Something bitter this way comes…
For Kansas City based movie exhibitor AMC Theaters, that is. That’s because no industry is exempt for the advancement of technology – not horses, shopping malls, CDs and DVDs, daily newspapers – none of the above and far more.
And for the past 20-plus years – far longer, truth be told – movie theaters have been fighting the good fight to remain viable.
First it was color movies, then Cinemascope and 3D, next multiplexes in the suburbs with gigantic screens and surround sound. More recently, moviegoers are being wooed with luxurious theaters featuring comfortable seating and a wide range of upscale movie eats and liquor.
Television presented arguably the first major threat to mainstream movie theaters, but tiny black and white screens, tinny sound and ridiculously few choices gave movie exhibitors a definite edge. On top of which, it took like forever before films wound their way onto the small screen.
No mas…
These days the window for passage from box office to what amounts to as home box office is measuring in months – usually around 90 days – and that window continues to shrink.
Plus the advent and affordability of huge screens with ultra high definition pictures, complemented by killer surround audio systems, continue to make the option of waiting a few months to watching movies on-the-cheap, in the comfort of your own home (with even more comfortable seating and better, wildly more affordable food and beverage options) continues to take a toll.
Now, on top of all that, comes a boffo box office smash being released by streaming giant Netflix that’s taking it to AMC, Regal, etc like never before.
In the form of a three and one half hour mob movie called The Irishman.
“It stars Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci,” says KCC movie scribe Jack Poessiger. “It opens here November 15th at the Screenland Armour and Standee’s in Prairie Village. None of the major theater circuits are showing it because it’s a Netflix movie.”
Not that they didn’t have the opportunity, Poessiger adds.
AMC lead the charge in negotiations for mainstream exhibitors to screen the blockbuster, but it reportedly came down to how long Netflix was willing to hold off releasing the film its subscribers, and they couldn’t come to terms.
Netflix supposedly was willing to hold off 45 days from the theater release date, but AMC wanted no fewer than 60.
Thus arguably the biggest major motion picture of the year will be relegated to being shown by far lesser local exhibitors with only a two week window before every mother’s son can watch The Irishman for basically free in the comfort of their own home, starting November 27th.
Chalk one up for the common man at the expense of the movie theater industry.
Because when movie makers can release their product to tens, if not hundreds of millions of eyeballs at the exact same time, versus a fraction of the audience willing to drive to the middle of nowhere, pay through the nose for ducats – and even more so for refreshments – who you think’s going to win out ultimately?
So just how big a movie is The Irishman?
“It’s my second favorite movie of the year, behind Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” Poessiger says. “It’s the best mob movie I’ve seen since Casino. It deals with the disappearance of Teamsters leader Jimmy Hoffa – you know, they never found his body. I think it will be nominated for best picture.”
Speaking of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, the movie was released in late July and it’s scheduled for release in late November. For the record, that’s around 120 days, more than double what AMC and other exhibitors were willing to accept from Netflix on The Irishman.
The reason for the standoff?
“Because if AMC and the rest of the big exhibitors gave in on this one deal – as big a movie as it is – it would kinda be like opening the floodgates. And I don’t think they can afford to let that happen.
Just like the Kansas City Star and most mainstream daily newspapers around the country couldn’t afford to let the Internet eat their lunch…until they had no choice.
AMC, Cinemark etc. will have to depend on technology, as they have in the past, to keep them relevant. The 3D, Cinemascope and “Color” that now seems so antiquated, was a huge deal, back in the “day”.
My guess, would be – that it will be a Hologram type technology that suffuses the viewers in the movie itself, removing the 4th Wall.
Imagine if you could go to a venue, that immersed you “IN” the movie itself, kind of like the “Oculus” head sets out there now.
Theaters are not going anywhere, they just have to change, adapt and offer a better product.
I dunno, Chuck…
Vinyl record albums weren’t necessarily going anywhere either and, yes, they’re still around…but in very scant numbers.
Similarly, I think some movie theaters will soldier on, but for how long?
When movies are released in what the industry calls “day and date” – as in at the very same time – the economics will no longer be there to support the massive corporations. Kinda like newspapers.
The battle has been lost. Another industry that thrived on fleecing it’s customers is now being brought to heel. And this just goes for how people are spending their dollars.
People are tired of getting fleeced for sporting events. Attendance is suffering and people can just watch all games at home. Remember when you used to get fleeced by the phone companies for “long distance” calls?
It’s a new day. The customer now holds the hammer
Interesting perspective, Guy…
And quite frankly another way of looking art things that I hadn’t considered.
