Closed movie theaters in Indianapolis

Those old-school theaters are perfect for catching cult classics, but if you're looking for the latest blockbusters? You go to AMC Theatres. I mean, who’s actually going to sit in one of those dusty old seats to watch LOTR or The Matrix or any other big new release? Plus, tickets aren't exactly cheap these days—it's a real rip-off. Honestly, you could just download pretty much anything for free online without dropping a dime on cinema tickets... If they want our money, they really need to offer way more than just a screen and some stale popcorn.

There are two theaters in Indianapolis owned by the same private individual who’s now looking for a payout from the city... I don't quite get it—how does a private business even justify expecting taxpayer money like that? 😕

The staff hasn't seen a paycheck in five months, so they have every right to be out there striking... Hopefully things turn around soon, but honestly, I'm not holding my breath.

analogcobra31 said:Those old-school theaters are really only good for screening vintage cult classics. If you want to see modern releases, you go to AMC Theatres. Who in their right mind would sit through Lord of the Rings or The Matrix in a place like that? Besides, tickets aren't exactly cheap. You can just download just about any movie for free on a P2P network without wasting money on a ticket... They need to offer way more value if they want people to show up.

Well, they aren't even that old...

Both spots were renovated recently—especially the one in Europe, which actually has surround sound and a totally updated layout. I’d say they are maybe a step or two below something like a Broadway theater in New York City, but honestly, it's still a better experience than most of the theaters you find around America.

If every single ticket sold out, theaters would be doing more than just breaking even—they’d actually be turning a profit. But let’s face it, people just aren't hitting the theaters like they used to.
The only real way to keep them afloat is through local government subsidies. Honestly, any city with a population of 100,000 should have at least two theaters. Take San Francisco, for example—it's got about 800,000 people and we have five different spots, though one of those is basically just an American Cinematheque style setup focusing on classics and indie flicks.

Theaters need to start finding ways to scrape together some small, steady profits. I remember back when I was in elementary school, they used to take our whole class to the movies every once in a while. Tickets were half the price, sure, but the theater definitely walked away with a decent chunk of change. Small initiatives like that could help get older crowds back into the habit of actually showing up at the cinema.

Back when I first started hitting the theaters pretty hard—I was just a freshman in high school—a single ticket would run you about $2.50.

I really love how the American Cinematheque in San Francisco handles their business model—you get an annual subscription for $33, and then you have two classic screenings every week, plus they occasionally throw in some bonus free screenings just for subscribers...

Kevin Long20 said:I think the way the American Cinematheque in San Francisco handles things is great—you get an annual subscription for $33, which gives you two classic screenings a week plus some extra free shows for members...

Well, if those subscribers only number four... that’s 100 x 4 = $133... calling that a "business model" is a bit of a stretch.😁😁

I honestly think the real issue with AMC Theatres is just lazy management sitting on their hands for years and a pretty pathetic lineup of movies lately.
I remember when I actually used to hit the theater quite a bit, but lately, there just isn't anything worth watching in any of the local multiplexes.
Back when they were running those Oscar season marathons, I was going three times in a single week, but I can't exactly keep up that kind of pace forever.
It feels like it’s just been a non-stop flood of mediocre sequels and generally garbage films.
Personally, I don't think $16 for a ticket is even that steep, considering the overall vibe and the quality of the screen and sound you get at the cinema.

Tuco-il said:In my view, the issue with the local multiplexes is a combination of stagnant management that’s been coasting for years and an overall lack of quality in their recent film lineup.
I remember a time when I actually frequented the theater quite often, but lately, there just hasn't been anything worth watching at the local cinemas.
Back when the Oscar season was in full swing, I found myself going three times in a single week, though I certainly can't sustain that kind of pace.
It felt like we were being flooded with nothing but mediocre sequels and generally subpar productions.
Personally, I don't find a $16 ticket to be overpriced, considering the ambiance and the viewing experience you get in a theater setting.

It is this exact type of inertia that causes cities like Indianapolis to decline...

Every time I find myself visiting there, I feel as though I am falling into some sort of black hole of desolation and lifelessness...

Jose Miller17 said:So if those subscribers only number four... that's just 100 x 4 = $133... you can hardly call that a real business.😁😁

Well, who said they were running it for profit? It’s basically the only true film archive in America—completely state-funded.

Kevin Long20 said:Who said anything about turning a profit? It’s basically the only real cinema in the US, and it’s fully taxpayer-funded.

Not me.😁

So, I just cracked open the paper about half an hour ago and saw the absolute best news ever! 😁 😁

Both the local multiplex and Urania are actually open today—though they aren't running quite as many screenings. Over at the big theater, they're showing that Hitler biopic—total downfall, right?—while Urania is playing some classic flick at their "Culture" cinema. 🙏 🙏 😁 😁

It looks like we might actually get to see Star Wars after all! Apparently, they managed to work things out with the big bosses behind the scenes...

YESSSSSSS!!!!!!! 🙂

So, I just checked the VIP Movies site for the theaters over in Indianapolis, and here’s what they have lined up for tomorrow:

EUROPE - Hitler: The Final Fall

URANIA - The Shadow Game
👍

Mind you, this schedule is only good through tomorrow. They swap everything out every Thursday, obviously. But hey, it doesn't really matter—I'm just happy to see the theaters are actually open and haven't shut down on us yet!

😁 😁 😁 😁 😁

Jeremy Bishop5 said:But honestly, that’ll be old news by tomorrow—since they switch up the lineup every single Thursday, obviously. Whatever though, as long as the theaters stay open and don't shut down on us...!!!

😁 😁 😁 😁 😁

Congrats, Marina! 😍

HEY, HEY..........

Man, I am just feeling so happy right now!!! 😁 😁 😁 😁

Threaten them with Star Wars and they'll show up in a heartbeat.😁

Richard Howard2 said:With this kind of laziness, Indianapolis is basically just circling the drain...

Every single time I roll through town, I feel like I’m falling straight into a black hole of pure emptiness and nothingness...

Get this—so yesterday (well, technically today), I went out with my girlfriend to the Urania theater to catch Hide and Seek... and iiiiiiiiiiii... guess what? It was just us. Literally the only two people in the whole theater. Try beating that!👋

So I walk in, right? The guy tears my ticket, and I go out loud, "...um... second row... seats 11 and 12..." and he just gives me this total "sit wherever you want" look, and that was it!

The issue with movie theaters, even back in Indy, is that they’ve been privatized (unlike those folks who think business rules in America work the same way they do in the West).

In Indy, for example, the guy owning all the theaters is just some boss who doesn't know squat about movies. Doesn't care, no vision, zero passion. Hell, he doesn't even have a business plan—just whatever someone tells him to do before he runs off.

But hey, the guy's got one idea on how to make money from the theaters: sell off prime real estate in the best locations. Screw the actual business—culture? Forget it. Mission? Mission Impossible!👎

To be fair, since the war, Indy has become totally depopulated. It turned into a real provincial, border-town backwater (check out Mark Twain for the vibe), where trashy pop music and dive bars do better than movies ever will. And when people do go to see films, it's more like the old days of video rental shops: "Hey, give me five of the latest ones—you know, one porn, one action, one for the wife, and two for the kids."

goodbye Indy🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

What a total disaster, honestly... just that classic Midwestern mentality at work.
It’s no wonder we can't get any traction anywhere else! Such a shame, too, because it's such a gorgeous city, but man, when people just refuse to get their act together, it's tough.