Over the past ten years, the movie theater experience has ...

getting worser,
more shoe-box multiplexes opening, historic theaters closing, low wage workers take bad care of film, concessions, friendliness, etc.

Not to mention most of the movies in the past years haven't been the greatest at all.

Years ago, there were thousands of individual theaters competing for your dollar. Today, with the omnipresence of the megaplex, most of that competition is gone. Instead, the corporate owners focus on the bottom line rather than striving to provide a pleasant movie-going experience. I think this is penny wise and pound foolish, frankly. A theater chain could CLEAN UP if it would simply invest in true customer service, and make its theaters unique and wonderful places to go. It used to be a special thing to go to the movies. Not any more. That needs to change.

I think some of the small chains that have multiplexes are centering more on the patron than the larger ones and gearing to some of the treatments of the old movie experience. I know that the Wehrenberg chain in St. Louis is geared more to the theatre patron than the AMC theatres in the St. Louis area. Their theatres are much cleaner and more customer oriented.

My point exactly, it's all about the customer's experience. Going to the movies made you feel special, now it seems they don't care to have you as a customer.

My main complaint on new theaters in general is that the sound is cranked way too high these days. I like the fidelity of modern films, but in theaters, the volume is way too much most of the time. I also don't think you will match the courtesy of the old days when theater workers wore uniforms and a smile. What ever happened to "ushers"?

Wow, you guys are so pessimistic!
The movie theater experience may have declined in the last 20 or 30 years, but in the last 10 years I have seen a BIG improvement over the 80's and 90's.
Most of the great old theaters didn't close or get chopped up in the last 10 years, they were closed or chopped up 15-30 years ago.
In the last 10 years, I have seen a definite improvement in the style and quality of the multiplexes.
Theaters like the http://cinematreasures.org/theater/7673/ and the http://cinematreasures.org/theater/255/ and the http://cinematreasures.org/theater/8697/ have sprung up. These theaters actually are a big improvement over the multiplex designs of the 1980's. Gone are the pure utility of the auditoriums, and now we see the stadium seating, with the phenominal digital sound, comfortable reclining seats, etc, etc, and even thought to aesthetics in the design of the auditoriums, what with sconces, etc on the walls, and nice ornamentation.

The people who voted that the "theater experience" has declined in the last 10 years can only be thinking of "more than ten years" and thinking back to the old gems that were lost earlier than 10 years ago.
The gems are gone, and that era is never coming back. However, it is quite apparent that the theater business has looked more into the "humanness" of the theater design in more recent multiplexes over the last decade.
Anything is better than the "pure" utility of the 1980's multiplexes.

Bway the experience can sure be improved, it doesn't have all to do with the theater itself but the service and accuracy they made it. Ushers with white gloves, clean theaters, workers with smiles on their faces, the whole deal.

True, but how many theaters had Ushers with white gloves, workers with smiles, the whole deal, etc 10 years ago? Remember, the poll was for "the last 10 years", not from 30 years or more ago.

I say it has gotten worse. I hate paying $9.00 for a ticket and the movie is 90-100 minutes long, people talking on the cell phone, the people who work at the theatres look like they are bored, and when you ask them a question, the answer is very rude. I worked as a usher in the late 60's and we had to wear uniforms and white gloves on Friday and Saturday nights, those days are long gone.

Andy P.

The Multiplex theatres built in the last 10 years are a vast improvement over theatres built in the 1980's and 1990's. Nothing will ever replace the movie palaces of the 1920's and early 1930's. The last decent single screen was built in the early 1970's. The 1970's was also the last decade of the exclusive run film that played in deluxe theatres across the country. The new megaplex has put most of the ugly multiplex's from the 1970's,1980's and 1990's out of business.brucec

Exactly. The poll was for improvement in the "last 10 years". Anything that puts the 1970's or 1980's multiplexes to shame (and out of business) is good, and the 2000's multiplexes are a vast improvement over the pure utility of the 70's and 80's.
You can't compare the 2000's multiplexes with the "white glove days" in this poll, because I think you would have trouble even finding a "white glove" theater even in the 70's yet!

