We’ve all complained about the outrageous cost of movie-theater snacks. Someone is finally trying to do something about it. From the Detroit Free Press (via AlterNet): Joshua Thompson loves the movies. But he hates the prices theaters charge for concessions like pop and candy. This week, the 20-something security technician from Livonia decided to do something about it: He filed a class action in Wayne County Circuit Court against his local AMC theater in hopes of forcing theaters statewide to dial down snack prices. ... Thompson didn't want to be interviewed because he doesn't want any notoriety, Morgan said. But Thompson said in his lawsuit that he used to take his own pop and candy to the AMC in Livonia until the theater posted a sign banning the practice. On Dec. 26, he paid $8 for a Coke and a package of Goobers chocolate-covered peanuts at the Livonia theater -- nearly...
- 3/12/2012
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
The high price of drinks and snacks at the cinema has prompted one man to take legal action. What's your cinema snacking strategy?
Perhaps it had to happen eventually. Joshua Thompson, a Michigan "security technician" furious at being prohibited from carrying his own food and drink into the cinema, last week filed a class action against a large American cinema chain. His lawyer claims that for AMC to charge around $8 for a Coke and some chocolate-covered peanuts amounts to price gouging. A professor of business law at Eastern Michigan University has called the suit "a loser", but Thompson is not the only cineaste horrified by the price of snacks.
From a business point of view, cinemas are only partly about films. "When we bought [Odeon]," Guy Hands of private equity group Terra Firma famously said, "the management team really believed they were part of the film business. I had the difficult...
Perhaps it had to happen eventually. Joshua Thompson, a Michigan "security technician" furious at being prohibited from carrying his own food and drink into the cinema, last week filed a class action against a large American cinema chain. His lawyer claims that for AMC to charge around $8 for a Coke and some chocolate-covered peanuts amounts to price gouging. A professor of business law at Eastern Michigan University has called the suit "a loser", but Thompson is not the only cineaste horrified by the price of snacks.
From a business point of view, cinemas are only partly about films. "When we bought [Odeon]," Guy Hands of private equity group Terra Firma famously said, "the management team really believed they were part of the film business. I had the difficult...
- 3/8/2012
- by Oliver Thring
- The Guardian - Film News
This past week, a Michigan man filed a lawsuit against his local theater over its high snack prices. According to the Detroit Free Press, Joshua Thompson is suing AMC Livonia after he paid $8 for a Coke and a pack of Goobers (he allegedly spent $2.73 on the same items at a local drug store). While experts claim that Thompson has no shot at winning this case ("Movie theaters are regulated, so the lawsuit won't go anywhere," said consumer lawyer Ian Lyngklip), he isn't the first individual to fight the legal battle against their local cinema. In recent years, moviegoers have brought lawsuits against theaters over everything from lack of security to commercials playing before the film starts. In honor of Joshua Thompson's quest for cheaper soda and candy, let's take a look at five other lawsuits against cinemas. Movie Theater Lawsuits:...
- 3/7/2012
- by Alex Suskind
- Moviefone
If you're like most movie fans, you're probably pretty tired of paying through the nose for snacks at the concession stand, where a simple box of candy or small beverage can easily cost more than the movie ticket itself. But what are you going to do about it, right? Sue someone?
Well, that's exactly what one fed up moviegoer in Michigan has just done. According to The Detroit Free Press, a fellow by the name of Joshua Thompson has just filed a lawsuit against AMC Theaters claiming that their outrageous concession prices violate Michigan state law.
Would you like some Ho Hos with that subpoena?
Logically, of course, Thompson's case seems reasonable. But legally speaking, does he have a leg to stand on, especially after he had to spend both it and an arm to buy a box of Twizzlers? According to the report, "the suit accused AMC theaters of...
Well, that's exactly what one fed up moviegoer in Michigan has just done. According to The Detroit Free Press, a fellow by the name of Joshua Thompson has just filed a lawsuit against AMC Theaters claiming that their outrageous concession prices violate Michigan state law.
Would you like some Ho Hos with that subpoena?
Logically, of course, Thompson's case seems reasonable. But legally speaking, does he have a leg to stand on, especially after he had to spend both it and an arm to buy a box of Twizzlers? According to the report, "the suit accused AMC theaters of...
- 3/7/2012
- by Scott Harris
- NextMovie
Photos from Prometheus, Dark Shadows, Men in Black 3, Wrath of the Titans and Jack and Diane.
A poster featuring "Hellboy" and "Sons of Anarchy" star Ron Perlman as a transgender computer hacker in Frankie Goes Boom.
"Producer Megan Ellison has hinted that we might see an October release for Paul Thomas Anderson's much anticipated "The Master"…" (full details)
"Both Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter have confirmed a script for a third "Bill and Ted" movie is done and they're both happy with it, now comes the time to sort out making it…" (full details)
"Sony Pictures has jumped onboard MGM's "Robocop" remake as a distributor, akin to their arrangement for "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" and the upcoming Bond film "Skyfall"…" (full details)
"Warner Bros has scheduled a one-night showing of classic "Casablanca" on March 21st in nearly 500 cinemas across the country, preceding the March 27th release of...
