Decisions, decisions

Consolidated Amusement Co., the largest theater chain in the islands, has announced a price hike for tickets at 13 of their 15 locations.

With ticket prices in other major cities in the U.S. topping 10 dollars each, is the experience of moviegoing still worth the price of a stub?

Nothing is quite like sitting in the dark with a group of strangers, laughing, crying, gasping, or screaming at the same time. There's something primal about gathering and experiencing emotions together. It's rather like gathering around the campfire while the village storyteller entertains the small crowd with fantastic imaginary tales.

I attend matinees because the tickets are cheaper, as simple as that. Even then, two tickets, a medium popcorn, and soda costs upwards of $20. It's an expensive outing (especially for a few cents worth of corn and sugar water), but it's the experience that always makes me want to go back. You could never re-create that feeling in your home, no matter how much money you're willing to throw at your home theater setup.

Comments

I have seen two movies in theaters in the past six months (Harry Potter and LOTR), which is two more than I'd seen in the previous 15 years (in a theater). Not because I'm cheap (although...); somehow I just got out of the habit. Prior to those two, the last one was (I think) "The Gods Must
Be Crazy."

I don't think I've paid full-price for a movie ticket in some time now. Matinees all the way.

The linked article doesn't mention a hike in those prices, but I guess it might be the same - 25 cents more. I'd say that's reasonable.

I agree that given Honolulu's size, a price $2 below $10 (the new 'benchmark') is somewhat remarkable. On the other hand, Honolulu is very saturated, I think, especially in some neighborhoods. That to me would mean you need lower prices to compete for simple butts in seats.

I love DVDs, but there is still a place in my heart for the theater. But I try to be pretty picky about what I see there. Anything with Sandra Bullock, for example, can wait for rental -- if I see it at all. But LOTR and Star Wars: Episode II? You need Dolby Digital and the giant screen.

P.S. Oh yeah. And Malaysia is neat. But I miss my family!

Our tickets may be slightly higher ($8 ish), but we have much more variety than you all do, I am happy/sorry to say (happy for me, sorry for you).

I think raising the price will amount to suicide. Hawaii may be a bit of a captive audience and I understand theatres have hefty expenses but it will kill them, especially with Netflix and the like as alternative choices.

Movies are still cheap entertainment (try going to a museum or an amusement park), but soon the cost will outweigh the value.

Of course, the jump in prices didn't stop me from going to movies (I think I saw about 10 last year) but it did make me almost completely stop going to evening movies. I'm not paying $8.00 to see something that ends up being crappy (and I'd say half the movies out now end up being crappy - too little actual thought goes in to movies and books nowadays - too much rush to print/screen - what a sad society we are).

On the one hand, it could be good. The industry may have to make better quality movies.

Who am I kidding?

I'm going to sit here quietly and wait for the price of a 50 inch plasma screen to drop below $2000...

As much as this raise sucks, hubby and I get our money's worth most of the time anyway. We usually plan for a "double feature" which is quite simple to do at Dole and Ward.

Does anyone know which two they are NOT raising prices at? Please say one is Kahala...Those are so nasty I'm surprised they didn't lower the price just to get butts in the seats!

And what's with Signature's poker face reaction to having "no plans on increasing our prices" ?? You betcha they'll be raising them before Star Wars is released!!

Honukai, is that right? Kahala's ambiance is lousy? Hmmm...so much for class distinctions as they pertain to movie theaters, huh? Grins...

I saw LOTR and Potter at Pearl Highlands, which is fairly new. I can only imagine what the relatively new Ward complex looks like inside!

For me it's all about matinees, baby! Here in Queens it's $5.50 for the first show of the day(every day except Sunday) at the UA Midway theatre in Forest Hills. When I used to live at home I always went to the Restaurant Row theatres, little shoeboxes but you can't beat $4.00(any show before 6:00 as I recall) for a first run movie.

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