Going to the Cinema during Covid

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.

kerplun k · 04-02-2021 9:37pm

It’s literally the first thing I’m doing when vaccinated.

I’ve resorted to watching films in a virtual cinema on my VR headset, which surprisingly enough is actually kinda awesome. But I can’t wait to meet with some friends and go see a big blockbuster, followed by some Eddie rockets afterwards.

MJohnston · 04-02-2021 10:28pm

kerplun k wrote: »

It’s literally the first thing I’m doing when vaccinated.

I’ve resorted to watching films in a virtual cinema on my VR headset, which surprisingly enough is actually kinda awesome. But I can’t wait to meet with some friends and go see a big blockbuster, followed by some Eddie rockets afterwards.

I wish it was easier to buy films to watch on VR, because it’s a really immersive way to watch them. It actually kind of recreates the cinema feeling very well!

I wouldn’t mind some social watching features too

OU812 · 04-02-2021 11:35pm

MJohnston wrote: »

I wish it was easier to buy films to watch on VR, because it’s a really immersive way to watch them. It actually kind of recreates the cinema feeling very well!

I wouldn’t mind some social watching features too

I love the idea of watching movies in a headset to be immersed in it, but I'm going to need some sort of proximity alarm, Lying/sitting there oblivious to everything going on around you... I'd just be on edge all the time that someone's gonna creep up on me.

Mind you, if the specifications to Apple's forthcoming mixed reality headset are anything to go by, I'd buy them in a heartbeat. Studio quality headphones & twin 8k screens with a dozen cameras to display "the outside". I can only imagine that immersive movie watching will be one of the leading features of it.

santana75 · 05-02-2021 12:07am

+1. First thing im doing when this lockdown ends is to hit the cinema. Dont care what's playing, I'm going. I miss it so much, and during the previous lockdown I had some really great experiences at the movies. Went to see The greatest showman with a few friends who'd never even heard of it and they absolutely loved it. Hopefully when cinemas reopen this time it'll be for good.

johnny_ultimate · 05-02-2021 12:16am

While I’d love nothing more than spending too many hours in the cinema in early March (DIFF 2020 being the last ‘normal’ event I attended), a silver lining is that this year’s Dublin film festival is accessible to the whole country online

https://www.diff.ie/

I actually do hope festivals maintain an online presence of some description in the future alongside the main theatrical strand. Making films more widely accessible is only a good thing, even if I’ll always prefer to be watching on a big screen.

kerplun k · 05-02-2021 1:00am

MJohnston wrote: »

I wish it was easier to buy films to watch on VR, because it’s a really immersive way to watch them. It actually kind of recreates the cinema feeling very well!

I wouldn’t mind some social watching features too

True, a lot of the content isn’t available in Ireland. There’s tons of private channels on Bigscreen, but can be a bit random.

My workaround involves buying stuff through the official channels, Sky store, iTunes etc, then acquiring a DRM free version through your preferred channels, stick the files on a media server with a decent network setup and watch away.

I have a private screening of Tenet scheduled with my brother on Saturday. It’s my first time hosting something, so will see how that goes. Big bucket of popcorn, and large coke at the ready to mimic the cinema experience. Sad, I know, but feck it.

kerplun k · 05-02-2021 1:06am

santana75 wrote: »

+1. First thing im doing when this lockdown ends is to hit the cinema. Dont care what's playing, I'm going. I miss it so much, and during the previous lockdown I had some really great experiences at the movies. Went to see The greatest showman with a few friends who'd never even heard of it and they absolutely loved it. Hopefully when cinemas reopen this time it'll be for good.

Seen this at the Stella. Bottle of wine, feet up, and a big bowl of nachos, everyone signing along, unreal. To this this day I still think I enjoyed the experience more than the actual film

santana75 · 05-02-2021 1:21pm

What are the chances of cinemas opening by 5th March?

pixelburp · 05-02-2021 1:30pm

santana75 wrote: »

What are the chances of cinemas opening by 5th March?

Here in Ireland? Zero to none I'd speculate: the government don't seem especially stoked to restart anything beyond necessities like schools or construction. I doubt if even cafés or restaurants open again, let alone cinemas.

Nigel Fairservice · 05-02-2021 3:33pm

santana75 wrote: »

What are the chances of cinemas opening by 5th March?

Zero I’d imagine. Last year there was a lot of air time given to groups representing publicans, restaurateurs, hospitality in general about how they should be allowed open or stay open (depending on the time of the year). Not a peep from them at the moment...or there is but the media are ignoring them.

mikhail · 05-02-2021 4:51pm

Nigel Fairservice wrote: »

Zero I’d imagine. Last year there was a lot of air time given to groups representing publicans, restaurateurs, hospitality in general about how they should be allowed open or stay open (depending on the time of the year). Not a peep from them at the moment...or there is but the media are ignoring them.

I'd guess that's in store for March-May, as we step down from level 5, vaccinations progress, and they all start thinking about the summer season.

fryup · 06-02-2021 5:43pm

autumn i reckon

santana75 · 24-02-2021 6:46pm

So is it April 5th for cinemas to open again or will it be may?

pixelburp · 24-02-2021 6:52pm

santana75 wrote: »

What are the chances of cinemas opening by 5th March?

santana75 wrote: »

So is it April 5th for cinemas to open again or will it be may?

Touch of desperation at this stage Santana

I'd put it to June myself at the earliest; the narrative seems to imply outdoor and general distance restrictions will be first lifted in April; while after the utter debacle of Christma, I suspect Martin & co. are going to drag this out as much as possible.

santana75 · 24-02-2021 6:58pm

pixelburp wrote: »

Touch of desperation at this stage Santana I'd put it to June myself at the earliest; the narrative seems to imply outdoor and general distance restrictions will be first lifted in April; while after the utter debacle of Christma, I suspect Martin & co. are going to drag this out as much as possible.

More than a touch of desperation at this stage!!!! Its frustrating because cinemas are never really mentioned so its difficult to ascertain when they might open again. I grow weary of Netflix and Amazon prime......

Need a Username · 25-02-2021 9:15pm

santana75 wrote: »

So is it April 5th for cinemas to open again or will it be may?

Apparently Black Widow is getting a cinema release in May.

Marvel is usually worldwide release.

johnny_ultimate · 25-02-2021 9:22pm

They can release whatever films they want in May, but nobody in Ireland’s going to see it if cinemas aren’t legally allowed open. I’d say we’re looking at May at the very, very earliest, but more likely mid-summer.

NPHET and the Government will determine when we’ll get to go see something on the big screen again, not Marvel.

AMKC · 25-02-2021 9:33pm

santana75 wrote: »

So is it April 5th for cinemas to open again or will it be may?

I would say Late April to May at the earliest and that is only if cases continue to fall. So let's hope they do.

Need a Username · 25-02-2021 10:52pm

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

They can release whatever films they want in May, but nobody in Ireland’s going to see it if cinemas aren’t legally allowed open. I’d say we’re looking at May at the very, very earliest, but more likely mid-summer.

NPHET and the Government will determine when we’ll get to go see something on the big screen again, not Marvel.

I didn’t say Marvel decide when cinemas re-open.

I said Black Widow is due out in May and is most likely a worldwide release.

MJohnston · 26-02-2021 12:13am

AMKC wrote: »

I would say Late April to May at the earliest and that is only if cases continue to fall. So let's hope they do.

I would say, given the noises we're hearing, that indoor activities like dining, bars, cinemas, etc will not reopen until we're near herd immunity through vaccines. The UK variant is keeping the R number too close to 1, it looks like.

Going to the Cinema during Covid

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