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Comment by plandis | Hacker News Reader

I LOVE going to see movies in movie theatres. When I watch movies at home it's hard to focus. Pretty much constantly someone will feel the urge to check their phone. They will talk during movies, get up, etc...

At a theatre that ever happens. Everyone is focused and there are, in general, few distractions.

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I also love going to movies. The giant screen, surround sound (or at least sound that is properly equalized so I don't need to constantly turn the volume up and down), and the mental shift to "I'm in a movie, my phone is off" all wildly improve my enjoyment of the movie. It's also a huge reason why I saw so many more movies in theaters when I lived in Austin and could go to the Alamo Drafthouse, since it simply built the experience around the things that make theaters great. Since moving to the Bay Area, I find myself seeing far fewer movies in theaters though.

I actually find the opposite - when I am out at a movie there seems to always be someone rustling chocolate or whispering loudly to their neighbour, or someone has brought overly boisterous children, who normally don't really want to be there, to the screening.

At home, I can dim the lights and really get into a movie without any distractions.

Although I like going to movies on occasion, the ability to turn on subtitles (to better understand dialogue and overcome my kids being loud) and pause/rewind as needed makes watching at home more enjoyable.

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