There are mean jerks in charge of the big chains, putting a lot of independent theatres out of business, leaving the average moviegoer to settle for the big megaplexes, which are the most obsense mix blessings to come out in recent years. Yes, I like getting Sbarro Pizza at the Island 16, and I like the luxury seatings. But in order to get tickets, the best option is to order over the phone or the internet and pick up the tickets at the theatre, like at the electronic kiosks which hardly ever draw a crowd around it, although they can very easily and break down from time to time. And the places, ticket counters and all, are so mobbed, it really is best to get there early to get your tickets and your snacks and catch your flick. The lines to the concession stands really do take forever, and there really is no purpose to the lousy pre-order and pick-up selection.

For the record, the reason I wrote above is why I voted "declined". I imagine that the cinema owners continuing to go in this direction and creating a land where the only movie theatres are a few luxury house every fifty miles can result in the death of the American moviegoing experience, which is just DEPRESSING. We need to either build more luxury houses or renovate the crappy 70's, 80's and 90's multiplexes with those advancements that rock and rule if the experience is to ever get better.

The sad state of affairs today:

1. The large chains charge "X" dollars because their yield management software tells them the maximum ticket price that the public will accept before total revenue drops. This is the bottom line and the big companies are not in the movie/theater business' they are in the money business.
2. Similarly, the reason you can't get certain candies at the megaplexes is that business management has figured out that it doesn't pay to have some stuff in stock, or to clean some other stuff from the auditoriums. Stock the minimum, cleanest refreshments you can.
3. Aren't all of us sick to death of that tired refrain, "Would you like a large size for a quarter more?" (Listen, chief. If I wanted a large, I would have ordered it! How about I get a SMALL for a quarter LESS?!)

Going to the movies, these days, is like going to the mall. Similarly depressing.

Everything is about making a quick buck these days, at all costs and with no regard for anything!

I agree that upselling (offering the larger size for a few cents more) is annoying to many people, but statistics show it does work on Joe Q. Public (and let us all admit that on this website, we are not 'average' movie-goers - we have higher expectations than most). I personally do not like upselling, but please bear in mind that the concessions attendants are forced to ask you that - they get in trouble if they don't - so don't treat them rudely! It is not their fault you decided to go to a corporate theater chain - so don't take it out on them, especially considering how little most make per hour.

I think that the quality has declined because film presentation is not as good as it used to be - despite digital sound and much nicer multiplexes, booths today are run by people with no experience or care for presentation (bad framing, focus issues) and this holds true for union and non-union booths: people don't care like they used to.

Let's not forget we are watching PICTURES and it doesn't matter how large or curved the screen; if there's nobody checking image regularly, it can look terrible.

Not to mention the fact that platter systems, which are now the norm, wear on prints more, and that today's prints are more plastic than acetate (cheaper to make and doesn't break as easily, but when they jam, they stretch rather than breaking, so that instead of fixing one splice, you get a couple of feet of stretched and scratched film).

It is true that going to the movies is not the experience it used to be - ushers don't have white gloves and don't exist many times - but look at society as a whole. People used to dress up to go to the movies; it was special. Society has changed what average people expect at the movies, and so it changes what they get.

My 2 cents!

Zardoz and Ian, along with others, have got it just right. With the degeneration of human society to isolated misfits who love money much more than God, we must expect the low expectations of people today, and the consequent lower performance of the conglomerates which own the cinemas. Decades ago when movies started out, it was within the context of the live performance theatres, and modicum of respect and culture was expected of patrons, and also shown to them by management, which was also often the local owner too. The patrons mostly cared what society thought so cared about their appearance and conduct, and management therefore cared about them so that they would return. Now, nobody cares because of lack of morals. I wish I had a solutiion for this.

