[DeanFL]

A relatively minor irritant, but now increasing since we became MoviePass members...

It seems that a larger % of good 'adult' films have been/are shown only at Rialto. Example - today. The Darkest Hour, Shape of Water, Greatest Showman, Wonder Wheel, Crooked House are ONLY at Rialto.

We went today to see Shape of Water... at Rialto. The theaters are small, the narrow screens are mounted high, and no "theater seating" with the angled floor (thus the need for the high screen). And the small washrooms only out front. The ticket lines to seat the very popular 'The Darkest Hour' were out the door.

The theaters in Lake Sumter and Brownwood are much larger and have the latest amenities. It's a pleasure to spend a few hours there...

WHY??? does management seem to place the good adult-like films only at Rialto? I know, I know Star Wars and the like go to BW and LSL. Just seems with our sprawling North<>South population across TV it would warrant a better spread across our theaters of good popular movies.

[John_W]

This is not new, it's been going on as long as I lived here, 2011. It depends on the size market they deem that film will draw. What gets really bad is when they estimate low numbers and put the wrong film at SS. A couple of years ago Gone Girl was playing only at SS, we waited a week after opening, then went to the 1pm show and the line for that movie was out to the door. I counted I think, 143 seats in that theater and everyone was full.

I have all the premium movie channels in HD on Directv, about 45 and all commercial free. So I've refused going to SS anymore, the last time was to see Nebraska back in 2014. I figured it defeats the purpose to pay for all those channels if I don't watch them, now I can look forward to seeing the film in six months or more at home.

[EdFNJ]

Don't quite understand. There are 3 "R" rated movies at LSL and only 1 at SS. I understand what you meant by "adult" but technically there are more "adult" movies at LSL. Just not the ones you want to see.

I thought all the theaters had stadium seating. I guess the oldest one (SS) doesn't. I'll have to note that. Back up north even the newest theaters had smaller screens than our TV set has which is why I'd never pay $16 to see a movie there! Went to our first movie since we moved in here a year ago on Christmas day at LSL and really liked the theater. Huge screen, stadium seating, great sound and great food! Sorry, Don't mean to rub it in!

What is MoviePass?

[Bjeanj]

I can’t tell if you are just ranting, or are actually looking for an answer. If ranting, that’s cool. If you are looking for an answer, I doubt anyone here can do more but speculate. For example, it was the first theater built many years ago, which at that time this may have been considered a very nice theater?or that they flip a coin to determine which movies to show at the Rialto vs LSL or Brownwood? Don’t know.

[Mleeja]

I would like to see at all (or any) of the theaters offer premium seating, where the seats are essentially love seat recliners with a drink tray in the middle. Have seating for maybe 30 people. Make the cost of this seating twice the cost of regular admission. They will still sellout!

[DeanFL]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

Don't quite understand. There are 3 "R" rated movies at LSL and only 1 at SS. I understand what you meant by "adult" but technically there are more "adult" movies at LSL. Just not the ones you want to see.

What is MoviePass?

What I really meant by 'adult' was topic interesting to an adult audience, not simply the rating due to language etc.

Movie Pass - check it out at their site. And/or search on ToTV --- it is a GREAT deal if one has time to see movies...

And re my OP post - not simply a rant, but if someone has an answer or perhaps the ear of the owner/scheduler...

[Chatbrat]

I have to agree with the OP,its a shame "quality" movies are only shown @ the Rialto--while the "pop" movies IMHO in most instances are nothing but glorified big screen video games fill Brownwood and LSL

[thelegges]

We still have not gone to barnstormer theater, due to what movies are showing. Op right seems SS has better choices for movies

[Jayhawk]

Read the entire story and it makes sense why they do this.

3 Answers - How do theater owners decide whether to show a movie? - Quora

[Taltarzac725]

The Rialto was the only theater open when we moved here in June of 2005. The seats were very uncomfortable and noisy. Thankfully, the Old Mill Playhouse opened around November of 2005 and offered stadium seating, leg room, and quiet and comfortable seating.

The Rialto seems to get the art house movies and those geared to an adult viewer.

[spring_chicken]

I've been to all 3 theaters and quite enjoy seeing movies at the Rialto. I've had people sit down directly in front of me and it did not block my view one bit.
I've never heard anybody gripe about a screen being mounted too high, so I have no idea what that's about.
I supposed if they put half those movies at sumter or brownwood, you'd have people bitching about it, too.
You just cannot please 150k nitpicking seniors.

[8notes]

Originally Posted by DeanFL

A relatively minor irritant, but now increasing since we became MoviePass members...

It seems that a larger % of good 'adult' films have been/are shown only at Rialto. Example - today. The Darkest Hour, Shape of Water, Greatest Showman, Wonder Wheel, Crooked House are ONLY at Rialto.

We went today to see Shape of Water... at Rialto. The theaters are small, the narrow screens are mounted high, and no "theater seating" with the angled floor (thus the need for the high screen). And the small washrooms only out front. The ticket lines to seat the very popular 'The Darkest Hour' were out the door.

The theaters in Lake Sumter and Brownwood are much larger and have the latest amenities. It's a pleasure to spend a few hours there...

WHY??? does management seem to place the good adult-like films only at Rialto? I know, I know Star Wars and the like go to BW and LSL. Just seems with our sprawling North<>South population across TV it would warrant a better spread across our theaters of good popular movies.

I agree. I suspect it is because the Rialto is such a crappy movie theater, the only way they can get decent audiences to frequent it, is to have the best movies. And I have to add, that even at Barnwood and Old Mill Run, the soundproofing doesn't seem really great. Depending on what's playing next door, you can hear booming and other sound effects that can be distracting. And why do they play the opening trailers so loud? I bring earplugs, it is way too loud for me. On the plus side, I do like the stadium seating at Barnwood and Old Mill Run, and they keep the theaters clean. You never seem to find sticky floors, or popcorn all over the floor.

[Kahuna32162]

Just got our MoviePass subscriptions as a Christmas present and can't wait to start using them at all 3 theaters. As more people catch on to this great deal, my fear is the smaller theaters will be more and more overcrowded.

[coffeebean]

The big brash blockbuster musical, “La La Land” was booked only in The Rialto in SS. I could not understand why this huge musical was booked on such a small screen in The Villages so I contacted the man responsible for booking the movies in the theaters.

This was not the first time The Rialto had a movie which would be enjoyed so much more on a large screen with a great sound system. I was told by the man responsible for booking the movies that he puts those type of movies in The Rialto because if he didn’t no one would ever go to that theater. He said The Rialto has to make money too so he puts the popular movies there even if they would be enjoyed more on a large screen.

The man who is responsible for booking the movies in The Villages theaters is Craig Franco. He can be reached at 352-750-5411. Voice your concerns to him. Maybe he will get the message.

[8notes]

Originally Posted by Kahuna32162

Just got our MoviePass subscriptions as a Christmas present and can't wait to start using them at all 3 theaters. As more people catch on to this great deal, my fear is the smaller theaters will be more and more overcrowded.

I've got one too. It certainly will be busy in the winter with the seasonal residents, but come April or May, it should be fine.