Commercials At The Movies! WHY WHY WHY?! - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

Damian · 06-20-2001, 02:42 PM

Last Friday, my wife, my niece and myself went and took in the very first showing of Tomb Raider at our local newer, nicer theater. The lights dimmed and the very first thing that came on the screen was that damn Mountain Dew commercial that has the kids flying the UFO around like it was a skateboard.
Okay, so it's a Mountain Dew commercial, thats okay, the trailers are next.

NOPE

Then we got treated to a damn car commercial of some sort.

THAT'S TWO

Next up, a Dorito's commercial

Not only was I getting pissed, but I could hear the people around me all talking about it. "What the hell? Why do we have to sit through commercials at the movies?" they were saying.

Before the trailers even started we had to endure four of five regular TV type commercials, and a segement that had Anthony Hopkins begging for money for the Roy Rogers institude.

Now, movie ticket prices are high, snacks are rediculously high, why do the theaters now feel it necessary to sell commercial screen time as well? I don't want to go to the movies and sit through a bunch of commercials and have to pay for it, I can do that at home for free. (well, not really free but it feels that way)

By the time the trailers came on finally they almost got an applause.

Somebody please explain if they know the answer to this.

------------------
"They're us....we're them!"
-Damian

saraswati · 06-20-2001, 02:57 PM

this is an easy one. multiplexes have a ton of overhead. and no one goes to movies in the theater anymore. and no one buys the expensive concessions. they aren't making a profit, because regardless of the expense of tickets, they just aren't taking in as much money as they used to. only one of the top multiplex chains made a profit last year (AMC). the multiplexes need a more gauranteed source of income, because ticket and concession sales are very uncertain. so they sell ads. just like every other form of entertainment, from the radio to TV to the internet.

i don't really mind it. the commercials come first, so it's not like they're interrupting the film. also, most of the commercials i've seen at the movies are really clever. for instance, the Lucky magazine "my best friend the mannequin" ad. it doesn't bother me to have to see a few commercials i'll probably laugh at anyway before the trailers start. it's no worse than product placement. now when the theaters start including commercial breaks, then i'll be mad...

------------------
"Crap, lousy ceiling!"

06-20-2001, 02:59 PM

I don't know the answer, but I don' t go to movies any more. It's absurd that we have to be bombarded with advertising, everywhere, along with a $10.00 ticket price, and $15.00 worth of popcorn and soda.

Does McDonald's really need to advertise? Does Coke? Mountain Dew I can kind of understand (only because my wife works for the advertising company, and I'd like for her to keep her job...), but the rest of it is absurd.

I spend my money on DVDs, that's it. Next stop, 36" TV.

------------------
http://www.wordsfromhere.com

Damian · 06-20-2001, 03:01 PM

Product placement never really bothered me. I never did understand why people didn't like them because in life, we all drink Coke and or Pepsi, we all eat Doritos and we all go to McDonalds. (Well this is a very general statement)
I usually find it weirder to see the actors drinking like BOBS COLA on screen instead of a Coke or a Pepsi. Product placement doesn't make me want to buy it anymore then I already do.
I actually get a kick out of watching the charactors handle the product, always trying to keep the label towards the camera. (Or away depending on if the rights where bought or not)
I guess I'm the opposite of you as to the product placement doesn't bother me, but sitting through TV commercials does.

------------------
"They're us....we're them!"
-Damian

manigrasso · 06-20-2001, 04:04 PM

I hate the very idea of commercials in the theatre. If they have to have commercials in the movies, then have TVs set up in the lobby, where it's easier to ignore them.

Chris in OC · 06-20-2001, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by saraswati:
and no one goes to movies in the theater anymore. and no one buys the expensive concessions. they aren't making a profit, because regardless of the expense of tickets, they just aren't taking in as much money as they used to. only one of the top multiplex chains made a profit last year (AMC).

Actually, the reason most movie chains lost money last year (and a few declared bankruptcy) is that they overbuilt. The demand for seats is still out there, it just didn't grow as much as the chains thought it would, and they ended up with a lot of empty seats and red ink. I think that if the theaters want to make a solid case for ads on the screen, they need to get their houses in order first.

