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- Pumaman, on 10/12/2007, -0/+55 things that the movie industry needs to realize and change before they will see the decline reverse:
Going to the movie:
1. Movie Ticket $10 (per person)
2. Popcorn and Pop $10
3. Watching 3 - 5 COMMERCIALS even before watching the trailers
4. Having people boot the back of your seat, talk during the movie, or walk in front of you during the movie.
5. Offering crap movies to watch.
At home:
1. DVD you can watch as many times as you want with as many people you want: $20
2. Popcorn, pop, or any food you want (even healthy snacks!) Less than $5 per person
3. Able to skip any (and IF there are) commercials by fast forwarding
4. Sitting or laying on your couch or easy chair and have nobody behind you or in front of you
5. Being able to rent before you buy movies means you get to see what you like
Hey, Movie guys! If you actually change some of the top 5 stuff I might actually go back to the theaters instead of renting/buying! Now, how hard was that to figure out.
Thanks for reading my $.02 :) - NeMeSiS187, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I went to the movie theater to go see "Four Brothers" a week ago. The movie is rated R of course so the idiot at the booth asks me for ID. So I'm like "here's my college ID" cuz I just so happened to forget my DL. He goes "oh hey I'm sorry I can't sell you a ticket I need proof that you're over 17." I'm like "what??? I'm a sophomore in college do I look like a boy genius to you?" He responds, "sorry you cant buy a ticket unless you have ID that shows you're over 17 with date of birth on it." So my girl is like "oh okay well I'll just buy two tickets then." The guy says "you have to be 21 to buy more than one rated R ticket." WTF?!?!?! I'm like "so let me get this straight I can go to a strip club, go buy some cigarettes, and join the army but I can't buy a ticket to see this ***** movie?" to which he says "yeah pretty much." So I tell the moron "Fine I'll just go download the movie and watch it at home have a nice night." THAT is why the movie industry is losing money because of stupid policies like that. I can understand they don't want a 5 year old buying tickets to see "Girls Gone Wild" but I don't think its necessary for a college Sophomore trying to see a crappy Mark Wahlberg movie. I'm never going to that movie theater again in my life and I no longer feel guilty for pirating movies.
- modeps, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1You're kidding... people really dont buy poop as much as they buy gold?
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I agree 100% that the movie industry (like the music industry) is to blame for its own decline. But we live in a nation where no one blames themself for any of their failures -- there is no accountability therefore no responsibility. It's not our fault people don't want to sit through 15-minute commercials while eating $17 worth of candy!
- Snipitty_Snipes, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0When will you people learn to bring your own food! I have never bought drink or candy at a theater, I have bought popcorn (which is overpriced) but bring everything else yourself. It's called big pockets, or have your girlfriend bring a big purse. Frankly I walk in with my drink and they never say anything, its all kids working there, they never care. I brought subs one time, and hot dogs numerous times.
- benb, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I have to echo the many comments here. I used to go to movies a lot, but now I usually wait for the DVD unless the movie is one where the immersive experience of the theatre will make it more enjoyable.
I live in a pretty low cost area, but I try to hit the first showing to beat the crowds which have grown very irritating. The last couple of movies I went to were ruined my those sitting around me chatting it up like they were the only ones there.
The commercials hurt the experience even before the movie starts. The last thing I want to see after getting my ticket is another one of those stupid Fanta commercials. - siouxmoux, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0The Evil MPAA Responce to this Report. D'OH
- jmj20320514, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Gee... no blockbuster comes out in theaters since the Matrix/Lord of the Rings/Star Wars fiascos peaked and faded and suddenly there's a decline in movie-goers? I wonder what the problem is? DEHRP.
- Snipitty_Snipes, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0How dare they lump Cinderella Man in there with Will Ferrell's Kicking and Screaming and the stupid Perfect Man. Cinderella Man was a great film, and the reason it didn't do well is because people don't want to watch quality films. Those other two just sucked. I hate going to the movies basically because of everyone else talking and ruining it for me, the prices don't bug me, and I bring my own drink and candy.
