Movie Site IDs Best Time for Bathroom Breaks

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»

Shades can cost $10m for popular film

(NEWSER) - With 50 3-D films due out within two years, studios and theaters are squabbling over who should pay for the requisite glasses. At $1 per moviegoer, 3-D glasses can tack on $10 million to production costs, the Chicago Tribune reports. Movie execs and theaters split a $2 to $3 ticket surcharge on those films, but neither wants to buy glasses with their share. More»

List of new releases that face criticism

(NEWSER) - Movie fans are fuming for one reason or another about most of the blockbusters out this month, the New York Times reports—and studios find it difficult to discern potent protests from the all-too-common casual boycott. A look at which films, and why:

• Terminator Salvation upset fans because of its tame PG-13 rating.
• Trekkies are petitioning Paramount to donate part of Star Trek revenue for exploration of outer space.

(NEWSER) - Gwyneth Paltrow won’t be onscreen again until 2010, but she’s filling her time with a gym, a PBS TV show, a website, and now a cookbook, the New York Daily News reports. The book, My Father’s Daughter, will stress the importance of families sharing the table. “I haven’t starred in a film since my kids were born,” the actress said. “I’ll never get these days back.” More»