Movies and the State of Hollywood

Movies and the State of Hollywood

by

Ah, the movies. Once a staple in the entertainment arsenal, it has become an expensive proposition: In Los Angeles, the average cost of a standard movie ticket currently ranges from $18 to $20, depending on the theater and time of day. Premium formats like IMAX, Dolby Cinema, or 3D can push prices higher, often exceeding $22 for evening shows. Matinees and weekday showings may come in slightly lower, closer to $15–$17.

Concessions are where costs add up quickly. A regular soda typically runs between $5 and $7, while popcorn varies from $6 to $10, depending on size and add-ons like butter or seasoning. Candy generally starts around $4.

Combo deals are common but still pricey—a popcorn and drink combo can easily cost $15 to $20. Some theaters offer meal options or alcohol, which can increase your total even more.

Typical Total for One Person

If you’re headed to the movies in LA and plan to get refreshments, expect to spend about $28 to $35 per person for a standard night out.

Which brings us to look into the business of the movies: Moviegoing in Hollywood—and across the U.S.—is still in recovery mode. Despite the return of blockbuster titles and improved theatrical experiences, theater attendance remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels. While studios continue to release films on traditional Fridays, the size of the audience showing up has yet to fully bounce back.

The domestic box office is expected to reach around $9 billion in 2025. While that’s a step up from 2024, when revenue hovered just under $8.7 billion, it still trails the pre-COVID highs of $11 to $12 billion. Ticket sales tell a similar story: only 817.9 million tickets were sold in 2024—a steep drop from the 1.2 billion sold in 2019.

This lag has prompted major theater chains to rethink their strategies. AMC Theatres, the nation’s largest exhibitor, is pursuing a multi-year recovery plan. Along with investing in luxury seating and premium formats like IMAX and Dolby Cinema, AMC is making some key changes to the overall experience. One of the more surprising updates: shortening the time between the scheduled movie start and the actual film. Starting this year, AMC is trimming its famously long pre-show previews to a more manageable length, hoping to reduce viewer frustration and improve overall satisfaction.

In another move to boost attendance, AMC has introduced discounted tickets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for loyalty members. These midweek deals aim to increase foot traffic during slower periods while offering more value to consumers wary of premium ticket prices.

Theaters are also leaning into event-based and immersive experiences. From advanced sound and visuals to live simulcasts of concerts and sporting events, cinemas are positioning themselves as more than just a place to watch movies. But even with these upgrades, audiences are still selective. A growing portion of viewers now wait for digital releases or choose at-home streaming, especially for mid-budget films or dramas.

The recovery is real—but slow. And while big titles are still capable of drawing crowds, the industry is adjusting to a new normal, where fewer people go to the movies, but those who do expect more for their time and money.

That said, Fridays have generally been the day that new movies are released. And so it is that we have opening today:

Freakier Friday revives the beloved body-swap comedy with a fresh twist. Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis return in a chaotic, high-energy sequel that expands the concept into a multigenerational tangle of swapped identities. It blends physical comedy with heartfelt family dynamics, capturing the same charm that made the original a classic while introducing younger characters and modern-day complications.

Weapons steps into much darker territory. This slow-burning horror-drama unfolds as a haunting mystery surrounding the disappearance of a child and the secrets that unravel in its wake. The film is both unsettling and emotional, pushing past typical genre conventions with layered characters and unpredictable twists. It’s less about jump scares and more about creeping dread and moral ambiguity.

The Bad Guys 2 continues the animated adventures of its quirky animal antiheroes, now trying to stay on the right side of the law while facing new global threats. Packed with action, clever dialogue, and flashy heist sequences, the sequel leans into its playful tone without losing the emotional beats that made the first film stand out. It’s fast, funny, and full of visual energy, aimed squarely at both kids and adults.

Facebooktwitterlinkedininstagramflickrfoursquaremail
The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping”

The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping”

by

Netflix’s latest docu-series “The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping”  is making a huge splash. It hit #1 in USA and the UK the day after release, and currently holds the Top 5 spot on the global chart (3 days after release).

