Luxury exhib chain plans $35 film tickets

A recession may be looming, but a group of investors thinks Americans are ready to pony up $35 for a movie ticket.
Village Roadshow Ltd., Act III, Lambert Entertainment and the Retirement Systems of Alabama pension fund have partnered to bring the luxury cinema circuit Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinemas to the U.S.

The partners will spend $200 million to build 50 theaters nationwide over the next five years, with the first two venues set to open in South Barrington, a suburb of Chicago, and the Seattle suburb of Redmond in October. Others are planned for Fairview, Texas, near Dallas-Fort Worth, and Scottsdale, Ariz.

Each complex will sport theaters featuring 40 reclining armchair seats with footrests, digital projection and the capability to screen 2-D and 3-D movies, as well as a lounge and bar serving cocktails and appetizers, a concierge service and valet parking.

But the circuit will especially push its culinary offerings -- made-to-order meals like sushi and other theater-friendly foods from on-site chefs (a service button at each seat calls a waiter). Moviegoers will have to pay extra for any food they order, however.

The Burbank-based company's hoping to attract 10 million "upscale and affluent" consumers per year to its theaters that will be housed in high-end shopping centers and malls. Each complex will typically house eight screens.

http://www.variety.com/VR1117982907.html

I can barely afford spending $12 per person to see a movie right now (plus the concessions) and I make pretty good money. $35...not a chance.

an expensive theatre is less likely to have huge families with noisy/rude kids, but to be honest, a pleasant experience can still be had if you go during a movie's fifth/sixth week for a first showing, when everyone is still asleep.

$35??

That is ridiculous.
Last year was a TURKEY year for movies at regular prices.
Honestly they can charge $35 when they offer a money back guarantee for movies that
suck. Let the theater owners put their money where their moth is.

$35 to watch a movie eh??? Or I could just wait and buy the same movie on either Blu Ray or HD DVD and watch it on my 58" 1080P plasma, all the while listening to the audio through a 650W Yamaha receiver on my 1990's (oldie but goodies) Infinity Reference Series speakers.

Meanwhile, I'm reclined on MY favorite coach with my beer fridge within reach, and when I cop a feel on my Old Lady no one but my faithful dog hears her smack me and tell me to leave her alone. Sound familiar

[Post edited by Bosshog7 on Mar 26, 2008]