Regal Huebner Oaks Theater v Santikos Palladium (how much, houses)

[wehotex]

I always have tried to patronize the Huebner Oaks Theater (previously AMC) because it was the "neighborhood theater" ( I lived across the street from it). I've never been to the Santikos Palladium at all, instead alternating between the more adult friendly Bijou and the AMC Huebner. I took my nephew to see a kids movie recently and was shocked when they charged me an extra dollar for an "upsize" drink. When I asked the befuddled girl, she told me that it was because it was an "icee". The drinks and the popcorn were overpriced (of course), but a 75 cent spread between the medium and jumbo sizes. By contrast, the Santikos had only 25 cent spread between the 2 drink sizes ($5 and $5.25) PLUS free refills at a self-service station! The popcorn was reasonable (for a theater) and also free refill upon request. Santikos seemed to have a lot more ad commercials than the other ones though. That may be a trade-off. Anybody else notice these things?

[staunchcharacter]

It's tough for me to feel bad for those who mince pennies over the cost of concessions at a movie house: It's how they make their money. If you saw how much a brand new, 4k Christie or Sony high-def projector costs, along with all of the other tech in those new auditoriums, you likely wouldn't be so quick to harp on a dime here or a dollar there.

They break even (or less) on the film. Always have and based on how Hollywood works, always will.

Aside from my tangent, I'd still choose Huebner, as Palladium is a zoo. Based on their sheer size, they have no ability to police their theaters for idiots who talk or text through the film. It's why I mainly stick to Drafthouse in-whole, as they don't mess around with that kind of thing: You break the rules, you're out.

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by staunchcharacter

It's tough for me to feel bad for those who mince pennies over the cost of concessions at a movie house: It's how they make their money. If you saw how much a brand new, 4k Christie or Sony high-def projector costs, along with all of the other tech in those new auditoriums, you likely wouldn't be so quick to harp on a dime here or a dollar there.

They break even (or less) on the film. Always have and based on how Hollywood works, always will.

Aside from my tangent, I'd still choose Huebner, as Palladium is a zoo. Based on their sheer size, they have no ability to police their theaters for idiots who talk or text through the film. It's why I mainly stick to Drafthouse in-whole, as they don't mess around with that kind of thing: You break the rules, you're out.

I'll take your comment with a grain of salt. I did forget to mention the Draft House. You are right about that. They are what I'd consider a more "adult friendly" environment free of screaming kids and rowdy parents who bring them. The reasons that you mention are specifically why I never had the desire to go to santikos palladium. I still think that it's ridiculous to charge a dollar extra for an icee vs coke. Money doesn't grow on trees.

[smuboy86]

Originally Posted by wehotex

I'll take your comment with a grain of salt. I did forget to mention the Draft House. You are right about that. They are what I'd consider a more "adult friendly" environment free of screaming kids and rowdy parents who bring them. The reasons that you mention are specifically why I never had the desire to go to santikos palladium. I still think that it's ridiculous to charge a dollar extra for an icee vs coke. Money doesn't grow on trees.

Neither do icees. Movie concessions are always going to be expensive, period.

[staunchcharacter]

Originally Posted by wehotex

I'll take your comment with a grain of salt. Money doesn't grow on trees.

Yeah, well at over $40k per digital 4K projector, the movie houses are saying the same thing.

You want a quality experience, you're going to continue to pay for concessions. Get used to it.