Posted on 06/21/2005 9:37:47 AM PDT by gopwinsin04
Hollywood's current box office slump is poised to become the worst since entertainment analysts began keeping detailed records of movie grosses.
Despite the debut of 'Batman Begins' last Wednesday, this past weekend saw overall revenues decline for the 17th straight week (as compared with the previous week's totals)
That streak ties a 17 week slide in 1985, which previously held the record for the longest series of declines ever.
And with the remakes 'Herbie: Fully Loaded', 'Bewitched' and George Romero's 'Land of the Dead' --none of which is expected to rack up blockbuster totals--set to land in theatres this week, it's possible that the current slump may very well become the new benchmark for poor box office performance.
Studio executives continue to blame the drop on poor movies, rather than a potentially underlying market shift in moviegoing habits caused by the rise in DVD's and internet downloading.
'Certainly we need to look at that, but I believe you can't do that by looking a six months. I think you need to take a couple of years to look at it,' Dan Fellman an executive of Warner Borthers, tole the Associated Press.
'We're still product driven, and even though there were and will continue to be strong films in the summer, I dont think there have been enough of them.'
This year has seen a number of lackluster big releases including 'Constantine,' 'xXx: State of the Union,' 'Kingdom of Heaven,' and 'Cinderella Man.'
(Excerpt) Read more at cbc.ca ...
I'll vote for bad films, high ticket prices and DVD rentals.
Although if there's a big heat wave, will people go to a movie theatre for the air conditioning?
Don't they make as much or more on DVD sales or is it the studios don't want to share with the distributors? Anyway, good!
My life is a Movie.
I don't have to see the Hollywood Junk !!
You make bad movies and people stay away. What was the name of Ridley Scott's Crusade pic? I have already forgotten it! Of course they have always made bad movies and people came anyway, but nowadays people have better alternatives. Here's a prediction for another couple of flops: BEWITCHED and WAR OF THE WORLDS.
put out something decent and folks will come see it. sequels, remakes and rehashings don't cut it. too much competition for people's time these days for them to go out and indulge in the garbage that fills theaters these days.
High ticket prices and concessions are also a factor. Why go see Herbie and pay $20 for the whole fmaily when you can buy the DVD in 5 months?
The early reviews for War of the Worlds have been shaky, one said it was more like 'Signs' than 'Independence Day.'
Tom C has been acting so loco of late I think he may be alienating his fan base (no pun intended wrt WOTW!).
Herbie, Bewitched, Batman - not an original thought in the group. No thanks, I'll read a book instead.
True.
There are very few movies I can't wait to see. If it's a "Titanic" type film - big production, good film - then it's good for the big screen. But even at that I feel I've seen my share of "epics."
Without Star Wars, this year would have been a disaster!
all time record. Of course prices are higher. Any discussion of box office must include actual tickets sold.
True. They slap the name of a '60s sitcom on the average lame script and get enough people in the door the first weekend to make enough dough.
At least that used to work . . .
Speaking just for myself, I can no longer get sucked into the Hollywood stories and fantasies. The stories make no sense, coherent plot lines are not required and actors are phony, they look plastic, are not credible, I’ve seen it all done before and much better. Maybe I’m just getting older
By actual tickets sold, I believe movie attendance peaked in the 1940's or 50's...
I vote for 'all of the above' plus a general distaste for Hollywood.
bet it don't anymore. "the love bug" "Dukes of hazzard", "War of the WOrlds"... in a year they will all have been forgotten.
before my dad bought our TV. 1956.
For many films the theatrical release is in effect a trailer that they (Hollywood) know will lose money. That is the trailer for where the moolah is really made, in the DVDs and foreign sales of DVDs and foreign theatrical showings.
I think it is all of the above. I enjoy the movie going experience, but in terms of that sort of entertainment, I find that home entertainment technology makes the experience at home just as enjoyable, plus you have the added benefit of all the luxuries of being at home.
On an individual level, now that my wife and I have two children, she and I go to the movies maybe once every three months.
The last movie I saw was Batman Begins. I thought it was well done and far, far better than that crap from Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher.
You will see the top 100 movies of all time based on box office gross. Of the 100, the following 12 are R Rated.
