Roger Ebert will tell you why B.O. is dropping

[iluvcapra]

I'll tell you why movie revenue is dropping... by Roger Ebert

And I'll tell you it's probably just a thing this year, the 5 year trend is still good. On the other hand we sold fewer admissions this year than any year since Jurassic Park.

[shponglefan]

#3 is a big reason I stopped going to the theaters.

[newdigitaluser]

Originally Posted by iluvcapra

I'll tell you why movie revenue is dropping... by Roger Ebert

And I'll tell you it's probably just a thing this year, the 5 year trend is still good. On the other hand we sold fewer admissions this year than any year since Jurassic Park.

bedbugs
high prices
way TOO LOUD
lousy movies

[charles maynes]

very nice piece Jamie.....

[Jfriah]

Thank you, Mr. Ebert. #3 is pretty much the reason I tend to stay away now or go in the middle of the afternoon when I can. Lady in front of me during The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo didn't have her phone off and I heard the telltale iPhone text alert, then she fumbled through her pocket to dig it out. I was 'almost impressed' that when she dug it out she held it down below her seat and bent over so the light wouldn't glow everywhere.

I said 'almost'

[Thomas W. Bethe]

Cost of 3 D is atrocious but so is the cost of beverages and pop corn. I took my niece to see the latest Pirates movie and after buying the tickets and a medium popcorn and medium cherry coke for her I had just spent $25 and this was for the matinee. I can't even imagine what it cost for a family of four to attend a movie in the evening. Then you have to endure poor sound or really LOUD sound and two rows in front of you are two teenagers texting each other on their well lit cell phones throughout the whole movie and the kid behind you is kicking your chair at the same time. At this particular movie two persons sitting two row behind me were giving a play by play of the movie complete with descriptions of what was "really" going on and commenting on the quality of the CGI effects and the size of Johnny Depp's %^$#. Not really a good movie going experience.

Is is any wonder why people get netflixs and watch the DVD at home?

[ThisIsSka]

#3 is particularly true. Texting and talking through the movie is soooo annoying.

Also, am I the only person who gets annoyed at people applauding? I saw MI4 in Dubai, and people started clapping when 'DUBAI' appeared on the screen.

[Ron Vogel]

Originally Posted by Thomas W. Bethe

I can't even imagine what it cost for a family of four to attend a movie in the evening.

I have 4 kids...we rent movies; or let the wife's siblings take them out to the theater...we simply can't afford the $50-60 ticket price; let alone snacks and stuff. There's nothing special to me about going to see a movie in the theater...or should I say, nothing EXCEPTIONAL about the experience that draws me to waste that extra cash over watching it at home on my comfy couch.

[iluvcapra]

Originally Posted by ThisIsSka

Also, am I the only person who gets annoyed at people applauding? I saw MI4 in Dubai, and people started clapping when 'DUBAI' appeared on the screen.

Oh, no! A moviegoing experience isn't complete without at least one earnest crowd reaction. The collective experience is a big value-add, the problem with cellphones is that they're "out of the movie," but cheering or clapping is "into the movie."

[JSt0rm]

Originally Posted by iluvcapra

Oh, no! A moviegoing experience isn't complete without at least one earnest crowd reaction. The collective experience is a big value-add, the problem with cellphones is that they're "out of the movie," but cheering or clapping is "into the movie."

Yeah I like it when there is crowd reaction to the films I find it a part of the experience.

[Tom Fleischman]

You know what really chaps my ass? It's when I pay $10 bucks (or $15 for 3D) for a movie ticket and then have to sit through half an hour of television commercials.

The thing that I don't get is that the majority of TeeVee commercials now being played in movie theaters are for cell phones, video games, and computers...all of these things do nothing for motion picture theater owners.The things being sold on the movie theater screen only serve to keep people, particularly young people, OUT of the movie theater.

[Henchman]

Originally Posted by Tom Fleischman

You know what really chaps my ass? It's when I pay $10 bucks (or $15 for 3D) for a movie ticket and then have to sit through half an hour of television commercials.

