People don't like going to the movies?

The theaters all seem crowded.

Well, yes they did. It was the Friday before Memorial Day and the theater was quite busy. But we did manage to find some decent seats. With earlier theaters, if you managed to get there sometime after the previews/ads started you usually ended up sitting behind someone that blocked your view. However, we have a very nice, new cineplex with statium-style seating. Each subsequent row is positioned slightly lower than the first. This makes viewing the movie much easier.

You have to sit through what seems like half an hour of commercials.

Agreed, but having that buffer before the start of the movie is kind of nice when you are running late and the lines at the concessions are long.

The prices just keep getting higher.

Right on point!!! I couldn't agree more. Taking a family of four, during the matinee, with snacks will consume the better portion of $40. This is absolutely disgusting. And this is the reason why seldom I take the family to the movies. Also, I would hate to shell out this kind of money if the movie really, really sucked.

The article suggests that the movie industry has seen quite a decline in the number of moviegoers because they are all at home downloading them. Well, I am speaking only for myself when I say that is not the case. Instead of downloading movies, I choose other options. I either rent movies from an online service or buy them. The nice thing about the service I use, as compared to another very popular service, is that I can also rent Xbox or PlayStation games. Here again, speaking only for myself, to suggest that people are downloading movies instead of going to see them - I would contend that the number of people downloading movies is relatively small compared to the number of people I have seen at brick-and-mortar rental shops or exploring other options to view movies. Lets face it, if I rent my movie or buy it I can: a. Speed past the previews and get right to the menu and play my movie. b. Buy and make my own popcorn. ( about $3 for a package of 6 microwaveable bags ) c. Buy my own pop. ( Most 2 liters can be found for about $.99 ) d. Have a clear view of the screen with no impediments. e. Pause the movie if nature calls, or anyone else for that matter. f. Rewatch it without having to fork out another bundle of bills. I pay approximately $24 dollars a month to have as many as 4 dvds or games at a time.

So lets add it up: ( 24/4 ) = $6, +$3 = $9, +$.99 = $10. I have a Sony 29 inch screen and surround sound. Might not be the movie theater, but it suits me just fine. So for about $10 my family can watch a movie in the comfort of our own home without the ads, the additional people, and the cost of going to the movies. If the movie industry believes they are losing their crowds at the theaters because of people downloading movies, they are mistaken. Quite frankly, it is because it is too damn expensive given the other options.

As I said earlier, I would much rather pay a small price given the number of movies that don't necessitate a big screen. Star Wars was a bit of an exception. It is an experience that really calls for the big screen. But, there are many movies that are just as enjoyable without it. For example, The Terminal, with Tom Hanks. That was a really good movie, but there is no compelling reason to see it at the theater. I don't need bone rattling sound and a huge screen to appreciate it. So, I would suggest that if theater owners want larger crowds - well, make it more competitive with my ability to save money buy watching them at home. I don't want to pay $4 for a large ( 32 oz ) pop. I can buy a six pack at the grocery store for that amount ( and probably less if it is on sale ) and get more for my money ( 12oz x 6 = 72oz ). And almost $6 for a matinee ticket!! Give me a break. As I pointed out earlier, I can have 4 dvds out for $24 dollars a month. I usually get at least 8 - 10 dvds a month because I watch them and send them back right away.

Message to the movie industry: We are not downloading your movies to avoid going to your theaters. We are using other options to avoid the high prices. If you want us back in the theaters you'll have to find a way to reduce the cost because at these prices I'll rent the movies and stay home.