Going to the Cinema on Your Own?

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Update! Kind of!

Fully intended to go to see Broken in The Lighthouse this week but real life got in the way
It's not on during the day next week, nights don't really suit, so it's on the back burner for another little while.

Stay tuned...

thegreatiam

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Update! Kind of!

Fully intended to go to see Broken in The Lighthouse this week but real life got in the way
It's not on during the day next week, nights don't really suit, so it's on the back burner for another little while.

Stay tuned...

To be fair, going to an arthouse cinema to watch an emotional movie like broken solo is not really testing the limits of solo cinema.
Plenty of people will be going to that place alone.

Really get out of your comfort zone and go watch the incredible burt wonderstone in the odeon or cineworld at 8pm tonight. If you can manage that with no panic attacks or self consciousness then you can easily go watch any movie in lighthouse.

Hrududu

I saw Broken in Cineworld last night and there were a ton of people there on their own.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

thegreatiam wrote: »

To be fair, going to an arthouse cinema to watch an emotional movie like broken solo is not really testing the limits of solo cinema.
Plenty of people will be going to that place alone.

Really get out of your comfort zone and go watch the incredible burt wonderstone in the odeon or cineworld at 8pm tonight. If you can manage that with no panic attacks or self consciousness then you can easily go watch any movie in lighthouse.

Well, the point of this exercise was so I could go and see films that I wanted to see but had nobody else to go with, not to test my social boundaries and waste money seeing the rubbish that I can usually go see with my friends anyway

Mysteriouschic

I really want to see Safe Haven I don't know anyone who wants to see it. I don't know if I want to see a romantic movie alone. If it was any other movie type it wouldn't be as bad.

delbertgrady

I was at a screening of Dans La Maison, the new Francois Ozon film, at the weekend, and I thought of this thread. I think there were twelve people at it, including myself, and they were all on their own. I think it's the most amount of individual people I've seen at a screening without a single couple or group among the audience to break the trend.

e_e

Reminds me when I went to see that Woody Allen documentary in the IFI. The screening consisted of about 7 or 8 men on their own and of all things a J-Lo L'oreal ad came up before it. :P

Queen-Mise

krudler wrote: »

Irish people tend to think anyone who does anything alone is a loner, "oohh I could never sit in a restaurant or bar on my own" pffff, as if anyone cares. i've gone to the cinema, gigs, bars, even on holidays on my own, its nice to be on your own time doing these things.

Went to a restaurant on my own yesterday (BH Monday) & was left waiting for 15 minutes before they took my order, as they thought I was waiting for someone.
I was getting ready to be annoyed & they were giving the other person time:pac::) Still don't know if I am annoyed or not.

Mickeroo wrote: »

It's a psychological thing, people are more inclined to laugh out loud at something when there's other people around.

Something to this alright. Went to Seven Psychopaths on my own, and was laughing from the beginning. Albeit there was 15 altogether in the whole cinema - was feeling a tad paranoid when the only one laughing. I wasn't explaining that I like really black humour.


Just after going to see Side Effects tonight by myself. I always go to the cinema on my own. Rarely go with other people (except when I bring the kids).
My taste in movies can be suspect at times, so it is easier going by myself. I go midweek nights or weekend daytimes. Would never go on a weekend night to anything. And I'd usually wait till the movies was in its 2nd or 3rd week before going to see it.

thegreatiam

delbertgrady wrote: »

I was at a screening of Dans La Maison, the new Francois Ozon film, at the weekend, and I thought of this thread. I think there were twelve people at it, including myself, and they were all on their own. I think it's the most amount of individual people I've seen at a screening without a single couple or group among the audience to break the trend.

This thread: changing the world, one movie at a time.

Would've been unreal if they were all boardies.

delbertgrady

I didn't want to go around asking everyone. :P

e_e

I ended up in a screening of Wreck It Ralph yesterday because the film I wanted to see was cancelled. Was the only lone person there among a few families, still really enjoyed the film though!

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

delbertgrady wrote: »

I didn't want to go around asking everyone. :P

We should have some sort of secret signal to let others know you're there.

AnonoBoy

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

We should have some sort of secret signal to let others know you're there.

Pushing our glasses up our nose and snorting at every web-based inaccuracy in the movie?

santana75

Queen-Mise wrote: »

I go midweek nights or weekend daytimes. Would never go on a weekend night to anything. And I'd usually wait till the movies was in its 2nd or 3rd week before going to see it.

Why not?

e_e

santana75 wrote: »

Why not?

People are just there for the sake of going out, in my experience. Rather than having any interest in the film. Just a much bigger chance of having people talk, wander in and out or play with their phone constantly.

Queen-Mise

santana75 wrote: »

Why not?

e_e wrote: »

People are just there for the sake of going out, in my experience. Rather than having any interest in the film. Just a much bigger chance of having people talk, wander in and out or play with their phone constantly.

