NYT: Big Films, but a Year of Smaller Audiences

New York Times ^ | December 20, 2004 | SHARON WAXMAN

[OESY]

The reporter, Sharon Waxman, led the movement at the Times to blacklist Mel Gibson for "The Passion of the Christ."

[johniegrad]

"The Passion" was the only movie I've seen in the past five years. I probably will not go to another movie for five more. I have no interest in the garbage they are promoting.

[starfish923]

The made-for-boobuss-toobus industry cut into their sales. Those movies go straight to DVD, even without ratings.

Besides, WHO CARES?! The older I get the more garbage I see produced. It MUST be me. Lol.

[TheBigB]

Hmmm, I saw..let's see...exactly 3 of those. Van Helsing, Spider-Man 2, and DodgeBall. I do want to see Princess Diaries 2 and National Treasure, though.

[marmar]

Hey, now that I think about it, it is the only movie (The Passsion) I went to . Sherk 2 will be the only other one I want to see. Most of these actors are so anti-American anyway.

[aquila48]

In all his long analysis, it never occurred to this clueless idiot the real reason why attendance is down - LEFTIST HOLLYWOOD HAS COMPLETELY ALIENATED ITS AUDIENCE!!!

[APFel]

Is it me, but were movies this year, with rare exception, dismally awful?

Those on the list that outgrossed their worth are Shrek 2, Harry Potter, The Day After Tomorrow, Shark Tale, I, Robot, Troy (Dreck) 50 First Dates (Terrible, terrible, terrible) Van Helsing (Possibly the worst action movie EVER) Fahrenheit 9/11, and The Grudge. Turdsmears on film.

APf

[Patrick1]

Saw three, Bourne Supremacy, The Passion and Polar Express.
There could be a clue in this.

Make better movies.

[bobjam]

20 years ago, my area had 6 movie movie house for a total of 37 screens. Today it has 2 movie houses for a total of 34 screens. Yet, in the last 20 years, the population has practically doubled along with the number of schools, grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, banks, gyms, soccer fields, etc. etc.

[TXBubba]

That and most of the movies just stink. There are some good ones on that list and I've gone to them. Just got back from Blockbuster with my son today though. Couldn't even find much in the "New Releases" that I even wanted to rent, much less would have gone to see. I mean, how many movies can you made from old TV shows? There is no creative talent in Hollyweird for the most part.

[Borges]

'Van Helsing' was one of the worst films I've ever see in a theater. And the director dedicated it to his late father! How can someone connect a parent who passed away with so frivolous.

[AD from SpringBay]

Very astute observation. Yet that tee vee still treats the paid pretenders as royalty and we their subjects.

[weshess]

Are movies growing bigger as theater audiences are becoming smaller?

Maybe it is just Hollywood spending more money on crappy movies.

[Wayne07]

People forget that industries have life cycles. It is easy to assume that because film is a big and growing business today, it always will be. But if you take a long term look at things, industries tend to grow, plateau, shrink, and become niche, diappear or evolve into something fairly different. Music industry is on the way down, and film will follow.

[Patrick1]

It would be interesting to compare the top grossing films of this year say to 1984 or 1964 or 1944. Just wondering what would come up?

[Borges]

In the 1970s the American film industry was near bankrupt...and had one of its great periods as well.

[Borges]

Highest grossing films of 1984:


1. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
2. Ghost Busters (1984)
3. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
4. Gremlins (1984)
5. The Karate Kid (1984)
6. Police Academy (1984)
7. Footloose (1984)
8. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
9. Romancing the Stone (1984)
10.Purple Rain (1984)

[ProudVet77]

The real issue this year is that we are a nation at war. We have learned about real heroes. About real men. They make the hollywood heroes pale by comparison. Brad Pitt vs Pat Tillman. No way. The Marlboro Marine vs George CLooney?
The success of the cartoon movies indicates a need for escapist entertainment, but the characters are not people with liberal political views.

[Patrick1]

Gag..so much for 1984. Though Romancing the Stone was good.

[jpsb]

Yup, I used to go to movies all the time, these days I spend my money else where. If a really good movie comes out, like Sea Biscuit I'll wait on a DVD. The movie has got to be really good before I'll send Hollyweird any of my money.