Access Atlanta > Movies > Blog > Archives > 2008 > May > 16 > Entry
Will you pay $20 for ‘Kit Kittredge: An American Girl’?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Five cities, including Atlanta, are part of a select early opening of “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl,” starring Oscar nominee Abigail Breslin. While the movie opens nationally July 2, it can be seen early starting June 20 in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Dallas.
But here’s the rub. And since I think it’s significant, I’ll quote the press release sent to me Thursday by the studio Picturehouse: “With the purchase of each premium ticket ($20) the patron will receive a limited edition t-shirt.”
Did you catch that? Tickets will be $20 for a G-rated movie based on a popular doll for little girls!
My editor’s head still explodes every time I mention the earlier Miley Cyrus 3D concert film. She unhappily says she forked over $18 per ticket so her daughter could see that movie.
There’s everything to be said for pricing tickets according to what the market will bear. But there’s also something negative to say about taking advantage of the emotions of little children and their parents.
I think anybody who forks over $20 for a ticket should get a limited edition t-shirt. Because at that price, they’ve already bought it.
Will you pay $20 a ticket for you and yours to see “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl”? Do you think Hollywood is reasonable in pricing these special movies and special events?
Permalink | Comments (92) | Post your comment | Categories: Bob Longino
Comments
By geekboy
May 16, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
$20 for a movie and a T-shirt seems fair to me. Perhaps you’ve never heard of this little thing called capitalism? If this is a bad idea, the cash register will soon tell us.
By mike
May 16, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
Of course I won’t. And I’ll keep saying that right up to the time I pull out my debit card at the box office while my 2 little girls watch.
It’s how the world works.
By just me
May 16, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
That is ludicrous. Are the parents expected to accept the shirt at that price? I don’t need an American Girl shirt for taking my daughter to the movie. I’ll wait ‘til it comes out on video, so that I can own it for that same $20.
By Stephen
May 16, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
I agree with you on the point that Hollywood takes advantage of children and their parents by creating a “must see” situation for kids, then making parents pay the high ticket price to satisfy them. I think of the households that can’t pay the ticket price so that their kids can’t have the experience of the film (save for the regualr release) or Miley Cyrus or other kid spectaculars. To leave many kids disappointed and excluded in the name of the buck is pathetic. The American Girl franchise is already pricey; how about giving the girls the franchise hopes to inspire a break?
By Ryan T
May 16, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
If you don’t like it, don’t pay for it. Plenty of people will, and that’s why they are able to do it. They should price the movie at whatever people are willing to pay. And $20 for a movie and a T-shirt is not bad, anyway. Movies are $10 on their own, so $10 more a T-shirt isn’t bad at all.
By Pandora
May 16, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! You actually THINK that ANYBODY in their RIGHT MIND would pay $20 to watch a movie? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
You obviously missed your calling…you should have been a comedian!
By pat
May 16, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
In light of the recent disasters, both here in the metro, as well as in China and Myanmar.. it appears that twenty dollars could be use to do a greater good. I agree with “just me”.. get the video.
By Tawni
May 16, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
It is crazy, but these same folks that cannot afford to pay their bills or complain about gas will have their children first in line to see this mess.
By kim
May 16, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
“Hollywood takes advantage of children and their parents by creating a “must see” situation for kids, then making parents pay the high ticket price to satisfy them.” HAHA And we wonder whats wrong with society. I have children…and happy to say they can’t make me do anything…I’m the parent. Disappointment is a part of life…will they be disappointed I won’t take them to see the movie, maybe ~ guess what, they will get over it. “Satisfy them”, must be the same childrent that scream and holler until mommy/daddy “satisfies” them. CRAZY!
By amy
May 16, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
not only would i not pay it, but my girls would just have to accept it. the fact that there are people out there who will pay that much isn’t as sad to me as the fact that there are parents out there that will spend money they don’t want to or shouldn’t be on things their kids don’t need. that’s the lesson i had to learn growing up, and while it sucked at the time, i and my family are better off for it now. giving kids whatever they want teaches them absolutely nothing constructive.
By Josh M
May 16, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
Um, I’m not sure I see the problem here. The $20 isn’t just for the movie, it’s for a movie and a T-shirt. If you purchased the two separately, they’d probably cost more than that.
And if you want to pay just for the movie, just wait until July 2nd.
