concessions Tagged Articles at Cinematical

Now that the weekend is nearly over, and you all have seen The Dark Knight multiple times, let me ask you a question: did you sneak your own snacks into the theater? Be honest. I won't get angry. I'll just let out a huge sigh.

Yes, it's time once again to ask the question, only five months after Kim asked it the last time. But it's an issue that I must continue discussing (at least once each busy movie season), because I see it as one of the worst cyclical problems affecting the exhibition industry. Of course, if you commonly do it, you'll no more listen to me now than you've listened in the past. The other day, a very good friend let the world know (via her Facebook status) that she was sneaking snacks into a movie. If I can't get through to those close to me, what's the chance I'll get through to you?

AMC has been one of the cinema industry's leaders this year in terms of actually knowing what will attract moviegoers. They've offered super-discounted matinee shows and even free movies for kids. But theatres can't make money if they go easy on the admission price and patrons pass up the concessions -- plus, freeloaders and cheapskates are probably the most likely to sneak in their own goodies. What movie fans need to understand, though, is that if they don't buy popcorn or candy, their favorite theater might go out of business, or have to make budget cuts in other areas -- like proper staffing -- which leads to problems with cleanliness, long lines and projection errors. Still, who wants to pay $6 for a bag of stale corn? I know how you feel.

Although AMC doesn't have the best popcorn in the world -- actually it's pretty bad at their NYC locations -- they have come up with a fair compromise deal for concession customers at their theaters. They aren't lowering prices, but they are offering a different kind of combo: Called Clip's Picks, the combos let you choose any 3 items from a select group for a price of either $7.00 or $7.50 (apart they are $2.75 and $3.00). The items include drinks (soda and water), popcorn and a number of candies (of course, they appear to be the ones fewer people buy, like Milk Duds and Whoppers). Ok, so it isn't the best thing in the world, but when it comes to concessions, theaters get pretty stingy. Blame the studios, like I do. So if you want to save money, go see your next movie at AMC on the first show of the day and get a Clip's Picks.