Films or movies are the terms expressed to use the motions pictures. The buildings or the halls where the films are shown are called the movie theaters. People buy the tickets and enter inside to view the movie which is shown on a large white screen in the dark with the help of a projector.

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Different terms are used to refer the movies which can either be colloquial or general. They are silver screen (as the screen used is white in color), big screen (as opposed to the small screen of the television) or simply pictures. In some places, they are also referred as flicks and flea pits. You would also come across such uses in the magazine and newspaper pages. Even the spelling of the word theater varies from places to places. Although the National Association of Theatre Owners use the word ‘theatre’ - the British English version, you would find that most in US use the word ‘theater’. Similarly, the screening room is usually referred to the small private rooms used to screening the movie by the production company for evaluation and also to show it to some select audience.

Whatever may be the etymological moorings of the word, movie theaters have indeed stood the taste of time in having a hold over the public in providing entertainment.

Ever since its first inception, the movie theatres have gone through many changes. Earlier watching a movie was considered one the main form of amusement by the masses. It was customary for many families to go for a movie in the evenings on holidays. But, of late, with the advent of other mode of entertainments, the interest of the people for watching movies in the theaters has decreased. The availability of the television, DVDs have given people the option to view their favorite movies in their drawing rooms. The trip to the theaters, the queues for the tickets and the difficulties in car parking, compel them to think twice before visiting the theater. Sometimes, time is also a constraint. You can view the DVDs as and when you want. But you need to have at least three hours to enjoy the movie in the theater.

Most of the technological innovations and designs of movie theaters have taken place in US. In fact, most of the big studio houses are also located the US. The owners are making changes in the quality of facilities to draw the public back to the theaters. Many of the multiplexes and the megaplexes have the IMAX system in it. The availability of the snacks and drinks in the lobby, bars and restaurants are some of the additional features that are being provided to make the experience of movie viewing more entertaining.