Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Will we still have a movie theater?

Beachboy Brad broke this story that our only movie theater is closing. I called them up to find out the story. I asked the person who answered the phone if there would be movies this weekend, and she said "maybe." I asked her if she could explain that, and she said "she's not at liberty to say" and told me the name of the manager to talk to, who naturally wasn't available. Something is going on, but it might not necessarily be the end. Zaldy told me the theater cancelled their advertising for the weekend. No one is confirming anything right now. Their website shows a gap and then something playing at the end of May. There is a lot of capital in that place to just write off. There hasn't been a big hit movie in a while, which might be a factor that along with our lousy, expensive power works to kill the place. My guess is that they don't completely vanish, but may open only on the weekends or something. That's just speculation. I've been to a few 4:00 pm shows over the years where I've been virtually the only one there. That has to be a money drainer. I would imagine the Indiana Jones movie next month creates some buzz. We'll see.

7 comments:

Bruce A. Bateman said...

I don't go often enough to be counted as a supporter.

Like you, I can't remember hearing about a movie that I really wanted to go see in recent years.

I thought about taking Alexander to see Horton Hears a Who but it sounds like I waited just long enough to not have to do it. (:-))

Marianas Pride said...

I think the movie theater's closure says it all. They have no competition, yet they are shutting down. I thought about it, and with the cost of power these days, how could they afford to stay open?

Here in Seattle, my sister-in-law averages about $100 to $120 (power, water, and sewer) a month on utilities for a three-bedroom unit. That includes heating and three kids who seem to run up the power bill by leaving lights and the TV on. She feels $120 is excessive. Wow, we pay three times that in Saipan, and that is without air conditioning and using the dryer and only turning on the water heater 30 minutes a day.

CNMI is no longer on the verge of collapse. We have collapsed. We just don't know it yet...

Anonymous said...

MP is correct. The CNMI has collapsed. By next month, people will be hording rice and basic foods for survival. Think I'm kidding? Just wait.

KAP said...

This is the fourth repetition (and isn't it funny that bloggers have voted this subject to be the year's most important?):

Watch Tan Holdings. They've got deep pockets and they've been buying at fire sale prices. They know the business.

Jeff said...

There may be four out there, but I'm not fourth.

This is highly symbolic of our situation don't you think?

A movie theater without competition is closing down under mysterious circumstances, presumably because of the cost of power, which no one seems to want to deal with. Movies are also the prime entertainment for the middle class. This says a lot, and I wouldn't doubt your Tan theory.

Anonymous said...

i heard the way joten is cutting costs is by buying ONE 40 foot container a month. let the hoarding begin!

and the crappy produce that will only be available! say good bye to fresh artichoke, strawberries and white potatoes! it will be like living on tinian and rota!

Marianas Pride said...

May I just say how wonderful it is to be shopping here in the U.S. and find nothing but the freshest produce at rock-bottom prices? Sure, it costs a lot to ship produce to Saipan. But does that justify tripling and quadrupling the price of produce?

The cost of living in Saipan is astronomical, yet somehow the Fitial administration expects people to support a family at $3.55 an hour. $3.55 an hour isn't even a decent wage for high school students working part-time.

Sorry Fitial fans, Governor Fitial is at the helm of this sinking ship, and he is certainly to blame for our problems. Too much federalization fighting, not enough CUC problem-solving...

Oh well, it could be worse. Imagine if we had Senator Crisostomo as Governor. Biba more poker establishments and legalize casino gambling!!