The Esquire Theatre Boycott Thread

[bwingrave]

This thread is intended to foster continued discussion of a boycott of the Esquire Theatre in Cincinnati. Please post your pursuasive arguments on this topic. Please do not feel bullied by people whose views are different than yours.

There's more information on this issue at http://msg.woxy.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=598 . I'm starting a new thread for the boycott because the old thread title (Amelie) didn't mention anything about the Esquire or a boycott, and people who haven't been reading that thread might be interested in this discussion.

b

[butter_of_69]

For those of you with ADD, to sum up the argument to this point:

"I won't go see Amelie at the Esquire. Censoring bastards!"
"You should go see it!"
"No way."
"Yeah, no way."
"Hey, give it a rest."
"I don't think I will."
"You should."
"Make me."
"Kiss my ass."
"Can't we all just get along?"
"Sure."
"I love you. Let's have pie."
"OK."

[bwingrave]

Where can we go for some good pie?

b

[doctort13]

Mullane's Parkside Cafe, downtown on Race Street at Garfield Place.

[eyeball]

I wish I had pie....going back to bed now.

[butter_of_69]

I believe there's a good pie place in Stuckeyville... all you can eat for $5.99.

Sadly, Stuckeyville is fictional.

[Candyass]

Mmmmm...Mullane's apple prailene pie is my favorite!!! With a cup of dark black coffee!!!:p

[bwingrave]

OK. Here's my argument in favor of boycotting the Esquire:

[list=1]
IN June 2001, the Esquire Theatre screened an edited version of the film The Center of the World, and
In doing so, the Esquire Theatre acted in the interests of its own profits at the expense of the artistic vision of Wayne Wang, and
Artisan Entertainment, the film's distributor, was not consulted before said edits were made, and
The Esquire Theatre did not inform members of the paying public that they were going to be viewing an edited version of the film, and
The owner of the Esquire Theatre, Gary Goldman, chose to ban CityBeat film critic Steve Ramos from its premises as a result of his reporting on this story, and
The Esquire Theatre no longer advertises in CityBeat, nor (confirmation on this?) allows the paper to be distributed in its lobby
The Esquire Theatre does not appear to be open to negotiating with Steve Ramos or CityBeat
In general, one reason to have a boycott is that those boycotting wish to reduce the volume or profitability of the business, so as to get the business to change its unjust policies
If Gary Goldman changed his unjust policies, it is conceivable that the boycott would be lifted.
Many, if not most, films shown at the Esquire may be viewed in other ways (i.e. Dayton's Neon Movies, library checkout of DVD and VHS versions of the films, rental of DVD and VHS versions of the films)
Many, if not most, patrons of the Esquire are able to take advantage of at least one of the above alternative ways of seeing the films that are screened at the Esquire, should they choose to do so
In the unlikely event that the Esquire was closed as a result of a boycott-related reduction in business, it is possible (probable?) that another company would open a theater to take its place within a short period of time
[/list=1]

Your turn.

If you see holes in my argument, please point them out and/or pursuade me that your opinion is more reasonable.

If you agree with it and would like to try to organize an information campaign to attempt to pursuade others, please suggest how we could get started. I believe that for a boycott to be effective, it must be larger in scale than this one currently is. But I don't know what to do next.

b

[DogStarMan]

Just read that article on the cencorship and all:rolleyes:...that sucks!

I'm glad I don't have to worry about making political decisions when I go to a flick. I'm just happy to live in Dayton and have a decent range of art houses with well established integrity to choose from (Neon (http://www.neonmovies.com/frameset.htm) , Little Art (http://www.littleart.com/) , and the up-and-coming Centerville Cinemas).

Y'all come visit us in Dayton and we'll hook you up!:p

[bwingrave]

I went to Neon Movies (with Cuddly) for the first time Saturday. It's a cool place, easy to find and just a block from Gem City (music and video store, for those who haven't heard of it). I'm sure I'll be back.

b

[butter_of_69]

When/if you come back, look me up, b. 2 dorks on the town is probably more than downtown Dayton can handle.

[eyeball]

Originally posted by bwingrave
The Esquire Theatre no longer advertises in CityBeat, nor (confirmation on this?) allows the paper to be distributed in its lobby

which is also what I thought, but I have seen ads for amelie and the man who wasn't there for the esquire in citybeat but perhaps those are the distributer ads? the little ones with the picture and the listing of all the theatres?...however it doesn't change my not wanting to go there.

all in all I think your list is well thought out and accurate.

[eyeball]

I m not sure what I can do to help but I will be willing to. This is something I feel very strongly about.

[DogStarMan]

...yah, after reading bwingrave's list, it really seems like these guys are shooting themselves in the foot over this whole fiasco. If they are truly banning all dialog with CityBeat, they're alienating alot of their clientelle in the process.

