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Hollywood starts '09 with little to celebrate (Dinosaur Media DeathWatchâ„¢)
Los Angeles Times ^ | January 2, 2009 | Claudia Eller and Richard Verrier

Posted on 01/02/2009 5:11:21 AM PST by abb

There is no Hollywood ending in sight in 2009 for the entertainment industry, which along with the rest of the nation is experiencing its worst economic slump in decades.

The fallout from declining local TV ad revenue, weakening DVD sales and diminishing sources of film financing will continue to pound Los Angeles' signature industry, which employs more than 200,000 people and pumps an estimated $20 billion to $30 billion into the local economy.

Many expect that will trigger further layoffs at the studios, networks, independent production outfits and other media companies on top of the thousands of job losses that have already occurred in recent months. Industry executives contend that the steep downturn will force Hollywood to fundamentally change the way it does business.

snip

This is occurring against a backdrop of declining DVD sales, which have propped up studio profits for years. Consumer spending on DVDs, already slowing, is believed to have dropped about 5% to 7% in 2008, according to Adams Media Research, which projects a similar decline for this year. The slowdown in DVD sales reflects the maturity of the business, which began to slow in 2005, but is now exacerbated by a drop in overall consumer spending that began a few months ago, said Tom Adams, president of the research firm.

snip

Nonetheless, Fithian acknowledged that if the recession dragged on, it could affect moviegoing at a time when consumers are getting more of their entertainment at home with their big-screen TVs, video games and the Internet. A recent study by market research firm Parks Associates found that nearly 66% of U.S. consumers altered their spending habits in the fourth quarter of 2008 as a result of the bad economy.

snip

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: advertising; dbm; deathwatch; dvd; hollywood; television
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To: when the time is right
Most every home in America now has it's own theater. With that going for them, if they were making movies WE want to watch, instead of what THEY want us to watch, they would be bigger than the G.D.P..

The British film makers are now leading by the way, they make films like Lord of The Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, and other exciting action films without all the PC BS, or Leftist propaganda. They are blowing Hollywood away.

So, let's just shut up and let the Brits do what they are doing best. Then we can permanently say good riddance to Oliver Stone, Spike Lee, George Clooney and their ilk.

21 posted on 01/02/2009 5:48:01 AM PST by PSYCHO-FREEP (WHAT? Where did my tag line go?)
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To: Saint Reagan
I had heard Will Smith was interested in making an Obama film.

Will Smith should stick to films about killing aliens and starring in sitcoms featuring jug-eared princes.
22 posted on 01/02/2009 5:48:33 AM PST by reagan_fanatic (Resist the Obamination!)
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To: niteowl77
For much of 2008, it looked like Obama - or at least the DNC's Ministry of Propaganda - was making a Will Smith film.

ROFLMAO!! Spot on! We've always heard that the Drive-By Media and Hollywood were the PR arm of the Democrat party. I think it's the other way 'round. The Democrat party is the political action wing of the Media, Hollywood and Academia.

23 posted on 01/02/2009 5:48:36 AM PST by abb ("What ISN'T in the news is often more important than what IS." Ed Biersmith, 1942 -)
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To: avacado

Why not just read Karl Marx in the original, rather than be spoon fed by idiots who can’t grasp that he was wrong?


24 posted on 01/02/2009 5:55:13 AM PST by AmericanVictory
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To: abb

May the Hollywood liberals take “big hits” in their pocketbooks this year.

They gave away their money to Democrats last year and hopefully lost some to Bernie Madoff, too.

May they keep on losing in 2009.


25 posted on 01/02/2009 5:59:42 AM PST by Nextrush (Sarah Palin is the new Ronald Reagan.)
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To: abb

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/01/02/ap5874116.html
Ahead of the Bell: Starwood may gain by Zell stake


26 posted on 01/02/2009 6:05:21 AM PST by abb ("What ISN'T in the news is often more important than what IS." Ed Biersmith, 1942 -)
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To: abb; All
While most movies done in 2008 were pure crap, there were some gems.

I absolutely loved WALL-E. My family and I bought the DVD as soon as it came out, and my little boy watches it every day. I have enjoyed everything that PIXAR has made (although I have not seen Ratatouille or Meet the Robinsons.) Pixar's productions present a good message to the kids (the folly of being superficial, humility, good triumphing over evil, admitting when one is wrong, standing to one's principles, and overcoming adversity by making an honest effort instead of making excuses).