- jumjum, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Try my new way of watching movies @ home (if you find it difficult to watch them even at home). Watch them before you go to work/school! You probably will only be able to watch about 30 minutes worth (if that), plus if it's bad you can just laugh at it and then move on! I've got about five movies under my belt using this method in a month (which is an increase from 1 movie for 3 months), and it works very well for me.
- AndyMac, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I am with those who say they don't go to movies because the experience sucks. I have a dedicated theater room in my house with Dolby Digital surround and a 9 foot wide screen. I have seen 75 movies in the last 8 months using Netflix. The monthly subscription to Netflix is LESS than one trip to the theater and I average 9-10 movies a month without ever leaving the house.
I can pause, rewind, turn on subtitles when it's not clear what's being said and do it all on my nice soft couch.
I have seen one movie this year in the theater and unless I decide to see Serenity in September that will probably be the only one. Now when new movies come out that I want to see I go immediately to netflix and add them to my queue.
One of the other great things about Netflix is that I now rent movies that I wouldn't have bothered to go see in the theaters. It used to be I only saw the "blockbuster" movies in the theater. Now I see the lesser known and lesser publicized movies which oddly enough are often better than the stuff that Hollywood pumps so much advertising money into. - Tonyisbad, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Will have to admit that this past summer movie season is the worst i can remember, there was a whole crap load of terrible movies that should not of been green lighted. The movie studios think we will always flock to the movie theaters wither its good or not and that's just not the case anymore. Not when so many cable channels are finally making quality TV shows that are better than network stuff. On top of that with so little good movies that came out this summer (Wedding crashers, 40-yr old virgin, batman begins, and SW3) its a real disappointment, take it from someone who for the past 23 years always looks forward to the summer blockbusters to be let down so hard, and they are surprised that they are losing so much money, in a time now that we live in that word of mouth can spread around the nation or the globe faster than a movie studio can spin a new positive commercial out. Sorry for griping about this, I'm just really pissed at this past summer selection.
- Elranzer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0In other news...
Slashdot not to be blamed for duped stories - CowboyBebop, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Hey Darth Tater, why don't you learn how to spell before you post?! Talk about illegible!
- cadpo76, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0@diggthiscrap
$17 of candy = one Junior Mint - Oriole27, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0And has anyone else noticed an increase in jackasses in theaters? Cell phones going off, people not shutting up, teeny boppers screaming and laughing and annoying you to hell, etc.
Another reason not to go or go at an early time when not many people are there. - TommE, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I would see more movies in the theater if it was affordable and comfortable. Taking my wife to a decent (ie expensive) threater costs upwards of $40 and it just doesn't seem worth it for most movies released. I can just wait a few months and watch them at home.
Releasing DVD's at the same time might change how many times I see a movie like Star Wars in the theater, but would not prevent me from seeing it in the theater. Certain movies need to be seen on a huge screen, most though are just as entertaining on my Home Theater. - zbeast, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Yep, movies suck, food is over priced and usualy when I pay 3 dollers a bottle of water I get get some "e" too. The internet is partly the fault for the decline in ticket sales. Not piracy but access to real movie reviews from websites or your friends that tell you befor you blow your cash if a movie sucks or not. How many times have you seen a review for a movie you know sucks and the talking head on the TV tells you it's great.
Hollywood has been turning out some real dogs.
*Nooooooooo!*
- Oriole27, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Pumaman is exactly right. It only costs me about $6.50 for a matinee here though. But what is absolutely ridiculous is the high high price of popcorn, candy, drinks, etc. From what I understand, food concession is the only way the movie theaters make money since most of not all from ticket sales goes to the movie company. This has to change.
- MacTechSteve, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0How about every crappy script that gets the green light to be made into a movie. Talk about some crappy movies the last five years or so.
- scarper86, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"From what I understand, food concession is the only way the movie theaters make money since most of not all from ticket sales goes to the movie company."