That's it...from this day forward I will never see a movie at this place, uh, the Esquire is it? Where did you say it was again?:p

Basically, small art-houses can't afford to lose any clientelle, so I feel for these guys on that level. I know the Neon was on the rocks for awhile, and I think their core-customers pulled them out of it.

This boycott will hurt them, and what for, some stupid thing they did and won't own up to.....silly.

[Murphy]

Originally posted by bwingrave

In the unlikely event that the Esquire was closed as a result of a boycott-related reduction in business, it is possible (probable?) that another company would open a theater to take its place within a short period of time
[/list=1]
b


Or, they could just put a Wendy's there like the property owner orginally wanted to back in the late 80s.

Honestly, I'm glad to have the Esquire and the Mariemont. I could give a darn about a "boycott". I don't go very frequently, but do enjoy the fact that they bring things to town that other theatres wouldn't dare. I wouldn't probably bother to drive to Dayton to see such films, and it's just not the same experience seeing Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon on my dinky little TV set as it is on the semi-big screen.

And last time I checked, they do still advertise in Citybeat.

[eyeball]

funny thing about crouching tiger and some of these other films is the showcase in Kenwood carries a lot of them. That is where I saw crouching tiger...

[Candyass]

I was one of the first ones to boycott when this all happened. And I find the actions of the Esquires management/owner to be despicable...but I have to say that I caved...I held out for a good 6months or so (I can't remember when this happened) But, I simply got tired of missing good movies and waiting for them to come out on video. I know that's lame, but I think one thing is clear. The Esquire needs some local competition. I love the Neon, but I can walk to the Esquire. I just wish the owner wasn't so stubborn and would apologize to us the consumers and be nice to Citybeat

[bwingrave]

Murphy:

To clarify, I didn't mean that another ownership group would necessarily come in and open a movie business in the current Esquire location if the Esquire (and presumably the Mariemont) went out of business. I meant that it was probable that some sort of movie house that carried independent and foreign films would open somewhere in the Cincinnati area.

I didn't know that the Esquire was advertising in CityBeat again. Maybe contacting the folks at the paper would be a good next step.

Just out of curiosity, are any of you boycotting Kroger for refusing to carry CityBeat (after the Savage Love fiasco a while back)?

b

[Murphy]

Originally posted by bwingrave
Murphy:

I didn't know that the Esquire was advertising in CityBeat again. Maybe contacting the folks at the paper would be a good next step.
b

"Hi , CityBeat? Yes, this is a concerned citizen, and I know you are a free newspaper that earns most ( if not all) of its money from advertising but I'd like to ask that you stop accepting money from the Esquire."

(Um, it's to CityBeat's advantage that they continue to advertise.)

[bwingrave]

Murphy:

We're really miscommunicating here, aren't we?

What I meant was that maybe it would make sense to contact CityBeat about whether Steve Ramos has received an apology from the Esquire (as well as whether the reporters, etc. have heard from anyone else interested in a boycott of the Esquire). Asking CityBeat to stop publishing ads for the Esquire never crossed my mind.

b

[Murphy]

Oh, OK - gotcha. That makes sense.

BTW, didn't know about the Kroger thing - first Cosmo, then CityBeat? When did that happen?

[doctort13]

Where was everyone when Mick Telkamp was struggling to keep The (Real) Movies (AKA Moviola) on Race Street open?

I lived in Oakley and made it a point to support him and NOT the Esquire for two reasons.

1. It was next to Mullanes Cafe - so we could have an excellent meal & see a cool film.
2. Mick booked unique films. He offered an alternative to the Miramax crap, Merchant Ivory, art-house snob films that the Esquire STILL books.

I support the boycott since I love seeing the director's vision, and not the theatre manager's profit margin. Plus, they hardly show the films that I want to see. I too question why the Esquire books major release films, and skips smaller releases that are just as important to "art houses".

Shit, in my home town (Boston) we have MANY cool movie theatres. It's crap like this Esquire problem that make me really get homesick. :(

[bwingrave]

Here's an article from early in 2000:

http://www.citybeat.com/2000-01-20/news5.shtml

b

[eyeball]

I remembered suddenly citybeat was gone from kroger, but I didn't know why. Thanks bwing (pete heh heh). I all but quit going to kroger a long time ago. supporting small local markets...thats me.

[eyeball]

Originally posted by doctort13
Where was everyone when Mick Telkamp was struggling to keep The (Real) Movies (AKA Moviola) on Race Street open?


I was there. I went to the rocky so many times I lost count. I had a friend that was Rocky. I even lost my virginity there...my rocky virginity that is.

