By Gina Morton
This year showcased a variety of record-breaking hits, varying from comedies to family films, and one theater owner said local records fell as well.
But J.K. Rowling’s young wizard continued to reign supreme with Valley movie fans.
“It’s been a real smorgasbord of pictures this year, “ said Marvin Troutman, owner of the Cinema Center theaters in the Susquehanna Valley Mall, Hummels Wharf, and near Bloomsburg. “It’s been an excellent year for the motion picture industry.”
He said nationwide, attendance was up 5 percent, and though he didn’t have specific numbers for his theaters, he knows the number of movie-goers rose locally.
“During the recession, motion pictures increase,” he said. “It’s the least expensive and cheapest for away-from-home entertainment.”
The biggest movies for the Cinema Center included “Star Trek,” “Night At the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian,” “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaur” and “District 9.”
“ ‘The Hangover’ surprised everyone and did really well,” he added. “ ‘Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince’ went through the roof.”
The biggest movie for 2009 likely will be “Twight: New Moon,” which Troutman said broke records and became the biggest midnight show the company has had. At the Hummels Wharf location, seven midnight screenings were sold out.
While there often are midnight openings of films, there isn’t any rhyme or reason behind how officials determine which get played that night.
“It’s a gut feeling,” Troutman said with a laugh. “Are kids out of school? How much do you hear about it? Who does it appeal to? There’s no cut-and-dry reason, just whatever we think.”
Mary Bannon, of the Campus Theatre, Lewisburg, said the No. 1 movie this year at the movie house was “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.”
“I think every year ‘Harry Potter’ comes out, it’s the highest grossing,” she said.
Runner-up was “Marley and Me,” which opened Christmas Day 2008. “Slumdog Millionaire” and “Night at the Museum” followed closely behind.
“Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs,” “2012,” “A Christmas Carol,” “Inglourious Basterds,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” “Sherlock Holmes” and “It’s Complicated” also have been big hits at the Hummels Wharf location. “Avatar” was the No. 1 movie for the Christmas season.
“Especially now with 3D in the theater,” Troutman said. “It works really well.”
Troutman is amazed at the array of movies that are being released. The story lines and special effects are what bring people in, he said.
“Years ago, they made movies like we all had a mind of a 12-year-old. Now, there are different films for different people,” he said. “... This past year was just outstanding. Next year with ‘Toy Story 3,’ ‘Iron Man,’ ‘Eclipse,’ ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,’ it looks good.”
