The One Ring Forums: Tolkien Topics: Movie Discussion: The Hobbit:
Questions about your viewing experiences



Roheryn
Tol Eressea

Feb 2 2013, 9:56pm


Views: 2197
Questions about your viewing experiences
Most of us have now seen AUJ a few times, maybe more...and probably you've had some varying experiences for each viewing. Here's a couple of questions for you:

1. Would you rather see it in a fairly packed theater, or with just a few people in there with you, or would you like the theater all to yourself? Why?

2. What's the funniest thing you've overheard other viewers say (I usually hear these things as we're all piling out together afterwards)?

3. Has anything Unexpected happened during any of your viewings?


My answers:

1. I'd rather see it with the theater all to myself, or with only myself and a few friends who are just as geeky as I am. If I'm going by myself, I try to sit in front of everyone else in the theater so I can pretend I have the place to myself. I find other people in there distracting -- I want to be fully immersed in the movie!

2. At my last viewing, I walked out behind a couple of older teenagers and maybe their mother. One of the teens was talking excitedly about Legolas -- I couldn't quite catch what she was saying, but it had to do with her thinking he was supposed to be in this movie. I was thinking, "Yeah! These guys must be really big fans!" But then the next sentence: "But I don't get it...there's just got to be a second movie, right? Don't you think there'll be another one?" So, not only did they not know AUJ was the first of a trilogy, but they weren't even sure that there was even one more movie after AUJ. Sigh.

3. Also at my last viewing -- this was weird and I'm curious whether it's happened to anyone else -- when we all put our 3D glasses on, nothing happened. As in, all couple dozen of us in the audience had our glasses on but the image on screen remained flat and double-imaged (just like it looks when you take the glasses off). We all sat there and individually played with our glasses for a few minutes as the previews kept rolling, then started fidgeting and looking around and realized it wasn't just us, it was everyone. A few of us ran out anxiously to let the staff know, and the problem was fixed a couple minutes later, just before the movie started (thank goodness!!). What in Middle-earth was going on there? Anyone know or have an idea?


And look! I made it through a whole post without once mentioning Thorin's hair! Wink Oh, wait...


Brethil
Half-elven


Feb 2 2013, 10:18pm


Views: 1504
I've never paid so much attention to anyone's hair
as much as Thorin's since reading the posts.Heart

I love an empty theater. Exception was Trilogy Tuesday, packed with die hards.

I hear a lot of comments from teens. They have all been positive, and two girls the other day were discussing buying The Hobbit on their kindles when they got home. That made me very, very happy. Will add that to the Greater Good thread.

Nothing Unexpected...except I didn't plan on loving it so much. So count that.
...she took the point at once, but she also took the spoons.


Elizabeth
Half-elven


Feb 2 2013, 10:18pm


Views: 1499
I like to see it making money!
A full theatre is great, providing I was able to get a good seat and everyone behaves appropriately.

I took my granddaughter, age 10, to my first viewing of AUJ. She reported developing a crush on Fili and Kili, unfortunately. I agreed that they were really cute. Unsure

My second viewing (I have to brag!) was at the Embassy in Wellington! Good crowds at both.

As for unexpected, nothing at either of these, but I must tell the story of the first time my husband and I saw The Artist. There was no sound. None. We were baffled, but as we had understood it was a "silent movie" we just assumed they were taking silence more seriously than we expected. On the way out we heard other audience members grumbling, and realized there must be a problem.

So, we went back the next night and told the ticket seller our complaint. She first said, "well, it's supposed to be a silent movie," but when we explained that there should have been background music, etc., she consulted her boss and gave us free tickets, promising to ensure that the well-meaning projectionist didn't turn off the sound this time!






(This post was edited by Elizabeth on Feb 2 2013, 10:20pm)


bborchar
Rohan


Feb 2 2013, 11:04pm


Views: 1452
Five times...
(all with different people)

1. That depends...I like both. Sometimes I get to screen a movie with my sister before it officially opens (we did it with Lincoln over Thanksgiving when I made it to her theater), and obviously we are the only ones in there. She goes and gets us a bunch of snacks, and we have a good time, talking about it and making fun of the previews. However, I also like seeing it with a crowd, because there's nothing like hearing the reaction of people around you.

2. I'm too busy talking to someone or listening to them to listen to others, so no stories there, I'm afraid ^^

3. When we watched it in HFR, the projector froze up a few times- a little strange, but no biggie. The last very strange thing that happened was when I saw Skyfall, and we could only hear the background music (nothing of what they were saying). I ran out to my sister and told her, and she got it fixed.


belfalas
Bree

Feb 2 2013, 11:18pm


Views: 1455
3: Missing polarizers
Dooberry that sits in front of the projector to polarize the light correctly for left/right eyes; the 3D works by putting a different 'twist' on the image for each eye so that the filters on the glasses block the image intended for the other eye. Without the polarisers, (most of) the light will just pass straight through to each eye without any differentiation, and apart from looking a little darker the view through the glasses will look very similar to without.
I'm guessing this wasn't a 3D HFR showing?


