An (Exasperated) Consumer's Guide to MoviePass

Bennett Cain August 2, 2018

With MoviePass being all over the news these days, as an often frustrated user I've decided to put some gestating thoughts into writing regarding the service.

Namely—

How it works and possibly why the learning curve is so high.

What to expect and what not to expect.

And then ultimately; despite its innumerable failings, shortcomings, and the company's totally opaque operations, is it even worth having?

So as of a few days ago, MoviePass was a digital service that for 10 USD per month theoretically allowed a user to see one movie per day of almost any film (no IMAX, Dolby, 3D, or other "premium" screenings.), one time only, in any participating theater. FOR FREE. On paper that basically sounds like going to the movies as much as 30 times for only 10 dollars a month. It was a sweet deal but one with many many catches. And as of late, many more.

It's now a 15 USD per month service with even more restrictions—no blockbusters during their opening weeks (e.g. Mission Impossible: Fallout), "Peak Pricing" add-on fees for popular movies at popular times. As well as a host of other features that no one really understands yet like "bring a friend" and more add-on fees for premium screenings. No one really knows what MoviePass 3.0 will look like until it's fully rolled out.

How it works:

1. You sign up online.

2. You get an actual plastic debit card that's on the Mastercard system in the mail 1-3 weeks later. Note, you can't use MoviePass until you get the actual MoviePass which happens to be this shiny red Mastercard.

3. Download the app, login, and check where you can go see a movie. The app is notoriously bare bones, buggy, and counter-intuitive, perhaps intentionally (?) The more people who use the service, the more money MoviePass technically loses. Let's just say they don't make it easy.

Surprising how many places you can actually use this thing.

4. Find a theater playing a movie you want to see.

5. Unless that theater has e-ticketing (rare) you then physically go and stand within 100 yards of that theater (seriously), pick a movie and a showtime, and then "Check In." Important note that "Checking In" does not secure you a seat and if the movie happens to sell out before you get your ticket, you're shit out of luck. First time I tried to use my MoviePass this happened and that's when I also first met the oh-so accommodating and sympathetic MoviePass Help Bots.

This was quite good! But I'm glad I didn't pay $15 to see it. Seeing random stuff that you're interested in but not enough to pay full ticket price is what I've found MoviePass to be best for.

6. As soon as you click that big red Check In button, MoviePass then instantly loads the full ticket price to your MoviePass debit card. You now have 30 minutes to go to the box office, swipe the card, and get your ticket.

I think it's important to note that the theater is in fact getting the full amount they would charge any customer, not some discounted rate negotiated for MoviePass. Which doesn't at all explain why you're likely to be treated like a second-class citizen by the theater staff for paying with MoviePass. More on that in a bit.

7. Within that 30 minute window you can now theoretically cancel your check-in or change your reservation to another show. But this functionality is sketchy at best and I've had it fail on me twice. Again, more on that in a bit! If you did in fact purchase a ticket, now it's time to verify it.

8. This is a relatively new requirement. I'm going to take a wild guess that previous to this ticket verification step, some users would check-in, have the $15 bucks loaded to the debit card, and then go across the street to the 7-Eleven and use those funds to buy a six pack and a jalapeno-cheese-injected hot dog instead. So, now we must verify.

Done! Now that MoviePass is off my ass, I can now enjoy my semi-free movie.

What to expect (and not):

1. If there's one thing you should NOT expect it's customer service. You're pretty much on your own. The first time I went to the Help page I encountered what appeared to be an inept series of automatic responses. "We understand your frustrations." "We're working hard to rectify the situation." "We're having problems with our reservation system right now." It wasn't until I got completely exasperated and threatened to quit the service that I (think) I got a human. At that point, I was told I was free to quit MoviePass at any time but was informed in almost threatening tone that if I did, I wouldn't be able to rejoin for 9 months. 9 months! In 9 months MoviePass could be long gone. Oh how I wish I had gotten a screenshot of that. A day later I went back to Help to find no record of my previous conversation. It's like they intentionally delete the Help history within a day so there's no real record of what was discussed. Another layer of the company's opaque way of doing business. Cover your tracks!

2. If you try to cancel/change your reservation, I'd say there's a 50/50 chance it will work. Your best bet, be damn sure that's the movie/showtime you want to see before hitting the Check In button. Last time I tried to change a reservation, the system wouldn't let me because it said I had an existing reservation. When I went to my "Current Reservation" page this is what I saw.

I was unable to penetrate through the Help Bots though my friend who was experiencing the exact same problem was somehow able to. Luck of the draw it seems. This is what I got—

A few days? No one ever actually responded to me again regarding this.

