With the cost DVD movies dropping in price and theater tickets continuing to climb, it's no surprise that there are empty seats at the local cinema these days. Too bad too, because as much as I love my home theater, every now and again, maybe I'll spring for a movie to get the experience there. However, most of the time I'm waiting for the release on DVD like everybody else.
Movie theaters are aware of this trend and are giving some novel ideas a try, from adding comedy shows (what the hell happened to Road Runner and Bugs Bunny?) or even discounting tickets, in an effort to win back the customer. But cutting ticket prices wont bring back profits. This is because cinema attendance dropped over 10 percent in just the last 12 months and domestic movie revenues have been down 19 out of the past 20 weekends, according to Exhibitor Relations Co., a California entertainment research firm. Couple this with what we all know already, that the studios are releasing DVD's much sooner, cutting the theaters no slack, that has to sting the operators. What to do?
| MILLBURY -- A baby grand piano greets patrons in the lobby. Ushers lead moviegoers to reserved seats and bring them food. Others sip wine and ''Titanic" cocktails, watch baseball on plasma televisions, and spread out on leather chairs with newspapers. Here, people come earlier, stay later, and visit more often. And they spend about 30 percent more on food and drinks. This is the year-old Cinema de Lux, and it may represent the future of movie theaters. ''The idea is to change from a movie theater to a community entertainment experience," said Shari Redstone, president of National Amusements Inc., the Dedham operator of Showcase Cinemas and Cinema de Lux theaters. |
Whoa, now that's something new! National Amusements, which already operates 14 theaters in Massachusetts, plan to open three more high-end cinemas in the state over the coming year. All of their future theaters nationwide, will be based on this ''Cinema de Lux" concept.
This Cinema de lux website for a theater in Philly, uses some very clever marketing and maybe it will entice some of you CD Freaks to take your significant other out for a date. As one amenity, they offer the "12 Lounge" which has a full range of appetizers, pizzas, sandwiches, salads, wraps and a complete service bar. 12 Lounge bar and restaurant provides indoor and outdoor café seating. Cool.
You can call these type theaters 24 hours a day, as they have an "elite services" staff that can make dinner reservations and even hail a cab if you want. I tell you what, I would visit one in my town if they had one! Anybody out there checked one of these out yet? We sure would like to hear your thoughts on the experience and your feeling of the value of the entertainment scheme.
Source: Boston.com Business
