John Fithian Quotations

We strongly encourage (theater owners) to keep the ads limited in duration and make them entertaining in their own right. We hope there will be a migration toward fewer ads that don't replicate what's on television, because people can't stand that.

We regret this tragic incident, but we have to remind our patrons that violence at theaters is extremely rare. We've had 1.5 billion people come to the theaters in each of the past three years, and there were only a handful of violent incidents. Though very unfortunate, this type of incident is very rare at the cinema. At this time we don't know if there is any association of this particular incident in connection with the film that was playing. We'll let the police do their investigation.

Simultaneous release would seriously damage the theater industry, ... death threat to our industry.

I don't know what's going on with consumers that they have to talk on phones in the middle of theaters.

Here's what we know about 2005: The movies are not as good,

We have to attack rude behavior - fighting, bickering, talking too loud.

Our members are aware of price concerns and are listening.

We will actually petition the Federal Communications (Commission) to remove the block on jamming cell phones.

We still don't have completely DCI-compliant systems operating in the marketplace. This year will see that those systems come together and begin to get integrated.

This will be a more optimistic convention. The tide has turned.

When you have slumps, there is a discordant amount of harping. When things are up, you don't hear a peep.

We've had several years of prototype equipment. What we haven't had is fully integrated systems. That's what needs to be tested to make sure files can flow correctly and the pieces all work together.

The reason movies are released in this sequential pattern is to maximize profit for makers.

The structure of the industry is sound, ... We just need a few more good movies.

After years of planning, developing technical specifications and considering business models, the digital-cinema revolution begins in 2006. All of those three components have come together, and deals are being negotiated now between theater companies and equipment and financial entities. It will take several years for this transition to occur, but 2006 certainly marks the beginning of the transition.

This is something that drives us nuts. When Wal-Mart starts putting up signs a month and a half or two months into the movie's run, that just kind of tells the consumer: 'Wait -- it's coming.

They go to the movies to escape their houses, ... and they like to escape their healthy diets too.

They're not terrible; they're just not as good. And so the industry has experienced a temporary drop-off compared to 2004, the biggest box office year in movie history.

It's the biggest threat to the viability of the cinema industry today.

It's the movies, stupid. That's what we've been saying all along.

It looks as if we're finally getting more movies for families. We're all for a varied slate, movies for kids, movies for adults. But the thing that's going to get business going is when families come to the theater together.

Consumers have many options for entertainment and leisure time. Theater operators must continue to innovate and to create the optimal experience.

It's stunning to me, the barrage of articles about the impending death of the movie theater.

It was a bit of a down year for theatergoing. There's been bigger down years.

It takes good movies and a good theater experience to bring people out. Both are happening now.

The issues of collapsing windows will still be an important topic. But I do not think it's as hot or as controversial as it was in October. The vast majority of the studios have given us very strong, private and public, assurances that sequential release works for them as a business model.

I'm not sure who was asleep, but it wasn't the exhibition industry. Here's what we know about 2005: The movies aren't as good.

I'm confident in our summer, and that we'll get a lead over last year. If there's a question, it's whether we can hold it when we get to October and November. Then we're holding our breaths a little.

I like to describe it as business decisions that made a lot of sense individually added up to make some not-so-good sense collectively.

If Hollywood were to go the way of simultaneous release, fewer Harry Potter s would get made.

If consumers seriously analyzed their options, they'd realize that the cinema is the best value for a buck.

The court did nothing to change the law as it applies to copyrights. We view the case as a decision in patent law. If the law were changed for copyrights, it would not mean block booking was legal.