TheJeffy · 06-20-2001, 08:13 PM

Hey, you probably wouldn't complain if they were Victoria's Secret commercials

But seriously, the thing that bothers me the most is when they turn the lights back on and go around collecting money after showing one of those Anthony Hopkins-type PSAs. I have nothing against good causes and charity, but I don't go to the movies to be begged for money, except from the snack vendor.

clortho · 06-20-2001, 08:50 PM

I saw Tombraider at the Regal here in town last Saturday, and I was shocked that after thye made a .50 raise in the ticket price, I was subjected to 5 minutes of commercial BEFORE the 10 minutes of previews. One or two commercials I don't mind, but this was 5 minutes! I heard a lot of "What the hell?" and "What the fuck?" comments being uttered from other patrons. 2-3 commercials are fine, but a 5minute solid block, that's unacceptable.

Clortho

------------------
I am the Keymaster
clortho@hotmail.com

Damian · 06-20-2001, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by clortho:
I saw Tombraider at the Regal here in town last Saturday, and I was shocked that after thye made a .50 raise in the ticket price, I was subjected to 5 minutes of commercial BEFORE the 10 minutes of previews. One or two commercials I don't mind, but this was 5 minutes! I heard a lot of "What the hell?" and "What the fuck?" comments being uttered from other patrons. 2-3 commercials are fine, but a 5minute solid block, that's unacceptable.

Clortho

How funny, it was the Regal Theater in Antioch California that I went to see Tomb Raider at and had this "commercial" experiance.

------------------
"They're us....we're them!"
-Damian

i-mmt · 06-20-2001, 10:38 PM

I can not stand those tv adds at the theater all they do is waste time!

SolidSnakeASS · 06-20-2001, 10:53 PM

You losers! WE GET WIDESCREEN ADS! AWESOME!

But seriously, complain about it to the manager! Write a letter to the newspaper! Do something! Boo! That's what I do.

tomdkat · 06-20-2001, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SolidSnakeASS:
You losers! WE GET WIDESCREEN ADS! AWESOME!

Yeah, but what aspect ratio are those ads in? 1.85:1? 2.35:1? How will they look on my 4:3 TV with the 16:9 "squeeze" trick???

Peace....

Damian · 06-21-2001, 02:00 AM

Yeah but they weren't in DTS. Maybe they couldn't squeeze that information onto the film.

------------------
"They're us....we're them!"
-Damian

Ambushbug · 06-21-2001, 05:50 AM

The Jeffy-I've never heard of a theatre showing a donation-oriented PSA and then actually turning up the lights to collect money! Tres bizzare! What chain was doing this? And have they done it before, or just with the Anthony Hopkins PSA?

Wierd...

AB

------------------
"Eating kittens is just plain wrong! And no one should do it . . . ever!!!"
-The Tick

***Istagi*** · 06-21-2001, 03:49 PM

Ambush-

United Artists chain here in Denver does it all the time. They show the PSA then the lights come up and they pass a can around.

I fucking hate it. I will and have gladly put money in a lobby can but the minute you stand there and hand me a collection plate. No way in hell.

Now last year they ran that King of the Hill add asking people to purchase the Roy Rodgers Combo meal. I liked that but if they are back to passing the can.

I will pass.

------------------
David Brown Eyes
Moderator of the Now Playing and software forum.

"Hey thats no fun, she fell right over!"
Istagi's DVD's"

Deckard · 06-22-2001, 03:49 AM

Jeez, you people go to some seriously screwed up theaters, I'm glad I don't get to sit through all that just yet here in los angeles. There might be 1 or 2 pre show ads but they are for US Army or LA Times, etc, and they all play before the show time, WITH lights on, so even if they add more later, it will all play before the showtime must start, and its okay to watch while you sit and wait for a movie to start. I do hate TV commercials though, I'm living without regular TV channels for over 2 years now. (I was upset about missing awards shows at first but seeing what crap they nominate i'm not missing anything)

Ashenden · 06-22-2001, 05:28 AM

I remember going to the cinema when I was a kid and as far back as I can remember there was always commercials first (this was in Denmark). It was actually a part of the whole experience, I remember that we had these 'games' going on where we competed about being the first kid to recognize the commercials......it was fun..... Nowadays I despite commercials, haven't seen regular TV since....... Christmas (!) ..

