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Post by ironhold on Oct 31, 2015 0:10:05 GMT
When I was a kid, within 10 miles, we had a local single screen theater that played movies on a 'second run' basis. A four screen theater and an eight-screen theater. Well, the single screen has since been demolished. I guess selling movie tickets for $2 wasn't the best business plan.  The four screen theater was remodeled into an eight-screen cinema. The cinema closed and the building is now occupied by the electric company. The eight-screen theater is now a 15-screen megaplex (including two Imax screens). It is the only game in town. Unless you want to drive 5 to 10 miles farther... ======= Opening this weekend: "Truth", "Burnt", "Our Brand is Crisis", "Freaks of Nature", "Dancin' It's On" and "Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse". Nothing that seems worth watching before its released to Netflix... I'm holding out for next weekend when "Spectre" and "The Peanuts Movie" open. Guess which one I'll be seeing... "Truth" doesn't have any; as I explained earlier, I was tangentially involved with what happened and so know the full story. "Burnt" wound up being the only new one in the local theater, as the distributor dropped the ball on "Scouts vs. Zombies". It's Oscar-bait for sure, but as a film it's mediocre at best. |
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Post by The Urban Mythbuster on Nov 2, 2015 13:45:29 GMT
And the dismal debuts continue...
1. “The Martian,” $11.4 million.
2. “Goosebumps,” $10.2 million.
3. “Bridge of Spies,” $8.1 million.
4. “Hotel Transylvania 2,” $5.8 million.
5. “Burnt,” $5 million.
6. “The Last Witch Hunter,” $4.8 million.
7. “Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension,” $3.5 million.
8. “Our Brand Is Crisis,” $3.4 million.
9. “Crimson Peak,” $3.1 million.
10. “Steve Jobs,” $2.6 million.
"Scout's Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse," $1.8 million
"Truth," $901,000
The upcoming weekend brings "Spectre" & "The Peanuts Movies" which should put gluteals in the seats at the theaters.
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Post by ironhold on Nov 2, 2015 17:57:18 GMT
For "Burnt" -
Imagine a beautiful cut of meat.
Now imagine that the person responsible for preparing the dry rub went too heavy on the onion powder.
And the cook left it in the pan for a minute too long.
It's still edible, but it seems like a waste.
That's the movie in a nutshell. It's got everything it needs to be a great film, but it's all applied in the wrong amounts and often in a backwards fashion. This undercuts the sum total effect of everything, making a mess of it.
**
Also -
So near as I can tell, the local theater is dropping "Jem" as soon as it finishes its run this Wednesday evening. This means that they'll be removing the film after just two weeks instead of the usual four. This, to me, is the ultimate sign of how badly it flopped.
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Post by silverdragon on Nov 3, 2015 7:51:28 GMT
Word is that Danny Boyle and the steve jobs thing is "Oscar bait", from the man himself.
His is from Manchester, and would like one more before his Dad gets too old?...
This was on local news over the weekend.
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Post by The Urban Mythbuster on Nov 6, 2015 14:00:59 GMT
The movie match up of the season has arrived: James Bond vs Charlie Brown! Weekend sales projections for "Spectre" are ~$85M and for The Peanuts Movie ~$55M. Either way, each movie will have made more than the cumulative total for all movies premiering on the past four weekends.
In case you're wondering, other movies opening this weekend are: "Suffragette" and "Miss You Already", not that anyone will notice.
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Post by Cybermortis on Nov 6, 2015 16:13:02 GMT
Just wait for the massive fight next month; Star Wars vs The Chipmonks....
