Tueday THB Preview/Question
If a multiplex showing, say, Star Wars, on 6 or 14 screens for the first weekend, making it possible to get a ticket, but still drawing a thousand or so people each hour
May 4, 2024
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It shows how out of it I was in trying to be in it, acknowledging that I was out of it to myself, and then thinking, “Okay, how do I stop being out of it? Well, I get some legitimate illogical narrative ideas” — some novel, you know?
So I decided on three writers that I might be able to option their material and get some producer, or myself as producer, and then get some writer to do a screenplay on it, and maybe make a movie.
And so the three projects were “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep,” “Naked Lunch” and a collection of Bukowski. Which, in 1975, forget it — I mean, that was nuts. Hollywood would not touch any of that, but I was looking for something commercial, and I thought that all of these things were coming.
There would be no Blade Runner if there was no Ray Bradbury. I couldn’t find Philip K. Dick. His agent didn’t even know where he was. And so I gave up.
I was walking down the street and I ran into Bradbury — he directed a play that I was going to do as an actor, so we know each other, but he yelled “hi” — and I’d forgot who he was.
So at my girlfriend Barbara Hershey’s urging — I was with her at that moment — she said, “Talk to him! That guy really wants to talk to you,” and I said “No, fuck him,” and keep walking.
But then I did, and then I realized who it was, and I thought, “Wait, he’s in that realm, maybe he knows Philip K. Dick.” I said, “You know a guy named—” “Yeah, sure — you want his phone number?”
My friend paid my rent for a year while I wrote, because it turned out we couldn’t get a writer. My friends kept on me about, well, if you can’t get a writer, then you write.”
~ Hampton Fancher
“That was the most disappointing thing to me in how this thing was played. Is that I’m on the phone with you now, after all that’s been said, and the fundamental distinction between what James is dealing with in these other cases is not actually brought to the fore. The fundamental difference is that James Franco didn’t seek to use his position to have sex with anyone. There’s not a case of that. He wasn’t using his position or status to try to solicit a sexual favor from anyone. If he had — if that were what the accusation involved — the show would not have gone on. We would have folded up shop and we would have not completed the show. Because then it would have been the same as Harvey Weinstein, or Les Moonves, or any of these cases that are fundamental to this new paradigm. Did you not notice that? Why did you not notice that? Is that not something notable to say, journalistically? Because nobody could find the voice to say it. I’m not just being rhetorical. Why is it that you and the other critics, none of you could find the voice to say, “You know, it’s not this, it’s that”? Because — let me go on and speak further to this. If you go back to the L.A. Times piece, that’s what it lacked. That’s what they were not able to deliver. The one example in the five that involved an issue of a sexual act was between James and a woman he was dating, who he was not working with. There was no professional dynamic in any capacity.
~ David Simon
they’re staying away to avoid large crowds. no one likes going to any movie where the theatre is packed with kids.
Only certain movies will I brave an opening weekend boisterous crowd. They are few and far between. I’d rather catch a less crowded showing during the week.
For a huge movie like Batman or FF, I try to go opening night. I always see everything new within the opening weekend though.
Anecdotally, I know quite a few people who absolutely refuse to brave the crowds to see a movie on opening weekend. My fiancee is certainly like this (and once we skip opening weekend, we tend to quickly forget about the movie since, because of the barrage of hype leading up to opening weekend, the movie seems like old news by the time even the second weekend rolls around).
Plus, my local movie theater recently introduced higher pricing for Friday and Saturday evening/night showings, making attending during that time even less attractive.
I’ll see Charlie & chocs on Saturday IMAX with a million punks BUT I’m sure but it will be fun. some movies (and Depp) are worth making exception for.
if one must pay:
opening night=increasingly expensive, so avoid
mid morning weekday=no rats or punks, peaceful but scheduling difficult
I wish I could do the matinee thing but I work during the days. I usually wait a few days or a week to see something. Nothing worse for me than sitting close since I am a tall drink of water. I can’t watch it that close. I need the back rows.
But as I have stated before, movie theatres are usually only half full even on opening day around these parts
I almost ALWAYS try to go see movies opening night at a late screening. I generally go with about 5 people, sometimes with more. We are all either 19 or 20 years old, and we can get pretty annoying before the movie in terms of being obnoxious and making stupid loud comments, but when the movie starts we know to stop being jackasses. So yeah, there is always a huge crowd, but when people are being dicks in the theater then there is always someone to tell them to shut the hell up. The only thing that can really get on my nerves is when I happen to be right near the guy with the worst, most obnoxious laugh in the world. That can really sour a comedy for me, but it doesn’t seem to happen all that much thankfully. I don’t know about everyone else, but for me, going to a movie late on opening night is a great experience that cannot be equaled on any other night, with the possible exception of the Saturday night show (assuming it opened on Friday). I love being in a theater where everyone is really into the movie, and it just makes the whole experience that much better.