I even got to sit in the wheelchair and get wheeled around once.

he had opposition as well from his clientele. I remember being so mad that even though the group of us offered to stay after and clean up for free we still couldn't throw shit at the screen...ah well...long time ago, and the mad has gone and is just sad now.

[Candyass]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by doctort13
[B]Where was everyone when Mick Telkamp was struggling to keep The (Real) Movies (AKA Moviola) on Race Street open?

I was still going there and GOD I miss it...Mommy Dearest on mother's day was the best!!!!

:D

[doctort13]

See, there is a perfect example of a GREAT theatre programmer!

Let's get Mick (if he's still around) to buy out the bastards at the Esquire. He booked movies that ROCKED!

[bwingrave]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by doctort13
[B]Where was everyone when Mick Telkamp was struggling to keep The (Real) Movies (AKA Moviola) on Race Street open?

Milwaukee. I'm sorry to hear that it closed.

But I guess I don't rate very high on the independent film-loving-meter 'cos I still like the Merchant-Ivory stuff. The Esquire did show Ed Radtke's The Dream Catcher last year, and I don't think it got much press.

b

[doctort13]

I am not dumping on anyones taste. If you enjoy Merchant Ivory flicks, great! I like lots of honest to goodness CRAP (i.e. Robot Monster, Killer Shrews) I just used them as an example of one of the "art house" studios that gets more screens than a smaller film company.
What I would like to see the Esquire do (in addition to stop editing sex flicks) is be more experimental with the films that they show.
When's the last animation festival played in Cincinnati?
When have they booked older "cult" films? (yes there have been some ...let's have more)
Stop booking for the tight ass conservatives that would blush if you told them that you liked a rock band called The ASS Ponys. There is a different side to Cincinnati, let it show.


PS- I boycott Kroger because they suck. Poor selection, high prices, horrible service. Nuff said.
:mad:

[Murphy]

Originally posted by doctort13

PS- I boycott Kroger because they suck. Poor selection, high prices, horrible service. Nuff said.
:mad:

We must not shop at the same Kroger's! I can barely stand to go anywhere else but Kroger's (Hyde Park) for all of those reasons stated above.

[bwingrave]

Originally posted by Murphy
And last time I checked, they do still advertise in Citybeat.

OK. Finally found a CityBeat. Two, actually: last week's and this week's. No ads for the Esquire (or Mariemont). No mention of the Esquire (or Mariemont) in the movie listings area. No ads for Amelie, which is currently playing at the Esquire.

When was the last time you saw ads for the Esquire in CityBeat, Murphy?

b

[Bronzetree]

Reading through this thread and the one we were previosuly using as our Esquire rant, it pains me to look at some of the responses of people saying to just get over it. Um, no. I won't. For all the reasons that bwingrave eloquently expressed, I will not get over it. If anything, the get over it bullshit, coupled with bwin reminding me how much of a turd Goldman is for doing what he did, strengthens my resolve. How can anyone tell me to get over something I feel strongly about? Completely disrespectful of my viewpoint. I don't tell anyone that they should boycott the place. I just let it be known why I do. Sure, I figured with the amount of free thinkers around here, there'd be more support for the boycott, but that's about where me being judgemental ends.

I participate in this boycott for me. Not for the public to know that I'm boycotting. Sure, I've considered sending a letter to the theater to let them know that I am and why, but do you think it will do any good? Nope. Goldman won't be leaving anytime soon and there really seems no benefit to him issuing a statement of apology to the public, the movigoers, the studio, the filmmakers, etc., because a good chunk of people are out there saying, "Oh well, I can't go anywhere else to see these movies, so I'll just blow it off". What he did was just plain wrong and it amazes me that he still has a job.

I've almost caved a few tiems, but for me, I can't and won't do it. Doesn't matter to me whether people know or not. I'm the one who has a problem with this and I'm the one not seeing movies there, because of it. All the man has to do is apologize and officially (I say officially, because Ramos has said that he's been back in there since) let Ramos back in the place. Why is that so hard?

[doctort13]

I tried to go back, but I am having second thoughts.

This movie theatre is upsetting me. They do not seem to care enough about the films that they present to make certain that the reel changes are seemless. The more I think about it, the more I look forward to the DVD releases of films that are booked there.

[classicgrrl]

for those of us not familiar with any art houses in the nati...where is The Neon? I know where mariemount (sp?) is but they usually dont show the stuff I want to see....

[cuddlyevil]

The Neon's in Dayton...on one side of the oregon district...

