Movies and TV Gold Class Cinemas - $29 movie tickets

Hammock Parties · 05-14-2010, 01:48 AM

I say...screw this shit. Alamo Drafthouse FTW.

http://www.avclub.com/austin/article...cinemas,40883/

Like all cities catering to the well-educated and conscientious, Austin brews self-entitlement the way Seattle brews lattes. While it’s all too easy to tout the city’s advantages—from a live-and-let-live philosophy that borders on hegemony to the vibrant music scene and so on—that civic pride can oh-so-easily slide into vanity. As such, Austinites can be brutal about slamming anything they see as threatening to their cherished way of life. Here, The A.V. Club examines some of the city’s most common Points Of Contention and debates whether they deserve their bad rap. This time, we look at the Alamo Drafthouse's latest competition, along with its jaw-dropping ticket prices.
Point Of Contention: Gold Class Cinemas

Why you hate it: When Gold Class Cinemas announced the opening of its newest theater in The Domain, reactions ranged from a skeptical "I can't imagine it's worth spending 30 bucks on a movie ticket" to a defensive "back off of our Alamo Drafthouse, out-of-state corporation." While the concept may fly in the chain's hometown of Beverly Hills, it's kind of redundant here. Furthermore, situating the place in the middle of The Domain—North Austin's most fervent attempt at establishing itself as "New Houston"—doesn't do much to allay concerns that this is just more California bullshit waltzing into Austin without any understanding of what makes our city great

Why you're right: Gold Class declares itself to be the "first class" experience of film-going ("actually, customers say it is better," declares its website), which ignores the fact that the Alamo is widely recognized as one of the finest theaters in the country. If watching a movie at Gold Class is flying first class, then attending a screening at The Ritz—with menu items crafted to reflect the film, pre-show entertainment thematically linked to the feature presentation, and a ticket price that's less than the mall cineplex—is like getting on a ****ing rocket ship.

The issue here is more than one of redundancy; we recognize that being able to eat and drink during a movie is fun, so Alamo loyalty wouldn't be an issue if Gold Class was opening a location in Miami. But it's also one of cost—namely, that $29 ticket price. Austinites tend to bristle at the notion of spending that much money to see their favorite bands play at Stubb's, and those guys had to physically drive here in a van for us to see them. The movie you watch at Gold Class is no different from the one playing at every other theater in town, so in a nation with 10 percent unemployment and a struggling economy, a show of conspicuous consumption like spending triple digits for tickets, food, and drinks at a movie theater is the equivalent of lighting your cigar with a $50 bill.

Why you're wrong: Times are tough, and that's true not only for people who like to watch movies, but also the industry that makes them. Competing with piracy, Netflix, and Redbox is a challenge, and even after introducing rumbling seats and an additional dimension, the film industry is struggling to find new ways to make the experience of going out to the movies a unique and valuable one.

Theaters like Gold Class can only help with that. And if the ticket prices are high, they increase the profitability of the industry as a whole, which means that filmmakers are more likely to continue, you know, making films—and we can all agree that's a good thing. Plus, the fact that Gold Class is way up in The Domain means that it's not really much of a competitor for the Alamo—it's practically a whole 'nother city up there.

Verdict: You know, even if Gold Class Cinemas is just the Alamo Drafthouse for assholes, it means that you'll have to deal with fewer assholes the next time you go to the Alamo. This town is big enough for the both of 'em.

|Zach| · 05-14-2010, 02:06 AM

I like the Cinema Suites around here at Kansas City Main St. The ticket is 20 bucks but 10 of that is good towards food which I would probably just about spend anyway on a soda and popcorn. Comfy seats...less crowded...nobody under 21. I don't go to a ton of movies so when I do I usually opt for this option.

Buck's Dad · 05-14-2010, 02:08 AM

I spend alot of money at the theatres on food anyways. Around fifty bucks everytime.

Hammock Parties · 05-14-2010, 02:11 AM

It's $29 PLUS the cost of food.

Buck's Dad · 05-14-2010, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

It's $29 PLUS the cost of food.

Well then **** that and **** you.

