'Movie Theaters Are on the Brink. Can Wine and Cheese Save Them?' diff viewer (5/6)

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Movie Theaters Are on the Brink. Can Wine and Cheese Save Them?	Movie Theaters Are on the Brink. Can Wine and Cheese Save Them?
2020-06-09 02:47:13 UTC	2020-06-10 03:22:43 UTC (1 day later)
When the Spanish-Revival-style Roxy opened on Broadway in 1927, the 5,900-seat movie theater boasted an enormous pipe organ with three keyboards and its own 110-member symphony orchestra. A mechanical orchestra pit rose and receded before screenings. The theater employed a male chorus, a ballet company and a chorus line called the Roxyettes.	When the Spanish-Revival-style Roxy opened on Broadway in 1927, the 5,900-seat movie theater boasted an enormous pipe organ with three keyboards and its own 110-member symphony orchestra. A mechanical orchestra pit rose and receded before screenings. The theater employed a male chorus, a ballet company and a chorus line called the Roxyettes.
The all-male ushers, drilled and dressed to military precision, were memorialized by Cole Porter in a lyric from “You’re the Top”: “You’re the pants on a Roxy usher.”	The all-male ushers, drilled and dressed to military precision, were memorialized by Cole Porter in a lyric from “You’re the Top”: “You’re the pants on a Roxy usher.”
Movie theaters have pretty much been in decline ever since, buffeted by a sequence of near-mortal blows: The Great Depression. The automobile. World War II. Radio and television. Affordable high-definition TVs and surround-sound systems. Home video. Netflix.	Movie theaters have pretty much been in decline ever since, buffeted by a sequence of near-mortal blows: The Great Depression. The automobile. World War II. Radio and television. Affordable high-definition TVs and surround-sound systems. Home video. Netflix.
And now: “Trolls World Tour.”	And now: “Trolls World Tour.”
With movie theaters closed because of the pandemic, many Hollywood producers have delayed the release of potential blockbusters. But on April 10, Universal Pictures made the animated sequel to its 2016 hit “Trolls” — based on the popular toys with their neon, upcombed hair — available as a digital rental on streaming platforms for $19.95.	With movie theaters closed because of the pandemic, many Hollywood producers have delayed the release of potential blockbusters. But on April 10, Universal Pictures made the animated sequel to its 2016 hit “Trolls” — based on the popular toys with their neon, upcombed hair — available as a digital rental on streaming platforms for $19.95.
A month later, “Trolls World Tour” has brought in well over $100 million, a record for streaming. None of that has to be shared with theater operators, which typically take half the box office when they show a film. (About 20 percent does have to be shared with whatever streaming service that customers rent it from.) Universal said that when movie theaters reopened, it planned to release its films simultaneously in theaters and online, eliminating the theaters’ traditional window of exclusivity.	A month later, “Trolls World Tour” has brought in well over $100 million, a record for streaming. None of that has to be shared with theater operators, which typically take half the box office when they show a film. (About 20 percent does have to be shared with whatever streaming service that customers rent it from.) Universal said that when movie theaters reopened, it planned to release its films simultaneously in theaters and online, eliminating the theaters’ traditional window of exclusivity.
Is this, finally, the death knell for the theater? The furious responses from movie-theater companies reflect the severity of the threat. Cineworld Group’s Regal chain said it wouldn’t show any films that didn’t grant theaters the usual 90-day period of exclusive distribution. AMC Theaters, the nation’s largest movie chain, went even further, saying that “effective immediately,” it would bar all Universal films — even next summer’s expected blockbuster, “Jurassic World: Dominion.”	Is this, finally, the death knell for the theater? The furious responses from movie-theater companies reflect the severity of the threat. Cineworld Group’s Regal chain said it wouldn’t show any films that didn’t grant theaters the usual 90-day period of exclusive distribution. AMC Theaters, the nation’s largest movie chain, went even further, saying that “effective immediately,” it would bar all Universal films — even next summer’s expected blockbuster, “Jurassic World: Dominion.”