The thing that I don't get is that the majority of TeeVee commercials now being played in movie theaters are for cell phones, video games, and computers...all of these things do nothing for motion picture theater owners.The things being sold on the movie theater screen only serve to keep people, particularly young people, OUT of the movie theater.

Which is why I only go see movies at the Arclight.
Assigned seating in advance.
No commercials.
Always good sound.

[Tom Fleischman]

Originally Posted by Henchman

Which is why I only go see movies at the Arclight.
Assigned seating in advance.
No commercials.
Always good sound.

You are lucky to have that. How is Arclight doing? They've survived for at least 3 or 4 years now so they must be doing OK. If so, I wonder why some smart entrepreneur hasn't had the good sense to open those kinds of venues nationwide.

[Henchman]

Originally Posted by Tom Fleischman

You are lucky to have that. How is Arclight doing? They've survived for at least 3 or 4 years now so they must be doing OK. If so, I wonder why some smart entrepreneur hasn't had the good sense to open those kinds of venues nationwide.

Went to see Mission Impossible Christmas day.
Sold out theatre.

Anth whole place was overflowing with people.

[RRCHON]

I don't know what it is, but a big part of the trend of why I stopped going out to movies has always been that nine times out of ten I go I leave disappointed with what was on the screen.

Too many explosions, not enough substance.
100lbs woman knocking 300lbs man 200 feet (no superpowers implied).
Too many strictly defined genres.
Too many stories that could have been and just fell flat.

Not enough balls in the directions, not enough balls in the final cut,ect....

Every-time I see a bad one, it puts me off from going to see the next one am interested in. The cost is part of it but it's only a part, but over the last 5 years I've gone from going to the movies about once a month to about once or twice a year.

Getting older and having more options is part of it, but not all of it. FiOS on demand streaming for new releases. HBO, Showtime, Starz, Epix, Encore, with 90% of the entire rotation available on demand whenever you feel like it. Large format LCD, Surround sound, ect... It is more complex than that of course, I still want to go to the movies, I just can't really find anything that interests me enough to get me off my couch and out of my house.


Smart movies don't sell - so they say - but I think that has more to do with the hype machine and the critics than it does with the movies, but even then if you neuter anything people can tell.

I have hope for some of the stuff I've heard about in the pipeline for years now, I am still waiting. Who knows with the new multi-continental financing schemes that are starting to emerge we might see more interesting less filtered stuff, but I am just not a fan of current pop cinema in general with very few and far between exceptions.

[JSt0rm]

Originally Posted by Henchman

Went to see Mission Impossible Christmas day.
Sold out theatre.

Anth whole place was overflowing with people.

yeah I saw it twice at the dome. Row M

epic. The arclight is the best cinema in America.

[Space Station]

The experience of watching movies at home is getting better all the time and much more affordable...may be similar to the way home games consoles killed off arcade video games..

[Henchman]

Originally Posted by RRCHON

I don't know what it is, but a big part of the trend of why I stopped going out to movies has always been that nine times out of ten I go I leave disappointed with what was on the screen.

Too many explosions, not enough substance.
100lbs woman knocking 300lbs man 200 feet (no superpowers implied).
Too many strictly defined genres.
Too many stories that could have been and just fell flat.

Not enough balls in the directions, not enough balls in the final cut,ect....

Every-time I see a bad one, it puts me off from going to see the next one am interested in. The cost is part of it but it's only a part, but over the last 5 years I've gone from going to the movies about once a month to about once or twice a year.

Getting older and having more options is part of it, but not all of it. FiOS on demand streaming for new releases. HBO, Showtime, Starz, Epix, Encore, with 90% of the entire rotation available on demand whenever you feel like it. Large format LCD, Surround sound, ect... It is more complex than that of course, I still want to go to the movies, I just can't really find anything that interests me enough to get me off my couch and out of my house.


Smart movies don't sell - so they say - but I think that has more to do with the hype machine and the critics than it does with the movies, but even then if you neuter anything people can tell.