“I think anybody who forks over $20 for a ticket should get a limited edition t-shirt. Because at that price, they’ve already bought it.”
Um, yes they should, yes they are, and yes they have. That’s the point. What’s with the indignation?
By cynic
May 16, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
Justme - if it costs $20 for the film at a theatre, what makes you think they’ll only sell the DVD for $20?!? I’m betting that price gets jacked up, too!
By Wilson
May 16, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this
$20 for a movie and a t-shirt sounds perfectly fair to me. What’s the big deal?
By Jamie
May 16, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
“just me” I am loving your comment. At the rate that movies hit DVD’s, if you get too busy or take a vacation, by the time you think to go the movies it’s already out on DVD.
By Slubbage
May 16, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
Stephen…”I think of the households that can’t pay the ticket price so that their kids can’t have the experience of the film”…this isn’t a communist country my friend. You are an idiot.
By UgaDawg
May 16, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
Movies out, no thank you. Things come to DVD and onDemand, itunes so fast these days, we’ll just watch it in the comfort of our house with all the popcorn we can eat. Besides then I don’t have to take out a loan for popcorn and candy and drinks.
By China Rider
May 16, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
We have lots of choices to make in the course of raising girls.
I was told about the American Girl Place in New York City. I took my 10 year old up. It was astounding - and expensive.
$200 later I was still alive, my daughter was happy, and it better - infinitely so - than the Baby Crack W** crap many of her peers were whining to get.
Sure, our relationship is a great deal more than a few cute overpriced doll outfits and snarfy little dog.
Now she’s 15 and drags to Ralph Lauren, Ann Taylor, J Crew, and Eastern Mountain Sports, pines for a Harrow carbon fibre lacrosse stick and new Coach shoes.
She also has a 3.5 GPA and is in honours classes, does sports round the clock, has 150+ hours of community service, still goes to Mass with me without much complaint.
So far, unlike a number of my own friends, I haven’t had to have piercings or tattoos removed, visit my daughter in a rehab, shop with her in stores featuring sex devices next to kilt skirts or rescue her from a cult.
Every single cent I pony up to help guide toward smart and intelligent choices, even over priced ones wrapped up in preppy colours, is worth it ten fold.
By Slubbage
May 16, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
Stephen…”I think of the households that can’t pay the ticket price so that their kids can’t have the experience of the film”…this isn’t a communist country my friend. You are an idiot.
By UgaDawg
May 16, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
Movies out, no thank you. Things come to DVD and onDemand, itunes so fast these days, we’ll just watch it in the comfort of our house with all the popcorn we can eat. Besides then I don’t have to take out a loan for popcorn and candy and drinks.
By just saying
May 16, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
Hollywood is praying on the fact that parents now a days don’t want to say no to there kids…I wish I would let my kid guilt me into spending $20 per ticket for a movie when they could just wait for it to come out of video. Beside all the parents who will spend the $20 a ticket will also turn around and buy the DVD. Hollywood isn’t as dumb as you think
By You're kidding right?
May 16, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
Now let me get this right. First I have to pay a fortune for the gas to take my kids to the movies, pay out the wazoo for the concessions and still pay 20 bucks for a movie just so I get a FREE T-shirt???? Yeah right! Not in this lifetime folks. In my house, that 40-50 bucks would be a partial week’s worth of groceries. Do we eat or go a movie?? Right. Priorities folks, that’s all I’m saying.
By Mike
May 16, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
I’m pretty sure that the American Girl company is not a non-profit company. If they can fetch the $20 price for a ticket, good for them. If you don’t like the price, don’t attend the screening. I think it is hilarious when people whine and cry about prices of goods and services that are not essential for life. It’s a movie! What’s next, are these people going to the Bentley dealership and complain about how they are ripping off poor families with children that are forced to buy their cars. Please……
By Will Hinton
May 16, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this
Bob: the real issue here isn’t whether Hollywood is preying on the emotions of children. The real issue is the fact that most parents have lost the ability to say no to their children. Why do we want to shift the blame to some non-personal entity like Hollywood rather than taking an introspective look at ourselves?
Yes, it is easier to demonize outside forces. But parents have to take responsibility for their own actions.
