The Case For Killing The Movie Theater.

Sorry. Sorry. HEY, WATCH IT! Sorry, is this seat taken? Darn.

I am a fan of popular culture in all her forms, but movie theaters have drawn out some thoughts from my noggin that I want to share with you all. While streaming is still gaining ground and prestige through services like Amazon and Netflix, it has become blatantly obvious that services like these will be the next evolution of the movies. The first test in this new arena will be the simultaneous launch of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2 on Netflix and in the theaters, but I feel that I can make the case for why movie theaters are on their way out… and not for the reasons you think.

1. Movies Are Not Really A Social Experience.

The advantage is clear.

If you think about the way that we see movies, the only social aspects of going to the cinema involve whispering to your neighbor or the connecting activities that happen before and after that, such as going to dinner. If this is the case, and it is, I struggle to think of the reasons why people might go to the movies when they can do as they please at home. We can pause when we want, cheer as loud as we want, and crack jokes consistently in a way that would make Tom Servo proud.

People may not like change, but wouldn’t it be nicer to hang out with your friends and enjoy a new release in the comfort of your own home? In the vast majority of cases, it beats having to climb over strangers in order to sit in a sold out theater. Speaking of which, digital distribution is a technology that shows us how sold out shows are unacceptable in the modern era. Would studios and theaters rather have a smaller amount of money from rentals online or $0 from their failure to provide enough seats for the big tentpole movies of the year?

Now that we are on the subject of money…

2. The Possibility Of Higher Profits.

Some people got to have it…

Delivering movies directly to the customer has the added benefit of cutting out the middle man, leading to the possibility of increased royalties for entertainers and producers in the business. How is this possible? It comes from the expense of creating hard drives or film prints, providing them to the theaters, and allowing those people to take anywhere from 5-20% of the profits, depending on the power of the movie, the negotiation process, and the time that has elapsed since the release date.

Why bother with that when a distributor can just upload a movie to their servers, allow the customer to select their own resolution, and take all of the money?

3. It Can Offer More Diverse And Groundbreaking Stories.

How many absurdly cool movies like Chappie have not been made because of this system?

Much like how Amazon revolutionized the ebook market, the distribution of new releases through an online could allow experimental and niche films to find an audience, whether they are independent or not. With #OscarsSoWhite and other controversies breathing down Hollywood’s neck, the digital distribution of new movies by the larger constituency than just the studio system can offer a proving ground for new actors and directors, especially as they develop original stories and experiment with the medium.

The possibilities are endless and can open up what was once a closed cabal to more and new ideas. There will still be issues with quality control, but that is something that is the responsibility of the filmmakers themselves. Besides, it is not like Hollywood has the best track record anyway. Sure, the studios gave us Captain America: The Winter Soldier, but we also got stuck with Gigli.

4. Is IMAX Or D-BOX Really Worth The Cost?

He is not amused.

I know that a lot of people would say that IMAX is one of the reasons why movie theaters still matter, but I struggle to think of any particular reasoning that could justify raising the ticket price by close to 100%. All you get out of the deal is the potential for 3D, a bigger screen, and stronger sound, but these extras can be mitigated by the usage of 3D televisions at your home and not giving a shit about the noise complaints from your neighbors when you crank up your THX Surround Sound.

Another new addition is D-BOX, which doesn’t make much sense at all. When you are trying to sit and enjoy a movie, do we really want to add the potential for motion sickness to our experience? Some people might desire that, but I am thinking that it is a huge barrier that has prevented the technology from taking off. It is not like it adds much to the immersion of the film either. That is obtained by a good story, characters you can relate to, and a world that remains consistent throughout the picture.

Conclusion

Be a cheap bastard and stream it already!

The movie theater had a good thing going for about one hundred years, but its’ time may soon come to an end. It is now the most extraneous piece of the magic of movies, offering high prices, no sociability, limited seating, and additional features that do not add much to the overall experience. In my opinion, it is best to give the customer what they want, when they want it, and at a price that won’t make their eyes bleed.