AinurOlorin
Half-elven


Feb 2 2013, 11:23pm


Views: 1438
Ehhhhhh.. . . ! Yeah. That is unfortunate.
Perhaps subtle hinting, and "but isn't that Bofur a charming fellow," and, "We'll be seeing plenty of Legolas and Thranduil soon." Unsure

To the original poster. . .

I love a full theatere, just like Elizabeth here, and with pretty much the same conditions. Movie going to me is a social experience, like sporting events and concerts. I am tranported to another time and/or place with dozens of other people, most of whom I don't even know, and we share a moment. Hopefully a good one. It is very communally magical in its way. I can be an isolationist in front of my own television. lol

After 7 viewings I cannot say anything untoward has really happened at any of the times I went. And while I have been amused by some of the re-actions of others around me, no one has done anything notably funny. At the first showing at midnight, with my Wizard hat and temporary beard, and my lady along as a lovely Elf Lady, we were probably the amusing thing that happened for some others. lol
In Reply To
A full theatre is great, providing I was able to get a good seat and everyone behaves appropriately.

I took my granddaughter, age 10, to my first viewing of AUJ. She reported developing a crush on Fili and Kili, unfortunately. I agreed that they were really cute. Unsure

My second viewing (I have to brag!) was at the Embassy in Wellington! Good crowds at both.

As for unexpected, nothing at either of these, but I must tell the story of the first time my husband and I saw The Artist. There was no sound. None. We were baffled, but as we had understood it was a "silent movie" we just assumed they were taking silence more seriously than we expected. On the way out we heard other audience members grumbling, and realized there must be a problem.

So, we went back the next night and told the ticket seller our complaint. She first said, "well, it's supposed to be a silent movie," but when we explained that there should have been background music, etc., she consulted her boss and gave us free tickets, promising to ensure that the well-meaning projectionist didn't turn off the sound this time!
"Hear me, hounds of Sauron, Gandalf is here! Fly if you value your foul skins, I will shrivel you from tail to snout if you step within this circle!"

"Do not be to eager to deal out death in judgement. Even the very wise cannot see all ends."


belfalas
Bree

Feb 2 2013, 11:23pm


Views: 1413
four times...
1. Theatre not particuarly full at any of them; I'd actually relish the opportunity to attend with a packed house for a change. Sigh...
2. See (1) heard nothing!
3. Realised I'd miscalculated timings on viewing #4, and that I'd have to leave 45 minutes before the end. That was a real bummer as it was the last opportunity to see it in HFR 3D before they pulled it for Les Mis., and the part I most wanted to see was the eagles at the end. To say I was pissed is an understatement, and somewhat blew the whole experience. Bugger.

I'm now waiting for it to come back in HFR 3D... which will probably be December. Sod it.


Eowyn3
Rivendell

Feb 2 2013, 11:42pm


Views: 1406
6 times total
First time was the midnight preview and theater was packed. Of course I love that and seeing more people in costumes is a lot of fun.
Second and third time packed, was fun too.
Fourth time plus, theater was not full and we did not have people around us. I enjoy that too because you can laugh out loud at the funny scenes before they happen without people giving you funny looks.
I just like watching it. Hope to catch it one more time.

I like Thorin's hair too!


CathrineB
Rohan


Feb 2 2013, 11:43pm


Views: 1416
Alrighty then
1. Would you rather see it in a fairly packed theater, or with just a few people in there with you, or would you like the theater all to yourself? Why?
I personally LOVE when the theater is packed! That's half the fun with going to the movies! Of course it's not always fun if there's one or two assholes that ruins the experience, but that is rarely to me. But most of the time I just love seeing, hearing others reaction, enjoying the movie etc. Especially with movies like the Hobbit because at the premieres 99,99% of them is full of fans after all. Having the theater to myself isn't that fun. I have my TV home for that.

2. What's the funniest thing you've overheard other viewers say (I usually hear these things as we're all piling out together afterwards)?
I got so many memories of various little things from viewings, but I can't remember half of them right at this moment. But some then. Maybe not overhearing, but during one of the viewings of "Return of the King" it was packed and there was a young woman beside me with her boyfriend or whatever and when the movie came to where Arwen and Aragorn was reunited she just broke down sobbing and I just twisted in my seat to keep myself from laughing. It was cute and so funny. I usually remember many small details from viewings, even like ten years ago with RotK.

3. Has anything Unexpected happened during any of your viewings?
Not really no. Once a movie stopped in the middle of showing once, but started again later. Hardly anything to write home about XD



(This post was edited by CathrineB on Feb 2 2013, 11:45pm)


imin
Valinor


Feb 3 2013, 12:33am


Views: 1367
2 times
Seen it two times - once on opening night (Real3D) so pretty big fans - were well behaved. Second time was just after new year in IMAX 3D HFR and was packed again. The viewing experiences cannot be compared IMAX was an infinitely better experience.

1. Would you rather see it in a fairly packed theater, or with just a few people in there with you, or would you like the theater all to yourself? Why?

If im honest i would rather see it completely by myself or with just friends who i know will be into it. Not very sociable i know but honestly i dont care if others who i dont know like it or not and for me its not a social experience - its in the dark facing away from everyone else with blaring sound to drown out the voices of idiots. For me it is a chance to escape reality and enter the world presented by the director, actors etc and the darkness, sound and massive screen help to achieve this.

