Discuss: Do You Pick Movies by Title or Convenience?

by Peter Martin Feb 29th 2008 // 8:02PM

I am a creature of habit. Every Friday, I head to the multiplex. Sometimes it's to fulfill my professional duty as a film critic, sometimes it's to catch up with a movie someone else recommended I see, but most often it's for the pure pleasure of watching a movie on a big screen with an audience.

To decide where and what to see, usually I type "movie: Dallas, TX" into Google. Up until today, that search spec (substitute your city and state or zip code) pulled up an alphabetical list of local movie theaters, with the movies playing at each theater listed alphabetically along with showtimes. It's a very quick, easy, and convenient way to decide where I want to spend my evening. Today, though, I noticed that typing "movie: Dallas, TX" displays the search results in order of "movie popularity."

You can still change the results so they display in order of "theater distance," but it made me wonder how other people decide what movie(s) to watch. I've watched gangs of people head into a theater, asking each other "What is this movie?" Sometimes the bantering goes on while waiting in the ticket line ("what do you want to see?"), sometimes in the lobby after tickets have been purchased. How about you? Do you pick one movie in advance, and then look for the most convenient location and showtime? What if it's sold out, or traffic delays keep you from arriving in time -- do you just wait for the next showing, even if you have to wait two hours? Or do you just head to your favorite theater and pick the best of what's available?

12 Comments

Tags: google, movie exhibition, MovieExhibition

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-29-2008 @ 8:26PM

Trevor said...

I have a google calendar I use to keep track of the new movies that are coming out that I really want to see. From there I check google for showtimes at my preferred theater. My preferred theater is definitely not the closest but it has the best screens, seating and snacks. There are other theaters I attend that are 30min away but mostly because they usually show the indie movies that the major theaters don't. I don't think i ever go to theater to randomly pick a movie, I always know what I want to see well in advance.

2-29-2008 @ 8:53PM

Cameron said...

I usually pick a movie by its name and genre. I don't watch romance, but I like horror, comedy, and fantasy. If I see a movie that sounds interesting, I watch it. My friends just watch whatever.

2-29-2008 @ 9:39PM

uforeader said...

unless it's something i've really been looking forward to, i never see a movie that is rated less than 40% on rottentomatoes. then i check movie times on imdb.

2-29-2008 @ 10:53PM

Linda said...

I check new releases and movie times at imdb and subscribe to the newsletters of all the local theaters. On Wednesday and Thursday I get happy e-mails announcing all the weekend's releases. On Friday morning it's low tech scan of the local newspaper with my highlighter in hand. This habit goes back to pre-internet, and the funny thing is, when my kids come to visit, they'll say, "did you mark the paper?" Pretty funny. My viewing strategy doesn't require a plan B since I live 2 miles from a multiplex, and it's a small state. When in a more metropolitan area (like NY) I always have a second choice in the same theater, try to buy my tickets at least an hour before show time, and keep my PDA, with Vindigo showtimes recently synched. Y

3-01-2008 @ 12:04AM

DAVID F said...

Unless I'm going to a free screening (can't be picky there) I choose a movie that I have an interest in, research it a lil and then find a theater somewhat close by with the best avail. time. I'm always amazed at the amount of people who go to a theater not knowing what they are going to see or what time. I mean....why are you there? What cracks me up even more is after they see it and their response is, "I had no idea what that movie was about. That was awful." To that, I say, "You're fault."

3-01-2008 @ 12:58AM

AJ Wiley said...

I always pick what I want to see in advance, and then find the closest theater or most convenient showtime.

3-01-2008 @ 8:33AM

Victor said...

I never go to a theater without knowing exactly what I'm going to see. If I'm going to pay $9+, I want to go in with a plan.

I agree with whoever said it that it's amazing to see a group of people standing in line debating about what movie to see. I don't think I've done that even ONCE in my entire life.

However, that said, I do go to the video store not knowing exactly what I'm going to get. But at least then, I've still already done my research. I'm either going to rent a movie I've already seen and liked, or I'm going to rent a movie that I WANTED to see but didn't have the time or opportunity to see it in the theater. I've never picked up a random title and said "Gee, I've never heard of this film, but I sure hope it's good."

