Posted on 01/03/2006 6:52:33 AM PST by RayChuang88
LOS ANGELES -- Hollywood ticket sales took a little swan dive in 2005. Why? The consensus hypothesis appears to be that the movies were -- brace yourselves -- not good.
The industry and its observers are also variously blaming DVDs, video games, iPods, cellular phones, HBO, crying babies, $10 tickets, Chinese pirates, big screen plasma TVs, an aging demographic, liberal bias, video-on-demand, annoying pre-feature commercials and the Bush administration's energy policy.
The Great Box Office Slump has been covered by the entertainment press with a kind of giddy obsession ever since the summer proved blockbuster-deficient. Each week, the prognosticators sought deeper meaning in the weekend tallies for undercooked turkeys such as "Stealth" and "The Legend of Zorro." There was hope in the Hollywood press that "King Kong" might "save the day," but alas, the big ape has so far "disappointed," if it is possible for a $66 million opening five-day gross to disappoint (which it is, since Peter Jackson and Universal spent $220 million making the monkey movie).
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Well, with the exception of "Fahrenlies 911", the rest of those movies in 2004 were more family freindly. There were a few money makers like the new Potter film and "Narnia", but much of it was "Syriana" garbage or filth like "Bareback Mountman" being shoved down our throats.
Well, with the exception of "Fahrenlies 911", the rest of those movies in 2004 were more family freindly. There were a few money makers like the new Potter film and "Narnia", but much of it was "Syriana" garbage or filth like "Bareback Mountman" being shoved down our throats.
Setting aside such topics as turd-burgling sheep-punchers . . . I don't mind the `previews of coming attractions'
but I won't pay to wait 15 minutes from the time the show was to start while they run commercials.
Years ago when I went to see movies on Army posts before the movie they ran Old Glory waving while the Star Spangled Banner played and some even sang along while we stood with hands over hearts. That seems like a lifetime ago.
Hey, let's all go to the lobby!
Then to the parking lot and the car.
And then to Blockbuster . . .
(I recommend 'The Great Raid', an epic story of the rescue by US Rangers with Filipino guerillas of American POWs tortured and about to be killed by the Japs, sixty years ago this month. Invite some `liberal' friends, if you have any. It celebrates raw human courage, sacrifice and dedication to the greatest country in the world. They'll hate it.)
I saw Kong yesterday - was taking two eleven year-olds and a seven year-old.
IMHO, this is a seriously over-hyped movie that, at 187 minutes, is an hour too long.
Great special effects, but no suspense to hold your attention. After hour two, I felt myself wishing the monkey would climb the Empire state building NOW so I could get out of the theater. Even the kids were asking when the thing would be over.
We spent about $60.00, had to deal with roudy teens in the theater and 10 minutes of advertisements BEFORE 187 minutes in a chair designed for 90 minutes of comfort.
I have a 50" TV, a microwave for popcorn and a DVR to pause the movie if I need to take a break. The movie starts when I want, and I can watch in my PJ's.
My first movie was Bambi - My last was "Kong"
Not to mention the idiots in the theatre who think they're watching the movie in their livingrooms & won't keep their mouths shut.
Drives me crazy
There, I said it.
The previews are usually better than the movie.
All of those except maybe Miami Vice are going to make fat wads of cash. Your list there is probably going to represent over 1 billion in revenue when it all adds up. Sequels tend to make money and those are are sequels of major cash cows, then there's Da vinci code which inspite of it's stupidity is still a very hot book raking in good money and the movie should make a ton.
The ONLY movie about trans-sexuals worth watching is the Rocky Horror Picture Show. . .and that's only because of the audience par-tic-i. . . . . (wait for it. . . ). . . pation. . .
(diving for cover)
I've seen that trailer, too--on HGTV. That, along with the commercials for a new form of birth control and the uptick of gay homeowners featured have me questioning the amount of time I watch that network. I have been a long-time viewer but I think that's about to end. It's sad that a home and garden network is too controversial for me to trust around my toddler. I can't be the only person in their key demographic to feel this way. As for movies in general, I read an article recently (I wish I could remember where) that said knowing about a movie is more important than actually seeing it nowadays. With so many internet resources, people can chat about a movie around the watercooler without wasting their money & precious time actually seeing it.
I've seen that trailer, too--on HGTV. That, along with the commercials for a new form of birth control and the uptick of gay homeowners featured have me questioning the amount of time I watch that network. I have been a long-time viewer but I think that's about to end. It's sad that a home and garden network is too controversial for me to trust around my toddler. I can't be the only person in their key demographic to feel this way. As for movies in general, I read an article recently (I wish I could remember where) that said knowing about a movie is more important than actually seeing it nowadays. With so many internet resources, people can chat about a movie around the watercooler without wasting their money & precious time actually seeing it.
Kinda like GM.
Kidding aside a good flick can cover a multitude of sins. I do realize the PC of their creative talent is hurting, but there is another factor you may want to consider. There used to be fewer spectacle flicks that were must sees. It seems now we're getting utterly worked over with the hype for each new flick which then subsequently disappears without a trace. It's as if a dozen Star Wars cry out and were suddenly silenced.
Gee, ya think?
Home Theater.
EVERYONE I talk to puts their desire to see a movie based on whether or not they will wait until it comes out on DVD.
I have a projector and stereo system that produces a 96" screen and is as loud and clear as I want.
No need for the movies, I can buy a dvd for 14-19$ and have the movie forever. Movie tickets are $8 each and then you get robbed for popcorn and such.
I used to watch HGTV all the time but don't anymore for the reasons you mentioned. I'd don't have kids at home anymore but after years of not watching questionable content, I find I don't have tolerance for stuff out of the gutter anymore.
The last movie I liked was Seabiscuit.
And Open Range.
I just know my young adult son, apolitical, was home for three full weeks and he used to go to movies all the time. While he was here, he went to the movies only once and was not thrilled with what he saw. Found other things to do. If he is an average example, the movie industry is in very big trouble.
Garfield 2 (2006)
Directed by Tim Hill
Writing credits: Joel Cohen, Jim Davis (comic strip), (more).
So help me, I am not making this up.
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