Last night, I found myself stumped for a post topic to discuss today. Ever the gentleman and scholar, James Blake Ewing came to my rescue via Twitter:

[blackbirdpie url=”https://twitter.com/#!/cinemasights/status/136295028275425280″]

A very good question indeed. As you might recall, when I passed 100 screenings a few weeks back, I did a quick tally and realized that I had watched films in twenty different venues. Discarding the one out-of-town showing, the five festival-only venues, and the one seasonal outdoor screen, that leaves me with thirteen theatres to choose from. Of those thirteen, only one requires me getting into my car. I believe the words you are looking for are “spoiled sonofabitch”.

So with all of that variety available to me – and believe me, what these thirteen theatres show involves a very wide variety – how is one ever supposed to decide where to go and what to see on a Friday night? The criteria can be varied and daunting…almost enough that one decides just to retreat home to the comfort of their dvd collection. But some inexact guidelines have helped me, and though it’s an imperfect science, here’s my methodology for choosing where to go and what to see.

Anticipation

Probably criteria number one, two, and three when making a decision. If there is a film that I’ve been dying to see, odds are high that I’ll go out of my way to see it. So for instance, WAR HORSE is my most anticipated film of Fall 2011. It’s entirely possible that on opening weekend, it will play in just one theatre that might not be exactly “on the way”. But for something like that, I’m making a special trip. I don’t need to see every last film on their opening weekend, but I tend to get jacked up for the new ones. Thus, anticipation is the trump card and is often the prime decision-maker.

One Night Only

There are venues around town – like The Toronto Underground, or the oft-discussed Lightbox – that put on special “one night only” events. This could be a film that features an in-person appearance by a special guest. It could be a free showing of a selected title. Or often, it’s an older title getting a big screen presentation. These showings can often have a higher fun-factor. The crowd gathered has usually made an effort to be there, and thus are more engaged and excited. Likewise, many of these showings won’t be soon repeated. Fun as they are, interactive showings of ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW happens once a month in these parts – conversely, I think I’ve only ever seen HAUSU play for two nights. In a way, exclusivity springboards from anticipation since the two go hand-in-hand. They could really be seen as 1 and 1A.

Closing Soon

By now, most of you know my preference to see a film in a theatre for first-watch if I can help it. However, there are only so many hours in the day and dollars in the bank account. Thus, some things must wait…and wait…and wait. I put them off so long sometimes, that I push the envelope of seeing them in a theatre at all. Thus, thinking about a film that will drop out of theatres on any given Thursday can factor in. The extension of this, is if a title is rather niche. Sometimes I’ll notice a film opening (especially at the art-house theatres), and think to myself “That’s getting a one-week run at best”. If I can help it, these get bumped up the list.

Peer Pressure

That’s a horrible label for this section, but it’s the most apropos. While I have no qualms seeing films by myself, I try not to be the loner with a cup of tea as his date if I can help it. Thus, when considering who else would like to go to the movies as well, I have to keep other people’s feelings in mind. This ranges from going to a theatre that’s more equidistant for everyone, to perhaps seeing something that isn’t your first choice. There are times that this exercise can be akin to getting five people to agree on what they’d like on their pizza, but it’s also often truly rewarding. In these instances, the night becomes about more than just the movie. It’s about the company, the discussion, and the laughs. It is easily the criteria that lends itself to the most amount of compromise, but likewise it lends itself to the most amount of fun.

Cost

In Toronto, admission prices can vary. Top dollar is about $18 and the bargain basement is $5. While there are lots of price points in between, the median is approximately $12 for a first-run evening show. So you have to ask yourself, “How much do I want to spend on this movie?”. For me, if it’s one of those highly anticipated selections, I’ll fork over good money without breaking a sweat. If it’s something I’m less sure about, I’ll wait for a cheaper night or for it to hit a lower-priced theatre. NB: The cost factor does not include snacks, parking/gas/transportation, and other such incidentals. When one starts adding on all of those extra fees – and a babysitter if needed – the choice becomes even more complicated.