Not everything that comes from England leads the way. The latest James Bond flick is a piece of PC, America-hating sh*t.

Overall, the death of Hollywood would not break my heart at all. But save the good eggs before throwing out the bad.

27 posted on 01/02/2009 6:12:17 AM PST by 60Gunner (ALL bleeding stops... eventually.)
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To: 60Gunner
But save the good eggs before throwing out the bad.

Seldom do I watch the newer Hollywood stuff. Either TCM or AMC movies are all I bother with.

28 posted on 01/02/2009 6:15:27 AM PST by abb ("What ISN'T in the news is often more important than what IS." Ed Biersmith, 1942 -)
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To: Le Chien Rouge

I’m in the mood for a bender, which four were they?


29 posted on 01/02/2009 6:18:57 AM PST by IYAS9YAS (Hey Obama, why lawyer up when you can pony up? Show us your vault copy BC)
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To: abb

Hollywood should try making movies that are original, clever and patriotic instead of making endless sequels (how many times do I need to see “Batman”?), politically correct drivel and films featuring constant profanity, “action”, sex and gross out humor and violence.


30 posted on 01/02/2009 6:21:15 AM PST by LuxAerterna
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To: IYAS9YAS
I’m in the mood for a bender, which four were they?

Pick any movie from the last 10 or 15 years. Your odds are 5:1 that it will have a hidden - or blatant - liberal message and will serve your purpose.

31 posted on 01/02/2009 6:22:10 AM PST by abb ("What ISN'T in the news is often more important than what IS." Ed Biersmith, 1942 -)
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To: abb

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/business/stories.nsf/developmenteconomy/story/BCA23360438F971586257531000CFE5C?OpenDocument
Lee Enterprises warned by NYSE it may be delisted


32 posted on 01/02/2009 6:35:39 AM PST by abb ("What ISN'T in the news is often more important than what IS." Ed Biersmith, 1942 -)
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To: abb
Two suggestions for them:

1. Make movies people actually would want to see, not “films”

2. Have the theaters hire people that can keep the projector in focus

33 posted on 01/02/2009 6:42:03 AM PST by sticker
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To: abb

Marty Kaplan-Director of the Annenburg School of Communication:”if your still spending $100mill on pictures that have little chance of being hits,your in a business that is inherently nuts.”I agree.I enjoy war movies and westerns,but why would i pay good money to watch a movie where american military personell are portrayed as sadistic killers and the terrorists are victims?Or how bout a “cowboy” movie where the main characters are homosexuals?Why does hwood crank out movies(money losers)no one wants to see?I come up with two possibilities:1)if H-wood inundates us with anti-american films long enough we’ll eventually buy into their anti-US propaganda or 2)the directors,producers,actors,etc,etc,... sincerely believe their movies are an honest portrayal of reality.


34 posted on 01/02/2009 6:50:52 AM PST by Thombo2
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To: Le Chien Rouge

You are 100% right in that statement.

It makes me sick to start watching a TV show and halfway through it the leftist message comes over, and I turn it off.

Movies are even worse.


35 posted on 01/02/2009 6:59:01 AM PST by Venturer
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To: supremedoctrine

Thank’ya! ;-)


36 posted on 01/02/2009 7:00:01 AM PST by avacado
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To: IYAS9YAS

The Traitor w/ Done Cheadle
Definite, Maybe w/ Ryan Reynolds, Rachel Weiz

never got to the last two——to drunk from the beer


37 posted on 01/02/2009 7:27:31 AM PST by Le Chien Rouge
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To: Le Chien Rouge
never got to the last two——to drunk from the beer

Ha. Well, those are two I said I'd never see. I'll have to get my drinking game going in some other way.

38 posted on 01/02/2009 7:34:38 AM PST by IYAS9YAS (Hey Obama, why lawyer up when you can pony up? Show us your vault copy BC)
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To: abb
Standard story line of the modern movie:

Bedroom scene (no one over 30 years old)
An other than Straight encounter (I do not use the “g” word)
Multiple murders (lots of blood)
Car chase with lots of stupid Cop crashes
Funeral in the rain
Lots of trash talk (be sure to use the “f” word much
Hostage taking
You get my point.

39 posted on 01/02/2009 7:39:53 AM PST by CHEE (Stink, Steam and All)
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To: reagan_fanatic
Will Smith should stick to films about killing aliens and starring in sitcoms featuring jug-eared princes.

Obama IS a jug-eared prince.

40 posted on 01/02/2009 7:58:21 AM PST by Free State Four
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