As a GM of a 12 screen theatre, "something stinks in Denmark" on the Utah decision. Yes, alot of decisions that are made are financial. Every movie should at least have the CHANCE to open, if it doesn't make money then it's pulled after one week BASED ON ITS GROSSES. This is the general rule in our industry. I understand that the chain that pulled the movie is Regal Cinemas, a national chain!That movie is also showing in 2 small independent theatres in the Salt Lake area. Regal is a heavyweight in our industry, I've never know them to blink an eye when it came to a decision on exhibition.
But I'll tell you something else, when a movie like "Passion Of The Christ" or
"Chronicles of Narnia" opens its a given. We hear from church after church, denomination after denomination, wanting to book an entire auditorium so all their members can see the movie. Church going Christians ARE NOT THE MAINSTAY PATRONAGE in our industry anymore, and they haven't been for a LONG time. They ARE the most vocal however if they don't get their way. Some preachers did not want any previews on Passion at all. Some churches wanted to hold a "church serivice" after the movie, that's where I draw the line. We are a theatre, we show movies, ALL kinds of movies for EVERYONE.
We do pay particuliar attenion to ANY movie that makes waves or trouble, and the really good movies. $$$$$ Let's see, movies like "Boys In Da Hood"
"Passion Of The Christ" "Star Wars" etc.
To take one step further, theatre management can make or break even a good movie to where the grosses will fall, for whatever reason. This is easy to do. How many times have you really wanted to see a certain movie only to find out that the showtimes were totally screwed up, INCONVENIENT, or not even advertised at all? Or not scheduling enough help at the theatre to handle a large crowd. You get my point I'm sure.
It's sword and it cuts both ways.
But I'll tell you something else, when a movie like "Passion Of The Christ" or
"Chronicles of Narnia" opens its a given. We hear from church after church, denomination after denomination, wanting to book an entire auditorium so all their members can see the movie. Church going Christians ARE NOT THE MAINSTAY PATRONAGE in our industry anymore, and they haven't been for a LONG time. They ARE the most vocal however if they don't get their way. Some preachers did not want any previews on Passion at all. Some churches wanted to hold a "church serivice" after the movie, that's where I draw the line. We are a theatre, we show movies, ALL kinds of movies for EVERYONE.
We do pay particuliar attenion to ANY movie that makes waves or trouble, and the really good movies. $$$$$ Let's see, movies like "Boys In Da Hood"
"Passion Of The Christ" "Star Wars" etc.
To take one step further, theatre management can make or break even a good movie to where the grosses will fall, for whatever reason. This is easy to do. How many times have you really wanted to see a certain movie only to find out that the showtimes were totally screwed up, INCONVENIENT, or not even advertised at all? Or not scheduling enough help at the theatre to handle a large crowd. You get my point I'm sure.
It's sword and it cuts both ways.