Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Taken At the Movies

At the risk of sounding like just another cranky oldster, I do want to complain about movie prices.

This past week, I took two of my daughters upon two separate occasions to local cineplexes. At one, my 28 year old daughter and I saw "Precious." At the other, my 19 year old daughter and I watched "Blindside."

Both movies were quite good. Plus, there's a finance connection in that "Blindside" is based on a book by financial writer, Michael Lewis.

The mother-daughter bonding time was also good.

The cost of these outings? Too darn much!

The truth is, I hardly ever watch movies in a theatre when they are first released. For two years, one of my daughters was employed as a manager at a mall cineplex, so I had access to free movies. She's moved on to retail sales, and I've been happy to stay at home with Netflix, Redbox, and the local library ever since.

I took my daughters to matinees--supposedly cheaper. Not that I get how $8.25 per person is cheaper!

Then, I paid for a small popcorn and a small drink for each of us. It was 7.50 a person!

So, for two hours of afternoon entertainment, I spent $31.50.

How is this worth it?

I can go to a local theater/brewpub, sit on a couch, watch a second-run movie for $3, drink beer, eat pizza, and still spend far less than that. (The only drawback is that I can't take my 19 year old to the evening shows because there is an "over age 21" requirement.)

I hear that movies have not been greatly impacted by the recession. I have to say that surprises me. My past two outings to the movies have definitely impacted me! I can't say when I will bother to go again.

4 comments:

Living Almost Large said...

I think I see one or two movie a year. Usually a summer blockbuster I need to see on the big screen. Other than that, I don't know. I am going this Christmas though since I know we may not have a chance this summer, so one last date night indulgence.

Although I'm not sure what I want to see.

Anonymous said...

Our cineplex here only charges $6 BUT if you get there before 6PM, the flicks are only $4.

I never, EVER buy soda, candy or a popcorn. First of all, I can't eat and watch a movie, that's ridiculous. Same at home. I can't eat and watch TV nor read a book or paper. If I'm eating, I'm eating. If I'm watching a movie, I watch the movie.

When you go to a live show (like a Broadway play or ballet), you can not eat during a performance. Why should it be any different at a movie?

Anyway, soda and popcorn and candy are rip-offs at the theater, so I don't buy.

Whole family is going to movies Xmas day. I want to see George Clooney in 'Up In The Air'. It's supposed to be a modern day 'Grapes Of Wrath' and chronicles the massive job layoffs going on in America. Should be cheerful, right? or a comedy 'It's Complicated.' I heard Alec Baldwin does a nude scene. Gross. Should be interesting though!

Revanche said...

I do my best to avoid any new showings because we get charged as much as $11 or $12/ticket here. Preposterous! Like Morrison, I don't buy food at the theatre either, solely because of the pricing, though.

My favorite way to go see movies cheaply is to buy discounted tickets (AMC, usually) that cost around $6 per ticket, and use them at least two weeks after release. I bought a stash two years ago and still haven't used them all up.

Shevy said...

The last movie I saw was Star Trek. (My son took me!) I can't remember the last movie I saw before that. The same son gave me a gift card to the movies for my birthday. I'm hoping to use it soon. I used to go to the movies all the time but I just can't afford $11 or more and I don't think the movies are worth it, frankly. Well, okay, except Star Trek. I can't imagine how theatres are staying afloat.