The State of Theaters for 2020

 


This week Warner Brothers made a big announcement. "Wonder Woman 1984," the last big tentpole on the 2020 release schedule would release in theaters on Christmas Day as planned. But it would also release on HBO Max at the same time.

Call this good news for film fans, and good news/bad news for exhibitors. Regal Cinemas has already folded. AMC and Cinemark are hanging on, having re-opened in many places during the summer with limited original content, fun promotions, and classic films returning helping to keep some kind of Box Office afloat. With news that "Wonder Woman 1984" would release, that gives them the biggest attraction for the Box Office since "Tenet" in early September. But the fact it will also stream at the same time, coupled with an explosion of COVID cases nationwide and new restrictions, means the future of theaters remains as murky as ever.

Will people go to see "Wonder Woman" on the big screen when they can watch it at home? When will the majority of folks feel comfortable going back to a theater? Will the industry last that long? These are all fair questions without an easy answer.

I love movies, and I love the theater experience. Since theaters re-opened here in late July, I've gone a dozen times. But that's a far cry from the one to three films I used to see each week. And when I do go, there's plenty of space to spread out and few folks to see the films. And I don't see that getting any better.

Most releases that were relocated to the Fall have relocated further to 2021. The virus is spreading and new restrictions seem to come forward daily. Movies aren't the most important thing, but it's fair to wonder if major theaters, like all other spheres of business, will be able to emerge when this is all over. And even more important, will people still want to come back? Only time will tell.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Burial a courtroom drama with heart

Image
Willie Gary (Jamie Foxx) is a brash trial lawyer who is good at rallying a jury to his cause. Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) is a quiet grandfather who is trying to ensure the business his family built remains viable after he’s gone. These two don’t appear to have much in common on the surface. But when they’re brought together by young lawyer Hal Dockins (Mamoudou Athie) brings them together, a connection is formed over their shared background of working hard to become self-made men. And it turned out that Willie was just who Jerry needed in his corner to win the fight of his life. The new Prime Video film The Burial, which opened in theaters October 6 and started streaming October 13, captures that trial against the Loewen Group that changed the course of their lives. The film is based on the true story and covers the trial, but more importantly captures the relationship between the men. The film plays out like a traditional courtroom drama. Foxx is solid as Willie Gary, while Ju
Read more

Broncos Draft Targets

Image
  The NFL Draft is just a few days away. On April 25, the Denver Broncos will head into the draft in the midst of something of a rebuild. In the draft, the Broncos have the No. 12 pick in Round 1, then have a Third Round Pick, Fourth Round Pick, three Fifth Round Picks, a Sixth Round Pick, and a Seventh Round Pick. So, what might they be targeting? Let's dive in and look at possible positions. Quarterback : The team clearly needs a long-term quarterback. Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci are there but the team could certainly use someone else. Could they move up for Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy? Yes, they could. Will the take Bo Nix at 12? It's possible. Or will the Broncos wait until next off-season to make a move? Anything is in play for the Broncos in 2024, but quarterback is surely a need. Tight End: The team brought back Adam Trautman and still has Greg Dulcich, but it's still a need. Dulcich hasn't been able to get on the field and Trautman hasn't been great. Co
Read more

Favorite Westerns, No. 43

Image
  Do you like a good Western? It's a classic genre in film and this year I've decided to look at some of my favorite Westerns. So, join me each Friday as I count down my favorite Westerns from No. 50 to No. 1. Rooster Cogburn : [ watching Mattie ford the river hanging on the back of her horse] By God. She reminds me of me. True Grit (1969) Starring : John Wayne, Kim Darby, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall, and Dennis Hopper Director : Henry Hathaway About: This is the third straight week with a film from Wayne. As you might guess, we're not done. As I've mentioned, he sets a standard for the genre. Here, we seen him bring to life an iconic character. This one is based on a novel, and it has endured. He's great as Rooster Cogburn, so good that he got a sequel in the same character. But this is a later film in his career. This is a different, more grizzled Wayne. He's still quite good and this is a film that really has stood the test of time. It's not the only ve
Read more