.. Can't stand the commercials, same problem with radio stations.......

Commercials used to be fun, and when I grew up you would only see them in the cinema. Danish TV at that time did not have any commercial stations......that was times.....

(all that damn American influence.....

)

------------------
Ashenden|TheSignFormerKnownAsMyDVDList

"And if I may say so, that's a smashing blouse you have on....." [Bottom]

SC · 06-22-2001, 02:48 PM

If they showed this commercial, would it be just as bad?

Damian · 06-23-2001, 05:23 AM

That's a great commercial. I saw it for the first time several months ago. Laughed my ass off when I saw it.

------------------
"They're us....we're them!"
-Damian

Deckard · 06-23-2001, 05:29 AM

You know these commercials aren't that bad, especially if a movie you went to see is the one you've been waiting for a while, so you can sit there and anticipate it even more. It's like teasing you and pushing the showtime back a few minutes

haveapez · 06-30-2001, 05:38 PM

I go to a theatre in a small town a few miles away sometimes and they always have 10 minutes of LOCAL commercials about a furniture store, chiropractors, resturaunts and other things... Mom says all the theatres used to do that... but I really hate it. Plus, I was seeing Pearl Harbor against my will, so I already knew I was going to be there three hours, plus the commercials, PLUS the trailers. Jeez...

Drexl · 07-02-2001, 01:45 PM

I would think the collection basket would be a good place to put a candy bar wrapper-or perhaps a folded-up copy of an essay about not resorting to begging in the future.

eideal6 · 07-05-2001, 05:43 PM

i was at regal in ventura county.(CA)
seeing "fats and the furry ass" and the commercials were there. as was the increase in price.
i think the last time i saw any one panhandling at a flick, was "the hard way" w/ j woods and j fox, heh.
they handed around a church plate then. thank god this time they didnt request donation face to face in the theaters .. (it was a lobby deal.)

------------------
"We raped the horses and rode off on the women..."

06-20-2001, 02:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
Damian My dad can beat up your dad. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Mississippi	Commercials At The Movies! WHY WHY WHY?! Last Friday, my wife, my niece and myself went and took in the very first showing of Tomb Raider at our local newer, nicer theater. The lights dimmed and the very first thing that came on the screen was that damn Mountain Dew commercial that has the kids flying the UFO around like it was a skateboard. Okay, so it's a Mountain Dew commercial, thats okay, the trailers are next. NOPE Then we got treated to a damn car commercial of some sort. THAT'S TWO Next up, a Dorito's commercial Not only was I getting pissed, but I could hear the people around me all talking about it. "What the hell? Why do we have to sit through commercials at the movies?" they were saying. Before the trailers even started we had to endure four of five regular TV type commercials, and a segement that had Anthony Hopkins begging for money for the Roy Rogers institude. Now, movie ticket prices are high, snacks are rediculously high, why do the theaters now feel it necessary to sell commercial screen time as well? I don't want to go to the movies and sit through a bunch of commercials and have to pay for it, I can do that at home for free. (well, not really free but it feels that way) By the time the trailers came on finally they almost got an applause. Somebody please explain if they know the answer to this. ------------------ "They're us....we're them!" -Damian

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06-20-2001, 02:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
saraswati Actress Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: New York City?!	this is an easy one. multiplexes have a ton of overhead. and no one goes to movies in the theater anymore. and no one buys the expensive concessions. they aren't making a profit, because regardless of the expense of tickets, they just aren't taking in as much money as they used to. only one of the top multiplex chains made a profit last year (AMC). the multiplexes need a more gauranteed source of income, because ticket and concession sales are very uncertain. so they sell ads. just like every other form of entertainment, from the radio to TV to the internet. i don't really mind it. the commercials come first, so it's not like they're interrupting the film. also, most of the commercials i've seen at the movies are really clever. for instance, the Lucky magazine "my best friend the mannequin" ad. it doesn't bother me to have to see a few commercials i'll probably laugh at anyway before the trailers start. it's no worse than product placement. now when the theaters start including commercial breaks, then i'll be mad... ------------------ "Crap, lousy ceiling!"

