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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Mar 16, 2020 13:09:54 GMT
Happened upon this interesting short documentary from 2010: Lou Reed (then 68) interviewing his cousin on her 100th birthday. She had left Poland for Montreal, Canada, in the interwar period, and soon thereafter left for New York City.
Lou was a very complicated man.
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Post by Sheriff John Stone on Apr 2, 2020 22:14:03 GMT
I was just doing some channel surfing and came across a 1976 movie called Trackdown - starring Karen Lamm-Wilson. She was billed as Karen Lamm, and she was actually one of the stars of the movie; it wasn't a bit part. She played a 17 year-old runaway from Montana who flees to Los Angeles for a more exciting life. She ends up being kidnapped by a gang, and through drugging and physical abuse, becomes a prostitute. Her brother then goes to L.A. to find her and bring her back to montana. There are some other "name" actors in the movie including Jim Mitchum (who was a spitting image of his father, Robert), Cathy Lee Crosby, Anne Archer, and a young Erik Estrada, who actually turns in a good performance. It ain't Citizen Kane but I watched the whole thing. It was OK.
I was so taken back by Karen Lamm's beauty. She was truly stunningly beautiful. That's easily the most I've ever seen her on film. And, with the film being made in 1976, it was right around the time Dennis Wilson was writing songs about her which would appear on Pacific Ocean Blue. Throughout the movie, I couldn't help myself thinking about her and Dennis, and feeling sad at the way things eventually turned out between the two. I also was thinking about that time frame (1976), again when they (The Beach Boys and associates) had it all, were on top of the rock/pop world, and Karen was right there. She was a part of it. But, like the band, sadly it wouldn't be long before all was lost, including Karen.
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Post by B.E. on Apr 8, 2020 1:11:23 GMT
It's been reported that AMC Theatres might not survive the coronavirus. Forget ripple effect, the industry would be tsunami'd. Some combination of entities may have to bail them out.
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Post by kds on Apr 8, 2020 12:27:26 GMT
Forgive me for sounding cold hearted, but I won't shed any tears if a company that charges $15 for a ticket to see a movie, starts charging adult prices around age 12, and considers 3pm the cut off for inflated evening prices goes under.
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Post by Kapitan on Apr 8, 2020 12:44:02 GMT
I agree, the movie business has had a big problem for decades now. People increasingly don't really like going to a theater compared to staying home to see movies. I understand the strategy of the luxury theaters: high prices, yes, but bigger, more comfortable seats, nicer environment, food and beverage service. That, plus the big screen and great sound, can be an appealing direction to take some segment of the audience.
But when just regular theaters, same sticky floors and crappy seats as always, are $15 or so (to say nothing of your $5 candy bar and whatnot), well, your business deserves to die. If the virus is what gave it the nudge over the edge, well, so be it.
The movie industry won't necessarily have to care. I think streaming services and (if necessary) new companies managing whatever in-theater version remains will be just fine.
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Post by kds on Apr 8, 2020 12:53:06 GMT
I agree, the movie business has had a big problem for decades now. People increasingly don't really like going to a theater compared to staying home to see movies. I understand the strategy of the luxury theaters: high prices, yes, but bigger, more comfortable seats, nicer environment, food and beverage service. That, plus the big screen and great sound, can be an appealing direction to take some segment of the audience.
But when just regular theaters, same sticky floors and crappy seats as always, are $15 or so (to say nothing of your $5 candy bar and whatnot), well, your business deserves to die. If the virus is what gave it the nudge over the edge, well, so be it.
The movie industry won't necessarily have to care. I think streaming services and (if necessary) new companies managing whatever in-theater version remains will be just fine.
The pricing is one of the reasons I haven't gone to see a movie in over three years. And to be 100% honest, I really don't miss it. The entertainment dollar only goes so far, and I've prefer to spend that money on a ballgame or a concert. And when this whole thing is over, going to a movie theater is pretty far down on the list of things I want to do.
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Post by Kapitan on Apr 8, 2020 12:58:44 GMT
I am certain I could count the movies I've gone to theaters to see in the past 20 years on my two hands. Big screen and great sound, sure, those are pluses. But jamming into small (often disgusting) spaces with strangers, increasing numbers of whom take the opportunity to talk on their phones or to each other throughout, and paying insane prices for the privilege? No thanks.
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Post by kds on Apr 8, 2020 13:03:20 GMT
I am certain I could count the movies I've gone to theaters to see in the past 20 years on my two hands. Big screen and great sound, sure, those are pluses. But jamming into small (often disgusting) spaces with strangers, increasing numbers of whom take the opportunity to talk on their phones or to each other throughout, and paying insane prices for the privilege? No thanks. Not to mention that (IMO) there have been fewer and fewer movies that I would want to spend that kind of money to watch. Although, my wife and I were planning on using an AMC gift card that I got like four Christmases ago on the new Ghostbusters movie this June. I guess if AMC is still around in March 2021, we'll still use it.
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Post by The Cincinnati Kid on Apr 8, 2020 13:37:40 GMT
I agree, the movie business has had a big problem for decades now. People increasingly don't really like going to a theater compared to staying home to see movies. I understand the strategy of the luxury theaters: high prices, yes, but bigger, more comfortable seats, nicer environment, food and beverage service. That, plus the big screen and great sound, can be an appealing direction to take some segment of the audience. But when just regular theaters, same sticky floors and crappy seats as always, are $15 or so (to say nothing of your $5 candy bar and whatnot), well, your business deserves to die. If the virus is what gave it the nudge over the edge, well, so be it. The movie industry won't necessarily have to care. I think streaming services and (if necessary) new companies managing whatever in-theater version remains will be just fine.
