Neither Smurf Nor Wizard Could Save Summer Movie Attendance

[RugbyMuffin]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/05/b...movie-attendance-continues-to-erode.html?_r=1

There are so many reasons for this:

1. Lack of original stories

2. Lack of good actors

3. Most movies being a special effects, sex and violence driven dribble.

4. Increased prices.

5. Woefully poor respect for others in the theatre.

6. My big screen TV with 1970's surround sound being as good or better than the movie experience.

Anyone else care to add ?


Not saying there are not some good movies or theatres out there, but they are few and far between.

These are STORIES!!!!! Hollywood can definitely get away with less is more. They just have to actually work on the cheapest, free-est part of movies. The story.

As I tell my cousins about video games. All the bells, whistles, and pretty colors cannot make up for if the game is fun or not.

Same with movies. If the story is good, people will go watch it.

 

[asudevil83]

1.) most of the moves this summer can be summed up in 3 catagories. A.) sequels (transmformers, harry potter, hangover, xmen, pirates) B.) super heroes (thor, xmen, captain america, green lantern) C.) just terrible (everything else). sure there are a few great movies, but the quality was abysmal.

2.) yes, a lot of the originals banked on famous actors....and most flopped because the movies sucked. viewers have gotten picky, and no longer will go see a movie just because so-and-so is in it.

3.) again, viewers wont be tricked into seeing garbage because it looks awesome visually.

4.) i passed on a bunch of movies because i'm not going to pay the prices. i can only imagine how many families spent close to $100 per visit to see a movie. chances are many parents got picky because of prices, especially the way the economy is.

5.) i personally didnt have not had a bad experience caused by others ever. maybe i'm lucky. maybe its because i dont see many movies anymore.

6.) as far as my home being just as good an experience, sure. netflix and redbox have probably just as much to do with theater attendance as anything. why spend a crap ton of money now, when you can spend a couple bucks in a few months and be just as satisfied.

7.) 3-d is going to fail if it keeps costing as much as it does. its not worth it for 90% of the movies....and that 90% is usually subpar 3-D (post production work rather than filmed using 3-d technology).

8.) BAD ADVERTISING. Studios banked on crappy movies with their star power. it didnt work well.....and because of this movies that deserved the hype were buried. i'm sure there are more than a handful of great movies i never considered because i knew nothing about them.

i'll tell you that there were quite a few movies that were hyped up that i wanted to see (Cowboys vs Aliens, Hangover II, Green Lantern, etc) that i passed on purely because they got horrible reviews.

i saw 4 movies this summer. X-Men, Super 8, Plant of the Apes, Transformers. Do i feel like i missed out on anything this summer.....not really.

 

[ajcardfan]

I saw only Super 8 (my older kids loved this movie), Horrible Bosses and The Help.

First of all, price is the main problem. For most families, you are forced to rent or go to Super Savers theaters.

Second, I do not want to pay for any more movies based on comic books or any remakes. (Although, I must admit, I do want to see Planet of the Apes.) That alone eliminates more than half of the so-called blockbusters.


There is still nothing like being in a packed theater, with an audience that is excited and into what they are watching on the screen. I can still remember the anticipation of being in line for Star Wars, Raiders, etc. Unfortunately, IMO, that experience is slowly going away. These movies are so predictable my littlest can usually peg what is going to happen next.

 

[Cheesebeef]

it was just a bad summer for movies... ESPECIALLY the Super Hero genre where they went hog-wild on fringe characters to the general public (The X-men without Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm, Jean Grey? The Green Lantern? Even Thor and Cap were relatively tough sells with relatively unheralded actors). No one will be talking about "what's wrong with movies" next summer when Batman 3 and The Avengers (Iron Man, Hulk, Thor and Cap) obliterates the box-office something fierce.

 

[AzStevenCal]

it was just a bad summer for movies... ESPECIALLY the Super Hero genre where they went hog-wild on fringe characters to the general public (The X-men without Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm, Jean Grey? The Green Lantern? Even Thor and Cap were relatively tough sells with relatively unheralded actors). No one will be talking about "what's wrong with movies" next summer when Batman 3 and The Avengers (Iron Man, Hulk, Thor and Cap) obliterates the box-office something fierce.

