Ben-DutkaMaybe you hadn't noticed, but the chick flick has enjoyed a big resurgence in the theaters lately. …or maybe you hadn't noticed.
Well, either way, according to a recent article in UK publication The Telegraph , the ever-increasing popularity of video games with the male population has helped generate this influx of chick flicks in Hollywood. Citing the success of the critically panned "Valentine's Day" as just one example, the article says studio executives believe that as games keep targeting guys, there just isn't enough money to go around. Hence, they sacrifice going to the theaters for the latest, greatest game. Said Peter Guber, chairman of the Mandalay Pictures production company and former studio chief at Sony Pictures:
"A lot of young males are spending much more time on the internet, games and UFC [ultimate fighting]. They have not abandoned movies but they have diminished as a target, while the female audience has remained robust."
A 2009 NPD report suggested that the number of American game players have now surpassed the number of movie goers, but we're willing to bet the vast majority of hardcore gamers are still male. Even so, the number of girl gamers continue to rise – as evidenced by the sheer number of females who send me messages and e-mails every time I question this fact – so perhaps even the chick flicks will go away at some point (God willing). Perhaps Hollywood could try an original concept or storyline for once. You know, something that isn't a remake or based on a book or game. Maybe that'll help. Just a thought.
That's not what I meant. I simply meant that you can rent movies on the net so why not give people the convenience of Watching movies on their PC the same day it hits theaters.