[doctort13]

The Neon Movies' link appears to be dead. Here's their contact info:
Neon Theater
130 East Fifth Street
Dayton, OH 45402
http://www.neonmovies.com/
Office Phone: (937) 222-8452
For Showtimes: (937) 222-SHOW

or in Yellow Springs
The Little Art Theatre (http://www.littleart.com)
247 Xenia Avenue (Rt. 68)
Yellow Springs · Ohio · 45387
Phone: (937) 767-7671

have fun!:)

[eyeball]

I am still participating. I've had to tell friends many times that I could go see such and such because of it. I don't see myself stopping any time soon. I'd rather wait for the dvd then give a nickel to that theatre.

[bwingrave]

Should have posted this a while ago but forgot: There are other opportunities to see films in Cinci besides at the cinema.

Kaldi's (a restaurant on Main Street in Over-the-Rhine) showed an Oscar-winning film from the 1930s a week or two ago. Underneath Cincinnati (http://www.ssnova.org/schedule.asp) has some film events as well. And I bet UC has some, too, but I don't now how to find out about them (suggestions?).

b

[Bronzetree]

Originally posted by eyeball
I am still participating. I've had to tell friends many times that I could go see such and such because of it. I don't see myself stopping any time soon. I'd rather wait for the dvd then give a nickel to that theatre.

Ditto.

[evasivecreature]

question:

has anyone written up an article with all this info summed up? I'm assuming it would hold more water if it weren't printed in Citybeat considering they were a major party in the issue. I don't know if anybody has passed out information about the issue with Esquire in front of the theater or..I don't know..I don't have any brilliant ideas for distribution but it just seems that you'd be far more likely to have more people boycott if they knew the issue. (Of course I'm going to school in Western Kentucky so maybe i'm just out of the loop..)

[Phreon]

Out of curiosity,would you Esquire boycotters be willing in backing another small theater in Sayler park if they played art films?

The Parkland was revamped back in '99 and the owner tried to make it into an art film theather, but he only drew 4, yes FOUR people on his reopening.

This Citybeat Article explains it all (http://www.citybeat.com/archives/1999/ISSUE546/FILMARTI.HTM)

In the article, Bill Baur Sr. is mentioned, but I have it under good authority that Bill Jr.'s now the outright owner (at least the controlling party). I know this because I work with Bill at his second job.

As the story goes, Bill's not really a film buff per se, but he wanted to do something cool and an art film theater on the west side would have been. He tried but his dad pressured him (since he didn't actually own the place at the time) and now he has reverted back to second run movies among other things (think "Ghost Ship").

To keep the place afloat, he shows wrestling matches, does some kind of pseudo daycare/theater for kids, rents the place out for parties (Like our company's Christmas bash) and just about damn near anything he can think of to bring people in.

I can guarantee you've never, ever seen a theater like this. Since he does dances, parties and wrestling (on the screen, of course) he has a foosball and pool table down front. The concessions aren't too expensive and he's pretty understanding about beverages... What's even cooler, Bill's apartment is BEHIND THE SCREEN.

Bill lives and breathes that place and would probably show any film asked if there was a commitment from enough people to show up. I almost had him talked into doing "Dark Side of the Rainbow" (Floyd/Oz) a while back.

Part of the problem he's always had is advertisement space in the papers is very expensive and he's squeeking by (hence the second job). Word of mouth is his sole method of marketing right now. Imagine how fast the place would fill up if CityBeat did a second spread on the Parkland, with the express intent of spiting Goldman and driving customers to another venue?

Bill's a pretty cool guy and I think it would fantastic if he could turn the Parkland back into an art film house (or at least put them back into rotation) and generate a loyal folowing.


Your thoughts?

Phreon

[eyeball]

hell yea! how did I not catch this story...or this theater. serves me right for not getting on the westside much...I don't even know where saylor park is...sounds familiar. ugh.

...hmmmm....I wonder how interested in a run of Stand by Me this theater owner fella'd be?

[bwingrave]

Let's see....support a struggling local business and see art films too?

Yes!

Any chance of getting the showtimes listed on the web somewhere?

b

[Bronzetree]

God, the Parkland brings back memories. I lived in Sayler Park for a few years when I was a kid and went there dozens of times, seeing as there was absolutely NOTHING else to do down there and the town is pretty well detached from anything close. For reference, eyeball, Sayler Park is a good 20 minutes or so from downtown Cincy as you head out US 50 toward Lawrenceburg.

I'd be willing to at least come out to a specialty blitz kinda deal where he lets the public know he's there, just to show some support. Unfortunately, I don't know how often I'd make it to other movies, as I'm now living on the East Side and it would take me a good 40-45 minutes just to get there. I'd definitely give it a shot, but I know I wouldn't be able to go as often as I like.

I would assume he would continue to rent the place out and do all the same stuff he's doing now, the art films would just be in addition to that, correct? If he goes strictly art film house in Sayler Park, the place will close within a month.

[doctort13]

I read that CityBeat article, and even called the theatre. No one was there. I wanted to meet Bill ( and still do!)
If I remember correctly I thought/heard that it had closed. This bummed me out since I was very excited about seeing it.

