Going to the Cinema during Covid

MJohnston · 23-12-2020 4:02pm

Shred wrote: »

While that may be true for some cinemas, who have remained closed, others seem happy enough to be open I’d say. While numbers are far lower if it wasn’t worth their while they wouldn’t open either I would have thought.

Well their problem right now is that they *can* open if they want to, which means they get zero financial support if they don’t open.

I’m saying that they would probably prefer the government say they *can’t* open, because then they, and their employees can get financial assistance.

Shred · 24-12-2020 12:29pm

MJohnston wrote: »

Well their problem right now is that they *can* open if they want to, which means they get zero financial support if they don’t open.

I’m saying that they would probably prefer the government say they *can’t* open, because then they, and their employees can get financial assistance.

Ah yes, with you.

fryup · 15-01-2021 11:38pm

serious question...is cinema finished??

with most motion pictures going straight to streaming, is there any way back for cinema??

The White Wolf · 15-01-2021 11:46pm

fryup wrote: »

serious question...is cinema finished??

with most motion pictures going straight to streaming, is there any way back for cinema??

Given WB have a target on their back and look to be getting sued by another studio they were partnering with.....there definitely is a way back for cinema.

Talking big budget alone people seem to really want to experience those films with other people.

GT89 · 15-01-2021 11:49pm

fryup wrote: »

serious question...is cinema finished??

with most motion pictures going straight to streaming, is there any way back for cinema??

I think the cinema will still be going strong once the economy reopens. It's a unique experience that can't be replicated at home. Hasn't it been said since the advent of the television that it would be the end for cinemas but they were still going strong at least until covid.

I personally love the cinema and hope it thrives long after covid. I will be going as soon as they reopen if there's anything on I'm interested in.

AMKC · 16-01-2021 12:17am

fryup wrote: »

serious question...is cinema finished??

with most motion pictures going straight to streaming, is there any way back for cinema??

No it's not finished. The movie industry needs cinema's and movie's need Cinema's and as said above it's a unique experience that can not re replicated at home no matter how could you think you TV and speakers are.

alzer100 · 16-01-2021 12:35am

AMKC wrote: »

No it's not finished. The movie industry needs cinema's and movie's need Cinema's and as said above it's a unique experience that can not re replicated at home no matter how could you think you TV and speakers are.

Dead? I don't know. I think we will see a contraction in the amount of cinemas especially as most of them are operated by large companies and multinationals. I think they will simply close branches that don't make X amount of profit.

Wth consumer electronics companies now investing and manufacturing ever increasing TV display and home cinema technology, I think it will come to a point in which the cinema patron will have a better experience at home.

It's sad and I hope that I am wrong.

BTW my reply was to GT89's comment.

splashthecash · 16-01-2021 1:31am

I for one can’t wait to get back to a cinema experience...I watch a lot at home but there is something different in watching a movie on a 30 foot screen

fryup · 17-01-2021 12:25pm

But look at all the ground its losing to TV at the moment esp subscription TV, and all the top actors are switching over to TV drama and the production values are on par if not better than most motion picture movies, and with Hollywood on hold with no major releases in the pipeline i honestly think its worrying times for the cinema industry...its got a lot of catching up to do.

Basq · 17-01-2021 12:34pm

fryup wrote: »

But look at all the ground its losing to TV at the moment esp subscription TV, and all the top actors are switching over to TV drama and the production values are on par if not better than most motion picture movies, and with Hollywood on hold with no major releases in the pipeline i honestly think its worrying times for the cinema industry...its got a lot of catching up to do.

To be fair, you could have said most of the above 5, or even, 10 years ago. Even before subscription TV, network TV was doing high budget glossy productions putting a lot of Hollywood's output to shame.

johnny_ultimate · 17-01-2021 12:35pm

People will want activities outside home once everything returns to some normality. I genuinely wouldn’t be surprised if something like No Time To Die breaks box office records if it releases in a safe environment, simply because people will enjoy the novelty of going to the cinema without hesitation again.

The Light House was buzzing (within capacity and social distancing guidelines) every time I went during the brief periods of reopening. People want things to do, because being stuck in your house 24-7 for everything other than grocery shopping and short walks / runs is not a pleasant experience. The year ahead is tough for cinemas, no doubt, but I see no reason why the shouldn’t rebound strongly once the opportunity is there.

fryup · 17-01-2021 12:43pm

Basq wrote: »

To be fair, you could have said most of the above 5, or even, 10 years ago. Even before subscription TV, network TV was doing high budget glossy productions putting a lot of Hollywood's output to shame.

yes, but back then you didn't have the pandemic which is a game changer imo

its turned the industry on its head

beauf · 17-01-2021 12:49pm

I love the cinema. But it had gone very expensive. Had just been going to kids club except for movies I really wanted to see big screen.
Even then the last few I saw the screen quality was at best meh and in once case it was actually faulty. No refund when I complained (during the movie not after).
So I just stopped going.

