While reading the paper and all the money people are spending on books and movies, it's hard to believe we are in tough financial times in the US.

Hulk took in 62.6 million in the first weekend.

Retailers were concerned that the 8.5 million Harry books(first printing for the US alone), wasn't enough to satisfy all the hungry Harry fans waiting to purchase the latest and greatest Harry story.

I continue to be amazed at the money we Americans spend on entertainment. I am one of those Americans who does this too(though not a Harry or Hulk fan)... so what can I say?

Anyone else amazed at those numbers?

[ June 26, 2003, 09:51 AM: Message edited by: Dotsie ]

NOt realy. There are studies that say in hrad economic times, people escape through more moderate or cheaper forms of entertainment (like movies or books). THey say movies that do well in recesions are the ones that tend to be more fantasy than true story, which woudl explain the millions movies like Hulk, the matrix, etc.. have made.

I went to an opening of the Musesum of Comic and Cartoon Art in New York the other weekend and went to a lecture where they discussed the resurgence of interest in comic books and comic book heroes (Spider Man movie, Hulk movie,Dare Devil, The Matrix wad written by former comic book writers? Art Speigleman (not sure of spelling but he is the one who won the Pulitzer for his graphic novel "Mouse") talked about people's need for escape and heroes in times of incertainty and that is why people tend to turn to media outlets for it.

Figured there must be a reason for it and that sounds like a good one. Makes sense to me.

can you imagine how many people we could feed, clothe, and house with what they take in on one weekend at the movies ??????