A Courageous israeli Initiative?

[Ralph]

Jerusalem - Israel May Curb The High Price of Popcorn and Soft Drinks
Published on: April 1st, 2010 at 08:35 PM
News Source: Guardian UK

Jerusalem - It is the source of angst for cinemagoers worldwide – why is the price of popcorn so high? Now an Israeli politician is threatening to introduce legislation that would ban cinemas in the country from overcharging for snacks and soft drinks.

Carmel Shama of the governing Likud party will attempt to introduce the measure when Israeli MPs return from their Passover break next week. He claims to have cross-party support for the move, which is fiercely opposed by cinema chains and other public entertainment venues where it would apply, such as sports stadiums and concert venues.

"We have to put an end to this. The public should not have to mortgage their houses for a soft drink and a snack," Shama tells today's Yediot Aharonot newspaper.

A large box of popcorn costs about $5 in Israeli cinemas, more than double what it would be in a supermarket and 10 times what it would cost to make at home. Yet Yaacov Cohen, owner of one of Israel's largest chains, said cinema owners made virtually no profit from ticket sales and would struggle to survive if food sales were limited. "It would destroy the entire industry," he told Yediot.

Two years ago, researchers from Stanford and the University of California in Santa Cruz found that members of the public were not being ripped off over the cost of popcorn and other confectionery – because profits were used to subsidise cinema tickets. While they accounted for only about 20% of gross revenues, food and drink sales represented some 40% of cinema profits, the researchers found. This was because 100% of proceeds went straight into an exhibitor's coffers, while ticket revenues were shared with movie distributors.

[Jean]

I guess he hasn't bought a popcorn or soda in any of our movie theaters. I love going to the movie theater but it's become so incredibly expensive. Especially when Netflix delivers the movies to your mailbox and you can watch it at your conveniene, several times if you want, and pause it to go to bathroom.

The article may seem trivial, but when things are rough going in a country there is always an uptick in movie viewing. People crave the couple hours of escape.

I don't know about anyone else, but I want my Goobers at a reasonable price!

[Ralph]

I guess he hasn't bought a popcorn or soda in any of our movie theaters. I love going to the movie theater but it's become so incredibly expensive. Especially when Netflix delivers the movies to your mailbox and you can watch it at your conveniene, several times if you want, and pause it to go to bathroom.

The article may seem trivial, but when things are rough going in a country there is always an uptick in movie viewing. People crave the couple hours of escape.

I don't know about anyone else, but I want my Goobers at a reasonable price!

*****

Jean,

I am a cinephile (belong to three film societies) and the reality is that concession sales, not ticket sales, drive the whole industry. Of course I watch movies at home but there is no substitute for sharing a movie with a theater full of people. I saw "Chloe" today in a crowded Manhattan theater and the responses of other viewers, largely very subtle but detectable, made the experience.

I buy boxes of candy at a dollar store near my house and always have one or two in my brief case. I do buy the overpriced sodas but that's no big deal. I am happy, given the number of movies I see, to get the Old Folks discount.

[Jean]

Ralph,

I agree that the theater experience is much preferred. The big screen, other folks as you said, and just being captivated without any other distractions in the dark. But it is expensive. Last time I went, there was a quick check to make sure that patrons weren't bringing in any of their own snacks.

At the moment, I think of this outing as a luxury. I don't quite (almost, but not quite) qualify for the senior discount.

I remember as a teen going to the local theater on double feature night for $2. It was great, complete with shorts in the beginning, and I went every week. Then when the first child came along, I bundled him up in pajamas with a blanket and pillow, and took him to the drive-in. As far as I know, that drive-in is the last surving one. It's in LaGrange just outside Poughkeepsie. I really miss that.

I'm curious. Do you ever walk out on a movie you don't like? I do. Although, it has happened only a couple times where I thought I just could not endure staying until the end.

[Ralph]

Ralph,

I agree that the theater experience is much preferred. The big screen, other folks as you said, and just being captivated without any other distractions in the dark. But it is expensive. Last time I went, there was a quick check to make sure that patrons weren't bringing in any of their own snacks.

At the moment, I think of this outing as a luxury. I don't quite (almost, but not quite) qualify for the senior discount.

I remember as a teen going to the local theater on double feature night for $2. It was great, complete with shorts in the beginning, and I went every week. Then when the first child came along, I bundled him up in pajamas with a blanket and pillow, and took him to the drive-in. As far as I know, that drive-in is the last surving one. It's in LaGrange just outside Poughkeepsie. I really miss that.

I'm curious. Do you ever walk out on a movie you don't like? I do. Although, it has happened only a couple times where I thought I just could not endure staying until the end.

*****

I have very, very rarely walked out. I believe that in fairness to those who created the film I should stay for the whole screening.