For me it's mostly about the kinds of films I want to see. Most are independent, international, and documentaries which are not typically screened at multiplexes these days. I also prefer the comfort of being at home and the lack of commercials before I watch something! It also helps that as a critic I do get a lot of screening links to be viewed at home!
Thanks for reading my article. I agree with you, and I'm sure it's even worse here than in Chicago. Do you remember the Fine Arts Theatre that used to be on Michigan Ave? I used to skip meals so I would have enough money to go see movies there during my brief time in film school back in the 80s. Also, for me, I like to watch a lot of older classic, foreign, and indie movies and those aren't going to be playing at multiplexes any time soon.
Yes! The Fine Arts Theater was great if a bit hard to get to for people who weren't already downtown. The Music Box Theater is still running though as is the Gene Siskel Center. Both are the best places to see indie and int'l films in the Chicago area. If a film is really breaking out, it might even end up in the suburbs, which is where I live for most of the year.
I live outside Milwaukee, home of Marcus. They’ve done a lot for the community, and invested even more into their theaters, but you are 100% correct on the offerings.
And therein lies my problem with going to the movies currently. I LOVE going to a movie, but abhor most of the Marvel/Horror crap that seems to be out all of the time. So I wait for something good. However, by the time I find out something good is actually out there…it is either gone from the theaters, or was never there in the first place.
I totally relate to what you’ve said. What I don’t understand is why they can’t offer at least one or two movies aimed at adults. The 4 multiplexes in my town are only 5 miles or so apart. I highly doubt every theatre is going to sell out for most shows. Also, I’ve also waited for something good to be shown locally only to have to miss seeing the film. For example, here in Lincoln last month, the downtown Marcus theatre actually programmed the new Gus Van Sant movie, which I really wanted to see. Then on the day it opened, we had a cold snap and a blizzard. By the time the weather got better 5 days later, the movie was gone.
I still go to the movies once or twice a week, but your article actually made me feel a little better about also watching some more films at home, if only for convenience sake. I will always prefer the cinema, though.
Thanks for reading my article! Yes, I agree. I don't know why the studios can't do a better job of releasing a wider variety of movies that are actually worth seeing. I know some of my friends who run theaters in small towns here in Nebraska are struggling to keep the lights on because there just aren't that many movies that appeal to their audience.
For me it's mostly about the kinds of films I want to see. Most are independent, international, and documentaries which are not typically screened at multiplexes these days. I also prefer the comfort of being at home and the lack of commercials before I watch something! It also helps that as a critic I do get a lot of screening links to be viewed at home!
Hi Dan,
Thanks for reading my article. I agree with you, and I'm sure it's even worse here than in Chicago. Do you remember the Fine Arts Theatre that used to be on Michigan Ave? I used to skip meals so I would have enough money to go see movies there during my brief time in film school back in the 80s. Also, for me, I like to watch a lot of older classic, foreign, and indie movies and those aren't going to be playing at multiplexes any time soon.
Yes! The Fine Arts Theater was great if a bit hard to get to for people who weren't already downtown. The Music Box Theater is still running though as is the Gene Siskel Center. Both are the best places to see indie and int'l films in the Chicago area. If a film is really breaking out, it might even end up in the suburbs, which is where I live for most of the year.
I live outside Milwaukee, home of Marcus. They’ve done a lot for the community, and invested even more into their theaters, but you are 100% correct on the offerings.
And therein lies my problem with going to the movies currently. I LOVE going to a movie, but abhor most of the Marvel/Horror crap that seems to be out all of the time. So I wait for something good. However, by the time I find out something good is actually out there…it is either gone from the theaters, or was never there in the first place.
Hi Henry,
I totally relate to what you’ve said. What I don’t understand is why they can’t offer at least one or two movies aimed at adults. The 4 multiplexes in my town are only 5 miles or so apart. I highly doubt every theatre is going to sell out for most shows. Also, I’ve also waited for something good to be shown locally only to have to miss seeing the film. For example, here in Lincoln last month, the downtown Marcus theatre actually programmed the new Gus Van Sant movie, which I really wanted to see. Then on the day it opened, we had a cold snap and a blizzard. By the time the weather got better 5 days later, the movie was gone.
So frustrating.
Wonderful article, Jim! Loved reading it.
Thank you! I appreciate you reading it.
I still go to the movies once or twice a week, but your article actually made me feel a little better about also watching some more films at home, if only for convenience sake. I will always prefer the cinema, though.
Hi Cedric,
Thanks for reading my article! Yes, I agree. I don't know why the studios can't do a better job of releasing a wider variety of movies that are actually worth seeing. I know some of my friends who run theaters in small towns here in Nebraska are struggling to keep the lights on because there just aren't that many movies that appeal to their audience.