I would be willing to help make suggestions & brainstorm about getting cool films booked there. Making "events" happen could be the key to drawing people. Some things I'd love to see: B-movie/trash cinema night, 24 hour sci-fi/horror festival, local musicians playing live to silent films, ANIMATION FESTIVALS, I could go on and on. Creative programming, doing something so different to all the cineplex and art houses that film nuts would drag their butts to the theatre. Even if these film events started out small, maybe every other month, it would be cool to try.

As far as advertising, set up a website with the schedules and make lots of xerox flyers. Drop them at record shops, comicbook shops, coffee houses, the foreign film dept. at a giant international supermarket ;), anywhere where the film geeks go. It CAN be done, and it doesn't have to cost an arm & a leg.

Have Bill email me at: dr13@fuse.net

I would be more than happy to help him make a name for his theatre. :D

[Bronzetree]

Those are some VERY cool ideas. Stuff I'd be interested in seeing.

[mike]

It seems to me that this Goldman guy was merely covering his ass. Is it the ideal artistic thing to do? Of course not. On the other hand, should he have to feel fear of investigation or prosecution for showing a film with mature subject matter? Again, you sure wouldn't think so, but this is Hamilton County buster, and don't you forget it!

Chances are only he or other theater employees would ever know if Si Leis' bunch have inquired or sniffed around the Esquire with any frequency, but you would be foolish to think it's not a possibility.

Goldman as much said he fucked up. Haven't we all? The spat between he & Ramos is regrettable - it's a lose/lose deal. The guy owns an art house for chrissakes - he must give somewhat of a shit about presenting non-mainstream fare. But, dude's got a business, and yeah, his botom line probably crossed him mind at some point. Are some of you really advocating he fall on his financial sword in the name of artistic integrity? I agree with one of the comments a patron made about viewing the film in a place "like Chicago, or some other place where grown-ups live". Fair enough - but is Goldman truly the bad guy here?

To me - opinion my own - the truly scary people in all this are rubber-stamped re-elected officials that pursue the agenda of moral cleansing uber alles in this area, Si Leis & Mike Allen, and the pinhead who really makes my blood boil - Phil Burress. How this guys name has never crept into any of the discussions about the city & area, its problems and so on amazes me. The power his group of witch hunters, Citizens For Community Values [that's a good one...], yields should concern any right-thinking citizen.

Just a question. Do you really think the theater would have edited the film had it not been shown in one of the most staunchly right-wing counties in the country, with a long track record of investigating the arts? Want to change the climate? Vote 'em out.

I haven't been to as many movies as usual lately, but I like the fare the Esquire gets more than the multi-plex; although to be fair..the cinemas at Newport on the Levee are pretty sweet when they aren't loaded to the gills.

Goldman goofed - he said so. 3 seconds of a movie I didn't see doesn't concern me. I'm not led to believe this is a slippery slope unless presented eviudence to believe otherwise. The problem, to me, is the climate in which the theater operates. Working to change that, rather than Goldman's M.O., would lead to a much far-reaching turn for the better.

MST

FWIW - 97X edits music for language & length where we feel it is appropriate. Never really heard any complaints. Is there a difference or double-standard in place?

[eyeball]

difference.

I didn't pay you 9 bucks to play an edited version. If I pay to see a movie I expect the ENTIRE movie as released by the studio. Not what someone or some government official deems "ok". His choice was to show or not to show the movie. Its that simple. He chose wrong and in my opinion didn't feel bad about it. His "apology" was to appease not to apologize.

[Bronzetree]

Gotta side with eyeball here. Yes, Goldman is the bad guy. He never apologized for airing an edited movie to unsuspecting patrons and never offered to return the money of anyone who saw it. Not to mention, the guy who brought this to the attention of Cincinnati movie-goers was told he couldn't come back into the theater. Sorry, man, the whole thing stinks of shit. I didn't see the movie either, but it doesn't change the fact that it happened. I refuse to patronize the place when I have no idea whether a movie is going to be edited.

Others have buckled and gone. I almost have on a number of occasions, but I'm standing firm.

[classicgrrl]

seems as if we need to something in the nati area. I just learned that the Mariomont and Esquire are owned by the same said Goldman. These are the only two art houses even within reach of the city limits?!?!?!?

thats ridiculous...

[mobyoctopad]

i'm curious, what are the alternatives to the esquire and mariemont? i know there's the neon theater in dayton. that's still around right? wexner center for the arts shows some very interesting selections, but that's two hours away. do you just wait until the movies you want to see are on dvd?

esquire was never that cool. reel movies on race st. was the best theater this city had to offer. they were pretty fearless. and their monthly schedules were cool. i really miss them.