If theaters are no longer the only places to watch hot new movies upon release, what is left to attract crowds? Sure, big screens are nice, and there’s the debatable proposition that movies are more fun when watched with a crowd and the aroma of popcorn, but that’s not much of a business model.	If theaters are no longer the only places to watch hot new movies upon release, what is left to attract crowds? Sure, big screens are nice, and there’s the debatable proposition that movies are more fun when watched with a crowd and the aroma of popcorn, but that’s not much of a business model.
Shares in the three large publicly traded theater chains — AMC, Cineworld and Cinemark — are trading as if they may not survive, down as much as 80 percent over the past year.	Shares in the three large publicly traded theater chains — AMC, Cineworld and Cinemark — are trading as if they may not survive, down as much as 80 percent over the past year.
Even before the coronavirus and “Trolls,” resistance to the theaters’ exclusivity window had been building. Netflix has been releasing films directly to consumers for years, even while giving a few theaters a brief period of exclusivity to qualify for Academy Awards consideration for films like “Roma” and “The Irishman.” The major theater chains have all refused to exhibit Netflix films, a boycott that seems to have had a negligible impact on the streaming service.	Even before the coronavirus and “Trolls,” resistance to the theaters’ exclusivity window had been building. Netflix has been releasing films directly to consumers for years, even while giving a few theaters a brief period of exclusivity to qualify for Academy Awards consideration for films like “Roma” and “The Irishman.” The major theater chains have all refused to exhibit Netflix films, a boycott that seems to have had a negligible impact on the streaming service.
The pandemic is likely to hasten the trend. Disney, whose action-hero and science-fiction blockbusters have been huge moneymakers for theater chains, announced this week that its film of the wildly popular Broadway hit musical “Hamilton,” scheduled for theatrical release in the fall, would instead bypass theaters and appear on the Disney Plus streaming service on July 3. Disney had already moved its animated hit “Frozen 2” to the streaming platform far ahead of schedule.	The pandemic is likely to hasten the trend. Disney, whose action-hero and science-fiction blockbusters have been huge moneymakers for theater chains, announced this week that its film of the wildly popular Broadway hit musical “Hamilton,” scheduled for theatrical release in the fall, would instead bypass theaters and appear on the Disney Plus streaming service on July 3. Disney had already moved its animated hit “Frozen 2” to the streaming platform far ahead of schedule.
On Friday, Warner Bros. will release its Scooby-Doo movie, “Scoob!,” straight to streaming services, where it will be sold for $24.99.	On Friday, Warner Bros. will release its Scooby-Doo movie, “Scoob!,” straight to streaming services, where it will be sold for $24.99.
As a result of virus-induced theater closings, even the motion picture academy has dropped the requirement that films have a theatrical release to be eligible for Oscars.	As a result of virus-induced theater closings, even the motion picture academy has dropped the requirement that films have a theatrical release to be eligible for Oscars.
Now that we’ve gotten a taste of first-run movies at home, where this month the entire family could watch “Trolls” for little more than the cost of a single ticket at big-city theaters, it seems inevitable that the trend will continue even when theaters open.	Now that we’ve gotten a taste of first-run movies at home, where this month the entire family could watch “Trolls” for little more than the cost of a single ticket at big-city theaters, it seems inevitable that the trend will continue even when theaters open.
“People are going to ask, ‘Why am I spending $30 to go to a movie theater with sticky floors when I can watch at home?’” said Doug Creutz, managing director and media and entertainment analyst at the brokerage firm Cowen.	“People are going to ask, ‘Why am I spending $30 to go to a movie theater with sticky floors when I can watch at home?’” said Doug Creutz, managing director and media and entertainment analyst at the brokerage firm Cowen.
This might be a win for those stuck-at-home hungry for new content, but it will be a loss for American culture. Unlike watching a movie in the basement while wearing pajamas, going to a theater is an event and a social experience, and at its best a memorable one. I still remember driving with my parents over 100 miles to attend the St. Louis premiere of “The Sound of Music” at the Fox Theater, which is now a performing-arts center, and the excitement of seeing “Apocalypse Now” at the cavernous Ziegfeld in New York, which managed to hang on until 2016.	This might be a win for those stuck-at-home hungry for new content, but it will be a loss for American culture. Unlike watching a movie in the basement while wearing pajamas, going to a theater is an event and a social experience, and at its best a memorable one. I still remember driving with my parents over 100 miles to attend the St. Louis premiere of “The Sound of Music” at the Fox Theater, which is now a performing-arts center, and the excitement of seeing “Apocalypse Now” at the cavernous Ziegfeld in New York, which managed to hang on until 2016.
