Village Gamer

Canadian men and women may agree that July’s scorching temperatures have been too hot to handle, but a survey of moviegoers tell us they have very different ideas about how they’d like to spend these steamy days and nights. Asked by Cineplex Entertainment to name the movie that best represents their ideal summer, 40% of women chose the romance of Dirty Dancing. Twenty-six per cent of men, on the other hand, favoured the debauchery of American Pie.

“It’s hard to imagine two more starkly different visions for how to spend your summer,” said Pat Marshall, Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations, Cineplex Entertainment. “It makes you wonder just how much our movie memories can tell us about what we want from life.”

Your Name in Lights Contest

One area the genders did come together is at the concession stand. Nearly identical numbers of men (58%) and women (59%) identified themselves as frequent purchasers of popcorn on trips to the movie theatre.

The timing of this revelation couldn’t be better, thanks to Cineplex Entertainment’s Your Name in Lights contest. Until September 16, 2012 (while supplies last), Cineplex guests purchasing a large popcorn or soft drink can peel a tab and collect for a chance to win a Cineplex auditorium re-named in their honour for one year. The grand prize also includes a red carpet premiere at the winner’s auditorium and free movies for a year.

Other interesting findings:

• Favourite movie genre:
  • Women: Romantic comedy (24 per cent)
  • Men: Comedy (20 per cent); thriller or suspense (20 per cent)
• Most anticipated movie of the year:
  • Women: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 2 (20 per cent)
  • Men: James Bond: Skyfall (27 per cent)

• Favourite movie quotes:
  • Women: Forrest Gump’s “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” (32 per cent)
  • Men: “…Bond. James Bond.” (20 per cent)
• Best on-screen kiss:
  • Women: Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore in Ghost. (23 per cent)
  • Men: Ghost (21 per cent), but also a nod to Spider-Man (20 per cent).
• Best love story:
  • Women: The Notebook (30 per cent)
  • Men: Ghost (29 per cent)

As part of its celebration of 100 Years of Movie Memories, throughout 2012 Cineplex Entertainment and Ipsos Reid will release monthly facts and figures about Canadians’ interpersonal relationships with the movies.