By opportunity for life lesson
May 16, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
I guess if I had a daughter who wanted to go, it could be a valuable lesson in managing personal finances - save for it, sacrifice something else, and perhaps pay for someone else who couldn’t afford it.
By ldand
May 16, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
cool! let’s see, I can buy a chicken and cook it(bar bq) add some chips, pasta salad, kool aid and home made chocolate chip cookies, a few paper products, some ice, small chest, catch Marta (I am 1 block from the station), take my grandchildren (4 girls) to centennial park. OH!, I will need a blanket and 2 towels and a change of clothing. UNDER 35.00 total and they will talk about this outing forever. Buy the Kit Kittredge movie this summer (used) for 3 bucks, invite their friends over, darken the tv/movie/living room, make some popcorn and kool aid and they get to talk about the movie by the time school starts with the other young people who paid 20.00 and got a t-shirt. Hey, whatever floats your boat.
By lakerat
May 16, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
Obviously, I must have missed something - I believe the $20 ticket is for the advance viewing BEFORE the July 2 national roll out. So, if everybody will unwad their panties and wait until July the price will be $8.50. Hence, $11.50 for a T-shirt is a bargain, since, after the movie comes out they will be $20 in stores, if you can find one!!!
By FCM
May 16, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
We did not see the Hannah Montana concert because of the circus and prices surrounding the concert. My children have the knock off dolls and have outfits from the store, along with several of the books. We will not be going to watch this movie at $20/pop….We will however pay normal prices for Prince Caspian (Narnia II) which opens this weekend
By Yvonne
May 16, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
I think this is outrageous. It also leaves so many children out of the mix. We wonder why crime is what it is today. But what is the alternative when your parents can’t afford all these expensive experiences that all your friends are having. Yes, I will pay it. I am hoping that she does not want to go.
By SJ
May 16, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
I would pay $10 for a movie because that is what we pay now, but as for $20 and included will be a t-shirt that is too freakin little and I will never wear it nor use it except to clean around the house and the sizes are ALWAYS Sm-MD-LRG shirts…so guess what NO THANKS!
By glenn
May 16, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
Yes. The same dummies that drive their precious rugrats to school adding to traffic and wasting $4.00 gas when buses go right by the house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By john
May 16, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
What guy is going to wear an “American Girl” t shirt? I think the marketing dept. needs to reexamine their target demographics.
By Kenn
May 16, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this
By Kevin
May 16, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
Lovely. $20 to see a movie about the depression era doll. I will use the movie release as an opportunity to teach my kids about the value of money. “Girls, let me explain the word extortion to you.” How about this? No. Nuf said.
By kay
May 16, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
I can easily afford to pay $20 per ticket for myself and children but I WILL NOT. Those prices are ridiculous.I don’t want the t-shirt for myself and I wouldn’t buy my child and her friends a shirt either. I currently take the kids to thematinee and pay no more than $6.00 per person. 3 of us can see a movie, eat popcorn, have a drink and enjoy a flick for the cost of 1.5 tickets. If people agree to those exhorbitant prices now it will come back and kick them in the backside later.
By Chuck
May 16, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
I think this will become the norm for movie theaters. A limited edition toy, shirt, doll, poster, music CD, or anything else will be used to get people to watch the movie in a theater rather than waiting until they can watch it at home.
I actually could see a movie company charging a $20 ticket, but the patron gets a $15 coupon or gift card to use at the companies online store. A shirt cost $15 dollars at the online store so in the end the person paid $20 for a shirt and a movie if they actually went to the online store to get something. The patron will also probably end up buying more stuff at the online store.
By O J
May 16, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
This is great! I think they should stick it to those over indulged little snot nose brats.
By gb120566
May 16, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
Rule of Economic Pricing - the maximum amount the consumer is willing and able to spend.
Until the market (i.e. consumer) stays home, the prices will continue to climb. If you don’t like it, stay home and don’t pay it and if enough people do, the market will adjust the price downward because the consumer is no longer WILLING to pay that price. Companies are under no obligation to the consumer, my little girl or your little girl. They are obligated to the shareholder that RISKS their money to invest in their company in order to receive a return. the consumer has risked NOTHING, and therefore is owed nothing. The offer of the product at a certain price is your choice to make - period.
By jungleland
May 16, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
$20 for a preview movie and a T-shirt? That sounds like a great deal. Also, if they charged $5 there would be 10,000 kids lined up to get into a 100 seat theatre and parents screaming bloody murder ‘cause their little angel could not get into the movie.
