Are you an 'elitist' if you prefer going to theaters to watch movies?

[writer0327]

The Russo Bros seem to think so. This is one of the reasons why I think Hollywood types are disconnected from the rest of us. Yes going to the movies can be pricey, but "elitist"? That's going a bit far.

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Directors Defend Streaming And Explain Why Going To The Theater Has Become "Elitist"

 

[Gothamsknight]

Kind of ironic of them to say that when Endgame made as much money as it did.

 

[Monsieur Xavier]

They don't say "you are an elitist" for going to theater, they say movie ticket price is elitist given the price.
I agree, if you don't have ways to lower the ticket price (help from your empolyer like I do), it is very expensive.
Recently, I payed 12€ for The Batman (didn't have a subventioned ticket)

To think that couple years (decade) ago, piracy was supposed to be the death of theaters (and DVD, blueray for that matter).

PS : read the full article, the thread title is missleading.

 

[Gothamsknight]

It can be pricey, sure, but a lot of people end up making a trip to the movies way more expensive than it has to be with food and such, from what I've seen. But it's also not fair for me to say what constitutes as "necessary" for some people when they go to a theater so to each their own.

 

[Prison Mike]

I do think it’s elitist to suggest that you should go to the theater for every movie that comes out. I easily spend $50 between the tickets and food (I refuse to sneak food in because concessions is how theaters make their money. I don’t go often but when I do, I make sure to support them where it counts).

 

[Drizzle]

You're not elitist if you prefer to watch movies in theaters, it just means you have more cash to burn. Ticket prices can be high depending on where you are but it's almost $20 for a regular sized popcorn and drink where I am, which is insane.

 

[Asr]

I like going to theaters and will do so for any movie that's either a blockbuster (i.e. for the screen & sound system), or that I really want to see otherwise (usually indie movies like Alex Garland's Men, for example).

I also try to take advantage of discount Tuesday pricing whenever I can (since AMC and Cinemark have discount Tuesdays).

I also never get food or drink either for that matter, so I suppose it helps not spending $ on that. Most of my friends/family don't usually want food or drink either, which also helps.

 

[Kane52630]

It's weird for them to say that when AMC and others have a subscription service to reduce the cost of going to the theater each month. Also Netflix have continued to jack up their monthly price with no signs of slowing down...so I don't know who's the elitist they're talking about.

I remember paying $8 for Netflix when I join and now I'm paying $20 a month.

 

[shauner111]

Preferring the theatrical experience doesn’t make you elitist. What makes you elitist is saying it’s the only way to watch a movie. It takes one to know one. I used to be an elitist with that stuff until I started having bad experiences in the cinema (and not feeling up for the travel and spending the money). Then i switched gears and realized how pretentious it was to think it’s the be-all, end-all of Film viewing. It isn’t. It’s nice! Well, when it’s comfortable. Some movies are better in a theater, some are better at home. But ALL can be seen for the first time on your couch if you want.

Sometimes I have to take the time to remember how I fell in love with movies as a kid in the first place. Our family didn’t go to the cinema. We rented on weekends and watched a VHS on a tv that couldn’t have been very big in our living room (back in the 90’s). So none of it matters. If you prefer the theater, I feel you. Been there. Just don’t act like it’s the only supreme way of watching a movie and you shouldn’t be called an elitist.

 

[BeserkerHilf]

It's not elitist to chose to see something in theaters. It is elitist, however, after having the best of the best AV equipment to complete your film end-to-end then red-carpet premiere it in the most curated of conditions for others in showbiz, to pontificate to the peasants fighting unruly crowds and rundown presentational standards in your "Classics" rebranded but never updated multiplex in Bum****, USA that theaters are a sacred church.

 

[Prison Mike]

Preferring the theatrical experience doesn’t make you elitist. What makes you elitist is saying it’s the only way to watch a movie. It takes one to know one. I used to be an elitist with that stuff until I started having bad experiences in the cinema (and not feeling up for the travel and spending the money). Then i switched gears and realized how pretentious it was to think it’s the be-all, end-all of Film viewing. It isn’t. It’s nice! Well, when it’s comfortable. Some movies are better in a theater, some are better at home. But ALL can be seen for the first time on your couch if you want.

Sometimes I have to take the time to remember how I fell in love with movies as a kid in the first place. Our family didn’t go to the cinema. We rented on weekends and watched a VHS on a tv that couldn’t have been very big in our living room (back in the 90’s). So none of it matters. If you prefer the theater, I feel you. Been there. Just don’t act like it’s the only supreme way of watching a movie and you shouldn’t be called an elitist.

Yup, that’s basically what Russos were trying to say (if it wasn’t clear already).