As e_e said, if I am going to the cinema I want to see a movie. I can't be dealing with drunks, busy cinemas, phones, blah de blah....

CastorTroy

I've no problem going on my own for a number of reasons:
Can decide on the movie yourself.
Don't have to wait until everyone else can go.
Don't have to listen to complaining if it's a crap film, especially if you chose it.
Not meant to be a socialising venue anyway.

And as for weekends, I never go to the Friday evening showings, since that's when the buses with all the schoolkids go. But on Saturday, I would go to the late show at 10:30 or 11 since the way I look at it, the people who are there are either ones who genuinely want to see the film or are there as a date. If want to socialise/drink they'll be in the pub or the park.

Mysteriouschic

I might attempt to go see Oblivion one day after college if I can't find anyone to go with don't want to miss out on that movie it looks brilliant. I do every other thing on my own already so I might as well and it'll save having to wait until the other person is ready to go.

Cazale

I work shift so I go to the cinema during the day on my own especially to films I know my wife will only moan about if I bring her. The remake of the Evil Dead will probably be the next one I'll go to. I've had the whole cinema to myself on a couple of occasions.

The other day I was sitting waiting for Spring Breakers to start and tried to think of the last time I had been to the cinema with another person. The odd time I'll go with my girlfriend but as she lives in Dublin and I in Galway we don't go together ofter. Bar seeing a film with her, (4 or 5 over the past year) I think I've only seen 2 films with another person in the past year. Cleaning out my wallet after Spring Breakers I removed 47 cinema tickets from the past year that I'd tucked in behind cards and of them, I saw 43 on my own and out of those 43 trips I have never felt the least but odd for being on my own, not even on a Friday or Saturday when I'm surrounded by couples and groups of friends. As I said earlier in this thread given the choice between seeing a film with people or on my own, I always prefer the latter. If I had my way I'd see every film on my own and think the greatest drawback to being in a relationship is that you have to take your other half every now and again.

Thwip!

krudler wrote: »

Yes, yes they are. Me and some friends got into an argument once going to one of the LOTR movies, opening night, got there super early for decent seats, there were 4 of us so sat dead centre in a row that had loads of leg room, this idiot mother comes along and asked us to move to the row behind so her family of 6 could all sit together as there wasnt enough seats left in the row we were in, this was about 10 mins into the movie. ehhh, no? you arrived, late, go sit someplace else assclown.

perfect time to bellow

"YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!"

This may come across a little hostile and I apologise but what the hell is it with people who have very little English going to see an English language film and then having their friend translate dialogue for them. I've seen it a few times, most recently at Trance this evening and it took me telling a group to either "shut up or get the hell out" before they stopped talking. I don't see how you can enjoy a film if you cannot understand the language and it's incredibly inconsiderate to everyone else who is there.

krudler

^ every bloody summer when the Spanish students are over, happened a few years ago we went to see something and there must have been a dozen or more of them with 2-3 explaining everything to the others, I dont get it either. My parents live in Spain and theres a cinema nerby that only shows Spanish dubbed movies, so we'd never bother going because whats the point, wont understand it.

D-FENS

conorhal wrote: »

Combining friends on dates with my movie tastes has led to a few hilarious disasters.
Strolling through temple bar I once bumped into a mate who was on a first date, with his now wife as it happens so the story does have a happy ending.
When I told them I was going up to the IFI to catch a movie, he said that sounded like a good idea and would I mind of they came along.
I guess on a first date he wanted to add an activity to the date that relieved the pressure to be witty and charming for an hour or two and perhaps, because he knew that I liked 'arty' movies, he thought he might be able to impress the girl by showing how sophisticated he was by riding my arthouse tailcoats.
Anyway, knowing him to be a sci-fi, action movie kind of guy and not really sure if Tarnation was much of a 'date movie', I did ask him if he was sure, because I was going to see an autobiographical documentary about the difficult childhood and relationship between Jonathan Coulette and his schitzophrenic mother, which as it turns out was a much tougher film then I'd imagined and some parts if it are genuinely harrowing.
His date cried and sobbed for almost the entire movie, while he just looked bewildered. At the end of film she informed him that she was too depressed to do anything but go home.

The first time I met another one of my best friends wife was also at a movie that I'd picked, they'd only been going out a couple of weeks, I wanted to see The Rules of Attraction, he must have thought it a breezy rom-com and agreed. Boy was he pissed that I invited him to bring a date to film that opens witha graphic and protracted date rape.....

Your mates’ first date movie ideas are as bad as Travis Bickle’s!

D-FENS

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Well, the point of this exercise was so I could go and see films that I wanted to see but had nobody else to go with, not to test my social boundaries

In your OP, you were concerned what people would think of you being on your own, is this not a social boundary?