This is true. It varies from movie to movie, but for a major blockbuster release, a theater may receive only %10 of ticket sales on opening weekend and then the percentage increases in their favor as time passes and the movie becomes less popular. - HouseofEl, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I love how the "executives" throw money at the problem and hire marketing consultants to figure out what they need to do. When are these fools going to wake up and notice that you can't run a movie studio like a corporation. You hire talent...you get quality. You hire what's hot or marketable at the time you get crap. There isn't a pie chart in the world that will fix this.
- heysoosejk, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I've actually gone to the movies the last two weekends, that's twice as much as I've gone in over a year. My matinee is only 4.25, and I pull the Milkduds from Walgreens in my pocket bit.
- BillGates, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I haven't seen a good movie this year. Remake of the Bad News Bears, Bewitched, Dukes of Hazard, etc...
No Thanks. I'll find something else to do. - psychomantis, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0What i do is go to the movies around 1 pm and pay 5$ dollars in my local theaters and because all the people go at night i basically have the whole theater to my self except some old people i don't buy food i don't see no point from it once the movie is over just go to McDonald's.
- Oriole27, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I bring my own water and candy to movies. Some theaters, if they spot it, don't let you take it in, which is pure ***** and pisses me off. I stop going to any theater that won't allow me to bring in my own water bottles and candy. I can buy a 24 pack of water for what they charge for 1 bottle. Utter ridiculous.
- cruelpupet, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Hmm, $10 for each ticket to see the movie and deal with noise and kicking of my seat (which might be a ***** seat if i didnt arrive 30min early)...or sit in the comfort of my own home where the movie starts whenever I want, with no outside noise for about $10 per DVD no matter how many people or times it is watched.
- Ravishal, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0IF the MPAA wants more people to go to the movies they need to stop making movies that everyone wants to see. Some of the best movies that are out there are more of a cult classic than anything. From Star Wars to UHF. They just need to stop trying to please everyone and start making movies that target one group of people.
When it comes to prices. those are regulated by the theater not the MPAA. Near where I live there is a theater that charges 3.50 for night shows and 2.50 during the day. Sure it may not be the greatest place, but it works. - Axlrose, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0This was on /.
- gronne, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I've been saying for a long time that I'd gladly pay $29.99 to watch a first run on my TV rather than go to the theater. The movie companies would make as much if not more and everyone's happy. Except for the guy that sells popcorn but ***** him! He lost any sympathy I had for him the 18th time he asked me if I was sure I didn't want the larger soda for .05 cents more. "No I would rather not throw my back out carrying your 'Value Keg' of soda and popcorn *****!!!"
- Nobi-Wan, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Batman Begins was the best movie I've seen in a long time. Those ***** "anti piracy" ads they have before the movie are stupid. The people who pirate the movie don't make enough difference to bring down the movie/music industry. The ***** movies that no one pays to see are at fault.
Putting COMMERCIALS BEFORE THE MOVIE just makes a once "special" thing into something you can do at home except with a larger screen and snacks that must have been hand carried by a Sherpa from Tibet because they're so expensive. - Tai_Mi_Shu, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0i'm just sick at how the movie industry spend so much money on movies that aren't that great. i was more entertained watching Ong Bak which had a low budget (I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT) than some of our recent big budget action movies.
anyways, here's a site on movie budgets and profits:
http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/records/budgets.html - Darth_tater, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0movies suck lately... and ppl the FOOD COSTS ARE NOT IN THE HANDS OF THE MOVIE STUDIOS.... ONLY THE THEATER MANAGER
- jervana, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0How very P.C. of them to say that movies "just are not good enough." Are you kidding me, they're horrible. Even Star Wars couldn't save this summer from sinking.
I still don't know how Hollywood employs braindead screenwriters to write this bull****. And the only bright idea they have is to remake another movie, or some old sitcom. Gimme a break.
Really, I bet there are hundreds or thousands of talented people who can write outside of that "Hollywood Box." In fact, foreign films are my best bet, and indie films. - Axlrose, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Nm, I think you guys already knew that.