If i could i would pay to rent out the entire screening for myself. The only time it can work is for horror or comedy, every other time, i dont want to know im in a cinema as i want to be IN the films world. Basically the exact same feeling as you Roheryn.

I have heard for a few thousand dollars/pounds the studio will fly out to your house with home cinema and under arm guard play the film - potentially doable if i win the lottery, lol.


2. What's the funniest thing you've overheard other viewers say (I usually hear these things as we're all piling out together afterwards)?

Funniest for me was an older man as he was getting up said 'well that was s**t' which as it happened just as the lights went up and things just made me laugh. The other comments werent that funny more just generic, that was good, not as good as lotr or that was great wanna see it in HFR again.


3. Has anything Unexpected happened during any of your viewings?
Nope both times the audiences have been very well behaved especially considering there was almost not a spare seat in the screenings. I was very happy - i can cope with audiences like that - laughed at funny bits, made appropriate noises for other times but mostly were as quiet as a mouse.


AinurOlorin
Half-elven


Feb 3 2013, 12:46am


Views: 1372
Ha. Your 1st response
is almost identical to mine. I understand you perfectly, and entirely agree. I am only amused to be alone in a movie theater about five minutes before any previews start, as an empty auditorium is great for testing the carry capacity of my singing voice. Once the previews start, I like to see other seats in the seats, especially if it is a movie I like, for exactly many of the reasons you mentioned.
In Reply To
1. Would you rather see it in a fairly packed theater, or with just a few people in there with you, or would you like the theater all to yourself? Why?
I personally LOVE when the theater is packed! That's half the fun with going to the movies! Of course it's not always fun if there's one or two assholes that ruins the experience, but that is rarely to me. But most of the time I just love seeing, hearing others reaction, enjoying the movie etc. Especially with movies like the Hobbit because at the premieres 99,99% of them is full of fans after all. Having the theater to myself isn't that fun. I have my TV home for that.

2. What's the funniest thing you've overheard other viewers say (I usually hear these things as we're all piling out together afterwards)?
I got so many memories of various little things from viewings, but I can't remember half of them right at this moment. But some then. Maybe not overhearing, but during one of the viewings of "Return of the King" it was packed and there was a young woman beside me with her boyfriend or whatever and when the movie came to where Arwen and Aragorn was reunited she just broke down sobbing and I just twisted in my seat to keep myself from laughing. It was cute and so funny. I usually remember many small details from viewings, even like ten years ago with RotK.

3. Has anything Unexpected happened during any of your viewings?
Not really no. Once a movie stopped in the middle of showing once, but started again later. Hardly anything to write home about XD
"Hear me, hounds of Sauron, Gandalf is here! Fly if you value your foul skins, I will shrivel you from tail to snout if you step within this circle!"

"Do not be to eager to deal out death in judgement. Even the very wise cannot see all ends."


Gelir
Bree

Feb 3 2013, 12:55am


Views: 1357
Viewings
1. I've never seen it in an empty theater, so I'm not completely sure how I'd feel about it. Hopefully it'll happen so I can find out. Otherwise, I like seeing the theater full, but i generally prefer it when there are less people. It doesn't matter that much as long as everyone is quiet though.

2. I heard someone say "I didn't realize they weren't going to finish the movie." :) Someone explained that it was a trilogy, and she said she knew that but was still expecting more of a conclusion.

One little thing I've noticed at a lot of showings is that some people gasp excitedly when Gollum first appears. :) I think some viewers had no idea he'd be in the movie.

3. At two showings, something was off with the surround sound - maybe a speaker was out. You couldn't hear the doorbell when Fili and Kili or the large group of dwarves arrived, and you couldn't hear the warg prior to Bilbo asking if it was a wolf. It seemed that the audience was a little confused. But everything else on the movie could be heard.


CathrineB
Rohan


Feb 3 2013, 1:00am


Views: 1356
I know right?
Like with "the Hobbit" now on the premiere there were like moments people reacted to things and you KNOW they have read the book. Like when Balin says "Azog learned that day that the line of Durin would not be so easily defeated" (more or less) and then the clip showed Fili and Kili. The reaction then was this muted 'aww' and THAT is moments I love. To me that is what I love about going to the theater, especially concerning LotR and the Hobbit. Also like when Bilbo says "I believe the worse is over" and half the theater went like "Hah" or "Yeah right." lol.


grammaboodawg
Immortal


Feb 3 2013, 1:05am


Views: 1394
But... what about Thorin's hair? ;)
GOOD QUESTIONS... and a worthy attempt at dealing with withdrawal. *twitch*

1. Would you rather see it in a fairly packed theater, or with just a few people in there with you, or would you like the theater all to yourself? Why?
All of the above :)
I love seeing the premier with a room full of geeks; but I've found the best viewings are when there's only a few people who haven't seen The Hobbit before and are totally into it. They laugh, they gasp, they whisper to each other at those special moments/comments. I really have fun with those groups. If I can get the theatre to myself, that's great; but it didn't happen with TH:AUJ... yet :)

