Declining Movie Attendance

[movie zombie]

well, this is interesting. it is partly because of the decline in quality movies that i became a film festival goer....speaking of which this is the week i receive our package from toronto and start selecting the 50 films we''ll see in 10 days...so many films, so little time. i might add that it is refreshing to see films in which PRODUCT PLACEMENT doesn''t seem to be the purpose of the film.....some films do seem to have become glorified product advertisements

.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050829/en_nm/slump_dc

peace, movie zombie

 

[laney]

Funny - hubby and I discussed this when it came out. We go to movies about once a month - when a title comes out that we like.

While some movies still are hits - we tire of the ''hype''. It seems like the big studio movies are mearly finacial "lottery ticket" type investments -where if a million or two can be put into the movie - and it return 50 mil at the box office - then it''s considered a success.. regardless of the merit of the movie at all. It seems - the movies available for consumption on the main distribution are less art - and more sophisticated advertising "product".

And the indies are getting more and more extreme almost compensating for the bland mainstream choices.

The main thing that bothers us when we go to the movies is the other patrons. People are just plain rude - and talk throughout movies, answer phone calls, etc...etc..

However - I do feel that the movie industry needs to catch up on the business model if this one isn''t working for them. I read an iteresting article yesterday of proposals to release new movies and DVDs at the same time.

One quote from the article said.. you wouldn''t want to listen to songs on the radio.. and wait six months before you buy the CD...

I hope new models catch on!

 

[laney]

http://entertainment.tv.yahoo.com/entnews/ap/20050828/112528458000.html

Here''s the article.

 

[Blue824]

MZ, I wish I could go to the Toronto Film Fest! My dad goes every year and loves it. Maybe one day I''ll have the time to go.

I didnt read the articles, but this has been talked about a lot over the past year...maybe I''d go to the movies if people had respect for the other movie goers, like Laney said. Ugh, especially when it is a new popular movie that I go to and it is full of teenagers playing with their cell phones so you get the flashes of light distracting you...and the talking...and the just odd behavior and noises and foot tappings that people seem to do when they''re at the movies. It can also get expensive! $10 + dinner + popcorn & drink when at the movie, that''s a lot

I''d rather spend the $4 and rent it!

However, lately my solution has been to see movies at off times, matinees or weeknights. Sunday night I went to a 9pm showing of Junebug and there were only 6 of us in teh entire theater. Maybe that''s because its an indy, and just using that as an example because I remember the numbers, but overall they''re MUCH less crowded and much more pleasant.

 

[movie zombie]

if you ever get to TIFF, you''ll find canadian audiences quite vocal and not necessarily polite about telling people to shut up and/or turn the cell phone off. i myself have been known to be overtly rude when telling a ''talker'' to shut up.... i start nicely but if that doesn''t work......

i have had a nice day in preparation for my all nighter going over programming: farmers'' market, accupuncture for relaxation, a nice chai while i saw a move, THE EDUKATORS [german, subtitled]. let the programming begin!

peace, movie zombie

 

[EdSkinner]

I haven''t been to the movies in 10 years. I would much rather sit at home and watch the CD. But has Hollywood come up with any new ideas lately other than remaking old TV shows?

 

[FireGoddess]

I just feel like $10 is WAY too much for one person to see a movie, especially with the caliber of the movies that have come out lately. The last 2 movies I saw were exceptions to this, and they were AMAZING...but they were independent films with limited release (March of the Penguins and Murderball). I''d rather wait till they come out for rental on Netflix.

 

[movie zombie]

Date: 8/31/2005 4:15:17 PM
Author: FireGoddess
I just feel like $10 is WAY too much for one person to see a movie, especially with the caliber of the movies that have come out lately. The last 2 movies I saw were exceptions to this, and they were AMAZING...but they were independent films with limited release (March of the Penguins and Murderball). I''d rather wait till they come out for rental on Netflix.

another good documentary: A SIDEWALK ASTRONOMER. also, THE PARROTS OF TELEPGRAPH HILL.

we belong to a film club and saw MARCH OF THE PENGUINS before its release. the french director was there for q&a afterwards. he said the french version had ''voices'' for the individual penguin ''characters....

there are some art houses that offer discount cards which reduces the price of attending any screening. also, i find that i''m happier usually going to a matinee as 1-its less expensive and 2-fewer people in attendance which cuts down on the annoying and rude patrons. i also avoid ''date nights'' [friday and saturday nights] because of the people.

i personally like seeing film on the big screen....i did not appreciate CASABLANCA until i saw it on a big screen. i know those with home theatre systems enjoy them. we discussed setting up such a system and may do a ''partial'' but we really like the film going experience [with the right audience, that is].

peace, movie zombie

 

[Diamonds4Me]

The last movie we saw in an actual theater was the first Matrix. I just have no desire to sit there and try to look through someone''s head, lean my head back and find that instead of a head rest its someone''s toes, having my chair kicked and having to listen to someone else''s conversation. Asking them to be quiet doesn''t help either..I think it just makes them louder. We just wait for the dvd to come out and then we can sit in our pj''s and not have to deal with rude people

However, we passed by a theater the other day and we talked about maybe going back to see a movie again...but in order to do that they better start producing movies that are worth it. Otherwise I''ll just wait for the dvd to come out so instead of $20.00 to go watch it I''ll only pay $3.20 to rent it and have peace and quiet.

Oh, and $8.00 for popcorn?! I can buy a whole box with six or eight bags for less than $5.00, tyvm.