Going to the Cinema during Covid

McDermotX

Not sure SteM.....I'd imagine they probably are operating alternate rows, as its probably a requirement for all cinemas to operate if they want to open.
Just had some lad telling me this morning while he was getting his Tenet tickets.

Edit - actually, looking there myself there seems to be only 1 VIP row in operation so that is most likely the case, think there's normally 3 off the top of my head. Of course, they're pounding screenings out every 20mins to make up for it.

F1ngers

Anyone get past the phone no. on Vue booking. Won't accept +353 or 00353.

Banjaxed82

Where do you guys go to the cinema?! I'm a Cineworld card holder for a decade now and I could count on one hand how many experiences were ruined by other audience members.

I get the impression there are some people who love the cinema experience, but can't tolerate any human activity around them....like any activity....at all.

P.S. I've had more film experiences ruined during this lock down, than the last decade in Cineworld.

flasher0030

Banjaxed82 wrote: »

Where do you guys go to the cinema?! I'm a Cineworld card holder for a decade now and I could count on one hand how many experiences were ruined by other audience members.

I get the impression there are some people who love the cinema experience, but can't tolerate any human activity around them....like any activity....at all.

P.S. I've had more film experiences ruined during this lock down, than the last decade in Cineworld.

I can hack a bit of food munching for the first 20 mins. And little bit of chatter. But, depending on type of film you go to, if you get a group of young teens, many times they have no concept of other people's enjoyment in the film. It hasn't happened too much to me.
I've only had one horrible experience. Father and teenage son in front of me in VUE liffey valley. Father into the film, son had no interest. Every minute or so, son was texting on the phone. Doesn’t seem like much of an issue, but it just got on my nerves – the glow of the phone. And I just got worked up.
In hindsight, I wish I had said something, or I could have just moved. But I presumed it would stop. And after a while,I got consumed by the whole thing and couldn't enjoy the film.

SimonTemplar

However you feel about the MCU, there was always a fantastic atmosphere in a big sold out screen during their opening weekends.

AMKC

McDermotX wrote: »

Not sure SteM.....I'd imagine they probably are operating alternate rows, as its probably a requirement for all cinemas to operate if they want to open.
Just had some lad telling me this morning while he was getting his Tenet tickets.

Edit - actually, looking there myself there seems to be only 1 VIP row in operation so that is most likely the case, think there's normally 3 off the top of my head. Of course, they're pounding screenings out every 20mins to make up for it.

It depends on the size of the screen. If its screen 1 or 2 there's 3 or 4 rows of VIP Seating but the smaller screens might only have 1 or 2 rows.

gmisk

SteM wrote: »

Can't belive they'd do a 3 seat gap between booked seats but let someone sit directly behind booked seats.

I'd imagine they'll follow Dundrum's booking pattern of not allowing people to book directly in front or behind another booked seat or group of seats. So like in the attachment, someone has booked E3-E6 so rows D and F are effectively closed apart from seat 1 in each row. I think the lighthouse are only selling evey second row too?

Lighthouse online booking is defo only doing every other row. It also looks to be blocking out two seats on either side as well, so capacity must be pretty tiny?

Ohmeha

Cineworld reopening on August 26th

pixelburp

4 more IMC cinemas opened today, including my own local. Pinocchio, Unhinged and an Irish flick the only new releases. The rest various hits. Now to figure out whether I'm actually comfortable going to the place...

santana75

I go to Omniplex Rathmines and its a great cinema. Audience is very good in they put the phones away and nobody chatters through the film. I've had to tell the odd person to stop talking but thats rare. One lady was beside me one night and every couple of minutes would take out the phone and start texting, checking instagram etc. I let it slide for a while thinking she'd stop(this was not a teenage girl by the way, grown woman)but eventually I had to bark at her a bit and ask her could she please put the phone away. Which she did to be fair. It was crazy though, there was absolutely no reason to be checking your phone that often during a movie, surely you can turn it off at the beginning of the film and then when its over turn it back on. This seems like a no brainer and I'll never understand those who feel compelled to check the phone repeatedly during a film or show, its like an addiction, they're enslaved.

ronano

Banjaxed82 wrote: »

Where do you guys go to the cinema?! I'm a Cineworld card holder for a decade now and I could count on one hand how many experiences were ruined by other audience members.

I get the impression there are some people who love the cinema experience, but can't tolerate any human activity around them....like any activity....at all.

P.S. I've had more film experiences ruined during this lock down, than the last decade in Cineworld.

I've a cineworld card and because of the volume of films I'd see I take the irritations in my stride, I'd tell people to stfu etc if it got too much. With covid, I'll be seeing less and really it means my tolerance for tom foolery has decreased. I guess see how it is when it reopens.