#9 The Passion of Christ 2004
#24 The Matrix Reloaded 2003
#41 Beverly Hills Cop 1984
#43 The Exorcist 2000 Re-release
#50 Saving Private Ryan 1998
#56 Terminator 2 Judgment Day 1991
#64 Gladiator 2000
#79 Pretty Women 1990
#82 There’s Something About Mary 1998
#89 Air Force 1 1997
#90 Rainman 1998
#93 The Matrix 1999
That’s 12%. The other 88% are G, PG, PG-13 or unrated (like Snow White). The message is that as long as Hollywood keeps making those lousy R rated movies they are going to continue to sink. They just can't seem to give up on the idea that if they can convince us to accept their Hollywood value system (life is just sex, drugs, foul language, abuse and violent confrontations) then we would love their movies. Sorry, I'm not buying it.
How about the public's sick of Hollywood swine actors.
Russel Crowe singlehandly almost killed 'Cinderella Man' by himself.
Right!
All of the above plus a couple. The entire movie-going experience is worth enduring only for the best flicks. High ticket prices, outrageous prices at the concession stand (we go without or sneak stuff in), and above all - herds of misbehaved, *unattended* urchins who believe the facility is their own personal playground.
We're looking forward to the Firefly spin-off movie "Serenity" later this summer. It is a fine example of the impact of DVDs. From what I understand the backing wasn't available for the film until word of mouth caused huge sales on the TV series DVD box set. There is a poll on the website trying to gauge the interest in continuing the TV series on a direct-to-DVD basis. Hugh potential there. Hugh! Not just for obscure sci-fi stories, but family-friendly programming, too.
The remakes are getting ridiculous. The suck factor is what keeps us away; that and the attempted political statements.
'Serenity' has gotten good advance reviews. (and the audiences were packed for the previews)
That said, I HAVE enjoyed every trip to the IMAX. "Fighter Pilot" was just awesome!!
The last movie I went to a theater to see was Fight Club. I think that was released in 1999.
For me, I'm just sick of the Hollywood mindset. I'm loathe to give them even a penny of my money for any reason. I have DirecTv. Any movie I might be interested in will be on a movie channel in 6 mos.
I hope it sneaks up on Hollywood and steals the summer season. We'll prolly see it more than once.
I'll see 'Land of the Dead' and 'Fantastic Four.'
I am a huge 'Dead' fan going back as far as I can remember! It's good seeing the zombies come back again under the hand of George Romero.
Land of the Dead isn't a remake (is it?). Dawn of the Dead was a remake of Romero's Dawn of the Dead.
I'm not even sure if this is a sequel. He's already allowed two of the films to be remade.
There are more avenues for entertainment dollars and time than every before.
Television put a dent in theaters as well.
Many movies are clearly BAD (although well produced crap).
The question remains, will people watch them?
How are cable tv ratings and dvd sales/rentals of these titles?
How many truly independent films that never get released nationally do far better on home video than they ever got in box office take?
Same is true of music, sales for a single artist/company may be slumping but there are more players in the game than ever (especially when you factor in back catalog titles).
CULPRIT? Big screen TV's, busy lifestyles, and the fact that you can get a hit movie on DVD or pay per view not too long after it is released to theaters. Plus, you can enjoy a fine cigar and a beer while watching at home.
Fantastic Four does look interesting - I loved that as a kid.
"And with the remakes 'Herbie: Fully Loaded', 'Bewitched' and George Romero's 'Land of the Dead' --none of which is expected to rack up blockbuster totals--set to land in theatres this week, it's possible that the current slump may very well become the new benchmark for poor box office performance."
It's because of films like HERBIE, BEWITCHED, etc. that no one's coming. When are these people going to wake up?
"Speaking just for myself, I can no longer get sucked into the Hollywood stories and fantasies. The stories make no sense, coherent plot lines are not required and actors are phony, they look plastic, are not credible, I’ve seen it all done before and much better. Maybe I’m just getting older."
I agree with you. Probably does have to do with age -- maturity brings wisdom & not only the ability to see through BS, but the desire to get involved in more useful things.
"For me, I'm just sick of the Hollywood mindset. I'm loathe to give them even a penny of my money for any reason."
I don't even want to buy any of the entertainment-oriented magazines. I feel like I'm supporting liberal causes.
Ticket prices are so high Hollywood stars and executives attend free premiers only. LOL
Hollywood and the theater owners need this. They've taken every opportunity to make movie going less entertaining by gouging their customers. Let them all fill their registers with empty receipt boxes for awhile.
People flocked to see "The Passion of the Christ." Stood in long lines to get in. Some even went back to see it two or three more times.
Hollywood still refuses to get the message.
The trend is only going to get WORSE. This is due to the fact that Hi-Def wide screen TVs are kicking in. Play you DVDs on the Hi-Def wide screen TV and, if you have a good sound system, you're replicated the effect of seeing it in the movie theater. A family of 4 saves a BUNDLE by watching movies this way.
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