Nemo found me.

It wasn't long ago that when a movie came out, it played in one theater for several weeks and then was replaced with another movie that would occupy the same space the other one had had---get this, it’s because there was only one screen! Then came Megaplexes where up to 30 movies played under one roof. Sure, some of the movies were the same, but if you missed the 2:15 showing, there was a 3:10 not far behind---and you could buy popcorn and snacks while you waited for the next show to begin. (Plus, you got a really good seat!)

Of course things have changed dramatically in the movie business; in the mid 1980s a movie went from being only seen in a movie theater (and later on TV) to now coming out on a VHS tape (for a reasonable $79.99) which morphed into DVD’s to pay per view and so on. Well, it’s going to change again. It was just announced today that Disney is going to create ways to make sure you can watch a movie when it comes out. But not just in theaters. Think about it, a movie comes out on a Friday night, you’re tired and the weather is lousy. You just don’t feel like making the trip to the theater. So now you’ll be able to watch it at home---because soon you are going to provided with limited access to the movie’s digital file the day the movie is released. In other words, when you are looking to “Find Nemo” he will find you! It can be on your ipod, computer screen or home theater system.

Who wins? We do. You’ll have a choice to see it when you want and where you want; if you want to see it on the big screen at a theater, you’ll still be able to!

Who loses? Probably the theaters---but maybe not. I am not sure of the numbers, but theaters typically don’t make money on a movie until it’s been out at least 2 weeks; they typically make their money on the $6.50 popcorn and $4.75 drinks. But if people are watching the movie at home, or on their ipod so goes the overpriced popcorn, snacks and $10.00 seats.

Feeling bad yet for the theaters? You may not have to.

Here's why?

There could be a new development happening---by the way, this is just a guess. If this technology does catch on, you will not only see a drop in ticket prices at the movie theaters, but really good incentives to keep you coming back to the multiplexes. It’s one way the theaters can stay competitive---and a way they can make an experience out of it for all of us. Who will fund these changes? Advertisers and marketers who want you to have good feelings about their products.

Imagine going to your favorite 30-screen megaplex to learn dinner is being served thanks to Healthy Choice or some other food company. Sure the movie theater will lose out on some popcorn business, but they will be well paid by the advertiser; plus there still will be popcorn, candy and Cokes sold because not every one will want to eat a Healthy Choice chicken dish.

Okay, back to the future.

The photo above was taken at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago---this clown fish, AKA Nemo, was swimming alone. It reminded me of one of my favorite movies I have seen with my kids. I’ll never forget it, it was the day we missed the 11:40, 12:15 and 1:30 performances at the megaplex---fortunately there was another showing 25 minutes later. Disney knows how to make us want to see a movie so bad we’ll wait at the theater---but soon we won’t have to.

Thanks for stopping by.