Posted on 06/21/2005 9:37:47 AM PDT by gopwinsin04
Hollywood's current box office slump is poised to become the worst since entertainment analysts began keeping detailed records of movie grosses.
Despite the debut of 'Batman Begins' last Wednesday, this past weekend saw overall revenues decline for the 17th straight week (as compared with the previous week's totals)
That streak ties a 17 week slide in 1985, which previously held the record for the longest series of declines ever.
And with the remakes 'Herbie: Fully Loaded', 'Bewitched' and George Romero's 'Land of the Dead' --none of which is expected to rack up blockbuster totals--set to land in theatres this week, it's possible that the current slump may very well become the new benchmark for poor box office performance.
Studio executives continue to blame the drop on poor movies, rather than a potentially underlying market shift in moviegoing habits caused by the rise in DVD's and internet downloading.
'Certainly we need to look at that, but I believe you can't do that by looking a six months. I think you need to take a couple of years to look at it,' Dan Fellman an executive of Warner Borthers, tole the Associated Press.
'We're still product driven, and even though there were and will continue to be strong films in the summer, I dont think there have been enough of them.'
This year has seen a number of lackluster big releases including 'Constantine,' 'xXx: State of the Union,' 'Kingdom of Heaven,' and 'Cinderella Man.'
(Excerpt) Read more at cbc.ca ...
"And with the remakes 'Herbie: Fully Loaded', 'Bewitched' and George Romero's 'Land of the Dead' --none of which is expected to rack up blockbuster totals--set to land in theatres this week, it's possible that the current slump may very well become the new benchmark for poor box office performance."
It's because of films like HERBIE, BEWITCHED, etc. that no one's coming. When are these people going to wake up?
"Speaking just for myself, I can no longer get sucked into the Hollywood stories and fantasies. The stories make no sense, coherent plot lines are not required and actors are phony, they look plastic, are not credible, I’ve seen it all done before and much better. Maybe I’m just getting older."
I agree with you. Probably does have to do with age -- maturity brings wisdom & not only the ability to see through BS, but the desire to get involved in more useful things.
"For me, I'm just sick of the Hollywood mindset. I'm loathe to give them even a penny of my money for any reason."
I don't even want to buy any of the entertainment-oriented magazines. I feel like I'm supporting liberal causes.
Ticket prices are so high Hollywood stars and executives attend free premiers only. LOL
Hollywood and the theater owners need this. They've taken every opportunity to make movie going less entertaining by gouging their customers. Let them all fill their registers with empty receipt boxes for awhile.
People flocked to see "The Passion of the Christ." Stood in long lines to get in. Some even went back to see it two or three more times.
Hollywood still refuses to get the message.
The trend is only going to get WORSE. This is due to the fact that Hi-Def wide screen TVs are kicking in. Play you DVDs on the Hi-Def wide screen TV and, if you have a good sound system, you're replicated the effect of seeing it in the movie theater. A family of 4 saves a BUNDLE by watching movies this way.
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