I think the cinema industry shot itself in the foot. Priced it self out of the market. Poor quality screens, some of that to do with 3D. Killed 3D by not doing it properly.

beauf · 17-01-2021 12:54pm

Network TV is making better made content as well. A lot of Cinema releases are meh. I'm not into superhero stuff, so thats about 50% of big movies.

Del2005 · 17-01-2021 12:58pm

GT89 wrote: »

I think the cinema will still be going strong once the economy reopens. It's a unique experience that can't be replicated at home. Hasn't it been said since the advent of the television that it would be the end for cinemas but they were still going strong at least until covid.

I personally love the cinema and hope it thrives long after covid. I will be going as soon as they reopen if there's anything on I'm interested in.

AMKC wrote: »

No it's not finished. The movie industry needs cinema's and movie's need Cinema's and as said above it's a unique experience that can not re replicated at home no matter how could you think you TV and speakers are.

Yes no matter how much I try I can't get the talking, phones, eating loudly and walking about at home as it the cinema.

johnny_ultimate · 17-01-2021 1:03pm

beauf wrote: »

Network TV is making better made content as well.

It’s not, though. I’ve seen very little on TV that can match up to the experience of seeing a Parasite, Portrait of a Lady on Fire or Uncut Gems on a big screen (something like Steve McQueen’s Lovers Rock being an exceedingly rare example of truly cinema-level small-screen content).

This isn’t to hate on TV as a medium - I think it’s an exciting space right now, and I could name and praise dozens of great shows. But cinema isn’t just the dumbass blockbusters - it has a diversity, range and artistic depth that TV simply can’t match yet, and IMO isn’t even close yet.

beauf · 17-01-2021 1:14pm

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

It’s not, though. I’ve seen very little on TV that can match up to the experience of seeing a Parasite, Portrait of a Lady on Fire or Uncut Gems on a big screen (something like Steve McQueen’s Lovers Rock being an exceedingly rare example of truly cinema-level small-screen content).

This isn’t to hate on TV as a medium - I think it’s an exciting space right now, and I could name and praise dozens of great shows. But cinema isn’t just the dumbass blockbusters - it has a diversity, range and artistic depth that TV simply can’t match yet, and IMO isn’t even close yet.

A lot of those film won't get to my local cinema. I'd have to out of my way to watch, cost a fortune, and probably get a bad screen. I got fed up going to movies with great cinematography on screen 99.

beauf · 17-01-2021 1:15pm

Del2005 wrote: »

Yes no matter how much I try I can't get the talking, phones, eating loudly and walking about at home as it the cinema.

I get that at home. I have to wait ages to get a quiet time, where I can watch decent movies at home.

MJohnston · 17-01-2021 4:18pm

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

It’s not, though. I’ve seen very little on TV that can match up to the experience of seeing a Parasite, Portrait of a Lady on Fire or Uncut Gems on a big screen (something like Steve McQueen’s Lovers Rock being an exceedingly rare example of truly cinema-level small-screen content).

This isn’t to hate on TV as a medium - I think it’s an exciting space right now, and I could name and praise dozens of great shows. But cinema isn’t just the dumbass blockbusters - it has a diversity, range and artistic depth that TV simply can’t match yet, and IMO isn’t even close yet.

Uncut Gems was a Netflix Original...

Basq · 17-01-2021 4:23pm

MJohnston wrote: »

Uncut Gems was a Netflix Original...

They bought rights for international distribution AFAIK but wasn't an original production of theirs.

MJohnston · 17-01-2021 6:23pm

True but very few people are going to notice that, and they’re going to associate it with being a Netflix movie (I’d forgotten until you mentioned it!). The Irishman, Roma, Mank, Marriage Story, Buster Scruggs, Pieces of a Woman, the next Jane Campion, the next Zack Snyder, the next Adam McKay, the next Joe Wright, etc. And that’s just Netflix!

For most people, the line between streaming and cinema has gone completely.

johnny_ultimate · 17-01-2021 6:45pm

MJohnston wrote: »

True but very few people are going to notice that, and they’re going to associate it with being a Netflix movie (I’d forgotten until you mentioned it!). The Irishman, Roma, Mank, Marriage Story, Buster Scruggs, Pieces of a Woman, the next Jane Campion, the next Zack Snyder, the next Adam McKay, the next Joe Wright, etc. And that’s just Netflix!