2. What's the funniest thing you've overheard other viewers say (I usually hear these things as we're all piling out together afterwards)?
It wasn't funny... but it was noteworthy for me. "It was almost as good as Twilight." *upchuck* But there was that one time when someone said, "When I was here the last time, there was this lady dressed up as a Black Rider." *points at self* :) THEN there was another time when I overheard an elderly couple talking about how different the movie was fromt he book. I couldn't help myself... we had about a 15 minute conversation about why there were changes and how Jackson's version of the story is worthy of appreciation ;)

3. Has anything Unexpected happened during any of your viewings?
Not really. The only unexpected thing was how awesome my theatre managers and workers are. Both the manager and assistant manager have since signed my "Signlanguage" book that TORnsibbies, cast, crew and others have signed.

*toasts Ro* Here's to more good times, Roheryn :) THANKS!


First draft of TH:AUJ Geeky Observation List - updated list coming soon


sample

I'm SO HAPPY these new films take me back to that magical world!!



TIME Google Calendar
TORn's Geeky Observations Lists (updated soon)


Jeremy
Rivendell


Feb 3 2013, 2:05am


Views: 1356
my answers:
In Reply To
1. Would you rather see it in a fairly packed theater, or with just a few people in there with you, or would you like the theater all to yourself? Why?

2. What's the funniest thing you've overheard other viewers say (I usually hear these things as we're all piling out together afterwards)?

3. Has anything Unexpected happened during any of your viewings?
1. Packed. Make it more fun.

2. At the end, some people dressed in renaissance faire-like clothing were talking about how the third Hobbit movie will be about Arwen mostly.

3. Rude kids making noise. Guy yelled "shut up." Usher went over to them.


AinurOlorin
Half-elven


Feb 3 2013, 2:32am


Views: 1345
TABA stands for. . .
Thinking About Banging Arwen???? Whaaa? lol. Thrilled About Being Arwen? Thranduil Admires Beautiful Arwen? Where on earth did they get the notion that Film Three would focus on Arwen?? As lovely as she is, I rather hope they are wrong. lol
In Reply To
In Reply To
1. Would you rather see it in a fairly packed theater, or with just a few people in there with you, or would you like the theater all to yourself? Why?

2. What's the funniest thing you've overheard other viewers say (I usually hear these things as we're all piling out together afterwards)?

3. Has anything Unexpected happened during any of your viewings?
1. Packed. Make it more fun.

2. At the end, some people dressed in renaissance faire-like clothing were talking about how the third Hobbit movie will be about Arwen mostly.

3. Rude kids making noise. Guy yelled "shut up." Usher went over to them.
"Hear me, hounds of Sauron, Gandalf is here! Fly if you value your foul skins, I will shrivel you from tail to snout if you step within this circle!"

"Do not be to eager to deal out death in judgement. Even the very wise cannot see all ends."


Kimtc
Rohan


Feb 3 2013, 2:33am


Views: 1336
8 times so far
1. I've usually had good sized audiences with me, but when I saw it in 3D IMAX it was the middle of the day and I was one of four people in this ginormous theater. As much as I disliked the format (it needed HFR, too, "trifecta vision"), I loved being in there with no one around me. I felt like a movie mogul in my giant home theater. Possibly just like PJ at home.

2. The second time I went was the first time I saw it with an audience of "civilians" (the first was the midnight premiere with people in costume, etc.). When Bilbo came to in the caverns of the mountain, someone yelled "It's Gollum!" Like it was a huge surprise. Everyone broke up.

3. The last time I went the same thing happened to our showing: when we put on our 3D glasses it still looked fuzzy and pink and green. Everyone looked at everyone else, convinced that only their own glasses didn't work. Finally during what was the last preview a girl got up and went to tell management. If she hadn't, we probably would have all sat there like idiots. It got fixed just in time.


Elizabeth
Half-elven


Feb 3 2013, 2:49am


Views: 1345
This is sounding like a common occurrance:
In Reply To
3. The last time I went the same thing happened to our showing: when we put on our 3D glasses it still looked fuzzy and pink and green. Everyone looked at everyone else, convinced that only their own glasses didn't work. Finally during what was the last preview a girl got up and went to tell management. If she hadn't, we probably would have all sat there like idiots. It got fixed just in time.
You would think 3D was common enough by now that theater staffs would have learned how to set it up properly. But already several people in this thread have reported problems.






arithmancer
Grey Havens

Feb 3 2013, 3:05am


Views: 1321
my answers
1. I like a fairly full theater. I enjoy audience reactions, and being part of that, particularly for funny moments in movies, and AUJ had plenty.

2. I can't recall overhearing anything noteworthy from strangers. Just generic 'that was good' sorts of comments.

3. Unfortunately, yes. The first time I took my sons to see it, a teenaged girl started a violent altercation with someone else (one of her friends? I did not see it and did not encourage my sons to look, but could hear the sounds of it) and was escorted, swearing and yelling, out of the theater by a police officer. This was before the previews had started (we were early to ensure we got good seats).