Quote:
The patrons mostly cared what society thought so cared about their appearance and conduct,

This is true. It's similar to two "I Love Lucy" episodes I remember. One (on topic) was when Lucy and Ethel wanted to go with Rickie and Fred to the movies, and Fred and Rickie didn't want to get dressed up to go, because they were just walking to the theater, and then were going to sit there in the dark, while of course Lucy and Ethel were all dressed up and had on jewelry, etc.
Another was the one where Lucy got the loving cup stuck on here head, and she needed to go downtown to get it off, by way of the subway. Lucy, said to Ethel, "We have to go now". Ethel said, "I have to go and change first, you can't expect me to go on the subway in blue jeans!"
Just imagine someone getting all dressed up (formally) to go to the movies, or even more funny - to go on the subway!!

Moviemanforever: I voted for 'improved' as that is my hope knowing full well that 'declined' would probably get the nod, unfortunately! My comments are all over this website, too as so many theatres interest me and I can usually relate to them in some way!

While viewing the Fox Theatre/Atlanta video that was done on GPB they speak of and show photos of the uniformed white gloved ushers of the 20's. Today you will see ushers in black and red at the Fox or at least they were 'on duty' at the theatre's 75th anniversary open house this past December 26, 2004!

Bway: Loved your Lucy theatre episode comments as I'm a Lucy fan. If anyone else is a fan, just go to www.lucy-desi.com and you'll see America's favorite red-headed comedian and lots more!

Ian: I agree with your comment "Society has changed what average people expect at the movies, and so it changes what they get." Jim, your comments are right on and I, too, wish I had a solution!

Patsy The Fox employees always sport uniforms.

Bway

The people who voted that the "theater experience" has declined in the last 10 years can only be thinking of "more than ten years" and thinking back to the old gems that were lost earlier than 10 years ago.

I'm not too sure if this is fair poll to begin with. I said that it has declined based on the business transitions that I have experienced while working for three theatre chain. It's no longer a Eden type temple to go relax and brush off a few hour but it has now become a massed produced corporate shrine to various multimedia companies. (example: REG/Anchultz) The only thing that the chains care for is what is in the customer’s wallets. All traces of humanity have been drained.


As for the construction of these demonplexes I have to disagree with today's houses of pain far exceeding the standards of 10 years ago. Within the states of NC and SC I personally know of 9 theatres that were built with sub par or extremely used parts and projectors. You should check out their films presentations and concessions areas. They look horrible. Inclusive to this the building are thrown together so fast that the inspectors barely have time perform a complete inspection. Several months later the elevators to the booth are jamming up, crown molding is falling off of the building, ceiling tiles are popping out of their frames and customers are getting shocked by poorly grounded concession stands.

Ian M. Judge
I think that the quality has declined because film presentation is not as good as it used to be... people don't care like they used to.

I somewhat agree but once again it doesn't fall on people simply not caring. It involves pay scales. The last chain that I worked for required that all management staff be certified in booth. This wasn't some little cerficate that you received in the mail but a full-blown weekly training that you participated in until you got it right. Once you got level one aced you still had to go through four levels. If you didn't at least get level two correct then you were out of a management position. I believe that AMC has training similar to this and so does Eastern Federal.

Ok, people are trained but what about the pay? Most people once they go through this lengthy training schedule receive little to no type of pay increase. Even though operating the projectors in the correct manner is a requirement of their position, the chains that I worked for paid $8.50 to $9.75 and hour. Of course I am in the South so our pay scales vary from other parts of the US. None the less these people are being asked to invest tons of hours and mechanical knowledge to keep the projectors running. There is no way that a person could safely hold a second to meet their bills.

Once last point before I open up Pandora's film can ... the prints are being "printed" in under hasty conditions. The quality is poor the soundtracks are often off or missing a channel ....and don't get me started on the factory splices and green prints.

Ugh...just reflecting on the current conditions at the theatre gave me heartburn. :P I'm so glad that I got out and started to work on my Masters. Eight years was enough for me..

