Sept. 2, 2007
Andy Goes To The Movies
Are The Days Of Going To The Movies Over? Andy Doesn't Think So!
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Play CBS Video Video Rooney On Going To The Movies Andy Rooney prefers going to the movie theater over renting DVD's from Netflix.
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(The Senator)
On most Sunday evenings, I watch 60 Minutes at home like everyone else. I don’t see anything but my own part of it before the program is broadcast.
Recently I watched Lesley's piece on people who rent movies to watch on their television screen in their own living room instead of going to a theater.
Lesley had some figures I’m not sure of. She said a company called Netflix made $688 million renting movies last year.
Well, I may be wrong but I don’t think renting movies to watch at home for $5.00 is ever going to be the way most Americans see a movie. You can’t rent the popcorn.
The phrase "Going to the movies" means something special. It's more than just watching something on a screen. It's more than entertainment and it isn’t anything at all like watching a movie at home. I’ve been going to the movies since I was about eight years old and I still enjoy it occasionally. My mother used to give me thirty five cents, which bought the ticket and the popcorn or caramel corn. Now she'd have to give me about $8 or more for the ticket and $5 for the popcorn.
Sitting in your own regular chair in your own living room may be easy but watching a movie that way is like having a party and not having anyone else come.
There are all sorts of good things about actually going to a theater. Your phone doesn’t ring during the movie. No one starts talking to you about President Bush during an exciting part of the show. The seats are different than your chair in your living room but they are comfortable.
If there's someone too tall in front of you, you can always move over a couple of seats.
I think the best thing about actually going to the movies though is being in an audience with other people around you. You don’t know them but you laugh or cry when they laugh or cry. You bond with a lot of strangers. It's a friendly feeling even though you don’t get involved with them. Your only relationship to the other people in the theater is the feeling you’re sharing about that movie. I like that.
You can watch a picture at home if you want but I’m going to the movies.
Produced By Andy Rooney
©MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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See all 48 Commentsalexander....
alexander....
Here are a few good reasons to rent movies.
A family of five can see the movie for just $5.00.
You can watch the film at your convience.
You don''t need to find a parking spot for the car.
You can pause the movie to go to the bathroom.
You know the ingredients in the food you are eating.
You soda is 2% ice and 98% soda not the revurse.
Louis
Reddwood City, Ca.
I foresee the movie theaters as we know them dying out and new releases will be pay per view, which by the way will generate much more revenue for the movie industry. Of course the theaters are petrified to face this fact that they are becoming dinosaurs like the typewriter is to the computer. Thanks Andy, but face reality.
I do not attend movie theaters for many of the same reasons you all have stated.
The last time I went to the movies I was shocked to see COMERCIALS!!!!!
Movies *used* to be a social event. Now it's just a special effects laden violence and *** fest devoid of character or depth. And it's a matter of how many can be thrown out to the public in a year.
Going out to movies, at least good ones, is a fun thing to do. Not just for the storyline (which makes those I go out to see few indeed), but the interaction of the people in the audience. The shared expression of emotion, which is relevant to the concept of "community".
But as I said, movies these days are as much garbage as most television and music. Andy's point is about community in society. Today's society is geared toward how much money you can spend on a home system to watch everything in private (or how to make a public situation so bad that people would prefer to stay home - e.g. the cell phone ringing in the theater.) Our own private Idaho. Try Bermuda Triangle instead; it's explain why so many people also feel lost.
While home theaters have their time and place, the lack of community in our society is grossly lacking and all too many of the comments here prove Andy's point all too well. And it's a shame.
Thank you Andy for always speaking your mind. And for your meritorious history in the field.
BTW: I'm 34.
Sincerely,
David P. Cole
An old goat like him should stay home and watcha DVD rather than driving and sitting in a theater with all those peopel spreading germs.
Wakr up old goat!
"I think the best thing about actually going to the movies though is being in an audience with other people around you." That is complete sappy romantic drivel.
The cost of going to the movies doesn't compare to those at a concert, live theater or a sporting event. We offer a bargain in comparison.
Unfortunately, many people have rationalized the home experience where the phone rings, solicitors show up at the front door, the email alert pulls you away, the pets need to go outside, the kids won't be quiet and the popcorn butter gets all over your couch.
I urge you to seek out your local independent theaters and see if the experience changes your mind. I can't speak for all locally owned theaters but our survival is dependent on you having a good experience. Come visit us if you are in the City by the Bay.
www.BalboaMovies.com
People in theaters now TALK OUT LOUD constantly during movies -- evidently the old ones are deaf and/or are too dim, so their partners have to explain whole movie while it is being shown. Younger ones have not been taught any movie etiquette, so they talk out loud as if they are in their own livingrooms. There are also a number of people who love to stretch out and put their feet on top of seats in front of them -- just like at home?????
We are of a certain age where we get discounts at movie theaters, and I too, used to love the "movie experience." But due to escalating rudeness and just plain bad manners of people attending movies currently, I would rather stay at home and enjoy my own good "movie experience" on our big screen TV without all the bad distractions.
You Andy, should be aware of your subject before you blather on describing what USED TO BE. . .
http://tinyurl.com/ylcpqf
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