I had the pleasure of going to the drogheda omniplex few times lately, mainly small cinema screens with 30 - 70 fantastic lazy boy leather seats. Perfect temperature in the screen and great sound/picture quality. It only opened few weeks ago, staff are lovely and cinemas are empty. Personally the empty cinema is a lovely thing for me with a max of five people have been in a screening and usually it's one or just myself. I don't see how cinemas can survive in the long term with these numbers. I've taken to buying concession food, previously I never bothered because I only cared for hotdogs. If anyone is in the area, I would recommend dropping by it.

johnny_ultimate

Numbers have been really good in the Light House since I’ve been back. There was one quiet morning screening with around half a dozen people, but other than that there’s usually been 20-40 people in screenings, bearing in mind 40 is reaching max capacity in the screens in question at the mo. A few screenings have been sold out. I’m sure margins are tight compared to the numbers they’d usually get, but good to see at least the evening shows typically ‘selling out’ - hopefully enough to sustain them until bigger crowds are allowed. Have also been going out of my way to buy a drink or a snack.

I do think the Light House has the advantage of being known for classic screenings, and actually have experienced programmers for the purpose. The selection of older films in the reopened multiplexes is ramshackle, random and frankly pretty boring in comparison, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re struggling to bring in socially distant small crowds. Tenet will of course be the big, big test... but indications are it’ll be hit. https://variety.com/2020/film/global/tenet-fever-christopher-nolan-vue-cinemas-ticket-sales-1234732897/

ixoy

Ohmeha wrote: »

Cineworld reopening on August 26th

With *27* showings a day of 'Tenet' and, so far it seems, nothing else!

bogmanfan

First time at the cinema in 5 months yesterday. Went to the Lighthouse. Have to say, their booking system is great, but they must be struggling to break even with so few seats available. There were only around 10 people at our screening yesterday evening, but great to be back in a cinema again. We enjoyed it so much we're going again tonight.

johnny_ultimate

Screen four per chance? That seems to have very limited capacity - was in a 'sold out' screening there and couldn't have been much more than 10-15 people. Whereas 'sold out' screenings in two and three have had much more substantial numbers there, which gave me more hope the numbers'll be more sustainable for a while at least.

bogmanfan

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Screen four per chance? That seems to have very limited capacity - was in a 'sold out' screening there and couldn't have been much more than 10-15 people. Whereas 'sold out' screenings in two and three have had much more substantial numbers there, which gave me more hope the numbers'll be more sustainable for a while at least.

It was screen 2 actually. But then again, a 6pm screening of Some Like it Hot would (sadly) probably have been quiet without Covid! Screen 4 is sold out tonight so will be interesting to see how many are in there

pixelburp

Will be interesting to see how long the screening of classics maintains any kind of rolling audience. The novelty factor of "OMG the cinemas are open" will soon taper off you'd imagine, coupled with the lack of new releases. Especially once the coming recession really kicks in.

Lefty2Guns

Went to IMC Dun Laoghaire yesterday, first time in the cinema since lockdown. Apart from staff and my partner, seen 4 other people there. Film time was 6.30pm which would generally be a busy enough time. Struggling to see how the cinema will remain operational with these figures.

IMC is the nearest cinema to me so would hate to see it close down. Hopefully some numbers start returning throughout Autumn.

bogmanfan

pixelburp wrote: »

Will be interesting to see how long the screening of classics maintains any kind of rolling audience. The novelty factor of "OMG the cinemas are open" will soon taper off you'd imagine, coupled with the lack of new releases. Especially once the coming recession really kicks in.

I think there's a market for second run cinemas here. Just look at Christmas time, when Die Hard, Home Alone, Gremlins, Love Actually etc are regularly reshown. There seems to be a big demand for those.

Personally I love the big screen experience, and love going to see classics. I've been to see loads of movies that I already own on DVD. The big screen, the sound - there's a different atmosphere to when you're just watching at home. Went to a Terminator/T2 double bill last year - it was brilliant. Saw the Back to the Future trilogy a couple of years ago, and it was so good watching them on the big screen again.

Would be great if they weren't the same price as a new release though!

pixelburp

Interestingly, while for a couple of days my local IMC in Santry had some classics on show, their schedule is now empty until Tenet comes out. Guess there wasn't enough foot traffic to be worth the hassle.

Lefty2Guns

pixelburp wrote: »

Interestingly, while for a couple of days my local IMC in Santry had some classics on show, their schedule is now empty until Tenet comes out. Guess there wasn't enough foot traffic to be worth the hassle.

