The state of cinema, Part II

Commenting on a New York Times analysis of box-office trends, Jeffrey Wells opines: "The age-old old theory is that mainstream moviegoers are emotional alcoholics in normal times, but if the headlines seem more disturbing than usual their choices tend be more reactionary. Give them a film that promises some kind of agreeable emotional beer-buzz and they'll probably give it a shot. Give them a movie that smacks of herbal tea, strong coffee, mineral water or some other non-alcoholic ingredient, and chances are they'll either steer clear or adopt a wait-and-see approach."