Going to the Cinema during Covid

kerplun k

It’s literally the first thing I’m doing when vaccinated.

I’ve resorted to watching films in a virtual cinema on my VR headset, which surprisingly enough is actually kinda awesome. But I can’t wait to meet with some friends and go see a big blockbuster, followed by some Eddie rockets afterwards.

MJohnston

kerplun k wrote: »

It’s literally the first thing I’m doing when vaccinated.

I’ve resorted to watching films in a virtual cinema on my VR headset, which surprisingly enough is actually kinda awesome. But I can’t wait to meet with some friends and go see a big blockbuster, followed by some Eddie rockets afterwards.

I wish it was easier to buy films to watch on VR, because it’s a really immersive way to watch them. It actually kind of recreates the cinema feeling very well!

I wouldn’t mind some social watching features too

OU812

MJohnston wrote: »

I wish it was easier to buy films to watch on VR, because it’s a really immersive way to watch them. It actually kind of recreates the cinema feeling very well!

I wouldn’t mind some social watching features too

I love the idea of watching movies in a headset to be immersed in it, but I'm going to need some sort of proximity alarm, Lying/sitting there oblivious to everything going on around you... I'd just be on edge all the time that someone's gonna creep up on me.

Mind you, if the specifications to Apple's forthcoming mixed reality headset are anything to go by, I'd buy them in a heartbeat. Studio quality headphones & twin 8k screens with a dozen cameras to display "the outside". I can only imagine that immersive movie watching will be one of the leading features of it.

santana75

+1. First thing im doing when this lockdown ends is to hit the cinema. Dont care what's playing, I'm going. I miss it so much, and during the previous lockdown I had some really great experiences at the movies. Went to see The greatest showman with a few friends who'd never even heard of it and they absolutely loved it. Hopefully when cinemas reopen this time it'll be for good.

johnny_ultimate

While I’d love nothing more than spending too many hours in the cinema in early March (DIFF 2020 being the last ‘normal’ event I attended), a silver lining is that this year’s Dublin film festival is accessible to the whole country online

https://www.diff.ie/

I actually do hope festivals maintain an online presence of some description in the future alongside the main theatrical strand. Making films more widely accessible is only a good thing, even if I’ll always prefer to be watching on a big screen.

kerplun k

MJohnston wrote: »

I wish it was easier to buy films to watch on VR, because it’s a really immersive way to watch them. It actually kind of recreates the cinema feeling very well!

I wouldn’t mind some social watching features too

True, a lot of the content isn’t available in Ireland. There’s tons of private channels on Bigscreen, but can be a bit random.

My workaround involves buying stuff through the official channels, Sky store, iTunes etc, then acquiring a DRM free version through your preferred channels, stick the files on a media server with a decent network setup and watch away.

I have a private screening of Tenet scheduled with my brother on Saturday. It’s my first time hosting something, so will see how that goes. Big bucket of popcorn, and large coke at the ready to mimic the cinema experience. Sad, I know, but feck it.

kerplun k

santana75 wrote: »

+1. First thing im doing when this lockdown ends is to hit the cinema. Dont care what's playing, I'm going. I miss it so much, and during the previous lockdown I had some really great experiences at the movies. Went to see The greatest showman with a few friends who'd never even heard of it and they absolutely loved it. Hopefully when cinemas reopen this time it'll be for good.

Seen this at the Stella. Bottle of wine, feet up, and a big bowl of nachos, everyone signing along, unreal. To this this day I still think I enjoyed the experience more than the actual film

santana75

What are the chances of cinemas opening by 5th March?

pixelburp

santana75 wrote: »

What are the chances of cinemas opening by 5th March?

Here in Ireland? Zero to none I'd speculate: the government don't seem especially stoked to restart anything beyond necessities like schools or construction. I doubt if even cafés or restaurants open again, let alone cinemas.

Nigel Fairservice

santana75 wrote: »

What are the chances of cinemas opening by 5th March?

Zero I’d imagine. Last year there was a lot of air time given to groups representing publicans, restaurateurs, hospitality in general about how they should be allowed open or stay open (depending on the time of the year). Not a peep from them at the moment...or there is but the media are ignoring them.

mikhail

Nigel Fairservice wrote: »

Zero I’d imagine. Last year there was a lot of air time given to groups representing publicans, restaurateurs, hospitality in general about how they should be allowed open or stay open (depending on the time of the year). Not a peep from them at the moment...or there is but the media are ignoring them.

I'd guess that's in store for March-May, as we step down from level 5, vaccinations progress, and they all start thinking about the summer season.

fryup

autumn i reckon

santana75

So is it April 5th for cinemas to open again or will it be may?

pixelburp

santana75 wrote: »

What are the chances of cinemas opening by 5th March?

santana75 wrote: »

So is it April 5th for cinemas to open again or will it be may?

