The economy must be horrible, Americans are going to hand $100M over to a hollywood

[RB TexLa]

movie studio this weekend for one movie. What all could that money do? Could there be no better use of that money than handing it to actors and hollywood executives?

[RaleighNCDUer]

1. Phttttht!!!!!

[Deja Q]

152. No. General Discussion-Phttttht!!!!! was renamed General Discussion-Presidential some time ago.

:shrug:

[RaleighNCDUer]

173. My mistake. nt

[Captain Angry]

2. My dad always says that.

At least this movie has a chance of being entertaining.

But every time another movie that looks plain terrible comes along, my dad says that the economy must be great because the studios wouldn't risk releasing it unless they knew they'd make millions.

It's been years since I went to the movies.

[ColbertWatcher]

58. Yes, but ticket prices are $10.00. n/t

[conspirator]

129. I agree. Most movies, like the MSM, are crap to hipnotise the passive masses n/t

[Deja Q]

177. No, it's just crap because selling to the MCD is easier than going after more stable niche audiences

[GOPNotForMe]

3. People should be allowed to see a movie without a massive guilt trip.

There are certain parts of the economy that will continue to make money regardless of the state of the general economy. Video games are another one -- people who are into them will continue to buy them regardless. Are you telling me you haven't spent $10 on something in the last month that wasn't ultimately frivolous (eating out? clothes? cable?)?

[Mad_Dem_X]

205. Exactly. n/t

[LaurenG]

4. No matter how hard times get, people need a break and entertainment fits the bill.

Sometimes you just have to let loose and have a little fun.

[Deja Q]

179. That's where the xbox comes in handy.

:D

[gatorboy]

5. Movies were very popular during the depression as well.

Who cares if folks want to escape the shit of the world for 2 and half hours?

[ihavenobias]

8. Exactly the point I was about to make. People need a little escape now more than ever

Better Batman than drugs or gambling.

[Deja Q]

146. Yet 'escapism' is watching a movie that basically shows topical events and makes them disturbing.

That's like using Hitler's ovens to roast marshmallows on instead of a bonfire.

[Ron Green]

118. I sure like the movies they made then better than the ones they make now.

A look at my Netflix queue would confirm that.

[11 Bravo]

6. Does the collar on your hair shirt feel a little snug today?

[RB TexLa]

9. Don't know what that is. But my shirts fit fine.

[Deja Q]

139. No, but I think he ate too much raisin bran doused in cheese.

[babylonsister]

7. Do you know how hot it is out there? I bet the a/c is just as

welcome as the entertainment.

[Trajan]

10. Waa Waa ....

Sheeesh ... Maybe kids should stop eating Ice Cream Cones too ....

[johnaries]

11. Movies always do better during hard economic times.

Even though they are more expensive than they used to be, movies are still considered relatively cheap entertainment compared to other activities.

[Deja Q]

142. Ah, but a box of condoms also costs $10 and you get 24 per box.

And when the two (or how many are deemed normal these days) are done, they can talk about it for hours afterward. "Next time, hold on for more than three minutes!"

:silly:

[donheld]

12. What a totally stupid thing to post!

People need an escape now more than ever. Get a fucking life.

[RB TexLa]

14. So you think there is no better use for $100M?

[gatorboy]

18. Maybe you should shut off the internet and volunteer at a soup kitchen somewhere.

Instead of worrying about Batman. :eyes:

By the way. You're way off on that number. I predict over $150m. :)

[dbonds]

13. This is a movie worth seeing, not just an action flick.

I saw it yesterday. It has many statements about us as a civilization and politics today.

[Deja Q]

143. ROTFLMAO! You just described 99.999^99% of what comes out of that hacked up shanti town.

Such emo wanking gets tired very quickly.

I'll wait for something more creative and far less esoteric to a pop culture slant of maudlin topical topics to come out.

Or re-watch "Casino Royale" (2006) because it actually deviated from the usual "sing the same chorus with us" palbum...

[dbonds]

156. Your loss

[Deja Q]

159. Precisely. Do you know how many hours I've bloody wasted watching all that inane garbage, only so

people wouldn't get away with saying "Why don't you see it before knocking it?"

[TexasObserver]

15. 123,000 registered members all with monthly internet service.

Kind of makes going to a movie a small number by comparison.

I reject the "logic" that money spent for movies should be spent on more worthy causes. That "logic" would apply to cell phones, televisions, cars, works of art, clothes, trips, and many other human endeavors.

Wow, man, if no one went to that new film, but instead spent the money on kittens, think what a wonderful world this would be!

[Psephos]

16. Yes, damn them, why don't they spend their money the way YOU think they should?

I know, let's pass a law forcing them to spend their money on "approved" purchases only.

That will teach those ignorant cattle a lesson!

*****

This attitude is how the left gets tagged elitist and out of touch.

[RB TexLa]

17. So you can not think of one thing better for $100M to be spent on?

The ignorant already have enough defenders with out people defending them here.

[Thor_MN]

26. I've never found it to be a useful tactic

to cajole the people that disagree with me to come up with examples to bolster my case. I usually find it more effective to come up with my own examples, rather than browbeating my opponents to provide eamples for me, when I haven't even provided one myself.

[DS1]

28. Oh fucking christ. Here you are again, flinging around 'ignorant' and

all your other horseshit.

[Psephos]

29. Important Clue: It ain't your money

Here's how the system works. You spend your money on what you think is important or "good." Other people spend their money on what they think is important or good.

Who appointed you to be the "decider" for how others spend their cash?

No one.

