I am still with you (esp. 2015 you) in being oppose to assign seating and I’m glad that most of the indie movie theaters in new york (film forum, IFC, lincoln center) don’t do assigned seating. Admittedly, I mostly go to movies by myself or with one friend and I’m
not super picky. Mostly I like to step into the theater, look at the size of the screen, the layout of the room and then pick my spot.
Me habitually late to movies, dating back to childhood, when Papa Cookie hustling us through buying cheaper snacks at convenience store and then driving too fast to get to movie on time, which now just feel like traditional part of going to movies. So me do like knowing there will actually be seat waiting for me.
That being said, me love being in first two rows, partly because googly eyes not have good distance vision, but mostly because me love for screen to fill up entire field of vision. Me saw Return of Jedi in front row because, as per tradition, we got there late. But those space battles felt like they were going on all around you, and it made experience so much better, so me never want back.
Which is longwinded way of saying, if me not were able to reserve seats, it not really would matter much, because those front rows fill up last. But me still like to do that.
That being said, sightline pricing is bullshit. Going to movies has always been, and should always be, democratic, equalizing experience. Millionaire, miser, and monster can sit side-by-side and have same experience.
I watched Star Trek: the Undiscovered Country from the front row, and I had to swivel my head to read the Klingon subtitles, I was so close. it sure was an experience..... but I'm not sure I'd recommend it.
The endless commercials, trailers, behind-the-scenes promos and now messages of gratitude for coming to a theatre have ruined the sacred tradition of hustling to be on time for a movie.
In fact, friend had terrific advice about taking kids to movies, which was, show up 20 minutes late. Sensory overload of trailers at full-blast volume overwhelming to small kids, and they usually worn out by time actual movie start. Better to skip all that literal and figurative noise.
But then someone will think they can take our reserved seats! But seriously, we've been taking our kids later to avoid the crap. And since all the trailers, which I normally like, are for other kids' movies, I don't feel bad for missing them.
I love it because I hate the anxiety of not knowing if I'll get a seat. My only encounter with someone trying to sit in my reserved seat was for The Force Awakens, when a dad and his kids were trying to tell me we were in their seats only to discover their showing was the next day. But if they start goug--er, "up-charging" for certain seats that's a bridge too far.
Thank you for writing this, because it perfectly reflects my own slow evolution on this topic and is an interesting topic of conversation. I used to be very against the idea of reserved seating for similar reasons, as it made me nervous to be "locked in" to a particular seat. But in reality it's pretty much a non-issue. Most of the time, theaters have plenty of empty seats by the time the movie starts, so if you want to move seats you can do so with near-zero chance that anyone would care. In the case that the movie is mostly full or sold out, you wouldn't be able to change seats anyway even if seats were not reserved. So it really only offers upsides, like a bunch of people being able to get seats next to each other without one person having to get there early to save seats, and the ability to get to the movie at the last second, and so on. And seating has gotten so much better in general that most seats are good seats these days, and you often have a healthy buffer from other people. Nowadays, I actually have a harder and harder time convincing friends to go see movies in the handful of indie theaters that don't do reserved seats, because it's become an expectation for a lot of people. Overall I think it helps reduce the stress and hassle of going to the movies, and is good for the industry.
Another thing I like is that once you've been to a theater once or twice, you often end up figuring out your favorite seats in the theater, and then with reserved seating you can always make sure to grab those seats as long as you buy your tickets early enough. It's nice to know for sure rather than hoping you can get there early enough to snag those coveted seats.
I'm a little more wary of the variable pricing for different seats, since it adds another complication to the mix and might turn people off, but I'm also open to it depending on the execution. In theory, there's nothing wrong with giving people a discount if they are okay dealing with those crappy seats in the front, and nothing wrong with charging a bit more for the best seats in the house. But it really depends on how simple and intuitive it is, and I haven't yet encountered it in real life to be able to judge.
After living in Asia for a long time, I am 100% in favor of reserved seating, which wasn't anything I even thought about existing before 2005. I've loved seeing it expand across my city and honestly wish it was more common at repertory screenings so the group could meet at the bar across the street instead of in the line half an hour before the doors opened.