Is the same thing true for shopping malls and Amazon?
100%. Brick and mortar stores are getting clobbered by Amazon…and to some extent, unfairly. Especially when it comes to state and local taxes.
True, and Amazon is mostly collecting sales tax now…
So guess we’ll see…but is going to Target and Oak Park Mall worth the hassle when you can…”let your fingers do the walking” – remember that one?
Amazon again, this year, PAID NO FEDERAL TAXES.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/02/15/amazon-pays-no-2018-federal-income-tax-report-says/2886639002/
The system is so, so rigged against the middle class.
BTW, Lois Lerner should be in jail.
The Administrative Deep State, actually rules over us all, with the ONE RING known as the Main Stream Media.
They doi collect and pay sales axes though…didn’t use to
I for one stopped hitting the theaters when it became to much a hassle. Overpriced everything and people who can’t keep their mouth shut and phones off when in a public movie. Discussing the kids behavior at the movies is something not only being done in the wrong place but not something to loudly whisper about in public. Yes last time I went to a movie I endured that behind me. Finally I turned around and said please we are trying to watch a movie only to be told to mind my own f**king business. That was like 8 years ago.
Honestly I enjoy watching a movie at home more than I do in public. Can share with friends pause if we want to, raid the kitchen again and with large screen TV’s and surround sound why would you want to leave the comforts of home to see a movie elsewhere?
Honestly I know of nobody personally who goes to a theater anymore. Like you say Hearne, 90 or so days later I can have it delivered to my door on the day it becomes available on DVD in the stores through pre-ordering on Amazon. The price for said DVD might not always be more than a ticket to see in a theater but cheaper in the long run if you look at all the extra benefits you get with it. Behind the scene shots, gag reels, and outtakes of which you same as never see at the theater.
Besides some of the seating is getting so comfy at the theaters anymore I’d be afraid I’d fall asleep in middle of the movie and miss it. At least at home I can back up to where I dozed off at.
Another plus, how many times have you been in the theater and the action is so fast you go, oh crap what happened here, I missed something. At home you just hit rewind and look at it again. You can’t do that at the theater.
Home viewing and styles of movie making will kill a number of theaters eventually. and the rest will scrape by because there will always be those who think seeing it at the theater is the only way to watch a new release. Sort of like those who say seeing a Chiefs game live at the stadium is better than watching it from home.
What I’ve somewhat noticed, in the Age of Upscale Movie Theaters, is that fewer people who tend of talk loudly during the show seem to be in play.
Wonder why?
Better clientele is probably why.
CAPTION THAT PIC # 1 AND #2
– nod before and after pictures, they say the camera can put on 10-15 lbs – never knew it could take off 10-15 years…
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Generally, most pics ADD weight
Sorry but I have to disagree with a sentence in this story. Specifically “This arguably the biggest motion picture of the year will be relegated to being shown by far lesser local exhibitors…”
# 1—It most likely will NOT be the biggest picture of the year. That honor goes (twice) this year to the Walt Disney Company for “AVENGERS: ENDGAME” and most likely to their upcoming “STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER” opening on Dec. 20.
# 2—“Far lesser local exhibitors”??? Not a fair description in my book. The words “independent exhibitors” would probably have better differentiated these theatres from the circuit operations.
I’m just saying…….
Fair enough, but…
Remember, I said “arguably” on the best picture. And I did not specify “best selling” – especially since not is not on sale – and never will be.
I meant, best, in terms of overall quality and critical acclaim.
‘The Irishman’ heavies pictured here, aside (“where’s the beef?”)
When I think mobster typecasting Italian/otherwise, fat Brando in ‘The Godfather’ or Joe Viterelli’s ‘Jelly’ in ‘Analyze This’ come to mind (“Skinny Joey” Merlino a non-reel ‘real’ life exception.)
Suspending one’s disbelief a full-time job today – counterfeit the word a world overflowing fake news, boobs, sports stats, and the 1/1024 Native American Presidential candidate Liesabeth (Ivory Soap – 99 44⁄100% Pure – not the only thing that floats on water.)
Film/television too… photos ‘shopped’ not phony enough, CGI/ special effects ‘digital retouching’ actors common for both men and women, according to Claus Hansen, beauty-work pioneer:
“Nobody looks like what you see on TV and in the movies — everybody is altered. We have taken actresses’ faces and put them on more muscular bodies. That happens all the time.”
https://www.businessinsider.com/digital-retouching-actors-in-movies-2016-4
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