Movie theaters officially dead

[YGIFS 19452]

"Multiplex & Relax" then?

"Talkie then Suckie"?

Dammit, what year is this?!?!?

[Sawbonz 27580]

On 6/6/2024 at 12:27 PM, mdmost said:

Yeah but who is going to want to take them on as a franchisee? If the locations they opened in the suburbs that are probably a massive drain are a required part of the deal, why would sign up for that in a time when theaters appear to be in an sadly, unending downward trend?

I hope they reopen, even if it's just a couple of the locations. The staff got royally screwed because they have to apply as creditors to get the pay they are owed. 

We went about 4-5 times post Covid to the LH location. The food was terrible and every time something was fucked up either on the food order, the drinks, or both. And the food was usually cold when it got there. They quit doing the movie themed temporary menu as well.  The one down by south side ballroom had better service but wasn’t worth the drive. 

[WBT 20635]

Been to Alamo once and I don't get it.  Just what I want, a bunch of waiters walking around during the movie.  And not being able to see to eat my food.

[LCHorn 2624]

7 minutes ago, WBT said:

Been to Alamo once and I don't get it.  Just what I want, a bunch of waiters walking around during the movie.  And not being able to see to eat my food.

I will admit that this formerly seemed like a value add but I’ve come to dislike it.  
 

And for me it’s not the waiters, it’s MY eating that disrupts the movie watching experience.  I’m usually apt to pass on food at The Alamo but continue to patronize them because they reliably kick out disrupters and the seats are sufficiently distanced that someone stuffing their face with popcorn doesn’t distract me.  

[billfromlaketravis 11519]

I went to the Regal Star in Beaumont last week and it was glorious. Freezing a/c, clean bathrooms, $7.50 tickets, empty theaters, and popcorn and fountain refills for $10.

I love an empty theater. The ability to talk and lol at your phone while at the movies is very underrated. 

[Neonmoon 38129]

I haven’t been to a movie theater in 3 years since I moved away from Alamo. I’m not going to some bullshit Regal/AMC anymore. Rather just wait for streaming 

[hobbes2702 13049]

4 hours ago, WBT said:

Been to Alamo once and I don't get it.  Just what I want, a bunch of waiters walking around during the movie.  And not being able to see to eat my food.

I don’t really get distracted by the waiters. I also don’t eat there. For me it’s that I can get a good beer/bevy and really good popcorn.

The sound at our local Alamo is also really good which is big for me.

All that said, I prefer the home theater I have built over the years. There’s not weed available at the drafthouse 

Edited June 9 by hobbes2702

[Deej 76847]

The last movie I saw in a theater was Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Going this week to see The Empire Strikes Back at the Alamo. 

If they don't have a Donkey Kong machine in the lobby, my memories are going to be ruined.

[Buzzrock 14926]

I don’t really get distracted by the waiters. I also don’t eat there. For me it’s that I can get a good beer/bevy and really good popcorn.
The sound at our local Alamo is also really good which is big for me.
All that said, I prefer the home theater I have built over the years. There’s not weed available at the drafthouse 

Edibles bro

[immamac 42872]

13 hours ago, Neonmoon said:

I haven’t been to a movie theater in 3 years since I moved away from Alamo. I’m not going to some bullshit Regal/AMC anymore. Rather just wait for streaming 

You realize that most theaters are nicer than Alamo is now right? 

[DDD Dad 14344]

5 minutes ago, immamac said:

You realize that most theaters are nicer than Alamo is now right? 

Not really. At least not in DFW. 
 

ETA I saw on the local news the other night that Alamo corporate is saying they are working on reopening the locations soon. I guess we will see. 

Edited June 9 by DDD Dad

[mdmost 43008]

6 minutes ago, immamac said:

You realize that most theaters are nicer than Alamo is now right? 

Maybe but nicer doesn't mean you get the same atmosphere that makes the Alamo great which is morons staying off their phones and not talking. 

[wild_turkey 3168]

I used to love the Alamo Drafthouse when I lived in Austin, but that was 15 years ago. The franchise Alamo theaters in other locations don’t seem much different from any other modern theaters.

In Fort Worth, the best theater IMO is AMC Clearfork. AMC gets shit on a lot but this theater is nice - good seats and screens, good drink selection, clean and well-maintained.

[immamac 42872]

4 minutes ago, mdmost said:

Maybe but nicer doesn't mean you get the same atmosphere that makes the Alamo great which is morons staying off their phones and not talking. 

That's not a real thing post COVID. That's shit you are making up. People don't respect any of that shit anywhere not even at Alamo now. 

