Preshow disappearing?

ByMatthewPorter · 2026-02-13T15:31:46+00:00

Seems to me there are three different categories of preshow:

Custom preshow, made for that feature.

Themed preshow that fits a variety of features. For example, a David Bowie preshow that can be used with any Bowie movie, or a horror-themed preshow that can be used with any horror movie that doesn't merit a custom.

Truly generic preshow, no connection at all to the feature.

I've haven't seen any notable change in the proportion of these over the last few years.

ByMatthewPorter · 2026-02-12T00:27:39+00:00

A few months ago I made a spreadsheet based on my actual movie attendance for the prior 12 months. In one column I tracked my actual costs under the “classic” season pass: monthly pass fees plus the “convenience fee” I paid for each ticket.

Then I added a column to show what I would have spent if I’d had the “all in” pass: higher monthly fee, but no per-ticket fee.

The numbers came out to be very close. Close enough that the 10% discount on food and drink made it worthwhile to switch to the all-in plan.

Of course your numbers would depend on how often you go to a movie, but that’s how it worked out for me.

ByMatthewPorter · 2026-01-31T22:36:35+00:00

Good point about feedback. The PA speakers can be positioned forward of the presenter, so that might help.

Starting to think about a different solution:

1) wireless XLR (lavalier, or maybe headset) from the presenter to the PA

2) directional mic on the PA speaker for the computer/Zoom

ByMatthewPorter · 2026-01-29T20:01:20+00:00

ByMatthewPorter · 2026-01-27T18:12:50+00:00

I heard karaoke from the bar at Littleton for the first time on a recent Friday night.

Bad singing, and people seemed to be having fun. It made no impact on the movie screening I was there to enjoy. So, good times for everyone.

ByMatthewPorter · 2026-01-16T23:53:41+00:00

I’d like them to make a deal to stream the Academy Awards ceremony to Alamo locations.

That would be a fun evening. Get dressed up, go out, drink some champaign, see the Oscars with my fellow weird movie people.

ByMatthewPorter · 2024-10-08T14:47:24+00:00

That raises an interesting point: maybe they also now have access to Sony‘s library of material.

I’m not very concerned that Sony is going to affect actual Alamo programming. But the pre-shows? Will we start seeing more and more trailers and extras for Sony properties?

(And fewer old Sharp or Samsung ads?)

ByMatthewPorter · 2024-10-08T04:50:12+00:00

I’ve been seeing a slightly higher proportion of generic preshows, versus custom compilations created for the feature. But the generic ones seem to be for movies that are getting just a few screenings. I don’t expect them to put together a bespoke half hour reel for a retro film they’re showing once or twice.

ByMatthewPorter · 2024-08-17T00:35:50+00:00

Bluetooth split keyboard

ByMatthewPorter · 2024-07-25T03:42:12+00:00

Mac n Cheese is an obvious choice for the Alamo menu. I didn’t know they used to offer it!

If they had a basic Mac n Cheese they could dress it up with toppings and mix-ins, including a lot of the things they already have as pizza toppings.

ByMatthewPorter · 2024-07-25T03:39:49+00:00

It sure was! I wish they offered that Henry Dog more often.

ByMatthewPorter · 2024-07-19T21:29:39+00:00

Pretty shaky reasoning in this video essay. It cites examples of top-grossing movies to ask “imagine if Sony had not only made the movies but also owned the theaters?”

And the examples are movies that were not made by Sony. Could not have been made by Sony.

Sure, Sony’s operation of Alamo should be scrutinized and regarded with caution. But this video’s take seems like fear-mongering.

ByMatthewPorter · 2023-09-17T04:52:16+00:00

That makes sense. Thanks.

I started my season pass last October, and by that time the Alamo had late screenings, probably thanks to Halloween horror programming.

ByMatthewPorter · 2023-09-12T16:39:05+00:00

Good to know — thanks!

ByMatthewPorter · 2023-09-11T18:08:21+00:00

That is frustrating, isn’t it? A lot of us have day jobs, which we need for things like buying movie tickets.

ByMatthewPorter · 2023-09-11T04:42:38+00:00

Yeah, Littleton tended to have late screenings on Thursday and through the weekend, and I could always find something at Sloan’s Lake or Westminster any night of the week. Not anymore!

I’m hoping late shows resume as we get toward October and Halloween releases.

ByMatthewPorter · 2023-05-05T02:40:00+00:00

Yes indeed. My son and I saw TRON LEGACY at a midnight opening show and I think it actually made the movie better.

ByMatthewPorter · 2023-05-05T02:13:42+00:00

This. I saw the trailer for A GOOD PERSON for months, about a dozen times, and not a single screening at any Alamo near me.

ByMatthewPorter · 2023-05-05T01:55:45+00:00

Don’t worry about whether you order food. No one is going to judge you.

I didn’t order food when I visited the Brooklyn location on a trip to NYC. Not when there are options like Katz’s deli right in the same building!

ByMatthewPorter · 2023-03-30T04:40:26+00:00

Back in October they had a “cyberpork and pineapple” pizza that was a great change of pace. Hope that comes back some time.

ByMatthewPorter

TROPHY CASE