06-2020 12:31pm

I suppose if I were to open a cinema come Monday, without an actual schedule of new films I'd be inclined towards crowdpleasers that might get exasperated families through the doors for a day out. No more than the McDonalds drive-throughs who were inundated with families desperate to give the kids a treat & some entertainment. Harry Potter's a good choice on that front.

titan18 · 23-06-2020 1:06pm

Telecaster58 wrote: »

I accept your point concerning release dates of films but as some of the chain cinemas have already stated they were going to start showing some "old favourites" that isn't really a problem. As for the issues highlighted in your piece this has been on the cards for weeks and everyone knows that regardless of when cinemas reopen these protocols were going to be in place. Moving it up a couple of weeks should not have caught them by surprise. Hairdressers for example have had their protocols in place and were clamouring for a reopening date much earlier. No reasons why cinemas shouldn't be "good to go".

Hairdressers know they'll have business though. I can't imagine many cinemas really care about opening when there's no films to show. Omniplex are hinting at Star Wars but until Mulan and Tenet come out, I'd say it'll be half empty even on peak nights.

Banjaxed82 · 23-06-2020 4:14pm

CastorTroy wrote: »

Does this mean there'll be no one kicking your seat and putting their feet on your arm rest? Crazy talk.
They would need to be constantly monitored, at least for the first 15 mins of the film.
My local cinema doesn't use assigned seating but that would probably have to change.

And as was pointed out about other businesses, will they increase ticket/food prices to offset loss of custom? Like what percentage of seats will they be allowed to sell?
Though increasing prices would reduce customer numbers even more

I think they may has an issue with food. Very rarely do I get food at the cinema. I bring my own due to expense and couldn't be arsed queuing. Maybe it's just me, but when I walk through the cinema entrance I'm going to want to have as little contact with another human as I can. I'll book online, will have social distanced seating and will be bringing my own nosh (should I wish).

CastorTroy · 23-06-2020 8:36pm

I like the popcorn and Sahara Nuts. Only reason I buy anything in the shop.
Of course I'm usually finished by the time the 15+ minutes of ads are over

Telecaster58 · 24-06-2020 11:47am

I see the cinemas at Dundrum have a full schedule of films next week. All appear to have been previously screened and include, 1917, Joker. Interstellar, Dunkirk, Knives Out, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and various others, including family friendly shows. This is an admirable effort under the circumstances. They also set out their protocols. A much fuller and better response than all the other chains and cinemas, none of whom appear to have updated their websites since last March

murpho999 · 24-06-2020 12:00pm

Telecaster58 wrote: »

I see the cinemas at Dundrum have a full schedule of films next week. All appear to have been previously screened and include, 1917, Joker. Interstellar, Dunkirk, Knives Out, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and various others, including family friendly shows. This is an admirable effort under the circumstances. They also set out their protocols. A much fuller and better response than all the other chains and cinemas, none of whom appear to have updated their websites since last March

Good to see but I don't get their seating plans.

I just looked at booking a screening of Spiderman as an example, every second row blocked out, which makes sense but it seems you can pick from an entire row of seats.

I wonder does that change as bookings get made.

I don't see how it can profitable to cinemas to be open at such limited capacity in all fairness.

Going to the Cinema during Covid

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