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Post by The Urban Mythbuster on Nov 6, 2015 16:21:45 GMT
Just wait for the massive fight next month; Star Wars vs The Chipmonks.... I think Star Wars might fall victim to its own success. The biggest problem is that presale tickets were sold out so quickly and are now being resold for hundreds or thousands of dollars. If the tickets don't find buyers due to the price, it could actually mean empty seats in the theaters. Though, that may not matter to Disney, all they care about it is the fact that the ticket sold - regardless if anyone actually uses it. This actually illustrates a weakness within online movie ticket services. Unlike TicketMaster & other event ticket services, there is no primary or secondary identity verification - or even checks to make sure that it is a real person, not just a bot purchasing the tickets. So, scalpers are able to get large blocks of tickets for premium movies & resell them at astronomical markups. On the flipside, this may increase Star Wars' longterm theater revenue because moviegoers will be forced to wait for later weeks to see the movie when tickets are no longer sold out. |
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Post by mrfatso on Nov 6, 2015 17:15:50 GMT
Just wait for the massive fight next month; Star Wars vs The Chipmonks.... I think Star Wars might fall victim to its own success. The biggest problem is that presale tickets were sold out so quickly and are now being resold for hundreds or thousands of dollars. If the tickets don't find buyers due to the price, it could actually mean empty seats in the theaters. Though, that may not matter to Disney, all they care about it is the fact that the ticket sold - regardless if anyone actually uses it. This actually illustrates a weakness within online movie ticket services. Unlike TicketMaster & other event ticket services, there is no primary or secondary identity verification - or even checks to make sure that it is a real person, not just a bot purchasing the tickets. So, scalpers are able to get large blocks of tickets for premium movies & resell them at astronomical markups. On the flipside, this may increase Star Wars' longterm theater revenue because moviegoers will be forced to wait for later weeks to see the movie when tickets are no longer sold out. Anyone foolish enough to buy a ticket form a reseller in this case dererves a boot kick up the arse. It's a film, not a one off live event that will never be repeated the showing on screen 1 at 12.00 will be same as he one at 15.00. |
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Post by The Urban Mythbuster on Nov 6, 2015 17:19:06 GMT
I think Star Wars might fall victim to its own success. The biggest problem is that presale tickets were sold out so quickly and are now being resold for hundreds or thousands of dollars. If the tickets don't find buyers due to the price, it could actually mean empty seats in the theaters. Though, that may not matter to Disney, all they care about it is the fact that the ticket sold - regardless if anyone actually uses it. This actually illustrates a weakness within online movie ticket services. Unlike TicketMaster & other event ticket services, there is no primary or secondary identity verification - or even checks to make sure that it is a real person, not just a bot purchasing the tickets. So, scalpers are able to get large blocks of tickets for premium movies & resell them at astronomical markups. On the flipside, this may increase Star Wars' longterm theater revenue because moviegoers will be forced to wait for later weeks to see the movie when tickets are no longer sold out. Anyone foolish enough to buy a ticket form a reseller in this case dererves a boot kick up the arse. It's a film, not a one off live event that will never be repeated the showing on screen 1 at 12.00 will be same as he one at 15.00. But, in the mind of the consumer, everyone desires to be the first one to do something. Buy the first iPhone 26, order the first snail souffle at the gourmet restaurant, be the first to see the movie. Consumerism clouds judgement. |
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Post by mrfatso on Nov 6, 2015 17:26:41 GMT
Anyone foolish enough to buy a ticket form a reseller in this case dererves a boot kick up the arse. It's a film, not a one off live event that will never be repeated the showing on screen 1 at 12.00 will be same as he one at 15.00. But, in the mind of the consumer, everyone desires to be the first one to do something. Buy the first iPhone 26, order the first snail souffle at the gourmet restaurant, be the first to see the movie. Consumerism clouds judgement. Those people,need a slap too, unless there is a really good deal to go with a product launch why do that? I do remember the days back in the 197os though before we could prebook cinema tickets of spending a wet afternoon queuing for Star Wars , and not getting in so waiting for the next showing. But that was what you had to do to get to see a film back then. |
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Post by The Urban Mythbuster on Nov 6, 2015 17:53:16 GMT
But, in the mind of the consumer, everyone desires to be the first one to do something. Buy the first iPhone 26, order the first snail souffle at the gourmet restaurant, be the first to see the movie. Consumerism clouds judgement. Those people,need a slap too, unless there is a really good deal to go with a product launch why do that? I do remember the days back in the 197os though before we could prebook cinema tickets of spending a wet afternoon queuing for Star Wars , and not getting in so waiting for the next showing. But that was what you had to do to get to see a film back then. But, at the time, you were waiting with like-minded individuals. That was part of the experience of going to a movie premiere, being there with other people you probably would have never met otherwise. It was truly an event to remember. Nowadays, its simply a status symbol to be able to say you were the first. Its meaningless. |
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Post by Cybermortis on Nov 6, 2015 18:15:34 GMT
I *Think* that the pre-sale tickets were/are for the initial screening, and were in any case limited in number. So it wouldn't mean empty seats - besides which theaters would most likely allow people to go in if there are more than a few empty seats on opening weekend with no sign of those with pre-ordered tickets turning up. (There is probably a disclaimer/T&C on the ticket or on the ordering page that indicates that the theater reserves the right to sell your seat to someone else if you don't turn up before a certain time. In which case they would either offer a refund or give you a ticket for another screening)
Keep in mind that Disney has little to do with ticket sales themselves, that would be the theater chains. (Even if you are able to order through Disney's website it is actually handled by the theaters, not Disney). So it is the Theaters who are responsible for safeguarding against ticket touts.