I'm not so sure about that. Do you really think they will do that much better than the Harry Potter and Disney Pirates entries of this summer. There are a lot of things I don't like about what's happening in the world of Movies but I think the continued economic issues are the biggest factor in the attendance downturn and I don't see that changing anytime soon. It will help a little when they wake up and realize that (once again) 3D is just not the answer.

Steve

 

[Shane]

What are you predicting for the Avengers? Box Office wise?

 

[MadCardDisease]

Shane and I did our part. I think each of us must have seen at least a dozen or so movies this summer.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I'm not so sure about that. Do you really think they will do that much better than the Harry Potter and Disney Pirates entries of this summer.
Steve

Oh yeah... Harry Potter was a consistent bread-winner, but none of it's movies ever broke the glass ceiling like The Dark Knight did. The Dark Knight Rises makes at least 440 million and the Avengers makes 350 easy... just domestic.

And with Pirates, people were tired of the series already... that's not the case with either Batman or Iron Man/Cap/Thor.

 

[conraddobler]

The last depression everyone escaped through movies, this time around you can sit unemployed and watch your own HD TV until you get foreclosed on.

I'm sure everyone wants to escape, just not at 10 bucks a ticket before you get a sniff of popcorn.

Screw the movies, I'll wait for the Redbox, only a very few are worthy of that kind of money.

Family of 5 costs $100 bucks for two hours of entertainment.

I wouldn't worry in the movie industry there's no shortage of people willing to dump money out of their pockets, it'll be fine, needs better movies though.

 

[ajcardfan]

Oh yeah... Harry Potter was a consistent bread-winner, but none of it's movies ever broke the glass ceiling like The Dark Knight did. The Dark Knight Rises makes at least 440 million and the Avengers makes 350 easy... just domestic.

And with Pirates, people were tired of the series already... that's not the case with either Batman or Iron Man/Cap/Thor.

I doubt it on the Dark Knight. What made the last Dark Knight special was the Joker. They can't catch lightning in a bottle again like that. I don't think it will get the repeat business the last one got, and drop off will be more severe.

As for the Avengers, I don't have a good feel on that. I just know I never was really THAT into comic books, and I'd rather see something else promoted for blockbusters. I'm not alone on that feeling, I know.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I doubt it on the Dark Knight. What made the last Dark Knight special was the Joker. They can't catch lightning in a bottle again like that. I don't think it will get the repeat business the last one got, and drop off will be more severe.

As for the Avengers, I don't have a good feel on that. I just know I never was really THAT into comic books, and I'd rather see something else promoted for blockbusters. I'm not alone on that feeling, I know.

Although it was a long time ago, I was very much into comic books but I too would rather see something else promoted for blockbusters. As a general rule, I've never enjoyed watching comic books taken to the screen any more than I enjoy them rehashing the same old legendary characters (Robin Hood, Merlin/Arthur etc.). I really don't mind similar plots but when they revisit Spiderman or Sherlock Holmes it all feels like history to me. Occasionally, they'll do such a good job that I'll enjoy it anyway but I'd just as soon they walked somewhere that hasn't already been traveled a million times.

Steve

 

[Cheesebeef]

I doubt it on the Dark Knight. What made the last Dark Knight special was the Joker.

The Joker wouldn't be the Joker without Christopher Nolan writing him a character which Ledger could tear the roof off.

They can't catch lightning in a bottle again like that.

Don't tell that to the guy who actually got Inception made and a huge blockbuster during the summer even though it was an ORIGINAL movie that was much brains as it was braun. That's practically UNHEARD of in hollywood right now.

They can't catch lightining in a bottle? that's seemingly all Nolan does.

I don't think it will get the repeat business the last one got, and drop off will be more severe.

Chris Nolan made 300 million dollars on a movie that most average movie goers couldn't figure out for the life of them with Inception. The Dark Knight made 530... the sequel to it will make 200 opening weekend alone. And it's the end of a trilogy that people have LOVED. I mean, completely obliterated the horrific taste from all our mouths that were the Joel Schumacher Batmans. People will come out in droves and if it's good... they'll keep coming. Now, again, it won't make the 530 that TDK made, but if it's good (and there's no reason to doubt Nolan at this point), it'll make 400 EASY and likely push 440-450.

