Movie Theaters

[The Debts]

Originally Posted by Darev

I just cancelled my AMC A+ membership.
I realized I really only like watching movies in the Dolby Cinema auditorium...the other ones have the old school seats that are just too uncomfortable now.
There's only 1 dolby auditorium at the AMC near me...and some movies I wouldn't mind seeing don't get played in it.

I tried Black Widow in IMAX, and Snake Eyes in one of the "normal" auditoriums. The experience was so much better, even compared to IMAX, in the Dolby auditorium.

Also...even with (some) people being vaccinated, with COVID still around, my comfort level was waning as more people started to come back.

It was cool to see a 60-75% full house for Shang CHi....but...that was a lot of people in one auditorium in the middle of a pandemic.


I'll either stream the WB movies via HBO Max...or wait for the physical media.

So why did you respond to me with this? Are you trying to rain on my parade or something?

[Darev]

Originally Posted by The Debts

So why did you respond to me with this? Are you trying to rain on my parade or something?

Not on purpose no. Didn't even realize I hit "quote" until after it was done.

That being said, my comment does dovetail yours as an opposing viewpoint.


Besides which...and I haven't read the article, so maybe they touch on it...since Apple has a "studio" arm are they even legally permitted to operate a theater chain?

I know it's been several decades...closer to 10 than 5, but the studios at one point owned their own theater chains and it was generally considered a bad thing. So much so that the government broke them up and made laws (which I'm fairly certain are still in place) against it.

[Darev]

Apparently it isn't APPLE Apple....just some other Apple named company.

I wonder why APPLE lets them do that?

[Lee A Stewart]

Originally Posted by Darev

Apparently it isn't APPLE Apple....just some other Apple named company.

I wonder why APPLE lets them do that?

The name of the company is Apple Cinemas.

https://www.applecinemas.com/

[crutzulee]

Affiliated with RED APPLE tobacco?

[Just_Discovered_3D]

Originally Posted by Darev

I know it's been several decades...closer to 10 than 5, but the studios at one point owned their own theater chains and it was generally considered a bad thing. So much so that the government broke them up and made laws (which I'm fairly certain are still in place) against it.

If Wikipedia can be believed, the "Paramount Decrees" was overturned by the courts in August 2020 and so theaters can again be owned by studios.

Which makes sense, because otherwise the legal question would have to be asked about how a studio owning a theater is any different from a studio owning a streaming service.

I am surprised that Netflix did not successfully argue this in courts when the studios told 'em to suck an egg, cuz we're making our own streaming services to cut you out.

[Darev]

Originally Posted by Just_Discovered_3D

If Wikipedia can be believed, the "Paramount Decrees" was overturned by the courts in August 2020 and so theaters can again be owned by studios.

Which makes sense, because otherwise the legal question would have to be asked about how a studio owning a theater is any different from a studio owning a streaming service.

I am surprised that Netflix did not successfully argue this in courts when the studios told 'em to suck an egg, cuz we're making our own streaming services to cut you out.

Here's the official documentation:

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/feder...%20businesses.

Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, August 7, 2020
Federal Court Terminates Paramount Consent Decrees
A federal court in the Southern District of New York today terminated the Paramount Consent Decrees, which for over seventy years have regulated how certain movie studios distribute films to movie theatres. The review and termination of these Decrees were part of the Department of Justice’s review of legacy antitrust judgments that dated back to the 1890’s and has resulted in the termination of nearly 800 perpetual decrees.

“We appreciate the Court’s thoughtful opinion and ruling today granting our motion to terminate these outdated Paramount Decrees,” said Makan Delrahim, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “As the Court points out, Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, and It’s a Wonderful Life were the blockbusters when these Decrees were litigated; the movie industry and how Americans enjoy their movies have changed leaps and bounds in these intervening years. Without these restraints on the market, American ingenuity is again free to experiment with different business models that can benefit consumers.”

In summary, the Court concluded that the government had offered a persuasive explanation for why termination of the Paramount Decrees serves the public interest in free and unfettered competition. The conspiracy and practices that existed decades ago no longer exist. New technology has created many different movie platforms that did not exist when the Decrees were entered into, including cable and broadcast television, DVDs, and streaming and download services.

