Cinemas
The movie theaters are big buildings that have the facility for film-viewing. The word cinema is also used to refer the movie theaters. In earlier days, the movie theaters were owned by individuals but now they have grown to the proportion of industries and are being owned by companies. Some movie companies have chains of theaters in different cities.
The essential items in any movie theater big or small, is the projector to run the film, the screen over which the movie is to be watched and of course the rows of chairs or sitting arrangement for the viewers. The spectators after buying the tickets get in and watch the movie. Apart from these essential components that constitute any movie theater, there are other provisions that are associated with any movie theater. They are the lobbies, the wash rooms, the ticket counters, the snacks and drinks shops and the restaurants as the case may be.
The movie theaters date back to the beginning of the twentieth century, when the first of its kind was opened in California. Since then, it has gone through many changes commensurating with the technological inventions in this field. While the building of the movie theaters were built taking into account the architectural designs and styles to make them attractive, detailed care were care taken to provide greater degree of comforts inside the theater. The placement of the screen, the arrangement of the chairs was given meticulous attention. The floors and steps were so designed to maintain a proper inclination for easy viewing.
The screen and technology has gone through a chronological change with time. The 35 mm film, 70 mm film, cinema-scope and the 3D movies are some of the major breakthroughs that have set in at different times. The latest development in this trend is that of the IMAX system, which is provides the ultimate experience of movie-watching.
The movie theaters are also loosely classified depending upon the nature and type of movies shown there. The well furnished movie theaters equipped with the latest technology like the digital system or the IMAX system are the venues, where the newly released films are screened. Then come the second-run-theaters, where these films are shown after being pulled out from the first-run- theaters. These facilities in these theaters are generally not at par with that available in the first-run theaters and the prices of the tickets are cheaper. Sometimes, the movie theaters are also branded according to the kind of movie they show e.g. adult movies, art movies etc. Children up to a certain age are barred to enter inside the adult movie theaters. Some movie theaters also show the adult movies in the morning or late night shows.
Of late, most movie theaters are also giving importance to other additional facilities like the availability of foods and drinks. The multiplexes and megaplexes have bars and restaurants inside the complex.