[doctort13]

I agree. The Movies/Reel Movies/Moviola was a rockin' theatre!
Too bad too many people stayed at home and watched too much @#$! tv. I miss that place too. It was the best reason to go downtown.

I drove over to Sayler Park on Tuesday afternoon and looked around The Parkland Fine Art Cinema. This place COULD be very very cool. It even has a BAR in the front! Can you bring beer into the theatre? They are showing the second Harry Potter film right now.

Granted that it is a little bit off the beaten path, but that "super secret" location makes it even more appealing to me.

There have been many cinema alternatives mentioned in this thread (Kaldi's, SSNova film showings, Little Art Theatre ini Yellow Springs) all you need to do (like most cool stuff in this "city") is dig it up.

So who'd go to an animation festival? I used to see these play in Boston several times a year. Infact there used to be a tiny theatre in Cambridge called Off The Wall and they ALWAYS had really cool/crazy animation. Shit! Now I am homesick! WAAAAAA! >crying like a baby<

I bet that if a theatre booked an animation festival for a weekend, it would be a smashing success. What do you think?:D

[doctort13]

http://www.spikeandmike.com/

http://www.bostonsci-fi.com/
http://bostonsci-fi.com/graphics/ticket.jpg

http://www.lostfilmfest.com/

http://b-movie.com/

http://www.cuff.org

http://www.nyuff.com

http://worldfilm.about.com/library/graphics/nyuff.gif

New Orlean Worst Film Festival (http://nowff.hypermart.net/)

[tybigs]

Originally posted by bwingrave
OK. Here's my argument in favor of boycotting the Esquire:

[list=1]
IN June 2001, the Esquire Theatre screened an edited version of the film The Center of the World, and
In doing so, the Esquire Theatre acted in the interests of its own profits at the expense of the artistic vision of Wayne Wang, and
Artisan Entertainment, the film's distributor, was not consulted before said edits were made, and
The Esquire Theatre did not inform members of the paying public that they were going to be viewing an edited version of the film, and
The owner of the Esquire Theatre, Gary Goldman, chose to ban CityBeat film critic Steve Ramos from its premises as a result of his reporting on this story, and
The Esquire Theatre no longer advertises in CityBeat, nor (confirmation on this?) allows the paper to be distributed in its lobby
The Esquire Theatre does not appear to be open to negotiating with Steve Ramos or CityBeat
In general, one reason to have a boycott is that those boycotting wish to reduce the volume or profitability of the business, so as to get the business to change its unjust policies
If Gary Goldman changed his unjust policies, it is conceivable that the boycott would be lifted.
Many, if not most, films shown at the Esquire may be viewed in other ways (i.e. Dayton's Neon Movies, library checkout of DVD and VHS versions of the films, rental of DVD and VHS versions of the films)
Many, if not most, patrons of the Esquire are able to take advantage of at least one of the above alternative ways of seeing the films that are screened at the Esquire, should they choose to do so
In the unlikely event that the Esquire was closed as a result of a boycott-related reduction in business, it is possible (probable?) that another company would open a theater to take its place within a short period of time
[/list=1]

Your turn.

If you see holes in my argument, please point them out and/or pursuade me that your opinion is more reasonable.

If you agree with it and would like to try to organize an information campaign to attempt to pursuade others, please suggest how we could get started. I believe that for a boycott to be effective, it must be larger in scale than this one currently is. But I don't know what to do next.

b

So, are you boycotting the film editing? or the fact that he won't let Steve in and distribute City Beat? Both of those reasons?

Your agruement holds water with the film editing part, but you hold a very weak case with whole Steve and City Beat thing. Look at it this way. . . Would you invite, want or even let someone in your "house" if they told you that it was crap or that you were crap? Afterall it is Gary's "house" not the public's.

I hope that your boycott doesn't drive the Esquire out of business. It does bring good movies to Cincinnati that otherwise wouldn't have a snowball's chance in hell at the big theaters. The last thing Cincinnati needs is more mass marketed media thrown in our faces.

Just a thought

[classicgrrl]

what cincy needs are some art houses NOT owned by Goldman.

anyone gotta any spare $$ layin around?

[mobyoctopad]

does anyone know what happened to the last owners of reel movies? they were two brothers, i think?

[mobyoctopad]

Oh yeah, and DAAP has been showing Bunuel films every thursday night. Last quarter it was Fellini. So Spring is bound to bring something good too.

[bwingrave]

I received an email from CityBeat editor John Fox yesterday. Except for minor formatting changes and header and footer snips, I'm posting it below as I received it.

