[bmitc]

I’ll never understand people who don’t like going to the theater. I absolutely love going to the theater, but for the most part, I go to locally owned, independent theaters. Prices are good, including for the snacks. Yes, yes, your home theater setup is awesome or whatever, but that doesn’t replicate the theater experience. All of my most enjoyable movie experiences have been at the theater. Even something as dumb as Talledega Nights was transformed by being in a packed theater. And even for more cerebral movies, the experience is just worth it. Coming back from the theater and talking about it, seeing the reactions on people’s faces, hearing others on the way out, etc. There’s also nothing else to do at the movie theater except watch.

I’m glad my independent theaters made it through COVID. I haven’t been as much as I did prior to COVID, mainly because of COVID and moving further away, but I just really love seeing a good movie at the theater. I miss being bored on a Friday night and hopping down to the local theater to see a movie. My movie theaters have really good popcorn and ice cream as well.

[swores]

> I’ll never understand people who don’t like going to the theater.

Maybe you're just talking hyperbolically, but that sentence really screams not having grasped that, with so many millions of humans around us, in any topic there will be many who have completely different preferences/views than you.

That said, I'm a hypocrite because I'll never understand people who don't like ice cream!

[bmitc]

Of course I understand that people have their own perspectives, and so yea, it's a bit hyperbolic. I do of course watch movies at home too and have a decent TV and speakers in my living room (no insane setup for sure though).

I'm just providing some other perspective when it seems so many have vitriol towards theaters. The person I responded to said "I’ve all but sworn-off theaters", and someone else said "Movie theaters are obsolete, as far as I'm concerned". I think for the most part, they probably go to the wrong theaters. Also, I do realize I am lucky in that my local theaters are in old buildings that were either actual theaters or are just old movie theaters from back in the day, so they have a lot of character. But they have actually upgraded the theaters to be nice and show a lot of unique stuff and events. I saw 2001: A Space Odyssey and a few other movies in 70mm at my local theater. You're not going to get that experience at home.

[fsckboy]

> there will be many who have completely different preferences/views than you.

I don't understand your point, "I'll never understand people who X" contains an acknowledgement that those people exist. He just wanted to lay out his perspective...

[mozman]

I can’t stand talking, phones, mastication sounds, etc. Ruins the movie for me. My home system is inferior to all theaters but it’s easier for me to get lost in entertainment.

[bmitc]

The independent theaters I go to monitor phone usage, talking, and sounds.