Hollywood loves to push the limits of technology. 3D – it has been around for >50 years. It gave me a headache when I was a kid and it still gives me a headache.
Today, I have one more reason to dislike 3D – the cost! I took my 9 year old to see the latest installment of “Ice Age” in 3D. My ticket cost $16.00! Her ticket cost $13.00. Add in popcorn and we spent over $40.00 to see a 90 minute flick! The studios say the cost of making films in 3D is much higher than traditional 35 or 70mm film. The problem I have with Hollywood is three-fold:
1) Movies today are like a monopoly. Multi-plex theaters are making long-term deals with Hollywood studios. We have no option but to see the hottest films at a select few theater companies (AMC, MOVIECO, Etc.). With no alternative(s), I am forced to pay outrageous prices.
2) This “new wave” of 3D film coincides with a steep increase in all theater tickets (I paid $12.50 yesterday to see Bruno – which is not in 3D).
3) Concessions are priced far too high – worse – I can’t bring anything in from outside the theater without risking being busted by the popcorn police.
I know, I know – it really sounds like I am bitching. The truth is – I am. A minimum wage worker earns $7.35 an hour. That money gets taxed (of course). How can a minimum wage worker take his girlfriend on a $40 date? After tax this will cost him a full days work! Hey pal – you’d better Google “astronomy” or better yet “constellations” and hope it doesn’t rain!
Movie prices today are being kept artificially high. Do you remember films like: “The Brother’s McMullan” , “Kissing Jessica Stein” or “El Mariachi”? Hollywood was hands off these productions – the cost to make them was minimal to say the least – El Mariachi cost $7500 to make – the Brother’s McMullan cost less than $30,000. Were the savings passed onto the moviegoer?
Just something to think about…