During COVID, I loved that the theaters I'd go to would reserve seats and then block the seats around your reservation so no one could buy those tickets. I do realize that I am spoiled to live in such a great city that I never had to worry about someone sitting in any of those seats, breathing all over me and my kid. If I had to deal with people not sitting in their reserved seats, I'd probably be frustrated too.
"During COVID, I loved that the theaters I'd go to would reserve seats and then block the seats around your reservation so no one could buy those tickets."
I used to do that too, and still do buy an extra seat so I have a place to put my backpack. And during COVID I used to look at the seat map in my movie ticket apps and pick a showing where there were not a lot of people in the theater. I saw more movies that way than I would have if I had had to guess whether or not the theater would be too crowded for safety.
re: goonies, your blu-ray review is spot on. I tried to rewatch it a few years back and it's.... not good. it's one of a very short list of films that I enjoyed when I was younger but can't even find nostalgia for now
I wonder if reserved seating leads to fewer people going to big releases, because if they know in advance only the seats right at front are empty they don't go (whereas once you're in the theatre you take the only seats if you like them or not).
You used to show up to a movie early enough to get a good enough seat because you cared more than your competition did about movies and seats. People who cared less got less in return. The arrangement was thermodynamic and fair.
Next, you reserved a seat on your phone, and if you cared enough you’d reserve your seat on your phone before everybody else who didn’t care as much as you. This was less democratic, and less fun because you weren’t in a long line of moviegoers buzzing with anticipation, but it was still thermodynamic and still fair.
Now, you just pay more to get a better result than people who might care more but have less money to spend. It’s thoroughly disgusting, and I’m telling you right now, it’s the end of movie theaters. In 20 years, it will be impossible to explain to people who are infants now why we used to go to the movies together. They won’t even intuitively understand that we used to go to movies *together*
Good point. I help run a large anime convention and we've resisted have VIP admissions (pay more and you get to skip lines, have reserved seating, etc) for much the same reasons.
I'm somewhat ambivalent about reserving seats for the movies. I do have fond memories of waiting in line for hours to see midnight showing of big releases. There was something special about being surrounded by a group of people all excited for the new movie. However, I'm in my 30s now, so it's nice to not have to stand in lines like that any more.
Also, as a front row watcher, my preferred seating is usually not occupied. So, it doesn't impact me as much. The sightline seating proposed by AMC would actually save me money and I'd still get the best seats in the house!
my memories of those midnight releases *also* include too many instances of some schmuck with a trenchcoat draped across 3-4 seats claiming them all as "taken"
Haha, there were certainly folks who did that. Not something I usually had an issue with, but that's mostly because I find there generally isn't a rush to claim the front row in an auditorium
You’re right, and I also think you’re going to miss it. Going to the movies used to be, and I think should be, just like mass transit except everybody wants to be there. We can all always just stay home.
Yeah, it may not be as much an issue for the type of casual moviegoing Keith is mostly referencing, but I do miss that ritualistic aspect of a Big Night Out at a new movie. Mustering a crew, goofing around in line for longer than the runtime of the movie, debating a seating strategy, and being way too tired at work the next morning.
Did you overrreact? If it was just the unmasked thing, maybe, but enthusiastic snacking? Fuck that guy. (Also, I'm pro anti-Goonies. You keeping doing you.)
I've always been for reserved seating (or at least, I've not been against it), but a creeping trend of monetising basic amenities and comforts, e.g. for a cupholder the actual size of one's cup, should absolutely be discouraged.
I detest reserved seating for one reason above all others: it allows (certain) people to show up late, sometimes 10 or 15 minutes into a movie, totally disrupting the filmgoing experience for everyone around them, with no repercussions. Yes, I have seen this happen over the years, before reserved seating, but I truly feel it's getting worse because there's no fear of losing your seats. As a chronically late person myself, I get the allure, but my last few experiences have left me longing for "the good old days" ~
That's an issue, for sure! The Alamo Drafthouse chain has its issues, but one thing they are good about is there no talking/texting policy and no late arrival policy.
