Cinema figures up for the first time in 7 years!

See this article from the Daily Telegraph, really up to date!!

Cinema audiences boom as people look to escape recession
Cinema audiences have jumped this year, as consumers flock to watch comedies and teenage fare to escape the recession, according to industry figures.

By Harry Wallop, Consumer Affairs Editor
Last Updated: 10:17PM BST 26 May 2009

More than 55 million cinema tickets were sold in the first four months of the year Photo: GETTY
More than 55 million cinema tickets were sold in the first four months of the year, an increase of 14 per cent on the same period last year and the highest number for seven years, figures collected for the Cinema Advertising Association indicate.
Despite pubs, nightclubs and restaurants struggling during the recession – with customer numbers falling sharply – it would appear film fans are refusing to forego a regular trip to the cinema.

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The latest figures follow a bumper year in 2008, when cinemas in Britain enjoyed their best summer since 1969.
The UK Film Council said the figures were proof cinema was fulfilling its longstanding role of providing escapism during a recession.
John Woodward, the chief executive, said: “These figures underline film’s vital contribution to our wider economy and the central role it plays in all our lives. Today, more UK audiences are going to the cinema than ever before, and not just to see the big blockbuster movies.”
The Great Depression, coinciding with the early years of "talkies", produced some of the most popular films of all time, including King Kong, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and the Marx Brothers' Monkey Business.
With the exception of Slumdog Millionaire, the Oscar-winning film which securely holds the number one position, most of this year's block busters have been romantic comedies, animation or films aimed at teenagers.
Fast & Furious and 17 Again, aimed at teenagers, have grossed £10 million or more, despite having been in cinemas just for a few weeks.
David Gritten, film critic for the Daily Telegraph, said: "These two films are absolute must-sees for teenage boys and teenage girls. And the great thing about teenagers is that they tend to go once, and then twice, and often a third time to see a film.
"That's why cinema distributors and advertisers love these films." They are the fifth and sixth most watched films this year.
Behind Slumdog Millionaire, the second and third biggest selling films were two animations, Monsters vs Aliens and Bolt, both of which were shown in a small number of cinemas in 3D – a technology expected to take off next year and encourage even more people back to the cinema.
Film experts pointed out that the average price of a ticket was £5.20, which compared very favourably to the cost of two pints of lager, which on average totals £5.52 in a pub.
"The cinema remains a relatively cheap form of entertainment, especially compared with eating out or a night down the pub," said Mr Gritten.