As far as the general moviegoing experience for the last ten years, I think there has been a definite improvement. We have seen Digital Sound (DTS, in particular) come in with the release of Jurassic Park. Digital projection has been around for the last six years, which helps the viewing and entertainment experience. True, a good 70mm print is hard to beat, but since Hollywood doesn't release current films in that format anymore, digital projection is a good thing.

There is online ticket buying that is available, whereas you didn't have that in prior decades. In the previous decades, how many times have you driven downtown to discover that the big blockbuster you wanted to see was sold out??

In the area of refreshments, you have more selection than the usual popcorn, soda and candy. Some chains, you can even order hot wings, pizza, gourmet coffees and specialty drinks! Not health food mind you, but at least there's more choice.

Perhaps the area of showmanship, itself, is no where near it was during the single screen movie palace days, but that is only one aspect of the experience. And, lets be honest, we're never going back to those days given the current economic climate and proliferation of the megaplexes. Its just not going to happen, so lets cherish those memories for what they were. We need to focus on demanding that our chains improve services as much as possible. Write to them, talk to management, let them know what we expect.

The worst thing to happen to the theater experience in the last 10 years is the cell phone.

I read somewhere that there is a new company making special building materials for cinemas to stop the entry of the radio waves that carry cell phone signals! May they prosper, and cinemas have the wisdom to use their method. May we go back to the days when a physician let the management know where he was sitting in case of an emergency call. Now if we can just find any competent management over 20 years old to talk to. Somehow I don't think the teen ticket taker or the girl selling things will be of help!

Jim, that hardly seems likely since they're busy on their own cell phones. Much of the time the customer is viewed as an interference with their other activities, mostly non related to their job.

Sam is very right, sad to say.

May we go back to the days when a physician let the management know where he was sitting in case of an emergency call.

More than likely I will be the last person to purchase a cellphone but Jim, I gotta shake my head at this quote. The only instance that the theatre management should be a personal assistant to a customer is if they have request help because of a disability or movement issue. With a position comes person and ethical responsibilty. I would like to think that a stat call would not have to be placed in the hands of a young and rather competent manager who is running booth, getting stock and doing the 8:00 pm cash pull.

Theatres are a great way to escape for a few hours but you can't completely leave life waiting for you at the door. As for those folks who think that talking to their friends during a movie is ok well, that's a whole other issue. Luckily the older theatres that I worked in were well constructed and made calls impossible to attempt. Strike 1, for the megaplexes.

When was stadium seating started? Because I only started going to one 6 years ago. Plus it had an isle that went up the side, not the middle.

As the 1930 book AMERICAN THEATRES OF TODAY makes clear in its diagrams page, "Stadium" style started out long before the adaptation of it to today's cinemas. It only came about it the multiplexes about ten years ago or a little more than that, as a way to distinguish themselves from competitors as well as a way to cram more desireable seats onto a smaller plot of land.

Just to add to Jim's comment...

I can remember going to a stadium styled theatre in 1990. So it's been the popular style for at least 15 years.

I can't for them to revert back to the ol' ramp style.

The motion picture event is not what it was and never will be again. Television and the ability to create a home theater experience have changed the landscape.

I'm old enough to remember road shows, overtures played ahead of the film, reserved seats and actual Cinerama and 70mm presentations. You didn't put your feet up on the chairs, talk on the phone during the movie or even come in late. Television and home video have transformed movies into a communal experience with comments, jokes and obnoxious behavior that just gets transferred to the cinema. Add in a "who cares" attitude towards quality projection and you have a very mediocre affair.

Last week my wife and kids went to the Loew's Cineplex at Streets of Woodfield in Schaumburg, IL. They presented "Finding Neverland" without the anamorphic lens in place. Despite complaints from the audience there was no attempt to fix the problem. As you would expect many patrons walked out and asked for refunds. Why didn't they correct the situation? Because it was less effort to ignore the problem and give out some free passes.