As the timely, responsible one among my friends (at least when it comes to movie-going), I appreciate not having to try to save 10 seats by myself. Although people who arrive 30 minutes into the movie and need to cross everyone to get their seat is a definitely something that gets me a little ornery.
Also, I've seen blockbusters in terrible seats (or as in the case of the first Spider-Man, the theater stairs). But when I recently looked up a John Wick screening that had no seats I liked, I just waited. I'm not sure if it's better to not be annoyed by the viewing angle or worse because my eventual screening was 1/3 full.
Living in Los Angeles, seat reservations have been a thing for so long that it's hard to imagine general movie going without them. That's now reserved for the repertoire theaters like the New Bev, Aero, etc. which tend to be more of a communal experience than contemporary movie going anyway (You're all there to see something relatively low risk entertainment wise).
However, I am not above getting up and moving when someone sits directly next to me in a nearly empty auditorium and even LOOKS like they are about to get up to any funny business OR if they brought a whole damn meal. Also complaining about your service during screenings, Alamo Drafthouses...
I'm of mixed feelings about reserving theater seats -- leaning more toward the "anti" side, but I definitely see the benefits. That said, it's that system that enabled AMC's sightline seating, and that practice needs to end pronto.
Also: I'm 100% behind you on Goonies. My experience is partially tainted by high school dating trauma (nothing awful, but emotions run high in high school), but mostly I was just already too old for it. The combo of those two things have made it my least favorite movie for decades.
I first experienced reserved seating at the Alamo Drafthouse and always associated it with their no-talking policy so for me it has always been a positive. Could see it being annoying at theaters where the upcharge in reserved seating does not come with a policy where people talking or texting are not removed.
The Austin Film Society (AFS) theater does not do reserve seating, but the audiences there are awesome and the theater layout is such that there really isn't a bad seat. To me there wouldn't be much benefit for that theater to implement reserved seating.
I am still with you (esp. 2015 you) in being oppose to assign seating and I’m glad that most of the indie movie theaters in new york (film forum, IFC, lincoln center) don’t do assigned seating. Admittedly, I mostly go to movies by myself or with one friend and I’m
not super picky. Mostly I like to step into the theater, look at the size of the screen, the layout of the room and then pick my spot.
And to be clear, I completely agree with your philosophical points!
Me habitually late to movies, dating back to childhood, when Papa Cookie hustling us through buying cheaper snacks at convenience store and then driving too fast to get to movie on time, which now just feel like traditional part of going to movies. So me do like knowing there will actually be seat waiting for me.
That being said, me love being in first two rows, partly because googly eyes not have good distance vision, but mostly because me love for screen to fill up entire field of vision. Me saw Return of Jedi in front row because, as per tradition, we got there late. But those space battles felt like they were going on all around you, and it made experience so much better, so me never want back.
Which is longwinded way of saying, if me not were able to reserve seats, it not really would matter much, because those front rows fill up last. But me still like to do that.
That being said, sightline pricing is bullshit. Going to movies has always been, and should always be, democratic, equalizing experience. Millionaire, miser, and monster can sit side-by-side and have same experience.
I watched Star Trek: the Undiscovered Country from the front row, and I had to swivel my head to read the Klingon subtitles, I was so close. it sure was an experience..... but I'm not sure I'd recommend it.
The endless commercials, trailers, behind-the-scenes promos and now messages of gratitude for coming to a theatre have ruined the sacred tradition of hustling to be on time for a movie.
In fact, friend had terrific advice about taking kids to movies, which was, show up 20 minutes late. Sensory overload of trailers at full-blast volume overwhelming to small kids, and they usually worn out by time actual movie start. Better to skip all that literal and figurative noise.
But then someone will think they can take our reserved seats! But seriously, we've been taking our kids later to avoid the crap. And since all the trailers, which I normally like, are for other kids' movies, I don't feel bad for missing them.
I love it because I hate the anxiety of not knowing if I'll get a seat. My only encounter with someone trying to sit in my reserved seat was for The Force Awakens, when a dad and his kids were trying to tell me we were in their seats only to discover their showing was the next day. But if they start goug--er, "up-charging" for certain seats that's a bridge too far.
