You are so right Liz! The movies offer the most important aspect we all need in times of crisis….escapism. The ability to forget about our mortgages, rent, bills, jobs (or lack thereof) and escape to a place and time that is beyond us. On a huge screen we can focus on other’s lives and adventures. Laugh or cry, roll our eyes or hoot and holler. And given that 2008 in my opinion was a wonderful year for the movies, I would think the Oscars would draw huge viewer this year. I’m still pouting about Doubt not making the final cut for Oscar consideration, but I’ll get over it. I am a movie fan and have probably seen every movie made, (sometimes it feels that way) and I appreciate the hard work that goes into writing a script. I’m sure the show will be just as enjoyable this year, as in past years.

I’m still trying to catch up on the nominated films. Last night I saw ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ and loved it. What a ‘real’ story, set in a real slum. It told it just like it is. I hope it wins best picture at the Academy as it did at the SAG awards.

Now we have other outlets besides the movie theaters, cable, internet, Netflix, etc. But if some of these theaters can roll back their admission prices it will make an affordable night out for families, couples and every one who loves films. I remember when BAM offered great prices and included a restaurant deal too. I went to so many performances on a teacher salary. Businesses need to get creative again and do something that will help save Main Street and our sanity. We will need a form of escapism, and movies offer that.

Yes - high ticket prices keep many of us culture mavens from enjoying as many performances as we would wish - $40 is a lot for a ticket! I think if there are empty seats, there should be discounts. There used to be many at the Ahmanson and Mark Taper Forum - including invites for Equity members - but the new regime has ended that & has collective amnesia about the fact that it ever existed. Alas.

Unfortunately, the price of a ticket ($7-$10) precludes most families from attending movies together, and in the current economy, I think we’ll see movie theaters closing - UNLESS their owners decide to cut ticket and refreshment costs. Then it could be a win-win. Last time I took three of my grandchildren to the movies, I’d spent more than $40 by the time we’d bought tickets, popcorn and drinks. A movie rental is about $5 and homemade popcorn tastes great. I know there’s something about sitting in a darkened theater, watching on the big screen - I’ve loved going to movies for years- but now they are a luxury.

I wonder how the cost of movies and Coke at the movies compares today with what the expense of going to a movie was during the FIRST Great Depression.

Well, back in the day it only cost a dime to go to the movies, and you could sit thru it all day if you wished. They also had prizes offered at some of the showings and a real piano player before the film strarted - and ushers showing you to your seat. Sat. matinees with serials you had to go to each week to keep up with the story, but this was before TV, so was exciting. I read in the paper yesterday that some theaters are now having bars at the refreshment stand so you can see a movie and get drunk at the same time. Will that drag more people in? Nothing like going to the movies and sitting next to a noisey drunk.

I would love to see my script made into a movie, to inspire women to go ahead and change the world. If Susan B. Anthony & Elizabeth Cady Stanton aren’t the great revolutionists, then who is? “THE REVOLUTIONISTS” (Drama) is about the true stories of Susan B. Anthony & Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s unrequited loves, whilst fighting the unjust laws against women, and creating equality for us all. (Five years of research, visiting the towns that they lived in, giving speeches about these two women, and getting the Childhood Home of Susan B. Anthony on the National and NY State Historic Register. I had also convinced the bank to donate the foreclosed property to the NY State Parks Department.) © & WGAw registered

Liz if only this were simply “economic doldrums”. This is in fact a disastrous time for many. I love film and Oscar is a not to be missed event. I’m headed to The Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford this afternoon to join in the Wyeth family’s celebration of Andrew Wyeth’s works. “Christina” will be there for the very first and perhaps only time.