CINEMA BuzzFEED - 1 March 2014

The Latest Trends in Food

Once or twice a year CMG delves into the latest trends in mass market food which is very useful information for cinema owners.  The goal being to inform on how to maximize the moviegoing experience while increasing concession profits.

Food trends, like fashion trends - come and go.  The trick is to be aware of them and perhaps adjust or endeavor to offer a twist on the trend.  Doing so, is great for business and sets your cinema apart as a destination for entertainment and not just a movie theater.

Donuts w/chicken @ Federal Donuts

Mexican 'sandwiches' @ Tortas Frontera

Some food trends endure. For example, 25 years ago sushi could only be enjoyed at a Japanese restaurant, now you can purchase it at most any supermarket.  Another example, is Buffalo chicken wing.  It currently appears that bacon, bacon, bacon is out. Restaurants moved to and pushed bacon and other pork products on their menus because pork was cheap - but no longer and it appears that the burger is back, particularly gourmet . The other notable trends are: ethnic fusion foods, soda alternatives, donuts w/everything from fried chicken to ice cream, kebobs, and super fancy grilled cheese sandwiches.

'Lettuce' Entertain You Burger @ M Burger

Burgers are back, but they are not your normal burger the trend is for gourmet or speciality burgers perhaps paired with a butterscotch milkshake.

Ethnic fusion and natural/organic is also trending. Cava Mezze Grill does both with their 'Greek Mexican' inspired menu.
Little Muenster does grilled cheese to the max, while at the Kebob Shop, Shawarmas take top billing.

Tortillas w/ Tzatziki sauce @ Cava

Grilled cheese @ Little Muenster

A Shawarma @ the Kebob Shop

'Tumbler' Replica Sells For $1Million

How about a quiet Sunday drive

If you are so inclined and have a spare million lying around a 'Tumbler' Batmobile could be in your future.  The street-legal 'Tumbler' is being sold by James Edition Luxury Goods of London, which says of the car, "we have built this insane vehicle to be street-legal; however, please understand that this in not made for the daily drive!" 

The car's specs include: 44 inch tires, 8 channel stereo which is Bluetooth and iPod compatible, CD/DVD player, and five driver assist cameras.  As you guessed, the 8 cylinder Tumbler comes only in black.  Other James Edition vehicles are a Dodge Pickup Truck with 9/11 memorial paint job, and a camo-Hummer with drone helicopter.

Keywords in Movies Show Societal Norms

There are loads and loads of data and statistics on the movie industry - but none are more esoteric and interesting as the keywords of the Best Picture Oscar Nominees.  Now, what is this exactly? And what is its value?

Compiled by IMBd.com, a web-based company that amasses info. on the cinema industry and which is owned by Amazon, scourers movies for keyword phrases which point to society's changing norms and viewpoints (see chart).

One trend in movies is the dropping of the movie's title into the dialogue of the film.  For 2013, 33 films released had a character dramatically speak the title and four of those were nominated for Best Picture Oscar.  In two of these films (Captain Phillips and Philomena) the title doubles as a character's name.  The other two (Dallas Buyers Club and The Wolf of Wall Street) use the title in the film's dialogue.

Other key phrases often used in films last year were:"father-son relationship", "mother-son relationship", "husband-wife relationship", and "beating".  The most commonly used keyword in all the movies released last year - "bear-chested male".  Yes, you heard it here first @ CMG.

Best
Jim Lavorato