[mdmost 43008]

Just now, immamac said:

That's not a real thing post COVID. That's shit you are making up. People don't respect any of that shit anywhere not even at Alamo now. 

Well they did at my Alamo in Lake Highlands outside of some family viewings. But what do I know, I only had the season pass and went to 10 movies there this year alone.

[immamac 42872]

24 minutes ago, mdmost said:

Well they did at my Alamo in Lake Highlands outside of some family viewings. But what do I know, I only had the season pass and went to 10 movies there this year alone.

Obviously not very much since your frame of reference is one movie theater 10 times. 

[WBT 20635]

My local AMC has cold AC, popcorn, is cheap, and as long as I don't go on opening weekend for something is usually mostly empty.  Work for me.

[hobbes2702 13049]

1 hour ago, mdmost said:

Maybe but nicer doesn't mean you get the same atmosphere that makes the Alamo great which is morons staying off their phones and not talking. 

 

[mdmost 43008]

49 minutes ago, immamac said:

Obviously not very much since your frame of reference is one movie theater 10 times. 

Well, I don't profess to be omniscient like you who knows that everyone is like this now post-Covid. Again, I know what I've seen and experienced post Covid at the Alamos here in Dallas (Richardson, LH, Cedars) and that's not people talking or texting during films. Alamo still runs their disclaimer that you will get one warning before being asked to leave if you are bothering others. But again, you know everything.

[immamac 42872]

7 minutes ago, mdmost said:

Well, I don't profess to be omniscient like you who knows that everyone is like this now post-Covid. Again, I know what I've seen and experienced post Covid at the Alamos here in Dallas (Richardson, LH, Cedars) and that's not people talking or texting during films. Alamo still runs their disclaimer that you will get one warning before being asked to leave if you are bothering others. But again, you know everything.

Alamo is the only movie theater that is viable

[YGIFS 19452]

There's some recently revamped theaters in Austin that are certainly nicer than Alamo Drafthouse from a finish-out/aesthetic/cleanliness standpoint.  I'm a sucker for Alamo because of the pre-show reels and the quiet policy and snacks.  Yes, the way we watch movies has changed forever.  Just like the way we shop, order food, do banking, or watch porn.  In the 1980's and 1990's, it was constantly drilled into our heads that robots would take all the American jobs.  In the 2010's, it was illegal immigrants.  In the 2020's, it's A.I.  Shit changes, ways of consumer behavior come and go, manufacturing and logistics alter on the hour.  

But one thing won't/can't change.  Physical space.  Some car dealer has 20 acres of Central Texas' largest inventory of Toyotas?  Cool.  Thanks for passing those costs and asphalt heat reflection on to me, I just need the one car.  And I'll probably just order it myself and come and pick it up later.  Your bank branch now has a coffee bar and the shortest drive-thru wait of any Capital One?  Great, thanks for passing those costs along to me in the form of higher fees on my loan, I'll just deposit the check at home with my phone.  Your newly renovated movie theater now has 8 screens with 200 seats each and an expanded concession stand and wine bar that all takes $1,000/day to keep cool and ventilate?  Fantastic, I'm just watching the one movie.  At home, with free drinks during a film for pennies on the dollar.  

20,000 square foot newly redone AMC?  Awesome.  What the fuck are we supposed to do with it when it closes down? Another ACC?  

[MissingInAction 25118]

1 hour ago, immamac said:

That's not a real thing post COVID. That's shit you are making up. People don't respect any of that shit anywhere not even at Alamo now. 

I got a couple thrown out at the Mueller Alamo because they wouldn't shut up. Done it for cell phone using assholes as well, and I go about once a month since covid.

[mdleast 8295]

I am/was also an "only at the Alamo" customer since they opened here 13 years ago.  Beyond the no talking or get kicked out being a real thing, the biggest draw for me was always that they fostered an environment that going to see the movie you were at was a big thing (in addition to screening more indie-type movies you are probably not gonna find at most multiplexes).  Always made a point to get to the movie early to watch their curated preshow of clips related to the movie/cast.  Their food/drink menu definitely declined over the years imo but that was never the hook that got me loyal to them.

[Stringer 1439]

I am/was also an "only at the Alamo" customer since they opened here 13 years ago.  Beyond the no talking or get kicked out being a real thing, the biggest draw for me was always that they fostered an environment that going to see the movie you were at was a big thing (in addition to screening more indie-type movies you are probably not gonna find at most multiplexes).  Always made a point to get to the movie early to watch their curated preshow of clips related to the movie/cast.  Their food/drink menu definitely declined over the years imo but that was never the hook that got me loyal to them.

