Ad Nonsense
My theory that obnoxious movie advertising is on its way out was challenged twice in the past few days. First of all, I noticed this tidbit in the IMDb Studio Briefing, the source of some previous evidence I cited hinting at a coming revolt against longer and more intrusive ads at the cinema.
I’m not convinced that a lack of active complaints against these ads is proof that they don’t get on people’s nerves. On the other hand, I went to see Sin City yesterday, arriving early to have a drink with my friends in the cinema cafe. I was contentedly sipping my second whiskey (yep, here in Prague we get booze in the movie theatre) when my companions started fidgeting and complaining that we were going to be late. “Don’t worry,” I said. “They show tons of ads before the movie starts.”
“But we like the ads,” they replied. Bah!
I still suspect that this reaction has more to do with the trailers they show before the movie than the spots for McDonald’s and Coca Cola. I’m interested in other opinions, though. Is it me? Am I just a whiny curmudgeon? Or are other people annoyed at being forced to sit through irrelevant product advertising after forking up big bucks for a night out at the movies?
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I can’t *stand* the advertising before movies - I expect advertising to pay for things that are otherwise *free*. Maybe we’re both whiny curmudgeons…
Comment by Greg Yardley — 7/23/2005 @ 7:43 pm
I agree with you 100%. But I rarely go out to a movie any more. When I can buy the thing on DVD for the price of two movie tickets, I have a tough time stomaching the concept of standing in line, paying outrageous prices for the tickets, and even higher prices for the popcorn.
Comment by ArtZ — 7/23/2005 @ 11:58 pm
The trailers can be fun, the concession ads a waste of time.
Comment by Julia — 7/25/2005 @ 12:57 pm
I enjoy the trailers. I hate the commerical ads.
And I don’t think they are on there way out. In the past, if a theater tried to show ads before the show people would complain and stop going to that theatre.
But that was before 4 or 5 companies bought up all the independent theater owners. Now if you are upset with the ads you can complain but no sense in taking your money to another theater next time - they are showing the commercials too.
Comment by Daren — 7/25/2005 @ 7:16 pm