Noticed the same for Dun Laoighaire branch too.

titan18

Banjaxed82 wrote: »

Where do you guys go to the cinema?! I'm a Cineworld card holder for a decade now and I could count on one hand how many experiences were ruined by other audience members.

I get the impression there are some people who love the cinema experience, but can't tolerate any human activity around them....like any activity....at all.

P.S. I've had more film experiences ruined during this lock down, than the last decade in Cineworld.

Omniplex in Cork. I've had many a film ruined. One fool last year started vaping during the film. Was fit to kill him

Parsnips

I would genuinely like to see Drive in Cinemas appear. Surely there is a huge gap for this to make a comeback.
€30 a car. Bring your own grub. sitting with your own family. BINGO

Have we seen the last of the great cinema days. I would never feel comfortable again sitting on dirty chairs with someone coughing their lungs up 2 seats away from me.

Shred

Yeah I would have no problem going to see certain types if films at a drive in if there's no regular cinema alternative, not big production films though with the sound restricted to plain old stereo. However, not having to contend with ignorant assholes putting their feet on your chair/mobile phone twats/loud talkers etc. would be a bonus I suppose.
I've gone to a few of those 'Retro Drive-ins' and they were enjoyable enough, although I really dislike the way they pack the cars in bumper to bumper - you're locked in there until the film's over which wouldn't be great if there's an emergency of some sort.

mikhail

I heard we're back to a limit of 6 people for indoor events, which must surely close the cinemas for the coming weeks.

johnny_ultimate

mikhail wrote: »

I heard we're back to a limit of 6 people for indoor events, which must surely close the cinemas for the coming weeks.

The messaging wasn’t great (to put it mildly) but suggestion seems to be that businesses can stay open if they have social distancing in place. That could be clarified at some stage, but initial suggestion is cinemas can carry on as per the previous guidelines.

https://twitter.com/merrionstreet/status/1295769918080790532?s=21

The White Wolf

I visited Odeon Coolock and had no complaints about the operation. I asked a few questions before going in just to make sure they had all bases covered and they did, fair play to them.

I was nervous so understand some reservations people would have, but I'd recommend giving local cinemas a chance if you fancy seeing something. Just pick a sensible time if you have the luxury of doing so and it should be fine.

pixelburp

Myself and the wife discussed it the last few days as I'd warmed to the risk of a trip; she however is just not comfortable enough to go. We're pregnant with our first so totally respect why she's still nervous about any nonessential trip. Local cafés and restaurants are as far as she's happy to push things. The world's floating in this weird, half assed state adjacent to a 2nd wave and yeah. Could see why a cinema feels too much a risk.

Tenet would currently be the only thing I'd estimate as worth the big screen experience but I'll live without it. Methinks it might yet appear as a home release quicker than normal conditions.

RGARDINR

The White Wolf wrote: »

I visited Odeon Coolock and had no complaints about the operation. I asked a few questions before going in just to make sure they had all bases covered and they did, fair play to them.

I was nervous so understand some reservations people would have, but I'd recommend giving local cinemas a chance if you fancy seeing something. Just pick a sensible time if you have the luxury of doing so and it should be fine.

Booked tenent for yesterday in Vue Ashbourne at 11 in the morning for two people, got email saying sorry but as water problems showing cancelled and to ring customer service to get money back and free visit on them. They give UK no so googled Irish 1890 service number says they don't take bookings over the phone and they are extremely busy. So on hold each time over ten minds and no answer. Who the hell is ringing if you cannot book and why would you have to ring to get your refund if they cancelled it as should be put back on and I say there is no one manning their 1890 service desk number. Emailed yesterday and says 24 waiting reply. Well I haven't heard from them as of yet

The White Wolf

You can go on your own sir. :pac: But I get your wife might not be comfortable with that either.

sheepsh4gger

Shred wrote: »

Yeah I would have no problem going to see certain types if films at a drive in if there's no regular cinema alternative, not big production films though with the sound restricted to plain old stereo. However, not having to contend with ignorant assholes putting their feet on your chair/mobile phone twats/loud talkers etc. would be a bonus I suppose.
I've gone to a few of those 'Retro Drive-ins' and they were enjoyable enough, although I really dislike the way they pack the cars in bumper to bumper - you're locked in there until the film's over which wouldn't be great if there's an emergency of some sort.

Alike anyone can tell the difference between stereo and surround.

kerplun k

pixelburp wrote: »

Myself and the wife discussed it the last few days as I'd warmed to the risk of a trip; she however is just not comfortable enough to go. We're pregnant with our first so totally respect why she's still nervous about any nonessential trip. Local cafés and restaurants are as far as she's happy to push things. The world's floating in this weird, half assed state adjacent to a 2nd wave and yeah. Could see why a cinema feels too much a risk.