Touch of desperation at this stage Santana I'd put it to June myself at the earliest; the narrative seems to imply outdoor and general distance restrictions will be first lifted in April; while after the utter debacle of Christma, I suspect Martin & co. are going to drag this out as much as possible.

santana75

pixelburp wrote: »

Touch of desperation at this stage Santana I'd put it to June myself at the earliest; the narrative seems to imply outdoor and general distance restrictions will be first lifted in April; while after the utter debacle of Christma, I suspect Martin & co. are going to drag this out as much as possible.

More than a touch of desperation at this stage!!!! Its frustrating because cinemas are never really mentioned so its difficult to ascertain when they might open again. I grow weary of Netflix and Amazon prime......

Need a Username

santana75 wrote: »

So is it April 5th for cinemas to open again or will it be may?

Apparently Black Widow is getting a cinema release in May.

Marvel is usually worldwide release.

johnny_ultimate

They can release whatever films they want in May, but nobody in Ireland’s going to see it if cinemas aren’t legally allowed open. I’d say we’re looking at May at the very, very earliest, but more likely mid-summer.

NPHET and the Government will determine when we’ll get to go see something on the big screen again, not Marvel.

AMKC

santana75 wrote: »

So is it April 5th for cinemas to open again or will it be may?

I would say Late April to May at the earliest and that is only if cases continue to fall. So let's hope they do.

Need a Username

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

They can release whatever films they want in May, but nobody in Ireland’s going to see it if cinemas aren’t legally allowed open. I’d say we’re looking at May at the very, very earliest, but more likely mid-summer.

NPHET and the Government will determine when we’ll get to go see something on the big screen again, not Marvel.

I didn’t say Marvel decide when cinemas re-open.

I said Black Widow is due out in May and is most likely a worldwide release.

MJohnston

AMKC wrote: »

I would say Late April to May at the earliest and that is only if cases continue to fall. So let's hope they do.

I would say, given the noises we're hearing, that indoor activities like dining, bars, cinemas, etc will not reopen until we're near herd immunity through vaccines. The UK variant is keeping the R number too close to 1, it looks like.

LCD

MJohnston wrote: »

The UK variant is keeping the R number too close to 1, it looks like.

I would say its people's actions keeping the R number close to 1

Sad Professor

UK govt has announced that cinemas will reopen on 17 May. Assuming that goes ahead, Ireland will follow suit shortly afterward.

mikhail

Sad Professor wrote: »

UK govt has announced that cinemas will reopen on 17 May. Assuming that goes ahead, Ireland will follow suit shortly afterward.

I don't think we're in synch with them at the moment: aren't they way ahead of us on vaccinations? Plus we had a huge third wave, as bad as anywhere. I'd guess cinemas are unlikely before July at the earliest.

pixelburp

I was about to remark the same; the UK is far ahead with its first doses of vaccinations, I'd be surprised if we mirror their phases given we'll have a smaller percentage of the population vaccinated. I know I'm a bit of a Debby Downer on this thread

johnny_ultimate

We are behind at the moment, but the medium/longer term timelines and targets are broadly similar between the UK and Ireland (/EU). 82% of adults getting one dose by end o' June here is the target, and there's some actual, rare optimism that'll be achieved :pac:

Still, I'd say June or July are more likely for cinemas reopening here based on the current level of caution re: reopening. But we'll hopefully have a better idea around the start of April how it's all going.

Sad Professor

Cinemas reopened here in June last year without any vaccine. That was due to seasonal factors. The vaccination of the most vulnerable and growing community immunity means they should be able to reopen sooner this year. Whether they do or not is down to politics. Ireland has had one of the longest and strictest lockdowns in Europe. Once the UK starts opening up, there'll be enormous pressure on our govt to follow suit.

johnny_ultimate

Agree they'll face pressure to reopen, but they'll equally be under pressure to avoid a repeat of December (albeit seasonality will be in their favour this time) and ensure there's no further lockdown.

May is possible for sure, but given we're only looking at limited outdoor gatherings by (at best) April / early May, I think the return of non-retail indoor activities will be limited at first. But cinemas by the sounds of it will be further up the queue than they were last summer as well, certainly compared to restaurants and pubs.

Anyway, all speculation for now - no cinemas in April at this rate I think is the only certainty

pixelburp

More to the point, how are the disparate Irish cinema franchise doing, financially? I take it there's no real news of bankruptcy or whatnot, ala AMC in America?

santana75

I know the cinema in the square(tallaght) shut down during the lockdown. From what I heard though that cinema wasnt exactly packing them in under normal circumstances anyway. I'm surprised more have gone under though, I dont know how they're managing to stay afloat. I just hope when this lockdown ends that this will be it, there'll be no more closures.

santana75

Christopher nolan = Top bloke

http://https://www.indiewire.com/2021/03/christopher-nolan-amc-theaters-reopening-los-angeles-1234623910/

Ash.J.Williams

santana75 wrote: »

I know the cinema in the square(tallaght) shut down during the lockdown. From what I heard though that cinema wasnt exactly packing them in under normal circumstances anyway. I'm surprised more have gone under though, I dont know how they're managing to stay afloat. I just hope when this lockdown ends that this will be it, there'll be no more closures.