Mr. Fox has given me permission to post his email address. Contact him with your comments at jfox@citybeat.com

b

___

Subject: 97X posts about Esquire

Bernard:

I found your email address from the 97X boards, where one of my staff saw your thread on the Esquire Theatre stupidity. I'm not logged onto the boards, so I can't post (and don't have to time right now to figure it out), but if you're interested in the CityBeat position on this, here goes:

The Esquire and Mariemont theaters haven't distributed CityBeat in their lobbies and haven't advertised in our paper since banning us back in June 2001. Steve Ramos is still banned not only from attending critics screenings but also from buying a ticket to see a movie at both theaters.

The original ban also included their film times, but they soon realized they were only hurting themselves and offered us an olive branch by saying we could start running their times again. I told them we'd do that only if they lifted the rest of the ban, they said no and we were stalemated for almost a year. Finally last year we started including their times again in our Film Clock because readers were complaining. However, we still run a discreet note at the bottom of the film clock saying we remain opposed to the ban.

CityBeat has not retaliated against the Esquire/Mariemont on the editorial side -- Steve still reviews every film he can, including films that play there, and sees a lot of those kinds of films during his annual trips to the Sundance and Toronto festivals. We've run at least four cover stories since June 2001 that feature films playing at the Esquire/Mariemont. We understand that our readers are the kind of people who like those films, and we're not going to let a jerk like Gary Goldman deny us the opportunity to write about those films.

We have not taken Goldman's financial strike against us sitting down, though, so we've contacted a lot of the indie studios directly to explain to them that their films won't be advertised in the local alternative weekly because the local art house has banned the paper. We've managed to get a few ads directly from the studios that way -- any ad you see in CityBeat for a film playing at the Esquire/Mariemont is an ad we arranged for. None of Goldman's coop dollars are being spent with us.

Of course we'd be happy to take his money and his ads. We'd be happy to put hundreds of papers in his lobbies again. Steve would be happy to attend critics screenings at his theaters again and maybe even take his wife and son to see something on the weekend. I'd be happy to go to the Esquire again, especially because I live in Clifton and would like to support a local business. But I haven't been to a movie at the Esquire or Mariemont in almost two years, and neither have most CityBeat employees and a good number of our friends and family.

The solution rests entirely with Goldman and theater management. CityBeat has continued to provide editorial coverage of the Esquire/Mariemont films and we're listing their times again. But we won't take back Steve's original coverage and we won't promise to never again write anything negative about the theaters. Our integrity is too high a price to pay for getting back some ad dollars and two distribution points. And I can always wait for the DVDs to come to Blockbuster.

Sorry for the diatribe. If you want to post this on 97X or paraphrase it, feel free.

Thanks for listening and for your support,
John



--
John Fox
Editor
Cincinnati CityBeat

[Bronzetree]

Good for him! Glad to see their stance is strong. This just strengthens my resolve not to patronize those theatres. Honestly, I wish they hadn't buckled on listing screen times, though. If readers complain, they can always call the theatre or look in the other local papers.

[doctort13]

My wife's friend/co-worker is looking into getting the Marianne Theatre in Bellevue back on it's feet. She wants to program arthouse/cult/classic films that the Esquire/Marimont overlook.

This could be really cool. Do you think it could work?

City Beat article about teh Marianne Theatre (http://www.citybeat.com/1999-08-12/film.shtml)

[bwingrave]

Sounds great. Please keep us posted.

b

[mikeatthemadfro]

Is John Fox being just a little bit hypocritical...

didn't citybeat CENSOR Dan Savage and his Savage Love column so that he could put his papers in more family friendly areas?

taking out fun/ quality/ alternative/ edgy/ SEXY content to appease
corporate store owners and their clientel who probably wouldn't read citybeat anyway...

or am I wrong?

[doctort13]

The only thing you missed was the thread:

http://msg.woxy.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9123&highlight=citybeat

[doctort13]

I am thinking about making a little web page called:

Not Playing in Cincinnati

This would be a simple web page used to alert film lovers about interesting/creative cinema that the Esquire/Marimont monopoly refuse to show.


Example:
The Triplets Of Belleville
"Moving, funny, totally cinematic, and graced with moments of genius" - Empire magazine
Filled with wonderfully bizarre humor and delightful attention to detail, THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE is a new animated feature from France that is charming audiences with its wholly unique vision. The old and limping, yet surprisingly resilient and spry Madame Souza lives with Champion, her melancholy bicyclist grandson, and their lazy, faithful dog Bruno (who often lapses into fantastically surreal dream sequences). All is peaceful with the family until one day Champion is kidnapped during the Tour de France. Grandma and Bruno race to the rescue, a journey which leads them across the sea to the mystical metropolis of Belleville. As Champion is held captive by menacing, black-suited mobsters, Madame Souza enlists the help of an eccentric trio: the Triplets of Belleville, once international dancehall stars, now ingenious elderly masters of rhythm and sound. With a visual and storytelling flair that is equal parts Jacques Tati, Tintin, Betty Boop, and Juenet and Caro (especially CITY OF LOST CHILDREN), Illustrator and animator Sylvain Chomet inventively tells the tale with no dialogue (but with several delightful musical numbers and a score inspired by the music of Django Reinhardt), relying on the stunning visuals rich sound design to cast an irresistible spell over the senses.