For most people, the line between streaming and cinema has gone completely.

All these films are still clearly films, though, as opposed to television. No matter where someone sees it - and Netflix have over the last few years really ramped up big screen releases, to their credit - it’s still clearly a cinematic production.

Even within just the Netflix ecosystem, the lines between ‘film’ and ‘television’ are very clearly defined and the type of work is very different.

MJohnston · 17-01-2021 7:42pm

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

All these films are still clearly films, though, as opposed to television. No matter where someone sees it - and Netflix have over the last few years really ramped up big screen releases, to their credit - it’s still clearly a cinematic production.

Even within just the Netflix ecosystem, the lines between ‘film’ and ‘television’ are very clearly defined and the type of work is very different.

Well I was thinking more in terms of cinema vs streaming then TV vs movies. If you have Netflix or Apple TV or Disney Plus or whatever, they may be catalogued separately but it’s all the same subscription. Even then I think people are just thinking of them increasingly as visual entertainment as a whole.

Dodge · 17-01-2021 7:49pm

No offence to the good people in here but I don’t think it’s representative of the wider general public, and I don’t think many care about who makes a film. The Snapper is easily one of Ireland’s favourite films and it was shown on BBC 2 first. One of my favourites in the 90s was HBO’s ‘The Last Seduction’ and I only know it was on TB first because Linda Fiorentino wasn’t eligible for the Oscars because of it

If and when cinemas are back to ‘normal’ there’ll still be family films getting wide releases, still be summer blockbuster and still be independent cinemas showing stuff that the multiplexes won’t

Sure some will be happy at home with their subscriptions but others will be happy to get out to *anything*. Room for all to make money IMO

beauf · 17-01-2021 7:50pm

I hate the fractured streaming services. The interfaces are terrible.

santana75 · 17-01-2021 9:04pm

What does everyone think, will cinemas be open again on February 1st?

johnny_ultimate · 17-01-2021 9:11pm

Not a bloody chance. They’ll be lucky to get schools reopened for February 1st.

Would be pleasantly surprised to be back in a cinema screen before April. Reckon we’ll see a fully online Dublin Film Festival this year too.

pixelburp · 17-01-2021 9:44pm

The infection numbers are still insanely high, even if they have come down from the apocalyptic ones last week. There's not a chance we leave level 5 in February, as much as it pains me to say and I daresay even March feels optimistic at this point. Christmas was a disaster and this is the cost

ixoy · 17-01-2021 10:22pm

If nothing else, with the US and mainland Europe also all suffering high numbers lots of releases will likely continue to be held back so we mightn't miss out on much.

MJohnston · 17-01-2021 10:25pm

santana75 wrote: »

What does everyone think, will cinemas be open again on February 1st?

April, I’d say. Depends on how vaccination goes.

Still not much for the cinemas to show though.

Shred · 18-01-2021 1:18am

I’ve got a reasonably good, OLED/Dolby Atmos, setup at home that I enjoy immensely but nothing will ever match cinema quality HUGE screen and audio if you ask me (even those lucky few who have dedicated top notch cinema rooms). As has been shown over decades, Cinema will be around for a long time to come regardless of whatever new fangled technology that comes among.

It’ll be some time before we get to go back through it seems.

B.A._Baracus · 18-01-2021 9:29am

santana75 wrote: »

What does everyone think, will cinemas be open again on February 1st?

To chime in with the above, yeah no chance we are leaving level 5 anytime soon sadly.
We entered level 5 this time with around 1,000 case per day. We are in and around 3,000 these days.

No chance of cinemas opening until we are under 1000.

fryup · 18-01-2021 10:25am

autumn i reckon,

I wonder will MGM say fek it lets stream no time to die

MJohnston · 18-01-2021 11:54am

MGM is imo doomed either way, they're trying to sell the studio because they're out of money (again) but also they have no streaming platform connection to try and leverage for a home-streaming release of Bond.

I think NBCUniversal/Comcast or CBS/Paramount might be tempted to buy them to bulk up their respective streaming catalogues. WB and Disney imo aren't going to do it, nor do I think they would or should be allowed to. Sony Columbia could, and they were the distributor for all of the Craig Bonds up until No Time to Die, but Sony have basically no skin in the streaming game, so I don't know why they would — Bond is basically the only big franchise MGM owns.

Of course, Apple or Amazon could be sniffing around, and I guess you can't really rule out Netflix (although I think there would be anti-trust issues there).

