[circletrack]

The Rialto is almost 20 years old isn’t it? Of course it’s not going to have the big, more modern amenities as the Barnstorm, but for a smaller theater, I’ve always had an enjoyable experience. The place is still maintained well, and I believe the seats have been replaced in the last couple of years. I actually appreciate that the screen is mounted higher as no matter how tall someone is, they don’t block your view. Sure some call it small, I’d say it’s intimate.

As far as the type of movies booked there, it seems to be TV’s boutique theater, often playing the more high-minded and independent films, with a couple of normal flicks here and there.

[justjim]

OP, I tend to agree with your post. I too have often wondered why almost alway the better movies were shown at the older SS theatre. The Rialto definitely needs an upgrade.

Lately we seem to find it difficult to find any movie at any TV theater that appear worth seeing. Anybody else have this problem? Maybe our age (LOL) but they just don’t make good movies anymore.

[DeanFL]

Originally Posted by 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.

CB, Thanks much for your response and the contact name. We will certainly contact him and comment on this issue.

As for: '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.'

I was assuming this was the true reason, but hoping not. It's a shallow reason as he may be depriving some TVrs from going to see a particular movie in that venue- and perhaps losing revenue as well. We will think twice to see a movie there...

[coffeebean]

Honestly, it aggravates me the movies that would be much more enjoyable on larger screens are booked in the theater that does not have a large screen.

Before the movie even arrived in The Villages, I would have bet money “The Greatest Showman” would be shown in The Rialto. That is perfectly ridiculous to me. I don’t have a problem with the layout of The Rialto theater or the lack of stadium seating. That is not it at all. My concern is the fact that these movies that should be shown on large screens are not getting that treatment. I just shake my head at the stupidity of it.

[GoodLife]

OUR TV Movie Theaters - WHY?

They are not "OUR" movie theaters, The Morse family owns them. Pretty sure they book the movies in a way that is most profitable for them.

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!

Invest in a 4k TV and a nice couch. Your scenario of a 30 seat theater would probably require ticket prices of $150 each due to economics, reduced popcorn revenue etc. Or you could build such a theater yourself and see how it works out financially.

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

Obviously nobody bothered to read your link, which explains why a capitalist would book films in a particular way at different theaters

Basically the longer the "run" of a movie at a theater, the higher the profit margin goes up for the owner. So putting your movies with longer staying power at smallest theater makes cents.

[GoodLife]

Honestly, it aggravates me the movies that would be much more enjoyable on larger screens are booked in the theater that does not have a large screen.

Bigger screens do not equal better quality. As long as projection equipment is similar, a 30 foot screen in a 150 seat venue is the same as 90 foot screen in 450 seat venue.

[GoodLife]

Lately we seem to find it difficult to find any movie at any TV theater that appear worth seeing. Anybody else have this problem? Maybe our age (LOL) but they just don’t make good movies anymore.

I am with you there, they don't make them like they used to. Compare a movie like Pride and Prejudice with todays crap. Its like night and day.

Anyway, movie theaters are going the way of the dinosaurs. Overpriced tickets and caloric bomb popcorn with butter flavored soybean oil just doesn't compute with HD streaming or renting a blueray at Redbox, all in the comfort of home with no driving, parking, waiting in line etc etc. Time from theater release to streaming or DVD rental gets shorter all the time. 3-4 months for blockbusters and even faster for less commercial films. I can wait for new releases a few months, if it's a poor attempt at cinema I've only wasted a couple bucks.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by GoodLife

Honestly, it aggravates me the movies that would be much more enjoyable on larger screens are booked in the theater that does not have a large screen.

Bigger screens do not equal better quality. As long as projection equipment is similar, a 30 foot screen in a 150 seat venue is the same as 90 foot screen in 450 seat venue.

All movies these days are digital. The quality of the picture is not the issue. The larger screen gives a much more "immersive" feeling. Those squatty screens in The Rialto are not why I pay money to go to the movies. I would prefer to wait for the movies to be on cable and watch on my big screen TV in my own home. But.....that is just how I feel about having to pay money to view a movie in a theater on a small screen.

[coffeebean]

Regarding the movie theaters with the upgraded recliner seats.......

Our local movie theaters in New Jersey upgraded their theaters with those awesome recliner seats with the drink holders in the middle of two seats. Yes....the seat capacity is much less but.....the theater closest to our home still offered $5 ticket price for movies before 10am, every day even on their largest screens. All of their movies had a showing which began before 10am. That is the best movie theater deal we will ever see. To have a deal like that in those super comfortable recliner seats with adjustable foot rests was amazing.

[barrianyoung]

I suppose what movies are shown where has to do with projected income from each movie based on the local population (including outside TV).

[mrdarcy]

AMC theater at Lake Square Mall in Leesburg has recliner seating. It’s a nice experience. That mall is re-inventing itself as an entertainment venue. You can browse the great inventory at Books-A-Million while you wait for your movie to start. I recommend checking it out.

[EdFNJ]

I believe they do the same thing with the nightly entertainment in the squares (also very subjective based on ones taste of course). Like the movies most of the more popular groups are in SS more times than anywhere else. SS is the tiniest square for seating & dancing (like the theaters). Obviously they are trying to get more of a certain age group down there since (sorry Nucky ) the "further north" you are in TV the older the demographic. I got that info from a number of real estate agents so take it with a grain of Villages Turf but after living a month on the historic side befroe we bought our home I can see where they get that from. The older the area the older the average age of the residents are which does make sense since that area has been around longer.

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by mrdarcy

AMC theater at Lake Square Mall in Leesburg has recliner seating. It’s a nice experience. That mall is re-inventing itself as an entertainment venue. You can browse the great inventory at Books-A-Million while you wait for your movie to start. I recommend checking it out.

I hear that mall has recently been resold. I think the 2 places you listed are 2 of about 6 stores remaining in the place. The first and last time we were there (about 7 months ago) it was Movies, T-Mobile, book store and pin ball palace and a couple other stragglers. Probably 10 "customers" in the place including us. A smart group of peole could make it a "Villages Destination" and maybe get some REAL stores in there. Generally speaking though, indoor malls are on their death throes so probably nothing will help.

[GoodLife]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

I believe they do the same thing with the nightly entertainment in the squares (also very subjective based on ones taste of course). Like the movies most of the more popular groups are in SS more times than anywhere else. SS is the tiniest square for seating & dancing (like the theaters). Obviously they are trying to get more of a certain age group down there since (sorry Nucky ) the "further north" you are in TV the older the demographic. I got that info from a number of real estate agents so take it with a grain of Villages Turf but after living a month on the historic side befroe we bought our home I can see where they get that from. The older the area the older the average age of the residents are which does make sense since that area has been around longer.

Yep you heard right. The average age of Villagers north of 466 is 97 years old, we never die and sell our homes to the whippersnappers who congregate down south. We have a secret contract we made with Harold and his young son Gary that all the best movies and music groups will forever play in Spanish Springs. This is a secret clause in closing contracts that you would never know about unless you bought up here which you couldn't unless you were at least 90.

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by GoodLife

Yep you heard right. The average age of Villagers north of 466 is 97 years old, we never die and sell our homes to the whippersnappers who congregate down south. We have a secret contract we made with Harold and his young son Gary that all the best movies and music groups will forever play in Spanish Springs. This is a secret clause in closing contracts that you would never know about unless you bought up here which you couldn't unless you were at least 90.

See, they were right!