Lilian’s Lens: Movie Theaters and Bookstores
With streaming services making movies extremely cheap and accessible, it makes sense that movie theaters and the cinema experience are dying. Why go to the movies when you can watch anything for cheaper and from the comfort of your own home? It costs nearly $100 for my family of six to attend a movie together – not including any popcorn or soft drinks. Many people see this as a scam, but although movie ticket prices have gone up, going to the movies is one of the cheapest entertainment experiences.
Compared to tickets for a concert or a professional sporting event, movie tickets are extremely cheap. The average price of a concert ticket is $135.92, and concerts tend to last just as long as a movie. And with discount Tuesday and matinee prices, going to the movies is one of the most affordable entertainment options.
Even with the steepened ticket prices, as long as studios release movies, people will go to the theater. During MLK weekend I went to see the new movie One of Them Days, and the theater was packed. When stars like Keke Palmer and SZA are on the big screen, crowds will inevitably come out to watch. But even with the immense amount of content we have access to, theaters will remain in business for the experience that they offer. The feeling of seeing a film on the big screen is difficult to replicate from home. A person can fully escape into the story with the ambience that’s created at the theaters.
Similar to the movie theaters, it would make sense if bookstores were in decline. A person can order a book on Amazon for much cheaper, and with the accessibility of digital media, it can seem that there is little necessity for physical bookstores. But on the contrary, it seems to me that bookstores are having a comeback. A new Barnes & Noble just opened at Watters Creek and there are new independent bookstores popping up in the area all the time. Furthermore, whenever I visit one of these bookstores, they are always packed. People will always read books, and will always enjoy the atmosphere that bookstores offer.
Surely what feels to be true and what actually is true can be different. Are physical bookstores actually thriving? I’m unsure of the specific statistics, but to me it feels as though bookstores are nowhere near a decline. Afterall, people will always like physical media. The Frisco Public Library can attest to that. Since the library moved to its new location, it has remained incredibly busy with nearly four million books being checked out in its first year open. Most people still value the tradition of physical books.
Although how we consume media is always changing, movie theaters and bookstores will never cease to exist because of the appreciation people have for the experiences they offer. Streaming service and e-commerce will never cause the death of movie theaters nor bookstores.