Convenience

For me this one comes dead last – but for some (like my wife) this can be a dealbreaker. I live walking distance from four separate theatres, so if a film is playing at one of those, it could become a sexier attraction. Without making any sort of detours, I pass by an additional four theatres between work and home. Following the usual route and having these theatres at one’s disposal is likewise a plus, and again could influence the decision. Beyond those eight, there are three more that are a short distance away from the office (albeit, off the daily commute path). For some, keeping things local is a huge plus. For me, it’s less of a factor since I’ve been known to go across town to see a particular film on a particular night.

So where does that leave us? Well if you’re me, it leaves me leaning towards the title and the window of opportunity to see it. Were I to choose something for tonight amongst the 100 (!!) titles playing in Toronto this week, I’d likely choose Herzog’s CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS. It’s a title I’ve been wanting to see, my window to see it is closing fast, it’s close-by, and it’s cheap.

How’s about you? How do you decide what you’re going to see at the theatres?

30 Replies to “Got to Choose (Deciding What to See in Theatres)”

  1. I don’t have quite as many theatres to choose between as you have, but half of your priorities are the same as I have: anticipation (is it something I think I’m going to like), one night only (got to grab the chance when it turns up), closing soon (it’s always a bit of a gambling. I never know on beforehand what’s going to stay and what’s not, but I go for my gut feeling). I mostly go on my own, so peer pressure is not an issue, and not cost either really, since I’m working and have an income. (though I won’t say no when I sometimes can get tickets to free screenings for loyal customers that they give from time to time. On Thursday I’ll watch Drive for free, yay!) My city isn’t as big as yours, with not so many theatres, so I don’t think about convenience. But I certainly wouldn’t travel to another town for a movie; thus I’m completely missing out Stockholm Film Festival that is running right now.

      1. The guy in the main image above is Nick Frost in HOT FUZZ. The close-up image in the Twitter icon might be James’ but I’m not so sure.

        Perhaps if we ask really nicely, he’ll reveal himself…

        1. I’m too paranoid to reveal my image upon the interwebs. I’ve seen the terrible things people can do with photoshop.

          And my twitter image is actually from the 2006 classic Day Watch.

          1. HOT FUZZ is a rather witty comedy by the guy who did SHAUN OF THE DEAD (Edgar Wright) – which is also a nifty film, if by chance you haven’t seen it. Give it a watch sometime and thank me later.

      1. I guess I’m a bit of a cheapskate, but it would really cost me a fortune, not to talk of the time investment to get there. Most of the movies that are shown will come up in theatres anyway, in some cases only with a couple of days of delay. What I miss out is to see the festival audience of course. But it would really kill me to go back and forward, hours of journeys in the nights, while working daytime.
        If I had a lack of films to see in my own time it would be a different matter. But as it is now I have plenty to watch, both in theatres and DVDs from my library and my own collection. The competition is just too hard.

        1. I totally understand that. TIFF is what I do in lieu of going away on vacation. If I didn’t have vacation time and savings to throw at it, I’d probably opt out. Perhaps one year you might think about going to a few of the weekend showings? Just to get a small taste of the atmosphere and those wonderful audience vibes…

  2. This isn’t too different from how I choose what to see:
    http://widescreenworld.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-to-manage-this-summers-blockbuster.html

    I’m especially glad that you mentioned how you don’t need the car for most of these theaters. Obviously, that isn’t an option for many people (especially those who want to see independent movies), but for those of us who live in big cities, public transportation, not to mention good-old-fashioned walking, is something we don’t think about as often as we should, not only for seeing movies, but for everyday life.

    1. Over the last few years I’ve realized more and more each day how lucky I am to be more of a subway/walking guy than a driving guy. I’m also trying to soak up all of this goodness while I still live in the city core!

      What’s your routine? Theatres within walking distance, theatres you pass on the work/home loop, etc?

  3. Anticipation, if it’s in the multiplex (money money money), except if it’s a “friends” film, which you just have to see with your friends (i. e. Hangover, Twilight… *coughteenagestuff*). If it’s in the repertory, depending on how broken I am, I will either see something interesting/ anticipated or… anything.

  4. Mr. James Blake Ewing: Ruiner of Podcast, Inspirer of Blog Posts

    I actually really like this post. Try and approach viewing films in Toronto the same way. We really are spoiled, aren’t we? Still, I can’t help but wish I lived in NY or LA where they have really crazy special screenings with directors and such present.

