Cinemas: No wonder we're all pirates!

jimbo24168

My wife and I went to the Showcase complex in Nottingham the other night for the 10pm showing of The Kings Speech. My wife mentioned to the girl selling the tickets that she hoped we were not the only people to see it and the girl said that the previous showing had been sold out so we would not be on our own.

She was right...two other people paid to watch it...heaven...no shouting, screaming, popcorn throwing, Although there was a rush to get out of the auditorium at the end

barbiedoll

katie89 wrote: »

To start off I work for a cinema. One of the things I hate the most is customers who believe it is the cinemas fault when a film shows out - 300 odd other people had the common sense to pre-book for a peak time/ high release film, it isn't our fault that you did not. I do not think you should get compensation for failing to plan ahead. Nor do I believe that this is grounds to commit piracy. As to not having enough showings per day, we have a limited number of screens, and contracts with film companies stating how often we show them.
Also, we get many customers complaining that the times online are different to the times we have to show- it always turns out that people who believe we "must have changed the times around", have merely misread the website when we pull it up for them.

Yes, its a pain when your plans don't go as you wish, I understand this, but it isn't going to be the fault of the cashier, so don't take it out on them.

No-one "took it out on the cashier." Believe me, I know it's not the fault of the poor soul at the till, who is probably on minimum wage and has to put up with all kinds of carp from rowdy kids and so on. Nor did we expect "compensation" and we didn't go to see the film at a high demand time, it had been released 6 weeks previously! The website was definitely wrong, two other people also saw the times shown on there and plenty of other people were most displeased that the film was only showing on one screen when there was clearly a higher demand than the cinema had anticipated.
I feel sorry for some of the cinema staff, the last time I took my son, the poor girl at the popcorn counter had clearly received no training at all, she couldn't work the till or the drinks dispenser. She was shaking like a leaf and it took her ages to serve two people, both of whom were extremely kind to her. I wasn't having a moan at cinema staff, I know you're not ripping me off personally! And I didn't "commit piracy", my next-door neighbour lent us the film after my son told him why we hadn't seen it the previous night. (And yes, it was quite a good copy )

BlueAngelCV

barbiedoll wrote: »

And I didn't "commit piracy", my next-door neighbour lent us the film after my son told him why we hadn't seen it the previous night.

Why does that make a difference?

The cinema is quite expensive but not prohibitively so for most people. There really aren't that many films that I want to see that badly so I only got about twice a year.
If there is a film then I really want to see then I make sure that I check the times and pre-book my ticket if necessary.

I have once purchased a pirated film. It was HP3. I saw it at the cinema and purchased the DVD the day it came out but I wanted the opportunity to watch it again in the meantime. I don't feel bad in a situation like that because they're getting my money anyway the pirate copy is just an extra.

Sharon87

BlueAngelCV wrote: »

Why does that make a difference?

The cinema is quite expensive but not prohibitively so for most people. There really aren't that many films that I want to see that badly so I only got about twice a year.
If there is a film then I really want to see then I make sure that I check the times and pre-book my ticket if necessary.

I have once purchased a pirated film. It was HP3. I saw it at the cinema and purchased the DVD the day it came out but I wanted the opportunity to watch it again in the meantime. I don't feel bad in a situation like that because they're getting my money anyway the pirate copy is just an extra.

Why pay for a pirate though? That encourages crime gangs - well if you bought it from some illegal immigrant on the street/down the pub.

You can get pirated films for free - not that I agree with them.

barbiedoll

It definitely didn't come from an immigrant gang!
We will be buying the DVD when it comes out anyway, as we have done with all of the others. Twice in some cases, as we got the first two on VHS

MissUno

Cinemas, arghh. I can understand your frustration, if they advertised the wrong showing times, didn't meet supply with demand and failed to let you know that the next showing you planned to see instead was also already sold out.

I do think it's always wise to pre-book or reserve online to avoid disappointment with popular movies.

I so rarely bother with the cinema any more. It costs I think £7 something for an adult ticket, plus then if you want popcorn for a small one it's over £3 and just a bottle of water is something like £2.50..it's scandalous. I much prefer to just rent on DVD or watch online in the snug comfort of my own home, movie snacks are cheaper when bought at the local supermarket and you also don't have to deal with obnoxious teenagers - brilliant.

Norant

I think you had a lucky escape.


I could think of nothing worse that going to watch a film that is packed out with maybe two to three hundred other people,No matter what there will always be a few there that talk through the movie or are getting up or slurping there drinks rustling sweet packets and crisp packets.

I would much rather go after all the hype has gone and the cinemas are quieter,or just wait until it comes out on DVD and sit at home in peace and quiet with my family with no disturbances.

We took our Children to see the new Nanny Mcphee movie recently,that was absolutely sold out and it was a horrid experience we hardly saw any of the movie due to other peoples noise.

biggaz26

Norant wrote: »

I think you had a lucky escape.


I could think of nothing worse that going to watch a film that is packed out with maybe two to three hundred other people,No matter what there will always be a few there that talk through the movie or are getting up or slurping there drinks rustling sweet packets and crisp packets.

I would much rather go after all the hype has gone and the cinemas are quieter,or just wait until it comes out on DVD and sit at home in peace and quiet with my family with no disturbances.

We took our Children to see the new Nanny Mcphee movie recently,that was absolutely sold out and it was a horrid experience we hardly saw any of the movie due to other peoples noise.

I had a similar experience at my local showcase. Paramormal Experience...people talking and using phones through out the film kick the back of my chair, although I dealt with that one quite swiftly. Ruined the film because you lost that atmosphere you need in those sorts of film...not that it was much cop anyway

When i complained to the manager about the noise and behaviour he said you should have come out and complained about it. He literaly just shrugged his shoulders and said It cant have been that bad as we have people checking periodically during the film.

Once I was home I emailed head office to complain and they sent me free tickets.

Happy days, but I wont go again unless I am dragged kicking an screaming by the wife!

G

marleyboy

Its been a long time since I have been to a Cinema, the last movie I watched at the Cinema was "Hancock", and as I predicted, the atmosphere spoiled the film, far too much yapping and rustling going on for me.

I used to go to the Cinemas every Week, but not anymore, its bad enough getting into them and thats without the predicted disturbances you are likely to get. As well as those members of staff who pop in to make sure everyone is behaving, and pop back out completely ignoring the racket.

When a movie comes out, I generally stream it online, see if it is worth buying the DVD when it is out or not. I would NEVER bother with a cinema again.