After some tenacious probing this is what my friend got—

He actually gave them my name, they pulled up my account, and fixed the problem. This was only because he was lucky enough to get an actual human being on the Help Desk. It worked, we both got to see Sorry To Bother You using the MoviePass that night. All and all an equally ridiculous, hilarious, and extremely frustrating experience. This company desperately needs to get its shit together.

Never actually denied being a robot though...

3. Don't expect to be treated pleasantly by theater staff. There seems to be this resentment towards MoviePass users like they're getting into movies for free when in reality, the theater is actually getting the full price for the ticket. Any time I've ever had problems using the MoviePass, I've gotten zero help from the theater staff. Really not much than sneers, like "You're the sucker with the MoviePass, the fact that it doesn't work isn't my problem."

Conclusion:

At the end of the day, you may or may not see a semi-free movie with MoviePass. Just show up at the theater with crossed fingers, zero expectations, and hope for the best. But, it's pretty rad when it does actually work. I've had the service for 2 months so have paid $20 total to see all these movies. Not without some major drama and headaches though. But I've bought food and beers at the Alamo and Nitehawk so have contributed to their business. Seems like a winner as far as the theaters are concerned.

The adage, "You get what you pay for," has perhaps never been more applicable than here. How is MoviePass making any money? They're not. They're hemorrhaging cash and recently had to take out an emergency 6 million dollar loan to pay for user's tickets just last weekend. So they may be losing tons of money but you can rest assured that they're constantly tracking you and if they haven't already, will eventually sell your data. The company's business model is vague at best as is evident in their CEO's recent half-hearted apology letter that failed to make any mention that the monthly fee is increasing by 50% for reduced service.

Will this company even still be in business by the time I hit "publish?" Who the hell knows. Every time you use it, you really do feel like you're scamming someone but really you're only "scamming" MoviePass' unsustainable business model so enjoy it while it lasts. If you're on the fence, I'd say go for it. It's only $15 and you'll probably at least get a few movies out of it. Even if you only see one, it's already paid for itself.

Last note, it's hard to say how they're going to attract new users with higher fees and less service but personally, I hope they stick around a while longer because when it actually works, it's awesome. There a lot of opinion pieces on this out there, most are worth a read. I found this one particularly interesting.

And thank you for reading mine!

And...just when things couldn't get any weirder, this just in!

08/07/18—There's more! This company is hopelessly confused.

Dear MoviePass Member,

On August 15, 2018, we will hit the one-year anniversary of MoviePass’ revolutionary price point of $9.95 a month. We’ve experienced tremendous growth, and we know that at times, the frequent changes to our service have been frustrating to you. But through it all, one thing is clear: we’ve gotten people excited about going to the movies again.

Over the last year, we have tried different things and we’ve discovered what our members love about our service — the low price point and the ability to go to more than 91 percent of theaters nationwide. We’ve also learned what people don’t like about the service — features including Peak Pricing and Ticket Verification.

So now, with almost a full year of learnings under our belt, we’re introducing a new pricing plan that retains the features you love the most and removes the ones you don’t. Most importantly, this new plan will ensure that we can run a sustainable business and continue providing you with an amazing deal to go see movies in theaters.

Here are the details:

Under our new plan, MoviePass members will be able to see up to three standard movies a month for $9.95, and be given up to a $5.00 discount to any additional movie tickets purchased. Today, 85 percent of MoviePass members go to three movies or less per month, so these changes cater to the majority of our movie-going community.
The new plan will include many major studio first-run films, however, there will be some exceptions (note that theaters with e-ticketing will include all movies and showtimes with no restrictions).
We will be suspending Peak Pricing and Ticket Verification requirements for all members in the new plan described above.
Over the coming days, MoviePass members with a monthly subscription renewing on or after August 15th will be given the option in the MoviePass app to transition to the new plan. Quarterly and annual subscribers will not be impacted until their renewal date.

The truth is, disruption and innovation require staying flexible and having an open mind. We genuinely strive to offer you a service that is a great deal, and we believe that the new plan we’re introducing will be attractive to the majority of our members.

It’s been an exciting journey so far, and MoviePass is here to stay. Your endless support, understanding and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Mitch Lowe

11/16/18—UPDATE—is it over?

New York CIty on a Friday—not a single screening available other than MoviePass Original “Border.” Which was a great movie but c’mon. I cancelled immediately but they pinged me for one last bill. I’m not sure how I’ll get my three movies in this month when there’s literally not a single movie playing city-wide I haven’t already seen.

