Missing movie times
I second Scott Caldwell's complaint (Letters, 11/27/2014) that you no longer publish the movie directory. I enjoyed having a page that I could look at, circle the movies I was interested in seeing, and then keeping it for the week as I decide where and when to go.
There are many things you can delete from your paper, but the movie directory is not one of them.
Marsha Cohen (via email)
It's a pity Scott Caldwell won't be able to read this, since he's vowed not to pick up Isthmus again (Letters, 11/27/2014), but I really don't agree with his view that the quality of the paper's journalism has declined since I left in 2011. It was high then, and it's high now.
Also, I don't get Caldwell's complaint about "big increases in advertising" since the paper changed ownership earlier this year. Advertising is a sign of vitality; it is what sustains the paper he will no longer read.
It's fine to be upset that Movie Times no longer appears in print. I hope the local theaters respond by taking out ads so people can still easily obtain this information. But people, chill: Isthmus is still the best little paper around.
Bill Lueders (via email)
I couldn't agree more with the letters about the deletion of movie times. This was a very convenient way to check movie times. It may somehow make things easier for Isthmus, but certainly not for your readers. Also, where are the excellent cover stories you used to print? Isthmus is not the quality publication it once was. Please at least reconsider printing the movie times. These changes are not positive ones for the readers.
Judy Clark, Verona (via email)
Yes, many Isthmus readers have computers and thus the ability to obtain the online listing of show times. But many Isthmus readers have neither computers nor the patience to wade through robotic phone messages from the theaters regarding show times. Since the dawn of cinema, newspapers have printed announcements of movies and show times. Back to basics!
Frank Clover (via mail)
Very sorry to see that movie time listings are no longer a part of your paper. My favorite paper. Please at least list the theater where movies are playing; that would be helpful.
Linda Josehff (via email)
Just want to put my two cents' worth in on no longer listing movie times and locations: I'm disappointed, angry, upset. I hope you reconsider.
Scott Canfield (via email)
No table of contents, no journalistic "meat," and now no movie listings. Will you do something about these criticisms? Otherwise, I predict the demise of the paper in the near future.
Patricia Seybold (via mail)
For 35 years I've been scanning your movie listings and underscoring the flicks and best times. Thursday is a big day for me because of you. Could you compromise and print as well as do online stuff? All you need to do is publish a disclaimer that times may not be accurate.
I'll still love you either way, but there'll be a tear in my eye.
Diane Dropsho (via mail)
It is disappointing to say the least that you decided to take the movie listings out of the paper. Just bring them back! Thank you.
Peg McWilliams (via email)
The editor replies: We understand the disappointment and frustration some readers feel about the elimination of Movie Times from the paper. And we are sorry for that. But I want to reiterate that it has become virtually impossible for us to publish accurate and complete listings in the paper. Just last week, we counted more than 50 changes that had to be made to our online Movie Times between an update on Monday afternoon and a re-check Tuesday morning. We remain committed to publishing comprehensive Movie Times and hope the readers who can will access that information online or on their phones.