As to respond to the actual question that Dave aks, I would have to think that a lot of people do stop going to a movie on opening night after a certain point. I would never want to goto an opening night showing all by myself, and unfortunately I’m sure there will be a point down the line where I won’t have any buddies who are free and willing to go see a movie every friday night.
I have heard more people use the, “we’re going to wait till the crowds go down”, line. Personally as another commenter mentioned if I don’t go opening weekend chances are I will forget and not go. I also go for later showings usually after nine usually by then most of the anoying crowd have seen an earlier showing.
Nothing beats seeing a movie with a sold out crowd though. You will never get that energy again for a movie.
I don’t mind seeing it opening night, but people like my parents refuse to. If I bought my father tickets for an opening night screening I’m sure he’d still refuse to go.
Typically my parents go see movies on Sunday afternoon sometime. Theater is still relatively full, but filled with less kids.
I never go on opening weekend anymore. I used to be an opening night guy, while I was still in college especially, but I just can’t hack it anymore. Made the mistake of trying to go opening night for The Ring 2. Crowd was so over the top noisy – talking on phones, to each other, to the movie – that I left and asked for my money back – first time ever. Now it’s week days and post-opening weekends only.
I think its a generational thing. My parents would never go to an opening weekend showing. Maybe not even the first 3 weeks of an opening.
Doesn’t anyone want to be a part of a group effort? A group seeing a movie for a first time? That is what life is all about. Everyone getting together.
I still see a movie on opening weekend (usually Sat or Sun) if the movie and “star” is worth my while. There’s nothing like sitting with a crowd that’s into a movie. The kids/teens don’t bother me as much as seeing and hearing infants screaming in their parents’ arms at an R-rated movie screening!
nothing beats a sold out crowd on opening night–if the crowd is respectful (increasingly rare these days…)
i like going Sunday mornings…the 1st show…it’s always the slowest and quietest.
Mainstream: I generally avoid the weekend of release — I saw “Star Wars Episode 1” its first day (a Wednesday midday show) and it was like a frat party. I did go to “Fahrenheit 9/11” on its first weekend to see if it would do well in a suburban megaplex (which it did!).
Arthouse/upmarket: Depends on product flow and bookings. Had to go to South Jersey for “Downfall” and Manhattan for “The Sea Inside”. Hopefully I won’t have to go into Manhattan for “March of the Penguins”.
I work nights, so I usually go to the movies during the day, preferably a few days after they come out. Personally, I can take in the film better without people talking, kids crying, teenagers being teenagers and so on. Just my preference.
As for people who may not be as antisocial as myself, I think the price, commercials and mediocre films, in that order, conspire to keep them away.
I can see the top ones early so it works out but I prefer my space when sitting and watching and don’t like someone behind me, kicking my seat.
Brett B.,
Tell me which movie theater you go to so that I can avoid it.
Give me silence and popcorn and a soda and I’m okay and as good as pie. But leave the children at home.
I can only speak for myself, but 90% of my moviegoing experiences have been pleasent. For those of you who live in or around LA, try the AMC Burbank 16. It’s big, glossy, with high quality picture and sound and all the trimmings. I’ve lived in Studio City for 8 months, went to many Friday night showings of the given big movie, and have never ever had anything more than one louder muncher or a cell phone during the previews. Maybe it’s the people, but I can’t complain.
It can depend – I was just at the AMC Burbank 16 last night to see Dark Water and there were some idiot teenagers who kept laughing at the movie.
Whenever I see a movie opening weekend (never opening night because movies open on Thursday here and me and my friends have school on Friday and other stuff) it’s usually a little noisy but generally when the movie is actually one people are quiet (unless it’s a comedy or a horror).
However the absolute worst experience I’ve had was at The Grudge. A pack of 30 or so kids just constantly screaming at bits that weren’t funny and talking and running around swapping seats. Somebody yelled out “SHUT THE FUCK UP” and that didn’t stop them. I think a couple complained as well.
I remember once after exiting the cinema I saw “Changing Lanes” at this pack of 6 adults ganged up on a few kids were in our cinema and told them that they were a disgrace and should be ashamed of themselves and that they’re worthless pitiful cretens.
…that was funny.