BWillie · 05-14-2010, 02:15 AM

It's pretty dumb, but it has a market. I went to see Ironman 2 and I just saw it regularly. No IMAX. No 3d. It was fine. And I can get $7 movie vouchers at work. So I can see 4 moves for the price of one, but nobody makes me feel special while I watch it.

|Zach| · 05-14-2010, 02:16 AM

Oh well...free market. If they can pull it off and people enjoy it then good on them.

FAX · 05-14-2010, 02:32 AM

I thought dinner was included. Even dessert and a drink. No?

FAX

Buck's Dad · 05-14-2010, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

I thought dinner was included. Even dessert and a drink. No?

FAX

These bastards are sick.

Deberg_1990 · 05-14-2010, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |Zach|

I like the Cinema Suites around here at Kansas City Main St. The ticket is 20 bucks but 10 of that is good towards food which I would probably just about spend anyway on a soda and popcorn. Comfy seats...less crowded...nobody under 21. I don't go to a ton of movies so when I do I usually opt for this option.

This...

I wouldnt go to a cinema like that for every movie....but if i wanted a nice, quiet date without kids walking up and down the aisles, texting on cell phones and talking, i wouldnt mind paying the extra $$

Otter · 05-14-2010, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

This...

I wouldnt go to a cinema like that for every movie....but if i wanted a nice, quiet date without kids walking up and down the aisles, texting on cell phones and talking, i wouldnt mind paying the extra $$

Me too. It's called home theater, phone on mute, pause button, beer in the fridge and about .25 cents for all the popcorn I can eat.

Hydrae · 05-14-2010, 07:45 AM

I have to wonder if this author is actually familiar with Austin. There is another Alamo Draft House within 5 miles of the Domain and one in Cedar Park as well. He makes it sound like there is only one Alamo Draft House.

joesomebody · 05-14-2010, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hydrae

I have to wonder if this author is actually familiar with Austin. There is another Alamo Draft House within 5 miles of the Domain and one in Cedar Park as well. He makes it sound like there is only one Alamo Draft House.

I read the story on the Alamo Draft House. That sounds absolutely awesome. I would go to WAY more movies if it was like that. I don't really like the movie theater, but if I could go to one that serves food and drink (including beer) at a reasonable price...

A pitcher of soda for $7 bucks? You can't even get two small sodas for less than $10 around here. Beer for 3 bucks a bottle? Not much more than I pay for it at the bar.

Considering most of the money from ticket sales goes to the production companies, I'm really surprised that more theaters haven't figured out how much more money they would make and keep if they offered decent prices on food and drink, but offered a full selection.

