10 THINGS MOVIE THEATERS WON’T TELL YOU

via yahoofinance

1. “We’re obsolete? No way!”

Hard to believe, but movie theaters have been holding their own, despite intense competition from cable, the Internet and other media. After a 2005 slump, box office revenue increased over the past few years, and it’s likely 2009 will have set a new record. But that growth is due largely to inflation; the number of tickets bought has stayed close to 1.4 billion since 2005, while the average ticket price has climbed from $6.41 to $7.46.

Looking for new ways to make money, theaters are exploring options like more in-house advertising and expanded concessions. But the biggest potential lies in digital technology and the flexibility it affords programming.

Read more here

Here my personal take on the list:

1) Special live events shown at movie theaters? That made me cringe. Isn’t that what TV’s are for? I could see if this was Europe and let’s say the World Cup was being broadcast live from “(insert name) Square”, that’s different.  I’ve actually been in that exact atmosphere during the World Cup, the vibe and energy is sick! But it’s also FREE!

2) Don’t get me started on the ‘advertising’ at movie theaters. Unfortunately it has become a necessary evil, but depending on when you get to the theater, you’re bomblasted (yes, I made a new word) with a constant stream of commercials.  Why can’t they show something that will actually teach us or inform us about something new, like old school newsreels that use to play before a movie back in the day? I know….it doesn’t make any money, but it would be nice.

3) An influx of Indie films would be a pleasant break from all the hyped up Blockbusters, so I have no qualm on that note.

4) I rarely go to a film on opening night because I cannot stand the crowds, so I guess I am helping my local theater in that respect.

5) You all might disagree with me on this one, but I’m so anti-3D.  I just can’t seem to get a grip on it. Maybe it’s like a new CD and you’ve only listened to one song from it and you’re unsure if you like it, but when you listen to it over and over again it grows on you. I’ll check back with you after a few more viewings and let you know.

6) I rarely buy concession stand food, unless I haven’t eaten and I’m starving and feel I will pass out during the movie from hunger. It’s just so ridiculously overpriced. Popcorn and candy does not a movie experience make. Ok, maybe popcorn.

7) I don’t find much wrong with this one, but serving alcohol is kinda iffy, cause any time I have imbibed any, the last thing I want to do is watch a movie….it’s more like party time.

8) I despise cell phones that ring during a movie. It’s just plain rude. You’re reminded at the beginning of the movie to hush your cell…so there is no excuse. Do you forget to turn off your phone when your flying? The bright glow from the cell phone does distract me if I see it, but I don’t get my panties in such a bunch as I do with ringing. It’s the constant talkers that are the worst. I can see if you’re five and don’t  understand what the hell is going on in a scene (I used to do that with my mom, she hated me for it) but if you’re older that say sixteen, you watch a movie, not talk a movie, so shut the eff up!

9) We cannot escape “loudness’ with anything. Between i-pods, rock concerts and the increasing ‘loudness war‘ with new music releases, our slow spiral in deafness is inevitable.

10) I don’t know why they didn’t think of this sooner.  I’m sure most of us would like to see great movies all year round and not have to squeeze in all our movie watching experience into a few short months.

So, now that I have unleashed my opinions on the matter, I’d love to hear yours.  What do you think of this list and how do you feel about it?