The Summer ‘08 movie season did more than rake in buckets of cash. Every summer slate does that, give or take a few million.
It restored this movie fan’s faith in the film blockbuster, and I bet I’m not alone. It was touch and go for a while, though.
“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” did its best to squash my inner child, the same child who first fell in love with movies. “Indy” represented the most cynical part of the season - the can’t miss sequel that leaves audiences wishing they stuck to the originals.
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“Tropic Thunder” hauled in another $16.1 million this past weekend to bring its two-week total to $65.7 million.
Guess the boycott by several disability groups against the movie for its frequent use of the word “retard” didn’t make a dent in its profits.
But film boycotts can’t always be measured by dollars and cents.
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Shopping for a new HDTV? Better do your homework, and then check the numbers one more time.
The biggest decision consumers once had to make was the easiest - LCD or plasma? But today’s sets offer far more options to consider. And since flat-screen sets in the 40-inches and up range still cost north of $1,000, it pays to know precisely what you’re looking for when you enter that electronics chain near you.
The LCD vs. plasma debate still rages on, but today it’s as much about price points as which offers a superior picture.
One way to take the HDTV plunge is to consider plasma sets. Phillip Swann, president and publisher of TVpredictions.com, says LCD models have jumped ahead of their plasma peers in terms of sales, and by a wide margin. That provides an opportunity for savvy shoppers.
“For consumers, it should mean keeping an eye on possible plasma bargains. Some believe the plasma picture is better so if you can get it cheaper, do so,” Swann says. He adds consumers shouldn‘t expect free-falling TV prices this Christmas season as we‘ve seen in the recent past.
LCD and plasma technologies have battled it out for years, but while newer technologies like OLED and Laser TV could be coming our way soon, “the jury is still out on them,” he cautions. [click to continue...]