It seems that pre-orders are a rarity (at least in the US) and not widely available. Although Star Wars shattered the prior record for pre-orders (held by The Hunger games) the total number of sales is only a small percentage of what can reasonably be expected at the box office itself. The current record for a December opening weekend is around $70-$80 million*, the pre-sales for Imax are around $7 million in one day (probably $10-$20 million in total*). The most pessimistic estimates for the opening weekend are $200 million, with around $300 million being considered perfectly feasible*/**. So pre-orders are only going to account for a very minor portion of the films takings.
(*All figures are given for the US, as these are the ones that studios and the media tend to concentrate on and use as an indication as to how successful a film is/will be. This is partly a hold over from the days when films were released in the US at least a year ahead of the rest of the world, and today because I'm guessing it is faster and easier for the American Studios to get such information for the US market - especially when there is a gap between release dates***)
(**It is probably impossible for even Star Wars to net more than $350 million on its opening weekend in the US, simply because there are not that many screens in the US.)
(***Just to rub it in those of us in the UK and Australia will get to see Star Wars on the 17th December. Those of you in the US will have to wait until the 18th...Of course most of Europe, South Africa and the Philippines only have to wait to the 16th.)
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Post by ironhold on Nov 6, 2015 19:36:44 GMT
The movie match up of the season has arrived: James Bond vs Charlie Brown! Weekend sales projections for "Spectre" are ~$85M and for The Peanuts Movie ~$55M. Either way, each movie will have made more than the cumulative total for all movies premiering on the past four weekends. In case you're wondering, other movies opening this weekend are: "Suffragette" and "Miss You Already", not that anyone will notice. My guess is that "Suffragette" is another Oscar-bait film. |
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Post by The Urban Mythbuster on Nov 6, 2015 19:39:10 GMT
(***Just to rub it in those of us in the UK and Australia will get to see Star Wars on the 17th December. Those of you in the US will have to wait until the 18th...Of course most of Europe, South Africa and the Philippines only have to wait to the 16th.) On top of the UK premiering "Spectre" last week... |
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Post by mrfatso on Nov 6, 2015 20:26:21 GMT
The movie match up of the season has arrived: James Bond vs Charlie Brown! Weekend sales projections for "Spectre" are ~$85M and for The Peanuts Movie ~$55M. Either way, each movie will have made more than the cumulative total for all movies premiering on the past four weekends. In case you're wondering, other movies opening this weekend are: "Suffragette" and "Miss You Already", not that anyone will notice. My guess is that "Suffragette" is another Oscar-bait film. Ys pretty much, although it has nearly made its budget back over here, a little bit of box office in the states might make a profit. But it is broadly a story of a British working womans fight for the vote. |
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Post by silverdragon on Nov 7, 2015 12:41:43 GMT
Just wait for the massive fight next month; Star Wars vs The Chipmonks.... I think Star Wars might fall victim to its own success. The biggest problem is that presale tickets were sold out so quickly and are now being resold for hundreds or thousands of dollars. If the tickets don't find buyers due to the price, it could actually mean empty seats in the theaters. Though, that may not matter to Disney, all they care about it is the fact that the ticket sold - regardless if anyone actually uses it. This actually illustrates a weakness within online movie ticket services. Unlike TicketMaster & other event ticket services, there is no primary or secondary identity verification - or even checks to make sure that it is a real person, not just a bot purchasing the tickets. So, scalpers are able to get large blocks of tickets for premium movies & resell them at astronomical markups. On the flipside, this may increase Star Wars' longterm theater revenue because moviegoers will be forced to wait for later weeks to see the movie when tickets are no longer sold out. So the scam-bar-stewards loose money on unsold tickets?.. tough luck. With the plans to release it to many many many many cinema's multiscreens and the rest, it wont be long before those that want to see it will see it, whilst those that have paid "Over the odds"?... tough luck... a fool and his money are soon parted..... I will never ever ever pay "second hand prices" for tickets. Its a decision I have made long long time ago, when I got to an event by the Pink Floyd, which was full, so the rest of us stayed outside and had a party, its not as if we couldnt hear the music anyway, and we had a damn good time without paying over-the-odds for a plastic glass of warm beer?... stadium bars are always crud. Since then, I never pay more than a ticket is worth. Films?... I would rather go to see a film a few weeks down the line, or, wait until its on Video, and watch it in my own home in the large screen, where