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Comment by 11thEarlOfMar | Hacker News Reader

I've been trying to recreate the movie experience at my house for decades: Large screen high definition display, high-end surround sound, etc. but it just does not work. Daylight, phones ringing, kids playing, dryer buzzer, and myriad distractions diminish the experience and I'm always left with notion that it's never as enjoyable at home.

Theaters will always have a place in entertainment. And with the recent addition of la-z-boy furniture and reserved seating, there's simply no contest. Now, I want to experience all my favorite films in the communal environment of a theater. Would be great to be able to 'upvote' classic films and have them play at a local house, and watch along with others who like it enough to be there, place and time. Maybe that's where MoviePass is headed?

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If you have a dedicated home theatre in your house with a projector, sound system, blocked windows, noiseproofing and plushy seats, and treat it just like you would going to the movies - mute phones, have the kids sit quietly (or be out of the house), you can get an experience equal or superior to most cinemas.

Thank you. I never understand why people complain as if good parenting isn't an option.

Does it have to be a solstice or can you also do it on Leap Day?

For me, getting out of the house is half the fun.

Theatres here still have kids and cellphones going off.

Combined with ushers walking up and down the aisle, people scooching by to go to the restroom, employees checking the emergency exits at the side of the screen and there's no clear winner.

There's still some movies I want to experience on the big screen, with insane audio, and D-BOX seats.

But for the most part movies at home still win due to the ability to pause and agoraphobia.

I've only watched about 5 movies in the last 2 years, but 3 out of those 5 were completely empty, 1 was packed and somewhat noisy, and the other was full but silent (but my experience might also be skewed because the theatre within walking distance of my apartment was not that kid friendly being in a restaurant/bar district downtown and serving alcohol on premise.

Movie ushers? What century was the last time you visited the theatre? I go to a lot of movies, and outside of a couple of special events, I've never seen an usher in the theater. Yes, cell phones and it's might be an issue, but they are fairly rare. Unless you can built a $100k theatre room, there is definitely a clear winner. But if course it isn't for everyone.

Sure maybe usher was an antiquated term, but I was talking about the employees that come in and walk up and down, making sure things are in order.

> Unless you can built a $100k theatre room, there is definitely a clear winner. But if course it isn't for everyone.

Exactly, I don't think every movie I watch needs a 100K screen, at all.

Apart of the employees Checking every 30ish minutes my local regal is nothing but respectful people. Helps that there’s room to walk down the aisle with the seats fully reclined and they only hold about 100 people max. I’ve been going way more since I got moviepass

>phones ringing, kids playing ... myriad distractions diminish the experience ...

This is how my trip to the movie theaters have been going, local IMAX had people coughing, loud food eaters, kids talking, people surfing phones.

The looking for parking, waiting in line, the annoyance of people.

I'd rather just rent/buy the blueray.

No offense but I think you are doing it wrong if you can't recreate the movie experience at home. My father has the following setup:

1. 10ft projector screen (You can just frame and paint a wall for this, seriously) 2. Surround sound 3. Electric reclining leather seats 4. Popcorn machine 5. Coke machine 6. Located in the basement

This VASTLY beats out any movie experience I have ever had at a theater.

If you are in the Bay Area Alameda Theatre does this on Wednesdays. New Parkway does it from time to time also. Both are covered by Moviepass.

New Parkway also screens episodes of MST3K, it's quite a fun audience.

This exists in the UK: ourscreen.com. Seems to work well.

Alamo Drafthouse theaters show about as many special screenings of classic films as they do new features, and they've been expanding a lot the last couple years. If you're close to one, they're worth checking out.

> Would be great to be able to 'upvote' classic films and have them play at a local house, and watch along with others who like it enough to be there, place and time

A theater chain in India is trying something similar, though at full price and not discounted like moviepass

http://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-techno...

Moviepass is great on the low cost aspect of the movie experience

But on the other hand I would pay $50+ for that kind of entertainment. I enjoy the experience as it isnt tolerable to have such overpowering speakers in a home setup, or especially in apartment complexes. It is a well done escape.

I wouldnt pay that much for a movie-going date or children’s tickets though, with the high chance that they arent into it

Except in some countries where movies are forcibly split into 2 and people are forced take a 10 minute break. Plus people compete with each other on who can make the loudest sounds while chewing their popcorn, burgers or gums. As someone who has misophonia or misophonia like symptoms, going to movies can be a daunting experience at times.

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