Movie Magic Despite Miserable Markets
“Ever since the Great Depression, when cash-strapped citizens turned to the movies for escape, it's been a truism that filmgoing is the one entertainment option that doesn't suffer during economic crises. And, at least for the moment, the cliche is proving right.”
I don’t know about you, but I’m finding this comforting.
“The markets may be in a death spiral, but the movie business hasn't seen such rosy returns at the box office since Vivien Leigh famously looked forward to tomorrow at the tail end of ‘Gone with the Wind.’ North American box-office totals for the first two months of 2009 are in, and the numbers are both boffo - and baffling. February, 2009, generated more than US$770-million at the ticket wicket, which in adjusted dollars makes it the most lucrative February on record - ever.”
Comforting, because I was so certain the headline would be more along the lines of “Even Movies Losing Business in Bad Economy.” EVERYTHING in business news has just seemed so gloomy, and so unprecedented in most of our lifetimes, there seemed no reason to count on the old rule that when times get tough, folks head for the movies. But it appears we are heading there, and as you’ll read in the excellent articles I’ve linked to above, the February record was set without many very good films being released. Now March is off to a big start with the huge opening this past weekend for “Watchmen.” Even the stock prices of movie theater companies are holding steady or going up, for chrissake! I know, it’s not General Motors we’re talking about here, but still….
It’s all giving me a warm feeling about the notion of escapism. I’ve always enjoyed going to movies, but I never saw myself trying to escape reality; just the opposite. I wanted to be engaged and challenged by a film, wanted it to make me think, to seek and find deep themes. (I think growing up in the 1970’s, a golden age for serious, auteur-driven films, is part of the reason I’m that way). There was no more faint praise for a film, I thought, than somebody saying it was merely “entertaining.”
Now, though, that sounds pretty good to me. Two hours of being away from all the bad news for $10 is actually a pretty sweet deal, although for families, a night at the theater can end up costing more than many people are willing to part with right now. And that’s where reality intrudes once more, according to the director of research for the National Association of Theater Owners:
"At the beginning of the Depression, box-office and admissions went up, but as things got really bad, everything ground to a halt. What movie theaters had to do at that time was cut prices down to the bone, offer giveaways of dishes, that sort of thing. You could go in for 25 cents, and you could stay for as long as you wanted. It was a very different time."Yes, it was. But for tonight, allow me the escapism of believing that escapism is a healthy sign in these troubled times.
Comments: 15
The box-office success of movies provides a good incentive for theaters to do some decent things, like offering double features, keeping ticket prices at their current level and cutting those for snacks and drinks. It would also be a cruel and petty insult to the public for the city or state to impose a ticket tax, as was recently suggested. And counterproductive as well!
Please forgive me for digressing, but what became of that NY Post cartoon controversy? Delonas still draws for them. I haven't heard of any continuing boycott of the paper. Sharpton, Adams, Barron and the gang have been silent. It seems like those fellows are less upset about it now than our man Jim Watkins. $$$trange, isn't it?
Jim,
I go to the movies every week with my friends and then we go out for dinner. I would say this, out of all the pictures I saw this year, I would say I only liked a few of them.
Sex and the City
The Wrestler
Gran Torino
Slumdog Millionaire
He's Not That Into You *which surprised me by the way, because this movie got a bad review
He's Not Into You, is somewhat like a Sex and the City movie. That's why I probably liked it.
I didn't care for Doubt, but I thought Meryl Streep was excellent in it.
Micky Rourke was terrific in The Wrestler, however, it left you hanging like a typical scenerio, that David Chase would do in The Sopranos.
There have been times when I fell asleep in the movies. The one with Kate Hudson *can't remember the name, left me asleep and I woke up at the end.
It's just a night out with the girls, and then we pick a fine restaurant to eat in.
Lee *I didn't care for The Changeling and Jolie was nominated for the Oscar. I was surprised that Eastwood was overlooked, because, Gran Torino, was quite good.
I have GONE WITH THE WIND on DVD and every now and again, I get a yearning to see it. I get the popcorn ready, and in come the troops.
Lee
PIX's MORNING NEWS SUCKS !
LITERALLY, is it necessary to have 2 women do something AS SIMPLE AS A TRAFFIC REPORT !
They just hired two young women in a pathetic way to draw viewers.
Also that sukanya is one of the two most ANNOYING PEOPLE ON THIS SO CALLED SHOW.
I miss when CHANNEL 11 HAD NO NEWS, and cartoons and shows in the morning.
Why is all regular television, ALL NEWS, AND REALITY CRAP.
Some person keeps posting the same thing. They don't like your morning news. I wonder why they keep doing this. Apparently this person would rather watch cartoons.
I agree, there's nothing in the world like escaping these hard times by hitting the movie theater. Sure the tickets and the snacks are overpriced (it's like $12 for a large popcorn and a soda but whatever) but going to see a new flick every chance I get is a pastime of mine and I refuse to give it up! Why, I'm thinking of hitting the movies tonight after work down at Times Square (where the tickets are slightly more than $10 lol)which isn't too far from my job!
Oh and WHATEVER to the person who keeps saying they don't like the morning news. If you don't like it then don't watch it, yeesh! If she/he wants to watch cartoons they have a channel for that. Personally I think this is just a kid who is reposting up annoying stuff to get attention. Jim, if I were you I'd pre-approve any and all comments before allowing them to be posted up. Much like Suki on the morning news does.
Movies are the greatest escape in times like these. But can we have less blowing up, dark scenes, etc. Or is that what young people like?
I watch your program almost everynight at 10 o'cloc. Did I miss an announcement that Sal Marciano retired? Will I ever get an answer?
I was also curious about Marchiano. So I googled it after reading your post and found the link below, from December 2008. And now, I'm still waiting for an answer to my NY Post cartoon follow-up question!
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/12/22/2008-12-22_sal_marchiano_retires_after_40_yrs_on_ai-2.html
I agree with N. Miller. If you can, filter out those annoying blogs. Maybe there are kids on here, who knows?
Also, what Mike said, I don't know who Marciano is, but I guess he is, or was part of Jim's news team.
And Mike, I think there was a blog posting that was pulled. I could be wrong, but maybe it had the information you wanted.
I didn't read that message on google.
Lee
Since my last post, further research on Sal Marchiano gives yielded more info on what REALLY happened. It's far more complicated than simple "retirement" and helps to explain why PIX has had nothing to say about it. (touchy subject!) So try this link if you're reading this, Rhoda.
http://www.nydailynews.com/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=52890
Lee, the question I still want answered is why the Post cartoon controversy has so suddenly dropped off the RADAR. My first posting had some traces of sarcasm that hinted at an answer. What annoys me is that such an apparent drop of attention from the story trivializes all the attention we gave it just two weeks ago in over 175 posted comments (including yours and mine). Of course, my own petty annoyance pales to nothing next to my thoughts about the tragic condition of that poor woman. Enough said.
Mike,
I guess somethings will go unanswered for whatever reason. Maybe the newsteams have to put a kabosh on certain subjects. Maybe the bigwigs have to put a kabosh on these subjects too, because they can quickly get out of hand. We saw the 175 posts. That tells me that people are angry, and maybe for different reasons.
Unless this is addressed again, we may never know the answer to your question.
Regards,
Lee
OK, Lee. Your point is well taken. And thanks for "getting back to me".
My best,
Mike
This is in response to Lee's sister and N. Miller.
Anonymous is right there morning news is a pitiful joke. If you don't like the comments you read than don't read them. Everyone has the right to say what they want. You should also stop posting complaints about that.
I live across the street from Sal's mother...where is he?!?!