That kind of authoritarian thinking is the antithesis of tolerance and personal liberty that supposedly underlie progressive thinking. The "cattle" resent it and demonstrate that resentment on election day.

[sarge43]

33. Why are you assuming that none of the people who saw Batman

this weekend have made no contributions to charity or "one thing better"?

This isn't a binary. Because a person does one thing doesn't mean s/he can't do another. For example, I'll see it next week, but last Thursday I also made a $25.00 contribution to the Markus Wildlife Sanctuary, abut twice what I'll pay for the movie ticket. Yup, no doubt many viewers have made no charitable effort, but then many non-viewers didn't either.

One other thing, not all that money is going to the suits in the front office. Much of it is going to working stiffs, grips, best boys, carpenters, tailors, seamstresses, gaffers, cosmeticians, script girls, thousands of people whose not so lavish livelihood depends upon the movie industry.

[FedUpWithIt All]

108. I spent $100 on canned soups for a food bank and $12 on matinee Batman tix this week. n/t

[sarge43]

133. Bless you.

I'm still waiting for OP to tell us unwashed what constitutes "one better thing". Also I'd be interested if s/he is equally offended by the money spent on the production and attendance at any entertainment, say for example the Ring Cycle at Bayreuth. That bacchanalia costs and brings in millions.

[underseasurveyor]

195. Thank You for saying that

Speaking as one of those working stiffs that, at least in part, depends on the movie industry for my not so lavish livelihood, again thanks.
As do many of my friends.

[sarge43]

202. You're welcome

and thanks for the entertainment.

[TexasObserver]

39. And if everyone lit just one little candle ....

... someone would surely burn their house down, maybe their neighbor's house, too.

Do you ever grow weary from worrying about how others spent $8 on any given day?

[Dreamer Tatum]

45. And *so mehow*, *some way*, RWers have the idea we think we know what's best for everyone

Tell you what: take something you enjoy doing from time to time...something completely discretionary that amuses and
comforts you, and involves your personal pocket money.


FUCKING STOP DOING IT RIGHT NOW UNTIL YOU ARE INSTRUCTED WHERE TO SEND YOUR MONEY.


There, how do you like it?

[Starbucks Anarchist]

61. We don't defend with you.

[libnnc]

166. snarf

:spray:

[XemaSab]

74. I can think of better things than the BILLIONS we're spending in Iraq, sure

But if a family wants to blow 30 bucks at the movies, or at dinner, or for some nice wine, or what have you, God bless 'em.

[Mike Daniels]

201. Each person who saw the movie probably spent maybe $15 per person

presuming an average ticket price and a refreshment or two.

You are presuming that these people would have spent the money on something worthwhile (as you define it) if it wasn't for "The Dark Knight". For all you know they may have spent it seeing something else or going out to dinner.

[billyoc]

19. Bread and Circuses

Hold the bread. :eyes:

[MonkeyFunk]

124. Is the government buying movie tickets for the masses?

Or do you just like the term "bread and circuses" without knowing what it means?

[billyoc]

127. No and No.

[MonkeyFunk]

128. Well "Bread and Circuses" has a specific meaning.

Does the mere existence of popular entertainment constitute "Bread and Circuses" to you? Has there ever been a time or place where there wasn't popular entertainment?

[billyoc]

130. The spending of the kind of money that blockbuster movies bring in reminds me of Rome, that's all.

[MonkeyFunk]

136. But why?

We've certainly had blockbuster movies in the past, and we've had other forms of popular entertainment.

I don't understand why the existence of something popular should remind you of Rome. I just don't see the connection at all.

[MindPilot]

20. That money ultimately goes to the people who MADE the film

Not just the on-screen talent, but the hundreds upon hundreds of workers from day labors to artists and craftspeople who who put in long hard hours to put that thing in the theater on schedule and on budget. Many of those workers are union members too.

Regular working people like me or my son who apply their skills in and around the film industry--that's where that money goes.

Thanks to all of you who see a movie this weekend. :)

[Bob Dobbs]

22. From another content producer

thanks for the interest in entertainment everybody.

[Lorien]

79. Seconded

from an animator.

[Zhade]

112. Oh, you and your FACTS.

NT!

[RaleighNCDUer]

174. Exactly. You want to see where your $10 went, sit through the

entire 7 minutes of credits at the end.

[Mrs. Overall]

21. I recently took my two kids to see WALL-E because it was much cheaper than the zoo--

by the the time we added up a two-way ferry ticket, gas, admission, food.

Our little outing to the matinee was within budget.

[depakid]

23. Hollywood did fine during the Great Depression

Escapism you see.

[Junkdrawer]

88. LOL. See post #87. Great minds....

:rofl:

[gmudem]

24. Whatever you say dick.

The Dark Knight is an amazing movie, and it deserves to make money unlike so much of the other crap movies there are today. Just because you aren't interested doesn't mean other people can't be.

I'm probably going to see it again in fact.

[Mrs. Overall]

25. But Americans also spend around 20 billion dollars a year on their coffee--

Couldn't there be a better use for all that money? Forgo the cup of joe for national health insurance, or education, or poverty issues?

[DS1]

27. Hey, it's only 4 dollars an hour!

:eyes:

[Warpy]

30. Movies did well in the Great Depression

because people get desperate to step outside themselves and experience something besides getting shafted 24/7/365.

It's no different now, although they could wait until it comes out on DVD and save themselves a few bucks on the snacks.

[Peregrine Took]

36. Good website on that subject.

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ug02/FILM/hollywooddepression.html

[MuseRider]

31. Entertainment

is most needed in times of stress. Why have the USO? Why do many of the greatest movies, songs, styles of music seem to come from these times? People need to create and other people need to be entertained away from their sad, scary situations.