As for the Avengers, I don't have a good feel on that. I just know I never was really THAT into comic books, and I'd rather see something else promoted for blockbusters. I'm not alone on that feeling, I know.

you may not be alone with that feeling, but comic books rule the summer... especially ones headlined by MAJOR stars like Downey Jr. who can do no wrong with big properties, not to mention adding in Thor, Hulk and Cap, especially Thor and Cap which built nice audiences for relatively fringe comic book characters this summer.

 

[Gaddabout]

I have no idea if this has an impact on their bottom line (probably not) but it seems to me like 99 percent of all R-rated movies released now are TEENAGER MOVIES with ADULT THEMES, instead of MOVIES FOR ADULTS. There's a difference.

I can only watch so many Apatow-esque comedies before I long for a legitimate movie for grown-ups, the kind James L. Brooks typically makes. Or Al Brooks. Or Mel Brooks. Pretty much want less Apatow, more Brooks. Any kind of Brooks.

 

[D-Dogg]

No one will be talking about "what's wrong with movies" next summer when Batman 3 and The Avengers (Iron Man, Hulk, Thor and Cap) obliterates the box-office something fierce.

Meh and Super Meh.

first, I'll wait for DVD. Second, I'll never watch.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I have no idea if this has an impact on their bottom line (probably not) but it seems to me like 99 percent of all R-rated movies released now are TEENAGER MOVIES with ADULT THEMES, instead of MOVIES FOR ADULTS. There's a difference.

I can only watch so many Apatow-esque comedies before I long for a legitimate movie for grown-ups, the kind James L. Brooks typically makes. Or Al Brooks. Or Mel Brooks. Pretty much want less Apatow, more Brooks. Any kind of Brooks.

Much, much, much less Apatow, more just about anybody else.

Steve

 

[Cheesebeef]

while summer movie attendance was down, profits were slightly up.

http://www.deadline.com/2011/09/nato-summer-box-office-sets-record-with-4-4b/

and like I said... it was a REALLY weak Summer for event pictures... and kind of a weak year overall. Next year's got all the heavy hitters: Batman, The Avengers, Will Smith back in Men In Black 3, Madagascar 3, Ice Age 4, Pixar's Brave and then at the end of the year Breaking Dawn (the end of the Twilight saga), and of course... THE HOBBIT... and that doesn't even include the new Spiderman (which I think won't do very well, likely a lot like the last Pirates - 240 max, nowhere near to the smashes that the first three movies were). Every single one of those movies makes at least 200 million bucks, with Batman, Avengers, Breaking Dawn and The Hobbit all guaranteed to make at least 300, and likely much more.

and that doesn't even take into account the couple of random movies that usually surprise at the box office from out of nowhere.

i'll call my shot right now and say next year is the biggest year at the box office in a decade. It's the perfect storm of all of the franchise movies people/kids actually WANT to see with all of the biggest actors.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

while summer movie attendance was down, profits were slightly up.

http://www.deadline.com/2011/09/nato-summer-box-office-sets-record-with-4-4b/

and like I said... it was a REALLY weak Summer for event pictures... and kind of a weak year overall. Next year's got all the heavy hitters: Batman, The Avengers, Will Smith back in Men In Black 3, Madagascar 3, Ice Age 4, Pixar's Brave and then at the end of the year Breaking Dawn (the end of the Twilight saga), and of course... THE HOBBIT... and that doesn't even include the new Spiderman (which I think won't do very well, likely a lot like the last Pirates - 240 max, nowhere near to the smashes that the first three movies were). Every single one of those movies makes at least 200 million bucks, with Batman, Avengers, Breaking Dawn and The Hobbit all guaranteed to make at least 300, and likely much more.

and that doesn't even take into account the couple of random movies that usually surprise at the box office from out of nowhere.

i'll call my shot right now and say next year is the biggest year at the box office in a decade. It's the perfect storm of all of the franchise movies people/kids actually WANT to see with all of the biggest actors.

I'm with you cheese, especially regarding The Dark Knight Rises. I can't see a scenario where this movie doesn't make 380-400M.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I'm with you cheese, especially regarding The Dark Knight Rises. I can't see a scenario where this movie doesn't make 380-400M.

yeah... 440 might be a little much, but it definitely hits 400 and if it's actually GOOD, it'll climb higher. That movie ends up as the highest grossing opening weekend of all time... until Avatar 2 comes out.