- jdubya, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I think there's been a shift in the target moviegoer. When you go to the movies or sit and watch a movie at home, its passive. I think people today expect things and want things to be interactive, like videogames. Maybe if there were a way to make movies interactive at the movie theater, to change the story by electronic voting system in the audience. You could see the same movie several times and see different endings and different plot points.
- Wang, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0DVD and home cinema systems are the reasons for the decline. People can get excellent sound/video quality in their own homes.
I'm not surprised they decided to blame piracy though lol - so predictable :) - wildbillyboy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I have to agree with kirk06 overall. Nobody makes any one in America do anything they don't want. If you go to the theatre, don't complain and whine because everything is so damn expensive- you knew that walking in the door. Realize that the person behind the counter has a kind of crap job, like most of us. I don't go to the movies because I haven't seen anything worth spending $20+ on lately.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0i dont download crap. especially mp3s. not cause of morals or ***** but cause the audio quality s so BAD. like i downloaded every nineinch nails cd, the ***** was 80 kbps wmv. couldnt even tell what they were saying, so im gonna buy TDS,
- Oh_Key_Nee_Nam, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Because we have stuff like DUKES of HAZZARDS
BRING some KU FU movies china! Cuz the US movies are that good anymore - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0If a movie comapny keep making quality movies like Cinderalla Man, they would be out of business long time ago.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0stupid people are to blame. They rather pay money to watch crap movie, rather than good movies. Movie comapnies make crap movies simply because they make more money than quality movies.
- gotamd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I can't believe they are spending money to research this when ANYONE can tell you the major reasons why people aren't going to movies:
1) Most recent movies have sucked
2) It's amazingly expensive compared to renting or just watching cable TV or using the internet/computer games
3) Most recent movies have SUCKED
4) About 20 minutes of commercials and previews before the actual show. If you go in about 15 minutes after it was supposed to start, you're still a little early. - gronne, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0The choice argument is a 2-way street pal. You don't have to work there either. You have a choice!
- kirk06, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Darth_tater, food costs ARE, indirectly, at the hands of the movie studios. The higher the cost to rent the film from the stuios means higher prices at the concession stand.
The theatres are at the mercy of the studios...not the theatre manager's pocketbook. - Darth_tater, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0 "...I no longer feel guilty for pirating movies"
i think that most of us here feel this way... after having a bad experiance in a theater. (paying $20 for $2 worth of candy/food/soda or paying $10 for a ticket and having some jackass's cell phone go off... ECT)
frankly i DL movies because i cant aford $10 for a ***** movie thats not even worth matanay cost (~$5 here) and if i DL a ***** copy of a movie that was shot with a cam (***** qyuality) and i liked what i saw on the cam then i will go see it in theaters on a big screen or atleast i will DL the dvd version and watch it on my home theater! but after many ppl are having bad experiances in a theater (bad movie or something else) they wioll turn to DLing a movie or waiting for a dvd to come out... - Zippo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I concur. Going to a movie in theatres is very expensive and there haven't been quite as many good movies as there used to be. My opinion is that if it's a good movie, it'll be worth paying to see it on the big screen. I don't like screeners that much, anyways.
- titanass, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I havent gone to the theaters since Phantom Menace(Im forever scard). But the movie going experience is the same as it was then, crap. I vow to never again enter a movie theater and give them my hard earned cash. I would rather download and watch a crappy cam version if I really wanted to see it. I also wont and dont buy dvds, come on who really needs to see a movie more than twice. I wont be giving then any money until they go the digital distro route with premium quality feeds.
- Mark_DeRidder, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I agree with a lot of what has been said here. Lately going to the movie costs way too much, and you have to sit through so many commercials!
But that is not why there is a drop in sales... its truly because the moves out now are no longer original. Especially the summer flicks. The only people making good films these days are Pixar. Because they believe story and characters are most important. Not casting big name actors, VFX, sex, and explosions. - gronne, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0You see the high pressure attitude of the popcorn vendors? They're very sensitive, have no sense of humor and are completely egocentricly disconnected to reality. "Don't blame me, I just do the ***** work for him." Ha ha.
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