Is the Recession Impacting Your Movie Watching?

I am über lucky and work at an alternative video store, with access to just about any film I can fathom, and can also get discounts on the already discounted DVDs (I bought Shaun of the Dead for $5 yesterday). As for the cinema, I don't normally see movies there unless I've got a passionate desire to, simply because I'm a student and spending the money isn't the best option.

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Most of my theatre movie viewing is related to film festivals, so unless the films out are ones I missed at fests or are ones I really, really want to see, I don't go. But then I did that anyway.

So it hasn't really changed my theatre going.

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I cancelled my cable over a year ago because, well frankly what's the point? I also have a daughter who is yet to hit the two-year mark, so the theatre isn't really a current habit - so all in all, no I would not say my habits have changed during this recession.

I do have Netflix, but if anything I am finding that less and less 'must see' films are coming out. I find myself, not changing my taste, but looking for things I have missed in the past just so I don't have to lower my expectations, and/or watch the rubbish coming out.

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Listing a bunch of DVDs on eBay. (Don't worry. I'm still keeping plenty.)

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I would say that my time to watch movies is being affected more than my ability to spend money on it. I haven't had cable for years now, and what shows I do watch, I am able to see online from the wireless internet we loan from the neighbors. My 15 bucks a month to Netflix is all I really spend, but lately with trying to find a new job and explore new hobbies I've had less time to actually watch the dvds in rotation in my mailbox. I'm not that concerned with seeing movies immediately when they premiere at the theater, so waiting for it to show up on my qeue is usually just fine for me :)

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Fortunately, I still have a job, and the firm I work for is solid, and that's affected my movie watching habits in a different way. I've joined a couple of neighborhood video stores that have been around for years to support them during these tough times. The staffs are walking film encyclopedias, as you might imagine, and it's always great to get living, breathing recommendations as opposed to reading suggestions on the Netflix website.

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Yes, and for a lot longer than it has other people. I hadn't been able to get a steady job in I don't know how long. I was living in the city of Chicago a couple years ago and living off of my student loans to pay rent and eat. So, I frequently had to ask myself, "Do I want to see a movie, or do I want to eat?" After graduating, I'm still unemployed and living at home with my dad, practically tearing my hair out. I'll be lucky if I have a car to drive, let alone money for a movie.

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My movie watching is mostly being affected by the fact that there's very little out right now worth watching! I'd love to be going more but I'm certainly not going to fork out $12 to see Paul Blart or He's Just Not That Into You.

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I only go to the theater for the big geek films (Ironman, Dark Knight, and I can't wait for Watchmen).
Normally I wait and buy any DVD I want used from Amazon. I finally joined Netflix as a cost cutting measure. Three DVDs at a time and a fine collection to watch On-line. It may not work for my room mates and friends to whom I loan movies. but that's the way it is.

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i love the movie theatre with it's enormous screen. i loved to see every major movie and i preferred to sit up close so that i could see every photographic nuance, edit, tooth, et caetera.

now, however, my company, lehman brothers, went into shrink mode ...severely cutting my movie budget to almost nil.

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I have been unemployed for 2 months, and it has definitely affected my movie going habits.
I'm from a generation that still enjoys the theatre going experience as a whole, and no fancy home DVD setup can make up for that, in my opinion.
Alas, I now have to make drastic choices, and only go once a month (at best) when I used to go at least once a week.
I therefore veer more towards "grand/epic" fare (Benjamin Button comes to mind), whereas indie dramas will easily be watched at home later.

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Can't afford to go out to the movies anymore. What we do is check out movies from the Library, and have a nice evening at home.

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I'm young (no mortgage) so I can't say it has affected me too much. I have been bargain hunting on Amazon and used music/movie stores for CDs and DVDs though, mostly because I'm cheap.

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I see quite a few uses mail order of kiost type rentals. I had thought about saving the $2.00 or $3.00 with this type of rentals, but after thinking about the inpact on local independent video stores. I have chosen to keep the money local and not support big business in this recession. With mail order or kiost type rental, where is the service and suggestions and above all community support. I use to do Blockbuster, but why support a big business trying to take over and monopolize by running small business under.
No Sir, I'll support my local video retailer.

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Being retired, we usually go to matinees, often at art or second run houses. The problem is not the recession or retirement, really; there's just so little we can enjoy.

The last films we enjoyed were Bottle Shock and Stairway to Heaven.

Our son who works in the film business gives us a heads up for mainstream films like Ironman, but if I walk into Blockbuster, I usually walk out empty handed.

We have cable, but rarely watch movies. I'll watch History, Nat Geo. My husband watches sports.

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