I agree it seems silly but as someone who is in an entertainment field I can tell you first hand that people appreciate it more these days, especially when money is more precious, than they do when every thing is hunky dory and they are flush.

[AnneD]

32. The last time Hollywood had a similar heyday...

was during the Depression. Movies usually do better in down times, ask any investor. Free ac to get out of the heat and if you time it right-you can hit several movies and sneak in your own food.

[Vickers]

34. yer logic p0weRs are teh roXor!!11!!!!!1!

:rofl:

[madrchsod]

35. my daughter saw the movie and

she said it was worth every penny.....i`ll wait for the dvd

[Midlodemocrat]

37. Could be worse. They could want to drink with you. We know how that would end.

:eyes:

Stupidest post ever.

[flvegan]

41. KA-POW!!!

[RB TexLa]

50. Let me guess, I should have "shut my mouth and done as I was told?"

I bet if someone disobeyed you when you told them to drink you'd put them out of your house wouldn't you?

[LostinVA]

104. Don't disrepect Agent Franzia

:mad:

[libnnc]

169. Midlo's teh wineboarding mistress

:spank:

Instead of jugs of H20, she's rockin' teh box winez on your assz

:spray:

Wineboardingz R Us

[scarletwoman]

60. Or even worse, someone could've tried to hail him in a parking lot after seeing his DU bumpersticker

Oh, the humanity!

[tkmorris]

65. Oh that one was classic

Sometimes I swear he HAS to be making this stuff up.

[RB TexLa]

69. Yes, I should have stooped because decent people communicate by their horns

[LostinVA]

103. Hehe -- I just about posted the same thing without reading your post

[libnnc]

167. but he keeps out doing himself...

[Mad_Dem_X]

206. Oh, snap!

Good one.

[slampoet]

38. THEY ARE PAYING FOR AIR CONDITIONING!!! The summer movie comes free.

You really don't understand poor people economics do you?

[Sheets of Easter]

92. ....

:D

:thumbsup:

[hfojvt]

40. but private individuals use their money better than government

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/hfojvt/20

[flvegan]

42. What of the jobs this supports?

Folks that wrote and worked on/in the movie, the movie theater staffing, the dvd release and those jobs...

[kentauros]

171. How much do the people working on movies donate?

Seems to me that every time one of these employees (including producers, actors, directors...) give to some cause, then aren't we indirectly giving? ;)

By paying their salaries with our piddlin' ten bucks we're enabling them to give far more :)

[GTurck]

43. The first time....

movies were used to soothe the economic stress for Americans was during the Great Depression. Many of the studios began to have serious financial problems in 1929 and 1930 right after the crash but soon found ways to divert the public with musicals, gangster movies and Shirley Temple, who is said to have saved the studio she worked for from bankruptcy. It is not a good omen to my mind that this is being repeated but with far less showmanship and moxie than the studio bosses of the 1930's had.

[TexasObserver]

44. Jobs at movie theatres, jobs in production of the film, vendors all over.

The next time you order a PIZZA, remember that you are spending your money exactly the same way all those movie goers are spending theirs. You could eat a meal for $.50, but NOoooooooooo! You have to splurge on pizza!!

Here's a concept you might want to try to wrap your head around: You should worry about why you're wasting time talking online about what THEY ought to be doing. Why aren't you out saving whales, recycling aluminum cans, or helping the needy, instead of lecturing people you don't know about things you don't understand?

[Dreamer Tatum]

46. Movie production employs MANY people who don't make much

It's a job, just like many others, to a lot of people.

[TexasObserver]

47. Yes. Isn't that the point?

Movies provide jobs, as I said.

From PAs to Directors, from script writers to stunt men, from hair stylists to historians, from wardrobe people to gaffers. That was my point. They employ a lot of people and all those people rely on film for their jobs.

And if someone at the top makes a buttload of money, well that gets redistributed by the expenditures those select few make.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

48. Not much different than during the Depression when the film industry did very well.

People need escapism.

[Cleita]

49. Many of us can't afford to go to the movies anymore, but if I had the

discretionary income, I would rather spend it on the movie industry than the gun industry. Most movie people are liberals and spend their spare time trying to give back to their country and community.

[Real_Talk]

106. WTF

Some people are so obsessed with their anti-gun agenda that they will inject it into any discussion. Real people work in gun factories and stores too fwiw.

As far as the topic at hand, I am sure that people should be allowed some entertainment in their life and as many have said, there are worse things to blow 10-12 bucks on.

[Cleita]

119. I'm not an anti-gun person.

I believe that it should be a local issue. However, gun owners seem to be predominantly Republican Bush apologizers. The gun manufacturers and NRA are decidedly BushCo supporters and BushCo has brought us this tanking economy. So why should I spend a nickel on any of their product? Their money got Bush elected and here we are. I do feel sorry for the workers who have to work for those people. It's too bad that the money they gave to Bush to get him elected didn't go for better salaries and benefits for the workers instead.

[terrya]

51. So?

I'm going to hand over $4 for a matinee showing of "Mamma Mia!" tomorrow at the theater a few blocks from my place.

And...I'll buy some popcorn and have a soda. What a hedonist I am!

[dsc]

183. where in blazes are you?

matinees here are closing in on 7 and I live in a cowtown.

[madrchsod]

52. the filming of the movie generated 40 million dollars

for chicago and the state of illinois.

[MonkeyFunk]

53. ah, the old zero-sum fallacy

that somehow that money leaves the economy.