not only can you pause it when necessary, you can replay bits, and again dont get fleeced for a plastic glass of warm beverage. Plus I can also modify the noise.... Why do some theatres decide you aint enjoying it unless you are deaf?.. I have hearing problems, but I could hear theatres better from outside the doors. I am playing with a "Modified" system at the moment that can be used to modify the output from a TV to home stereo system that can set a maximum on the volume... you can turn up the too-quiet bits, without having your ears blasted off when the music does a sting... This is a "Home brew" project I am enjoying fixing the frustrations on using the Raspberry Pi, I am quite happy with the results so far. Its just quality issues at the moment. (and a slight delay.... microseconds only, but its there....) |
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Post by silverdragon on Nov 7, 2015 12:43:34 GMT
(***Just to rub it in those of us in the UK and Australia will get to see Star Wars on the 17th December. Those of you in the US will have to wait until the 18th...Of course most of Europe, South Africa and the Philippines only have to wait to the 16th.) On top of the UK premiering "Spectre" last week... This is "payback" for all those American films that we have to wait WEEKS or here?... |
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Post by the light works on Nov 7, 2015 14:10:28 GMT
I think Star Wars might fall victim to its own success. The biggest problem is that presale tickets were sold out so quickly and are now being resold for hundreds or thousands of dollars. If the tickets don't find buyers due to the price, it could actually mean empty seats in the theaters. Though, that may not matter to Disney, all they care about it is the fact that the ticket sold - regardless if anyone actually uses it. This actually illustrates a weakness within online movie ticket services. Unlike TicketMaster & other event ticket services, there is no primary or secondary identity verification - or even checks to make sure that it is a real person, not just a bot purchasing the tickets. So, scalpers are able to get large blocks of tickets for premium movies & resell them at astronomical markups. On the flipside, this may increase Star Wars' longterm theater revenue because moviegoers will be forced to wait for later weeks to see the movie when tickets are no longer sold out. So the scam-bar-stewards loose money on unsold tickets?.. tough luck. With the plans to release it to many many many many cinema's multiscreens and the rest, it wont be long before those that want to see it will see it, whilst those that have paid "Over the odds"?... tough luck... a fool and his money are soon parted..... I will never ever ever pay "second hand prices" for tickets. Its a decision I have made long long time ago, when I got to an event by the Pink Floyd, which was full, so the rest of us stayed outside and had a party, its not as if we couldnt hear the music anyway, and we had a damn good time without paying over-the-odds for a plastic glass of warm beer?... stadium bars are always crud. Since then, I never pay more than a ticket is worth. Films?... I would rather go to see a film a few weeks down the line, or, wait until its on Video, and watch it in my own home in the large screen, where not only can you pause it when necessary, you can replay bits, and again dont get fleeced for a plastic glass of warm beverage. Plus I can also modify the noise.... Why do some theatres decide you aint enjoying it unless you are deaf?.. I have hearing problems, but I could hear theatres better from outside the doors. I am playing with a "Modified" system at the moment that can be used to modify the output from a TV to home stereo system that can set a maximum on the volume... you can turn up the too-quiet bits, without having your ears blasted off when the music does a sting... This is a "Home brew" project I am enjoying fixing the frustrations on using the Raspberry Pi, I am quite happy with the results so far. Its just quality issues at the moment. (and a slight delay.... microseconds only, but its there....) I definitely agree that the solution to ticket scalping is to never be willing to pay above face value. and even on the films I have been most eager to see, I have been able to wait until friday. - but they don't do warm beverage at cinemas in the US. you can't put that much ice into a glass and have the beverage come out warm. |
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Post by Cybermortis on Nov 7, 2015 14:40:59 GMT
On top of the UK premiering "Spectre" last week... This is "payback" for all those American films that we have to wait WEEKS or here?... It used to be at least a year or more. Of course this was before the internet, and the entire plots of films being available within two hours of the first screening. (Or in some cases six months before release). A day or so is understandable, due to international time zones and local preferences as to when premiers get screened - some countries may see higher sales on Wednesday's than Thursdays or Friday's. A week or more however..... |
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Post by wvengineer on Nov 8, 2015 3:25:24 GMT
Saw Spectre tonight. Good, but not as good as Skyfall or Casino Royale. I'll go into detail tomorrow morning. Tired here.
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