MistyMountain
Lorien

Feb 3 2013, 3:06am


Views: 1323
6 times so far
-First few times were fairly crowded. In theory, I would say I prefer only a few people but my experiences with a good number of people in the audience have been positive. Love it when people laugh and gasp at appropriate moments. My second viewing was with my mom who became a big fan of LOTR after getting infected with my ME-fan virus (alas, there's no cure!). But she had not read the Hobbit. So I got a huge kick out of her reaction at the end when Thorin looks done for and the orc (as per Azog's orders) has a sword to Thorin's neck. Thorin reaches out desperately to grab his sword. I could hear my mom draw her breath and her hand reached out also. I almost felt I should reassure her but then Bilbo came to the rescue!

Never really heard any memorable comments and had no notable problems at any viewing (yet). I hope to get in #7 tomorrow in Manhattan at what is reputed to be the only "true" IMAX theatre in the city. Not sure what that means but I hope to find outSmile


Jeremy
Rivendell


Feb 3 2013, 3:36am


Views: 1320
don't judge a book by its cover
I don't know but it was funny because they were dressed like they should know! There was another guy (this is of the people who stayed after the credits) who did NOT fill any stereotypes and he was talking about The Silmarillion. :)

In Reply To
Thinking About Banging Arwen???? Whaaa? lol. Thrilled About Being Arwen? Thranduil Admires Beautiful Arwen? Where on earth did they get the notion that Film Three would focus on Arwen?? As lovely as she is, I rather hope they are wrong. lol
In Reply To
In Reply To
1. Would you rather see it in a fairly packed theater, or with just a few people in there with you, or would you like the theater all to yourself? Why?

2. What's the funniest thing you've overheard other viewers say (I usually hear these things as we're all piling out together afterwards)?

3. Has anything Unexpected happened during any of your viewings?
1. Packed. Make it more fun.

2. At the end, some people dressed in renaissance faire-like clothing were talking about how the third Hobbit movie will be about Arwen mostly.

3. Rude kids making noise. Guy yelled "shut up." Usher went over to them.


Roheryn
Tol Eressea

Feb 3 2013, 4:10am


Views: 1288
Interesting...
I'd been wondering just how it is that 3D glasses work...thanks for that.

This was actually a 3D HFR showing...does that make a difference?


AinurOlorin
Half-elven


Feb 3 2013, 4:21am


Views: 1294
Ugh! They may have been Posers!!! lol
lol. Though I don't really mind that type either. Sometimes they are fun to meet at movies and the like. Movie firsters who are really into it, but don't know the actual underlying story. At the best of times you get to chat them up and reveal the glory of the cannon to them before or after the movie, which can be lots of fun.
In Reply To
I don't know but it was funny because they were dressed like they should know! There was another guy (this is of the people who stayed after the credits) who did NOT fill any stereotypes and he was talking about The Silmarillion. :)

In Reply To
Thinking About Banging Arwen???? Whaaa? lol. Thrilled About Being Arwen? Thranduil Admires Beautiful Arwen? Where on earth did they get the notion that Film Three would focus on Arwen?? As lovely as she is, I rather hope they are wrong. lol
In Reply To
In Reply To
1. Would you rather see it in a fairly packed theater, or with just a few people in there with you, or would you like the theater all to yourself? Why?

2. What's the funniest thing you've overheard other viewers say (I usually hear these things as we're all piling out together afterwards)?

3. Has anything Unexpected happened during any of your viewings?
1. Packed. Make it more fun.

2. At the end, some people dressed in renaissance faire-like clothing were talking about how the third Hobbit movie will be about Arwen mostly.

3. Rude kids making noise. Guy yelled "shut up." Usher went over to them.
"Hear me, hounds of Sauron, Gandalf is here! Fly if you value your foul skins, I will shrivel you from tail to snout if you step within this circle!"

"Do not be to eager to deal out death in judgement. Even the very wise cannot see all ends."


Old Toby
Grey Havens


Feb 3 2013, 6:36am


Views: 1313
Oh goodie! Another fun thread!
And here are my answers after my 16th viewing (three times in 2D and the rest in my preferred 3D HFR format):

Would you rather see it in a fairly packed theater, or with just a few people in there with you, or would you like the theater all to yourself? Why?
I like to see it initially the day it comes out. Me and about a dozen of my friends go in costume. No shame! I like having a lot of people in the theater for the simple reason that it makes me happy to see this movie make lots of money! And I really enjoy having people who have never seen it before in the theater too at this late date, like there was today. They laugh, gasp, etc. at all the places we all did when we first saw it. Now that I've seen it so many times, and since it isn't playing in the 3D HFR format anymore where I live, I'd just as soon see it with just a few people in the theater...by myself or with a couple of friends. For one thing, I like having some space between me and other people. I get claustrophobic a bit in crowds. Second, I can sit where I like to sit. (I swear, they ought to just go ahead and ingrave my name in the seat I usually sit in, I've sat there so many times!)

What's the funniest thing you've overheard other viewers say (I usually hear these things as we're all piling out together afterwards)?
I overheard one young lady, who obviously had just seen it for the first time, say,"I can't believe the critics didn't like this movie! I loved it!" Ahhh, that made me feel so good! LOL!

