Thursday, August 20, 2009
Michael Moore Loves Capitalism
The full trailer for the latest Michael Moore documentary (and potentially his last), Capitalism: A Love Story, has finally been released.
I've been looking forward to this film for a variety of reasons. Not only do I happen to like the majority of Moore's films (particularly Bowling For Columbine and Roger & Me), but this one focuses on the common theme that runs through all of his work: capitalism.
Now, I'll be the first to admit that Moore's tactics are a bit sensationalistic (how else is one to get mainstream America's attention except through showmanship?) and he clearly is trying to promote an agenda through his films (though technically this is true of all documentaries and filmmaking in general). And yes, there is something hypocritical about a guy who's probably worth quite a bit of money trying to present himself as an Everyman. At the very least, however, I think it's clear that his heart is in the right place. Plus, I usually agree with most of his opinions. Not to mention he has a sense of humor.
To quote Moore:
"It's a crime story. But it's also a war story about class warfare. And a vampire movie, with the upper 1 percent feeding off the rest of us. And, of course, it's also a love story. Only it's about an abusive relationship... It's not about an individual, like [former GM CEO] Roger Smith, or a corporation, or even an issue, like health care. This is the big enchilada. This is about the thing that dominates all our lives — the economy. I made this movie as if it was going to be the last movie I was allowed to make."
I've personally heard Moore state that he views capitalism as an evil system. I'm hoping that this is the film in which he finally explores that issue directly. I've discovered that it is virtually impossible to pursue a degree in sociology and not come away with the conclusion that our economic system is extremely broken, and responsible for a great deal of social ills. Racism, sexism, homophobia, classism... an argument could be made that capitalism is the single largest component in reinforcing these forms of inequality.
Unfortunately, that's a point of view that the mainstream media never wants to explore. And why would they? Both FOX and MSNBC are run by people who benefit greatly from the system as it stands now. Regardless of the quality of the film, if Moore succeeds in getting mainstream theaters to show a film with an anti-capitalist stance, and persuades mainstream audiences to go see it... that in itself is a victory.
I've been looking forward to this film for a variety of reasons. Not only do I happen to like the majority of Moore's films (particularly Bowling For Columbine and Roger & Me), but this one focuses on the common theme that runs through all of his work: capitalism.
Now, I'll be the first to admit that Moore's tactics are a bit sensationalistic (how else is one to get mainstream America's attention except through showmanship?) and he clearly is trying to promote an agenda through his films (though technically this is true of all documentaries and filmmaking in general). And yes, there is something hypocritical about a guy who's probably worth quite a bit of money trying to present himself as an Everyman. At the very least, however, I think it's clear that his heart is in the right place. Plus, I usually agree with most of his opinions. Not to mention he has a sense of humor.
To quote Moore:
"It's a crime story. But it's also a war story about class warfare. And a vampire movie, with the upper 1 percent feeding off the rest of us. And, of course, it's also a love story. Only it's about an abusive relationship... It's not about an individual, like [former GM CEO] Roger Smith, or a corporation, or even an issue, like health care. This is the big enchilada. This is about the thing that dominates all our lives — the economy. I made this movie as if it was going to be the last movie I was allowed to make."
I've personally heard Moore state that he views capitalism as an evil system. I'm hoping that this is the film in which he finally explores that issue directly. I've discovered that it is virtually impossible to pursue a degree in sociology and not come away with the conclusion that our economic system is extremely broken, and responsible for a great deal of social ills. Racism, sexism, homophobia, classism... an argument could be made that capitalism is the single largest component in reinforcing these forms of inequality.
Unfortunately, that's a point of view that the mainstream media never wants to explore. And why would they? Both FOX and MSNBC are run by people who benefit greatly from the system as it stands now. Regardless of the quality of the film, if Moore succeeds in getting mainstream theaters to show a film with an anti-capitalist stance, and persuades mainstream audiences to go see it... that in itself is a victory.
# posted by Andrew Johnson : 8/20/2009 05:26:00 PM 
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Work-Related Stories and Info
If I hear one more person at Blue Ridge complain loudly about how expensive concessions are, I'm going to lose it. If you are one of those people, here's some information that might interest you:
1) When most films are first released, the studios take roughly 80-90% of the money made off ticket sales. This gradually drops to 50-60% after a week or two, and over time declines until the theater is actually making a decent chunk of the profit (though usually by this time, most people that want to see a film have already seen it). You know how you had to pay $8-10 to see G.I. Joe opening weekend? It's because if ticket prices weren't that high, theaters wouldn't be able to make a profit and stay in business.