( Side comment: It's always fun standing in line at a video store building character profiles of the other patrons by the stack of movies they are renting. "THREE direct-to-DVD Jean-Claude Van Damme films?" My favorite was the family that was renting "Death to Smoochy" for their two-year old. Fine children's flick, there. )

3-01-2008 @ 11:51AM

Tigerlily said...

I don't give up my movie dollar easily. Keeping up on new releases and trailers, and what my favorite actors are working on, so that I've got my radar going for certain films is the first step. I never go to the theater without knowing in advance what I'm seeing. Certainly I have theater preferences, but it always comes down to availability and show times. Since I'm environmentally conscience, I always try to pick the theater closest to home if possible.

3-01-2008 @ 1:31PM

Christopher said...

Being a huge film buff I see about 2-3 films per week in theater.

Between the Entertainment Weekly magazine I get & other film publications, I'm always in the know of the lastest new films that are coming out, new films in production, what films my favorite actors & directors are working on etc. So, I usually know in a month what is coming to my local theaters each weekend!
I also try to catch 1 advance screening per week too, & also try to do the Phoenix Film Festival each year.

I usually pick my films on what is opening "That" weekend, what films are close to me! (I have about 4 movie theaters W./in 10 Mile or Less radus of where I live, I prefer the AMC Theater over Harkins which is a Phoenix based theater chain).
On Sundays my other-dad & I always got to the movies. My dad is not a huge film buff like me (He still asks who the name of certain stars are, the names of directors etc.) So 1 Sunday I pick a film, & the next sunday I advise him around Friday night of all the new films opening & let him choose!

What sucks I live in Phoenix, AZ & unlike ther cities, we only have "1' art house theater, so we get "RARELY" alot of hard to find films like NY or LA. (I.E. "Teeth", "The Signal", "Revolver") or a film like "Diary of the Dead" will play 1/2 across town (aout an hour's drive) in one move theater that you can't get to & since the film is only in town for 1 week you have to miss it!

What is nice about AMC Theaters that the Harkins theaters "Don't" do is that if you see a film at AMC on Fri, Sat & Sun & Holidays before 12:00 Noon the showing is only $5.00! So I can see one film early in the morning, then grab lunch & then on to the next showing!

3-01-2008 @ 1:46PM

Christopher said...

I also have to agree W./the people who said it that it's amazing to see a group of people standing in line debating about what movie to see. I don't think I've done that even ONCE in my entire life. I don't think I could show up at the local theater & "NOT" know what is playing!
These film novices make me laugh while they stand there in line debate what film to see, what time the film starts etc. & they have no clue what to see, & sometimes they will ask each other have you heard of this or that fim! LOL! I know what I want to see & get my ticket and go! I'm kinda rude in line, So I will say something really loud like "How can you just show up at the theater & "NOT" know what is currently playing!!!

& Yes, I always have a back-up plan, So if I get to the theater late, or if the film I want to see is sold out I will see something else, then come back later that day & catch the film I really intended to see!

Oh, & other reason I love AMC, I have the "AMC Movie Reward" card which means I earn points for every film I see towards free Popcorn, drinks & films! So every weekend I'm always getting a free drink & popcorn & even a free ticket for a film! NICE!

3-02-2008 @ 5:13PM

Jez said...

I've a membership card in a national cinema chain. I pay a monthly fee of 18 Euros, and I'm set to watch everything I want, as often as I want to.

Therefore, I am not very picky when it comes to movies. Although I tend to skip the obviously crappy ones (like say, Mr. Woodcock, hahah, did anyone even watch that?)

3-03-2008 @ 12:56PM

barberoux said...

I go to the movies once a week usually on Thursday at around 5:00. Typically it is not crowded and I get my choice of seats. I’ve been the only person in the audience at times. Anyway I pick movies based on genre that are playing at a convenient time, between 4:00 and 5:30. I will skip out of work earlier if the movie is good enough. I dislike weekends or prime time since I usually go alone and prefer to not deal with the rude public.