Why a Movie Ticket Cost so Much?

I just recently saw Transformers: the movie and it was great. I thought the computer animation was tight and seamless. I thought the storyline was great. I also thought the actors gave convincing performances. The only thing I hated about the movie was that it costed $10 dollars to see it. After you add on my popcorn and drink, it was a small fortune.

Movie theaters will tell you they don't make money off the tickets, only the consessions. Well, who gets the ticket money? Is it the movie making companies? If so, at what point does the movie theater start getting money from a movie being played? Are the movie theaters getting hustled out of money? The concessions are no better. It was $4 dollars for a hot dog when a pack at the store is $3.99. It wasn't even that good. Is that really the only way they make money? If so why do prices vary so much between theaters? Some movie theaters have a policy that if you buy a soda or a popcorn, you can get a refill on them. Did they get the same movie at a cheaper price?

I look at the movie theater like the gas station. The gas stations will tell you that because oil prices go up and down, gas is so high. Gas around my neighborhood sells around $3.50. They swear they have a nothing to do with the prices. I know personally of two gas stations that jack up their prices to make more money. They are able to do it because no one regulates their profits. Maybe we are the ones getting ripped off.

I hear people tell their kids to eat before they go to a movie. I know people that sneak in candy and pops. I even know a couple of people selling bootleg dvd's. I guess everybody is trying to beat those prices.