 

[Dback Jon]

yeah... 440 might be a little much, but it definitely hits 400 and if it's actually GOOD, it'll climb higher. That movie ends up as the highest grossing opening weekend of all time... until Avatar 2 comes out.

Please tell me Avatar 2 is a joke...


I enjoyed the first, but that is it...

 

[Cheesebeef]

Please tell me Avatar 2 is a joke...

Jon, in the entertainment biz, NOT making a sequel to the single highest grossing movie of all time would be a joke. All Cameron's ever done is produce box office breaking blockbusters. His next one will do the exact same thing his previous two movies accomplished... take the title for highest grossing movie ever.

That really is ridiculous... his last two movies Titanic and Avatar... BOTH were heavily criticized and labeled likely bombs before they came out and what did they do? They're the number 1 and 2 movies of all time at the box office at 1.8 and 2.8 billion dollars respectively. Titanic's take was 500 million bucks more than any other film and Avatar was 1.5 BILLION more than anything else.

yeah... there's will be a sequel and it will crush everything in it's path.

I enjoyed the first, but that is it...

personally, i can't wait to see what Cameron's got up his sleeve next. I didn't think Avatar was the end all, be all, but it was a complete and utter spectacle which is all Cameron makes and I for one welcome anytime he decides to put something on the screen because he continually tries to raise the bar as to the images he puts on the screen.

 

[Dback Jon]

Jon, in the entertainment biz, NOT making a sequel to the single highest grossing movie of all time would be a joke. All Cameron's ever done is produce box office breaking blockbusters. His next one will do the exact same thing his previous two movies accomplished... take the title for highest grossing movie ever.

That really is ridiculous... his last two movies Titanic and Avatar... BOTH were heavily criticized and labeled likely bombs before they came out and what did they do? They're the number 1 and 2 movies of all time at the box office at 1.8 and 2.8 billion dollars respectively. Titanic's take was 500 million bucks more than any other film and Avatar was 1.5 BILLION more than anything else.

yeah... there's will be a sequel and it will crush everything in it's path.



personally, i can't wait to see what Cameron's got up his sleeve next. I didn't think Avatar was the end all, be all, but it was a complete and utter spectacle which is all Cameron makes and I for one welcome anytime he decides to put something on the screen because he continually tries to raise the bar as to the images he puts on the screen.

Don't get me wrong - I liked both Titanic and Avatar, and enjoyed seeing them do well in spite of the crictism.

Both are one-offs to me - highly successful, but stand-alone movies.


did a little searching on Avatar 2 - will be interested in seeing what Cameron can pull off.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Don't get me wrong - I liked both Titanic and Avatar, and enjoyed seeing them do well in spite of the crictism.

Both are one-offs to me - highly successful, but stand-alone movies.

oh, I agree... just telling you the reality of what's going to happen with Avatar.

and honestly, I don't get the Titanic hate. that movie is epic is every way shape or form. is it a little cheesy? sure, but it's a total throwback to old Hollywood epics and the sheer scale of the movie is pretty awesome IMO.


did a little searching on Avatar 2 - will be interested in seeing what Cameron can pull off.[/QUOTE]

if anything, it'll be a spectacular visual smorgasbord. Apparently, a lot of it's gonna have to do with the under-water life of Pandora and if there's anyone who can make water come alive, it's Cameron.

 

[Dback Jon]

if anything, it'll be a spectacular visual smorgasbord. Apparently, a lot of it's gonna have to do with the under-water life of Pandora and if there's anyone who can make water come alive, it's Cameron.

Abyss - awesome
Titantic - great
His underwater documentaries - great


Underwater Pandora - just got my interest

 

[Rivercard]

Next year's got all the heavy hitters: Batman, The Avengers, Will Smith back in Men In Black 3, Madagascar 3, Ice Age 4, Pixar's Brave and then at the end of the year Breaking Dawn (the end of the Twilight saga), and of course... THE HOBBIT... and that doesn't even include the new Spiderman

Ugh. I'll be passing on all those.

 

[Gaddabout]

Breaking Bad: The Movie. I would go see that.