The one advantage of HDTV and 5.1 sound is that the theater experience may be recreated at home. In my "theater" the sound is always bright and the image is correctly framed. Also, the programming is a lot better. Last week I watched the restored DVD of "Around the World in 80 Days." Fantastic.

We can't all live near a quality house like the ArcLight Theaters in L.A. but we can have decent presentations in our homes.

Screw the multiplex operators.

Tim says "Screw the multiplex operators." and I might add: 'as they do us.'

in the UK most towns now have a multiplex with loads of screens and stadium seating, very often the cinema had already closed in these places, where older cinemas have closed some are a loss but many that have gone were in a terrible state having lost any decoration and original fittings, todays cinema goers want the clean out-of-town retail park or mall experience for their films, its only the older generation and london audiences that savour a geniune sense of occasion.
The last few years have seen some amazing old movie houses being restored and bought back into use, so again this is an improvement, there are still though some cinemas that are worth saving and face an uncertain future like the Manchester Odeon (former Paramount), the Newcastle Odeon (former Paramount) and these battles will go on.
Protection by listing has saved some old cinemas from demolition in recent years but its no guarantee.
and finally Digital projection is in some instances an amazing leap forward in terms of presentation.

To me it was on the decline in the 1970s even though we did not know it. However, over the past ten years with the introduction of Stadium Seating the experience has improved. I hope they bring back the balcony.

I hate to go to theatres to see a film,because I certainly will be bothered by someone talking to mobile telephones and it is quite disturbing.
Raymond Lo/31th May,2005.

I agreed with Gustavelifting's opinion.Some of the multi-screen theatres of Hong Kong built in the 1990s have begun to renovate to have stadium seating.
The service of theatres in Hong Kong is very poor,to mention a few:no usher,small screen,dirty floor......
Raymond Lo/31th May,2005

Thanks Suwanti

In trying to solve this whole problem of how to reverse how movie theaters over the past 10 years have fallen into such a state of decline compared to what they once were, what I keep coming back to is this: Is a movie theater a business? Or is it art? For my view, or biggest complaint I should say, is that we exclusively think of movie theaters too much these days as being businesses while seldom does it seem to be discussed that they are art, too, or at least they can be. I mean, just because a theater must take in money so as to operate, why does that somehow make it other than art and place it on the same plain as any other business?

For my solution to bring the quality of theaters back up in the world once more is to identify them as being art first, meaning that, if a building being used as a movie theater cannot generate as much profitability as if it were, say, converted to a retail store or bank or what have you, well, so the heck what? For in our culture we need art, and this includes being able to see movies in the best possible way as it does any other art form. But if fulfilling that need for art means less revenues for the government, or whatever it is that's preventing us from seeing movie theaters as being art, well, the government should have it made clear that not all life is about them, nor those whose only aim in life is just to make money at the rest of our expense.

digital projection, stadium seating, and bigger pictures is the way of the future!!!

Movie experience? Bah! You go into a cinema, no usher to show you where your reserved seat is - and the rows and seat numbers are hard to find in the dark anyway. The pogramme starts with about fifteen minutes of previews and filmads, then - straight into the feature.A few, very few, have screen curtains, just a blank screen facing you when you go in. If there are curtains and you arrive whislt the commercials are on, with the interminabls length of credits at the end, 99.999% of the audience have already left!!! What curtains, they might say!! No, there is absoulutely no inkling of 'presentation' at any time! Who wants to know who the asistant coach captain was anyway, or who the third tea lady's
assistant was. We used to cut credits off in the fifty's! I would probably get into trouble today, but at least I could make sure that the house lights were bright enough to muck up the credits. Also, where curtains DO exist, I would close them on the last filmad/preview, footlights up briefly, then open on the feature.
But then....I was brought up on 'presentation', which in my book, creates - - 'experience'!!!

Declined.
From the lost of several great single screens to the disregard for presentation, to the dominance of such s***houses like Regal...
Watching a movie is mostly painful.
This is slightly offset by things like the Arclight in Los Angeles, but here's just not enough of them.