Tenet would currently be the only thing I'd estimate as worth the big screen experience but I'll live without it. Methinks it might yet appear as a home release quicker than normal conditions.

Your in the same boat as me so.

I’m reluctantly giving the cinema a pass. The kicker is, even with a home release, I’m not gonna have the time to watch, that is unless it’s released in the next 3 weeks. Other than that it’s probably gonna be about 10 months before I can properly watch anything.

branie2

I'm going to see Tenet tomorrow.

AMKC

kerplun k wrote: »

Your in the same boat as me so.

I’m reluctantly giving the cinema a pass. The kicker is, even with a home release, I’m not gonna have the time to watch, that is unless it’s released in the next 3 weeks. Other than that it’s probably gonna be about 10 months before I can properly watch anything.

It's out now or at least it should be. I do not see myself going to the cinema's for at least 18months and I am ok with that as I have plenty to keep me entertained at home anyway.

Ikozma

Went to see jurassic Park during the week, twas fine out, bit weird seeing it in cinema again after all these years but it stood the test of time well in fairness

kerplun k

AMKC wrote: »

It's out now or at least it should be. I do not see myself going to the cinema's for at least 18months and I am ok with that as I have plenty to keep me entertained at home anyway.

Sorry. Meant home release.
Anyhews, I’ll also have plenty to keep me busy as well

El Tarangu

bogmanfan wrote: »

I think there's a market for second run cinemas here. Just look at Christmas time, when Die Hard, Home Alone, Gremlins, Love Actually etc are regularly reshown. There seems to be a big demand for those.

I would also love to see 2nd run cinemas, but the fact that the films you listed are so readily available, often on-demand, in people's homes, illustrates the competition that any such cinema would face.

Parsnips wrote: »

I would genuinely like to see Drive in Cinemas appear. Surely there is a huge gap for this to make a comeback.
€30 a car. Bring your own grub. sitting with your own family. BINGO

There was a drive-in cinema in Leopardstown race course recently, AFAIK.
Where I live (not in Ireland), they have outdoor cinema in summer, but this faces the same issue that a drive-in cinema in Ireland would face: during the summer months, it doesn't get properly dark until 10 at night. So this really limits the number of showings you could have in a day.

(in the winter, of course it will be darker earlier, but there would be a lot of rainy days - I don't think that watching a film intermittently through the windscreen wipers would be appealing proposition).

alzer100

CinemaGuy45 wrote: »

I have come to hate the cinema for the reasons above.

In my view the reason for a lot of this is due to the fact that the cinemas can't afford to take a stringent approach to this type of behaviour as the country is over saturated with cinemas and there is too much competition.

I remember the days when Dublin city had its theatrical screens. You had to behave or would be asked to leave.
I remember these ushers dressed in black suits and bow ties who would patrol the auditorium during a showing and would address any type of behaviour that would be destroying another patrons experience and they would do it immediately.

I can recall the projector being stopped and the lights brought up in both the Adelphi and Savoy to remove certain people.

I can remember a full house in which everyone behaved and it actually added to the atmosphere of the film.
We now have mostly empty auditoriums with the few that are in them not having respect for anyone else and the cinema operators reluctant to atleast approach them.

Unfortunately it's the state of cinema now - the person serving you the popcorn and issuing your ticket is also the projectionist and cleaner etc.

If it meant having less cinemas but having a better experience when you attend one, then I would prefer that any day IMHO.

The Black Oil

No seats were taped off in Swords this morning. Probably 8-10 people there. Some urinals, sinks, etc, were closed.

I felt fine, even relaxed. It was comforting to be back in the cinema and forget about Covid for a few hours. I didn't take my mask off completely, but pulled it down a bit.

Dodge

El Tarangu wrote: »

There was a drive-in cinema in Leopardstown race course recently, AFAIK.
Where I live (not in Ireland), they have outdoor cinema in summer, but this faces the same issue that a drive-in cinema in Ireland would face: during the summer months, it doesn't get properly dark until 10 at night. So this really limits the number of showings you could have in a day.

(in the winter, of course it will be darker earlier, but there would be a lot of rainy days - I don't think that watching a film intermittently through the windscreen wipers would be appealing proposition).

There’s been drive in movies in Ireland for the past decade or so. Every halloween, most easters and some summers

I’ve gone to a couple of the Halloween films. Always decent crowds but I’d imagine part of that is a novelty factor

Penfailed

Going to see Tenet tonight. Looking forward to it.