The litigation underlying the Decrees dates back to 1938. After several years of litigation, including a Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Paramount, 334 U.S. 131 (1948), the Antitrust Division and the defendants entered into a series of consent decrees, collectively called the Paramount Decrees. These Decrees required the movie studios to separate their distribution operations from their exhibition businesses. They also banned various motion picture distribution practices, including block booking (bundling multiple films into one theatre license), circuit dealing (entering into one license that covered all theatres in a theatre circuit), resale price maintenance (setting minimum prices on movie tickets), and granting overbroad clearances (exclusive film licenses for specific geographic areas).

The Court terminated the Decrees, effective immediately, but allowed for a two-year sunset period on the Decrees’ provisions banning block booking and circuit dealing to. This sunset provision was at the request of the Antitrust Division to allow the theatre and motion picture industry to have an orderly transition to the new licensing changes.

[Lee A Stewart]

The Walt Disney Company was never part of the Paramount Consent Decrees. They could have purchased movie theaters anytime they wanted. Other than The El Capatain, they haven't. That has to give you some insight as to their desire to own movie theaters.

[mwynn]

Sony’s movie boss says he expects more games company buyouts
PICTURES CEO BELIEVES MOVIES CONSOLIDATION HAS PEAKED AND GAMES WILL BE THE “NEW GROWTH AREA”

https://www.videogameschronicle.com/...mpany-buyouts/

[John1701D]

Maybe one day the video game stigma will go away and they'll be viewed as the legitimate story telling experience they can be.

[The Debts]

Originally Posted by John1701D

Maybe one day the video game stigma will go away and they'll be viewed as the legitimate story telling experience they can be.

If the BAFTAs can give awards to video games, then suffice it to say we're definitely making progress.

[mwynn]

Originally Posted by John1701D

Maybe one day the video game stigma will go away and they'll be viewed as the legitimate story telling experience they can be.

Right, some games with out voice acting have amazing stories.

[John1701D]

I know I cared more about Joel, Ellie, and Abby than most movie characters I've seen over the years.

[mwynn]

Originally Posted by John1701D

I know I cared more about Joel, Ellie, and Abby than most movie characters I've seen over the years.

Naughty Dog is my favorite dev. It is so great to see games that are not filled with glitches that you can play on day one.

[mwynn]

IATSE to Hold Strike Authorization Vote
►Stalled contract talks. Hollywood union IATSE is set to hold a historic strike authorization vote after the latest contract talks between the organization and producers faltered. Union president Matthew D. Loeb and 13 West Coast Local leaders sent a message to tens of thousands of entertainment workers on Monday saying that they will "proceed with a nationwide strike authorization vote to demonstrate our commitment to achieving the change that is long overdue in this industry."

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/bu...4c9ce9541f3e30

[JediJones77]

Originally Posted by veritas

If it wasn't for covid that would be such minimal competition lol. Its basically just venom and no time to die for the month as the big name none animated kids movies.

It really sucks for Venom that it only gets premium screens for one week, due to Sony's stupid late-stage date shifting and backpedaling. After Shang-Chi is about to enter its 4th week with premium screens, unless they really give them to Evan Hansen this week. I really can't see Hansen getting the 4DX theaters though.

[mwynn]

“Change That Is Long Overdue”: Why IATSE May Call for a Strike
Workers in the 150,000-member Hollywood crafts union are frustrated with low pay and marathon workdays that are no longer viewed as a "badge of honor," while asking for stricter penalties for missed meal breaks and greater compensation for streaming projects.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/bu...4c9ce9541f3e30

[Lee A Stewart]

Barco Celebrates 100,000 Digital Cinema Projectors Production Milestone

Barco, the world-leading manufacturer of digital projection and innovative visualization technologies, is proud to announce a record achievement in digital cinema manufacturing. Since the first pioneering release of Barco digital cinema projectors in 1999, the company has established itself as the trusted partner and leading provider in cinema technologies resulting in the production of 100,000 digital cinema projectors today. The milestone is testament to the longevity and sustained heritage of innovation shared by Barco, its partners, and the exhibition community.

https://widescreenreview.com/news_detail.php?id=22768

[mwynn]

Eddie Murphy Signs Three-Picture, First Look Deal With Amazon
The streamer worked with Murphy on his 'Coming to America' sequel.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/mo...4c9ce9541f3e30

[Lee A Stewart]

Historic former theater being converted into all-ages music club adds new restaurant

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/real...cid=spartandhp