Would you pay $35 for a movie ticket?

[esoobaC .T bocaJ]

A recession may be looming, but a group of investors thinks Americans are ready to pony up $35 for a movie ticket. Village Roadshow Ltd, Act III, Lambert Entertainment and the Retirement Systems of Alabama pension fund have partnered to bring the luxury cinema circuit Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinemas to the US.

The partners will spend $200 million to build 50 theaters nationwide over the next five years, with the first two venues set to open in South Barrington, a suburb of Chicago, and the Seattle suburb of Redmond in October. Others are planned for Fairview, Texas, near Dallas-Fort Worth, and Scottsdale, Arizona.

Each complex will sport theaters featuring 40 reclining armchair seats with footrests, digital projection and the capability to screen 2-D and 3-D movies, as well as a lounge and bar serving cocktails and appetizers, a concierge service and valet parking.

But the circuit will especially push its culinary offerings -- made-to-order meals like sushi and other theater-friendly foods from on-site chefs (a service button at each seat calls a waiter). Moviegoers will have to pay extra for any food they order, however.

The Burbank-based company's hoping to attract 10 million "upscale and affluent" consumers per year to its theaters that will be housed in high-end shopping centers and malls. Each complex will typically house eight screens.

"It's a new way to go to the movies," said Graham Burke, managing director and CEO of Village Roadshow Ltd. "It's like what Mercedes is to a Toyota or like flying first class in an airplane."

Click on the link below, which will take you to the Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinemas in Australia. There you can see a video of the experience.

[Minnesota]

Theaters with auditorium seating are definitely worth paying more for. Wider screen, more comfortable seating, and better sound. So if you're asking if I'd pay 4 or 5 bucks extra to see movies with those three attributes.... then the answer is yes. I assume most people feel that way.

I think restaurant atmosphere is stupid. This company will go bankrupt in its first year.

[Chaos]

Well, *I* think it's stupid... but I could definitely see the type of people who frequest malls like South Coast Plaza (So Cal) paying $35 to see a movie, without having to intermingle with the unwashed masses. There's probably a market for it, in certain areas.

[Gaseous Snake]

I haven't been to the theater for at least a year. I'd rather them fix the already existing problems like everyone thinking I need to hear what they're talking about during a show.

[NinjaComic]

It might get some initial interest, but I doubt it will last.  Are the movie taverns even doing good business?

[Tripe]

I think there are a few "comfy chairs and relaxed atmosphere" theatres in London (they even had special dispensation to allow you to smoke) but they showed old movies and appealed to a bohemian type audience. So the prices aren't usually that much higher if at all.

Yuppies will always tire of things and focusing on them will generally bring you financial ruin.

[RVR II]

HA! I Won't even pay the current rate of $12.50 here in my area

[Tripe]

See unless I can lounge across a couple of the recliners like I do with my sofa at home while watching a netflix movie, the theatres simply can't compete.

I would have described my viewing attire but I don't wish to cause RVR more gouging

[RVR II]

I would have described my viewing attire but I don't wish to cause RVR more gouging

Thank You for Sparing me..

[Ortega]

What i want to know is why is my state(AL), using pension funds to finance this somewhat foolhardy enterprise?

[Tripe]

Here's what you get for those pension funds:

The above picture was taken moments before The People's Army stormed the auditorium
and led Wanker and Wankstress off to the Reeducation Camp

Hey Spell Check recognizese the word "Wankstress"

[mrbasehart]

Meh.  With Hi-Definition becoming increasingly wide-spread, I'd rather pay $35 on a Blu-Ray disc than a visit to comfy cinema.  And I work at one!

[Tripe]

I wondered what sort you worked at. Is it one of the air chair ones or the bog standard ones?

[TeamRAD]

I'd pay that for a seventh chance to see Amelie in the theater. Aside from that one film, my answer would be, no.

[kodiakthejuggler]

I'd do it once or twice for the experience. It's probably a great place to take your date.