"Other Backward Classes"

Bennett Cain October 14, 2017

While exploring India a few years ago I had the opportunity to visit some extremely isolated rural areas throughout the country. There, I encountered what I considered to be an alarming term in regards to the people living in these secluded, economically marginal regions. "Other Backward Classes (OBC's)."

This along with a similar classification "Scheduled Castes and Tribes," is used by the Indian government to denote socially and educationally "backward" — historically disadvantaged peoples, what the British Raj called the "Depressed Classes." In a modern context, these culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse groups are sometimes referred to as the "Untouchables" or Dalits. Additionally, within are many Adivasi groups who make up the ancient pre-Aryan, pre-Hindu inhabitants of the Subcontinent. The combined total of all these peoples make up the lowest parts of Indian society, possibly as much as 40% of the entire population.

This term "backward" to my western ears sounds horribly pejorative but this language is actually enshrined in the Indian Constitution in order to "ensure the social and educational development of the backward classes." It is obligatory for the government to promote the welfare of the Scheduled Tribes and OCB's, as much as 27% of public sector jobs being reserved for them. Be it in the developed or developing world, as is usually the case legislation aimed at leveling the social playing field often falls painfully short.

Generally speaking, urban or rural, poverty across India is appalling. I'm by no means an expert on any of this, all I have to base my opinions are a few months traveling around the country. Nonetheless, in the case of the rural hinterland, it was eye opening to see so many people completely cut off from any semblance of a modern existence. In many of these villages there isn't much more than dust, livestock, and a few trickling water pumps. This is especially bleak considering India's booming economy, sprawling tech industry, growing middle class, and a handful of impressively modern urban centers.

In this country of 1.2 billion people, despite legal protections, for many in the rural underclass any promise of a better life seems a long way off. Is it possible that by classifying these communities as "backwards" it's only further stigmatizes and isolates them? The challenges this fascinating country faces in the 21st Century and beyond are vast.

Here are a few impressions.

References:

http://www.ncbc.nic.in/

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/OBCs-form-41-of-population-Survey/articleshow/2328117.cms

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reservation_in_India

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandal_Commission

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_in_India

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Other_Backward_Class

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheduled_Castes_and_Scheduled_Tribes

The Handy Travel Square

Bennett Cain July 27, 2017

Forgive me in advance, this post is a little goofy.

Possibly as goofy as Jack Barker's Conjoined Triangles of Success but without the power of Mike Judge's brain behind it.

I was hoping this would be a Travel Triangle™ but that didn't work out so Travel Square it is. This is something I came up with when I was winging it across Asia a few years ago with no more itinerary than a loose list of places I wanted to visit. Places scattered across ten countries.

I'd often find myself debating over another night in a flea-bitten hostel or to splurge on a decent hotel if I needed a break. Granted not all hostels would qualify as "flea-bitten," many are quite nice but some or downright hellish. Nice or not, they are by default more adventurous than any hotel because you get to meet weirdos from all over the world, someone might try and steal all your shit, and you might be subjected to the joy of listening to strangers having sex mere feet from you.

Hotels on the other hand are relatively comfortable, the food tends to be better, and they're often in better areas with better access to the stuff you came to do. But they're often BORING compared to the relative thrill of a scummy hostel, sleeping on the beach, or a couch surf. You will be safe and comfy locked away in your private room but speaking from a lot of experience, you'll probably not meet interesting people and go on adventures with them. If you want adventure, you need to get out of your comfort zone.

I started thinking of this simple way to visualize the constant interconnectedness of safety & comfort, adventure, and expenditure while traveling. All are important in their own way. Your ideal trip might be one where you don't spend a fortune on hotels so you can spend it on ATV riding, shooting machine guns, and bungee jumping into ravines using ancient, rusting harnesses.

Or maybe your idea of adventure is just not spending any money at all. You have $1500 cash, half of which you spent on a one way ticket to Bangkok. Now you have to not just survive but eventually get back home on dwindling funds, much of which has already evaporated on ping pong shows and betting on Muay Thai fights. Fun!

Conversely, perhaps you just want to spend the morning frolicking under your 800 threadcount sheets, then having a leisurely brunch with a bit of the "local flare" instead of the usual brioche and cafe au lait. When you're good and ready, the concierge will call your personal driver who will spend the next two or three hours showing you the sights and the best selfie spots, getting you back just in time for sunset cocktails on the rooftop lounge. #blessed

In other words, everyone will have their own idea of what constitutes a great trip and they will all be wildly different.

Here's my idea of A Well Balanced Trip. And notice I didn't say vacation. In my opinion vacations suck, trips are awesome. Trips mean traveling, moving forward, encountering the unknown, and growing. Vacation means spending a shit load of money and coming home broke and disappointed. This diagram shows a nice balance between safety & comfort and adventure, and expenditure at a level that's neither slumming it nor breaking the bank.

