I thought I'd start this thread mostly because the subject is near and dear to my heart.

First I'll say that I am grieved by the degeneration of the films Hollywood puts out. At one point in my theatre careen I walked out because I didn't want to be a part of putting the Dustin Hoffman film "Midnight Cowboy on the screen (I was a projectionist at the time not a manager or booker). It is a story about a male prostitute.

There are exceptions of course. Three of my favorite films of the last decade or so are "Sleepless In Seattle", "You've Got Mail" (both with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan) and "Momma Mia" (with Pierce Brosnan and Meryl Streep) which IMO is one of the best musicals ever made. What are some of your favorite films and what do you like or dislike about theatres (cinemas) today?

Well, you've already mentioned a couple of them. Sleepless, and You've got mail. Those two movies seem to be the story of my life over the last ten years. However that is a long story.

I could also include 2001 A Space Odyssey. Especially if you leave out the evolutionary preaching start. :)

Quite enjoyed North by Northwest which I saw for the first time recently.

Bridge on the River Kwai.

So long since I was in a theater it would not be fair to really mention likes or dislikes. My memories go back to the large single screen theaters which I enjoyed rather than today's mulitplexes.

Do all my movie watching at home now via the projector. A near movie theater experience and nobody talking on cell phones.

I agree with you about "Kwai" Dave. I've watched it many times. Also from that era is another musical I really like "The King And I" with Yul Brenner and Deborah Kerr. "Shane" IMO was another great film. Although I enjoyed Jack Palance much more as the tough trail boss and his twin brother in the "City Slickers" series.

Do you feel films affect or mirror society?

Probably both, Bob.

Hollywierd (Not a misspelling) seems to have been trying to push the envelope of what is acceptable for years.

Seems like there is little dialogue and those who disapprove are characterized as wierdo's who simply want to stop others from watching what they want.

I always used to think that some of the older movies were o-k and there is no doubt they are less in your face than those of recent years. However, once I have viewed them again since my conversion back in 1981 I find the same trends even back in the 40s and 50s, just not as open as today.

I think there is little doubt that what folks see on the screen can affect their behavior.

Advertisers would not spend millions of $s on movie and TV ads if they thought they would not influence behavior.

I have come to respect Tyler Perry's films. He is apparently a Christian and also apparently gets the Gospel somewhere in all his films.

Watched Perry's "A Family That Preys" last night. It dealt with infidelity, greed and dishonesty. Believe it or not Perry managed to include the Gospel. A good film.

As most of you know I devoted a large portion of my life to the movie theatre business and am hoping to return to it. But I thought in the meantime I would pick your brains regarding the business in general. Why do you attend a movie?? Would you attend a movie simply because it's in 3D? Do you notice the difference between a film presentation and a digital presentation? Is it the story, the cast or technology (surround sound, digital, 3D) that draws you to a theatre? What do you expect from a theatre (and perhaps fail to get)? Thanks for your help. I, of course, have my own Ideas but hope some of you may have the same.

Rarely attend movies now, Bob.

However to answer your questions. No I would not attend a movie just because it was in 3D. Junk and humanistic propaganda is still the same even if it does leap off the screen.

I do enjoy some of the documentary type movies in Imax but they are a little out of the ordinary.

Can't compare film and digital because as noted I rarely attend these days.

The debate in the home theater projection field tends to be about the difference between LCD and DLP technology and of course, neither of these is film anyway.

So I'm afraid I'm really not very helpful.

Dave,

I wouldn't attend a movie just because it was in 3D either. :lol:
I hardly go to a movie anymore. In fact, I haven't been to a theatre in about 5 years!
Didn't even realize it had been that long until I just thought about it now. :D

There are some who are predicting 3-D will be gone (again) by the end of 2011 as it was in the '50s. I'm not convinced that the public cares about the delivery system (film or digital) as long as the story is good.

Until filmmakers can make a movie in 3D which doesn't require the viewer to wear special glasses to view it, the technology will never rid itself of the 'novelty' tag, in my opinion.

The specs give me a headache and, to be honest, CGI effects are so good, especially in animations, that it'd take something pretty special, George Reker's holiday movie perhaps, to persuade me go to a 3D show. Then again, having seen Reker, maybe not! :D

You're not the only on who has that complaint Ian. At this time I find myself in the camp that sees 3D as a passing fad once again. :blink:

I am inclined to see it as a passing item also. Really good HD seems to almost have a 3D character anyway.

I'm with you guys on the glasses. Watched a couple of 3D movies at the space center and was getting a headache by the time the film finished.

Not worth the money IMHO.

Thanks for all your feedback. I haven't seen anything in HD yet, and it sounds as if I am not missing much more than a headache, and that I can live with. (or without...the headache, that is) :D

Hi Wren. Sounds like you might be confusing HD = High definition and 3D = 3 dimensional. 3D Seems to have depth and items seem to come out of the screen.
HDTV has been around for several years now and is distinguished by exceptional sharpness and the screen is wider than conventional standard def' TV. Called a 16:9 aspect ratio. Screen is almost twice as wide as it is high. Does not need special glasses to see it. Once you have seen HD it is hard to go back to standard def. Seems almost out of focus.

Hey Guys:

I've been offered the opportunity to take over a newly remodeled small town theatre in Oklahoma (with no cash outlay) with very reasonable rent and can run it as owner until I can actually buy it. It's been literally dumped in my lap. A nice little theatre with lots of potential. My biggest hurdle is finding the $10 grand I need for operating capital. So if you are the praying kind please do. Thanks.

Well, I can't provide the prayer, but I certainly wish you the very best of luck with your new enterprise, Bob. :)

Robert, I am so happy to hear this! I will continue to pray for you! :)

Thanks Ian and Wren:

Some amazing things have happened. The owner seems to be virtually dumping it in my lap. It's a very modern theatre and has a lot of potential. I have talked to the Lord about it and have told Him that I can't do it on my own. I said if He gives me the operating capital in the form of a grant (which is being worked on by that Chamber of Commerce) I will take that as a sign from Him that he wants me to do this. I know that sounds a little strange to you Ian but either we are committed to the Lord or we are not. I have spent much of my life making decisions in my own "wisdom" and really screwed up. So now I believe I have no choice but to turn it ALL over to Him. Thanks again for your good wishes. I'll keep you informed.

Will certainly pray for the Lord's will for you in this, Bob.

Had family visiting and been out of town quite a bit so have not been around the computer much.

Keep us posted.

Thank you Dave. I notified the owner today I am withdrawing from the project. After praying for a couple of weeks I get the impression that's what the Lord wants me to do. He possibly has another project in mind for me.

Wow! Quick answer! :)

Well, we know that the Lord moves in mysterious ways, so trust He will open another door in due course.

Nothing has happened since June. But I really wonder about myself. The question "Am I depressed" comes to mind. I find I don't have any great desire to get out of my recliner. And things make me weep a lot. Simple things like I was watching Tony Orlando and Dawn sing "Tie A Yellow Ribbon" a few minutes ago and tears came to my eyes. Movie happy endings (I watch a lot of movies) also cause me to weep. I've never done that before. I've pretty much given up on ever being able to reach people for the Lord through films because I can't raise the money. Nightly I ask the Lord to show me what He wants me to do. But so far, no clear answer.