CAA screening with Q&A – Photo credit: Samantha Smart

It’s no surprise that so many viewers are captivated by this three-part docuseries because it’s shocking, disturbing, and utterly outrageous. Director, Katherine Kubler quickly pulls you deeper and deeper in as she attempts to make sense of what happened to her at 16 years of age. Armed with an inextinguishable sense of humor, Kubler examines and exposes the madness of the youth residential program at Ivy Ridge where she spent 15 months of her young life. This disciplinary boarding institution marketed itself at “helping troubled teenagers” but instead exploited desperate parents while unconscionably damaging the teens. No smiling, no looking out the window, no going outside, no talking, and even no farting without permission——these were just some of the near impossible rules that the kids were meant to follow in order to complete the program and be released. With the daily enforcement of brainwashing, abuse and all around mind-f*ckery, Kubler describes the Ivy Ridge staff  as “trying to murder children’s souls”. Kubler knew she had to make this docu-series “because there really was nothing out there to help explain what had happened to me, to my friends and family, and to warn them about these places.”

As Kubler and other survivors relate their stories, the depth of cruelty is revealed, and we are confronted with the fact that similar programs are currently still in operation. It’s the responsibility of anyone who knows child abuse is happening to take action to stop it…and as Kubler tells you at the end of the final episode: “Now you know!”

Facebooktwitterlinkedininstagramflickrfoursquaremail
The Catalog that Changed Culture

The Catalog that Changed Culture

by

 

ALL MAN: THE INTERNATIONAL MALE STORY, the Tribeca Festival and Outfest Official Selection arrives on digital platforms June 6. Theatrical screenings will take place in New York (now on June 5!), Los Angeles, San Francisco.

Once upon a time where was a catalog that appeared in public in 1974. The catalog was unlike the Sears catalog or anything else as it had as its focus, men. It is true that 1973 saw the launch of Playgirl magazine, but this was a catalog about fashion, style and sex appeal. And it changed culture. It is likely that the International Male catalog spurred the onslaught of gay men to gyms across American in the late 70s. It helped redefine the notion of masculinity featuring ruggedly handsome models parading on oceanfronts across the world. And it was free.

It was called All Man: The International Story. And now there is a documentary—a very good documentary to tell the story.

The documentary, directed by Bryan Darling and Jesse Finley Reed, is an hour and a half look into a time, a time before AIDS, a time when retail stores could make their mark, and time when the burgeoning gay community was getting a foothold in culture. While New York had its After Dark magazine (mostly dancers and celebrities) this catalog had gay men clamoring for a peek at the tight, skimpy bathing suits. The film features interviews with past models and people employed by the company. And just like the 70s, as we headed into the 80s, AIDS begins to diminish the employees and models. What could have been a light, breezy look at a company that created a sexy catalog, turns into a potent look at life in the early 80s and the increasing horror of an epidemic in the gay community.

The founder of International Male, Gene Burkard, envisioned a platform that would cater specifically to men’s fashion needs, allowing them to explore and embrace their personal style. The catalogs became an essential medium through which the company showcased its unique and avant-garde fashion offerings.

In its early years, International Male catalogs featured clothing that challenged traditional notions of men’s fashion. The catalog presented bold and daring styles, incorporating vibrant colors, unconventional patterns, and experimental designs. It aimed to cater to a diverse customer base by offering clothing suitable for different occasions, including casual wear, formal attire, and even specialized costumes.

The catalogs gained attention for their innovative approach to fashion photography. They featured attractive male models who often posed in seductive and provocative ways, breaking new ground in the realm of men’s fashion advertising. This bold presentation became a defining characteristic of International Male’s aesthetic and contributed to the brand’s allure.

Over the years, International Male catalogs continued to push the boundaries of men’s fashion. They showcased emerging trends, incorporating elements of punk, new wave, and alternative styles. The brand’s commitment to offering unique and cutting-edge fashion choices made it a destination for men seeking distinctive and fashion-forward clothing.

In addition to clothing, International Male catalogs also featured a wide range of accessories, including shoes, jewelry, hats, belts, and grooming products. The brand aimed to provide a comprehensive shopping experience, enabling customers to curate their entire look from a single source.

As the internet gained popularity and e-commerce became more prevalent, International Male adapted to the changing retail landscape. The brand transitioned from traditional print catalogs to online sales, expanding its reach and accessibility to a global audience. This transition allowed International Male to stay relevant in the rapidly evolving fashion industry.

While the brand experienced fluctuations in popularity over the years, International Male catalogs remain a significant part of fashion history. They played a crucial role in challenging traditional gender norms and promoting self-expression through fashion choices for men. The catalogs showcased a wide array of styles and provided men with the confidence to embrace their individuality.

 

JUNE 5  screening

With special guests, filmmakers Bryan Darling, Jesse Finley Reed, Peter Jones, and Taylor Vracin-Harrell

https://drafthouse.com/los-angeles/show/all-man-the-international-male-story?cinemaId=1701&sessionId=49989

 

Facebooktwitterlinkedininstagramflickrfoursquaremail