Not the most baller but very well balanced, sustainable travel.

As you can see, you start pushing the red dot around and the dynamics of the trip changes drastically.

Let's start looking at some different travel styles.

The Gap Year Backpacker—see the world with nothing but change jingling in your pocket. Though not necessarily age specific! Backpackers come in all ages and socio-economic levels. Backpacking is more a state of mind than anything else. Backpackers are usually driven by the desire to stay out as long as possible, which usually means living pretty cheap.

A nice, cheap way to see the world when you can do without a lot of creature comforts.

Compare the Backpacker to the next step in this direction. What I call "Gone Native." We travelers know the archetype instantly. You show up in some tiny village in the middle of nowhere and hey, there's a white guy in a loin cloth! And what an odd accent he has despite after some cajoling you learn that he's actually from Nebraska. Some people are looking to disappear into the exotic locales they discover but in the 21st Century, you can run but you can't really hide.

Gone Native—probably the most adventurous. Definitely the cheapest. Careful though, this guy went native in Himachal Pradesh and then vanished without a trace.

Gone Native. The one who never came home.

Here's pretty much the opposite—neither fun, nor adventurous, nor all that cheap for matter—A Relative’s Time Share That They've Pawned Off On You. There's always a catch—it's in the Dominican Republic, but 100 miles from the beach. All it will cost you is the exorbitant annual maintenance fee!

Your Parent’s Time Share. Can't give these damn things away! — Your Parent’s Time Share. Can't give these damn things away!

Here's another fun one—Packing The Kids Into The Van And Taking Them To An Amusement Park

I don't know because I don't have kids but I imagine you won't be very comfortable though you will spend a boat load of money. The kids might enjoy the adventure of rollercoaster whiplash if you can get them off their devices for a few minutes.

Packing The Kids Into The Van And Taking Them To An Amusement Park. The Griswald experience seems to be a universal one, no matter what decade. — Packing The Kids Into The Van And Taking Them To An Amusement Park. The Griswald experience seems to be a universal one, no matter what decade.

Here are a few more.

The Savvy, Slightly Conservative Solo Traveler

A Meditation Retreat In A Western Style Wellness Center aka Mindfulness in A Resort

I won't lie, if I had the cash, I could use a little pampering and lying in shavasana for hours with only the sounds of the jungle to soothe me. "Wellness" usually means $$$$$

A Meditation Retreat With The Locals

This is kind of a goofy one because waking up at 4am to mediate is not comfortable. However, you will be totally safe once at the retreat center even if getting there involved a ride up a mountain on the back of a motorcycle with trucks whipping aro… — This is kind of a goofy one because waking up at 4am to mediate is not comfortable. However, you will be totally safe once at the retreat center even if getting there involved a ride up a mountain on the back of a motorcycle with trucks whipping around hairpin turns at you.

Budget Vacation In Cancun

Tacos with sour cream and cheddar cheese. Drinking a margarita that's mostly sugar water out of one of those 3 foot tall plastic monstrosities whilst slathered in sun block on a beach where your peace and quiet are invaded every 30 seconds by someon… — Tacos with sour cream and cheddar cheese. Drinking a margarita that's mostly sugar water out of one of those 3 foot tall plastic monstrosities whilst slathered in sun block on a beach where your peace and quiet are invaded every 30 seconds by someone selling local chachki.

Some other trips to plug into the square might be—a cruise, all inclusive resort, traveling with a tour, round the world trip, use all your airmiles before they expire trip, motorhome road trip, etc., etc .etc. Not every kind of trip can be well represented by the Square. For example, super high-end luxury "adventure" travel doesn't quite fit into the model—a surf trip to Bali staying in the nicest hotels money can buy. Is it adventure? It's definitely luxury. Or maybe—

Luxury Caribbean Adventure Vacation (Surf Lessons, Handgliding, Shark Cage, Etc.)

Here's an even tougher one—

A Chartered Luxury Icebreaker To Antartica Accompanied By A DJ And Your Beautiful Friends

I guess it's equal parts luxury and adventure so it sort of works. It would definitely be insanely expensive even for the hedge fund guy or tech billionaire footing the bill. This one also has the real chance of death or bodily injury, so is does qualify as adventure despite arriving in the lap of luxury.

The truth is "Adventure" is totally subjective. As are "Safety & Comfort" and also the notion as to what's cheap or expensive for that matter. Of course it's also possible to spend a whole lot of money and get jack shit! In that case, maybe it's best to stay home ;)