So people cant laugh at slightly silly wannabe horrour film? That’s probably funny than what they were laughing at, and this definitely as more fuel to the whole “differences” thing. Because I began laughing my ass during the “Blow’em up the humans” scene in WOTW. Some of the better unintentional comedy one could ever see.
There hasn’t been a mainstream movie that I’ve seen on the opening weekend, or even the following, where there wasn’t some screaming kid, some obnoxious teenager in the seat next to me talking and joking through the movie, or just some other annoying distraction that takes me out of the whole “joy of seeing it with a crowd” experience.
If I could rent a movie and watch it at home the same day it comes out in theaters, I’d never go to the movies again.
Can you give it a rest JW? The last few days has just been constant dogging on movies by you (unless it’s F4)
Unless large portions of the cinema are laughing I try and keep my unintentional laughter inside.
jw doesn’t really like movies. except for fantastic four and right there i have to take his fan boy eroticism with a huge grain of salt.
Bob, the saddest Tigger too ever, I love films a lot. Camel, no, that film deserves a bloody beating. It deserves to be beat the way Ali beat Frazier or the way Frazier beat Ali. Again, this blog is all sorts of catty. When someone does not like something. Do I need to point you all back to the whole Stella Boy SW debacle? Hell. Go over and read about Bay getting trashed in here as if it were Geekchat. Apparently, the open forum thing does not work for some people. Which, makes me laugh, but if you attack a film I like. I attack back. Hasnt this worked that way since D-po opened this blog last year? Oh Camel, forgot, you werent here then. So you wouldnt know! HOOAH!
Camel, uh sorry, holding the laugher in just not my thing. If it’s funny or ridiculous. It will be laughed at. One of my favourite memories from a theatre. Remains the time my friend and I laughed our asses off at the absurdity of The Ice Storm (NO ELIJAH! THINK ABOUT THE WIRES! THE WIRES!). As we were walking out from that flick. Someone hurled a large soda at us, but of course it just hit the wall by us. That alone made seeing that tiresome and woeful film in the cinema worth it. It’s no RIDE WITH THE DEVIL. I tell you what.
Bob, let me get this right. You cant use proper punctuation, but you can use “fanboy” and “eroticism” together? Total WOW man! TOTAL WOW! U RAWK B ob! U RAWK!
Is there a need for three lame and boring and pretty much incoherent posts in a row?
Mike’s comments are very telling about how some people feel about going to the cinema. Since I go every week. To me, the experience of going to the theatre would not be the same without the atmosphere. Am I going to the theatre for a PERSONAL FILM experience? Or am I going for a COMMUNIAL experience? Those questions have to be asked at some point because some audiences have just made seeing some films a task for me. While other audience have made something rather shitty a good time at the theatre.
Terence, ohhh, CATTY. How are they incoherent? My god. Youre after dinner discussions must be enough to produce serious hangover the next morning. See, I can be catty too. ROOOOOOAAAAAARRRRRRRRR! If it does not make sense to you, then how them gates on your community?
I’m with Terence. Keep it concise and to the point. No one wants to hear you practice your crappy comedy stint out on this.
I usually don’t do opening weekends either. The crowds and potential for rowdiness put me off. That said, I’m surprised no one here waits until the first Monday or Tuesday night screenings. These are usually way less full, as are the follwing weekend screenings. But I guess in this internet age of wanting to blog about something first, people just can’t wait.
However, I can understand people laughing at the Ring 2. There was definitely some gut busting moments in that one (killer deer anyone?).
I am definately not an opening night guy. And I don’t look at a crowds reaction to a movie as a basis for commenting on it.
the original qustion i didn’t answer as such.
The large number of screens & showings, i don’t know how useful it is, regarding getting butts on seats except for a really big movie like SIth. For Batman and many other movies since moving back to the USA, I have been at morning showings and they were half full. At night, pretty full.
I am not sure if offering more choice is actually bringing more people in since I have never Ever been to a packed-crowd house on a weekday showing of any movie, no matter how big, and the ushers etc just stand around with nothing to do. Waste of money and air conditioning.
Of course weekday showing should still be offered but I fail to see the point of having so many staggered showings(screens) that start before 11 AM on a weekday. Parents aren’t going to fight rush hour traffic in a city areas to get to a 10.30AM kids movie, and neither are most adults for any other kind of movie.
My parents still go every week without fail, dinner and a date movie or gangster flick. They ignore everybody, but they aren’t as likely to get as rude ass people since they see the 6pm showings then go eat rather than get the late nite shows.