Agree with this. I almost go exclusively to the Alamo in Austin (usually Village or South Lamar). I really enjoy the pre show and their effort to make it more of an event with specialty food and drink. I rarely (if ever) buy anything specialty but it makes me feel like they at least give a shit. I know it’s ultimately a money making endeavor, but I feel like the people who program and the people who work there are movie people. I never get that feeling the rare times I go elsewhere.

I also enjoy the limited previews/commercials. They’ll still show 10-15 minutes of previews but I enjoy previews. What I don’t enjoy is 5-8 minutes of commercials I see at home, then 10-15 minutes of previews. I was in Houston for a few months last fall and had to use the AMC and the commercials drove me insane. Also, the preshow was just commercials or other nonsense.

[hobbes2702 13049]

3 hours ago, immamac said:

That's not a real thing post COVID. That's shit you are making up. People don't respect any of that shit anywhere not even at Alamo now. 

Wut? 

[hobbes2702 13049]

1 hour ago, mdleast said:

I am/was also an "only at the Alamo" customer since they opened here 13 years ago.  Beyond the no talking or get kicked out being a real thing, the biggest draw for me was always that they fostered an environment that going to see the movie you were at was a big thing (in addition to screening more indie-type movies you are probably not gonna find at most multiplexes).  Always made a point to get to the movie early to watch their curated preshow of clips related to the movie/cast.  Their food/drink menu definitely declined over the years imo but that was never the hook that got me loyal to them.

I probably go to more “only at the Alamo” movies than I do new movies. I see Shining, Lebowski at least once a year there. There’s usually at least one retro movie a month we go see also. 

[Stringer 1439]

I probably go to more “only at the Alamo” movies than I do new movies. I see Shining, Lebowski at least once a year there. There’s usually at least one retro movie a month we go see also. 

Yeah, that’s been fun too. They’ve basically turned the Village theater into a repertory theater. We’ve seen multiple kids movies as a family (Snow White, Cars, Little Mermaid) and I have seen Speed and Alien (I know Alien was a larger rerelease) there the last few months. Speed and Alien back on the big screen was dope and everyone was having a great time in the theater together.

[mdmost 43008]

One of the extra things that makes me bitter about them closing down here is our next movie was going to be the Father's Day screening of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. They were doing it as a brunch which we all enjoy because they do breakfast tacos and french toast. Pre-Covid, they offered those breakfast items all the time and each of us would get them if we did a lunch time screening. Post, it's just for these brunch screenings. I get it though: eggs, toast, bacon, tortillas are all things that are an extra expense compared to the standard offering that you can sell all the time and are more popular. So instead, we're just going to watch it at home and make our own breakfast tacos and french toast. Not the same but it's better than nothing. 

[safe sex 11737]

Eyes Wide Shut every Christmas season at a Drafthouse.

[mdmost 43008]

I saw this pop up this weekend it's pretty close to the mark right now. It's also why I was fine with paying what we did to go to the Alamo. 

 

[YGIFS 19452]

Yeah, Kevin basically just summarized our thread in 90 seconds.  Because he's usually as long-winded as I am. 

I would just add to his expert evaluation.  So many multiplexes are reliant as either "anchors" to shopping malls/outlet malls or as major Pad partners to massive strip centers.  And those are all dying retail models and they'll take the theater down with them.  In a larger mixed-use project with office/dining/multi-family like a Domain or Hill Country Galleria, a nice theater experience can still work very well.  But the decline is so marked of people driving 20 minutes to do some window shopping at some Class B retail center or mall to then take in a movie and then go to Applebee's afterwards.  It happens in exurban/rural areas, but at the $/ft2 in suburban/urban markets, it's completely untenable.  There's a reason Fandango laid so many people off...

[hobbes2702 13049]

49 minutes ago, safe sex said:

Eyes Wide Shut every Christmas season at a Drafthouse.

Forgot that one. We did almost all of their Kubrick collection month. That one in particular was incredible on the big screen.

[MissingInAction 25118]

Predator at the Village with cap guns was fucking tits. 

Then mass shootings ruined that.

[Underdog 28744]

3 hours ago, hobbes2702 said:

Wut? 

Imma’d 

 

[LonghornSean 4008]

I go to the movies probably once a month or slightly above that on average. Never anywhere but Alamo except the occasional IMAX at the Bullock.

Of all the times I’ve been to Alamo over the years I honestly can’t recall someone on their phone for anything but a brief moment. A few times I’ve seen a loud table get a warning but other than than it’s almost always a good experience in terms of audience courtesy.

