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Comments on news posted 2007-05-14 09:37:27: Last week at the NCTA cable show, Comcast executives said they were "very interested" in the idea of charging cable customers $30-$50 to stream a film on the same day that it's released in theaters. ..
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  PortmonkeyMy watch stoppedPremium
join:2004-04-09
Southern IL | Good Idea It's about what it costs to take a few people to the movies anyway, especially when you consider the prices at the concession stand, little alone the outrageous ticket prices. No more dealing with the screaming baby syndrome, cell phones, people getting up for whatever reason and walking in front of you during the movie's climax, etc. Sounds like a good idea even with the high cost. | |
| | | retarded idea Why would I pay such a ridiculous amount of money for the privilege of seeing it a few months before it's made available in retail channels. The movie is not going to get any worse over time. If you consider most movies are ~2 hours long, and if the cost of the movie is $40 then you are paying $20/hr for a one time pleasure. I don't even make half that much an hour at work! | |
| |  BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN | Re: retarded idea said by anonme :
Why would I pay such a ridiculous amount of money for the privilege of seeing it a few months before it's made available in retail channels. The movie is not going to get any worse over time. If you consider most movies are ~2 hours long, and if the cost of the movie is $40 then you are paying $20/hr for a one time pleasure. I don't even make half that much an hour at work!
Well I guess if you're an alone loser it doesn't pay. if you would actually READ the responses you CLEARLY see that if you actually have friends and split the cost it's actually CHEAPER than going to the theater. | |
| | | | | Re: retarded idea Going to the theater isn't only about watching a movie. Its about the experience of seeing the movie on the big screen with surround sound. I can sit at home with a bunch of people and watch movies already without spending ~$40 so this idea doesn't appeal to me. | |
| | | | BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN | Re: retarded idea said by anonme :
Going to the theater isn't only about watching a movie. Its about the experience of seeing the movie on the big screen with surround sound. I can sit at home with a bunch of people and watch movies already without spending ~$40 so this idea doesn't appeal to me.
As I said I've heard home systems with suround sound that sound better than my "local" theater. What experience will you miss at home, uncomfortable seats, sticky floors, cellphones going off, crying babies, noisy kids, even worse noisy adults, $3 Cokes, $4 popcorn, bathrooms that smell of stale urine? Point is why should those of us that rather see a movie at home not have this option? | |
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| | Good Idea This is killer for people like me who can't seem to get out to a movie very often. It is also good for parents and kids movies. I have three kids, I hate kids movies. That doesn't mix well.
Happy Feet. . . I wanted to put a gun to my head after the first 10 minutes of the movie. Kids loved it, though.
To not have to go to the theater with the kids, to turn it on and WALK OUT OF THE ROOM. . . .I'd probably pay anything they want to charge. LOL | |
| | | Screeners and Theater insiders > cameras Many movie ripping groups already get their 0-day releases
from screeners and theater insiders, giving them DVD
quality rips. This will just make it a little faster and
easier to get. | |
|  KylemaulLovin' My FirefoxPremium
join:2001-03-30
North Port, FL
1 edit | The Moviemakers Should Be Scared? One aspect of a setup like Concast's talking about is that it puts the power of choice closer to the end viewer. Maybe folks won't view until they really are sure about shelling out the $30 to $50. May force better quality movies to be produced instead of the "Ram some crap through the publicity fan and see what happens." Indeed, this setup would change quite a bit at the marketing end of new productions.
Or, maybe it will have exactly the opposite effect. 
Edit:
Another piece of this setup is the effect it will have on cable subscriptions and competition. Imagine an area where you have the choice to go with a cableco that has new release movies (read: Big Companies) or one that doesn't (read: startups and those semi-large companies that just can't afford the rights.) Which would you choose? Would being able to see new releases affect your choice? | |
| | | Movies For me going to the movies is more of an experience than just viewing a movie. It's something to do, somewhere to go. It's more fun to see a new movie on the big screen with alot of other people on opening night than it is to watch it at home. | |
| | | Just another choice. I worked as a theatre manager for over six years and I am all for Comcast doing this simply because it is another choice. DVDs were supposed to kill movies but when i see 8,000 people walk into a theatre PER DAY on a weekend I'm pretty sure DVDs didn't hurt too bad. If they want to allow people to spend that much money at home, go for it. It won't affect the majority of movie-goers.
Home = more personal, more convenience (bathrooms, quiet)
Theatre = "larger" experience (screen, sound), can be part of social event
I for one wouldn't take my first date out to a dinner and then back to my house for a movie, sounds a little creepy :P
Anyways, many of your complaints about theatres are justified and are the fault of the company, some are not.
