LOS ANGELES, May 26 — Walt Disney Studios is expecting a big summer with the release of the highly anticipated animated film "Cars" and the next installment in the popular "Pirates of the Caribbean" series.

But not all is well in movieland — and changes are afoot. With a decline in DVD sales and the rising cost of making movies, Hollywood in general has been tightening its belt. And now Disney, as part of a long-term review, is contemplating layoffs, looking to rein in costs and rethinking the type of movies it wants to make at its live-action Disney Studios, according to people apprised of Disney's planning.



http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/27/business/media/27disney.html?ei=5090&en=04a6aa25557c9e62&ex=1306382400&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=print

ccoogle

One thing about those live action films of the 70s - they didn't cost an awful lot to make and they almost always turned a profit. Maybe if Disney stopped approving $200 million budgets for remakes of 70s disaster films that nobody's asking for, they won't have to consider laying off anyone.

One thing about those live action films of the 70s - they didn't cost an awful lot to make and they almost always turned a profit. Maybe if Disney stopped approving $200 million budgets for remakes of 70s disaster films that nobody's asking for, they won't have to consider laying off anyone.

Uh, what 70s disaster film did Disney remake?

-Jeff

Uh, what 70s disaster film did Disney remake?

"Return To Witch Mountain" was pretty much a disaster.

;)

Uh, what 70s disaster film did Disney remake?

-Jeff

I thought PapiBear was referring to Poseidon, but that's a Warner Bros. flick.

I thought PapiBear was referring to Poseidon, but that's a Warner Bros. flick.Oh, ok, I thought I was referring to that too. Strange, I could have sworn Disney was doing that one. Must've been the Kurt Russell connection, threw me off.

Extra weird, too, because the original was a Fox film.

I think the situation at Disney studios is indicative of the industry as a whole. Lately my local cineplex is looking more and more like my satellite TV: 16 screens and still nothing on.

My family really likes movies. We enjoy going to the theater. However, we like to spend our time and money for good stories, good acting, good writing, good directing and good fun. Apparently, studios are under the impression that none of those things matter because they keep cranking out flicks like "RV". I know there's an audience for such movies, but c'mon, not *everybody* wants low-brow, whacky comedy and nothing else.

In Disney's case, I think they should heed the proverbial advice of going back to their roots. The Walt Disney Studios made their mark by doing things nobody else was doing and doing them extremely well. Now, Disney is trying to do what everyone else is doing and, typically, doing a mediocre job of it.

Films like My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Napolean Dynamite are recent proof that people like good stories and quircky characters. Big budgets aren't always necessary.