Thank you for writing this, because it perfectly reflects my own slow evolution on this topic and is an interesting topic of conversation. I used to be very against the idea of reserved seating for similar reasons, as it made me nervous to be "locked in" to a particular seat. But in reality it's pretty much a non-issue. Most of the time, theaters have plenty of empty seats by the time the movie starts, so if you want to move seats you can do so with near-zero chance that anyone would care. In the case that the movie is mostly full or sold out, you wouldn't be able to change seats anyway even if seats were not reserved. So it really only offers upsides, like a bunch of people being able to get seats next to each other without one person having to get there early to save seats, and the ability to get to the movie at the last second, and so on. And seating has gotten so much better in general that most seats are good seats these days, and you often have a healthy buffer from other people. Nowadays, I actually have a harder and harder time convincing friends to go see movies in the handful of indie theaters that don't do reserved seats, because it's become an expectation for a lot of people. Overall I think it helps reduce the stress and hassle of going to the movies, and is good for the industry.
Another thing I like is that once you've been to a theater once or twice, you often end up figuring out your favorite seats in the theater, and then with reserved seating you can always make sure to grab those seats as long as you buy your tickets early enough. It's nice to know for sure rather than hoping you can get there early enough to snag those coveted seats.
I'm a little more wary of the variable pricing for different seats, since it adds another complication to the mix and might turn people off, but I'm also open to it depending on the execution. In theory, there's nothing wrong with giving people a discount if they are okay dealing with those crappy seats in the front, and nothing wrong with charging a bit more for the best seats in the house. But it really depends on how simple and intuitive it is, and I haven't yet encountered it in real life to be able to judge.
After living in Asia for a long time, I am 100% in favor of reserved seating, which wasn't anything I even thought about existing before 2005. I've loved seeing it expand across my city and honestly wish it was more common at repertory screenings so the group could meet at the bar across the street instead of in the line half an hour before the doors opened.
During COVID, I loved that the theaters I'd go to would reserve seats and then block the seats around your reservation so no one could buy those tickets. I do realize that I am spoiled to live in such a great city that I never had to worry about someone sitting in any of those seats, breathing all over me and my kid. If I had to deal with people not sitting in their reserved seats, I'd probably be frustrated too.
"During COVID, I loved that the theaters I'd go to would reserve seats and then block the seats around your reservation so no one could buy those tickets."
I used to do that too, and still do buy an extra seat so I have a place to put my backpack. And during COVID I used to look at the seat map in my movie ticket apps and pick a showing where there were not a lot of people in the theater. I saw more movies that way than I would have if I had had to guess whether or not the theater would be too crowded for safety.
re: goonies, your blu-ray review is spot on. I tried to rewatch it a few years back and it's.... not good. it's one of a very short list of films that I enjoyed when I was younger but can't even find nostalgia for now
I wonder if reserved seating leads to fewer people going to big releases, because if they know in advance only the seats right at front are empty they don't go (whereas once you're in the theatre you take the only seats if you like them or not).
You used to show up to a movie early enough to get a good enough seat because you cared more than your competition did about movies and seats. People who cared less got less in return. The arrangement was thermodynamic and fair.
Next, you reserved a seat on your phone, and if you cared enough you’d reserve your seat on your phone before everybody else who didn’t care as much as you. This was less democratic, and less fun because you weren’t in a long line of moviegoers buzzing with anticipation, but it was still thermodynamic and still fair.
Now, you just pay more to get a better result than people who might care more but have less money to spend. It’s thoroughly disgusting, and I’m telling you right now, it’s the end of movie theaters. In 20 years, it will be impossible to explain to people who are infants now why we used to go to the movies together. They won’t even intuitively understand that we used to go to movies *together*
Good point. I help run a large anime convention and we've resisted have VIP admissions (pay more and you get to skip lines, have reserved seating, etc) for much the same reasons.
You’re doing the lord’s work, and this makes me want to get into anime. Community is at the heart of moviegoing.