Box office income goes almost entirely to the film company.
Concession prices go almost entirely to the theatre.
The concession prices are outrageous. Last I checked at my previous employer:
•large popcorn is $5.75
•small popcorn is $3.50
•bottle (20oz) of water is $3.50
•large soda is $5.00
•small soda is $3.25
•nachos/pretzels are $5.75
While ticket prices range from $7.00 matinee to $10.50 evening.
Freaking ridiculous. Wholeheartedly agree especially considering they pay the basic vendors/ushers minimum wage and STILL worry they are paying too much in wages.
Many of the theatre complaints themselves can be handled by paying a little more for higher quality employees (even some 17yr olds can be good workers).
As far as stale popcorn, talking people, infants, etc... well, go to a better theatre. People swore at me (literally) saying our popcorn was stale when I watched it being made 5 minutes ago. People talking? Yeah, it happens. Management usually tries to stop it but since when can a $10/hr supervisor (or whatever it is) control the actions of every human being. You kick them out, they bitch for days or vandalize. They don't want to leave? You get to deal with the cops. Infants? You're blaming the owners of a company for this? I cannot stand children in R-rated movies. Parents often sneak their children in saying that they are going to a different movie then they actually enter. Kick them out? Constant complaints. Too cold in the theatre? Well maybe I'm too warm, deal with it. We all have different preferences and I'm reasonably sure a company wouldn't pump up the air conditioning and pay more just to make you freeze.
Point is: People, in general, cause the majority of problems at movie theatres. Other problems are that of corporate types being too financially oriented and not paying for quality, though, i do think the claim that everyone should get digital projectors NOW is a bit stupid as an average digital costs $100,000 PER SCREEN (costing a large company hundreds of millions of dollars).
/rant | |
|  NJxxxJonDSLR'er from the 56k days.Premium
join:2005-10-22
00000
 ·Verizon FiOS
| whos the NCTA? AH! Well it bets starting up the car, dealing with traffic, dealing with younger people who complain during the movie, and I could pause to goto the bathroom! Im FOR IT! 
--
\\"I don't have a girlfriend, I just know a girl that would get mad if I said that." \\Mitch Hedberg | |
|  viperpa33sWhy Me?Premium
join:2002-12-20
Bradenton, FL | It's about price Though there are a few people for this idea, I for one don't like the idea. Right now people wait for a movie on DVD cause it comes out way cheaper than going to the movie theatre. Sure you miss the experience of the movie theatre but a lot of people don't care, they care about price.
Comcast's idea of charging $30-$50 to watch a movie is not going to be a blowout to them. Sure it gives people choice but nobody is going to be rushing out to pay that amount like Comcast thinks they are going to. Comcast will end up dropping it pretty fast. No movie is worth paying $50 for even if you do watch it from home. | |
| | | Cool idea, but not for me I like going to the theater because its something to do! Sure idiots and prices suck, but it all depends on your theater choice. I went and saw 300 for the third time and some idiots cell went off 3 times during the film. also, there was a green line on the middle of the screen for about 2 mins of the movie. i got up at the end. went to the managers desk. she asked me what movie i wanted to inquire about. i said 300. she said, "the green line" i said yep. she gave me 2 free movie vouchers. talk about nice.
a big screen at home is fun and all, but i like the booms, and bangs of the theater. its the atomospher. besides, not everyone has 40 to spend on some flick....spiderman..ugh just my 2cents | |
| | | You can find a cheap movie if you look hard enough The area that I live in has several theatres. If you look hard enough you can find a cheap theater. I love going to the theater on Sunday nights. I find the latest showing I can that way there are very few people. One theatre out by me is cheap and almost always empty on Sunday nights in the fall. An evening showing is 6.50 and a soda with unlimited refills is 2.00. All the movies there are first run.
Besides if I don't get to see it at that theatre I just wait until it hits the 3.00 theatre. Also if I want to take a little trip north, i can hit a drive in that does double features every night for 8.00.
The drive in needs to make a comeback. No having to put up with other peoples cell phones going off, no having to listen to others talk constantly, and if you want you can sneak food in. The only downside is that I often come across idiots who sit in the back and flash their headlights every so often. | |
| | enrolk
join:2002-04-23
Murrells Inlet, SC | Re: You can find a cheap movie if you look hard enough Not to mention that you can smoke, drink and screw your brains out for the same price. Drive-In's are where many of us started our family's. Turn movie theaters into Computer stores. | |
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