D-FENS

Deleted User wrote: »

The odd time I'll go with my girlfriend but as she lives in Dublin and I in Galway we don't go together ofter. Bar seeing a film with her, (4 or 5 over the past year)
Cleaning out my wallet after Spring Breakers I removed 47 cinema tickets from the past year that I'd tucked in behind

I live in the same house as my wife and I’ve been to less films than that with her in the last year, but that’s marriage for you.
Also, 47 tickets? I sure that’s a wallet you have and not a handbag?

Valmont

One of my very favourite things to do is to go to a quiet matinee screening of a brilliant film by myself. Just me, zero distractions, and a very large screen. It's perfect!

F.J.

Have gone to see films on my own a few times.I have finished college early and with nothing else
to do go to see the film I want.
It is great you have choice of seating and
it is cheap as it is an early showing!

I wouldn't have a preference between going on my own or in a group though.Whatever is easiest at the time!

appiuscrispus

If I can I would go the cinema on my own. I've gone a few times with my sci-fi book club but that's only for films of that type.

Otherwise I haven't really gone to the cinema regularly for nearly a ten years. No film has really interested me in that time.
I have never gone to a 'summer blockbuster', nor "generic bald guy with gun film".

Tipsy McSwagger

I hardly ever go to the cinema anymore because I get easily annoyed at other people doing the most trivial of things. Yesterday I went to Oblivion and I was the only person there. It was heaven.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

UPDATE

After much changed plans and life getting in the way I finally got around to going on my own! Yay me.

Was fine. There was two old couples and a group of about 5 teenagers there. Funnily enough, one of the old couples came in together, stood at the front dividing up their munchies and then sat separately for the film. I could hear them chatting away to each other about it on the way out afterwards

It was slightly annoying that the group of kids came and sat right behind me even though I was the only one in the screen when they came in, but that's not really enough to put me off going again on my lonesome ownsome.

In fact, I doubt my friends will ever get me to go with them again.

pixelburp

What did you go see?

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

pixelburp wrote: »

What did you go see?

Mud.

I really liked it, and what I really liked was that it was a film that none of my friends would have wanted to go and see and if I'd have dragged one of them to it with me they'd have sat sighing, or texting or talking to me all through it. So I got to see something I really wanted to see and I got to enjoy it in peace.

zephyro

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

But then I thought about anytime I see someone on their own in the cinema and automatically assumed they were on their own because they have no friends and are terribly lonely.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't understand why you would care if some randomer did happen to think this??

Potentially Toxic

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Sorry if this doesn't belong in here, but it is film related, so...

I have the misfortune of having friends with terrible taste in films, or perhaps it's better to say they have no real interest in them. They go to see whatever is advertised the most and only go to the local multiplex. If I ever bully one of them enough to come see something else with me they sit and sigh through it, or text, or once even got up and went outside to wait for me. Pretty much ruining it for me. So I stopped trying to get them to go.

Now, rather than attempting to make a bunch of new friends just to watch films with I thought maybe I should just start going on my own? But then I thought about anytime I see someone on their own in the cinema and automatically assumed they were on their own because they have no friends and are terribly lonely. Which, I know, is a terrible conclusion to jump to. But it is the conclusion we jump to, right?

So, do any of you go to the cinema on your own? Do you feel awkward doing it? Do you judge mercilessly anyone you see watching a film on their own?

I missed a lot of films I wanted to see this year through having nobody to go with, so I'm leaning more and more towards just saying feck it and going anyway, but I'd be interested to hear your thoughts, experiences, opinions, etc.

If can watch tele on your own I don't see why you can't go to the cinema on your own.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

I'm not trying to be rude here but I'm not going to reply to those last few posts as I think all the ins and outs of this were fairly well covered within the first few pages of this thread. I was just updating it, as I think one or two asked me to, and that's all. Not looking to revive the debate or delve into any social problems or issues I may or may not have.

thegreatiam

zephyro wrote: »

Maybe it's just me, but I don't understand why you would care if some randomer did happen to think this??

How would you even know. UnLess they specifically come over to tell you. But that would be even weirder

AndyAbstract

I think there shouldn't be a social stigma attached to going to the cinema by yourself. If you can watch a DVD by yourself you can go to the cinema. But some movies like Blockbusters it's probably better to go with people while other films it's best not be distracted by others.

Coutinho 10

I work nights and love to go to the movies on my own for a afternoon screening to chill out and get taken into a different world for a couple of hours. Going with someone else would take away from my enjoyment of those few hours.

To be honest I kinda get bugged off if other people turn up for the screening.

Banjaxed82

XX
XX
XX

Ideal cinema experience.


:pac::pac:
:pac::mad::pac:
:pac::pac:

Nightmare experience. Cup holder war......arm rest war....claustrophobia.... the list goes on... I never watch a movie at home in such a scenario. I'm definitely not going to pay 10 quid for it.