Here’s an idea: Wait until the movie opens in July and go to the matinee. Or go to AAA and get discount movie passes. Or wait until it comes out on DVD this fall.
By greedy
May 16, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
Just what a 40 yr old man needs - an American Girl shirt! Save your money - wait for the DVD, which will be out my Christmas as it will flop at the box office.
By Dee
May 16, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
I couldn’t agree with Will more! The problem is that too many parents don’t make their children earn ANYTHING, they don’t know the value of a dollar… or $20 for that matter! I have 3 daughters and they will not be attending ANY movie for $20!
By gb120566
May 16, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
Rule of Economic Pricing - the maximum amount the consumer is willing and able to spend.
Until the market (i.e. consumer) stays home, the prices will continue to climb. If you don’t like it, stay home and don’t pay it and if enough people do, the market will adjust the price downward because the consumer is no longer WILLING to pay that price. Companies are under no obligation to the consumer, my little girl or your little girl. They are obligated to the shareholder that RISKS their money to invest in their company in order to receive a return. the consumer has risked NOTHING, and therefore is owed nothing. The offer of the product at a certain price is your choice to make - period.
By Father
May 16, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
It’s all economic —- At $20, if only 1 million tickets are sold countrywide over the 1st weekend it becomes the #1 movie. Give away some cheap t-shirts made in China for $1 each for the news headlines makes perfect sense. Notice how the select markets perfectly match where the high-income (aka spoiled children) are?!?
By HE
May 16, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
Have you ever shopped at the American Girl store? This is a bargain!!!
By Slubbage
May 16, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
Yvonne….”It also leaves so many children out of the mix. We wonder why crime is what it is today. But what is the alternative when your parents can’t afford all these expensive experiences that all your friends are having.”….you have now taken over as the biggest idiot on this post. Congrats! And thank you to the few folks on here that acutally paid attention during econ class.
By Hardnose
May 16, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
I think it’s a bad idea from the parents’ perspective. It reinforces the idea, long touted by marketing people, that you don’t just go see a movie— you buy bunches of movie-themed junk merchandise that you don’t need and that will only clutter up your house and car.
Parents who feel the same way may want to tell their children “no.” yeah, go ahead and disappoint them. Teach them that consumers have power, and every now and then the choice is not just to buy “the product” somewhere else, but to not buy the product at all.
If the movie studio refuses to sell the tickets alone, and must sell a promotional t-shirt with them (turning the wearer into a walking billboard), then the movie studio is forcing a “take it or leave it” package deal. I hope many parents will leave it, and show their kids that they can say “no” to corporate greed and slick marketing schemes too.
By carolinagirl
May 16, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
Amen amy! The reason we have so many spoiled kids now is because their ‘parents’ (and I use that term loosely) give them anything that they want. The parents are setting their kids (and everyone who has to deal with them) up for a future of “It’s all about me” instead of “Although I am important, so is everyone else.”
By JLW
May 16, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
Ummm, would you pay it if and when they run out of t-shirts? At some point the cinemas will no longer have t-shirts to give out.. So with that being said, not once, but twice— Will you? My answer is NOpe!
By Roja
May 16, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
I wouldn’t pay $20 for a ticket to see Elvis - dead or alive - much less a movie. And if you think Capitalism is alive, you haven’t been listening to the candidates who want to tax “excess profits” even if those profits are only 7.5%
By Sarah
May 16, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
If it was something my child wanted to see then I’d say yes $20 for a ticket to a movie and a t-shirt seems fair, but you’d better believe I’d make her wear that t-shirt every day for a month … J/K … I think. ;)
By gb1205
May 16, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
Rule of Economic Pricing - the maximum amount the consumer is willing and able to spend.
Until the market (i.e. consumer) stays home, the prices will continue to climb. If you don’t like it, stay home and don’t pay it and if enough people do, the market will adjust the price downward because the consumer is no longer WILLING to pay that price. Companies are under no obligation to the consumer, my little girl or your little girl. They are obligated to the shareholder that RISKS their money to invest in their company in order to receive a return. the consumer has risked NOTHING, and therefore is owed nothing. The offer of the product at a certain price is your choice to make - period.
