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I'll tell you why movie revenue is dropping...

rogerebert.com

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Re: I'll tell you why movie revenue is dropping...

#81

Post by nvk »

rokhayakebe wrote: post #56
MikeCapone wrote: post #30

I was sure he was going to say that it was partly because every movie now seems to be a sequel or based on a comic book. It's so rare to find a mainstream 100% original movie anymore it seems...

As a business if you have a popular iphone game that, would rather create a new game from the ground up or make the sequel of that game?

It's a valid question, but what's the point of making a sequel that no one would buy because they know it will be crap. Money is definitely the main factor, so you must make something that the consumer will buy. The whole argument is that consumers are not consuming this product anymore (Theater Experience).

With that premis I'd make a new one.

Re: I'll tell you why movie revenue is dropping...

#82

Post by spodek »

ubercore wrote: post #32

One thing that's become an issue for me, at least at my local theater (and I admit I may be in the minority here), is volume. Now, before you pull out "too old" or "don't be a wuss", I'll say that I'm only 29, and I play in a _loud_ rock band, and go to many loud concerts. I am no stranger to loud things, and have permanent tinnitus to prove it. I still enjoy concerts as much as I ever did, but I've found myself brin…

I'll see your loudness and raise you that the theaters are freaking cold!

I don't like to bring a coat and a set of earplugs with me to see a movie.

Re: I'll tell you why movie revenue is dropping...

#83

Post by afterburner »

Countering a few of Ebert's points:

"historically the movies have been cheap compared to concerts, major league sports and restaurants. Not so much any longer."

I'm not experiencing this. The cheapest concerts in my area are generally $40, with older popular bands going for at least $80. Sports games start at $20 for crappy seats for crappy teams during regular season, more like $100 and up if you want at least one of the good things (seat, team, playoff game). I'm all for bringing movie prices down and I think it will help (which may be Ebert's real point), but comparing them to other things isn't doing him any favours, even going back historically.

As for concessions, dear lord, I never buy food at the movie theatre. And I still think it's kind pricey. Well, at least the base price; you can easily buy coupons for Cineplex/Famous Players that reduces the original price by 30%.

And frankly, I can't recall the last time I was annoyed by the other patrons at the theatre. Is it because I only go to the latest showing? (Speaking of which, I would appreciate a return of 11pm and midnight showings... may not be as cost effective, but keeps up interest in theatres.)

So I think the winning arguments go to home theatres being way better, intense sequelitis this year, and as Ebert says lack of choice.

Re: I'll tell you why movie revenue is dropping...

#84

Post by ismarc »

qdog wrote: post #72
msluyter wrote: post #34

I think Alamo Drafthouse in Austin is doing it right: 1. Food & beer/wine served with movie -- convenient and much preferable to overpriced popcorn. 2. Cellphones must be turned off. 3. They take talking seriously, and preface each film with a strongly (and amusingly) worded statement to that effect. 4. No babies allowed except on specified baby nights. 5. Creative and fun special events, such as quote-alongs, sing-a…

Alamo Drafthouse was great last time I was there (crap...6 years ago?). For those of you not fortunate enough to get to Austin, the seating was not regular theater seating, you had some space and a table area for your food and/or bucket of beers. They often showed silly movies like Halloween I, where people will yell out things like "Don't open the door!" There is also wait staff, so you placed an order and they brou…

The alamo ritz (the one downtown) has showings and events closer to the old alamo. The south lamar one has the larger events (film festivals, etc.) and the same feel. I only go there for movies now, especially since dinner+movie ends up about the same as dinner elsewhere and then a movie for a better atmosphere. They also care about film and use appropriate brightness and sound, unlike most other theaters.

Re: I'll tell you why movie revenue is dropping...

#85

Post by ntomkin »

afterburner wrote: post #70
electromagnetic wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Cineplex here in Canada is getting much better. They've started opening VIP theatres, which because of the drinking age here in Ontario means absolutely no-one under 19. People paying the extra couple bucks don't use their cellphones and don't talk during the movies. In their main theatres they now have stroller screenings where the volume is reduced and the lights stay on low. They've done the sing-alongs. They also…

The Cineplex VIP theatres I've seen are very, very, small, show what looks like a weird digital transfer rather than the original print, and have poor seating arrangement which combined with the small screen makes only the middle two seats in each row any good. And I paid extra for this?

