The Reel Blog

I know this is the sort of thing you would expect to hear from the National Association of Theatre Owners, but in this case it's not us saying it.

A Stanford Business School study makes the case that higher concession prices subsidize cheaper ticket prices, making movies more affordable for those who would not be buying concessions anyway.

"The theater owner has two choices. He can make money through admission tickets. Or he can make money through concessions," said UCSC economist Ricard Gil. "If he wants to make money on the ticket, that may deter a lot of people from coming in.

"So instead he charges a higher total price on people who are willing to pay for the whole movie experience," said Gil, an enthusiastic consumer of both movies and snacks. "And he's able to charge a lower price for the guy who can barely afford it."

So next time you're annoyed by somebody slurping his soda a little noisily, or munching his popcorn a bit too crunchily, cut him a little slack. He helped buy your ticket

Share This

Best Picture - No Country for Old Men

Best Director - Joel & Ethan Coen (No Country for Old Men)

Best Adapted Screenplay - Joel & Ethan Coen (No Country for Old Men)

Best Original Screenplay Diablo Cody (Juno)

Best Actor - Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood)

Best Actress - Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose)

Best Supporting Actor Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men)

Best Supporting Actress Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton) 

View the complete list here. 

Share This

A little snippet from a Los Angeles Times opinion piece:

"The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was once a force to reckon with. During the Cold War, it possessed formidable capabilities and real cohesion. No more. As a serious military enterprise, the alliance has all but ceased to exist. The "other" NATO -- the National Assn. of Theatre Owners -- probably wields more clout."

Now if we only had an air force.

Share This

It only took 100 days, but the Writer's Guild has voted to accept the tentative contract worked out with the AMPTP.

Details here, here, and here.

Celebrate by going to see a movie...

Share This

Disney's 3D concert feature "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour" set box office records ovewr the weekend. It's $29.1 million bow was the highest ever for a super bowl weekend, for a 3D film and for a film opening in less than 1,000 venues.

According to Variety, Disney intends to extend the one week limited release another week, and possibly two in some markets.

The weekend, aided by strong grosses from Oscar nominees, was up 37% over the same weekend last year. It is the seventh consecutive up weekend. YTD box office is running 19% ahead of 2007 and admissions are up approximately 13%.

 So is 3D for real? It is this weekend.

Share This