A poster featuring "Hellboy" and "Sons of Anarchy" star Ron Perlman as a transgender computer hacker in Frankie Goes Boom.
"Producer Megan Ellison has hinted that we might see an October release for Paul Thomas Anderson's much anticipated "The Master"…" (full details)
"Both Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter have confirmed a script for a third "Bill and Ted" movie is done and they're both happy with it, now comes the time to sort out making it…" (full details)
"Sony Pictures has jumped onboard MGM's "Robocop" remake as a distributor, akin to their arrangement for "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" and the upcoming Bond film "Skyfall"…" (full details)
"Warner Bros has scheduled a one-night showing of classic "Casablanca" on March 21st in nearly 500 cinemas across the country, preceding the March 27th release of...
- 3/7/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
A man from Detroit, Joshua Thompson, has filed a class action lawsuit against his local AMC theater in hopes of forcing theaters around the country to lower the price of snacks, like popcorn and soda. Thompson said that he used to take his own popcorn and candy to the AMC until the theater posted a sign banning the practice. He ended up paying $8 for just a Coke and a package of candy, which is nearly three times the $2.73 he paid for the same items at a nearby store. "He got tired of being taken advantage of," said Thompson's lawyer. "It's hard to justify prices that are three- and four-times higher than anywhere else." The suit accused AMC theaters of violating the Michigan Consumer Protection Act by charging grossly excessive prices for snacks, and seeks refunds for customers who were overcharged. Ultimately, however, experts believe that the suit will be thrown...
- 3/6/2012
- WorstPreviews.com
Has high-priced popcorn finally reached its plateau? If one moviegoer gets his way, then maybe. A Michigan man has just filed a lawsuit against his local theater due to their high concession prices. According to the Detroit Free Press, Joshua Thompson, a 20-something security technician, is suing AMC Livonia in the hopes of the movie theater lowering their price tag on snacks. "He got tired of being taken advantage of. It's hard to justify prices that are three- and four-times higher than anywhere else," Thompson's lawyer told the paper. Does Joshua have any chance of bringing relief to moviegoers? Not likely. "Movie theaters are regulated, so the lawsuit won't go anywhere," said consumer lawyer Ian Lyngklip. "It's a loser," added Gary Victor, an Eastern Michigan University business law professor. As for the refreshment that set Joshua over the edge, it was the $8 he paid for a Coke and a pack of Goobers.
- 3/6/2012
- by Alex Suskind
- Moviefone
Sometimes enough is enough. When Joshua Thompson had to pay $8 for a box of Goobers and a Coke at his local AMC theater, he decided the line had been crossed. The Livonia, Mi, man filed a class-action lawsuit against AMC for gouging consumers.
In the Detroit Free Press article, Thompson's lawyer, speaking on behalf of the plaintiff said, "He got tired of being taken advantage of... It's hard to justify prices that are three- and four-times higher than anywhere else."
Indeed. Thompson reportedly often brought his own snacks to the movies until a sign was posted by the theater chain banning outside food and drink. The result of which, we presume, ended with the purchase of the Goobers and Coke in question.
In reporting the story, the Free Press attempted to speak to a representative at the National Association of Theatre Owners in Washington, D.C., but the staffer who...
In the Detroit Free Press article, Thompson's lawyer, speaking on behalf of the plaintiff said, "He got tired of being taken advantage of... It's hard to justify prices that are three- and four-times higher than anywhere else."
Indeed. Thompson reportedly often brought his own snacks to the movies until a sign was posted by the theater chain banning outside food and drink. The result of which, we presume, ended with the purchase of the Goobers and Coke in question.
In reporting the story, the Free Press attempted to speak to a representative at the National Association of Theatre Owners in Washington, D.C., but the staffer who...
- 3/6/2012
- by Jud Lewis-Mahon
- Reelzchannel.com
I can.t imagine there are many movie-goers out there who think the price of snacks at the concession stand are remotely reasonable. Sure, we.re all probably used to shelling out what could amount to more than the cost of a movie ticket for popcorn and a soda, but .reasonable. doesn.t seem like an adjective fitting to the cost. While skipping the concession stand is the obvious way to avoid being ripped off, a man in Michigan is taking the issue to court. According to the Detroit Free Press, a 20-something named Joshua Thompson has filed a class action suit against his local AMC theater in Wayne County Circuit Court with the hopes of making theaters across the state lower their snack prices. The article mentions Thompson.s experience with snacks and movies, which may sound familiar to those who go to the theater somewhat regularly... But Thompson...
