movie theater

Can you build a backyard theater on the cheap?

A couple years back I had the chance to review an outdoor movie kit from Open Air Cinema. It was really cool, combining an HD projector, inflatable screen, sound system, and other gear -- but for a jaw-dropping price of around $5,500.

I think for that kind of money, I should be able to get actors to come to my back yard and perform live.

Fortunately, it's possible to assemble your own open-air cinema for a lot less.

The projector

Arguably the single most important element, and certainly the most expensive, is the projector. You want one that'… Read more

The 404 1,166: Where we stoop to your level (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- OKCupid social experiment shows just how low some guys will go.

- The 10 most viral YouTube videos of 2012.

- Movie theater app rewards customers for not texting during film.

- 5-Hour Energy cited in 13 deaths over the last 4 years.

Bathroom break video: Hitstagram: an app that makes your music sound like complete garbage.… Read more

Cinemark bribes moviegoers to not use their phones during films

There are at least a couple of different ways to motivate people into doing what you want them to do. You can offer consequences for bad behavior or rewards for good behavior. When it comes to cell phone use during movies, Cinemark is testing out a system that offers carrots rather than sticks.

CineMode is a new component to Cinemark's smartphone app for iPhone and Android. You open the app, select CineMode, follow the reminder to silence your phone, and then activate CineMode. It automatically darkens your screen. Leave it on for the duration of the film and Cinemark will send you a coupon as a reward.… Read more

Bum-shaking theater seats rock Caribbean moviegoers

If you love being on the edge of your seat in a movie, get down to the Dominican Republic.

A theater in Santo Domingo is the world's first venue with Tremor FX movie seats, which apparently supply your posterior with "a more immersive theater experience," according to makers Red Seat Entertainment and Seating Concepts.

The Tremor FX system was shown off earlier this year at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. It has three vibrating actuators -- two in the back and one in the bottom -- that shake in response to sounds from the movie. … Read more

Cinema ninjas dispatch yapping, phone-using movie goers

When I'm in a theater in the midst of a gripping, dramatic film and I see the telltale glow of someone's cell phone, I feel like rising up out of my seat, tiptoeing silently through the aisles, and using my mad ninja skills to silence the offender.

The Prince Charles Cinema in London is way ahead of me. Movie patrons who can't shut up or can't resist the temptation of a text message will get a visit from a black body suit-wearing volunteer ninja.

There are no nunchucks or ninja stars, but the face-hiding suits should strike enough terror in the violators' hearts to get them back in line. … Read more

The 404 1,095: Where we hang onto the bar (podcast)

Last week's show with the Sleep Doctor Michael Breus answered a lot of questions about how to stop snoring and sleep better, and Dr. Breus generously donated a Renew Sleep Clock to give away. The contest starts today, so head over to our 404 SubReddit and tell us about your craziest dream for a chance to win!… Read more

The 404 939: Where we're in a reality distortion field (podcast)

Steve "Sphere" Guttenberg joins the cast today to talk about the joys of eating roadkill, borrowing e-books on Amazon, and pocket-sized USB audio amplifiers. … Read more

Film theaters fight premium video-on-demand

Theater owners don't want digital distributors breaking into their windows.

The big film studios may begin to pipe movies to consumers' homes via premium video-on-demand services (PVOD) at the same time the films are up on the big screen, thereby crashing the theatrical window. A "window" is the term used to describe the period of time a film distributor--such as a theater, cable company, or traditional TV broadcaster--has access to a particular movie.

The large theater chains are signaling right back that they won't sit still for it, according to a story in today's Los Angeles Times. … Read more

For a silver screen near you

This heavily redacted version of Movies, one of the first movie apps available for iPhone and iPod Touch, displays titles, tickets, and showtimes for current and upcoming movies and DVDs, populated by Flixster. A much improved interface and better media integration lets you tap any entry to view a host of information and listings times. Tapping the publicist photo next to the entry launches a video preview. Video quality is fair-to-decent (you cna improve it in the Settings,) but attempting to download the preview without 3G or Wi-Fi coverage is pure futility.

The easily navigable app drastically improves on the … Read more

Sony pushing 'live' content into theaters

No longer are movie theaters just for movies.

Sony Pictures Entertainment now sees them as almost-live performance venues.

The entertainment company wants to display live events in theaters equipped with digital projectors, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.

Sony has established a new unit, called The Hot Ticket, to distribute the broadcasts. The company will focus on shooting music concerts, sporting events, and Broadway shows, the paper reported.

New York's Metropolitan Opera showed eight performances with high-definition technology at movie theaters across the country earlier this year, according to the Journal.

According to the Los Angeles Times, … Read more