Yay, finally, a chance to spend $35 to see a movie!

[DennyA]

I was rather surprised to see the theater in Redmond Town Center close, given its great location, large geek customer base, etc.

Turns out it's now reopening as a "Luxury Cinema." 40 reclining seats per theater, push a button to summon a waiter who can offer you various upscale dishes (at extra cost).

Variety Story

I think they'll do well for the first six months as people go once out of curiosity. But I can't imagine this lasting long. $70 for two movie tickets?

[Rock8man]

I used to go to the Redmond Town Center about once a month for a few years. The place definitely needed an upgrade. Some of the theaters in there (especially the two closest to the concession stands) had horrible sound systems and seating.

I've heard about these kinds of theaters opening around the country nowadays, but I still haven't been to one. I've heard good things. The most common theory I've heard from people is that they're priced really high to keep out the teenagers, and people are willing to pay extra for a better experience where you can keep the teens out.

But I'm with you Denny. I might go to a place like that once for the novelty of it. Unless it turns out to be some kind of orgasmic experience, I don't think I'd be going back any time soon.

[Nathan Phoenix]

If someone is slurping their soup during my $70+ movie, do I get to kill them?

[Munin]

I might not quite pay $35 to keep out the idiots (teenagers et al), but a few more dollars, sure.

[Bahimiron]

I might do it depending on the price of the food. Dinner and a show and all that. But if I'm paying $35 and then paying full Ruth's Chris prices on top of that for the meal, I think I'll pass.

I remember a theater opening up in the Kansas City area like ten years ago where the big gimmick was that they had a full bar and you could drink in the movies. I never went and I have no clue if it's still around.

[quatoria]

There's plenty of Cinema & Drafthouse combos all over the country. Every place I've lived, in Florida, has had one. In Orlando, it was actually our local independent cinema. They did the whole dinner theatre deal - tables, you brought your drink in with you from the bar, and could either place an order there, or from waiters before the movie started. That's actually how I first saw Happiness, while half drunk and eating a club sandwich.

[Aszurom]

http://www.raleighwoodmovies.com/

That's how it's done right.

[spiffy]

http://www.raleighwoodmovies.com/

That's how it's done right.

What's this?

Shows starting after 9 PM have designated smoking seating sections

Last thing I want in a dark crowded movie theatre where I'm eating is someone blowing smoke on me.

[DennyA]

According to the Variety article, there are similar chains that charge $12 to $18 a ticket. I could maybe see paying somewhere in that range if the place was great. But someone planning this place has somehow convinced the Alabama Retirement Fund investors that Microsoft is still making millionaires.

Re: Raleigh and the smoking sections... Things I don't miss about North Carolina. The tobacco farmers/lobbies are powerful enough there that'd I'd constantly see pregnant women smoking. "There's no direct proof it causes cancer..."

[dashingly]

Eh..I think I prefer the Arclight.

[MyNameIsWill]

The one here is $12. You don't get valet parking or super fancy chairs, but you do get relatively nice chairs and a huge screen, as well as a food place (sandwiches, burgers, etc) and cocktail bar.

[Raife]

We have one that's more of a budget theater for the movie selection, but they have decent food and waitresses that come around for drinks (they serve alcohol) and orders. The seating is these large couches angled toward the screen, and you eat off of low coffee tables. I haven't been there for awhile, but I think the ticket price was around $10.

It's pretty casual, the OP sounds like it's a little more upper class.

[Rywill]

According to the Variety article, there are similar chains that charge $12 to $18 a ticket. I could maybe see paying somewhere in that range if the place was great.

That's how the Arclight works here in LA. Movie tickets are $14 (sometimes less if the movie's been out a while), versus roughly $10 at normal theaters. For the extra four bucks you get assigned seating (so you can show up 5 minutes before the movie starts and walk right in), no advertising other than movie trailers, extra-wide seats (with double-wide armrests, yay!) and extra-wide aisles, and a really good screen and sound system. But the biggest bonus, in my mind, is that the price keeps teenagers away. 99% of the time, if you see a movie at the Arclight there are no distractions, because everyone there is into movies. I've heard stories of Arclight ushers kicking people out for talking too much, texting, etc., but I've never seen that happen myself.

Both of the Arclights near me have their own attached restaurants, bars (and there are 21+ screenings where you can take drinks into the theater), and gift shops, but that's not really the attraction for me. I like the better seats and all that, but the big thing is no kids, and no waiting in line. You buy your tickets online, and then you just walk right in to your seats without waiting for anything and the previews start right up. Awesome.

[Hudson]

If I wanted to watch a movie from a comfortable chair while eating and smoking I could just stay home.

[Raife]

If I wanted to watch a movie from a comfortable chair while eating and smoking I could just stay home.

If you're boring and have no friends, sure.