06-20-2001, 02:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
stiles	I don't know the answer, but I don' t go to movies any more. It's absurd that we have to be bombarded with advertising, everywhere, along with a $10.00 ticket price, and $15.00 worth of popcorn and soda. Does McDonald's really need to advertise? Does Coke? Mountain Dew I can kind of understand (only because my wife works for the advertising company, and I'd like for her to keep her job...), but the rest of it is absurd. I spend my money on DVDs, that's it. Next stop, 36" TV. ------------------ http://www.wordsfromhere.com

06-20-2001, 03:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
Damian My dad can beat up your dad. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Mississippi	Product placement never really bothered me. I never did understand why people didn't like them because in life, we all drink Coke and or Pepsi, we all eat Doritos and we all go to McDonalds. (Well this is a very general statement) I usually find it weirder to see the actors drinking like BOBS COLA on screen instead of a Coke or a Pepsi. Product placement doesn't make me want to buy it anymore then I already do. I actually get a kick out of watching the charactors handle the product, always trying to keep the label towards the camera. (Or away depending on if the rights where bought or not) I guess I'm the opposite of you as to the product placement doesn't bother me, but sitting through TV commercials does. ------------------ "They're us....we're them!" -Damian

06-20-2001, 04:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
manigrasso Forum Sage Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: NJ	I hate the very idea of commercials in the theatre. If they have to have commercials in the movies, then have TVs set up in the lobby, where it's easier to ignore them.

06-20-2001, 08:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
TheJeffy Banned Join Date: Dec 2000	Hey, you probably wouldn't complain if they were Victoria's Secret commercials But seriously, the thing that bothers me the most is when they turn the lights back on and go around collecting money after showing one of those Anthony Hopkins-type PSAs. I have nothing against good causes and charity, but I don't go to the movies to be begged for money, except from the snack vendor.

06-20-2001, 08:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
clortho Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Hemet, Ca	I saw Tombraider at the Regal here in town last Saturday, and I was shocked that after thye made a .50 raise in the ticket price, I was subjected to 5 minutes of commercial BEFORE the 10 minutes of previews. One or two commercials I don't mind, but this was 5 minutes! I heard a lot of "What the hell?" and "What the fuck?" comments being uttered from other patrons. 2-3 commercials are fine, but a 5minute solid block, that's unacceptable. Clortho ------------------ I am the Keymaster clortho@hotmail.com

06-20-2001, 10:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
i-mmt Actor Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Portland,Oregon, USA	I can not stand those tv adds at the theater all they do is waste time!

06-20-2001, 10:53 PM	#11 (permalink)
SolidSnakeASS Actor Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Winterpeg, Manitobaugh, Canada	You losers! WE GET WIDESCREEN ADS! AWESOME! But seriously, complain about it to the manager! Write a letter to the newspaper! Do something! Boo! That's what I do.

06-21-2001, 02:00 AM	#13 (permalink)
Damian My dad can beat up your dad. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Mississippi	Yeah but they weren't in DTS. Maybe they couldn't squeeze that information onto the film. ------------------ "They're us....we're them!" -Damian

06-21-2001, 05:50 AM	#14 (permalink)
Ambushbug Actor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: No Name City. Population: Nuts	The Jeffy-I've never heard of a theatre showing a donation-oriented PSA and then actually turning up the lights to collect money! Tres bizzare! What chain was doing this? And have they done it before, or just with the Anthony Hopkins PSA? Wierd... AB ------------------ "Eating kittens is just plain wrong! And no one should do it . . . ever!!!" -The Tick