It just recirculates. Actors and makeup artists and accountants and caterers and ticket-takers and grips and computer engineers and thousands of people get paid because of this.

These threads are silly. Please submit a notarized report of every dime you spend so I can judge whether you're doing it to my satisfaction.

[Sheets of Easter]

54. Yes, let us spend the weekend in hairshirts, glued permanently to a message board

that makes us terminally depressed, typing out tired cliches like "bread and circuses" and the like. Let us have no joy. Let us not be distracted, even for just 2.5 hours, from the fact that the world is going to pieces, and the only way we can fix it is if we bitch about it online.

[MonkeyFunk]

55. It wouldn't be DU

without some Debbie Downer scold telling us we're doing it wrong.

[RB TexLa]

56. Oh, yes it would be such a terrible thing if the American public kept that $100M plus for themselves

Just so wrong. The movie executives and all deserve to have that money from us. We should not even consider denying them. And my God to even think about a better use for a $100M, pure treason, just out and out treason. I've been convinced, there could be no better use than giving it to them.

[terrya]

59. I love movies.

It would be a sad life if we couldn't enjoy movies or other forms of entertainment. It's ridiculous to make people feel guilty about enjoying a pleasure such as going to the movies.

[scarletwoman]

63. Yeah, just think, if they didn't spend that $10 on a movie ticket, they could afford more

Pepsi and Doritos.

:eyes:

[Psephos]

64. I write television films and docs

Have written ten of them, and won an Emmy for one of them. Imagined them, developed them, wrote them, sometimes produced them, too. I was one of many people taking a paycheck from each one of those productions. There are *way* easier ways to make far more money, despite your cartoonish misconceptions.

A film provides income and career to anywhere from dozens to hundreds of people who work to make it. It then provides jobs to uncounted others as it makes its way out into the world. If shown on television, it supports all the people who work at the broadcasting or cable channel, all the people who work in advertising that is shown on those outlets, all the people who work at the companies who pay for those ads to grow their business.

Feature films easily cost $50 million or more - sometimes, a lot more - to make these days. Most of that money goes to pay the behind-the-scenes people who labor like Hercules to get the film in the can. Try reading the credits sometime. Every one of those names worked a year or more to make that movie happen. Almost the same amount of time goes into television documentaries and films as well.

If distributed in theaters, a film supports all those who work in the distributing companies, the local newspaper and TV station who run promotional ads for the movie, those who work at the theaters, those who work in restaurants and bars near the theaters and serve movie patrons, those who work in video stores, even places like Amazon and FYE and Circuit City and Target and on and on.

Films and entertainment are an iconic American industry, an export business that generates billions of dollars on the plus side of the national balance of payments, and huge money in tax revenues for California, New York, and other state governments. The industry also pays handsomely into the US Treasury, which means you benefit there, as well.

A big hit like The Dark Knight will rake it in at the box office, but must cover the losses on other projects. No one in the film industry knows how to make only hit movies. So the business model assumes many losers or small winners for every blockbuster that comes along.

I'm sorry you don't enjoy films, and don't understand how priceless and vital the message of films like The Shawshank Redemption or The Kite Runner is in these troubled times. No matter - you stay home. Petty tyrant.

[terrya]

68. You said what I wanted to say.

I won't ask you what you won the Emmy for. :-)

It isn't just Angelina Jolie, as an example, making god knows how much per film. There ARE people behind the cameras...and as we remember, there are the writers. Who did, as we recall, go out on strike a few months ago. They weren't, for the vast majority of them, rich people. They are people who earn a living.

Thank you for your informative post.

[Lorien]

77. Why on earth do you think that movie execs and stars get all the money?

Have you ever actually sat through ALL the credits? Did you know that many people who work on films don't get film credits at all-only the company that sub-contracted for the studio gets a notation-and that means that there are often hundreds of names that you DON'T see. Where do their salaries come from? It ain't the money fairy, I assure you.

[Dorian Gray]

98. Well...

if the cost of a film was $100 million for a single ticket, I'd keep the money for myself. Does that work?

[Zhade]

114. Dude, how much of a difference do you think that $10 a person is going to make?

This is a ridiculous waste of bandwidth.

[dysfunctional press]

121. so they're each spending the $10 bucks on themselves instead...

same difference.

[MonkeyFunk]

122. The notion that that 100 million dollars

somehow leaves the economy is just dumb. As has been pointed out repeatedly, it goes to pay the thousands of people working in the industry.

So where's your itemized list of every dime you've spent this year, so we can judge how you're spending it?

[ProfessorGAC]

207. The American Public IS Keeping That Money For Themselves

It's recirculating into the economy, same as if they're buying gas, food, clothes, or giving it to charity.

Your logic is highly flawed as at least 10 other posters have clearly established.
The Professor

[fizzgig]

214. " it would be such a terrible thing if the American public kept that $100M plus for themselves"

and then what? i keep my money for myself and do what with it? stick it under my mattress? why don't you belittle us for eating out or buying something nice for ourselves or taking a vacation or having internet or cable at home? what's the difference there?

[treestar]

72. You'd consider it a hair shirt to give up movies in theaters?

[Kitty Herder]

116. I guess I've been wearing a hair shirt for a while now.

Who knew? I only go to a movie theater about once or twice a year.

Going to movies is expensive. Especially with the current price of gas. (The closest theater to where I live only plays "family" movies, so if I want to watch something interesting, I usually have to drive about 35 miles.) It's much cheaper to rent movies on dvd--$3.89 for a new release at the local video place and the whole family can watch it for that price. Plus, with dvds I can control the volume so it's not blasting my ears.

