Do fewer people watch films at the cinema nowadays?

Maybe, it’s not something I’ve thought about before. Going

to the cinema is expensive and not as convenient as
watching a movie at home. Also, not every cinema is super
clean, and there might be popcorn left on the seats and
floor.

However, there’s something about seeing a movie in a

cinema that’s hard to recreate at home. Even the best home
theaters aren’t going to be able to match the quality that’s
available at a cinema, although in some people’s eyes, it
comes close.

I think people tend to see movies at a cinema because it’s

where they’re able to see the latest releases. Some people
do choose to pirate new movies, and this is one way that
someone would be able to watch a new movie at home,
although it’s not very ethical.
Vocabulary and idioms for this answer:
In some people’s eyes (idiom)
It means according to what someone thinks or feels.
Example: In his mother’s eyes, he could do nothing wrong.

Comes close (idiom)

A phrase that means something is similar to, or almost as
good as something or someone.
Example: He’s not as good as Adam, but he comes close.

Pirate (verb)
To illegally copy a computer program, song, movie, book,
etc.
Example: She rarely buys the computer software she uses,
and instead pirates it.

Ethical (adjective)
Something that’s related to ethics; the principles used for
deciding what is right and what is wrong.
Example: I object to the war for ethical reasons.
Do you think cinemas will disappear in the future?
Probably not. Although it’s hard to make predictions about
the future, I think cinemas will be around for the
foreseeable future. For as long as movies are first released
to cinemas, and for as long as it’s perceived as a social
activity, cinemas will still be a thing.

I think that movies will be available for people to buy and

stream at home in the future, and home cinema technology
will advice to such a level that it will parallel most
cinemas, so it’s possible that the number of people going to
the cinema will dwindle, but not to the point where
cinemas will disappear completely.

I do think that cinemas will have to become more

competitive to stay relevant. People will want a more
immersive experience, perhaps using some form of virtual
reality that they can’t readily emulate at home.
Vocabulary and idioms for this answer:
Foreseeable future (idiom)
The foreseeable future is the period of time when you can
predict what is going to happen based on the current
circumstances.
Example: It’s unlikely the school will be closed for the
foreseeable future.

Be a thing (idiom)
An idea, product, or activity that is generally known or
recognized.
Example: Apparently eco-friendly underwear is a thing now.

Parallel (noun)
Something that is very similar to something else.
Example: There are a lot of parallels between the actor and the
character he’s playing in the movie.

Dwindle (verb)
Something that becomes gradually less over time, or smaller
over a period of time until almost nothing remains.
Example: Helium supplies are dwindling to their lowest levels in
20 years.

Immersive (adjective)
Something that surrounds an audience or player in a way that
they feel completely involved in something.
Example: The new game is more immersive than ever.

Emulate (verb)
To emulate something is to copy it and try to do it as well as
something else.
Example: They hope to emulate the success of other software
companies.
I don’t tend to watch as many movies as I used to just because of
the time pressures I have at work nowadays. However, there was
a movie I saw a couple of years ago that I absolutely adored.

When I lived in New York, I used to see a lot of live musicals.

There’s something really special about seeing performers live on
a stage that’s often lost when a musical is made into a movie.

This movie is the exception to the rule in my book. The

Greatest Showman is a movie that was released a few years ago
and I had goosebumps when I was watching it. The music
together with the cinematography was outstanding and
brought the whole performance alive.

The movie itself won quite a number of awards and was

critically acclaimed, which I believe was well deserved.

The plot is a fairly standard rags to riches story that documents

the triumphs as well as the struggles that the protagonist faces.
In many ways the plot embodies the American dream, and
showcases the idea that equal opportunity is available to
anybody and that the highest aspirations and goals can be
achieved. Of course, like any good Hollywood movie, it has a
happy ending.
This kind movie is one I especially like. When I’m going
to see a movie, usually I want something lighthearted and
easy to follow. I’m usually going to see a movie in order to
unwind, and this was no exception.

I remember I went to see it with a friend who’d been dying

to see it ever since he saw the trailer. We saw it in a special
VIP cinema that had extra comfortable and roomy seats,
unlimited popcorn and soda, and an all-you-can-eat buffet
before the movie. It was one of the few VIP cinemas in
Europe, and it definitely beat the standard experience
hands down.

I loved the movie so much that I went back a week later to

see it again. I’d already added a few of my favorite songs
from the soundtrack to my playlist and had been practically
listening to them on loop, and singing the songs to myself
in the shower.

I have recommended it to a few friends already. One or

two did actually watch it, and I believe they thoroughly
enjoyed it too.
Vocabulary and idioms for this answer:
Exception to the rule (idiom)
It’s the short version of “the exception that proves the rule”,
which means that something that emphasizes the truth of a
statement by disagreeing with it. You say that something is the
exception to the rule if the example you’ve just mentioned is not
normal and is the opposite of what you usually find.
Example: Most British people are very quiet and shy, but Chris
is the exception to the rule — he’ll talk to anyone.

In my book (idiom)
It’s a phrase that’s used when you’re giving your strong opinion
about something.
Example: In my book, he’s the greatest athlete of all time.

Goosebumps (noun)
To get small bumps on your skin because of cold, fear, or
excitement. Usually it’s where your body hair will stand on end.
Example: I got goosebumps watching that scary movie last
night.

Cinematography (noun)
The art or technique of filming a movie with cameras, including
both the shooting and the processing of the video.
Example: The cinematography is what makes this film as
wonderful as it really is.
Outstanding (adjective)
Something that’s outstanding is extremely good or impressive.
Example: He’s an outstanding athlete and performs better than
most others.

Critically acclaimed (adjective)

Something that’s received generally good reviews from a number
of critics.
Example: The movie was critically acclaimed for its
cinematography.

Rags to riches (phrase)

It’s a phrase that is used to describe a situation in which someone
who has been very poor becomes very rich.
Example: Almost overnight, she went from rags to riches.

Triumphs (noun)
Something that is a great victory, achievement, or success.
Example: The signing of the agreement was a huge personal
triumph for the prime minister.

Protagonist (noun)
The main character in a play, movie, book, or story.
Example: The protagonist wasn’t a very nice person.

Embodies (verb)
Something that represents a quality or an idea exactly.
Example: The spirit of hope is embodied in the character Anna.

American dream (noun)

The idea that the United States is a place where anyone can
become successful if they work hard enough.
Example: People work all their lives to achieve the American
dream.
Showcase (verb)
To showcase something is to show the best qualities or parts of
something.
Example: The main aim of the exhibition is to showcase British
design.

Lighthearted (adjective)
Something that’s happy and not serious.
Example: It was a fairly light-heated conversation.

Easy to follow (idiom)

Something that’s straightforward and easy to understand is easy
to follow.
Example: The book is easy to follow and can be read in just a
few hours.

Unwind (verb)
To begin to relax after you’ve been working hard or feeling
stressed or anxious.
Example: I need to sit down and unwind for half an hour.

Dying to (idiom)
If you’re dying to do something, you’re really eager and excited
to do it.
Example: My son is just dying to learn how to drive.

Hands down (phrasal verb)

It’s a phrase that means without any doubt.
Example: Prague is hands down one of the prettiest cities I’ve
ever visited.