Has anything Unexpected happened during any of your viewings?
No, nothing unexpected has ever happened. It's odd, what some of you have experienced with your 3D glasses. I noticed some people have put them on even before they are instructed to. I've never understood that, since everything on the screen before the "Please Put On Your 3D Glasses" notice is filmed in 2D. Then there was one guy who didn't want the theater's 3D glasses. I can only assume he brought his own!
"Age is always advancing and I'm fairly sure it's up to no good." Harry Dresden (Jim Butcher)


Alcarcalime
Tol Eressea


Feb 3 2013, 9:21am


Views: 1258
Okey. Dokey!
1. Would you rather see it in a fairly packed theater, or with just a few people in there with you, or would you like the theater all to yourself? Why? I prefer to see it in an empty theater. The emptier the better. Why? Because I don't like all the noise and distraction and because I am so sensitive to perfume/scent and there is always someone who has taken a bath in it and then I get sick. Now, the theater we attend as started spraying something into the air. It smells like burnt popcorn and some heavy floral scent. The day after each time we were there, I have been sick. The one time we went two days in a row, I was REALLY sick.

2. What's the funniest thing you've overheard other viewers say (I usually hear these things as we're all piling out together afterwards)? Nothing.

3. Has anything Unexpected happened during any of your viewings? Not really. Just some stupid woman talking on her cell phone and wouldn't stop just because it was bothering those around her.



Súlimë
Rivendell


Feb 3 2013, 10:13am


Views: 811
Fun!
Would you rather see it in a fairly packed theater, or with just a few people in there with you, or would you like the theater all to yourself? Why?
I like a full theater! Where I am no one ever does anything rude, like talk out loud or throw things at the screen, so I usually enjoy feeling the presence of the crowd and hearing them react to the movie. I like it when they laugh or gasp -- I take it to mean that they are immersed in the movie and enjoying the experience.

What's the funniest thing you've overheard other viewers say (I usually hear these things as we're all piling out together afterwards)?
I sat next to a young couple. When Gollum showed up the guy chuckled in amusement and muttered something like "This guy again", but the girl started whimpering and covered her eyes. I guess if you first saw LotR when you were 7, you might have been traumatized by Gollum :P

Has anything Unexpected happened during any of your viewings?
The 10-minute Star Trek preview in IMAX. I didn't know about the preview in advance. About a few minutes in, my sister turned and asked me if we walked into the right theatre :P


Lonely Mountain
The Shire

Feb 3 2013, 10:13am


Views: 801
Four times
1. Would you rather see it in a fairly packed theater, or with just a few people in there with you, or would you like the theater all to yourself? Why?
I prefer seeing it in a theater with just a few people. If it is crowded, you usually have people who annoy you with their conversations and you have tall people sitting in front of you.

2. What's the funniest thing you've overheard other viewers say (I usually hear these things as we're all piling out together afterwards)?
A woman asked her children whether The Hobbit was taking place before or after The Lord of the Rings (she asked some time after the display of "60 years earlier" so it should have been clear when it was taking place).

3. Has anything Unexpected happened during any of your viewings?
No.


(This post was edited by Lonely Mountain on Feb 3 2013, 10:15am)


belfalas
Bree

Feb 3 2013, 1:05pm


Views: 764
Nope, but I got the impression that the HFR projectors were 'locked down'
after the film was installed on it. I suppose if the 2D trailers go out on the same projector before the film starts then that might explain why someone felt the polarisers shouldn't be there (it would make the trailers/adverts look a little darker), and hence why they forgot to put them in again... as far as I know this is done manually which is why it seems common practice to leave them in-situ.
There's no different between standard 3D and HFR 3D in this respect.


Nira
Lorien


Feb 3 2013, 4:29pm


Views: 760
The Star Trek preview confused me too
I got so nervous I was in the wrong theater that I had to walk out to check and be sure I was in the right one. That really scared me. Blush
"Why, to think of it, we're in the same tale still! It's going on. Don't the great tales never end?"


Tintallë
Gondor


Feb 3 2013, 4:49pm


Views: 753
I may have more opportunities to be in an empty theater!
And while I was glad to have a crowd at my first few viewings, the last was in an empty theater and I became wholly immersed in the movie. I loved it. And I have discovered that HFR 3D is still here in San Diego, much to my delighted surprise!

The rest of the country can have their Super Bowl. I will go to the opera, stop at home to feed my cat, and head for the theater.

(On a side note, I rose this morning to enjoy my rare Sunday off and the opportunity to watch CBS Sunday Morning with my coffee in hand only to find its start time had been moved up to 6 a.m. to accommodate the ALL DAY Super Bowl programming. *snort* Bah humbug.)

Um, what was I saying? Oh yes. #2: the movie ended and I heard "That's IT? They just STOPPED THERE?" to which someone else replied "There's a sequel" followed by a groan from the first person.

Nothing unexpected has happened. There have been some minor annoyances - a couple keeping up a running commentary throughout, and guy two rows down in front of me who pulled out his cell phone with a screen that must have been set at maxium brightness and proceeded to text half the universe. At one viewing there was a huge group of teens who absolutely delighted in Gollum's every move and expression, which was kind of fun. Every time I have been the only one who stayed through the end credits, which I found surprising on the days the theater was packed. (I don't stay any more.)