Not only did I go to the cinema on my own, but I was pretty much the only patron there. Centre seat back row + only one couple + snacks + 3D movie = oh Yes.

Screw you guys, I'm off to a movie.

mrmorgan

I always go on my own. i prefer it

ronano

I go allot on my own and for most films prefer it, i've never had a screen to myself, that would be heavenly

InchicoreDude

I do not have a preference. Sometimes I go with a friend or friends, sometimes I go by myself.

Once, I had the screen to myself. A few years back when Clerks 2 was out.

I actually prefer going on my own! The only time I enjoyed going to the cinema with someone else recently was with my dad to watch Lincoln because we both loved the premise of the film. I went to see Star Trek with my sister there the other day and she laughed through some of the more serious parts which made me laugh which bloody ruined the film for me! Another example was I went to see Skyfall with a girl I was seeing at the time last year she kept talking to me through it which again ruined it for me, just didn't enjoy it. Then I went to it by myself a few weeks later and loved it! So now I am going to avoid going to movies I think I'll enjoy with people ha!

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Just a little update.

Since starting this thread I've been on my own quite a few times on my own. Going early in the day has meant very few others in the cinema with me and most who are there are also on their own.

Today though.....

I went to see 12 Years A Slave in the Lighthouse. The earliest showing was 3 in the afternoon. Fine I thought, it might be a but busier but not late night busy. But then it's in screen 4, the smallest of the screens!! There must have been about 30 people in there with me, there were people behind me, in front of me, even BESIDE me!!! It was horrible.

Seriously though, I've gotten so used to very quiet screenings, and mainly being by myself, that I don't think I could ever go back to my local multiplex and the people coming in and out all through the film, and the chatting, and the phones lighting up every 5 minutes.

The people watching 12 Years A Slave with me were all very well behaved and quiet and it was fine, but I did find myself getting a bit annoyed at the start. It's funny how quickly you can adapt to something.

charlie_says

After reading this thread, I have decided to go the cinema by myself again tomorrow morning. I tend to make no compromises and see only the films I want to see when I go by myself in comparison to going with a group.

Nebraska at noon tomorrow. Think I might be in for a very quiet treat.

edit: my 666th post!

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

charlie_says wrote: »

After reading this thread, I have decided to go the cinema by myself again tomorrow morning. I tend to make no compromises and see only the films I want to see when I go by myself in comparison to going with a group.

Nebraska at noon tomorrow. Think I might be in for a very quiet treat.

Definitely the main benefit to going on your own. I missed so many films on the big screen that I wanted to see at the start of last year and end of 2012 because nobody would come with me.

Banjaxed82

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Just a little update.

Since starting this thread I've been on my own quite a few times on my own. Going early in the day has meant very few others in the cinema with me and most who are there are also on their own.

Today though.....

I went to see 12 Years A Slave in the Lighthouse. The earliest showing was 3 in the afternoon. Fine I thought, it might be a but busier but not late night busy. But then it's in screen 4, the smallest of the screens!! There must have been about 30 people in there with me, there were people behind me, in front of me, even BESIDE me!!! It was horrible.

Seriously though, I've gotten so used to very quiet screenings, and mainly being by myself, that I don't think I could ever go back to my local multiplex and the people coming in and out all through the film, and the chatting, and the phones lighting up every 5 minutes.

The people watching 12 Years A Slave with me were all very well behaved and quiet and it was fine, but I did find myself getting a bit annoyed at the start. It's funny how quickly you can adapt to something.

Multiplexes are always getting a bad rep. It's sensationalist stuff regarding the chatting, mobile phones, etc. Maybe once or twice in the last year I've had a bad experience, but if you choose your times wisely you can have hassle free (people free) experiences.

It would take me more than the odd mobile light going off to dump my cineworld card in favour of dropping the best part of 10 quid a pop for a screening elsewhere. As an avid cinema goer, that would be a lot of 10 quids.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Banjaxed82 wrote: »

Multiplexes are always getting a bad rep. It's sensationalist stuff regarding the chatting, mobile phones, etc. Maybe once or twice in the last year I've had a bad experience, but if you choose your times wisely you can have hassle free (people free) experiences.

It would take me more than the odd mobile light going off to dump my cineworld card in favour of dropping the best part of 10 quid a pop for a screening elsewhere. As an avid cinema goer, that would be a lot of 10 quids.

I dunno. My local in now an Odeon and I've yet to see something that wasn't disturbed by people coming in and out, people checking their phones and talking. Granted when I'm there it tends to be with friends and so tends to be at peak times but yeah, based on my own experiences I don't think I'd go to see something I really wanted to see there again.

I don't know if Odeon do discounts or offers but the Lighthouse seems to be cheaper to me?