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GUEST COLUMN:Rave reviews or movie blues?It’s just not a movie theatre if by the end of the feature film, your feet aren’t eternally glued to the multiple layers of spilled soda and crunched popcorn kernels on the floor. That’s what I loved about the Lougheed Mall and New Westminster Cinemas. Back in my day, (or at least a period of time about 10 years ago that I consider to be “my day”) those drab movie theatres were my home for a few hours every week. Showing up 10 minutes after the scheduled showtime still allowed you to secure the best seat in the almost completely empty, sticky-floored house, all for only $2. But alas, “The times, they are a-changin.’” Last night, I spent over an hour in line to barely snag a neck-craning front-row seat to stare up at Daniel Radcliffe’s chin in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince for two and a half hours. Popcorn, a bucket of pop, and two admissions ran close to $40. Going to the movie theatre has been turned into a spectacle. The lobby has fancy lights, a large video game arcade, movie memorabilia, and is constantly busy. Has this been done to get you to spend more money while there? Definitely. To cover up the general lack of movies with any sort of substance? Probably. Yes, there have been some decent movies this summer, but it’s doubtful anyone would be deeply emotionally moved by Optimus Prime’s portrayal in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. What’s my point? Well, with the joys of the Internet, and knowing the right places to look, I can get all these movies on my computer. Saving $40 and not having to get out of my comfy computer chair? Sounds like a great plan to me. Well, maybe not. After all, what’s $40 anyways? Going out for dinner with a few friends, you can easily get close to this amount, and the dinner won’t last as long. Maybe you’re on the third date, already having aced the first and second, but have exhausted your list of things to talk about and are looking for a place to go with him or her where silence isn’t awkward. And besides, the movie screen will always trump your new HD television. moreDrive-in movie showing of Grease coming to waterfrontNew Westminster will be hosting its first ever outdoor drive-in movie this Saturday night next to the Fraser River. moreMovie industry needs helpThe Campbell government has decided that it can’t match Ontario’s 25 per cent tax credit on expenses for the film industry even though this industry in B.C. employs over 10,000 people directly and spins off over a billion dollars to the local economy in location rentals, hotels, restaurants and bars, direct purchases, etc. (and, of course, in July of next year, they will drive the final nail into the industry’s forehead, the HST) What it can apparently afford is $2.86 million in grants for communities hosting the Olympic torch relay while simultaneously cutting one third off the budget for school sports programs. Mind you, Gordo has proposed building a $10 million studio at Vancouver Film Studios to house the productions that would have been filmed there had they not gone to Ontario. It’s interesting, the priorities of the Campbell government. I confess to be a bit confused. Tell us, Mr. Premier, how much do our unions have to donate to the B.C. Liberals before you pay the same attention to us as certain other corporations? Make haste while there still is a film industry. We’re dying to know. Braun McAsh Burnaby moreJennifer Lopez sues ex-husband over sex movieLOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Two years after winning a $545,000 judgment against him, singer-actress Jennifer Lopez has again sued her first husband, accusing him of planning to use video of their sex life in a tell-all movie. moreSHOW & SHINE: drive-in movie Grease on Saturday nightNew Westminster will be hosting its first ever outdoor drive-in movie this Saturday night next to the Fraser River. The Downtown New Westminster Business Improvement Society is hosting the event, which will be a showing of the 1950s tribute film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, Grease. more"Twilight" movies inspire vampire stampedeLOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "'Twilight' here! We got your red hot 'Twilight' angle heah!" more"Atonement" director may shoot assassin movieLOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "Atonement" director Joe Wright is in talks to shoot the thriller "Hanna," his first foray into the action realm. moreMovie showing in Queen's Park on Friday, July 24The Arts Council of New Westminster will hold its first outdoor cinema this Friday. The comedy Waiting for Guffman will be shown at the Queen’s Park bandshell starting at 9:30 p.m. The film is about a small town in the U.S. celebrating its 150th birthday. more |
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