Moviefone Open Thread: Why Aren't You Going to the Movies?

"I'm really concerned about how soft things are," a panicked and unnamed longtime studio executive told Nikki Finke about the depressed box office numbers that have hit Hollywood in the last two months. "I'm sitting here looking at grosses and I'm concerned for the industry. What's worrying me is where are those hardcore movie fans at this point?" Probably still seeing movies, actually. The better question is: where is everyone else? Why aren't you going to the movies? Despite what many experts felt would be an easy road to nearly $20 million, the well-received remake of 'Footloose' earned just $16 million over the weekend -- putting it in runner-up position behind 'Real Steel,' which might not break $100 million domestically despite lofty costs. In fact, the last film to earn more than $100 million at the box office was released all the way back in August: 'The Help' cracked the barrier, meaning Hollywood hasn't seen a triple-digit grosser in over two months. All of which is to say: things could be better. Perhaps even the movies. As Finke herself wrote, "I've been reporting how younger males - which used to be Hollywood's target audience - have been no longer consistently (and indiscriminately) going to the movies since August. [...] I say Hollywood should expect the worst when they release a succession of mostly dreadful pics. This weekend's total gross won't edge much over $80M - which is a whopping -35% from last year when 'Jackass 3D' opened to $50M. (I know what you're thinking: Who are the jackasses now?) This is not a good situation for the studios to be in as moviegoing enters the all-important holiday season." It's not, but what Finke and her unnamed studio source fail to mention is that the seven films in the top-ten of the box office this weekend have fresh ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, with 'Moneyball,' '50/50,' 'The Ides of March,' 'Dolphin Tale' and 'The Lion King 3D' over 80 percent. Far from "mostly dreadful." Moreover, the weekly depreciations for these films have been scant: the only films to dip more than 40 percent over the weekend were 'Real Steel' (down just 40.1 percent, a testament to how the Hugh Jackman-led film is playing with families) and 'The Lion King 3D' (down just 41.1 percent despite losing 300 screens). Adult audiences are finding 'The Ides of March,' 'Moneyball' and '50/50,' which should have been expected since adults aren't likely to run out on opening weekend to see a movie. In this case, the movies are actually good! (See also: 'Contagion' and 'Drive,' both of which had successful runs.) Even a massive disappointment like 'Warrior' was one of the best-reviewed movies of the year. Quality, for once, doesn't seem to be the problem. So, where is the disconnect? Why have young audiences apparently tuned out? Check the programming. As prominent blogger David Poland wrote, "If you want to point at a single movie that really works for this audience since 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes,' be my guest. What was this, the biggest, most consistent audience supposed to go see? Couldn't sell them '30 Minutes or Less.' Okay, what else ya got? Retreads. 'Conan,' 'Final Destination 5,' 'Fright Night'... a shock-thriller-sell remake of a movie no one under 40 knows in 'Straw Dogs' (which would have done better sold as a thinking man's thriller). Did anyone really expect bigger numbers for a cancer dramedy ['50/50']... even a good one? [Jason] Statham's numbers are about right [for 'Killer Elite'], given a new distributor. $25m on 'ABduction' is a miracle and over $30m on 'Drive' is a downright hit. As noted earlier, 'Real Steel' went younger and succeeded in that goal." What of 'Real Steel'? With $108 million worldwide already, and rollouts in more foreign territories to come -- plus no family films in the marketplace until Oct. 28 when 'Puss in Boots' rolls out -- the film should easily crest above $200 million worldwide before it shuffles out of the theater. Hardly a flop, but not necessarily the type of eye-popping number that gets people excited. Following a summer where even crap like 'Green Lantern' grossed over $50 million during its opening weekend, anything less than stratospheric bank is a failure. Which, if anything, is this fall's downfall: there hasn't been a breakout cultural phenomenon. That could change on Friday with 'Paranormal Activity 3'; the second film in the franchise opened above $40 million, and 'PA3' is tracking to hit about $35 million. Or maybe it won't. Maybe the movie industry is at the start of a slump. Maybe you aren't going to the movies because you don't want to go to the movies. If that's the case, Hollywood likely has one simple question: when do you plan on going to the movies again? Have at it, dear Moviefone readers. The comments await! [Photo: Getty Images] 31 Reasons to Buy a Movie Ticket October There are 31 reasons that October may be Rocktober at the box office. Here they are. Rock 'Em Sock 'Em RobotsGeorge Clooney gives Ryan Gosling his Michael Clayton moment with 'Ides of March'We'll finally know what it means for the Human Centipede to go "full sequence"What would have happened if Butch Cassidy survived? Find out when Sam Shepard kicks ass as a grown up Cassidy in 'Blackthorn'President Bartlett on the Big ScreenHarvey Weinstein Gets 'Dirty'Yet another Jessica Chastain performanceIt's been 25 years since Peggy Sue attended her 25-year high school reunion and then travled back in time to high school in 'Peg'The Big Year' could be your new 'City Slickers'Opportunity to complain loudly about your newly discovered undying love for the original 'Footloose'/'The Thing'You get to sneak Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins into your screening of 'The Thing'Nicolas Cage and Nicole Kidman made a home invasion thriller with Joel SchumacherThere's a new Pedro Almodovar movie coming out!The 'Catfish' directors' eerie, "bloody Mary" infused-take on 'Paranormal Activity 3'You can load up on Sam Adams Octoberfest and attend a screening of 'The Three Musketeers'The now-annual chance to get scared by a VHS tapePTA made a 'Three Musketeers' MovieAfter three full years of avoiding the subject, you'll finally be able to speak semi-intelligently about the financial crisisYour first look at 2011 It-Girl -- and possible Best Actress nominee -- Elizabeth OlsenChance to decide once and for all if Kevin Smith has talentRemind yourself heavyweight boxing still exists with the Klitschko brothers documentary called, er, 'Klitschko'Regret not taking Puppeteer 101 in college with the Sesame Street documentary, 'Being Elmo'Arguing the question "Who wrote Shakespeare's plays?" has never been so much funTo find out if the trailer for 'The Double' really did spoil the entire movieJustin Timberlake's tries to go all action star on us in 'In Time'Another chance to watch Johnny Depp embody Hunter S. ThompsonYour first look at 2011's other It-Girl -- and possibly Best Actress nominee -- Felicity JonesSee what the rest of the world already lovesA boatload of horror movie revival screenings across the countryDude, Hershey's Air Delight!It's the movies! See All Moviefone Galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED