[smofnoopttzzaaa]

I sometimes fear that, like bookstores and Toys R' Us, if you don't patronize these businesses, they will go away. As a kid I couldn't imagine a world without bookstores, now there aren't any. Same with Toys R' Us. Kids will never have that experience again. Yes, movies are expensive, but would you rather them not be there at all?

[bunderbunder]

In my area, a lot of small, independent book and toy stores have opened up over the past decade or two, and it seems to me like their business has been picking up in the wake of the implosions of Borders and Toys R Us. That works for me, TBH - I have little nostalgia for Toys R Us, but I have very fond memories of the small children's book & toy store my parents used to take me to.

Perhaps the same will happen with theaters? The local AMC cineplex isn't doing much for me; the movies it shows are more-or-less disposable, so I'm just as happy to watch them on a small screen at home while I'm working on a hobby project or whatever. OTOH, an independent theater that I used to live by would show classics, Rocky Horror, limited distribution stuff that's hard to find anywhere, and even old silent films with a live orchestra. Consequently, it felt like an integral part of the community to me.

[makomk]

Here in the UK, we have a chain of toy shops called Smyths that's been expanding as Toys R' Us was failing, and they just seem like so much nicer an experience that frankly it feels like good riddance. I believe they've also expanded to continental Europe by buying out some of the old Toys R Us stores.

[coverband]

Indeed, when the home video/DVD usage was at its peak around the '90s, movie theaters were assumed to be a dying business by most people. Then consolidation and marketing to a younger generation breathed new life into the industry, with ticket prices going up alongside.

[grawprog]

I wonder if the proliferation of high definition and TVs with screens 2 or 3 times the size of TVs in the 90's for the same price will make a difference this time around. Back then, theaters were still the best way to see a new movie. Now though, I know a few people who's living rooms are far superior to a movie theater in every way, from the screen, to the sound, to the seats and honestly company and environment. Going to a theater used to be worth it even if the movie wasn't very good, just to get to see a movie on something different than a tiny 20" crt TV. Now it's really only worth it for great movies.

[dharmab]

I would rather be able to watch them in my own home and get some takeout.