Hell of an MGM library for whoever acquires them though — Orion Pictures in particular has an incredible back catalogue.

DonnaNol · 19-01-2021 9:00am

Why would anyone go to the movies during covid? Don't you have Netflix?

Penfailed · 19-01-2021 10:21am

DonnaNol wrote: »

Why would anyone go to the movies during covid? Don't you have Netflix?

Because it's a completely different experience. I've been to the cinema a few times when the restrictions eased. There's no comparison between sitting at home watching TV and going to the cinema.

titan18 · 19-01-2021 10:28am

fryup wrote: »

But look at all the ground its losing to TV at the moment esp subscription TV, and all the top actors are switching over to TV drama and the production values are on par if not better than most motion picture movies, and with Hollywood on hold with no major releases in the pipeline i honestly think its worrying times for the cinema industry...its got a lot of catching up to do.

I wouldn't say no major releases in the pipeline. Whether people like them or not, every MCU film is a major release, as is No Time to Die, Fast and Furious 9, Dune, next Batman film etc. They won't be everyone's idea of a good film, but with good reviews, they're all potential 1bn dollar releases (in a normal time anyway, COVID will likely scupper some of the earlier releases there).

pixelburp · 19-01-2021 11:05am

DonnaNol wrote: »

Why would anyone go to the movies during covid? Don't you have Netflix?

For the same reason people go to live concerts as opposed to sit at home, listening to studio recordings; it's a totally different sensory experiencE (unless you're one of those who has money and space enough for their own home cinema).

In any case, "... during CoVid" is irrelevant given they're are no cinemas open, and haven't been except the smallest window when the full lockdown restrictions were rolled back.

As to the infection risk, well having spent Christmas listening to & reading stories of illegal shebeens, sneaky funerals that became super-spreader events, and the various "ah it'll be grand" breaking of the rules - professionally cleaned and maintained industries seem a lot safer than the ordinary public :pac:

MJohnston · 19-01-2021 11:25am

pixelburp wrote: »

For the same reason people go to live concerts as opposed to sit at home, listening to studio recordings; it's a totally different sensory experiencE (unless you're one of those who has money and space enough for their own home cinema).

In any case, "... during CoVid" is irrelevant given they're are no cinemas open, and haven't been except the smallest window when the full lockdown restrictions were rolled back.

As to the infection risk, well having spent Christmas listening to & reading stories of illegal shebeens, sneaky funerals that became super-spreader events, and the various "ah it'll be grand" breaking of the rules - professionally cleaned and maintained industries seem a lot safer than the ordinary public :pac:

In fairness, the answer to all that isn't "well they're getting away with it so everyone should" but for responsible industries and people to keep being responsible.

Of course it would help if the government would extend more financial support to businesses like cinemas to voluntarily stay closed, even when they're not fully restricted from opening.

Loughc · 19-01-2021 11:50am

DonnaNol wrote: »

Why would anyone go to the movies during covid? Don't you have Netflix?

For the experience, movies are meant to be viewed on the big screen and with a proper sound system.

I went in December when the cinemas re-opened briefly and I can tell you it was a much more safer experience than going to a supermarket.

MJohnston · 19-01-2021 12:27pm

Loughc wrote: »

For the experience, movies are meant to be viewed on the big screen and with a proper sound system.

I went in December when the cinemas re-opened briefly and I can tell you it was a much more safer experience than going to a supermarket.

No offence, but are you an epidemiologist? If not, how would you know?

Loughc · 19-01-2021 12:28pm

MJohnston wrote: »

No offence, but are you an epidemiologist? If not, how would you know?

I didn't have someone cough in my face in the cinema and people were spaced out.

In supermarkets I've had people couch in my face and lean over me to reach for something on a shelf above me.

johnny_ultimate · 19-01-2021 12:34pm

Any decision taken during the pandemic is at someone's own peril.

But having been to restaurants, shops and the cinema when it was 'safe' to do so, I would 100% say I felt safer and more comfortable in a cinema than any other setting. The environment is far more controlled, and the number of people strictly and physically limited.

None of this is to say I'd 'urge' people to go: everyone has their own circumstances and risk tolerance, and that's perfectly fair and reasonable. I personally wasn't comfortable heading to the cinema in the week or two before Christmas simply because the infection rate was clearly climbing (whereas I went a few times earlier in December without hesitation).

But I'd be an advocate for allowing cinemas, theatres, museums etc open (socially distant) over restaurants and pubs based on my own experiences so far. Only when the situation is far more under control than it is now, of course.

pixelburp · 19-01-2021 12:36pm

MJohnston wrote: »

In fairness, the answer to all that isn't "well they're getting away with it so everyone should" but for responsible industries and people to keep being responsible.

