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Industry
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February 23, 2011
Movie theater snacks more varied at theaters abroad
Let us say that you are traveling abroad and decide to take in a film at the local cinema treasure. You might be surprised at what is offered at the concession stand or at what the person next to you is happily enjoying. As you drive in on your snowmobile to the drive-in in Kautokeino, Norway, they will be ready with tasty and nutritious reindeer meat. In Korea, film fans like dried cuttlefish with their popcorn.
There is more (if you can stomach it) in this article from Woman’s Day.
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February 18, 2011
Facade design competition
MOSCOW, RUSSIA — There’s a new design competition for the facade of the Pushkinsky Cinema. Check out the link for pictures and more details.
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February 17, 2011
German Cinema review 2010
The number of screens in Germany fell the fifth time in row and landed at the current number 4,699. Ninety-five screens were new openings or renovations, but on the other side 130 screen were abolished. More than a quarter of the screens (1,301; 27,7 %) is a part of multiplex cinemas.
The German Federal Film Board (Filmförderungsanstallt; FFA) also reported a reduction in the number of theatres (from 1,744 to 1,714) and a decrease in the number of seats (from 819,320 to 809,510). According to the FFA “more dramatic because irreversible” was the drop in cities or communities with at least one theater. There were 22 less cities or communities with a movie theater.
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February 15, 2011
Regal and AMC form joint venture to distribute films
LOS ANGELES, CA — The nation’s two largest cinema chains, AMC and Regal, have announced the formation of a joint enterprise to acquire and distribute independent films. The venture may exacerbate the increasingly tense relationship between studios and exhibitors, as the studio releases will now compete for screening space with the films distributed by the Regal-AMC operation. Apparently, the federal government’s relaxation of the rules stemming from the 1948 Consent Decree over the years contributed to the establishment of the enterprise.
AMC and Regal hope in part that by acquiring their own movies for distribution they will fill the supply-and-demand gap created by Hollywood’s downshift in movie making. From 2007 to 2010, the number of movie releases in the U.S. dropped 16%, according to Box Office Mojo. At the same time, the theater industry’s trade group estimates that the number of screens in the country has risen 3%, making fewer pictures available for a larger number of screens.
And with attendance flat over the last five years and down 5% in 2010, theater owners have been experimenting with ways to draw more people into their venues, such as showing live sports events and concerts.
There is more in the L.A. Times.
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February 14, 2011
Traditional 3D glasses not chic enough for you? Armani can fix that
If you find the 3D classes handed out in most theaters today simply too dull and unfashionable, your image might be enhanced by what fashion trendsetter Armani has to offer: A fifty-eight dollar pair of 3D specs. Armani cautions that they are not to be worn outside of a theater auditorium.
“The perfect fusion of 80’s retro design and modern appeal with an updated classic navigator design, the Armani Exchange 3D glasses meet the highest standards required for 3D movie theater viewing,” wrote Armani in a statement. “The optically correct 6-base curved lenses with circular polarized technology will allow 98+ percent of visible light through which will provide edge-to-edge distortion-free viewing in a movie theatre environment.”
The story appeared at TGDaily.com.
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February 8, 2011
Regal planning to double the number of its 3D capable screens
KNOXVILLE, TN — The Regal Entertainment Group has announced that it will be substantially increasing the number of screens at its theaters nationwide that are capable of showing RealD 3D from currently about 1,500 to 3,000 – which would be about 40% of its screens.
“We continue to see high demand from moviegoers for RealD’s premium 3D viewing experience,” said Regal Entertainment Group CEO Amy Miles. “Doubling our agreement for RealD 3D-enabled screens will allow us to play multiple 3D films at the same time and assure moviegoers the option of seeing films in a premium 3D format.”
Currently, some theaters are forced to phase out movies faster than they’d like, even if they’re still profitable, to make room for new 3D movies. There just aren’t enough screens for most of them to let three or four 3D movies be playing at the same time.
The full story is at TGDaily.com.
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February 3, 2011
Major movement in Central Europe
On January 19, 2011 the multiplex cinema operator Cinema City International announced it acquired its competitor Palace Cinemas (Central Europe) BV. The purchase price for four subsidiaries of Palace Cinemas in three central European markets was € 28 million (€ 21.4 million was paid in cash and € 6.6 million of debt of Palace Cinemas was assumed).
By acquiring the Palace Cinemas chain, Israel based Cinema City becomes the third largest cinema operator in Europe (in terms of the number of theaters and screens, passing UK based Cineworld), without being present on any of the most important European markets (United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy or Spain).
Parts of deal were 141 screens in 15 multiplexes in Hungary, The Czech Republic and Slovakia. It significantly strengthens Cinema City’s position on the Hungarian and Czech markets and adds Slovakia to Cinema City’s countries of operation.
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January 27, 2011
LAST WEEK to take advantage of THS 2 for 1 membership offer!
Don’t let this opportunity slip away! NEW members joining THS from this posting will receive 2 years of membership for the price of 1! Call the THS office at 630-782-1800 or email our office at to take advantage of this New Years Special Offer!
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January 11, 2011
Dinner theaters becoming more prevalent
An article in theWall Street Journal discusses trends in new theaters, specifically the wider range of food offerings.
Under pressure from viewers as well as movie-industry executives, the country’s theater chains are trying to win back moviegoers—with food. Audiences at a growing number of theaters can order such dishes as chinois chicken salad rolls or limoncello-tossed shrimp. More middle-of-the-road fare is also available, like cheeseburgers and chicken caesar salads. Seats in these so-called “in-theater dining” cinemas are big and plush. Lobbies are luxurious, with art on the walls and mood lighting. Popcorn is often complimentary and a full bar is de rigueur.
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January 6, 2011
Imax stock up on rumors of takeovers by movie studios
According to Bloomberg, shares of IMAX Corporation are rising on speculation that Sony Corp. might bid for $40 on the giant screen company. Disney is also interested in buying Imax.