Discussions

That's the way it was this past weekend. I'm hoping that it was only enforced because the popularity of the movie and fullness of the theater. Not sure if it's a permanent thing or just temporary.

Yes, the theatre is now assigned seating. The decision comes from head office and not the local staff. I'm in awe at how many people don't understand that. These employees were yelled at and sworn at, it's not their fault this was put in place. I get people were mad at the change, but it's not the employees fault. When you purchase tickets you can choose your seat.  
And this is in effect for all movies now, not just due to a popular movie. And yes they were and are actively checking tickets and moving guests to proper seats. Maybe send a msg to head office to express your disapproval of this new system, they are the rule makers. Some staff aren't fans of this system too, but they have to do their job. Just something to keep in mind.

Finally! It's so nice to be able to choose the seat I want online ahead of time, instead of waiting in line to be the first person into the theatre.

We went to an afternoon movie yesterday and the staff member told us that we were free to move around if we like because it wasn't full. There was nobody checking our theatre but maybe they do if it's fuller or someone complains?  
 
I was more upset that they didn't have nachos lol

Part of it makes me like this system. But, like concert tickets... I hate the abuse. Most of us grew up with the notion that if you showed up late, you got crappy seats. If that meant sitting waiting outside along tenth street at the Strand in the cold & rain for an hour to watch Star Wars? ...We did that! And we told the story like how it's some kind of earned badge of honor. That's part of the adventure of going out! MAKING THE EFFORT! Today's generation can't be bothered unless it can be done by the phone and that they can show up, whenever. Even it means walking in late. This idea of equal privilege is what gets me bothered. I get in on time before a concert or hockey game starts, then get interrupted by some clown climbing over me while stepping on my tucked feet and getting a facefull of fat@$$ from his buddy or girlfriend. Thanks for being on time! *sarcasm* Then there's the whole squished in one row while the next one down has a huge open spot and your tempted to move over there when things start. But, don't want to be "that guy" that has to make other people feel confused and awkward to ask you if that's the seat they have on their stub/receipt.  
 
Yup, it's convenient to get a good spot over the internet and knowing how full the theater is going to be. But, I hate the possible factors of having prime spots snatched up a little too quick only to have people saunter in after the movie starts and losing the option of going up or down a couple of rows in avoiding the potential @$$holes who look like problems. We all know the ones... The "know-it-all-teens", or those with their phones on, or those "groups of young guys" that can't shut up, or those who give those intimidating stares like "You better not be sitting in front of me". Or the "sprawlers" with their @$$es barely in the seat and their feet and/or legs over the one in front. The potty mouths. That couple who brings the baby/really young kids to an action/blockbuster or adult minded movie. ...OH JOY! I bought the seats right next to them for my family. This is going to make that eighty bucks of tickets and snacks worth the experience! *more sarcasm*  
 
No Sir, This will only encourage me wait after the opening week or until I can get it at home. And for what reason? ...because some feel rush seating is unfair and inconvenient or that it ensures the theater to fill every available spot on opening night? The "old fashioned way" has worked well and it rewards those who are willing to make an effort. I sure hope this assigned seating is only being enforced when it's just for sold out shows. But, that still won't help me having these "late, toe stepping, crawl overs" from happening. Or denying me to make an early decision on if we want to be sitting anywhere near someone that may disturb/irritate us. That's the flaw in assigned seating.  
 
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Just another reason not to go to the movies. That industry sure are doing their best to drive themselves out of business.

The idea is ok if the movie is sold out or full... however I do not like the idea of sitting next to someone if I don't have to.. I'll definitely be throwing in a complaint

This idea is just brutal. I hope it doesn't stick

I certainly hope all their broken seats are fixed. Im not going to stay in a broken assigned seat.

Viv said "This idea is just brutal. I hope it doesn't stick "

It is all across Canada that Landmark has chosen to go this route. Brandon will not make a difference as this is common in bigger cities.  
 
We all need to suck it up. IMO, i like it that I do not have to wait in line or be the first one to get good seats.

KenJ said "Just another reason not to go to the movies. That industry sure are doing their best to drive themselves out of business. "

Exactly, I only see a couple movies a year in theaters. Can't beat watching them at home with a 75 inch 4k screen, surround sound, reclining Lazyboys, clean washrooms and nearby refrigerator.

...What happens when I want to take my three young kids to a movie, and there is no where in the theatre with four seats together? This seat idea blows!!!

Just another reason to watch movies at home for free. The ticket prices are stupid any day but the cheap day. Theaters are usually dirty and gross, Now assigned seating.....  
 
Lol ill keep my $40 for a ticket, popcorn and drink and watch everything a few days later in my media room for no extra charge.  
 
The theater is usually full of loud annoying people who dont shut up and have no regard for others. My home is not. The theater business clearly doesn't want to survive much longer.

I'm going to have to agree with Suckie on this one. One more reason to not go to the theatre!  
 