Waiters, food service and eating can be a bit distracting but I don’t mind it thanks to the rest of the environment that Alamo has built at its Austin theaters.  Love to get a cocktail during the show (although the bill at the end can be alarming if it’s a long movie).

Bummer about the closings in DFW.

[immamac 42872]

1 hour ago, Underdog said:

Imma’d 

 

I'm just tired of everyone's fucking hyperbole all the god damned time. 

[mdleast 8295]

EVERYONE'S fucking hyperbole ALL the god damned time?!?

Edited June 9 by mdleast

[Underdog 28744]

4 minutes ago, immamac said:

I'm just tired of everyone's fucking hyperbole all the god damned time. 

Eat a McRib and chill. 

[YGIFS 19452]

I don't want a McRib, I want a goddamn literacola!  

[mdmost 43008]

Maybe this is the future for theaters? 

 

[Deej 76847]

[Eskimohorn 5637]

Eyes Wide Shut every Christmas season at a Drafthouse.

Username doesnt check out

[Michael Knight 12989]

On 6/7/2024 at 7:14 PM, Armybrat said:

Kinda surprised drive in theaters haven’t really made a comeback. 
Seems like teens would  enjoy the relative “privacy” with their favorite squeezes.

 

teens don't drive anymore

[Neonmoon 38129]

On 6/9/2024 at 10:59 AM, immamac said:

You realize that most theaters are nicer than Alamo is now right? 

I liked the Alamo experience. I don’t care that other places are nicer. 

[austingirl 2191]

I'm not excited about the Sony acquisition but I'm still ride or die Alamo for the time being. I'm there at least twice a month, at either Village, South Lamar, or Lakeline, and never have any problems with loud patrons. Last time I was at a Cinemark there was a group of loud high-schoolers being obnoxious, which just reinforced my Alamo or nothing policy. The pre-shows are awesome, there are no commercials besides movie trailers, and I've never had trouble with people being loud because they enforce their no talking/texting policy.

We go to the Elf movie party every year as a family. Their special screenings are great, like the Time Capsule feature they're doing this year, and you can usually count on them to screen smaller limited-release films for at least a short time. It used to be that I had to go to the Regal Arbor Cinema to see indie stuff in the theater (after Dobie shut down). The food isn't great, but the beer selection is good and I can usually find something I like on the themed menu. And if not, bottomless popcorn.

Anyway, there's still a lot that makes the Alamo special, IMO. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Sony doesn't fuck it all up.

[Dutchrudder 11143]

On 6/8/2024 at 10:06 PM, Deej said:

The last movie I saw in a theater was Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Going this week to see The Empire Strikes Back at the Alamo. 

If they don't have a Donkey Kong machine in the lobby, my memories are going to be ruined.

I don't think I have ever seen the good Star Wars movies on the list before, do they cycle them in every year?  My 5 year old has been wanting to see the movies, and I would love to take him to see A New Hope in a theater rather than watching it at home.  

[Deej 76847]

9 minutes ago, Dutchrudder said:

I don't think I have ever seen the good Star Wars movies on the list before, do they cycle them in every year?  My 5 year old has been wanting to see the movies, and I would love to take him to see A New Hope in a theater rather than watching it at home.  

They are showing all three of the original trilogy at the moment.

[Michael Knight 12989]

1 hour ago, austingirl said:

I'm not excited about the Sony acquisition but I'm still ride or die Alamo for the time being. I'm there at least twice a month, at either Village, South Lamar, or Lakeline, and never have any problems with loud patrons. Last time I was at a Cinemark there was a group of loud high-schoolers being obnoxious, which just reinforced my Alamo or nothing policy. The pre-shows are awesome, there are no commercials besides movie trailers, and I've never had trouble with people being loud because they enforce their no talking/texting policy.

We go to the Elf movie party every year as a family. Their special screenings are great, like the Time Capsule feature they're doing this year, and you can usually count on them to screen smaller limited-release films for at least a short time. It used to be that I had to go to the Regal Arbor Cinema to see indie stuff in the theater (after Dobie shut down). The food isn't great, but the beer selection is good and I can usually find something I like on the themed menu. And if not, bottomless popcorn.

Anyway, there's still a lot that makes the Alamo special, IMO. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Sony doesn't fuck it all up.

Sony will introduce endless shrimp for $20

[mdmost 43008]

https://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/article/alamo-drafthouse-reopening-19511535.php

[Dutchrudder 11143]

1 hour ago, Deej said:

They are showing all three of the original trilogy at the moment.

Ah must not be available in Houston, because I only see the Indiana Jones movies available this summer in Katy. I'll have to keep an eye out for them, I would love to see the original trilogy in a theater with my son for his first viewing.