Wanted: More 3-D screens

After the astonishing and unprecedented success of James Cameron's "Avatar," and now Tim Burton's adaptation of "Alice in Wonderland," movie viewers have established that they are willing to pay the big bucks for a 3-D movie viewing experience. "Avatar," which has grossed over $700 million (U.S.) - a large percentage of that gross can be attributed to 3-D ticket prices - was still going strong when it had to vacate 3-D screens for Burton's "Alice," which itself has already made over $200 million (U.S.) in just two weeks. "Avatar" had monopolized 3-D screens over the holiday season, not to mention the Oscar season of both January and February. But "Alice" may have to give up its monopoly of 3-D screens when both "How to Train Your Dragon," and "Clash of the Titans" open in a few weeks. The demand for 3-D films has grown over the past few years, and has intensified since the release of both "Avatar" and "Alice". But most cinemas are only equipped with a few, if not single, 3-D screens. It will be interesting to see how theatres will physically change as the demand for 3-D films grows. And, of course, movie viewing experiences will increase financially for moviegoers as well.