I do enjoy going to see movies in the theater. It's not like I've renounced it or something. It's just not something I even think about doing very often. It's very rare for me to feel like I "have" to watch some new movie. For example, I have very little interest in watching the Dark Knight. I don't know why. It just doesn't appeal to me. However, when the next Harry Potter movie comes out, I'll want to watch that in the theater. And fortunately, the local theater will likely play that one.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

57. Mamma Mia!!!

Going tonight.
If you don't like it, tough.

[MedleyMisty]

62. The movie absolutely rocks

I really enjoyed it. I am going to see it again while it's in theaters. It has a ton of great metaphors and symbols and moral and political themes.

Personally, although excessive consumption disgusts me I'm not really all that bothered by people spending a few bucks on seeing a movie and don't consider a trip to the movie theater as excessive. I am far more concerned by all the money spent by the government on wars for corporate profit. Money that really could be spent on health care and education, as opposed to killing and torturing and terrorizing people.

[Lorien]

78. Throughout my entire career movies have paid for my health care

my food, my clothing, my home...if I'm not working on the movie itself, then I'm designing DVD covers or promotional items.When people go to the theater they're paying A LOT of salaries, and often the ecological footprint for the whole endeavor is smaller than a thousand other products that we buy for the same $.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

113. Movies feed me too. My husband works as a projectionist.

I used to work selling tickets. People didn't show up...we'd get sent home.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

117. Didn't see it.

The theater was full, although we had tickets. No place to sit but the front row.

We went back and got tickets to HANCOCK, with Will Smith.

It was an interesting movie. He's a superhero but also a bum, and three people have an emotional connection in the middle of all the flipping cars and explosions.

It was good.

[Deja Q]

147. Yet another person explaining how it's anything BUT escapism.

Escapism is getting away from reality. Not showing it in a far more disturbing form on a big-arse screen.

Sorry, having sat through enough gibber from the mainstream media over the last 5 years of the same old brainless emo-wanking pablum, it's disgusting I have to watch 30 year old television and movies - which are far more creative, intelligent, original than anything made today. Of course, I'm a nerd, but that's beside the point.

[spanone]

66. thank god for hollywood and the ability to escape this shit now and then....if only for a few hours

[Deja Q]

148. Maybe movie theatres would show 'Ghostbusters' again. Or anything that doesn't rely on modern

events and situations to sell itself. You know, REAL escapism and not this monkey scribble being slung and aped by name celebrities (who aren't necessarily actual actors...)


I can't believe this thread has gotten so popular. But it's not stopping me from putting in a refreshingly different viewpoint.


Actually, Ghostbusters did loosely rely on the Biblical book of "Revelation", but nobody was tying in whatever the frig was happening in 1984 - because people wanted to get away from (then-current) situations pureed in a blender.

[onethatcares]

67. is it for a remake of "Blazing Saddles"?

just wondering, but I'd say that's ok with me.:beer:

[RB TexLa]

70. OK, I've been convinced, we don't deserve to keep that money

we should all follow the ignorants lead and every night ask "what's on da tee vee," or "what's on at da movies?"

In fact, as some have said we should be grateful to them for taking our money. I guess this can be locked now that I've been informed of the error of my thinking.

[scarletwoman]

76. What's with the "we"? It's not YOUR money being spent. And nobody is "taking" anyone's money.

People are voluntarily spending their OWN money as they see fit. What business is it of yours how other people choose to spend their money?

There is simply no logic whatsoever to your complaint.

[RB TexLa]

80. I'm guilty of it as well. I've regretted every time I've given them my money, but I regret it every

time I give anyone my money.


All I was saying the money everyone is voluntarily giving to them could be better used. But, I've learned from this thread, that giving them the money is the best use of it, and we should be grateful to them for taking it.

[scarletwoman]

82. "...I regret it every time I give anyone my money." I don't doubt that.

Seriously, if someone doesn't spend $10 on a movie ticket, what do you think they're going to spend it on instead? My guess would be stuff like a pizza delivery or a 12-pack of Mountain Dew or a liter of vodka.

Who's the judge of what the "best use" of another person's money is? Your premise is ridiculous.

[Dorian Gray]

99. Who the heck

argued that spending $10 on a film is the BEST use of their money? People are saying that it's really none of YOUR business how others choose to spend their money.

And it's $10 per ticket, not $100 million.

I'm sure that the $100 million that McDonald's earned this past month could also be put to better use, but that's how businesses work.

[LostinVA]

109. I thought that same thing on a cruise ship casino last week

Then, I won it back, plus a little bit.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

186. I spent way too much time at a cruise-ship casino once.

:hi:

[LostinVA]

198. For the record, Haruka is bad luck on the slots

She'd lose the money, come stand next to me, make me lose money, then I'd send her off to the bar, and win everything back.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

209. I once got a straight flush without realizing it.

The odds were 250:1, but I had only bet $1 on the side bet. :cry:

[LostinVA]

211. OMFG!!!!!!!!!!

You crazy thing! No wonder you love Rachael.

[treestar]

71. There are so many alternate forms of entertainment now

That it is amazing the movies stay in business.

One can rent movies, play games on the internet, there are zillions more channels on TV than there used to be.

Movies are not worth what they charge, especially in the theaters.

[Popol Vuh]

83. Yes I agree, but....

Going out to a nice theater to watch a movie is still an experience many of us appreciate. Not everyone enjoys sitting at home all the time. There's still a lot of us who enjoy getting out. Maybe take your date or spouse out to dinner then a nice movie. Or perhaps just getting together with friends or family for a night out. Then of course there's that big screen with the awesome sound system and that hot buttered theater popcorn. C'mon you know you like it..