I joined the Cinemark movie club back in January and it's not a bad deal. $8.99 gives you a free ticket every month and each ticket after that is $8.99. It works for someone like me who sees movies fairly often, but doesn't go every weekend. Unused free tickets rollover each month, too. I'd also note that, at least where I live, the theaters are kept really clean and the seats are really far apart. Before ours was remodeled a few years ago, I'd agree with you.
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Post by Kapitan on Apr 8, 2020 13:49:55 GMT
I know there have been some clubs like that ending up losing money, changing terms, or going out of business. But for those that are making it work, it's exactly the kind of innovation that makes me not care if the old model dies. I'm definitely not saying movies or movie theaters should die--they won't!--but just that the way they've been running for the most part deserves to die.
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Post by kds on Apr 8, 2020 13:50:06 GMT
That's a good deal, but to be honest, I would struggle to even think of a movie to go to see on a monthly basis.
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Post by B.E. on Apr 8, 2020 14:55:21 GMT
I'd also note that, at least where I live, the theaters are kept really clean and the seats are really far apart. Before ours was remodeled a few years ago, I'd agree with you. That's my experience as well. Around here, it's AMC or bust. And, of the two AMC theaters closest to me, I don't mind traveling the extra 15-20 minutes to the theater that underwent greater renovation. From what I heard, the reason AMC is hurting so badly (more so than even other movie theaters) is the timing of the outbreak. That they were just about to reap the reward of their recent investments (acquiring theaters, upgrading experience, etc) only to find themselves $5B in debt without a penny of revenue coming in. It's an issue of liquidity, mainly. That's why these reports are popping up. Their credit rating has been downgraded to CCC-. The movie industry won't necessarily have to care. I think streaming services and (if necessary) new companies managing whatever in-theater version remains will be just fine.
In the short-term, I'm not sure that the studios can withstand AMC not reopening its doors. I can't imagine them recouping those billion dollar blockbusters through streaming. It's just all too sudden. I'm also skeptical that there's anyone lining up to take AMC's place. The pricing is one of the reasons I haven't gone to see a movie in over three years. And to be 100% honest, I really don't miss it. The entertainment dollar only goes so far, and I've prefer to spend that money on a ballgame or a concert. And when this whole thing is over, going to a movie theater is pretty far down on the list of things I want to do. I completely understand where you and Kapitan are coming from. I only go to the movies a few times a year myself. That said, it's the ballgames and concerts that I've sacrificed. They're truly too expense (for me); whereas, my local AMC theater had been charging $5 per ticket on Tuesdays (day and night). You can't beat that! And, the experience (cleanliness, comfort) is greater than its ever been in my life. (Granted, I don't buy the overpriced snacks.) As for your second point, I think going to the movies is one of those things that people are going to be excited to do.
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Post by Kapitan on Apr 8, 2020 14:59:29 GMT
It is going to be VERY interesting to see whether that last point is true, not just about movies but also concerts, ballgames, etc. When will people jump back in, especially with most reports suggesting we're probably going to be looking at new waves of outbreaks even once we loosen restrictions coming out of this one.
Some people are saying things won't ever go back to what used to be "normal." I don't know. We'll find out.
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Post by B.E. on Apr 8, 2020 15:09:16 GMT
It is going to be VERY interesting to see whether that last point is true, not just about movies but also concerts, ballgames, etc. When will people jump back in, especially with most reports suggesting we're probably going to be looking at new waves of outbreaks even once we loosen restrictions coming out of this one.
Some people are saying things won't ever go back to what used to be "normal." I don't know. We'll find out.
I'm sure things will go back to "normal," but not anytime soon. Not in 2020. Edit: anytime or any time?
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Post by kds on Apr 8, 2020 15:18:33 GMT
I'd also note that, at least where I live, the theaters are kept really clean and the seats are really far apart. Before ours was remodeled a few years ago, I'd agree with you. That's my experience as well. Around here, it's AMC or bust. And, of the two AMC theaters closest to me, I don't mind traveling the extra 15-20 minutes to the theater that underwent greater renovation. From what I heard, the reason AMC is hurting so badly (more so than even other movie theaters) is the timing of the outbreak. That they were just about to reap the reward of their recent investments (acquiring theaters, upgrading experience, etc) only to find themselves $5B in debt without a penny of revenue coming in. It's an issue of liquidity, mainly. That's why these reports are popping up. Their credit rating has been downgraded to CCC-. The movie industry won't necessarily have to care. I think streaming services and (if necessary) new companies managing whatever in-theater version remains will be just fine.
In the short-term, I'm not sure that the studios can withstand AMC not reopening its doors. I can't imagine them recouping those billion dollar blockbusters through streaming. It's just all too sudden. I'm also skeptical that there's anyone lining up to take AMC's place. The pricing is one of the reasons I haven't gone to see a movie in over three years. And to be 100% honest, I really don't miss it. The entertainment dollar only goes so far, and I've prefer to spend that money on a ballgame or a concert. And when this whole thing is over, going to a movie theater is pretty far down on the list of things I want to do. I completely understand where you and Kapitan are coming from. I only go to the movies a few times a year myself. That said, it's the ballgames and concerts that I've sacrificed. They're truly too expense (for me); whereas, my local AMC theater had been charging $5 per ticket on Tuesdays (day and night). You can't beat that! And, the experience (cleanliness, comfort) is greater than its ever been in my life. (Granted, I don't buy the overpriced snacks.) As for your second point, I think going to the movies is one of those things that people are going to be excited to do. For me, you can't recreate the experience of going to a sporting event or concert. And, at least with baseball, it's not that much more expensive.
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