Movie blahs

I’m tired of the studios and exhibitors whining about stagnant or slumping box-office receipts. They have only themselves to blame [“ ‘Batman’ Can’t Begin to Rescue Film Industry,” by John Horn and Rachel Abramowitz, June 21].

For the studios’ part, most of their movies are not very interesting. The “tent pole” films are loud, poorly written and bloated. They are also available within three months on DVD (for those of us who don’t purchase pirated copies). The smaller films tend to be better, but they too are available within a few months on DVD.

As for the exhibitors’ part in this, they need only look to their price of admission. At my local AMC, the price of a student ticket at a “bargain” matinee went up a dollar just this week. Everyone over the age of 12 now pays the “bargain” price of $8. At night, it’s $10 (kids are $7 and seniors $8) just to get in the door. Heaven help you if you’re hungry or thirsty for something other than water from the fountain.

Message to studios and exhibitors: It’s the economy (of it), stupid. Make better movies and charge less to see them, and who knows what could happen at the box office?

Steve Peterson

North Hollywood