[dashingly]

That's how the Arclight works here in LA. Movie tickets are $14 (sometimes less if the movie's been out a while), versus roughly $10 at normal theaters. For the extra four bucks you get assigned seating (so you can show up 5 minutes before the movie starts and walk right in), no advertising other than movie trailers, extra-wide seats (with double-wide armrests, yay!) and extra-wide aisles, and a really good screen and sound system. But the biggest bonus, in my mind, is that the price keeps teenagers away. 99% of the time, if you see a movie at the Arclight there are no distractions, because everyone there is into movies. I've heard stories of Arclight ushers kicking people out for talking too much, texting, etc., but I've never seen that happen myself.

Both of the Arclights near me have their own attached restaurants, bars (and there are 21+ screenings where you can take drinks into the theater), and gift shops, but that's not really the attraction for me. I like the better seats and all that, but the big thing is no kids, and no waiting in line. You buy your tickets online, and then you just walk right in to your seats without waiting for anything and the previews start right up. Awesome.

I agree with this.

[Guido Jones]

I was rather surprised to see the theater in Redmond Town Center close, given its great location, large geek customer base, etc.

It might be close to the main campus, but most of the "Geek customer base" is located away from Redmond at this point. The people that live in Redmond are older couples with teenage kids it seems. And, well, that theater sucked because there was always so many annoying teenagers there.

[Xemu]

That Arclight approach sounds nice, hope they open one in DFW.

As for the $40 with waiters one... seems like that would actually be a lot more distraction and noise pollution than a regular theater...

[Charles]

That's how the Arclight works here in LA. Movie tickets are $14 (sometimes less if the movie's been out a while), versus roughly $10 at normal theaters. For the extra four bucks you get assigned seating (so you can show up 5 minutes before the movie starts and walk right in), no advertising other than movie trailers, extra-wide seats (with double-wide armrests, yay!) and extra-wide aisles, and a really good screen and sound system. But the biggest bonus, in my mind, is that the price keeps teenagers away. 99% of the time, if you see a movie at the Arclight there are no distractions, because everyone there is into movies. I've heard stories of Arclight ushers kicking people out for talking too much, texting, etc., but I've never seen that happen myself.

Both of the Arclights near me have their own attached restaurants, bars (and there are 21+ screenings where you can take drinks into the theater), and gift shops, but that's not really the attraction for me. I like the better seats and all that, but the big thing is no kids, and no waiting in line. You buy your tickets online, and then you just walk right in to your seats without waiting for anything and the previews start right up. Awesome.

I would definitely pay good money to see movies this way.

[ElGuapo]

At Arlington Cinema Drafthouse the shows are all $3.50 and you can get pitchers of beer for like $12. They also have a full menu and you sit at tables that all face forward on comfy, bolted down, cushioned, spinning seats. During shows after I think 7 PM? you can also smoke cigars in certain sections that are separated by a partition and have a air filter system nearby.

They also show older movies that are not in general release like Caddyshack, The Princess Bride, The Big Lebowski, Blazing Saddles, etc. about once a week. It's my favorite place to see movies. Obviously since they only have one theatre and it's second runs (a few weeks after a film closes in the first runs) it's delayed gratification but it's a great experience.

[WarrenM]

http://www.raleighwoodmovies.com/

That's how it's done right.

Heh, Raleighwood is alright but the food is ... well, fairly junky and greasy. Which is fine for watching a movie, I suppose.

[RepoMan]

If you're boring and have no friends, sure.

Buh? I'm'a invite my friends over to groove on the surround sound and projector, fercrissakes! And then some XBLA Carcassonne after the flick!

[jeffd]

I actually went to one of these down in Vancouver (WA). It's a pretty cool experience. Not something I'd do every time I went out to see a movie - but it's fun (if a bit pricey).

[Raife]

Buh? I'm'a invite my friends over to groove on the surround sound and projector, fercrissakes! And then some XBLA Carcassonne after the flick!

Oh, like you've even unpacked all of that yet.

[MattKeil]

Arclight = Awesome.

Amen, brother.

As a movie nut, the Arclight ranks as one of the top 3 reasons to live in LA. I have seen countless movies there and have never encountered a talker, a texter, a "who's that?" idiot, babbling teenagers, nothing. Nothing. During silent moments in movies at the Arclight you could literally hear a pin drop. It is transcendent.

Every time I end up seeing a movie elsewhere (usually the Bridge or the Grove), I get stuck next to the new Moviegoing Idiot, the person who sits there and affirmatively responds to everything that happens in the film.

"Mmm."

"Huh."

"Ahh."

"Mm-hm."

"Oh."

What the fuck is wrong with you?

Honestly, if the Arclight charged $30, I'd probably pay it just for the peace and quiet.

[Justin Fletcher]

he most common theory I've heard from people is that they're priced really high to keep out the teenagers, and people are willing to pay extra for a better experience where you can keep the teens out.

How much to keep out the adults with cell phones, booming voices, and a collective sense of entitlement?