This weekend I'm watching the Firefly series which I ordered via Netflix. Last weekend I spent watching the second season of 24. In my queue, I have the Battlestar Galactica series, as well as some of the CSI episodes I've missed.
Hollywood is in a tiff regarding the fact the movie industry is losing money, and less people are inclined to go to theatres. While they lament the fact movies aren't as good as before, and that people are pirating away from watching releases, they miss the simple and obvious true cause of their decline. The acting, writing, and entertainment value on TV is better than it is at the movie theatres.
I love movies. However, I must admit that I do not feel a compulsion to go out to watch good entertainment. In fact, with my Home Theatre System the opposite is true. It's expensive and not worth the bang for the buck anymore. The picture isn't as good as my system at home, and one cannot discount the pause button while watching.
The fix for this is rather simple. First, we need must see movies that people know about and are inclined to see at the theatre. Second, we need theatres that are both compelling to visit and more affordable. 30 dollars for a couple for two hours is not a good deal, anyway you slice it. Finally, the paradigm needs to be re-evaluated. People like bundles and deals. Dinner, movies, and a free snack bag would be nice for a set price.
As TV continues to grow, and the art of creating movies becomes less expensive I don't see a way for the theatre to survive unless it reinvents itself.
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