    1. I made a special case for you. All the other podcasts I have been on have only become more popular.

      I should really be a selfish pig and save all the blog posts ideas for myself…but of course I don’t have the time to write them all.

    2. Yeah, catching those screenings where they get talent to come and talk *would* be nice, but I can survive just hearing such things via podcast. Besides, The Lightbox has been doing a pretty good job of that, so we aren’t completely talentless.

      (Wait, that’s not what I mean…)

  5. Damn you for having so many options!!!!

    Yes I continue my jealous streak with you people in big cities.

    For me money is the ultimate decider. I’ve come to the budget decision that I can max 2 movies a week. With that in mind it at times will push me into watching a film I’m not that interested in just for watching its sake and hope I’m surprised (I paid to watch THE BIG YEAR).

    Funnily enough the one thing in this post that I stopped and thought on was “babysitter?”

    1. The babysitter quotient doesn’t apply for me, but for my moviegoing friends who have kids, they have to keep in mind that however much they’re about to drop on seeing a flick must be increased by $30 – $40 for a babysitter.

      Could be a dealbreaker on what they see, when and where they see it.

  6. This process makes you envy you. My choice is essentially to decide which film looks like it sucks the least. It’s not quite that bad, but most weeks it feels like that, hence why I’ve only seen 20 films from this year.

    I do live close enough to Austin and Dallas to make some day trips to see a couple movies, but that usually only happens a couple times each year and only for the films I’m looking forward to the most.

    1. Anytime I hear someone mention Austin, it always sends my thoughts to The Alamo Drafthouse and SXSW. Do you go to either of those? Surely they must give you a counterposition against “What sucks the least?”

      1. No, not really. SXSW always comes around the time I’m getting really busy for school and The Alamo Drafthouse is one of those places I’ve been meaning to go to for years but have just never got around to it. Always find a more convenient screening at another theater.

        1. As someone who has long wanted to make a trip back to the mothership – please get out to The Drafthouse sometime soon and do up a blog post about the experience.

  7. Since the cinemas are an hour away from me, I have to choose carefully. Anticipation is of course the main thing behind my decisions. Films which I’m definitely going to see when they come out are Carnage, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (if it’s not an R18), Like Crazy, Martha Marcy Mary Marlene and War Horse (my mum and I practically have a movie date all sorted out for this movie). I basically just go to the movies when my parents are going over to Palmerston North, but if there’s something special coming out that I really wanna see (like Inception, The Social Network…), we usually work something out.

    Also, I guess that Rotten Tomatoes has an influence. For example, I was super excited for Sucker Punch, but when the reviews came out I steered clear. The best $30 or so that I’ve saved all year.

    I think I’m going to Palmerston North next week, and I had to choose between seeing Contagion or Beginners. Unfortunately, Beginners isn’t playing at a good time, but that made my decision a hell of a lot easier!

    1. Thankfully distance isn’t a factor for me, but that totally makes sense in how it would shape your choices. Take a three hour outing and turn it into a six or seven hour outing, and one has to be much more choosy!

  8. As I have a limited amount of money, quite often the deciding factor for me is will the film be worth the cash. As such I’ve been going to see critically-acclaimed films like Take Shelter. Hopefully this weekend I’ll get to see either Skin I Live In or MMMM.

  9. Nice post Ryan. Anticipation is definitely the main element in the equation. The second would be convenience I guess. I can easily skip movies if for example I have to drive 20 miles to the indie theater to see something that’s only moderately interesting me.

    Peer pressure isn’t really a factor except when I somewhat want to see a movie but no one wants to go with me. Then, the prospect of going it alone usually kills the endeavor 😉

    Cost isn’t an issue as I usually go for the weekday afternoon or weekend matinee which are only $5.

  10. Generally, I know what movies I want to see, as in the ones I’d like to see if I have time, and which ones I need to see, as in the ones I absolutely must see as a film writer. Peer pressure plays into my decisions but only so much; typically, if I suggest X film to Y friends, we all go see it, and it’s rarely the other way around mostly because I’m the movie guy.

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