The owners of tallaght were selling up I think , pity as it was a great alternative to the odeon who only play big names

Telecaster58

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

The owners of tallaght were selling up I think , pity as it was a great alternative to the odeon who only play big names

I agree. I often saw films in there when I was the only person at the screening.

OU812

Telecaster58 wrote: »

I agree. I often saw films in there when I was the only person at the screening.

And that’s the problem right there

AMKC

May 17th. Here's hoping. Can't wait to go back and watch a good movie the way a movie is supposed to be watched.
What movies are due out in May?

smurf492

Read earlier that cinemas could fall into June or July due to the government outdoor policy even though galleries and museums are getting the go ahead...fingers crossed we'll hear good news soon as I really am struggling without cinema

santana75

That's earlier than I thought it might be(June 2nd was what I figured). But would be great if they did reopen on the 17th. Dont care what they show tbh, I'll go see whatever.

Mitch Connor

santana75 wrote: »

That's earlier than I thought it might be(June 2nd was what I figured). But would be great if they did reopen on the 17th. Dont care what they show tbh, I'll go see whatever.

One of the movues@ people tweeting tonight that there is currently no date or clarity.

Latest ses to be they'll think about it in June, rather than a June date (2 or 7) being aimed at

The Black Oil

June 7th.

https://twitter.com/gavreilly/status/1387820062791307269

akelly02

Happy days

Mitch Connor

Will be open in time for F9. Happy days.

smurf492

They removed this again. It's back to being under consideration.

Sad Professor

More info here, seems to be some confusion about the 7th June date but they are still saying sometime in June subject to public compliance blah blah blah.

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/cinemas-seek-clarity-on-contradictory-dates-for-reopening-1.4552589

It should be noted of course, as we saw last year, that cinemas being allowed re-open and actually re-opening are two different things.

RGARDINR

Sad Professor wrote: »

More info here, seems to be some confusion about the 7th June date but they are still saying sometime in June subject to public compliance blah blah blah.

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/cinemas-seek-clarity-on-contradictory-dates-for-reopening-1.4552589

It should be noted of course, as we saw last year, that cinemas being allowed re-open and actually re-opening are two different things.

V annoying now would love to be at the cinema now. Looking up big film releases most seem to be from July. 4th June is A Quiet Place 2 but I do want to see that and in the cinema. I just hope people start to go back to the cinema as when I went over Xmas time when you could it wasn't exactly busy in the cinema I went to. Would hate to see it close down, Ashbourne cinema. Only 5 euro a film can't go wrong at all there.

kerplun k

Just think a big cohort wouldn’t feel safe unless vaccinated. I reckon that’s why attendances were down for the likes of Tenet when it was released last year. The big one for me is gottta be Dune

AMKC

RGARDINR wrote: »

V annoying now would love to be at the cinema now. Looking up big film releases most seem to be from July. 4th June is A Quiet Place 2 but I do want to see that and in the cinema. I just hope people start to go back to the cinema as when I went over Xmas time when you could it wasn't exactly busy in the cinema I went to. Would hate to see it close down, Ashbourne cinema. Only euro a film can't go wrong at all there.

Jeez that's great valve. Certainly can not go wrong there and I thought I was getting a bargain at 5 euro a film.

JustAThought

AMKC wrote: »

Jeez that's great valve. Certainly can not go wrong there and I thought I was getting a bargain at 5 euro a film.

I’d pay money to lie in a 6ft squared off cube in a field somewhere, have a few pints and watch an open air film on bigscreen under the stars.

sighs.

will this be the end of cinema?

gmisk

I will be heading to the lighthouse asap when they reopen.
They did a great job of spacing people out etc.

sterz

kerplun k wrote: »

Just think a big cohort wouldn’t feel safe unless vaccinated. I reckon that’s why attendances were down for the likes of Tenet when it was released last year. The big one for me is gottta be Dune

That was the case last year but I'd imagine a lot of people have changed their minds since. I didn't go last year when they did reopen but happy to go back now (without the need for a vaccination).

CrabRevolution

RGARDINR wrote: »

V annoying now would love to be at the cinema now. Looking up big film releases most seem to be from July. 4th June is A Quiet Place 2 but I do want to see that and in the cinema. I just hope people start to go back to the cinema as when I went over Xmas time when you could it wasn't exactly busy in the cinema I went to. Would hate to see it close down, Ashbourne cinema. Only euro a film can't go wrong at all there.

I started going to the cinema again last summer after a break of years (last film I saw in the cinema before that was 12 Years a Slave). I never went back at Christmas though as the dogs on the street could see that the reopening was rushed, that restrictions were being ignored en masse and the disease was spreading again. Obviously the odds of catching it were miniscule, but the pandemic exists because of millions of 1000 to 1 chances being taken.

The difference between then and now is like night and day though, and I will definitely go back when the cinemas reopen. Could be a few more like me who gave Christmas a skip.

RGARDINR

AMKC wrote: »

Jeez that's great valve. Certainly can not go wrong there and I thought I was getting a bargain at 5 euro a film.

Sorry 5 euro I apologise.