Monty by Jim Meddick for August 25, 2013

Because movie popcorn isn’t expensive enough as is?

A friend of mine used to pop a bag of microwave popcorn, slip it into her carryall and go to the movies. She lived only five blocks from the theater so it didn’t get cold and she didn’t get caught because the place already smelled like fresh popcorn! Saved about $8 every time.

Now they expect tips at movie concession stands?! I am reassured that I’m just as well off not going anymore to first-run cinema and instead watching movies at my leisure via YouTube, at no charge and with whatever snack of my own I wish.

Serious question: do concession staff get paid in the USA?Where I live, there is no “tip jar” for them, but there is in coffee shops – and even coffee shop staff do get paid a time-based salary.

I’ve never seen a tip jar at a concession stand… the workers do get paid, mostly poorly.

It’s not their fault the prices are high…. so tips would make sense, but people already feel ripped off and might not leave them anything.

The blockbuster/special effects mentality has meant that movies are extremely expensive to make…. So distribution fees to theaters are high in a time of sharply declining audiences, due to DVD’s, Netflix, YouTube, etc.

On top of that, theaters have had to install very expensive digital equipment because few new releases are on film for their old projectors.

The result: $10.50 tickets, $4 sodas and $8 popcorn in a bid to pay the rent and the staff…. unfortunately it alienates even MORE would-be moviegoers.

(You see, Puddlesplatt, I toned it down…. LOL)

That’s just great. I was going to see that movie.

I have only been to one movie in 30 years and that was D’Sousa’s masterpiece……Obama2016

sigh! when I was a kid {loong time ago} i was given a quarter for the movies, 15 cents for the movie, cartoon and feature and the news, nickle for a candy bar and a nickle for popcorn…what happened? and the Movie Stars became rich!

Some years ago, I had read an interview with one of the top execs at Sony. The interviewer asked if the mp3’s were the reason for declining album sales, and he replied: “…everyone blames the internet and the mp3, but people who used to buy albums are still buying albums… No, the real reasons for declining album sales are: 1- No new genres come up, like punk or heavy metal 2- Very few newcomers are able to record an album that sells more than their first one, and 3- honestly, big talents are getting very rare.”

I think the same can be said for movies. Yes, they are getting more expensive every day, and yes, there is youtube, pirate movie sharing, torrents etc. But for me, the major reason to avoid theaters is that there are no good movies to see.

Give me Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Alain Delon, Michael Caine, Marlon Brando, Toshiro Mifune, Anthony Quinn, Lino Ventura, Spencer Tracy, Paul Newman… and I’d pay 25 dollars to see them on big screen. But I would never want to see robot cars, explosions and fairy tales about heroic american soldiers, even if the theaters paid me to.

I just came by to say “hi” to old friends Ottodesu and SusanSunshine. Monty is still my mostest favorite-est strip and a bear to color, but Meddick’s worth it.

why anyone would pay that much to sit in a noisy smelly crowded theatre an eat horribly unhealthy overpriced snacks and drinks si beyond me, then and now…

Yes, that kind of popcorn is unhealthy and all, but I can smell and taste it now because we’re talking about it. I always took along my frozen mix of gin and water in 4pz. bottles in my purse and ate some popcorn. But I only went to kids movies with grandkids and last year saw Ted (because McFarland did it) and had to explain about “Family Guy” to my lover. One of his older grandkids watched same movie but the rest of group went to another screen.

I’d never tip for counter service (though I always tip my bartender -and expect to be well served). I hear they are starting to expect that at fast food windows too (have not been to one in over a year).

The tip is remembering to be polite to your server. Especially when asking for your free re-fill on the popcorn.

I never buy snack food at the movies, nor do I sneak it in.I can do without it.

Take that ya skin flint!

Who still goes to movies? Just before the last time I went, the last movie I saw was Star Wars. “Recently”, the last movie I saw, was “Star Wars”.Hollowood just has nothing worth watching any more. If they would get off their Anti-American spree, I might, just MIGHT go see something if they could come up with something refreshing again.

Sheriff! So sorry I missed you!Monty always looks great, BTW…of course, today is Meddick’s, but I always admire yours too.

Today’s strip is priceless!!

Sorry, I’m too much of a free market guy. Tip for what? Being there? Those who wait on me or provide a service that I value get my $. I just don’t place selling junk food at the movies do in the same category as bartenders (good ones), or those who work the floor in restaurants. Should I tip the person in the sales booth, too?But this is all academic – the theaters have priced themselves out of my entertainment budget anyway.OK, here come the tomatoes.