:)

[XemaSab]

73. Get a life much?

I don't believe in telling other people how to spend their money for the simple reason that I don't appreciate other people telling me how to spend MY money. :P

[Lorien]

75. I used to work on big budget feature films

some of them 300 million blockbusters. Ticket sales didn't just support actors and execs, they gave salaries to the 600+ of us who worked on the films, the distributors, the advertisers, the orchestra, foods service employees, secretaries and PAs, plus they funded development of future productions (the average cost of making any film these days is at least 89 million). Not to mention providing jobs and revenue for the theaters. Hell, studios still outsource less than a lot of other American corporations.

[RaleighNCDUer]

190. Forget outsourcing. American film is one industry that still pulls in

massive revenues from overseas. Virtually any American film that is distributed overseas makes more money overseas than it does at home. A good assist in balancing the trade imbalance.

[Popol Vuh]

81. Not just actors and executives

Don't forget you're talking about hundreds of others involved in the making of a movie. What about the cameramen, special effects artists, costume makers, movie-set makers, stunt men, materials suppliers and all the other personal which go into making a movie? They don't count to you?

I am just saying...

[AZ Criminal JD]

84. Have you made the left turn out of the parking lot yet?

[RB TexLa]

85. I had made it when I posted that, you were not able to understand that?

Are you able to understand it now that I've told you?

[AZ Criminal JD]

134. Just checking

I thought you might have caught a movie while you were waiting for traffic to die down.

[TZ]

86. Well aren't you a judgemental a-hole

Escapism is a long honored tradition in this country, and if a family can afford to go to the movies why shouldn't they? Who the HELL are you to get on your holier than thou high horse.
This kind of attitude is why people think liberals are elitists..when judgemental jerks like you try to dictate what people should or should not enjoy or do or how to LIVE THEIR LIVES..a very nanny state type attitude if I ever heard one. This is not the first time I've seen you post shit like this. Get a life dude.

[Junkdrawer]

87. IIRC, Movies did quite well during the Great Depression....

Escapism and all that...

[rch35]

89. i thnk im goin to go see it again, just to piss you off

and i will enjoy it even more than i did the first time.

[RB TexLa]

90. Doesn't "piss me off" as you put it, just think we could do better things with that money

But I've been told and now understand this is the best use of $100M.

[rch35]

91. how the fuck dare you judge people for seeing a movie?

nobody said this is the best use for money

but people have been saying that not every fucking dime they make has to go to what you perceive as a worthy cause.

you know how many african babies you could have fed with the monthly cost of your internet bill? what are you doing still posting?

and why do you hate babies?

[Dreamer Tatum]

95. No, it's the best use of many peoples' $10

You have a problem with the choices certain people make, and you keep digging deeper.

Like I said before: find something you like doing, something that costs you a few bucks, and
STOP. I think there is a better use for that money. Stand by for your orders, OK?

[MonkeyFunk]

125. How much did you pay for your computer?

How much do you pay for your internet connection?

Tell us how you how you spend every dime before becoming an obnoxious scold.

[Mike Daniels]

203. Fine. You spend your $15 (ticket plus drink or popcorn) to buy some canned food for the homeless

In short, not only do you have no right judging how other people are spending their money but you have no frickin' idea how people may be spending the rest of their money outside of the $15. For all you don't know the person that "wastes" $15 to see The Dark Knight may be contributing the same or more money per month to a charity or voluteering their time for a cause.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

93. You = asshole. I don't care if this post is deleted...

...that gloriously stupid OP and the even more stupid bizarro-moralist follow-ups from you gave me an irresistible urge to post this. But wait, my urge isn't completely satisfied -- you can't set font size and type in the subject line.

You = asshole.

Ahhhh, much better now.

[Snarkturian Clone]

105. DUzy NT

[terrya]

132. Yes

In fact, I'll send the nomination now.

[Geek_Girl]

94. Tobacco, Alcohol and Movies do well during recession

People want some sort of escapism

[Dorian Gray]

96. Well

there would be a whole lot better for the 100 million. However, my measly $11 doesn't seem so dramatic (if i shell it out to see the film).

[EstimatedProphet]

97. This has been the RGBolen Show!

With everybody's favorite curmudgeon, RGBolen!

Tune in next week when RG asks:

"Why does everybody buy food at McDonalds if it's so bad for you?"

Thanks for watching!

[GOPisEvil]

100. Life and personal economics are not a zero-sum game.

Spending $10 on a movie is not necessarily $10 that won't be going to the food bank.

Nice of you to tell people how to spend their money, though.

[frogger9]

101. not a bad deal

I can think of other ways to kill 2 hours that would cost a lot more.

[LostinVA]

102. I'd rather hand money to a movie theatre than buy you a drink

Because you won't drink with me.

[girl gone mad]

107. I may see it two times...

at least once in IMAX. Plus, I'm sure I'll buy the DVD. I personally witnessed how hard they worked on this film. It cost over $180 million to make and kept countless people in jobs. It was mostly filmed in our coolest American city, Chicago. Sure, the actors are overpaid and the studios will milk it too hard. But those things are changing as competition for our entertainment dollars increases. The film industry is still worthwhile, overall.

[Zhade]

110. Well, they're not handing over 100 mil EACH.

What do you have against successful creative pursuits? Do people not deserve a little escapism?

[AP]

111. Copyright is America's number 1 export, and most of it is made in Hollywood, so don't knock it.

At least people aren't supporting an industry that sends guns and poison out into the rest of the world.

