Studios Fight Theaters on Cost of 3-D Glasses

Summer movie revenue, on the other hand, is up

(NEWSER) - This summer saw the release of some beloved films, but that wasn’t enough to keep theaters packed. Even as studios and theater owners saw record revenues (thanks to an average ticket price of $7.88), attendance fell to its lowest level since 1997, Bloomberg reports. The number of tickets sold this summer is expected hit 552 million, a drop of 2.6% from 2009. Meanwhile, summer revenue will rise to $4.35 billion, an increase of 2.4%. More»

It's as unhealthy as it was 15 years ago

(NEWSER) - Figure 1,600 calories, 60 grams of saturated fat, and 980 milligrams of sodium—that’s what you’re eating when you scarf down a medium helping of movie popcorn at the nation's biggest theater chain. Add a soda and it’s the equivalent of eating a pound of baby back ribs and a scoop of ice cream, or three Quarter Pounders with a stick and a half of butter, an analysis by a nutrition watchdog group says. More»

Studio—and Cameron—hedged bets on $500M megapicture

(NEWSER) - James Cameron’s 3D game-changer Avatar may end up costing upwards of $500 million to produce and market, but, strangely, no one at the studio is losing sleep over the possibility of a flop. The business just isn’t the same as it used to be, when the collapse of a blockbuster could in turn bring down a studio. Multiple financial partners, in-house advertising opportunities, and a new approach to the business of filmmaking spread the risk—and the potential wealth. More»

You'll have stuff to watch next year—but you still need specs

(NEWSER) - Admit it, your heart skips a beat at the prospect of a 3-D high-definition TV in your own home. And by this time next year, Sony and Panasonic will have ‘em on the market. But—and it’s a big one, even after the cost—you’re going to have to wear those glasses. Yes, technology seems to have cleared up the headaches, and Ray-Ban’s working up some trendy specs, but … More»

(NEWSER) - Disney is planning a 3D remake of Yellow Submarine, the 1968 psychedelic cartoon buoyed by a Beatles soundtrack, the Independent reports. Robert Zemeckis of Back to the Future fame will direct. Aside from the music, the Beatles were only tangentially related to the original film—actors provided the voices to their animated characters, and it's unclear if Paul McCartney or Ringo Starr will be involved in the new project. A summer 2012 release has been tentatively scheduled. More»