There are quality films out there just like there is quality music. It's just a question of locating them--which admittedly can be difficult, given the sheer volume of movies out there. I'd say the majority of stuff finding its way into movie theaters ranges from average to crap; but that doesn't mean there isn't worthwhile stuff out there.
Perhaps the best thing you can do is to rent or buy the films that interest you. Film has gone through the same eras during the past 100 years that we have. Every generation has some degree of fear and contempt for the following generation, because they do not understand it. -No value judgement here; just an observation.
I agree that the rise of home theaters is a factor in the decline of box-office sales. I've had a small home theater setup for some time now: A 36" CRT Panasonic TV and Onkyo 5.1 receiver paired with excellent Cambridge Soundworks speakers in a medium-medium/small living room. I would prefer a bigger television, particularly given the fact that mine has a standard aspect ratio. However, I'm glad I went with a conventional CRT screen when I bought mine a few years ago, because then, and even up until about now, it quite simply produces the best image.
My receiver is more than adequate for my purposes, as well.
All that being said, there are certain movies you really want to see on a big screen, e.g. King Kong, Lord of the Rings, etc... There is a local single-screen movie theater in my area that seats 620+ people. I used to be the assistant manager there -- my first real job right out of high school. The screen is enormous and the sound system is top-of-the-line. (I used to pump CDs of mine out of it at the end of the night!):)
I digress. The point I'm getting at is that these kinds of huge theaters should always have a place. The auditoriums you'll find at the local multiplex have nothing on them. It's exciting to feel the waves of emotion rolling over a huge audience during a quality film. That kind of experience is worth the price of admission.
-Of course, "quality" is the operative word here, and there has been a definite lack of it during the past year(s). I've rented or purchased all but a handful of the new movies I've seen in the last year.
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Perhaps the best thing you can do is to rent or buy the films that interest you. Film has gone through the same eras during the past 100 years that we have. Every generation has some degree of fear and contempt for the following generation, because they do not understand it. -No value judgement here; just an observation.
All that being said, there are certain movies you really want to see on a big screen, e.g. King Kong, Lord of the Rings, etc... There is a local single-screen movie theater in my area that seats 620+ people. I used to be the assistant manager there -- my first real job right out of high school. The screen is enormous and the sound system is top-of-the-line. (I used to pump CDs of mine out of it at the end of the night!) :)
I digress. The point I'm getting at is that these kinds of huge theaters should always have a place. The auditoriums you'll find at the local multiplex have nothing on them. It's exciting to feel the waves of emotion rolling over a huge audience during a quality film. That kind of experience is worth the price of admission. -Of course, "quality" is the operative word here, and there has been a definite lack of it during the past year(s). I've rented or purchased all but a handful of the new movies I've seen in the last year.