[Deja Q]

140. Why knock it? Most in hollywuss make movies about promoting getting knocked up.

Maybe we should all become actors.

[dbonds]

163. What's red and green and goes 100 miles an hour?

HypnoToad in a blender.

You sure are on your high horse today. Just because you are a self proclaimed nerd doesn't mean your movie tastes are any better than anyone else. Prove your mettle, tell me the timeline for Primer.

[fizzgig]

215. that doesn't even make sense

most make movies about promoting getting knocked up? i'm looking at my dvd collection and thinking of the movies i've seen and not a single one is about that.

[TheFarseer]

115. I can't bring myself to spend $9 on a movie

luckily, my gf is a tight ass too, so we usually wait a couple months and see it at the cheap theater for two-fity. I feel lucky that we have one. Video is not the same.

[Deja Q]

145. It's better on video compared to viewing in a theatre:

No whiny children, no obstreperous teenage vermin, nobody next to you who forgot to wear deodorant, nobody blithering on their cell phones, no petty couple groping each other in the back, proper choices of food one can eat while watching, or even exercise while watching, et cetera, et cetera.

Granted, movies used to be a premiere social event. But it's no longer 1950. :(

[TheFarseer]

155. We're going to have to agree to disagree

The big screen and the sound system add to the experience so much. There used to be hardly anyone ever there, but business is picking up noticeably, I wonder if the economy is responsible for that? Still, everyone is pretty courteous. Maybe it's a Nebraska thing :) because across the river in Council Bluffs there's a theater where there's always tons of annoying dumb-asses.

[Deja Q]

160. Adds so much until you find out the cost of the hearing aid,

because all those explosions were at a volume high enough to deafen a flock of geese from 100 years away.

[RaleighNCDUer]

191. If you have a 60" home entertainment system, maybe.

Films are made for the big screen. Seeing it on the 19" TV is nothing like the theater experience - particularly if it is letterboxed on the TV which, while it is the only way to see a film, it effectively makes the small screen even smaller.

But then, some people recognize that film is an art form, and others just don't get art.

[dysfunctional press]

120. most pople i know are only going to hand over 10 bucks...

btw- what kind of good could have been done with the money you spent on your computator?

[jobycom]

123. Well, with that monye, Hollywood will employ tens of thousands of people

from theater owners to back lot sweepers. They will meet payroll costs, purchase merchandise ranging from popcorn to napkins to office supplies. Even the wealthy hollywood execs and actors who make big cash will spend that cash on gasoline, food, clothing, pool cleaners, babysitters...

In short, that $100 million will go to help people who are working to overcome the lousy recession around us. That's how an economy works. What are you doing this weekend that's helping anyone? Surely not posting on DU.

[MonkeyFunk]

126. These nags pop up every now and then

they believe, somehow, that money spent - even on luxuries - is money that is removed from the economy.

Some people just like to scold, no matter how much it demonstrates their ignorance.

[backwoodsbob]

131. someone with an internet connection*probably broadband*

bitching about someone going to the movies :argh:

Tell you what scooter..when you give up the internet..cable tv...blah blah blah

Get off the cross...someone needs the wood to heat the house this winter

[itsrobert]

135. Get off your high horse

and quit your bitching. I'll spend my money on what I damn well please. I suggest you do the same.

[DS1]

137. Well. I'm headed out to see it in 30 minutes. And just for you

I'll get the popcorn AND a sprite. And I'm going to enjoy it.

:P

[Deja Q]

138. Stop whining. Tom Cruise has to buy tampons for little Suri's purity party.

Wait, which movie opened up again?

[Retired AF Dem]

141. Why do you feel that you have the right

to tell people on how to spend their money? It's my money, I worked for it and I will spend it any damn way I please. And by the way it's been twenty years or more since I sent any of it Hollyweird way. :)

[BeHereNow]

144. On credit... most people use their credit cards to see movies these days.

But hey, they need to escape their misery some how.
BHN

[Batgirl]

149. I was just thinking this very same thing earlier today

while sitting in my car for several hours waiting to pull out of a parking lot. I had just made a wasteful and unnecessary purchase of some Twizzlers and even as I swallowed the last delicious bite I felt an overwhelming sense of disgust at the thought of myself and the doubtless tens of thousands of other self-indulgent freaks all across this land who had bought and consumed a pack of Twizzlers that day, perhaps at that very same moment. Then I wondered about all the good that might have been accomplished if we had only elected to do something more worthy with that money, becoming so so despondent that I almost pulled out of that parking lot right then and there, knowing that would lead to certain Doom since there was an approaching mail truck no less than one quarter mile away.

But then I figured I could always redeem myself by not going to see the Batman movie.

[Garbo 2004]

150. Yes, but it's none of your business. nt

[Deja Q]

151. If it's nobody's business, why does the media report viewing figures?

[Garbo 2004]

153. Consider who I'm responding to....

O8)

:)

[tjwash]

154. SIlly me...I thought we were giving it to the theatres they were playing in.

nt

[Deja Q]

158. Theatgres make virtually nothing on the movie. The pre-movie adverts and candy is how they survive.

Ironic - to prevent getting thin, they sell fattening goods. :D

[MindPilot]

157. Perhaps a reason that CA is the 6th largest economy in the world

is because one its major industries makes a product that (almost) every-fucking-body wants AND (almost) every-fucking-body can afford.

Dude if you think I'm wasting my money at a movie, you don't even want to know what I spent the last time I saw a concert!

[Deja Q]

161. Yet CA is in, how many billions, of debt again? Oh, wait, sorry. Deficit spending does not matter.

but making sure John Travolta can pay for his private jet while paying off all his neighbors who hate it when he parks his fat plane in the front yard does...