05-14-2010, 01:48 AM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4720478	Gold Class Cinemas - $29 movie tickets I say...screw this shit. Alamo Drafthouse FTW. http://www.avclub.com/austin/article...cinemas,40883/ Like all cities catering to the well-educated and conscientious, Austin brews self-entitlement the way Seattle brews lattes. While it’s all too easy to tout the city’s advantages—from a live-and-let-live philosophy that borders on hegemony to the vibrant music scene and so on—that civic pride can oh-so-easily slide into vanity. As such, Austinites can be brutal about slamming anything they see as threatening to their cherished way of life. Here, The A.V. Club examines some of the city’s most common Points Of Contention and debates whether they deserve their bad rap. This time, we look at the Alamo Drafthouse's latest competition, along with its jaw-dropping ticket prices. Point Of Contention: Gold Class Cinemas Why you hate it: When Gold Class Cinemas announced the opening of its newest theater in The Domain, reactions ranged from a skeptical "I can't imagine it's worth spending 30 bucks on a movie ticket" to a defensive "back off of our Alamo Drafthouse, out-of-state corporation." While the concept may fly in the chain's hometown of Beverly Hills, it's kind of redundant here. Furthermore, situating the place in the middle of The Domain—North Austin's most fervent attempt at establishing itself as "New Houston"—doesn't do much to allay concerns that this is just more California bullshit waltzing into Austin without any understanding of what makes our city great Why you're right: Gold Class declares itself to be the "first class" experience of film-going ("actually, customers say it is better," declares its website), which ignores the fact that the Alamo is widely recognized as one of the finest theaters in the country. If watching a movie at Gold Class is flying first class, then attending a screening at The Ritz—with menu items crafted to reflect the film, pre-show entertainment thematically linked to the feature presentation, and a ticket price that's less than the mall cineplex—is like getting on a **ing rocket ship. The issue here is more than one of redundancy; we recognize that being able to eat and drink during a movie is fun, so Alamo loyalty wouldn't be an issue if Gold Class was opening a location in Miami. But it's also one of cost—namely, that $29 ticket price. Austinites tend to bristle at the notion of spending that much money to see their favorite bands play at Stubb's, and those guys had to physically drive here in a van for us to see them. The movie you watch at Gold Class is no different from the one playing at every other theater in town, so in a nation with 10 percent unemployment and a struggling economy, a show of conspicuous consumption like spending triple digits for tickets, food, and drinks at a movie theater is the equivalent of lighting your cigar with a $50 bill. Why you're wrong:** Times are tough, and that's true not only for people who like to watch movies, but also the industry that makes them. Competing with piracy, Netflix, and Redbox is a challenge, and even after introducing rumbling seats and an additional dimension, the film industry is struggling to find new ways to make the experience of going out to the movies a unique and valuable one. Theaters like Gold Class can only help with that. And if the ticket prices are high, they increase the profitability of the industry as a whole, which means that filmmakers are more likely to continue, you know, making films—and we can all agree that's a good thing. Plus, the fact that Gold Class is way up in The Domain means that it's not really much of a competitor for the Alamo—it's practically a whole 'nother city up there. Verdict: You know, even if Gold Class Cinemas is just the Alamo Drafthouse for assholes, it means that you'll have to deal with fewer assholes the next time you go to the Alamo. This town is big enough for the both of 'em.
Posts: 277,840

05-14-2010, 02:06 AM	#2
\|Zach\| For The Glory Of The City Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $5326768	I like the Cinema Suites around here at Kansas City Main St. The ticket is 20 bucks but 10 of that is good towards food which I would probably just about spend anyway on a soda and popcorn. Comfy seats...less crowded...nobody under 21. I don't go to a ton of movies so when I do I usually opt for this option.
Posts: 53,435

05-14-2010, 02:08 AM	#3
Buck's Dad Banned Join Date: May 2010 Casino cash: $10004900	I spend alot of money at the theatres on food anyways. Around fifty bucks everytime.
Posts: 138

05-14-2010, 02:11 AM	#4
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4720478	It's $29 PLUS the cost of food. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,840

05-14-2010, 02:15 AM	#6
BWillie Future NBA Finals MVP Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Earth Casino cash: $2441241	It's pretty dumb, but it has a market. I went to see Ironman 2 and I just saw it regularly. No IMAX. No 3d. It was fine. And I can get $7 movie vouchers at work. So I can see 4 moves for the price of one, but nobody makes me feel special while I watch it. __________________ Who wants free money? Use the link below to sign up at Bovada, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker and Ignition. Contact me for private deals, spot bonuses, possible rakeback or any questions! Bovada, Ignition, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker: baldeaglepoker.com Bovada Poker is back! Get up to $500 poker deposit bonus. Last edited by BWillie; 05-14-2010 at 02:37 AM..
Posts: 45,938

05-14-2010, 02:16 AM	#7
\|Zach\| For The Glory Of The City Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $5326768	Oh well...free market. If they can pull it off and people enjoy it then good on them. Last edited by \|Zach\|; 05-14-2010 at 02:39 AM..
Posts: 53,435

05-14-2010, 02:32 AM	#8
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	I thought dinner was included. Even dessert and a drink. No? FAX
Posts: 44,492

05-14-2010, 07:45 AM	#12
Hydrae Sandbox: Leander Lasercats Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Austin, Tx Casino cash: $2337000	I have to wonder if this author is actually familiar with Austin. There is another Alamo Draft House within 5 miles of the Domain and one in Cedar Park as well. He makes it sound like there is only one Alamo Draft House.
Posts: 14,686