06-21-2001, 03:49 PM	#15 (permalink)
*Istagi* Producer/Admin Speaks for himself Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha	Ambush- United Artists chain here in Denver does it all the time. They show the PSA then the lights come up and they pass a can around. I fucking hate it. I will and have gladly put money in a lobby can but the minute you stand there and hand me a collection plate. No way in hell. Now last year they ran that King of the Hill add asking people to purchase the Roy Rodgers Combo meal. I liked that but if they are back to passing the can. I will pass. ------------------ David Brown Eyes Moderator of the Now Playing and software forum. "Hey thats no fun, she fell right over!" Istagi's DVD's"

06-22-2001, 03:49 AM	#16 (permalink)
Deckard Banned Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Hollywood Hills	Jeez, you people go to some seriously screwed up theaters, I'm glad I don't get to sit through all that just yet here in los angeles. There might be 1 or 2 pre show ads but they are for US Army or LA Times, etc, and they all play before the show time, WITH lights on, so even if they add more later, it will all play before the showtime must start, and its okay to watch while you sit and wait for a movie to start. I do hate TV commercials though, I'm living without regular TV channels for over 2 years now. (I was upset about missing awards shows at first but seeing what crap they nominate i'm not missing anything)

06-22-2001, 05:28 AM	#17 (permalink)
Ashenden Actor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: San Francisco, California	I remember going to the cinema when I was a kid and as far back as I can remember there was always commercials first (this was in Denmark). It was actually a part of the whole experience, I remember that we had these 'games' going on where we competed about being the first kid to recognize the commercials......it was fun..... Nowadays I despite commercials, haven't seen regular TV since....... Christmas (!) .. .. Can't stand the commercials, same problem with radio stations....... Commercials used to be fun, and when I grew up you would only see them in the cinema. Danish TV at that time did not have any commercial stations......that was times..... (all that damn American influence..... ) ------------------ Ashenden\|TheSignFormerKnownAsMyDVDList "And if I may say so, that's a smashing blouse you have on....." [Bottom]

06-22-2001, 02:48 PM	#18 (permalink)
SC Actor Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Netherlands a.k.a. Holland	If they showed this commercial, would it be just as bad?

06-23-2001, 05:23 AM	#19 (permalink)
Damian My dad can beat up your dad. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Mississippi	That's a great commercial. I saw it for the first time several months ago. Laughed my ass off when I saw it. ------------------ "They're us....we're them!" -Damian

06-23-2001, 05:29 AM	#20 (permalink)
Deckard Banned Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Hollywood Hills	You know these commercials aren't that bad, especially if a movie you went to see is the one you've been waiting for a while, so you can sit there and anticipate it even more. It's like teasing you and pushing the showtime back a few minutes

06-30-2001, 05:38 PM	#21 (permalink)
haveapez Actor Join Date: May 2001 Location: Garland, KS USA	I go to a theatre in a small town a few miles away sometimes and they always have 10 minutes of LOCAL commercials about a furniture store, chiropractors, resturaunts and other things... Mom says all the theatres used to do that... but I really hate it. Plus, I was seeing Pearl Harbor against my will, so I already knew I was going to be there three hours, plus the commercials, PLUS the trailers. Jeez...

07-02-2001, 01:45 PM	#22 (permalink)
Drexl Actor Join Date: Jun 2000	I would think the collection basket would be a good place to put a candy bar wrapper-or perhaps a folded-up copy of an essay about not resorting to begging in the future.

07-05-2001, 05:43 PM	#23 (permalink)
eideal6 Actor Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: SIMI,CA, USA	i was at regal in ventura county.(CA) seeing "fats and the furry ass" and the commercials were there. as was the increase in price. i think the last time i saw any one panhandling at a flick, was "the hard way" w/ j woods and j fox, heh. they handed around a church plate then. thank god this time they didnt request donation face to face in the theaters .. (it was a lobby deal.) ------------------ "We raped the horses and rode off on the women..."