How do all the old people know about the smaller movies?
#1
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How do all the old people know about the smaller movies?
I don't get it. I've seen Slumdog Millionaire, Doubt, and The Reader at matinees over the past two weeks and the theaters are packed with folks that are at least 70 on a good day. I try to stick to matinees to keep away from the teen and asshole crowd, and I'm not complaining, these shows are usually pretty well behaved.
But I haven't seen a single TV commercial for Slumdog or The Reader and only caught a preview for Doubt two or three months ago at another movie. Are the studios somehow actively marketing these films to seniors or something? It seems like the internet is the main means of distribution for trailers and buzz, not really the senior crowd.
But I haven't seen a single TV commercial for Slumdog or The Reader and only caught a preview for Doubt two or three months ago at another movie. Are the studios somehow actively marketing these films to seniors or something? It seems like the internet is the main means of distribution for trailers and buzz, not really the senior crowd.
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I've seen lots of TV commercials for Slumdog and Doubt. But either way, all three of these movies are Oscar potentials, so they are talked about a lot on various news programs. I've noticed that most of the Oscar potential movies usually draw more of an older crowd. They probably still think of the glory days of Oscar. Though it would still be a dream to win an Oscar, I think the glamour and true spirit of the Academy Awards has lost its luster. Part of that is probably due to the constant tinkering with it to keep the running time down, other awards shows, and arguably the caliber of movies. This year was a good year for movies, though. I'm actually interested in many of the potentials.
BTW, this probably belongs in the Movie Talk forum, but that's OK. I never checked out that forum, so I'm glad I got to put my two cents in
BTW, this probably belongs in the Movie Talk forum, but that's OK. I never checked out that forum, so I'm glad I got to put my two cents in
Last edited by obidawsn; 01-05-09 at 06:14 AM.
#3
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... because they are retired and have nothing to do all day and would rather pay matinee prices than peak hours prices? Maybe they want to keep away from the teen and asshole crowd themselves? Lots of reasons, although I doubt it has anything to do with the movie selections themselves.
#4
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One of the three theaters I typically frequent is Landmark's Bethesda Row in Bethesda, MD, a wealthy suburb of Washington, DC. The movies you mentioned are all playing there, and that theater is always packed with tony retirees. I assume they find out about the movies playing by either keeping up with the free circulars and trailers provided by the theater, since many of them are regulars, or by reading the reviews/blurbs in the Washington Post and magazines like the New Yorker which many people I know young and old seem to read despite the fact that none of us are New Yorkers.
#8
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Older folks read newspapers. Movies, stuff like this years Oscar contenders, would all be well-covered in reviews, oscar previews, and ten best list articles. The holidays are traditionally a time when people visit or get together -- and do things like see a movie together.
-comix
-comix
#10
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Again, it's not a complaint or anything, they're obviously very well informed and seeking out well-reviewed movies. The crowds for bigger, less well-reviewed movies is usually much smaller during the day.
#11
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I don't get it. I've seen Slumdog Millionaire, Doubt, and The Reader at matinees over the past two weeks and the theaters are packed with folks that are at least 70 on a good day. I try to stick to matinees to keep away from the teen and asshole crowd, and I'm not complaining, these shows are usually pretty well behaved.
But I haven't seen a single TV commercial for Slumdog or The Reader and only caught a preview for Doubt two or three months ago at another movie. Are the studios somehow actively marketing these films to seniors or something? It seems like the internet is the main means of distribution for trailers and buzz, not really the senior crowd.
But I haven't seen a single TV commercial for Slumdog or The Reader and only caught a preview for Doubt two or three months ago at another movie. Are the studios somehow actively marketing these films to seniors or something? It seems like the internet is the main means of distribution for trailers and buzz, not really the senior crowd.
#15
DVD Talk Limited Edition
If I ever get to retire, I plan on finally having the time to watch more movies, listen to more music, and play more video games.
Of course, it'll probably end up like that Twilight Zone episode where I break my glasses when I finally have the time.
Of course, it'll probably end up like that Twilight Zone episode where I break my glasses when I finally have the time.
#20
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One of the three theaters I typically frequent is Landmark's Bethesda Row in Bethesda, MD, a wealthy suburb of Washington, DC. The movies you mentioned are all playing there, and that theater is always packed with tony retirees. I assume they find out about the movies playing by either keeping up with the free circulars and trailers provided by the theater, since many of them are regulars, or by reading the reviews/blurbs in the Washington Post and magazines like the New Yorker which many people I know young and old seem to read despite the fact that none of us are New Yorkers.
I was going to say the same thing about the New Yorker, if it's mentioned/reviewed there it's quaranteed that Washingtonians will hear about it (whether or not the smaller indie films will indeed come to DC is another thing) - as for Bethesda Row, it's the chains cash cow, they make money hand over fist there.
#23
DVD Talk Hero
One of the side-effects of seeing films that attract an older crowd is this:
I was watching Frost/Nixon, and in the last 10 minutes where everything was coming to a head, and the audience was basically riveted to the screen at a crucial moment in their interview, an old lady sitting 2 seats from me starting snoring louder and louder, and it took every fiber in my body not to just bust out laughing from the sheer spectacle of the situation.
I was watching Frost/Nixon, and in the last 10 minutes where everything was coming to a head, and the audience was basically riveted to the screen at a crucial moment in their interview, an old lady sitting 2 seats from me starting snoring louder and louder, and it took every fiber in my body not to just bust out laughing from the sheer spectacle of the situation.
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One of the side-effects of seeing films that attract an older crowd is this:
I was watching Frost/Nixon, and in the last 10 minutes where everything was coming to a head, and the audience was basically riveted to the screen at a crucial moment in their interview, an old lady sitting 2 seats from me starting snoring louder and louder, and it took every fiber in my body not to just bust out laughing from the sheer spectacle of the situation.
I was watching Frost/Nixon, and in the last 10 minutes where everything was coming to a head, and the audience was basically riveted to the screen at a crucial moment in their interview, an old lady sitting 2 seats from me starting snoring louder and louder, and it took every fiber in my body not to just bust out laughing from the sheer spectacle of the situation.
I again want to state that I'm not making fun here, God bless anyone for seeking out good movies. It's harder to be frustrated if anyone is loud because it's not malicious like with the backlit cell phones or playing grabass with 10 people in a row. I'm 27 and I feel much more comfortable with the older folks during the day than anybody else.
I'm also surprised to hear that they advertise so heavily during the day. Makes sense though. I also haven't read a newspaper in years, but I assume that is another good way that print advertising still works.