I have honestly lost count of the number of times I've seen the movie, but I'm pretty excited about adding to whatever that count may be!


Tintallë
Gondor


Feb 3 2013, 5:01pm


Views: 740
DITTO about the perfume!
It's a horrible thing to go to a movie theater or any venue with an audience and sit near someone who has taken a bath in perfume. I really don't understand; after all, the point of perfume is to make someone want to get closer, not repel them. A faint whiff is enticing; a deluge of scent is gag-inducing.

I have to question my own sanity having season tickets for Sunday matinees, since that is the time favored by little old ladies drenched in noxious perfume.

I work in an ICU where no one wears perfume because the patients are so sensitive to anything and everything. It's a good place for me!


glor
Rohan

Feb 3 2013, 5:42pm


Views: 744
11 years ago...
Quote
So, not only did they not know AUJ was the first of a trilogy, but they weren't even sure that there was even one more movie after AUJ. Sigh.

The same thing happened to me on the opening night of FOTR, I wouldn't worry about audiences not realising that it's trilogy Wink


Alcarcalime
Tol Eressea


Feb 3 2013, 6:54pm


Views: 721
An addition to my post:
When OhioHobbit was coming out of the theater after the movie, he heard someone humming the Misty Mountain song.

OhioHobbit reminded me of something that made me laugh out loud at the theater. When we came out of the movie, I (of course) made for the restrooms. There lined up were most of the men who had been in the theater to see The Hobbit -- they were holding coats and purses. Their women all had the same goal in mind that I did. OhioHobbit and I had stayed a bit and watched the credits, so by the time I came back out of the restroom, most of the men were gone. Poor OhioHobbit was holding up the wall alone -- holding a coat and purse.



IdrilofGondolin
Rohan

Feb 3 2013, 9:29pm


Views: 712
Same Here
Lights came up at the end of FOTR and there was a general "Is that all there is?" I had to laugh. As to the wonderful questions:
1. Like packed theater if the audience is in tune with the film. You can know that when people put their hands in the air and yell as the roller coaster that encourages you to buy stuff runs by on the screen before the trailers. Like fewer people after having seen the film a couple of time.

2. I kept having trouble with the surround sound. The dying goblin Gollum eventually eats is making a frightful snorting and gurgling noise as you may recall. The first two times I saw AUJ I thought the noise was coming from someone sitting on my right. and I was worried.

3. Nothing interesting here.


Loresilme
Valinor


Feb 3 2013, 10:56pm


Views: 727
Fun topic!!
Great questions, Roheryn! Although, you may speak freely of Thorin's hair whenever the urge moves you. You are among friends (and fellow Thorin-hair/eyes/voice obsessives) here, lol.

1. Would you rather see it in a fairly packed theater, or with just a few people in there with you, or would you like the theater all to yourself? Why?
I would rather there were other people in the theater - but not so packed that I can't get a good seat, lol! And generally I really don't like crowds, so I'd have to say that in a theater is the exception to that rule for me. Maybe it's because everyone is sitting down, but it doesn't bother me, and in fact I like it better when there are a lot of people there to react to the movie too. I haven't ever witnessed problems with rudeness, but I'm not sure if that's due to the kinds of films I go see - mainly fantasy films and kids films. So I don't know what it's like seeing other types of films with a lot of people, I imagine you get different types of people depending on the movie being shown. Most of what's happened to me has been unintentional, or just me being really over-sensitive. For example, during one AUJ viewing, I did have to change my seat because the people behind me kept knocking their feet into my seat. Someone else probably would not have been bothered by that, but because I really wanted nothing to break the spell of being in Middle-earth, I got up and moved somewhere else.

2. What's the funniest thing you've overheard other viewers say (I usually hear these things as we're all piling out together afterwards)?
I did hear some young adult boys on the way out, saying that they really liked it and - I quote - saying, "I don't know what the critics were talking about". Which made me very happy :-). But that doesn't really qualify as funny, so let me try to think of something else ... oh ok, here's something: upon exiting after one 3D viewing, some poor fellow accidentally also threw his own eyeglasses into the 3D glasses recycling bin on the way out, lol! So several people were trying to be helpful (because the bin was in the dark hallway on the way out) by shining the lights of their cell phones into the bin so he could fish out his glasses. He finally got them out and everyone cheered. It was a nice moment.

3. Has anything Unexpected happened during any of your viewings?
Yes, in the HFR viewings, there was a problem with the audio in two places: in Bag End, when Bilbo is walking between rooms as he's telling Frodo about Lobelia trying to steal his spoons, when he's hidden from view, his line of dialogue also cuts out so you didn't hear him say the part specifically about the spoons. You hear his dialogue again once you see him on-camera again. And also, in Rivendell, when Gandalf says "I had no idea Lord Elrond had sent for you", off-screen you're supposed to hear Saruman say, "He didn't. I did". But in the HFR version, we didn't hear those lines, at all. Which does make it seem odd that Gandalf makes that face, because we didn't hear the words that provoke the face. I saw it three times in HFR and it happened each time, but it was in the same theater each time, so I don't know if that had anything to do with it. And in both scenes, it involved dialogue that was spoken/heard when the character speaking them was off-camera, so there's definitely a pattern there, but I don't know what would cause it. And it only happened in the 3D HFR version (I also saw it in 2D and 3D IMAX).

