To the Studios' Horror, Moviegoers Go Elsewhere

The Wall Street Journal ^ | April 8, 2003 | BRUCE ORWALL and JOHN LIPPMAN

[WaveThatFlag]

With the nation at war, fewer Americans are marching off to the movies.

Movie-ticket sales in the U.S. have been down each weekend since the war in Iraq began, and the 2003 box office is off 8% from last year. Now studio officials are trying to figure out whether to blame the downturn on the national mood or the selection of movies they are proffering -- or both.

[WaveThatFlag]

Article recognizes the war several times, but refuses to even consider the idea that at least part of the drop-off in attendance is do to patriotic backlash. I know why I'm not going to the movies lately, and it has nothing to do with SARS.

[BOBTHENAILER]

We think it's the mood," says Robert Friedman, vice chairman of Viacom Inc.'s Paramount Pictures.

COULDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH PEOPLE BEING FED UP WITH HOLLYWOOD ANTI-AMERICANS COULD IT?

[kb2614]

Another reason is the fact that what Hollywood puts out as movies these days is pure drivel and I'm being nice. I saw Gods and Generals a few weeks ago (GREAT movie) and they previewed movies before the main feature. Nothing but crap, garbage, and tripe.

[MizSterious]

Bob, you nailed it. :) That's why we're not going to movies, and it's why we're not buying some cd's either.

[cgk]

I agree with you.

(article snip---)
"Now studio officials are trying to figure out whether to blame the downturn on the national mood or the selection of movies they are proffering -- or both.

"We think it's the mood," says Robert Friedman, vice chairman of Viacom Inc.'s Paramount Pictures"
(---end snip)

Wrong. I refuse to see movies for a number of reasons. One of which is the insistence of the people littering these movie casts to open their mouths on all things Bush, whilst actually speaking out of their arses.

Sure their movies are mostly lack of quality (my opinion - I wouldn't set foot in a theater to see movies of the caliber of "Jackass", "Head of State", "How to Lose a Guy...", anyway. I have better things to do with my time, and mind. But the majority of the slide in sales has more to do with people letting Hollywood know they don't appreciate their idiotic diatribe.

[#1CTYankee]

The weather, economy, quality or just plain expensive.
I live in rual Connecticut where a ticket costs $8.50

My wife and I can find a much better way to spend $17.00.

[mewzilla]

Not watching TV, either, except for the news. It's all part and parcel of the same problem really. What they make we don't want to see or listen to anymore.

[Wolfie]

It ain't the movies, patriotism, or high popcorn prices that keep me out of the theatre. Its the idiots who think they are sitting at home and won't stop acting obnoxiously.

[HamiltonJay]

I don't think its backlash honestly, I think its the fact that nearly everything out is CRAP. Tell me the name of one first release movie that came out (adult, not kiddie film) that was going to encourage people to shell out 8-15 bucks to see it.... Lord knows I can't. Even tried to find a movie last weekend to go see, and nothing but crap is in the box office.

Some may be boycotting, but largely I think its just there is not one film worth going to see. Lets face it, a film is on video usually with 3 months anymore unless its a great movie... and if a film is mediocre, even if you might want to see it, you aren't gonna pay 10-15 bucks to go see it when you can watch it in 90 days for $3.

[Mister Baredog]

WHO CARES!!!

[Mister Magoo]

Factoring in inflation, going to the movies today is cheaper than it was 50 years ago. But that's just my two cents worth.

[RooRoobird14]

Yes, the quality of the movies lately is PATHETIC.

But the real reason I rarely go to the movie theater any more is that I simply can no longer stomach the sight and sound of Bush-hating/America-hating "celebrities". Therefore I do my best not to subsidize their malignant narcissist lifestyles.

[UB355]

For me it's the commercials they have begun to play before the movies start. I've paid for my ticket and now they want me to sit thru 5 mins of ads for Pepsi.

[WaveThatFlag]

Some movies that I saw in the theatre in the last year that I enjoyed:
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
The Bourne Identity
Gods and Generals
Hart's War
AI

[Smedley]

COULDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH PEOPLE BEING FED UP WITH HOLLYWOOD ANTI-AMERICANS COULD IT?

Unlikely. It must be Bush's fault < /sarchasm >

[Ronzo]

COULDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH PEOPLE BEING FED UP WITH HOLLYWOOD ANTI-AMERICANS COULD IT?

In my own case, yes, it has everything to do with it.

BOYCOTT HOLLYWOOD!!!

The Hollywood elite would do well to heed the old proverb: Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

[ResistorSister]

I agree, it is a patriotic backlash.

They can have their Leftist political views...but they won't get my cash.

[q_an_a]

You got your moneys worth. Two of your movies lasted over three hours.

[Poohbah]

they previewed movies before the main feature. Nothing but crap, garbage, and tripe.

My experience is that they preview three movies.

So, was it case of one movie being crap, one garbage, and one tripe? :o)