http://www.bellevillerendezvous.com/

The good news...it's coming to Neon Movies in Dayton! (http://www.neonmovies.com)

and it is scheduled to screen at The Marimont Theatre:
http://www.mariemonttheatre.com/soon.htm

Maybe there is hope for Cincinnati film lovers yet:)

[doctort13]

please see updated info above :)

[Fitz]

okay i'll boycott (yes i know it's pointless and easy for me, but i do visit every so often and do take in movies while there).

this is disheartening and speaks of one of the many reasons i'm glad i left cincy. Censorship of movies in any city, country, etc. is always sad, it hurts not only the buisness (hopefully) but also the culture of the city. the city needs less censorship not more.

this is where our voting by the dollar becomes valuable and imperative, it sad to say, but how we spend our money can be more influencial than how we vote (sometimes). you have my support, if only spiritually.

ideas to make a art house successful:

decorate not only with movie posters but local artists work, make it revolving.

word of mouth is the best advertising possible.

have a web site with show times, events, etc.

play live music before showings on friday, sat. & sun. (local bands esp.)

play older movies as well, the classics, there are always people who haven't seen them, want to see them on the big screen or want to see them again.

have a "baby brigade night" where parents are encourage to bring babies (no one uderstands a babies cry like another parent)

serve food, and not just normal fair, but pizza, etc. oh, and have real butter, not that fake crap. maybe offer yeast on the popcorn, serve non standard candies, etc. maybe do a dinner/movie thing.

not only is the seating important but also the serving wear used (why not use plastic cups and real bowls for popcorn). atmosphere can help set you apart drastically.

offer a movie pass. if the movie is $6, offer 5 for $5 a piece, or a 5 movie pass for $20.

print up flyers (poster size) with movie times/dates so people can take them home and post them on the wall to help keep track of the up coming movies.

maybe even show student films and local film makers fare on one specific night every month.

just some ideas that i have seen work for one or more indy movie houses.

[jneale]

so i wanna see antichrist - i know in my heart i'll hate it, but i've made up my mind...

so i e-mail the esquire because i'd rather see it on the big screen AND if they are going to go out on a limb to bring it i'll wait for it.....

This film is not on our coming soon list at this time but could be added
in the future.

like i'm not smart enough to actually click on the coming soon link and see it isn't there....

the real movies had a sheet they'd collect your suggestions for movies, if you called they'd tell ya why or why not they'd get a film.

i'll watch it on TW, thank you very much.

[Cyclone]

5 year bump action! Nice.

I've actually never caught a film at the Esquire, despite the fact that my ex's apartment was a minute walk away and I go to school at C-State. Plan on doing so soon.

[classicgrrl]

this is the OLDEST bumped thread I have ever seen here on woxy.com. seriously...december 2001.

bwingrave. SHOE THREAD!

[taylor]

bwingrave. SHOE THREAD!

shoe thread on a shoe string budget. if you don't go to esquire, i will go twice as much. nanny-nanny-boo-boo! :p

[euro60]

I've actually never caught a film at the Esquire.
holy cow, really? if it wasn't for the Esquire and the Mariemount, I'd see hardly any movies.

Just saw "A Serious Man" at the Mariemount.

[shivvy]

so i wanna see antichrist - i know in my heart i'll hate it, but i've made up my mind...

so i e-mail the esquire because i'd rather see it on the big screen AND if they are going to go out on a limb to bring it i'll wait for it.....

This film is not on our coming soon list at this time but could be added
in the future.


The Esquire mgmt refuses to book IFC Films titles because they're all available through Pay Pay View on cable w/ IFC In Theaters on-demand. They argue that people aren't going to come to see the titles in the theater if they can order & watch them at home.

This is somewhat of a bullshit argument because they have booked some Magnolia Pictures titles that are in a similar release pattern and it keeps some films that absolutely should be seen on the big screen out of reach for tri-state film buffs.

Even "In The Loop", which was one of IFC's actual breakout hits this year & expanded to almost 100 screens nationally, was only screened one weekend last month by the Cincinnati World Cinema organization.

Don't hold your breath for the Esquire to book "Antichrist." I think it would appeal to a pretty niche audience in Cincinnati anyway, and since the film has gotten such crazy reviews and isn't even doing that well in its current limited release, I wouldn't expect them to take a chance on it.