I'm somewhat ambivalent about reserving seats for the movies. I do have fond memories of waiting in line for hours to see midnight showing of big releases. There was something special about being surrounded by a group of people all excited for the new movie. However, I'm in my 30s now, so it's nice to not have to stand in lines like that any more.
Also, as a front row watcher, my preferred seating is usually not occupied. So, it doesn't impact me as much. The sightline seating proposed by AMC would actually save me money and I'd still get the best seats in the house!
Also, "asian zing," the classic BWW concoction lmao
my memories of those midnight releases *also* include too many instances of some schmuck with a trenchcoat draped across 3-4 seats claiming them all as "taken"
Haha, there were certainly folks who did that. Not something I usually had an issue with, but that's mostly because I find there generally isn't a rush to claim the front row in an auditorium
I usually found that an oversized scarf worked best :)
You’re right, and I also think you’re going to miss it. Going to the movies used to be, and I think should be, just like mass transit except everybody wants to be there. We can all always just stay home.
Yeah, it may not be as much an issue for the type of casual moviegoing Keith is mostly referencing, but I do miss that ritualistic aspect of a Big Night Out at a new movie. Mustering a crew, goofing around in line for longer than the runtime of the movie, debating a seating strategy, and being way too tired at work the next morning.
Did you overrreact? If it was just the unmasked thing, maybe, but enthusiastic snacking? Fuck that guy. (Also, I'm pro anti-Goonies. You keeping doing you.)
I've always been for reserved seating (or at least, I've not been against it), but a creeping trend of monetising basic amenities and comforts, e.g. for a cupholder the actual size of one's cup, should absolutely be discouraged.
I detest reserved seating for one reason above all others: it allows (certain) people to show up late, sometimes 10 or 15 minutes into a movie, totally disrupting the filmgoing experience for everyone around them, with no repercussions. Yes, I have seen this happen over the years, before reserved seating, but I truly feel it's getting worse because there's no fear of losing your seats. As a chronically late person myself, I get the allure, but my last few experiences have left me longing for "the good old days" ~
That's an issue, for sure! The Alamo Drafthouse chain has its issues, but one thing they are good about is there no talking/texting policy and no late arrival policy.
As the timely, responsible one among my friends (at least when it comes to movie-going), I appreciate not having to try to save 10 seats by myself. Although people who arrive 30 minutes into the movie and need to cross everyone to get their seat is a definitely something that gets me a little ornery.
Also, I've seen blockbusters in terrible seats (or as in the case of the first Spider-Man, the theater stairs). But when I recently looked up a John Wick screening that had no seats I liked, I just waited. I'm not sure if it's better to not be annoyed by the viewing angle or worse because my eventual screening was 1/3 full.
Living in Los Angeles, seat reservations have been a thing for so long that it's hard to imagine general movie going without them. That's now reserved for the repertoire theaters like the New Bev, Aero, etc. which tend to be more of a communal experience than contemporary movie going anyway (You're all there to see something relatively low risk entertainment wise).
However, I am not above getting up and moving when someone sits directly next to me in a nearly empty auditorium and even LOOKS like they are about to get up to any funny business OR if they brought a whole damn meal. Also complaining about your service during screenings, Alamo Drafthouses...
I'm of mixed feelings about reserving theater seats -- leaning more toward the "anti" side, but I definitely see the benefits. That said, it's that system that enabled AMC's sightline seating, and that practice needs to end pronto.
Also: I'm 100% behind you on Goonies. My experience is partially tainted by high school dating trauma (nothing awful, but emotions run high in high school), but mostly I was just already too old for it. The combo of those two things have made it my least favorite movie for decades.
I first experienced reserved seating at the Alamo Drafthouse and always associated it with their no-talking policy so for me it has always been a positive. Could see it being annoying at theaters where the upcharge in reserved seating does not come with a policy where people talking or texting are not removed.
The Austin Film Society (AFS) theater does not do reserve seating, but the audiences there are awesome and the theater layout is such that there really isn't a bad seat. To me there wouldn't be much benefit for that theater to implement reserved seating.
Being allowed to skip trailers knowing I’ll have a decent seat is a big plus