By David
May 16, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
I didn’t take my 11 year old daughter to the Hannah Montana movie or concert, and I told her why - I’m not driven by hype disquised as capitalism, and I hope she learns not to be as well. Hannah is on TV daily and she gets her fill. American girl doesn’t interest her, but her younger sister likes it some - and she won’t be going to this movie for the same reasons. My job as a parent is to teach my daughters, not kiss their asses and coddle them. Please e-mail me if you are interested in signing up for some free parenting lessons, or you just want me to slap you around a bit.
By karia
May 16, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
Things like this make me glad that I have sons. I agree with “life lessons” above. If I had a daughter, and she wanted to do this, she would have to spend her own money to do so. I’ve made my boys use their own money for similar whimsical purchases, and it has definitely taught them something about money management. Necessities, I always pay for. But things they just want? Well, it’s fun to treat them sometimes. But for the most part, they have to earn and save their own money for frivolous things.
By Mike
May 16, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
A regular movie ticket is what, ten dollars? So you get to see the movie two weeks early and get a t-shirt and it only costs $20? Why all the ripping-off-overindulgent-parent comments? If you don’t want to spend $20, wait until July 2 and see it for $10.
By footballbeerchic
May 16, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
that’s great! I’ll take the t-shirt and hide all my contraband snacks in it!!
By Josh M
May 16, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
Everybody take a deep breath. So many of you like to complain just to hear yourself complain.
I’ll say this so you can easily understand: These are “special event” screenings before the movie is officially released. The $20 price includes a movie and a T-shirt (it is not a “free” T-shirt to go along with a $20 movie ticket). If you want to see the movie without paying $20 or getting a shirt, wait for its official release in July. If your child can’t wait without exploding into hysteria, that is your problem as a parent.
Oh, and the AJC needs to read that as well. Their headline “American Girl movie to cost $20” is misleading at best.
By jeed
May 16, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
Hellz naw. Then again, I wouldn’t pay $2 to see it.
By Mark
May 16, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
I think it’s a square deal: a nice movie for the young ladies and a Limited Edition t-shirt that she can wear as something fun makes the $20 expense worthwhile.
It could be part of the young ladies’ allowance, reward for a job around the house well-done, or just a nice thing to do for your girl(s).
If your family is a member of a movie club (for example, Regal Cinema’s Crown Club or AMC’s Moviewatcher programs), they offer freebies (free snacks, popcorn, drinks and even free movie tickets) for attending their theaters and these programs are free to the whole family to enroll.
Your family can have several cards under one account and accumulate points quickly so that the bonuses can be rotated fairly among your family members. And don’t forget cheaper prices for Seniors, Students, and matinee showings. No matter what the price is for a movie ticket you still get the small amount of points. Did I say thewse programs are non-intrusive and also free for anyone to enroll?
You won’t get spammed for sharing a bit of information about your movie-going habits to these companies. It’s a Win-Win for those that still enjoy the occasional movie and after a short period it will be worth the time it took you to fill out a sheet of paper, get your card(s), present them at the ticket office and concessions. Yes, you get points on concessions, too (at the Regal Cinemas, anyway).
This American Girl movie experience and t-shirt for $20 sounds completely reasonable to me - and $20 for a lot of people - myself included - right now is a lot of money.[br] Eat salads and veggies for a few days, walk to the theater (if possible), don’t buy or rent any videos or games for awhile and you’ll have the $20 for a lovely evening for your kid(s) - with or without you.
Just my 2¢. Thanks for listening and hope it helps.
By Don KeBallz
May 16, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
I will buy the DVD next week at the flea market from Jose for $ 5 bucks.
By ed
May 16, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
ill just download it for free from some certain sites
By lovelyliz
May 16, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
Capitalism at it’s best. If the market will bare these price then so be it.
By lovelyliz
May 16, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
Capitalism at it’s best. If the market will bare these price then so be it.
By Hairy Potter
May 16, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
For $20, I expect a ticket, T-shirt and a Happy Ending!
By Becky
May 16, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
Yes, if my 5 yo grandaughter wants to go see it, I’ll take her..This is why I work..If it means that I do without something, oh well..As others stated, $20 for a movie & T-shirt isn’t a bad deal..I would bet that most of these people that are fussing about paying $20 for their child to see a movie, sure spend money on beer & cigarettes for themselves..