“There has always been a social aspect of the theatrical experience that appeals to people,” said Kevin J. Corbett, a professor of cinema at Central Michigan University and the author of “The Big Picture,” a history of moviegoing. “I point not only to the massive box-office successes of things like the Marvel movies, but also to the number of film festivals that have proliferated in the 21st century.”	“There has always been a social aspect of the theatrical experience that appeals to people,” said Kevin J. Corbett, a professor of cinema at Central Michigan University and the author of “The Big Picture,” a history of moviegoing. “I point not only to the massive box-office successes of things like the Marvel movies, but also to the number of film festivals that have proliferated in the 21st century.”
Confronted with a flight to the suburbs, the decline of inner cities and a lack of free parking, the Roxy closed in 1960, long after most movie palaces had been torn down, converted to parking garages or, in a few cases, salvaged for community centers or concert halls. But its concept — that the theater could be an experience beyond the movie itself that would lure people out of their homes — may offer a path forward.	Confronted with a flight to the suburbs, the decline of inner cities and a lack of free parking, the Roxy closed in 1960, long after most movie palaces had been torn down, converted to parking garages or, in a few cases, salvaged for community centers or concert halls. But its concept — that the theater could be an experience beyond the movie itself that would lure people out of their homes — may offer a path forward.
Faced with previous threats to their existence, movie theaters have proved resilient, much like independent bookstores, threatened first by chains like Barnes & Noble and then the rise of Amazon. They adapted with personalized service, reading groups and author appearances.	Faced with previous threats to their existence, movie theaters have proved resilient, much like independent bookstores, threatened first by chains like Barnes & Noble and then the rise of Amazon. They adapted with personalized service, reading groups and author appearances.
“Movie theaters have always come back, and when they do, they’ve been better,” said Maggie Valentine, author of “The Show Starts on the Sidewalk,” a history of movie theaters. She noted that the movie palaces of the 1920s were a response to the 1918 flu pandemic, and a drab, run-of-the-mill experience wouldn’t do the trick. “They had to give people a reason to leave their homes.”	“Movie theaters have always come back, and when they do, they’ve been better,” said Maggie Valentine, author of “The Show Starts on the Sidewalk,” a history of movie theaters. She noted that the movie palaces of the 1920s were a response to the 1918 flu pandemic, and a drab, run-of-the-mill experience wouldn’t do the trick. “They had to give people a reason to leave their homes.”
Updated June 5, 2020	Updated June 5, 2020
	So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.	A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.	The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.	Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.	Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.	States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.	Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.	Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)	If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.	Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.	The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.	If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.	If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Later, theater owners reacted to television by introducing bigger and more innovative screens, including Cinerama, the short-lived curved-screen projection system introduced on Broadway in 1952, and sound systems like Sensurround in the 1970s.	Later, theater owners reacted to television by introducing bigger and more innovative screens, including Cinerama, the short-lived curved-screen projection system introduced on Broadway in 1952, and sound systems like Sensurround in the 1970s.
They provided air-conditioning when it was still a novelty. They followed the automobile to the suburbs, building modest theaters with ample parking. They followed their teenage audiences to the shopping malls of the 1960s and ’70s. And then came the megaplex, with bigger screens, stadium seating and reserved seating.	They provided air-conditioning when it was still a novelty. They followed the automobile to the suburbs, building modest theaters with ample parking. They followed their teenage audiences to the shopping malls of the 1960s and ’70s. And then came the megaplex, with bigger screens, stadium seating and reserved seating.
After the virus, that is unlikely to be enough.	After the virus, that is unlikely to be enough.
Small theaters are already experimenting, much as independent bookstores have innovated back to relevance. Some historic theaters, for example, have been restored and reopened as architectural attractions in their own right.	Small theaters are already experimenting, much as independent bookstores have innovated back to relevance. Some historic theaters, for example, have been restored and reopened as architectural attractions in their own right.