<p>I find this outrageous. Apparently, this chain already has theaters in Europe and plans for one in Chicago. MSFT’s neck of the woods is known for its excesses, but a $35 movie ticket? Hmmm… Smells like the Roman Empire on the brink of its demise.</p>
<p>Nope. Would continue to stay home, just as hordes of others have been doing due to high movie theater prices and accessibility of movies on DVD.</p>
<p>I heard that this morning too. Good luck with that. I was at Redmond TC this weekend and it needs some help soon. Some big holes to fill. I give this one 6 mos.</p>
<p>This is really interesting. No way, for us. We have a great projector set up in our basement that makes it seem like a big movie theater. Great for having friends over. And it’s cheaper than most flat panel tvs.
But I guess I could see some rich folks going for this. Just another status symbol. Exclusivity creates prestige. It may just catch on…</p>
<p>It might sound silly – but I would. My hubby and I don’t make much money (think about $0 EFC) and so we are very careful with our money. 99% of the time we check out a DVD from library. </p>
<p>However – every so often we go out to a movie (maybe twice a year). It has to be something that would lose something on the small screen and that we really want to watch. (Harry Potter and Star Trek movies are staples). For the past two years, we pay the money for the IMAX tickets ($12 a ticket) because the picture is so much better.</p>
<p>From the description of the movie theater, I might be willing to splurge once a year to see a really special movie. Only problem – it will take more than just a once a year visit to keep the theater open. And something like that will never come to my neighborhood!</p>
<p>That extra $25 would all be worth it when I didn’t have to listen to some dude behind me chew a king-size Twix with his mouth open. </p>
<p>I’m sure they did their research and expect there to be a market. People pay hundreds extra to be first-class on a plane for 3 hours, so the idea of people dropping $25 extra at the movies isn’t ridiculous. And with the higher profit margins, who cares if most people think it’s a waste? You make your money off the minority who don’t.</p>
<p>I was going to say just what hsmomstef did. For an average flick? Don’t think so.</p>
<p>But I could see lots of people going out for that “special night” every once in a while… and I"m sure this would be the kind of place that would be on the list. $25 more for a great environment, service, etc.? I know lots who would pay that for the occasional special night.</p>
<p>Tickets are up to $10 in Dallas. In my college town though, its $3.50 with valid student I.D., and you can bring your own cooler (with alcohol if youre 21).</p>
<p>I would pay this. This past year when I have tried to go to the movies, my daughter or whoever and I couldn’t even find two seats together, and more than once we had to get refunds and scrap our movie plans. We didn’t want to sit at opposite ends of the theater and not be able to enjoy the movie together.</p>
<p>BUT - the movie would have to be really, really good. If it were, I’d happy pay this have confirmed seats, personal space, good food, etc. However if the movie is only mediocre, or lousy, even $1 is too much to pay…</p>
<p>Nope. We just signed up for netflix about six weeks ago and have been loving it. The turn-around time is incredible and we now have “movie night” one night a week in the family room – we bring dinner downstairs and hang out. It’s a nice break. We also are getting old Cadfael and Rumpole episodes, which the guys were too young to appreciate when they were still in reruns on PBS.</p>
<p>When I saw the article this morning I was surprised, but not by the ticket prices. When did the AMC shut down? And why wasn’t I told? Second Story Repertory is in the same shopping center, and I go there a lot more than I go to movie theaters any more.</p>
<p>Yes, I paid $25 per ticket to take my sister (for her birthday) my D, her former roommate (who stayed at our house during her leave term), my best friend and myself to see the Dreamgirls Roadshow (25th anniverary of the play being released on braodway) at the Zigfield theatre. </p>
<p>The roadshow, had reserved seating, an intermission, “Dreamgirls”-themed lobby displays and merchandise booths, and a limited-edition program. It was almost like a theatre experience and was a great evening for all.</p>
<p>In our neck of the woods, there is Sundance Theater, first of a series. Bar, cafe, gift shop, higher end decor, in person announcement of the movie before it starts, real butter on the popcorn. And an added ‘facility fee’ of a few dollars per ticket. Ticket prices are a bit higher than the local average, and seats can be reserved on line prior to the show. The higher prices irk me, and as I’m going to focus on the screen, not the asthetic of the theatre, could care less. But still, the total on a recent Sat night was less than $11.00 each, more reasonable than the price mentioned by the original poster.</p>
<p>There is a certain value proposition. For adults that see one movie a year, why not splurge?</p>
<p>As a teen, I can justify the money for imax ($5 isn’t bad and I can skimp on concessions) but my local theater is $8 for students and it’s convenient because I like seeing movies at the theater- there is something more real about it than inviting friends over to watch a DVD.</p>
<p>The theater sounds right for the neighborhood they are putting it in. This sounds like the kind of theater that some people would really like. I think they can succeed.</p>
<p>There’s a theatre near here that has two sets of seats, with two different prices. For the more expensive seats, you receive stadium seating, more capacious seats, and no children allowed under the age of 17 regardless of what is showing. (They usually put the ‘art’ and foreign films up in that section, which means for this Oscar season of dreary and depressing films they showed some movies that were in wide release.) I believe the difference is $10. They’ve been quite successful. Oh, you can buy beer to watch with your movie and the concessions are ‘up-scale’. Tiramisu instead of Junior Mints.</p>
<p>The Arclight chain (part of Pacific Theaters) has done something similar. Reserved seats, ushers (who announce that there is no talking during the movie), better-quality snack bar, good quality screen and projection equipment, no ads before the movie. $15 a seat. We pay it occasionally because the experience really is pleasant, though it’s twice as much as what we pay for admission via group discount tickets. </p>
<p>On the other hand, people with the money to pay $35 a ticket for a movie on a regular basis are also going to be the demographic that’s building home screening rooms. They’ve already opted out of public theaters. Maybe they’re not buzzing the help for service, but at least they can watch in their PJs, and pause the movie if they have to use the john.</p>