BE ADVISED!
Last week Cinemark Theatres made a startling announcement that as of February 22, 2018 the exhibition company would no longer permit its customers to carry large bags or packages into its theaters.
Cinemark’s official announcement states that, “in an effort to enhance the safety and security of our guests and employees any bags or packages measuring larger than 12″ x 12″ x 6″ will not be permitted into a theatre.”
Exceptions: Medical equipment and diaper bags.”
The release goes on to state that, “Cinemark does not provide a general area to check bags or any personal belongings not allowed into the theatre.”
However, “Cinemark reserves the right to inspect all bags and packages entering the theatre.”
Can one blame Cinemark being the first national circuit to implement such strict new rules?
Probably not.
After all it was Cinemark’s CENTURY 16 multiplex in Aurora, Colorado that experienced the mass shooting during a 2012 midnight screening of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES.
That incident left 12 people dead and some 70 patrons injured.
Will other theater circuits follow suit?
Remains to be seen.
Personally I’ve got no problem with Cinemark’s new “Safety and Security” policy.
Some skeptics might suggest Cinemark’s move is also intended to keep patrons from bringing their own food and drink.
IS IT?
I have no idea. However that practice is definitely a (wink-wink) “no-no.”
Sure concession prices are high at the movies, but let’s get real.
That’s the REAL profit center of your friendly, neighborhood multiplex these days.
Here’s why!
Up to 65 cents out of every dollar you pay at the box office goes directly to the film’s distributor.
Yep, 65%!
That doesn’t leave much for the exhibitor to pay salaries, rent, utilities, taxes and innovative technologies.
Thus bringing your own eats and drinks greatly diminishes the return on investment for exhibitors.
(Try bringing your own drinks to a restaurant, concert or on a cruise – good luck with that.)
The bottom line.
Is there a connection between Cinemark’s new safety’policy and/or exclusion of goodies being snuck into movie theaters as some suggest?
Beats me.
Make up your OWN minds on the subject—-and be guided accordingly.
basic food groups should be forbidden at the movies.
Hate having some clown gulping down on a juicy cheeseburger while I’m enjoying a juicy sex scene on the screen.
Seems fair to me. We can’t expect theaters to stay open, let alone be clean and state of the art, if they can’t make a profit. Jack, your point about not being able to take your own food into concerts, on cruises, etc. is spot on.
Speaking of “spot on” – is this THE DVP?
I’m not trying to make a “back in my day!” argument but two Cokes and some popcorn shouldn’t cost over $20. Make the prices at least reasonable and I’ll stop bringing in my own box of Hot Tamales.
I understand that theaters have a rough go of it when it comes to making a buck. Have I been guilty of bringing in a box of Milk Duds or a candy bar on occasion? Sure. Now, I just don’t go more than once or twice a year. In the “bang for your buck” department, it just isn’t worth the $41 it costs for (2) tickets, popcorn and (2) drinks. If the only way a theater makes money is by marking up concession prices 1000%+, I’m out. The availability of streaming content, Netflix, Redbox, et al makes it pretty easy just to wait a month or two to see what I want to see.
Estimado leí que Cineplanet acatará la medida. Cinemark sí quiere apelar la sanción. Curiosamente, Cineplanet era mas rígido con sus normas, Cinemark era mas desentendido, nunca revisa qué llevas y alguna vez yo “infiltré papitas Lays y agua mineral compradas afuera. Lo que yo opino es que bajen los precios de las confiterias y vas a ver como va mas gente al cine y ya no usará tanto Netflix (me incluyo). Saludos