Edited by Clayton Corbey, 2017-09-12 09:36:04

more reason to watch at the local small town theater  
 
altho for busy movies i get it, i much prefer to be able to move around as i choose, say if someone is bothering me or, because im short and husbands tall i want the seat in front of me to be free if at all possible i will move in oder to enjoy the movie, oh well , less landmark movies for me

there is a "how can we help" section, I just filled it in with my complaint, I urge everyone who doesn't like the assigned seating to do the same, complaining on Ebrandon does nothing. Flood them with your concerns, its the only way to make them aware.

Love the Atom app. Pre-purchasing tickets and concession items and skipping the lines was great, and now being able to seat select saves even more time.  
 
Leave home right before the movie (previews/commercials) start and get to my assigned seat snacks in hand right on time. No hassle.  
 
Edited by ren008, 2017-09-12 14:14:52

ProfessorFaulken said "...What happens when I want to take my three young kids to a movie, and there is no where in the theatre with four seats together? This seat idea blows!!! "

Isn''''t this an improvement in that case? Instead of showing up, finding no seats together, and hoping you can convince someone to move, you can determine ahead of time that there are no seats and pick another movie or show time.  
 
Personally, this seems like a nice improvement. I don''''t go to the movies much, but this makes it slightly more appealing to me: I hate being stuck with crappy seats.  
 
Also, some quick googling indicates that some (all?) Landmark locations are adding some select nicer seats (power recliners). Assigned seating is probably part of that change, since they likely don''t want those seats to just be first come, first serve. Another nice improvement, IMO.  
 
Now if only I could get them to bring refills to my seat, and block all cell phone usage.  
 
Edited by pudds, 2017-09-12 14:49:39

Holy moly is this ever a polarizing one!  
 
Added a pic of a sample seat selection map on their page. Looks to work very similar to how you''d choose your seat for a sporting event, concert or airline flight.  
 
I can see both sides of this, but I tend to lean toward this being more good than bad. If I can avoid walking into a movie with a group and find out its so full that there are going to be scattered single seats that split our group up I'm all for it. If I can avoid sitting there staring at the screen for 45 mins before the show starts to save seats then thats also a good thing.  
 
I've seen and totally understand the comment that this really changes things as far as a group of people meeting at a movie that want to sit together. Assume there just needs to be a different thought process now where one person buys all of the tickets and then takes it up with their friends as far as how (or if) they'll pay (which is basically what that group of friends would do if going to a concert or Wheat King game)  
 
Edited by Adam, 2017-09-12 16:30:03

what if 6 kids want to go to a movie together, some parents dont have that kind of money to dole out to buy the seats together. As a adults, this isn't such a big issue if you are going with your spouse, but what if the lady with the huge hair, or the guy thats 6ft 6in, sits in front, are you able to move to get an unobstructed view?

The reason everyone is so worked up just proves why it was done. I hated getting to the show and this guys got jackets on 5 seats. This girls got a jacket beside her so no one sits there. 8 people sitting with a seat between them and me and my wife having to awkwardly ask if they'd mind sitting beside their friend so I can sit beside my wife. There is literally zero genuine reason to not like this. You'll never go to the theatre again because of this? really?  
 
It's like my Dad used to tell me...keep pushing it and they're going to take it away.

Its seat selection. While you're in line, on the app, or online. You choose seating. Just like a concert, hockey game or any venue. Do you complain that you will never go to the Keystone Center or MTS centre because you have to CHOOSE your seat? Amazing how any people feel it necessary to take it out on a kid who is probably working at their first job.

......they pause the movie and that's when everyone can use the washrooms? Seems kind of a silly idea to me.....JMO

Thunderspark said "......they pause the movie and that's when everyone can use the washrooms? Seems kind of a silly idea to me.....JMO "

That's been done, movies use to have intermissions half way through. And those intermissions are actually i:ncluded on the VHS/DVD/Blue-Ray versions of old movies.

In the past I have sat down on a seat and the stuffing was so flat that the seat was actually hard. Another time my friend sat down and her seat was wet. In both cases we moved.  
 
I hope with this switch the seat quality is going to be monitored. But I ain't holding my breath. Lol

the difference between having to select your seat at Westman Place, WMCA, BellMTS Place, CanWest Global Park, Burton Cummings Theatre, Centennial Concert Hall, Pantages or any other event/location and going to a movie at a theatre?  
 
You will encounter flat seats, broken seats, tall people infront, etc. in all of those locations.

you are at concert/hockey game at Westman Place, and someone is in your seat, what do you do? You go to the person, and say, 'Excuse me, your in my seat' and show them your ticket with your row and seat number. They typically move.  
 
Also funny how movie theatre have been doing this for years, and the moment it happens in Brandon, the world is coming to an end!!!

10:05 showing currently shows no one has purchased tickets for it yet. It's a wide open theatre. Could pick a random seat for the ticket, then choose any seat otherwise when you get in. Doubt they will be checking your ticket to make sure your in the right one.  
 
The one thing that makes me wonder about that multi-theatre, once you go past the main ticket check booth. There's nothing to stop you from going to a totally different movie or jump between movies.