I have hope for some of the stuff I've heard about in the pipeline for years now, I am still waiting. Who knows with the new multi-continental financing schemes that are starting to emerge we might see more interesting less filtered stuff, but I am just not a fan of current pop cinema in general with very few and far between exceptions.

When I go to see an action flick, I expect an action flick.
When I go to see a movie with substance, I expect good dialog, and little flash.
So, I adjust my expectation to the movie I'm going to see, and usually get what I expect.

Now, if the movie is actually good, that's a whole other discussion.
But don't go to see Transformers, expecting Shakespeare.

[Tom Fleischman]

Originally Posted by Henchman

When I go to see an action flick, I expect an action flick.
When I go to see a movie with substance, I expect good dialog, and little flash.
So, I adjust my expectation to the movie I'm going to see, and usually get what I expect.

Now, if the movie is actually good, that's a whole other discussion.
But don't go to see Transformers, expecting Shakespeare.

Transformers sounded great, but what a God-awful script.

Once you realize that the train is not really going to hit you it won't hold your interest for long...

[Henchman]

Originally Posted by Tom Fleischman

Transformers sounded great, but what a God-awful script.

Once you realize that the train is not really going to hit you it won't hold your interest for long...

I liked the last one.
And the first one.

[ggegan]

Maybe it's just me, but I am sick of pre-packaged movies that are little more than star vehicles lacking either a compelling premise or a well written script. There are very few movie stars who can make me forget that they are just playing a role. I prefer character actors to movie stars.

[Henchman]

Originally Posted by ggegan

Maybe it's just me, but I am sick of pre-packaged movies that are little more than star vehicles lacking either a compelling premise or a well written script. There are very few movie stars who can make me forget that they are just playing a role. I prefer character actors to movie stars.

I agree.
Which is why I'm a big fan of British and foreign films.

[gsilbers]

mm.. i think i only agree on the part about movie streaming competition.. the rest has in most part has been the same way for a more than a few years.

i think imo, that a lot has to do with the big wigs
..

before december year end block busters there was about 2 months w/o anything good showings.

now, there is 6 great movies all at once.
im a fan so i went to see girl/tattoo, MI4, sherlock, tintin..
even 2 spielberg films release at the same time!!!
but for the regular joe 1 or 2 its already too much. each studio wants to sell at the same time, making it just pretty much a seasonal thing this year.

if those movies where released 2 weeks apart before this december, they would of sold more.
but for the last 2 months there was absolutly no reason to go to the movies, now ..
its too many.. so just one good movie will do.

also, it happened before the summer season this year too.

going to the movies this year turnined out to be a FEB (Oscar time/relay) Summer big hits and year end.

well, thats my theory cause popcorn and drinks has been the same, cell phone and annoyign folks have been there and the new things is more movie streaming at home and big blockbusters trying to sell at the same time and leaving empty weekends w no good reason to go to the movies.

also, just wondering but maybe there is still the same amount of people going to the movies but cost of 3D implementation is more.. if more movies are 3D and it cost theatres more to show 3D then it might be why revenue is lower. but dunno really that side of the biz.

[Rob King]

Originally Posted by Henchman

Which is why I only go see movies at the Arclight.
Assigned seating in advance.
No commercials.
Always good sound.

Me too..

On that note ticket prices are $14.75 + $3.50 for 3D. $18.25 a ticket! $5.50 for a coke and $7.00 for a popcorn. 2 people that is in the ballpark of $50-$60 to see a movie these days. This has to be a factor for lower income people to pick and choose what they see in this economy. Gone are the days of $3.50 matinee prices when minimum wage was $5.25. You could see a film on an hours salary. Now you have to work a day (after taxes) to see a new release. I'm just sayin'.

[gsilbers]

Originally Posted by Rob King

Me too..