By CAK
May 16, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
People pay these crazy prices that why we see such high ticket prices on movies, sporting events, concerts! I don’t go to concerts anymore cuz i’m not paying 100 bucks or more to see someone sing. mike said - he’s gonna pull out his debit card and take 2 daughters - people pay it. Bravo to “just me” waiting til it comes on video which will be about 2 mos. anyway.
By Hairy Potter
May 16, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
For $20, I expect a ticket, T-shirt and a Happy Ending!
By Hairy Potter
May 16, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
For $20, I expect a ticket, T-shirt and a Happy Ending!
By Alex
May 16, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
I’m all for capitalism and free market. And i’m showing my devotion to capitalism by not going and if I was a parent not taking my kid at these prices. And for any parent out there who caves into their kid against what they would normally do, needs to start exercising some discipline over that child.
By Howard
May 16, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Alright all you parents that think $20 is too much for a movie ticket. Why don’t you skip your daily trip to Starbucks ($4.00 coffee) and take your kids to something they will remember and appreciate for the rest of the lives. They are only young once.
By Mark in Winston
May 16, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
The Braves charge $20 to $80 for a child, the Falcons the same… Hawks or Thrashers are out of site considering the quality of play… What’s the difference? at least the child get’s a T-Shirt!
By Jeff
May 16, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
Why all the ripping-off-overindulgent-parent comments?
Because some people just have to spout off about how much “harder” they are, it seems.
By Whysthisonthehomepage
May 16, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
Can the AJC please go back to giving us the news, doing some real reporting and laying off the fluff-n-puff stuff? I sure miss the covering Dixie like the dew days and am thisclose to becoming the millionth to cancel.
By promark
May 16, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
$8 for a ticket. $12 for a tee shirt. Combined package: $20. It kills two birds with one stone. I don’t see the big deal.
P.S. to Hairy Potter—Happy Ending won’t be brewed until the end of the year (though Philips Arena had it in Febrewary).
By Steve
May 16, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this
American Girl “Made in China”. Won’t be giving them any of my American dollars.
By snorfledork
May 16, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
Do us all a favor, shoot your kid and then yourself.
By snorfledork
May 16, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Do us all a favor, shoot your kid and then yourself.
By billdeyaa
May 16, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
Really ??!!?!?!?! another 4th grade article from an, “International and worldly newspaper” as they claimed to be prior to the 96 Olympic games.
By another one
May 16, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
good point, chuck. and I’ll be those of you who have such a hard time with this as a marketing gimmick “for girls” (that’s who the t-shirt is intended for, people) ie hardnose, karia - I’ll be if it were a star wars type thing you wouldn’t think twice about paying for it for yourself and/or your son. If my kids were still into those dolls ( which are now set aside for the grandkids - they are good quality) and I could afford it, I would certainly take them.
By boop girl
May 16, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
Heck NO. Mostly because for kids movies, most of the time we just wait for them to come out on DVD. Kids like to watch a movie over and over again. When we do go to the movie, we go to the discount theatre and pay $1.50-$3.00. Movies are just like electronics, If you have the patience to wait a while and not “get it now” they are very affordable, and kids as young as mine (3 & 6) don’t know the difference.
By David
May 16, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Look, kids, only one type of parent takes their kids to these types of hyped events - the absentee “buy your love” mommy & daddy. “Only young once”? “Take them to something they’ll enjoy”? How about a park? How about actually reading a book? How about not getting caught up in the hype-of-the-moment? Most of you hadn’t heard of American Girl until they opened a store here!
By mark
May 16, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
I wouldn’t go pay $20 bucks for any movie!!!! Not when I can wait 3 months and rent it for 5!!!
By Crown
May 16, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
After careful consideration and reading everyone’s comments, I came to the conclusion that the price of $20 is not that bad. Especially if we both get t-shirts. I am corny and my daughter and I sometimes dress alike. Anyway, she is a good kid, makes great grades, and I have no problem telling her that I “can’t afford” certain things. As a matter of fact, I will tell her that some things just aren’t worth the money. She has NEVER complained because she understands that money is a valuable resource that should not be squandered. That being said, I won’t suggest it to her but if she absolutely has to see it June 20th and can’t wait two weeks I will take her but I doubt she will be that anxious.
