I read this article, and it made me realize that I pay 2 much money 2 the film industry! I go 2 the theatre only when it's a film I gotta see, or 4 the kids almost all the animated releases (almost!). Then, I turn around and buy the fucking DVD 4 my collection!!! It's a vicious cycle... and I can't get out of it!!!

Read this:


DVD's "Monsters"-ous Year
Thu Jan 9, 7:25 PM ET

Sure, the 2001 Disney/Pixar toon was still at the multiplex through much of last year, but it was the video store where the flick proved a real monster.

The animated feature, which grossed more than $255 million in theaters, scared up $384.8 million from DVD and video sales and rentals in 2002, per the trade magazine Video Business.

Not only was Monsters, Inc. the year's top-grossing home-video title, if its sales and rentals figures had been included on the year-end box-office chart, it would have ranked in second place, behind only Spider-Man, which took in $400 million-plus at theaters.

Like we said, boffo. And, overall, it was a boffo year for the home-video industry, in general, and the DVD format, in particular.

Movie fans spent an all-time high $20.3 billion renting and buying DVDs and videos in 2002, according to the industry-funded DVD Entertainment Group, dwarfing the $9.37 billion they spent actually going to the movies (a record in its own right).

DVD sales zoomed 61 percent, to an all-time high of $8.7 billion.

DVD rentals, likewise, more than doubled, from $1.4 billion in 2001, to $2.9 billion last year.
Total spending on DVDs, both sales and rentals, skyrocketed 71 percent, to $11.6 billion.
Techies, and others, bought 25 million DVD players, a 50 percent increase over 2001. (Back in 1997, just 300,000 units were sold. More than 10 million homes now have two--or more--of the machines.)

"Consumers have made it clear--DVD is their favorite way to enjoy entertainment at home," said Emiel Petrone, chairman emeritus of DVD Entertainment Group, in a statement.

And where family movies are concerned, DVD (and video) is often the audience's favorite way to enjoy entertainment--period.

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron was among the G-rated titles which last year saw its home-video gross ($100 million, and counting) outstrip its theatrical take ($73.2 million), per Video Business numbers. Atlantis: The Lost Empire ($130 million on home video; $84.1 million in theaters) was another second-chance success.

Brandon Gray, of the box-office tracking Website Box Office Mojo, said family movies historically have done better on home video than in theaters. (Apparently, rugrats are easier to corral in the living room.) The accessibility, and affordability, of the DVD format has helped bolster the trend, he said.

"DVDs are so relatively inexpensive, and have superior picture quality to many theaters...it's not that surprising that [their sales are topping] theatrical grosses," Gray said.

And that goes for all films, not just family titles. Gray said that the quality of the DVD format, compared to the hit-and-miss nature of projection, makes him, at least, "want to go to the movies less."

But fear not for the future of the movie house (or even the multiplex shoebox). "Theatrical release will always be necessary, or important, if you want to make a big splash on DVD," Gray said.

Accordingly, titles that made the biggest splashes on home video in 2002 were big hits in theaters: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (second place, $380.1 million), Spider-Man (third place, $348 million) and Harry Potter (news - web sites) and the Sorcerer's Stone (fourth place, $343.88 million).

About the only record that the home-video business didn't break in 2002 was the one set by Shrek in 2001. While Monsters, Inc.'s sales were indeed monstrous, they couldn't touch the $420 million grossed by Shrek in video stores that year.

Guess the industry's got to have something to shoot for in 2003.

---

It's amazing! I can't even fathom that much money being spent on movies!

This is pathetic, but... IceNine took me to see Signs a few months ago... here's the pathetic part... that was the first time I've been to the theater in about 11-12 years.

So, I would say I wait for the dvd or PPV.

AzureStar said:

I repeat: GO TO THE MOVIE TONIGHT.

I go to the movies..I want the whole experience correctly..big screen, theater seats, previews, popcorn smell, grandisoity, people and there reactions etc.

AnotherLover2 said:

lol... I know, I should. I don't know what I'm going to do. I have to make a decision soon though... and, my feet are freezing. That doesn't help me want to go out.

Pathetic, eh? lol

AzureStar said:

If you're like that now, what's gonna happen when you hit 40, 50, 60yrs. old...? You won't even go out to see your grandkids

(Wow, that's a good guilt-trip, isn't it?)

AnotherLover2 said:

lol... I guess maybe it's the people I'd be going with and not the act of actually going to the movie. You just want me to go so I don't bother you on here tonight.

i enjoy going to the movies..but i rarely do it..i dunno why...

i used to go a lot tho, so maybe i am just taking a break?

i can't stand goin 2 the theater 2 watch new movies, so i wait 4 it 2 come out in stores. i'm a sucker 4 somethin like a midnight matinee, tho'...

Some films you just have to see on a big ol' screen.
Can't beat that full cinematic experience.

I don't go that often. I never go to see hyped up films. Most of what I hear/see advertised looks to be a boring ol' pile of shite anyway. I like what I like, yet I don't have a particular 'kind' of film I like. Rather, I have particular kinds of films I don't like

- War films
- Kung-fu films
- Patriarchal films
- Classic love story films

...and to answer the question... neither, really!!

unless the Film is either Really Loved or Hated or a Flat out on Everybody's Lips I stay at the House until it's available for me too rent or see on Cable.I don't see Movies nowadays as being worth what they are charging.most of these Pictures are like a Puffy Song you have been there&done that 999 times already&I fall asleep.

I usually go to the movies, especially if it's a real good movie, I dont want to have to wait until it comes out on dvd.