I think some of the older audiences will stay away regardless, although it’s difficult to say, using Star Wars as an example. I think a lot of older audiences tend to gravitate towards “old people” type of movies, which means either going to an art-house theater where crowd behavior isn’t really an issue, or going to see something like “Cinderella Man” or some Diane Lane movie, where there will be fewer young people. If anything *is* keeping older audiences away, I’d say it’s crowds more than the idea that they might not be able to get a ticket, because it will either not occur to them that a show *would* sell out, or they’re savvy enough to know how to use online ticketing. Either way, I don’t think there are a lot of fifty or sixysomethings saying “you know, I want to see Star Wars tonight, but it’s probably going to sell out.”
Since everyone is chiming in on crowds: I love going to movies on opening night, but the crowds, at least at the bigger multiplexes in NYC, can be pretty bad. I don’t mind cheering, laughing, screaming at horror movies, whatever, but the last few times I’ve been to a multiplex, there were at least a few people just straight up TALKING through the movie. As in, having a full conversation, not whispering something quickly, just… talking. In most cases it’s about the movie, but still, unacceptable, and fucking irritating. The worst is when it’s someone close enough for you to hear, but too far to easily lean over and say something without disrupting a bunch of other people. I’m trying to make it through a multiplex movie without hearing a cell go off, but it hasn’t happened in awhile.
I really think it’s a failure of theater management. From what I know, usher jobs don’t pay shit, so it’s not as if they’re going to make the moviegoing experience better out of enjoyment of their job. If managers aren’t saying, “look, if people are talking or yelling, you have to tell them to shut it,” or, better yet, taking on that responsibility themselves, it’s not going to stop.
Long posts hurt big Lesters eyes. I only like reading ones like that from big Dave because I know he knows what hes talking about.
Basically the jist of this is people hate crowds, kids, and loud people.
and hate bad movies. that ruins a good movie showing.
I recently moved out of L.A. but when I was there I’d ALWAYS go to the Arclight. I’m not saying I don’t go to films at all now, but I chose the Arclight because it’s an overall better experience.
First off, stadium seating sucks. It lessens the overpowering feeling of cinema. I really love theaters where you can sit below the screen and let the film wash over you.
Second, at the Arclight…if you talk or if your cell phone goes off, they throw your rude ass out. As it SHOULD be. If movie prices are going to be upwards of $9.00, that’s too expensive to have the experience wasted by some jackass who can’t shut up.
The solution isn’t all that tough. Have the theater manager at ANY theater get up before the screening like they do at the Arclight and make people feel at home. Tell the audience that if someone near you is talking, they should come get a manager and they will ask that person to leave.
Anyone who talks in a theater is the equivalent of a child. If a child sees that certain actions have consequences, they may try and behave accordingly. Something has to be done because going to the theater is sucking more and more every day.
i like stadium seating. much better seats and views and thats really what matters.
“I really love theaters where you can sit below the screen and let the film wash over you.”
yes a beautiful sentiment.
Studio seating is awesome. I love not having someone’s big head blocking half of the screen. I agree though, that you still must not sit higher than the screen. That’s weird and wrong.
Stadium is the only way to go now. It is not even close.
The Island is tracking at a whopping 17 mil.
For day one? Be a little more vague.
For the weekend.
No way it makes less than 30 million. Track all you want.
I know Dave’s convinced that second-run theatrical is the answer, but I don’t see it. If it’s eight weeks since a movie came out and I haven’t seen it, what’s the liklihood that I’m even aware of whether it’s going to be at a cheaper theater or not. So, if the studios want to attract an audience, they need to do a third dose of advertising (first-run and DVD being the other two). If they’re complaining about two now, I don’t think they’d be willing to spend the money for a third.
Besides, I’m not all that convinced that ordinary people know about the shorter wait between theatrical and DVD now. My parents still think it takes a year between film and video. And even if they did know, I think that if they’re okay with waiting four months for DVD now, they’re okay waiting six months or eight months or even a year more to do it. The only reason to see a movie in the theater is because you’re not willing to wait. If you are, who cares how long it is, you didn’t care about the movie that much in the first place.
Oh, and sorry for the long post.
We have a second-run theater in my neighborhood in Plano. It’s actually the closest theater to my house. It’s actually pretty nice, probably one of the last Cinemark theaters built prior to stadium seating (the lack of which has doomed it to second-run status, of course). It can’t possibly be more than 15 years old, and it’s been kept up well. Costs $1.50 to see a show ($1 on Thursdays, last I checked).
And it’s routinely nearly empty, even though that of the 12 movies they’re currently showing, only one is currently available on home video (The Pacifier).
Blu, they are concise, and they are all different points. HOLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! MAKE’EM SAY, UGH, DE NA DE NA!
