h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I mean your heart sinks when someone asks you to go to the cinema? I love films, but I get bored in cinemas. I end up thinking 'I hope it's nearly finished'. 'Is this going to take much longer?' 'That projection is out of focus'. 'If I pretend I'm sick maybe I can go before it finishes'.

I'm the opposite. I rarely go, as none of the promoted films look vaguely interesting - but I enjoy the experience when I do go.

I'm with Icy on this. On the one or two times a year I go to the cine6,I really enjoy it.

The cinema has got got a lot better and on the whole is a very enjoyable (depending on the film) the new sound systems improve the experience.

I'm an addicted moviegoer . The small screen is too small for a movie that was designed to be seen on a very large screen. For some it's a problem of movie tickets costing too much. If necessary, I will cut expenses in other areas so I can see the latest movies in an air-conditioned theater with surround sound and whatever other bells and whistles are available

That said, I'm sympathetic to the issue of storytelling competence. If the movie isn't halfway finished and you're bored or restless, then the moviemakers have not done a very good job. Two or three years ago I noticed a lot of movies that just weren't cohesive enough to get through without boredom . I think that these movies would be just as boring on TV or DVD as they were n the theater. p

We've become devotees of our local community cinema, housed in the old town hall. Very comfortable, cheap compared with the multiplexes. Not so pitch dark, which suits my eyes, decent sound & friendly (volunteer) staff. Free parking too, after 3 pm.

I think it unlikely we'll go back to the big chain cinemas unless it's something we especially want to see newly released. Not worth the cost, don't find the ambience inviting.

I like going to the cinema, but I can understand your problem.

My main moan about them is the other people in the audience. Talking, rustling crisp bags, phones ringing, etc.

We usually go on a Sunday evening when the audience is smaller and well-behaved. In fact, we had a lovely time yesterday watching Bastille Day.

Of course, my biggest problem is that we have to go and see films dubbed into German. Well, action films like that, anyway.

More obscure stuff with the original I will happily go and watch on my own. (I won't ask you to come with me).

Do you think you generally don't get the whole "film" thing, and don't enjoy the escapism or any other enjoyment it brings, or has your attention span decreased?

Went and saw a daytime showing of a film last week..and there were7 of us viewing..

7 seems like a lot.

I've seen movies when I was the *only* one there.

I've not been to the cinema and been the only person there, but I've been one of two people on a couple of occasions. The last time was for 'Monty Python Live (Mostly)' which I was surprised by.

I must admit that in the intermission I sneaked into one of the leather luxury chairs…

Lack of leg room and having people's knees in the back of my chair are my cinema peeves, as well as the cost of snacks. If I can buy a 2-litre bottle of Irn Bru for £1 and a bag of toffee popcorn for about £1:50 in a supermarket, how can buying popcorn and less drink cost £10 in a cinema? (Not that they even have Irn Bru in cinemas)

<BB<

I tend to go to the theater o n a full stomach so buying snacks will not be an issue.-

I seem to average a theatre (film) venue about once every 8 to 10 years. And my bride insists on buying her own snacks. Well sheesh, I get there with a very full pocket of beef jerky - quite enough for two.

Last night I saw "Independence Day: Resurgence." Halfway through, the good guys figured out what the aliens' big secret was, so I could leave knowing how the good guys [us Earthlings] would defeat the bad guys. Sometimes, the worst part of going to the movies is the movies themselves.

So it's no better than the first one then - no surprise.

I am constantly staggered that anyone is prepared to shell out for the snacks in the cinema - ludicrously priced and no mistake.

Mind you I was was marvelling at a family on the Eurostar last year who basically bought the trains entire food supply in front of me - spending well over 200 euros in the process. This was a 2 hr journey, could they really not hold out for that length of time without stuffing their faces?

Maybe they're just impulsive by nature.

3 or 4 times a year I go to free preview showings. This is a great experience, all the things people are complaining about in this thread just don't happen.

Free tickets, the showing is a week or so before the film goes on general release so less preconceptions based on publicity, and no adverts or trailers - just straight into the film at exactly the time it says.

The only slight downside is showings are usually at very quiet times, eg 10.30 on a Sunday morning, which means having to get up early at the weekends. But there's no problem with parking, and although I might buy an overpriced cup of tea, cinema snacks don't appeal that early in the day.

It's the rare occasions when I go to the cinema for a regular showing that I hate. Tickets are so expensive, there's endless adverts and trailers to endure, everyone around me munching away and an awareness of the film already.

I quite like going to the cinema, especially when I was able to go with my partner, but I agree that it isn't the most pleasant experience.

Depending on where the seat is, the view is potentially bad, the sound is too loud until people start speaking, if you need the loo or your neck gets stiff from looking at the screen at a weird angle you can't just pause the film and take a break until you're ready to sit down again...

The advantage is that the picture is bigger than on my little telly, so some scenes are better for that, and it is an occasion to go out instead of staying in, but I rarely go to the cinema in comparison with the number of films I watch at home.

"you can't just pause the film and take a break until you're ready to sit down again.." [SashaQ]

If I find the film absorbing enough, I will wait for bathroom breaks until the last possible moment. If it's a so-so movie, I will happily miss parts of it .

http://runpee.com/

This app tells you when the best times to pop out are, and what you'll miss plotwise.