On that note ticket prices are $14.75 + $3.50 for 3D. $18.25 a ticket! $5.50 for a coke and $7.00 for a popcorn. 2 people that is in the ballpark of $50-$60 to see a movie these days. This has to be a factor for lower income people to pick and choose what they see in this economy. Gone are the days of $3.50 matinee prices when minimum wage was $5.25. You could see a film on an hours salary. Now you have to work a day (after taxes) to see a new release. I'm just sayin'.

still does not explain why B.O . is low...

3D and high priced popcorn +drinks have been that high last year and the year before... Box office sales was double.
economy has been bad since late 2008...

movies where as good as last year and the year before. some better, some not.

[shponglefan]

Originally Posted by Henchman

But don't go to see Transformers, expecting Shakespeare.

The funny thing is that Shakespearean plays were designed to appeal to the masses, no different than Hollywood today.

But I agree. A big part of being able to enjoy films is to adjust ones expectations (preferably none or low being best) and have the right frame of mind/context for which the movie is intended.

[shponglefan]

Originally Posted by RRCHON

I don't know what it is, but a big part of the trend of why I stopped going out to movies has always been that nine times out of ten I go I leave disappointed with what was on the screen.

Just IMHO (and this is going to come across elitist), but I think a lot of people don't know how to watch movies correctly. I honestly believe that 90% of movies can be enjoyed, but it takes a certain mindset and effort on the part of the viewer.

It comes down largely to expectations (inflated = disappointment; low or none = enjoyable) and context (i.e. watching a Michael Bay movie for something besides 'splosions). Part of the problem is trailers and movie marketing in general. It creates false expectations which is of course designed to get people in the theater. Better to rely on reviews especially negative reviews; in fact, I'd say negative reviews are key to setting proper expectations. Movie trailers are enjoyable, but should be treated as mini-movies unto themselves and not a representation of whatever they are selling.

Also, all movies take place in alternate universes. Period. So any nit-picking about implausbility, historical inaccuracy, or scientific inaccuracy is irrelevant. Makes them much more enjoyable this way.

[Steven1145]

It's amazing that the US is going through a totally different trend from what we have here in France (cant talk about the rest of Europe). Here the movie ticket sales are at a historical high, even with the bad shape of the Euro and the whole economic crisis going.
There are a lot of ticket sales from US films, as always, but there is a recent trend in French films coming strong and making very good BO numbers. There's a French film (Intouchables) which is the second film in 2-3 years to actually challenge the highest BO figure ever for France.

I do believe that most cinemas here show a broader range of films, not just the "select" few Hollywood blockbusters that Mr Ebert points out for US multiplexes. That may be the secret. And most cinemas here clearly state that cellphone use is not permitted (at least in UGC cinemas they did for a while).

What is totally paradoxical, is that with BO numbers shooting through the roof, the state of our cinema industry is still dire. The French CNC (Cinema Center, that dolls out subsidies to production companies to make film, from money cashed in from ticket sales) has pushed cinemas to transition to Digital projection extremely fast, by giving out subsidies, while at the same time giving much less subsidies to film labs to re-equip with all the digital gear (that have a much higher cost). On the other hand, the groups that own the labs here have been total ******* and have been slashing prices for years (and they own sound studios too, where most of the slashing was done). Now one of those groups has just been liquidated! Poof! That's 9 mixing stages gone in a year (they had already closed Les Audis de Joinville last year).
Strange days, I'd say.

[sonick909]

he forgot one: 90% of the movies coming out are CRAP REMAKES of prior GOOD movies. The other 10% are the same movie with Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill. oh, and tired superhero re-re-re-re-re-makes with lots of WHOSH BOOM BANG!!! explosionZ!!

the amount of remakes has also become a caricature of itself. I remember when breakfast club and sixteen candles and all these awesome 80's movies came out, and we were deluged with great movies to see.

What happened ?

[iluvcapra]

Originally Posted by ggegan

Maybe it's just me, but I am sick of pre-packaged movies that are little more than star vehicles lacking either a compelling premise or a well written script.

There was this movie, Grand Hotel, Irving Thalberg made it in 1932...