Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
April and I saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory this past weekend, and while it was good, we could have waited for the DVD release. So why did we go to the theater to see it? Well, because I asked her and she said yes.
I am not a movie-goer like I used to be, so going to the theater is not as fun as it once was. April and I do not go to the theater very much. With ticket and food prices sky high, it’s no wonder. I am not alone on this either. I recently read where movie theaters are losing revenue. There are six factors that are hurting revenue, according to the article.
Paying a premium price just to see a movie on a big screen is not a good reason to go to a theater. One of the factors in the article is social factors. When you go to a theater, you expect to have silence. Nice wish! Cell phones will ring (even though the theater will tell you to silence your phone, at least one moron forgets). Children will talk and even kick your seat. I remember when April and I saw Star Wars, there was a child kicking April’s seat. I was scared for the child as I thought April, with her short temper, would kick the child through the screen. Fortunately, the child stopped kicking and all was good.
We also saw The Ring 2 in the theater and had to hear stupid children scream at non-scary parts. I walked out with a headache and did not care for the movie. Children are not alone as adults are just as bad.
Another factor listed was the fact that commercials are now being shown in theaters. Not only do we have to watch this crap on television, but now we get to pay outrageous money to see the same crap. Oh Joy! We live in the age of advertising, because you cannot escape it.
Declining quality in mainstream movies is also a factor. This is where my scale comes in. I rate all movies as to whether to see them on the Big Screen or wait and see them on DVD. Lately, I would much rather watch movies on DVD. Less expensive, which brings me to the last two factors, higher quality experience elsewhere and content alternatives.
Higher quality means the latest boom in Home Theater systems. Why go to a theater with loud people and high prices when you can watch your movie in the comfort of your own home eating food you actually enjoy and wearing nothing but your underwear? Try doing that in a theater!
Anyway, for the content alternatives. Netflix is the leader of online rentals. Movies sent to your mailbox and when you are done, mail them back. Simple and effective. April and I were Netflix members for a while, but since the warm weather came we decided to spend time outside. Come winter time, we will probably renew our membership. Blockbuster also has a similar plan, but I am not a fan of them.
So what did I think of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? I enjoyed the television scene and the tribute to Stanley Kubrick’s 2001 A Space Odyssey. I could have done without the flashback sequences and didn’t like the man who played Grandpa Joe. The Oompa-Loompas were cool, but could not understand the songs. Willy Wonka was a little strange looking, but thought the part was played really well. I really enjoyed the 1971 version, so I was not too thrilled about this version at first. I was impressed, but this movie had an advantage over the 1971 version, special effects. I would recommend this movie, but would advise that you wait until the DVD release. Unless you enjoy spending lots of money for a crappy movie experience.
No related posts were found, so here's a consolation prize:
The Restart of My Blog.
