Contrary to what many journalists and other pundits say, sex, obscenity and graphic violence usually don't sell all that well.
Our study shows the more graphic the sex and violence, the less likely a movie will make back its investment. All these facts and figures lead us to ask Hollywood executives and owners of America's movie theater chains one question: How many more empty seats do you want?
Most moviegoers, and most non-moviegoers for that matter, want to see good conquer evil, truth triumph over falsehood, justice prevail over injustice, and beauty overcome ugliness. They also would like to take their whole family, including their grandparents, to the movies more often.
That's why "Horton Hears A Who" was the top movie over the weekend in the United States and Canada. It also explains why "American Idol" has 25 million viewers any given night, 2½ times more than its closest competition.
The next time someone says, when an ultraviolent movie with explicit sex and nudity earns big bucks on an opening weekend, "Hollywood is just making what the people want to see," please remember that the actual facts show the exact opposite.
It's time for Hollywood to give the public what it really wants. |