Good Lord people, get your asses to the theater!!! Movies are meant to be seen HUGE w/ the proper surround sound, in a room w/ others so you're part of the vibe. They're GRAND, treat them as such! Waiting for video is like waiting for repeats of People's Court - how boring!

I hate it when there's a film I wanna see & I miss its theater run! Luckily, there's a pretty good 2nd run movie house in my area that has couches, tables, delivers food to your seat & sells booze Nothing like going to the theater...

I just can't bring myself to go to the movie theatre anymore. It's rarely a pleasant experience. Sure, theatre attendance is at an all-time high, and that has meant noisy, rude, obnoxious crowds that literally rob me of a decent experience.

These days there are people answering cell phones, others having full-volume conversations, and most just behaving poorly in public. Who needs it! I certainly don't take my enjoyment cues from the average theatre goer who laughs at inappropriate times and continuously kicks the back of my chair.

Big screens, sure. Most of the newer multiplexes have screens that look like postage stamps. Of course the "food" is generally lousy and strangely priced. You know, pay $4.85 for the "small" pre-popped, plastic-bagged, generally stale popcorn, and $4.95 for the "large."

Well recently, I decided to cave in and see the second installment of "The Lord of The Rings." I kid you not, it satisfied all of the above complaints and more. To my horror, about 2/3rds through the film, a young woman directly behind me began vomiting. The floor was flooded by her. I was forced to leave my seat, sticky shoes and all - luckily finding another seat a safe distance away. Ironically, none of the others near her in the theatre left their seats. The woman never even excused herself. Everyone just sat there, eating popcorn, talking, and carrying on. Why should I be surprised!

So I'll be waiting for the DVD for my movies, thank you.

Since I'm the queen of the homebodies, I don't go 2 the movies,,hell matta o' fact I neva go anywhere expect my work, college and the market if I needed anything. I only go to the movies when I meet a very missed friend,,,thats where we clique.

So,,yeah I wait 4 the DVD 2 drop. Speaking of which, I bought Wise Girls and Barbershop and I enjoyed both of 'em. Cedric was the bomb in the barbershop and Mariah was the boom-diggity in the Wise Girls.

Big crowds are good for comedies, but can kill a suspense or a drama. Best to wait for the DVD on PG-13 suspense/drama because the theater will have a ton of kids.

Epsisode II and Two Towers are movies I'd go see in the theater, but 25th Hour, I'll wait for the DVD. I do want to go see Narc in the theater, then buy the DVD if it's good, because Ray Liotta really deserves some credit for making great movies.

Last time I went 2 the movies, some bitch kept receiving calls on her cell! The fucking nerve!!!

I finally yelled out, "turn off the phone!" Others chimed in... bitch didn't receive one more call.

Speak up peeps, and shut the rude mother fuckers up!!!

June7 said:

Right ON! why even go too a Movie too get a Call unless Siskel&Roppert are Calling for a Review???

mistermaxxx said:

I meant Ebbert.

TheMax said:

Good GOD, where do you live??? Aren't you local (Bay Area)?? What theater do you go to? That's horrible, sorry you've had such bad experiences. If I'm seeing a new movie I tend to see a matinee or go to a more underground theater, less drama. Sitting in the very back row is always a plus (no ruckus behind you), can't do a damn thing about phones unfortunately :X and try low key spots like the California or the Shattuck in Berkeley, the Elmwood or the Parkway in Oakland, any Landmark theater in SF. Sounds like you'll be staying inside anyway though...

vomiting?? didn't it STANK up the theater?? GROSS!!!

Damn, I never knew so many people avoided going to the theater on a regular basis

CalhounSq said:

Believe it or not, that occurred at the somewhat "upscale" Sony Metreon here in SF!

Thanks for the other suggestions. It'll take awhile to recover from the trauma of the hyperemesis 6 inches from the back of my head.

Lately, I'm thinking of getting one of those popcorn air-poppers for the home. It's not like I've got the perfect home theatre or anything, but I've recently purchased an amazing Sony XBR34 HDTV with their DVP S9000ES DVD player. So now it's easier than ever to wait for the DVD.

Having young kids, it's too much of a hassle to get them
dressed, drive 20 mins to the babysitter, drive to the
theatre...not worth it, especially if the movie bites.

My wife and I just pop the kids in bed at 9pm on Sat,
burn some candles, move the couch directly in front of
the big screen, settle down with popcorn & , and
we're ready for a great couple of hours.

BTW, why do we buy DVD's? We usually only watch the movie
once. It would make more sense to go to the videostore.
I can understand kids movies, cause they watch those OVER,
and OVER, and OVER again...

movie theater all the way. Today I saw Far From Heaven, it was great. Totally 50's, but not like Happy Days. Very creative and something like I have never seen.

TheMax said:

Yea, but the Metreon is always SO crowded - with so much foot traffic & it being a multiplex, you never know what you're gonna get. I only go there if I have no other choice, it's just too popular. Nice place, though

BTW, I'm JEALOUS of your home DVD setup!! I'm in NEED of an upgrade over here!

My next venture 2 the cinema will b 4 the film... CHICAGO!

It's in limited release right now, and I can't wait 4 it 2 come 2 a local theatre.



It's a must see 4 the big screen, THX digital surround sounding theatre...

June7 said:

Chicago is GREAT!!! Catherine Zeta Jones really surprised me, she was so good. I had no idea she had singing & dancing in her background...

Yeah, I just found that out myself... apparently she has a big musical background! same goes 4 Richard Gere, I hear he was outstanding as well, and also comes from a musical background...

How was Rene Z? I heard she was the only one in the cast without a music background...