2) This is also the main reason concession prices at movie theaters are outrageously high. If theaters want to stay in business, they have to somehow make enough money to offset the costs (including giving the studios their percentage), the only option is to jack up prices. Either that, or spend even more time before the movie showing pointless advertisements and commercials.
3) By the time a film arrives at a second-run theater like Blue Ridge, the theaters are (thankfully) getting to keep most of the ticket sales. Unfortunately, since tickets are $1-2, this isn't much money. So again, if we want to stay in business, the only real option is to charge $4 for a small popcorn.
4) As a few very intelligent and observant customers of mine have noted, the prices at Blue Ridge are still cheaper than the other big chains. Instead of paying $13 for a large popcorn and a large drink, you'll only have to pay $9.50. What a steal!
Now you know. So next time you go to the movies and have to spend an enormous amount of money, don't blame them. Blame the studios for spending so many millions of dollars on a film that they have to take a huge portion of theater profits if they want to be able to make a profit. Poor film financing decisions affect everyone.
***
A week or two ago at the Galaxy, I was approached by a tall, middle-aged, dark-skinned man. Once we had served him his popcorn, he began to chat with us about movie recommendations, and it became clear that this guy was either:
1) a film professor
2) a huge film buff
In other words, it made sense that he was going to the Galaxy.
"Have any of you seen Bertolucci's 1900?" he asked.
My fellow concessions attendees and I could only shake our heads. But since I'm always on the lookout for good movies, I didn't just pretend to be interested. I genuinely was.
"No, is it any good?"
"It's a true work of art!" he exclaimed. "You really have to see it! Promise me you'll rent it, and then next time I'm here we can discuss it."
"I'll add it to the top of my Netflix queue today."
"Great!"
He then left us a considerable tip. So I did go home and add it to my Netflix queue, not bothering to read anything about it other than that it's an Italian film from the 70s and Robert DeNiro is in it.
It arrived in the mail yesterday.
It is 8 hours long.
What have I gotten myself into?
1) When most films are first released, the studios take roughly 80-90% of the money made off ticket sales. This gradually drops to 50-60% after a week or two, and over time declines until the theater is actually making a decent chunk of the profit (though usually by this time, most people that want to see a film have already seen it). You know how you had to pay $8-10 to see G.I. Joe opening weekend? It's because if ticket prices weren't that high, theaters wouldn't be able to make a profit and stay in business.
2) This is also the main reason concession prices at movie theaters are outrageously high. If theaters want to stay in business, they have to somehow make enough money to offset the costs (including giving the studios their percentage), the only option is to jack up prices. Either that, or spend even more time before the movie showing pointless advertisements and commercials.
3) By the time a film arrives at a second-run theater like Blue Ridge, the theaters are (thankfully) getting to keep most of the ticket sales. Unfortunately, since tickets are $1-2, this isn't much money. So again, if we want to stay in business, the only real option is to charge $4 for a small popcorn.
4) As a few very intelligent and observant customers of mine have noted, the prices at Blue Ridge are still cheaper than the other big chains. Instead of paying $13 for a large popcorn and a large drink, you'll only have to pay $9.50. What a steal!
Now you know. So next time you go to the movies and have to spend an enormous amount of money, don't blame them. Blame the studios for spending so many millions of dollars on a film that they have to take a huge portion of theater profits if they want to be able to make a profit. Poor film financing decisions affect everyone.
***
A week or two ago at the Galaxy, I was approached by a tall, middle-aged, dark-skinned man. Once we had served him his popcorn, he began to chat with us about movie recommendations, and it became clear that this guy was either:
1) a film professor
2) a huge film buff
In other words, it made sense that he was going to the Galaxy.
"Have any of you seen Bertolucci's 1900?" he asked.
My fellow concessions attendees and I could only shake our heads. But since I'm always on the lookout for good movies, I didn't just pretend to be interested. I genuinely was.
"No, is it any good?"
"It's a true work of art!" he exclaimed. "You really have to see it! Promise me you'll rent it, and then next time I'm here we can discuss it."
"I'll add it to the top of my Netflix queue today."
"Great!"
He then left us a considerable tip. So I did go home and add it to my Netflix queue, not bothering to read anything about it other than that it's an Italian film from the 70s and Robert DeNiro is in it.
It arrived in the mail yesterday.
It is 8 hours long.
What have I gotten myself into?
# posted by Andrew Johnson : 8/16/2009 11:47:00 AM