It’s also not a comedy bit. Some of us are just not white and lame. HOLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, again.
JW, it’s not that you were constantly dogging movies it’s that you sound like you hate them with venemous glee. Surely every movie you see isn’t either a horrible/excellent experience.
that was all.
But you laughed at The Ice Storm so I don’t really think you deserve leniancy.
…:(
Nothing rivals the laughter during the “ass 2 ass” scene in Requiem. Yes. Pervy old man long to see that act occur ALL-TIME! That Aronofsky, he’s a kidder!
However Camel, some folks just have more of a grasp of the English language when it comes to insulting and praising something. You know where that comes from? The blasted internet. You spend enough time on the net arguing with people. You will learn how to take aggressive stances of either love or hate.
Personally my film experiences do come down to that. Since I do not venture out to see every film that comes my way. That breakdown usually occurs. Im either really down with it or not. There are degrees and continium in there Camel. You are just seeing one argument against a crap Beard film that couldnt hold Dustin Hoffman’s pirated jock. I dislike Charlie’s Angels 2: Oohhhhhhhh, older woman looks hot, but Im not going to rile against it.
Oh look, a long post, as the Ratty handpuppet would say…
seriously the only movie jw has liked ever has been fantastic four. thats like a shame.
YOU DIDN’T LIKE REQUIEM FOR A DREAM?
The world just imploded.
WHats next? JW hates the Easter Bunny?
He only like the damn Tooth Fairy. Read into that what you will.
Camel, so you like really pretentious filmmaking? Good for you. Next thing you are going to post. Will deal with your love for that shitfest Far From Heaven. Come on. You know you wanna.
Bob, what in the hell do you like? All I know you hate are gay folks, all liberals, and anyone who does not have one of those chickenhawk stickers on their car. What do you like Bob? Huh? Come on there big shot, speak up. You think Stella whippin your ass was harsh. Welcome to the new HARSH bob. Yeah. I have like close to 300 DVDS and only like the Fantastic Four. YOU, The Shit is Bananas, B A N A N A S, need to state some love before bashing me son.
Blu, love the Easter Bunny. Good people. Always pays his bets on times, and never ever does BS parlay bets involving The Twins, Royals, and Nats. Unlike friggin Santa Claus, who point in life, besides making the kids happy, remains killing me with ridiculous beats that work out.
I take a weird eye to anyone that can’t find something of value in Requiem. Aronofsky is a genuis.
Lester you little scared ass. Why dont you just call me a “FAG.” Since you just love being a homophobe, and obviously LOVE CALLING PEOPLE “FAGS!” Come on! Where are your balls? Dont cast aspersions without having the balls to call someone what you REALLY want. You sorry ass wanker. You sit there and stew in your cowardice. While I laugh at your daft existance.
I look funny at anyone who likes such lame convention of film. Not saying Aronofsky sucks. Pi remains his best work, and hopefully The Fountain will be extraordinary as well. It’s just well crafted emptiness. Ohhh, an MTV edit for drug use, how novel!
Go back to your Fantastic Four love orgy. HA.
Requiem for a Dream was an instant classic. Ellen Burstyn deserved an Oscar for that performance. She was fantastic. And the director deserves credit for getting award worth performances from Jared Leto and a Wayans brother.
pi was better than req? i don’t think so. he should have taken that superman or batman job. when did warners and dc start picking and going after better talent than marvel?
Marlon Wayans will win that award someday. My boy has unreal range. he just needs the right material.
Bruce, you start running. The big guys at Botcon will love to talk to you. Man. People walk into walls, and dont realize the wont move. Damn. White people. They are perplexing.
Debauchery, that’s most civil statements ever to come out your fictional mouth. I disagree. Again, Im not saying it’s not a well made film or Aronofsky sucks. Im just stating that I dislike the film, it’s story, and so forth.
Fantasstic Four orgy? Nah. At least some none catty people out there love the flick. But, as Eddie Murphy would say; “Come on. Come one.” You can do better than that. Oh, you cant, you love a shit film! HA HA!
Don’t disrespect Eddie by trying to quote him. Have some more respect than that.
Hey JW, I was still wanting to know where these Ghostbusters homages were. The closest I saw was that they live on top of the Baxter building, just like the end of Ghostbusters is on top of a building…pretty weak.
You mean you watched FF and din’t notice the Ghostbusters references? Or the Animal House references? Or the Groundhog Day references? Didn’t Harold Ramis write FF?
u can study fantastic four with a finely tuned comb and not come close to any similiarities to the great ghostbusters except for 4 people working as a team.