Back in the late 80s when I was "discovering" films...I would skip off from
university in the afternoon to go to the movies in downtown Toronto. I
prefered to watch Monday-Friday 1-4pm because the theatres were generally
empty. When I watched Bruce McDonald's "Dance Me Outside" no one else was in
the theatre.
However when "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story" came out in 1993 I went to a Tuesday
evening show at my local theatre. The place was packed with chattering
throughout the film. When the movie ended there was a huge ovation...people
clapping and cheering. It was quite a visceral rush to share that experience
with complete strangers.
I heard an author comment that books are both communal and solitary. Two
people reading the same book may take away different things but they share the
common experience of reading the book. It's the same with films and
music. 90% of the movies I watch are done at home - mainly because I jump
across genres, nationalities, and time periods...but there is something to be
said for sharing a movie with other people. I agree with Kirby that the type
of film is important....action & comedies are ok with boisterous crowds.
Melancholia not so much.
I have to agree with Joe B as well...movie theatres are for watching films not
having dinner. If you want to eat natchos, pizza, burgers..do it before or
after the film. And turn off the bloody smart phones...if you're not working
for NORAD and can't take 2 hours away from your phone...get help.
________________________________
From: Kirby McDaniel <ki...@movieart.net>
To: MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU
Sent: Monday, January 2, 2012 12:46:07 PM
Subject: Re: [MOPO] Alamo Drafthouse practices.....tsk, tsk, tsk.
Well, Joe, all I can say is that is is not as obtrusive as it sounds. Their
projection and sound are first class, and that goes a long way with me. They
make the
rule against talking stick, and I find talking and lighted phones MUCH worse
than the quiet moving of wait staff. The pre-film programming is quirky and
delightful. I much
prefer it to those canned ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT-type features at Regal and AMC.
If you go to the afternoon or late evening shows, the
wait staff aspect is minimal. The Drafthouse started as a art house and
moved to maybe 70% commercial films. If you're going to see some comedy, it's
a good venue for a pre- romp. If you're going to see THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
or HOUR OF THE WOLF or MELANCHOLIA, maybe it's not such a good moment to gobble
a pizza, although I'm sure some would. Having said that, I did see TREE OF
LIFE at the Drafthouse. From what I've seen so far, I would count it as one of
my very favorite films of this year. But then, you can count me among those
who think Malick is a genius.
One complaint that I have had about the Drafthouse, is that they have been
known to change film programming without much notice. They'll drop a film to
one showing per day and move something that is making money onto that screen.
So if you don't check their website before you go and get the latest update,
you could make a trip for nothing or end up seeing something you hadn't
particularly planned.
Austin also has what opened as GOLD CLASS CINEMAS. And gold is precisely what
you need to get in. You sit in the lap of luxury for $19.00 to $25.00 per
seat. Not particularly well disguised in this concept is the idea that one
doesn't have to see a film with the riff-raff. Which on the surface of it may
sound good, but I don't find it Capra-eskque enough for me. I love the
audience. The lack of an audience (film's holy link to theater) is lamentable.
While it's quite nice to sit at home and watch something in Hi-Def - I do it a
lot -
it's not as good for me as sharing the movie with an audience.
Kirby
Kirby McDaniel
MovieArt Original Film Posters
P.O. Box 4419
Austin TX 78765-4419
512 479 6680 www.movieart.net
mobile 512 589 5112
On Jan 2, 2012, at 11:16 AM, Joseph Bonelli wrote:
No matter how quietly served, in-auditorium food service can NOT be
unobtrusive!
>It all sounds wonderful until the concept of food service during the film
>takes over. There is such an establishment (the only movie theatre near the
>French Quarter) in New Orleans. They manage to snare exclusive showings (only
>place to see "The Tree of Life" here-- assuming one wanted to), thus depriving
>regular moviegoers of a shot at some of the latest. They are known locally as
>a yuppie joke! And, I don't know, but I doubt they would DARE to deprive
>their yuppie patrons of playing with their electronic toys during whatever
>film that might be on the screen.
>
>It's really disappointing that the one movie "chain" that seems to want to
>treat the customer properly negates the entire operation with this obtrusive
>service. Sorry, but when I finally visit Austin sometime this year, I hope,
>I'm afraid Alamo Drafthouse will NOT be on my list of things to do.
>
>Joe B in NOLA
>
>PS-- As to the other "new" concept, the 30-seat, food-from-the-back number, I
>can head to my refrigerator cheaper, watch a reasonable-sized screen and have
>NO problem with chatty or text-y neighbors--- by simply staying at home. Tiny
>screens don't seem so "tiny" at the house. Joe
>
>
>
>________________________________
> From: Kirby McDaniel <ki...@movieart.net>
>To: MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU
>Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2011 11:06 AM
>Subject: Re: [MOPO] Alamo Drafthouse practices.....
>
>
>Yes, they do. It's a date destination and they are fantastically successful.
>But the big moment for this is the circa 7 PM shows, which are always sold
>out. For $20 the single
>types can grab a burger and see a new movie. It's not as disruptive as it
>sounds, at least for me. There are people who don't like it, and for them
>there are scads of other
>screens in Austin. I usually go to the 4PM or 9:30 shows - and at these shows
>there is less of this becuase people are largely done eating.
>
>
>The Drafthouse has flawless projection and sound because they actually care
>about this kind of thing, as opposed to some of the other exhibitors in Austin
>who have
>been known to show films at reduced illumination to save on their electric
>bills! All of the Drafthouses are now 4K digital projection. And most of the
>screens are fairly
>large.
>
>
>This contrasts with the new Violet Crown Theater downtown, which also serves
>food (you buy it and take it to your seat before the film begins) but which
>has 30-seat
>auditoria that make you feel as if you are watching a film in your rich
>friend's home theater.
>
>
>The Drafthouse is PRINTING money, believe me.
>
>
>HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL.
>
>
>Kirby
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Kirby McDaniel
>MovieArt Original Film Posters
>P.O. Box 4419
>Austin TX 78765-4419
>512 479 6680 www.movieart.net
>mobile 512 589 5112
>
>On Dec 31, 2011, at 10:41 AM, Joseph Bonelli wrote:
>
>Dear Kirby,
>>
>>Hi from Joe B in NOLA.
>>
>>You wrote: <"The Alamo Drafthouse in Austin seriously forbids the impetus to
>>talk, text, chat and generally be obnoxious in their theaters.
>>They run a short piece before the film begins telling to be silent and keep
>>your cell phones dark during the film. You get one
>>warning. Then you're ejected. They do it, too. And it's a wonderful place
>>to see films. Great projection. Great sound.">
>>
>>This is all wonderful but I've read that Alamo Drafthouse also serves meals
>>throughout the viewing of films. To me, this would be even more disruptive
>>than the cretinous chatters and their blinking toys that have cut my
>>moviegoing by about 75% in the past two years. As you are a patron of Alamo
>>Drafthouse, can you confirm or dismiss this? Emails to the company through
>>their website have elicited no response.
>>
>>Inquiring minds want to know! DOES Alamo Drafthouse physically serve food
>>and/or drinks in the auditorium during the show??
>>
>>Thanks and Happy New Year from Joe.
>>
>>
>>Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com
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>>
>>
>
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