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Box Office Slump Poised to Break [All Time] Record
CBC Arts and Entertainment ^ | 6/20/05

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 ...


TOPICS: TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: batmanbegins; boxoffice; hollywood
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So what is the culprit: bad films, gas prices, DVD's or all of the above?
1 posted on 06/21/2005 9:37:47 AM PDT by gopwinsin04
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To: gopwinsin04

I'll vote for bad films, high ticket prices and DVD rentals.

Although if there's a big heat wave, will people go to a movie theatre for the air conditioning?


2 posted on 06/21/2005 9:40:01 AM PDT by cvq3842
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To: gopwinsin04

Don't they make as much or more on DVD sales or is it the studios don't want to share with the distributors? Anyway, good!


3 posted on 06/21/2005 9:40:12 AM PDT by poobear
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To: gopwinsin04

My life is a Movie.

I don't have to see the Hollywood Junk !!


4 posted on 06/21/2005 9:40:27 AM PDT by Zenith
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To: gopwinsin04

You make bad movies and people stay away. What was the name of Ridley Scott's Crusade pic? I have already forgotten it! Of course they have always made bad movies and people came anyway, but nowadays people have better alternatives. Here's a prediction for another couple of flops: BEWITCHED and WAR OF THE WORLDS.


5 posted on 06/21/2005 9:40:52 AM PDT by Rummyfan
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To: gopwinsin04

put out something decent and folks will come see it. sequels, remakes and rehashings don't cut it. too much competition for people's time these days for them to go out and indulge in the garbage that fills theaters these days.


6 posted on 06/21/2005 9:41:47 AM PDT by camle (keep your mind open and somebody will fill it full of something for you.)
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To: cvq3842

High ticket prices and concessions are also a factor. Why go see Herbie and pay $20 for the whole fmaily when you can buy the DVD in 5 months?


7 posted on 06/21/2005 9:42:40 AM PDT by gopwinsin04
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To: gopwinsin04
My theory is they spend so much on a handful of films that there are fewer good films to see. In fact, I think statistics show they are making fewer movies.

Damned If I Know

8 posted on 06/21/2005 9:43:36 AM PDT by sharktrager (My life is like a box of chocolates, but someone took all the good ones.)
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To: Rummyfan

The early reviews for War of the Worlds have been shaky, one said it was more like 'Signs' than 'Independence Day.'


9 posted on 06/21/2005 9:44:04 AM PDT by gopwinsin04
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To: gopwinsin04

Tom C has been acting so loco of late I think he may be alienating his fan base (no pun intended wrt WOTW!).


10 posted on 06/21/2005 9:45:21 AM PDT by Rummyfan
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To: gopwinsin04
probably a combination of bad movies and the ever-improving quality of DVDs and home entertainment systems. Strangely, although fewer people have gone to the theater this year, I've been to the movies more times this year than I have in previous years for as long as I can remember. However, I've only seen one movie that I really liked Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy at the theater. So far there isn't another movie I'd like to see this year til Narnia comes out at Christmas.
11 posted on 06/21/2005 9:45:28 AM PDT by sassbox
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To: gopwinsin04

Herbie, Bewitched, Batman - not an original thought in the group. No thanks, I'll read a book instead.


12 posted on 06/21/2005 9:45:56 AM PDT by CO Gal (Liberals should be seen, but not heard..)
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To: gopwinsin04

True.

There are very few movies I can't wait to see. If it's a "Titanic" type film - big production, good film - then it's good for the big screen. But even at that I feel I've seen my share of "epics."


13 posted on 06/21/2005 9:46:45 AM PDT by cvq3842
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To: sassbox

Without Star Wars, this year would have been a disaster!


14 posted on 06/21/2005 9:47:11 AM PDT by gopwinsin04
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To: gopwinsin04

all time record. Of course prices are higher. Any discussion of box office must include actual tickets sold.


15 posted on 06/21/2005 9:47:47 AM PDT by bigsigh
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To: camle

True. They slap the name of a '60s sitcom on the average lame script and get enough people in the door the first weekend to make enough dough.

At least that used to work . . .


16 posted on 06/21/2005 9:48:02 AM PDT by cvq3842
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To: gopwinsin04
5 months ;) It's 3 months and it cost me 20 bucks just to get myself and a date in last time i went to the movies.

It's just not worth it, I can have a better time watching a movie at home. 27+ inch tv's aren't rarities anymore and don't forget your "out of the box" theater sound system with all the bells and whistles of the local theater. Plus you can make out on your couch and not get the weird looks (from anyone else but her)
17 posted on 06/21/2005 9:48:05 AM PDT by tfecw (Vote Democrat, It's easier than working)
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To: gopwinsin04
So what is the culprit: bad films, gas prices, DVD's or all of the above?

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

18 posted on 06/21/2005 9:50:39 AM PDT by dennisw (See the primitive wallflower freeze, When the jelly-faced women all sneeze)
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To: bigsigh

By actual tickets sold, I believe movie attendance peaked in the 1940's or 50's...


19 posted on 06/21/2005 9:50:43 AM PDT by gopwinsin04
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To: gopwinsin04

I vote for 'all of the above' plus a general distaste for Hollywood.


20 posted on 06/21/2005 9:51:34 AM PDT by Leg Olam (I'm not crazy, I've just been in a very bad mood for 30 years.)
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