Also, regarding people not knowing that a movie was part of a trilogy - I know people who had the same reaction when they saw FOTR. We forget that we fans are intimately involved in the story and these movies and we know a lot of these things beforehand. I know people though, who were really seriously annoyed that they'd spent three hours in a movie (FOTR) where everyone talked about destroying "this ring" and at the end of the movie, "the stupid ring" wasn't anywhere remotely near being destroyed :-). So I could easily imagine people feeling the same way at the end of AUJ.


Ataahua
Forum Admin / Moderator


Feb 3 2013, 11:43pm


Views: 713
You don't keep your 3D glasses?
In Reply To
some poor fellow accidentally also threw his own eyeglasses into the 3D glasses recycling bin on the way out, lol!

Are they designed to be one-use only?

I bought my 3D glasses at the cinema - with a hard-plastic frame - about a year ago and take them with me to any 3D film. Is it different in the States?
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."

"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.

Ataahua's stories


imin
Valinor


Feb 3 2013, 11:59pm


Views: 732
perhaps it was for IMAX
In IMAX the cinema gives you the glasses and then at the end of the film you put them in a big bin for them to reuse for the next showing.

For regular 3D you buy them from the cinema instead of them been given to you but because you bought them, you get to do what you want with them (keep them).


Silverlode
Forum Admin / Moderator


Feb 4 2013, 1:00am


Views: 696
In my area
they are made of fairly cheap plastic. They hand them to you on the way in and you toss them in the bin on the way out...and then they repackage and hand them out again. There may be a "cleaning" step in between, I'm not sure. There's nothing to keep you from taking them home, but no particular reason to either.
Silverlode






Loresilme
Valinor


Feb 4 2013, 1:12am


Views: 698
Not the way it is now
I'm not sure if it might change in the future, but where I am in the U.S., they give you the 3D glasses in little sealed bags when you go into the theater. Then when the movie is over, you're supposed to toss them in these big bins they have near all the exits so they can be recycled. The 3D glasses are from a company called "RealD". Here is a more detailed explanation:

"RealD established a recycling program for its disposable glasses in November 2008 and has collection containers in each theater with a RealD screen. When containers are full, they're sent to a recycling center, where the glasses are cleaned using heat and other cleaning agents, checked manually and by machine for quality assurance, and then individually repackaged."

I'm not really sure why they do this. I wouldn't mind buying my own pair and then just re-using them, like you do. Especially because when I went to the IMAX 3D version, the glasses were different and they were not in those little sealed bags and I got really grossed out at the idea that someone else had worn them and they might not have been cleaned (*blecch*).

It's interesting how the practice is so different in other countries - I'm wondering now if it might be different even in other areas of the U.S. - maybe it's only the company RealD that does this.


Ataahua
Forum Admin / Moderator


Feb 4 2013, 1:43am


Views: 694
Thank you all.
I haven't been to an IMAX in NZ so I'm not sure what their glasses procedure is. For all I know it might be the same as you guys have.
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."

"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.

Ataahua's stories


Clifton8
The Shire

Feb 5 2013, 8:41pm


Views: 899
The Joy of Teaching Tolkien
1. Would you rather see it in a fairly packed theater, or with just a few people in there with you, or would you like the theater all to yourself? Why?

Very few to none at all. This is due to the many distractions others can cause.... talking, texting, etc... Exception: I took my students on a field trip to see the movie. This was an amazing experience as they were all so excited (which I believe was a result of my own excitement in teaching the novel). The silence in the theater that day told me that my students were completely swept away in Middle-Earth (A very satisfying and heart-warming moment).We had watched all of the production video blogs from PJ and any other clips from youtube we could find. Two weeks before the premier of the film, I was informed that I was awarded a grant that I had applied for back in August in hopes of paying for the trip. Because of this, I was able to take 50 9th-10th grade students to see the film in 3D HFR.

2. What's the funniest thing you've overheard other viewers say (I usually hear these things as we're all piling out together afterwards)?

For me it was hilarious to hear my students complain about the cut off point of AUJ. Many of my students made comments about not getting to see Beorn (one of my favorite characters), which led them to beg me to take them all again next year to see The Desolation of Smaug.... The absolute highlight of the day.

3. Has anything Unexpected happened during any of your viewings?

The second time I went to see the film was with both of my brothers in Erie, PA. over Christmas break. There was a huge snow storm, but we ventured out anyway, just to see it together as we had done ten years ago with each of the LoTR movies. Just as Bilbo and Gollum began their game of riddles, the storm caused the power to go out! After the power was restored, the 3D projectors were thrown out of whack and were not able to be repaired..... we were the only ones to stay and finish watching the film even though it was all blurry. When we left the theater we were kindly refunded by management.