Also, there are a handful of VIP theatres. And when I've utilized them, they've always been packed. I'd welcome the price increase if it didn't feel like I was just trading a problem for another.

Re: I'll tell you why movie revenue is dropping...

#86

Post by brador »

forcefsck wrote: post #36
brador wrote: post #13

I'd add two more: 1. Kids get bored quicker, This year, I've left the cinema four times before the movie finished because the kids were bored. This makes me less likely to go back, they prefer to stay home on the xbox/lappy or go out for pizza/bowling instead. 2. Mass appeal movies are shit. There's just no quality or focus anymore, every movie is trying to be everything to everyone and ends up crap. Don't get me sta…

The number one reason is your second point (without the CG). The problem is that it's total crap. There's lack of content, bullshit scenarios, nothing entertaining. It's not the overuse of CG, but that it's the only thing they're selling anymore.

Here's the thing, everyone I speaks to agrees that modern movies are mostly crap. But...why, with their big focus group budgets and such, are the movie studios not listening to this? Or is their output really the best they are being pitched?

Re: I'll tell you why movie revenue is dropping...

#87

Post by Shenglong »

Ticket prices are too high.

Yes. When movie prices were at around $6/ticket when I was younger, I went to watch a movie about once a week or two. Now, at $14.67 per general admission ticket (after tax, at Scotiabank Theater in Toronto) and $21.46 per IMAX 3D, it's almost impossible to justify going to a theater, rather than downloading a movie.

I don't know any other industry that raises prices in a seemingly elastic market, while competition increases and gets cheaper.

Re: I'll tell you why movie revenue is dropping...

#88

Post by spodek »

I don't know how many others get this benefit, but I live across the street from a library. It's awesome. Dvds are free for a week, they have tons of old and artsy stuff, they have a great collection of educational stuff (especially the Great Courses -- http://www.thegreatcourses.com), and things you put on hold they deliver to the library of your choice.

On top of that, I most of the time I get out a book or dvd at the same time, also free. Right now I'm borrowing a Richard Feynman book and 4-Hour Body, just because I saw them lying there at the library ... and they're free. If I don't get around to reading them, no big deal.

I have to wait for movies to arrive at the library, but that turns out to help me. Without the opening hype, you choose more based on quality and other people's reviews.

I should be careful talking this way, though. The movie and book people might shut the libraries down.

Anyway, there are reasons the cost of living in Manhattan is worth it. Culture is more convenient than cars here.

Re: I'll tell you why movie revenue is dropping...

#89

Post by Tautologistics »

callmeed wrote: post #67
msluyter wrote: post #34

I think Alamo Drafthouse in Austin is doing it right: 1. Food & beer/wine served with movie -- convenient and much preferable to overpriced popcorn. 2. Cellphones must be turned off. 3. They take talking seriously, and preface each film with a strongly (and amusingly) worded statement to that effect. 4. No babies allowed except on specified baby nights. 5. Creative and fun special events, such as quote-alongs, sing-a…

Never been but sounds awesome. McMenamins in Oregon does similar things: - Couches in some theaters - Order food and beer from their restaurant - special events (like Monday night football)

Was just about to mention them! I have been there twice when visiting my sister in Bend and loved the experience and the campus-like layout (thanks to its history). If I wasn't planning to move out west already I would be considering opening up something like that in one of the counties north of NYC.

Re: I'll tell you why movie revenue is dropping...

#90

Post by willwagner »

msluyter wrote: post #34

I think Alamo Drafthouse in Austin is doing it right: 1. Food & beer/wine served with movie -- convenient and much preferable to overpriced popcorn. 2. Cellphones must be turned off. 3. They take talking seriously, and preface each film with a strongly (and amusingly) worded statement to that effect. 4. No babies allowed except on specified baby nights. 5. Creative and fun special events, such as quote-alongs, sing-a…

Why is there nothing like like this in the SF Bay Area? It seems to me a theater that served beer and decent pub food would do well in SF and I'd pay a premium both for the movie tix and the food, but at the same time similar quirky places like the Red Vic shutdown.
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