Variety: 'End of summer bummer'

Variety says that distribution executives "are still grappling with whether this year's poor results have larger implications for the biz," in a story yesterday by Ben Fritz and Gabriel Snyder.

Two great quotes:

One positive effect of the continued focus on the box office slump, said Sony distrib prexy Rory Bruer, is that it will make the theatrical biz confront its long-term problems.

"I don't know if this year is somewhat of an anomaly," Bruer said, "but in regards to just the theatrical business itself, it's probably one of those things that makes everyone look at their business and ask, 'What are we doing right and what are we doing wrong?' "

And:

In the end, the biggest lesson of Hollywood's slump this summer may be that box office is not destined to grow year after year. "I don't know any industry that continues to grow forever, especially a mature one," said [Paramount distribution president Wayne] Lewellen.