Theaters sued over commercials before Film

[harleyquinn]

From MSNBC (http://www.msnbc.com/comics/nw.asp):

Lawsuits were filed in Chicago in February and in Hangzhou, China, in January demanding that theaters stop showing advertisements (not just the "previews") that run past a movie's announced starting time. Lawyers Mark Weinberg and Zhang Yang charged the theaters with fraud because of the three- to four-minute ad blitzes they endured recently after they had been expecting the films to get under way. The Chicago lawyer demanded a refund plus $75 in damages; the lawyer in China demanded a refund plus the equivalent of $4.50. [Chicago Sun-Times, 2-19-03] [Sydney Morning Herald-Agence France-Presse, 1-6-03]


Gotta say, not getting into the money issue or even the "fraud" issue, I have been annoyed for a long time about all the commercials before the film (or even the previews). Last time I went to a movie, I counted 9 (!!!) commercials before the previews. This is why I don't go to the large movie theaters anymore. Now I go to a local place run by a family where you see a double feature for $3 and no commercials (and you don't need to get a second mortgage to get candy & soda either).

[ 04-18-2003, 11:41 AM: Message edited by: harleyquinn ]

[/)eathKiller]

Funny... In Cuba all movies are free...

[Kakero]

thearters over here also shows commercial before film. looks like some lawyers will be very busy then upon seeing this news.

[shadowhound]

I enjoy the previews, but advertisements just really bug me.
Hell if I wanted that I would watch TV

[Spade]

I hate all the advertisments before a movie. I counted 6 ads before the trailers even started when I went to see Phone Booth yesterday. It's around the same number of advertisements in other movies.

You'd think they make enough with their overpriced tickets and way overpriced food and drinks.

[Dreamer128]

Originally posted by shadowhound: I enjoy the previews, but advertisements just really bug me. Hell if I wanted that I would watch TV

I second that. Still, its not that bad. Gives me and my friend the chance to talk a bit before the movie [img]smile.gif[/img]

[TheGrandSlayer]

Originally posted by harleyquinn: Last time I went to a movie, I counted 9 (!!!)

Pfft. You can't complain, I gotta sit through 30 or more at theather I go to!!!

[ 04-20-2003, 08:50 AM: Message edited by: TheGrandSlayer ]

[Epona]

I remember when you used to get a short before the main feature - ah, those were the days...

I don't mind previews at all - gives me an idea of what films I want to see or avoid. Adverts are annoying though. Here in the UK, the cinemas advertise what time the 'programme' starts - which means the ads/trailers - rather than the actual start time of the film itself.

[harleyquinn]

Originally posted by Epona: I remember when you used to get a short before the main feature - ah, those were the days... I don't mind previews at all - gives me an idea of what films I want to see or avoid. Adverts are annoying though. Here in the UK, the cinemas advertise what time the 'programme' starts - which means the ads/trailers - rather than the actual start time of the film itself.

It's the same here in the US, Epona. The time will be listed as 9:30, but the actual movie may not start until 9:45.

[Timber Loftis]

I like the time leeway the trailers give you. And I like trailers - with some movies its all you need to see. [img]tongue.gif[/img] This weekend we showed up at 12:20 to the theatre. Two movies we were interested in - one starts at 12:45, the other at 12:10. We went to the 12:10 and didn't miss a minute of the actual movie.