- 3/6/2012
- cinemablend.com
We've seen some weird lawsuits in the movie industry over the past little while, but this one just might take the cake... literally. A twenty-something man from Michigan has filed a class-action lawsuit against his local AMC theatre, alleging that they are "violating the Michigan Consumer Protection Act by charging grossly excessive prices for snacks." Joshua Thompson is seeking "refunds for customers who were overcharged, a civil penalty against the theater chain and any other relief" that the judge feels is appropriate. Although most people are expecting the case to be thrown out of court, there are a lot of movie fans who can definitely sympathize with Thompson's plight. Can he possibly hope to fix this long-standing pet peeve of moviegoers? Let's face it, expensive movie theatre snacks are nothing new, and with movie ticket sales down, costs for digital projection technology on the rise, and studios putting the squeeze on exhibitors,...
- 3/6/2012
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
Joshua Thompson, a Michigan resident, is taking his local AMC theatre to court over charges for sweets and soft drinks
A filmgoer in Detroit is suing his local cinema over the excessive prices he says it charges for snacks.
Security technician Joshua Thompson hopes to convince a judge that his local AMC theatre in Livonia, a city within the Detroit metropolitan area, is breaking state consumer protection laws. He has filed a class-action suit at the Wayne County circuit court in southern Michigan asking for affected filmgoers to be refunded and calls for the cinema to be hit with a civil penalty.
"He got tired of being taken advantage of," Kerry Morgan, Thompson's lawyer, told the Detroit Free Press. "It's hard to justify prices that are three and four times higher than anywhere else."
Thompson says he paid $8 for a Coke and a packet of Goobers chocolate-covered peanuts at the...
A filmgoer in Detroit is suing his local cinema over the excessive prices he says it charges for snacks.
Security technician Joshua Thompson hopes to convince a judge that his local AMC theatre in Livonia, a city within the Detroit metropolitan area, is breaking state consumer protection laws. He has filed a class-action suit at the Wayne County circuit court in southern Michigan asking for affected filmgoers to be refunded and calls for the cinema to be hit with a civil penalty.
"He got tired of being taken advantage of," Kerry Morgan, Thompson's lawyer, told the Detroit Free Press. "It's hard to justify prices that are three and four times higher than anywhere else."
Thompson says he paid $8 for a Coke and a packet of Goobers chocolate-covered peanuts at the...
- 3/6/2012
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
A film fan is suing his local cinema in Michigan for overpricing its snacks. Joshua Thompson - a security technician in his twenties from Livonia - filed a class action suit in Wayne County Circuit Court earlier this week against his local AMC theatre, in a bid to force all cinemas to lower their prices. Thompson's lawyer told the Detroit Free Press: "He got tired of being taken advantage of. It's hard to justify prices that are three and four times higher than anywhere else." Thompson refused to comment because he said that he didn't want any notoriety, but in the lawsuit he claimed that he paid $$8 (£5) for a drink (more)...
- 3/6/2012
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Six dollars for a box of gummy worms at the movie theater seems like highway robbery, but is it actually unlawful? On behalf of all others who find the prices of movie theater concessions to be outrageous, Michigan resident Joshua Thompson has filed a class action lawsuit against his local AMC theater. He's suing because the movie house denied him the ability to bring his own soda and candy into the local AMC in an alleged violation of Michigan's Consumer Protection Act. Photos: Crazy Cases! 18 of Hollywood's Outrageous Entertainment Lawsuits The plaintiff is a 20-something security technician in
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- 3/5/2012
- by Eriq Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It would appear Joshua Thompson has bought his last box of overpriced Goobers.
According to the Detroit Free Press, the Livonia, Mich., resident is suing his local AMC theater "in hopes of forcing theaters statewide to dial down snack prices."
The class-action lawsuit was filed in Wayne County Circuit Court, according to Wjbk.
Thompson reached the decision sometime after he purchased a Coke and a box of Goobers for $8, according to the Free Press, which also notes that the lawsuit seeks refunds for allegedly gouged customers and a civil penalty against the theater chain.
Typically, movie theaters make around a quarter of their entire operating revenue from concession sales, Smart Money previously reported.
Seeking to defend theaters' right to charge what they want for snacks, a representative from the National Association of Theater Owners told Smart Money that it's "not a requirement" to buy popcorn when you go to the...
According to the Detroit Free Press, the Livonia, Mich., resident is suing his local AMC theater "in hopes of forcing theaters statewide to dial down snack prices."
The class-action lawsuit was filed in Wayne County Circuit Court, according to Wjbk.
Thompson reached the decision sometime after he purchased a Coke and a box of Goobers for $8, according to the Free Press, which also notes that the lawsuit seeks refunds for allegedly gouged customers and a civil penalty against the theater chain.
Typically, movie theaters make around a quarter of their entire operating revenue from concession sales, Smart Money previously reported.
Seeking to defend theaters' right to charge what they want for snacks, a representative from the National Association of Theater Owners told Smart Money that it's "not a requirement" to buy popcorn when you go to the...
- 3/5/2012
- by Simon McCormack
- Huffington Post
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