Hollywood reflects on 2005 woes

USA Today today reminds us yet again that last year was a disappointing year for Hollywood, with domestic ticket sales dropping nearly $400 million. The shortfall mostly affected the summer season, which was down $400 million in sales. Only one movie-Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith-took in more than $300 million, the current standard for a B-i-i-i-I-I-G blockbuster. Theatre attendance overall dropped by 8.5%, from 1.53 billion tickets in 2004 to only 1.4 billion last year. The year 2005 was the fourth year in a row that has seen a drop in sales-from a high of 1.63 billion in 2002.