Of course it would help if the government would extend more financial support to businesses like cinemas to voluntarily stay closed, even when they're not fully restricted from opening.

I'm not proposing abandoning rules, I'm saying that when they were open, businesses were usually making great strides and efforts to be both safe - and seen to be safe. They still are, the few outlets that can remain open. I feel sorry for all those cafés, restaurants, museums, cinema and whatnot who went to great lengths to ensure their business was safe for customers - only to have to close because (and I admit I'm taking a WILD generalised swing here) various people across the country took the píss with parties, funerals and so on.

I was quite open about being uncomfortable regarding a trip to cinemas when they were last open, but on reflection - and seeing how society overall trended since then - I realise professional establishments have arguably taken this pandemic more seriously than (some) members of the public. At this point I probably could be persuaded to take a spin to the cinema, certainly for something I'd be keen to actually see (like Dune, basically the big blockbuster on my personal horizon)

MJohnston · 19-01-2021 12:41pm

Loughc wrote: »

I didn't have someone cough in my face in the cinema and people were spaced out.

In supermarkets I've had people couch in my face and lean over me to reach for something on a shelf above me.

Okay, but neither of those things are endemic to supermarkets, they're just bad incidents that you personally have experienced.

I dunno, it feels very dangerous for people to be proclaiming cinemas safe, just because they feel safer to laypeople like us than other activities. Safer does not mean safe.

While supermarkets might involve more human contact, with more idiots, they're also extremely well ventilated, and you're in one for about 30 minutes at most. You also can see who is not wearing a mask properly and avoid them entirely. In a cinema, people are taking off their masks entirely to eat or drink, talk and laugh or whatever. And they're there for at least 90 minutes, if not longer. That's hugely risky, no matter how safe it might feel.

There's also the question of necessity of risk — the reason supermarkets stay open is because society would not function without them. And if they're unsafe, even with the measures in place, well unfortunately that's a necessary risk because we need food and groceries.

Lord Spence · 19-01-2021 12:46pm

Been to see Tenet and Wonder Women during the pandemic and it was the most enjoyable experience I have had since March and not because I enjoyed either film that much, I just felt normal again if only for a few hours.

My local cinema only opened in December 2019 and it was the first cinema in our town I just hope it survives.

SheepsClothing · 19-01-2021 12:59pm

Watching films at home, just isn't the same as watching at the cinema. There are too many little real life distractions that prevent me from truly turning off when at home.

I haven't been to the cinema since the pandemic began, but as soon as I am vaccinated, I plan to make a point of visiting the cinema more often. I'd hate for them to go away as there's few places where I'm more content.

mikhail · 19-01-2021 1:19pm

Lord Spence wrote: »

Been to see Tenet and Wonder Women during the pandemic and it was the most enjoyable experience I have had since March and not because I enjoyed either film that much, I just felt normal again if only for a few hours.

My local cinema only opened in December 2019 and it was the first cinema in our town I just hope it survives.

I went to Tenet in the cinema back when numbers were quite low. I don't think anyone was eating or drinking, but I don't remember whether that was requested or spontaneous. There were very few of us, widely spaced, masked throughout in a huge room. I can't comment on ventilation with any certainty, but it seems to me that the space is normally ventilated for a much larger number of people. On the whole, I'd be surprised if the risk was much higher than a supermarket trip. In addition to the other things mentioned by previous posters, you're touching things constantly in a supermarket. Of course, a supermarket is much more necessary than a cinema. There's a reason I only went to watch one movie since March. I have only eaten out once in that time-frame too, and outdoors at that, so I'm pretty risk-adverse.

Shred · 04-02-2021 8:38pm

The latest issue of Empire is a collaboration with Edgar Wright on a celebration of cinema of sorts; Wright managed to get some big names to contribute their favourite moments at the big screen over the years - he even made contact with Kevin Feige who obliged! I'm working my way through it; it's an enjoyable read and makes me miss the cinema all the more

Loughc · 04-02-2021 9:02pm

Shred wrote: »

The latest issue of Empire is a collaboration with Edgar Wright on a celebration of cinema of sorts; Wright managed to get some big names to contribute their favourite moments at the big screen over the years - he even made contact with Kevin Feige who obliged! I'm working my way through it; it's an enjoyable read and makes me miss the cinema all the more

Literally as soon as cinema reopen I’m going. Don’t care what’s on I just want that big screen experience you can only get in the cinema.

Going to the Cinema during Covid

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