Screaming Penguin - Source Does Matter

Recently I have had discussions with a few friends about the "experience" at theaters. I am often also in the "wait for it on DVD" crowd and the reason invloves the environment and the quality of the flick, more so than the price.

If I go to a theater in my area (typical chain theater, various brands) almost every time the focus is poor and or the screen is crappy (and sometimes other patrons are noisy and or otherwise inconsiderate).

Then even though the cost of the movie is not that big of a deal to me at 8 bucks or so (I will pay that for a decent flick), the literally - completely true - $5.75 for a medium coke and similar gouging for other "refreshments" is over the line offensive.

I can get past the patrons on most days - and skip the refreshments - but the poor movie quality is not acceptable to me and I seriously consider that when it comes time to make a movie decision.

Theaters could do better by improving the quality of the experience all around, better seats (which did improve in 1987 yes, but still could be better) and much much much better video quality. With present conditions (at least in my area - and yes I have informed the management a time or two about focus and so on - it usually helps only marginally and annoys me that I HAVE to) I greatly prefer a nice living room and a big screen TV and a 12 pack of beverage, possibly even alcoholic, for the same price as one medium Coke at the Fuzzyplex 16.