 

[Spider-Fan]

Yeah I think the Russos are being taken out of context. I watch movies at home all the time, but if you gave me the choice, I would pick the theater everytime. Simply enjoy it more, but that decision falls to the eye of the beholder

 

[MadVillainy]

No you're not.
As has been said it's when you're like "it's the only way to watch movies." That's silly. It's like people who go like "You need to hear it on vinyl or over these $300 headphones. It's the only way to listen to this song or album" I do think there are some movies like Avatar, Top Gun 2, most Nolan movies post 2008, Denis Villeneuve, etc. that you miss out the full experience by not seeing it in theaters. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the movie at all.

However, I think people who watch films in poor settings like on their phone, sitting 20 feet away from a 40 inch screen, spending the whole time texting, pausing the movie for days at a time, etc. and then complaining about the quality of movie is silly as well.

It's like paying for nosebleed seats and then complaining that you can't see the game/concert. Or like acting that if you arent front row or VIP that it's not worth it to see the game/concert at all

 

[MadVillainy]

It's weird for them to say that when AMC and others have a subscription service to reduce the cost of going to the theater each month. Also Netflix have continued to jack up their monthly price with no signs of slowing down...so I don't know who's the elitist they're talking about.

I remember paying $8 for Netflix when I join and now I'm paying $20 a month.

Yeah that's actually a great point.
All these people who bristle and get mad when someone says anything about going to the theater, the price of that, and call them elitist act like it's not just as elitist to expect people to pay for or know someone who pays for (insert streaming service here).

 

[MOVIELORD101]

No you're not.
As has been said it's when you're like "it's the only way to watch movies." That's silly. It's like people who go like "You need to hear it on vinyl or over these $300 headphones. It's the only way to listen to this song or album" I do think there are some movies like Avatar, Top Gun 2, most Nolan movies post 2008, Denis Villeneuve, etc. that you miss out the full experience by not seeing it in theaters. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the movie at all.

However, I think people who watch films in poor settings like on their phone, sitting 20 feet away from a 40 inch screen, spending the whole time texting, pausing the movie for days at a time, etc. and then complaining about the quality of movie is silly as well.

It's like paying for nosebleed seats and then complaining that you can't see the game/concert. Or like acting that if you arent front row or VIP that it's not worth it to see the game/concert at all

I really get the feeling Joe started this debate just to suck up to Netflix.

And no, nobody who wants to go to the theater is an elitist.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

This reminds me of when everyone was making fun of hipsters for knocking the standard experience.

I think they were saying going to the theater is for rich people. Which isn't true. You can splurge at the theater once or twice a year and recover financially.

However you'd have to be kind of well off to take your family to the theater all the time.

 

[MadVillainy]

This reminds me of when everyone was making fun of hipsters for knocking the standard experience.

I think they were saying going to the theater is for rich people. Which isn't true. You can splurge at the theater once or twice a year and recover financially.

However you'd have to be kind of well off to take your family to the theater all the time.

Or just really bad at financial management/saving haha

So many of the people I know who are my age (late 20s, to early 30s) who travel a lot just don't save money and instead just travel all the time instead. Not the smartest move, but it's their life

 

[MadVillainy]

I feel like "elitist" has turned into one of those words like "literally" "empowering" and "energy" that people overuse way too much and many times not in the proper context

 

[Arachnerd]

Such is the way of Internet lingo.

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

You're not elitist if you prefer to watch movies in theaters, it just means you have more cash to burn. Ticket prices can be high depending on where you are but it's almost $20 for a regular sized popcorn and drink where I am, which is insane.

Around here at least, ticket prices haven't really increased that much over the last 20 years. Food, yes. But I never buy theater food anyways.

 

[Drizzle]

Around here at least, ticket prices haven't really increased that much over the last 20 years. Food, yes. But I never buy theater food anyways.

Prices by me jumped up considerably since the pandemic, mainly for concessions. I understood why they raised prices once theaters opened up again because they were hurting financially for a year, but six Marvel movies, a Batman movie, a Jurassic World, a Minions and a Top Gun: Maverick later, I think it's safe to say they're back. So maybe we can knock the prices back down a bit, guys?

 

[Kane52630]

For me popcorn is vital so I'll always get that, but otherwise... just sneak all the snacks and drinks.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Its very expensive to have streaming as well but do I finally get to considered "elite" I guess Ill take it?

 

[Snow Queen]

Avengers: Endgame's Directors Would Love to Welcome Fans Back to Theaters with MCU Re-Releases - IGN


That Netflix check must be good.

 

[Prison Mike]

I hope you guys buy at least one thing at the concessions. That’s how the theaters make most of their money.