What is new in Cinema or is it dying?

For media maybe HDRi on OLED displays?
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Perhaps bringing BACK the big screens would help. I miss the days of being to see a true blockbuster on a big screen. All the theaters here have those tiny little screens. But then again, what can I expect for a 20 screen megaplex. Like you said, it is hard to beat my big screen HD TV.

 

By Cinema you mean the theatrical experience ?

James Cameron is making a film called Avatar that is 3D and from those in the know it is going to revolutionize the cinematic experience (if it were anyone but he or Lucas I wouldnt believe it).

I think in 10 years the theatrical experience will be 80% immersive and more like a ride than watching a film. its going to be incredible.

 

Kinda tough to beat a big screen HDTV with BlueRay or HDDVD (I have both). At the theatre I have to deal with noisy folks and ads and all that.

 

In LA we have a theater chain called ArcLight. They charge full price for kids and that keeps most of them out of the theater. They also let you choose your seat when you purchase the ticket and they have honest to god ushers during the film in case anyone gets out of hand.

You pay $12 for a ticket but well worth it as IMHO the theatrical experience is better than 99% of anyone home theater...unless they have a 30'+ screen and a 75' deep room !

 

I think you are right about the imersive experience that is coming, but it be more than 10 years for a substantive change. We are just in a lull right now.

 

Its hi-def at a level we havent seen yet plus its 3d..and not gimmick 3d. Cameron doesnt do gimmick. It will be 3D that we have always wanted to see. I believe it will be as revolutionary as sound and color was at their time. I have a few friends working on it and they all believe it will be as well (and these are people that have worked on all the blockbuster films).

The biggest hurdle the film has is it requires the theaters to spend millions on upgraded hardware to show the film as its meant to be seen. Im sure that most screens will be showing it 'normal' and the big theaters will probably outfit one or two screens with the new equipment.

I think Holographic is the next step after what Camerons doing but thats gotta be 50+ yrs away.

 

Wade, do you have the last picture, the abandoned boat in hi-res? Would make a wonderful background.

 

I love movies, and so long as people like me are around, there will be some form of cinema experience.

I love the old silent theater and this: http://www.cinespia.org/

Citizen Kane or Apocolypse Now towering above you will leave you awestruck.

I am a budding cinematographer

 

Yes it would, I got it here http://www.flickr.com/photos/asmundur/2228440875/sizes/l/

 

I think that movie theaters need to shift focus onto upgrading the entire experience for their patrons. They need to offer more services during shows, like having food and drink brought to the guests by actual servers. They should upgrade their food and beverage offerings as well. Make going to the movies a complete experience rather than just part of an evening out.

 

There are several places like this that recently opened up near me. Both the Movie Tavern and the Studio Movie Grill offer an expanded menu, waiter service and alcohol.

 

There is a movie theater like that up here in New Hampahire. In addition to having food brought out by servers there are reclining seats that can be rolled around to create lots of leg room. Also the food is good, and not too expensive.

 

They do have one or two in Houston I believe. Never been.

I just went to the movies over Christmas for the first time in years. My jaw dropped when the ticket clerk said "That'll be $9.50". I was like WTF!!!

IMO they need to lower their food and drink prices and sell beer. Although it's easier to have a lady carry a few in her huge purse.

But the most important thing is make new movies that are actually good. The scripts all seem to be overlapping older movies and doing re-makes.

 

Getting out of the house? Priceless.

 

Are they successful?

 

I actually see the cinema changing significantly, but not dying. Less reliance on ticket sales the first weekend, with more revenue generated from rentals or purchases of hi-def discs.

With the availability of affordable high resolution projectors, theater-quality sound systems, and hi-def movies that take advantage of them, you will see a segment of the population decide to simply invest in a theater in their home versus put up with the hassles of going out to the movies.

I would anticipate that a few groups would fall into this segment:
1. Large families who want to avoid crowds, expense, and the general inconvenience of going out.
2. People into home entertaining.
3. Technology nuts.
4. Anyone more than 30 miles from the new immersive commercial theaters.
5. Parents of teens who want to supervise their activities.

As you can see, there are many households that fall into the categories above. Of course having $10-20k to spend on a projector, screen, sound system, mods to the house, etc will limit the eventual number that actually do it. But once they do, it will only be special theatrical events like a new Star Wars movie that will bring them out to the commercial theater.

I have been looking into putting one in our house, as I fall into a couple of the numbered groups above. I like being able to watch movies on my schedule, while eating/drinking whatever I want, and being able to stop it to answer the phone.

 

I have no clue, but I believe they are doing okay. I know several people from my office have gone, and I know they've been open for a few years now.

 

I would disagree with serving food. I hate listening to people eat during a movie and smelling their food. I think it should be just beverages.

I would defintately not go to theater that served meals.

 

Does it bother you in a restaurant? Obviously seating would have to be altered if people were to have more food options in a movie theater, but I think there is demand for it.

 

What about the actual content of the Movies; aside from the social and technological aspects?

I for one am sick of the remake craze. Six Star Treks, Mission Impossible made in about as many editions as the original TV show, Godzilla again, for crying out loud they remade The Getaway and Flight of the Phoenix...

And I can do just fine without the "political agenda" vanity junk that seems to be coming out every other week or so.

Now - a remake of Grand Prix, well MAYBE...

 

The one in New Hampshire is definately successful, as the theater is always packed and it also has been around for a while.