You know what movie I would choose, readers; however, tonight I think I will go with this.
"Reel them in: Late showings, early profit" by Natalie Southwick, Globe Correspondent | July 1, 2010
Midnight movies were once rare and specialized events: the territory of blockbuster action fans, horror aficionados, sci-fi enthusiasts, and people dressed in Dr. Frank-N-Furter drag. Now they seem almost expected, not just for hyped sequels like those in the “Twilight’’ franchise, but for run-of-the-mill dramas and comedies, too....
I must admit, dear readers, I saw Sith at midnight (even walked to the theater) and it was exhilarating!! 2:30 in the morning and I was ready to see it again!
A spokeswoman for AMC Entertainment Inc., which owns the Boston Common theater, said the decision to host midnight premieres is a “collaboration’’ between studios and theater companies. In reality, theaters are pushing their limits to maximize box-office receipts....
I remember a time when movies used to run 24 hours a day and you could pay for your ticket anytime and leave anytime; however, that was a LONG TIME AGO and I DATE MYSELF!
Related: The Hollywood Heist of Massachusetts
Maybe that had something to do with it.
Who wants their TAX DOLLARS going for that?
Most cited the Boston filming location as the main attraction.
PFFFFT!
AGENDA-PUSHING SERVITUDE straight to the end, huh, Glob?
With viewers age 24 and younger accounting for 47 percent of movie ticket sales across the United States and Canada in 2009, it’s no surprise that studios are relying on their desire to be first in line to fill late-night seats.
“You feel ahead of the curve when you get to see a movie at midnight,’’ Phil Contrino, editor of BoxOffice.com, a website that covers grosses and how Web activity affects them, said. “It’s a novelty — when you wake up the next day and talk to your friends, you already have a reaction.’’
(Blog editor just shaking his head; I waited three days to see Kong and then only on a spur-of-the-moment whim. That is what made the film even more special to me.)
Studios and theaters are counting on the enthusiasm of audience members like self-described “ ‘Twilight’ addict’’ and frequent midnight-moviegoer Stephen Trumble to salvage what has so far been a disappointing summer, with North American ticket sales down 8 percent compared with last summer.
HOW CAN THAT BE with the ECONOMY GROWING the last three quarters (or so we were told)?
“It comes down to the financial bottom line,’’ Jesse Hassinger, the programming manager at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, said. “If they have to open a movie on a Wednesday with a 12:01 premiere, they can get more money into their weekend gross.’’
“Studios feel that an extra day will give them a better jump on the competition,’’ Contrino said. “The Friday release is not something studios need to stick to, especially in the summer. The industry has been focused on turning going to the movies into an event, and that’s what midnight showings are all about.’’
--more--"
BURBANK, Calif. — US officials yesterday announced a major crackdown on movie piracy that involved disabling nine websites they accuse of offering pirated movies, in some cases hours after they appeared in theaters.
I can On Demand them so WTF?
Officials also seized assets from 15 bank, investment, and advertising accounts, and executed residential search warrants in North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, and Washington.
Gee, you would almost think they were Russian spies.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials worked with the US attorney for the Southern District of New York and other government agencies. The investigation involved about 100 agents in 11 states and the Netherlands.
Man, GOVERNMENT REALLY GOT AFTER THIS LOOTING, huh?
If only they would be SO VIGOROUS on WAR LOOTING, BANK BILKING, and HEALTH CARE FRAUD!!
YOUR TAX DOLLARS are PAYING for the INVESTIGATION, America!
Officials wouldn’t say how many people were suspected of intellectual property theft, but said the penalties could include prison time.
The raids were the first actions in a new “Operation In Our Sites’’ initiative to combat Internet counterfeiting and piracy....
Sounds a LOT LIKE a WAR, doesn't it?
--more-"
Related: Sunday Matinee
Cheaper, but still not worth it.
Also see: What Is Wrong With Hollywood
How AmeriKa's MSM is Like the Movies
The Massachusetts Oscars
They didn't get one from me.
Maybe I should try a book before bed because that Globe movie selection stunk:
Barnes & Noble reels from quarterly loss
NEW YORK — Barnes & Noble Inc.’s fiscal fourth-quarter loss widened as it invested in electronic book technology, the bookseller said yesterday.
The New York company also forecast first-quarter and full-year earnings below expectations as it plots aggressive moves into the small but fast-growing e-book market.
The loss for the three months ended May totaled $32 million....
That compares with a loss of $2.7 million last year....
Revenue rose 19 percent to $1.32 billion from $1.1 billion last year....
???
Revenue in stores open at least one year fell 3.1 percent....
The numbers are confusing me.
Either that or my eyes are having trouble focusing on the BS.
You know how you get when you are tired and try to read something, right?
Revenue at stores open at least a year is a key indicator of a retailer’s performance....
And they lost money but revenues soared (with losses, no profits)?
For the fiscal year, Barnes & Noble profit fell 52 percent to $36.7 million from $75.9 million last year.
That is PROFIT, folks!!!
So how can they LOSE $32 million last quarter and still gain nearly $37 million in profit for the year?
During this down economy?
Booksellers -- selling things no one reads anymore -- are cleaning up?
Revenue rose 13 percent to $5.81 billion from $5.12 billion.....
Again with the revenues shooting through the ceiling.
--more--"
I'm sorry, readers; I fell asleep with the book in my lap.
Good night.