By Crown
May 16, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
After careful consideration and reading everyone’s comments, I came to the conclusion that the price of $20 is not that bad. Especially if we both get t-shirts. I am corny and my daughter and I sometimes dress alike. Anyway, she is a good kid, makes great grades, and I have no problem telling her that I “can’t afford” certain things. As a matter of fact, I will tell her that some things just aren’t worth the money. She has NEVER complained because she understands that money is a valuable resource that should not be squandered. That being said, I won’t suggest it to her but if she absolutely has to see it June 20th and can’t wait two weeks I will take her but I doubt she will be that anxious.
By STAXMom
May 16, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
I’m all for teaching my children about the value of money, but I don’t recall that meaning they had to take a vow of poverty as part of the deal. They’re only young once. Have fun for Pete’s sake! If having fun means a hike in the woods for you, then have at it. As for me and my 5 year old daughter, we’ll be in line to see Kit. And before you get all judgmental on me, my kids can (and do) read, play sports, play instruments, and get good grades.
By Crown
May 16, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
After careful consideration and reading everyone’s comments, I came to the conclusion that the price of $20 is not that bad. Especially if we both get t-shirts. I am corny and my daughter and I sometimes dress alike. Anyway, she is a good kid, makes great grades, and I have no problem telling her that I “can’t afford” certain things. As a matter of fact, I will tell her that some things just aren’t worth the money. She has NEVER complained because she understands that money is a valuable resource that should not be squandered. That being said, I won’t suggest it to her but if she absolutely has to see it June 20th and can’t wait two weeks I will take her but I doubt she will be that anxious.
By Crown
May 16, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
After careful consideration and reading everyone’s comments, I came to the conclusion that the price of $20 is not that bad. Especially if we both get t-shirts. I am corny and my daughter and I sometimes dress alike. Anyway, she is a good kid, makes great grades, and I have no problem telling her that I “can’t afford” certain things. As a matter of fact, I will tell her that some things just aren’t worth the money. She has NEVER complained because she understands that money is a valuable resource that should not be squandered. That being said, I won’t suggest it to her but if she absolutely has to see it June 20th and can’t wait two weeks I will take her but I doubt she will be that anxious.
By monica
May 16, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
Bottom line, some will chose to pay this, some won’t — I think my daughter will pass because she’s past her AG phase — but you have to remember, they’re marketing this to people who’ve paid $105 for a doll — and probably a lot more than that for more than one doll and all the accessories. Personally, I think $20 is expensive but it does include the shirt so it’s probably about right. Most girls of Hannah Montana or AG age don’t know the value of the money anyway, they just want to go. They’re not spoiled for wanting it, they’re just little girls. Adults who spend $20 or $30 for something for themselves know the value of those dollars, but nobody gets mad at them for their designer shoes or pedicures or whatever. For those who want to pay it, go for it…for those who don’t, wait a couple of weeks…
By Donna
May 16, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
I think we should realize that children are more expensive today than when we were children. Our parents took us as children to crazy type adventure that we wanted to go as a child. This is not any different than taking our daughter to see a movie because they play with American Girl. I rather it be this than all the bad stuff that goes on.
By DKB
May 16, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
Absolutely not! I don’t have any girls—and kind of doubt my boys will be interested (they’d be offended, to say the least, if I even suggested it). However, the thing is that if the theatres or movie distributors or whoever think they can charge $20/ticket for Hannah Montana and American Girl and people pay it, then they’re going to start charging that for ALL movies. As it is, I only take my kids to matinees so that it’s a little more affordable, but it’s still not cheap. I’ll just wait for the DVD’s to come out (but still won’t get American Girl).
By DKB
May 16, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Absolutely not! If the theaters and movie distributors charge $20/ticket for these “special” movies and people pay it, then they’ll start charging that much for ALL movies. I can barely even manage the matinee prices. Just wait and buy the DVD, if you really want to see it.
By wojoe
May 16, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
IDIOTIC!!
By DH
May 16, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
We invetsed in a high end media room, complete with 72” plasma on the wall so we won’t have to go to movies anymore and sit with people we don’t want to sit with and listen to smelly people with strange accents and unmannered kids on cell phones. Besides, this movie is getting horrible reviews.
By DKB
May 16, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
(Sorry for the double entry. My computer said the page couldn’t be found so I tried it again. It lied! :-)