CinemaGuy45

alzer100 wrote: »

In my view the reason for a lot of this is due to the fact that the cinemas can't afford to take a stringent approach to this type of behaviour as the country is over saturated with cinemas and there is too much competition.

I remember the days when Dublin city had its theatrical screens. You had to behave or would be asked to leave.
I remember these ushers dressed in black suits and bow ties who would patrol the auditorium during a showing and would address any type of behaviour that would be destroying another patrons experience and they would do it immediately.

I can recall the projector being stopped and the lights brought up in both the Adelphi and Savoy to remove certain people.

I can remember a full house in which everyone behaved and it actually added to the atmosphere of the film.
We now have mostly empty auditoriums with the few that are in them not having respect for anyone else and the cinema operators reluctant to atleast approach them.

Unfortunately it's the state of cinema now - the person serving you the popcorn and issuing your ticket is also the projectionist and cleaner etc.

If it meant having less cinemas but having a better experience when you attend one, then I would prefer that any day IMHO.

I think Cinemas are going to find it very hard to survive.

Years ago we only had VHS on crappy small CRT TVs now we have UHD HDR on big flat screens with good surround sound.

The Adelphi and Savoy use to offer an experience the massive rooms the drapes on the massive scope screens and all before the days of the blight of Smart Phones.

I think the best days of movies and Cinema are behind us forever.

Went to see Tenet (disappointing) but not really planning to hit the cinema again in the near future.

When I booked it (near the screening time) I could see by the seat-booking system that there was pretty much nobody else booked in and that I seated nowhere near anybody else.

Simply unsustainable business model for the cinema operators going forward like that really.

alzer100

We will see a pattern of increased ticket prices and confectionery costs to make up for the loss in numbers.

I believe certain cinemas will close. Any cinema that is part of a chain but is making a loss will be heading for the chopping block IMHO

People who really still believe and enjoy attending the cinema will bear the brunt of this.

santana75

Went to see Tenet in the Omniplex and it was "packed". Most screenings were sold out. I mean sold out is half capacity but they have put on so many screenings that the cinema was probably doing aswell under normal circumstances. When you think about it, it was a smart decision by chris nolan to release Tenet now as there is absolutely no competition. Hope it continues to do well, would hate to see any cinema close for good.

gmisk

I was in the lighthouse at the weekend for tenet.
Screening at 12.
A few in.
They are doing a serious amount of spacing.
1/2 rows completely unused. They are also blocking out two seats on either side of each booking.
Felt very comfy no need to wear mask in screen.

alzer100

Mr.S wrote: »

Odeon point village have a decent setup - limited seating, hand santizer throughout, urinals blocked off, when the film is over your told to wait in your seat and they clear the screen row by row to avoid everyone clumping together. Masks needed until you sit down.

The only thing that they could improve is taking contact tracing details which was done manually by one person before you entered the screens, which caused a bit of a queue. QR code + self input would be easier / quicker.

No issues with going to the cinema based on the above.

In fairness, although quite expensive Odeon Point Village (Screen 1 anyway), is probably the best cinema in Dublin city centre IMHO.

Ash.J.Williams

Bacchus wrote: »

I didn't want to name Coronavirus specifically in the thread but yeah, with increasing calls and measures being put in place around the world to avoid events and large gatherings... surely this sentiment will filter down to making cinema trips.

Before anyone jumps in with "people are dying, who cares about cinema", yes, the impact on cinema is way down the list of things to be concerned about but I'm just curious about what the impact will be.

Globally, there must be a visible decline in bums on seats. Even the tentpole Spring/Summer blockbusters must revising their predicted box offices with the prospect of a prolonged epidemic.

At a personal level, will it cause you to maybe reconsider this weeks trip to the cinema? For me, I go maybe once every two months. I've no intention of going to the cinema though until this all settles down and is contained.

yeah can't wait to see tenet

sheepsh4gger

Go somewhere, sit with unruly teenagers, drink coke based on tap water, have my shoes tick to the floor, catch a virus in the toilets. No thanks, not a bug chaser.

I think also 20% of the image is always cut off.

Today you can get TVs that have higher resolution an you will see the entire image.

Also the cinema 4k is garbage - yes it is 4k but it comes at cost of pixel fill so you get a screen door effect like in VR. If you have greater pixel fill it feels like higher resolution than more actual pixels but spaces in-between them.

gmisk

alzer100 wrote: »

In fairness, although quite expensive Odeon Point Village (Screen 1 anyway), is probably the best cinema in Dublin city centre IMHO.

It is a really good screen.
It also helps to the viewing enjoyment that it is usually empty