Watching More Movies at Home

Going to see a movie is an all-American pastime. Consumers spend 50 billion dollars a year on movie tickets, DVDs, and rentals--an industry that keeps growing, with more ways to watch than ever before.

“If there’s something we really want to watch," said Darleen Kinsey, a Fayetteville mother of two, "we’ll buy-on-demand, and watch it at the house as a family.”

The Kinseys can choose from hundreds of the latest movie releases. They’re one of a growing number of families who are taking advantage of technology to download movies at home.

“The home screen’s getting bigger and bigger," said Robert Thompson, a pop culture expert at Syracuse University. "And the multiplex screens are getting smaller and smaller. It’s almost like they’re meeting somewhere in the middle."

Some independent theaters around Syracuse like the recently closed Westcott Theatre took a heavy hit in revenues. But others are getting the hint--they're making the movie watching experience more comfortable, with more of the conveniences of your own home.

“We have a unique relationship with the cafe," said Tina Holava-Hughes, the manager of the Palace Theatre on James Street. "“We allow them to bring their dinner into the movie if they’re running a little late....It’s the convenience of home with your own kitchen.”

The owner of the Manlius Theater, a small, independent art house has his own tricks. “If there’s a large enough group," said owner Nat Tobin, "I introduce the film to let the audience know what’s coming."

But while new movies come out every week, they're not saying in theaters as long as they used to. Studios are banking more on DVDs, with more opportunities to make a buck.

Syracuse resident Ron Metger rents movies for a dollar a day at Redbox kiosks in front of grocery stores. It's a simple as using a vending machine. “I use it when I come into Wegman’s," said Metger, "I usually rent one or two movies a week.”

While the selection is small, that seems to be a trend with brick and mortar stores that are competing against online rentals like Netflix, who ship to your door, Apple's iTunes, and even Blockbuster, which is moving most of its titles online.

“You can go into a Blockbuster," said Thompson, "Some of the collections are pathetic. Ten million 'March of the Penguins.' But you can’t even find Citizen Kane! That industry seems to be shedding its stock.”

But some customers still go to video stores for the impulse rental.

“With Netflix, it’s kind of like you have to want the movies in advance," said Emerald City Video customer Diana Jaramillo-Decarlo. "I guess I’m more spontaneous. Oh, it’s not like I’m planning to watch a movie.” Jaramillo Decarlo said she also comes to Emerald City for its unusual selection of independent films.

But for some, it’s an inconvenient trip. Syracuse University student Rohan Mascarenhas would rather watch movies on his laptop

“When you’re alone in the room late at night, or it's a rainy day outside, you can find basically anything online," said Mascarenhas. “Selection is a huge draw. They have foreign movies, old movies, classics, new stuff, tv stuff, and you get it all on a laptop. You don’t have to go anywhere.”

And for families like the Kinseys, who can access movies with a touch a button, that can mean less traveling, and more quality time at home.

“Just sitting around as a family," said Kinsey's husband James, "just enjoying each other’s company.”