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I didn't even like the curved screen in theaters like at Arclight's Dome in Hollyw(oo/e(e/ir))d! :P

https://www.arclightcinemas.co... Reserved seating, no cell phones - period.

You've pretty much described Arclight Cinemas. It's a very small part of Pacific Theaters, with only two currently in existence, both in Southern California.
  Online tickets - check
  Reserved seats - check
  No extra charge....pretty sure, check. You can even print them up at home.
  No ads - check. Not sure how many trailers they limit to, but they aren't excessive about it in any case.

The downside, of course, is that Arclight is several dollars more expensive per ticket, with fewer ways to get in cheap (e.g. the normal Pacific Theaters have discount tickets that can be bought at a group rate, but they don't work for Arclight). I don't go to movies that often any more, though, so paying the extra money for a better experience works for me.

TSG

Well, those prices aren't exaggerated. I live in Los Angeles where cinemas are kind of a big deal. The one right next to where I work - the ArcLight - is 14 bucks on the weekends, but worth every penny since it has huge screens, assigned seating, and usually a great crowd. The Mann's Chinese a mile away is around 11.25 - 12 bucks, I forget which. When I lived in Savannah with movie prices a couple of bucks less, around $8.50 - $9.50 a ticket, the screens and sound were always busted and the experience was rarely worth going to the theater in the first place. I'm fine paying the Arclight prices since the experience is better than seeing the movie at home.

You're absolutely right.

I love movies. My home DVD collection is sitting at 190+ titles and keeps growing. I'm one of those people with an amazing home theatre system. While the screen is much, much smaller then the movie theatre, the sound system I have blows away anything I've seen (well, heard) in the multiplex.

But I still go to movies because I enjoy the experience. Sometimes I'll even go to the movies by myself. No matter how much money you pour into a home theatre, barring building a room in your home 40 feet tall, 70 feet wide and 90 feet long to accommodate a theatre sized screen, you'll never be able to approach the satisfaction derived from the theatre.

Inviting a few good friends over to the house to watch movies is not the same as going out. It's akin to drinking; it's cheaper to buy booze and hang out with friends at home, but it's far more fun to go out to a bar. Even if you set one up in your basement, including a long wooden bar, a stereo loaded with your favorite music, and a CO2 system to have a few of your favorite beers on tap, it's still generally going to be more enjoyable to get out of the house.

What's upsetting is that so few theatres seem to capitalize on their advantages. This last week I was in Los Angeles and paid to visit the Arclight theatre complex surrounding the old Cinerama dome. These guys had the best setup I've seen so far: Reserved seating (like you'd find at a sporting event or music concert), special 21+ showings guaranteeing no loud screaming babies or obnoxious teenagers, the ability to enjoy a drink while watching the movie, and bigger seats with more legroom, including (and this is something I really, really like) "double wide" armrests so you don't have to fight the person next to you for space to rest your arm. The only real downside is the price ($14, which is a bit too steep for a movie)

If more theatres followed the example of the Arclight, I think the industry wouldn't have to worry about much.

In addition, I wish more theatres would show older movies. Since movie making has become mainstream (less then a century ago), there have been hundreds, if not thousands of really good films made that I (and I would presume others) would pay to see on the big screen. As it stands, very few movie houses outside of small single screen independent theatres will show anything other then new releases. For example, I've always wanted to see 2001 in a theatre. I can only imagine that the experience would be worth it. The Arclight, which as I said seems to be quite adept at getting things right, was showing--in addition to the slew of fresh film releases--the movie "The French Connection". I was amazed.

Knowing this, all the theatre industry has to do is find out what it is the public likes about going to the movies and give them more of it.

Living in Los Angeles (aka, the Greater Hollywood Area), I have found my movie habits change dramatically. Of course there are the usual reasons of bad movies and the like. But for me, the theater atmosphere will make or break it.

Los Angeles has a good share of high end theaters like the Arclight. No commercials. Reserved seating. Closed doors movie start. And only for a couple of bucks above the other theaters.

It makes a huge difference. The whole atmosphere caters to adults, including the in theater bar and restaurant. On an adult budget, it is worth the extra bucks to take a night out of the house and get the big screen experience.

In contrast, the Bridge has attempted to reach the same market by dedicating only some showings as Director's Hall showings with reserved seating. Unfortunately, the other showings draw the usual teenage crowd making the whole scene less appealing.

Los Angeles also has a lot of art house theaters. And while they aren't as comfortable or convient, they do expand the available selection.

Anm

It is by far my favorite theatre because:

-No commercials whatsoever (they freely admit their prices are a little higher because of this, but that's fine with me).
-Reserved advanced seating. No more saving seats or getting to the theatre an hour early and waiting in line. It basically removes the general chaos entirely.
-Ushers for EVERY screen and they WILL enforce behavior rules. They'll tell people on cell phones or talking to shut up (though cell phones don't work in much of the building; I have a feeling this is intentional). I think this is rarely used since the people smart enough to go to Arclight are all people fed up with the usual theatre experience.
-No admittance after the movie has started. Period.

It is absolutely wonderful. The technology is also excellent - great sound, video, and theatre design. The front-row seats are perfectly useable! In fact they are very good seats. There is a HUGE open space between the front row and the screen.

It's also next to Amoeba Music, a great music store, which is a bonus.

Actually this is in Rancho Palos Verdes the only theater in the area that doesn't smell like piss, and these kids have more disposable income then some foreign countries, so they think they can get away with anything.

The only time I go to the theater any more is to goto the Arclight and i think that the area and cost of the ticket keep most people from messing around.

Wow... The ArcLightCinemas page works incredibly badly for me in Firefox, the difference between that and IE is astounding.

Try seeing it in DLP format! I saw it today in a crappy AMC theatre, but it was DLP format so it was decent. Audio setup sucked though. I will see the movie again in a better theater.

The Arclight Theatre(http://www.arclightcinemas.com), where they are trying to get it shown, is the old Cinerama Dome theatre a couple blocks away, and is now the latest place in Hollywood to catch a movie. They have a rather nice restraunt, and the food they serve is actually quite good. Seating is assigned. On a given night of the week, you will see premiers there, press screenings, and random film festivals. They also play old movies and have the writers and directors show up and give talks.

Also don't be too suprised if you see famous people waiting in line with you to purchase a tasty beverage.

Another nice feature of the theatre is that they offer 21+ screenings of most R rated movies. Get a couple stiff drinks or a couple beers and watch your movie. It really helps for those really bad Sci-Fi movies which call for a full suspension of disbelif. I know that for one I will be seeing SW:III there.

Ted

I usually end up waiting for the DVD now because I have kids and I have enough social responsibility not to incovenience everybody with it. Now when I was able to go to the cinemas, I went to the really expensive Arc Light Cinemas where the prices were expensive enough to keep the rif-raf out and only serious movie go-ers show up.

The ArcLight is a uber-theatre in Hollywood that is part of the Cinerama Dome. This theatre has assigned seating, a resturant, and.... A FULL BAR!. I predict drunked fanboy brawls about 20 minutes into the second movie.

hahah .. was that at the Academy 6 Theatre on Colorado? I saw it there too, and the theatre was awful. Even for an arthouse theatre.
Actually, It's been playing for the last few weeks at the Arclight Cinema near Sunset and Vine. They have much larger screens, and it may be a closer drive for you.