:party:

[MilesColtrane]

162. HOLY SANCTIMONY BATMAN!!

[libnnc]

164. Just another in a long line

of useless drivel.

Don't tell me how to spend my jack, jack.

[last_texas_dem]

165. Wow, people on here are certainly passionate about defending the American people's choice

to spend their money on movie tickets! I've disagreed with you a couple of times in the past, RGBolen, but I definitely see the point that you're making with your post. I do see movies at the theater from time to time myself, but I do so knowing that it's not the most effective use of my money. The self-righteousness people are displaying towards you with these, "How DARE you question how the American people choose to spend their money!" posts cracks me up, though. Watch how many of them would change their tune if these great American consumers' funds were going towards purchasing an SUV or a meal at the Olive Garden. One can be critical of the choices consumers make w/o believing that they should be denied the right to make them.

[backwoodsbob]

170. my wife and son are seeing it as we speak..

I hope they drive 5 over and waste .1 mpg just to piss off the op

[last_texas_dem]

172. I hope that they enjoy it

I may see it myself eventually. My post was mostly just to point out the amusement I felt at seeing how self-righteous some on here get in accusing someone else of being self-righteous!

[gatorboy]

192. Holy shit! 8 dollar SUV's???

Sign me up! :rofl:

[last_texas_dem]

194. It's defending consumer choice itself that some are getting so self-righteous about

The cost of the choice has nothing to do with it.

[ProfessorGAC]

208. It's A Matter Of Context

If it were someone else asking the question, the replies may be different. But, when one always plays the sour curmudgeon, the act gets old. I would guess that the replies of wich you speak are due to the longer term context.
The Professor

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

168. HAHAHA IN YOUR FACE!!!!!!!!

The movie companies have the hundred mil and youuuuuuuuuuu don'ttttttttttttt neener neener neeeeeeeeeenerrrr!!!!!!!

[geek_sabre]

175. I'll be tossing in my $20 in about 2 hours.

Suck it.

[Deja Q]

178. I didn't know call girls were that cheap these days.

[Codeine]

176. Engage Sanctimony Drive!

Set phasers to "Self-Righteous!" All ahead Whine Factor 5, Mr. Sulu.

[senseandsensibility]

180. Don't you know that the OP likes to post these threads

to stir things up around here? And it is entertaining, so no harm done.

[Dbdmjs1022]

181. I proudly contributed 20 bucks to take my girlfriend to Dark Knight last night.

It was worth every penny!! I'm going to see it again tomorrow night!

[JackBeck]

182. Who has time to go to the movies?

Every of-age audience member should be over in Iraq, fighting to lower our gas prices.

[DS1]

184. Best 7.50 I've spend in a long damn time!

and I'll see it again on IMAX next time.

Sucka!

[AlCzervik]

185. i saw "Wanted" tonight, loved it!

[Starbucks Anarchist]

187. Maybe you should make a movie about yourself.

But I don't think people will pay $150 million to see a lunatic yelling at people having fun.

[RB TexLa]

188. I haven't yelled at anyone, did you just make that lie up?

When I posted this I honestly thought there could be better uses for $100M.

I posted on the thread that I have now been convinced giving the money to hollywood is the best use of Americans' money, and that we should show them some gratitude when we hand it over.

[taught_me_patience]

189. This will be deleted but I have to say it. You're an asshole

I work at Warner Bros., the studio that made Batman. There is tremendous pride among the workers at WB at the quality of films that we produce. Because of this movie, many more people will be able to work through this year before layoffs begin. Who are you to judge how people spend $8?

[Bluebear]

196. You said it.

[Midlodemocrat]

210. .

:rofl:

:thumbsup:

[SarahB]

193. "We have art in order not to die of the truth."- Friedrich Nietzsche (nt)

[FloridaJudy]

197. I'm probably going to see "Hellboy"

At the cheapo matinee this week. I'll hide a bag of sugar-free candy and a bottle of water in my purse (I'm a diabetic, so sue me). It's a big treat, okay? I only do it every other month or so. Or should I just stay home and rant about how unjust the world is?

Sometimes we need a little escape from reality, and $7 for an afternoon's entertainment strikes me as fair. I donate far more than that to progressive causes every month, so don't try to make me feel guilty for spending a little for a few hours of being entertained by one of the only industries that hasn't been completely out-sourced yet.

Sheesh. No wonder the RW thinks we're a bunch of humorless scolds.

[zanne]

199. I once read that the motion picture business thrived during the Depression...

People would flock to the movies because it was their only escape from the misery of their lives. Back then, movies were being shown at a greatly reduced price, but the industry still managed to do quite well.

[HughBeaumont]

200. Must not be that bad, because people ain't living out of huts and eating worms yet, right?

Repuke Guy Bowlin'.

He won't drink with you, he thinks globalization and free trade work, and Batman's-a WASTE-A yer money!!!

Unbelievable that you're still above ground. Really. It is. You aren't fooling anyone.

[Mad_Dem_X]

204. I very rarely go to the movies, but I had to see TDK

It's my money, I worked hard for it. If I want to see a movie, I'll see a movie. I give away plenty of money to worthy causes; sometimes, you just gotta take a break and enjoy yourself.

[GCP]

212. Yah know what? I wasn't even going to go and see Batman

But I think I need to go and waste $10 just to piss you off.
Get off your goddam high horse, or make sure you always wear your hair-shirt and cilice while you're torturing yourself about how Americans spend their money.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair_shirt

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

213. And for a really shitty movie too.

:shrug: