©iStockphoto.com/thebroker A large "buttered" popcorn at the typical movie theater contains about 1,220 calories, San Francisco Chronicle restaurant critic Michael Bauer reminds us, quoting a decade-old survey: "You would have to swim 162 minutes to burn off that popcorn—longer than your average motion picture." Not exactly what I want to read before a weekend in which I plan on finally seeing Star Trek (the IMAX version was sold out last week). That reminds me, though, that it's cheaper and healthier to just sneak in a snack of my own. What snack(s) do you sneak in to the movies—and how?...
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©iStockphoto.com/hidesy Movie theaters already make the list of places that rip you off, but they could enter a whole new swindling category. According to UC Irvine professor Richard McKenzie in his new Freakonomics-esque book Why Popcorn Costs So Much at the Movies, And Other Pricing Puzzles, there's a more than 50 percent chance that medium bag with flexible sides is a better bang for your buck than the large tub with constricting, rigged sides. McKenzie points out that this excludes the free refills caveat included with the large portion. He argues that at least half of people don't take advantage of this bottomless popcorn perk, and if you do, you're safe. The popcorn-scooping clerk is also a factor here,...
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The New York Times reported today that the menu at Robert Redford's new Sundance Kabuki movie theater in San Francisco includes roasted game hen, crabcakes, and braised oxtail, along with craft beers, cocktails, and local wines by the glass. I'm down with this, as long as Redford hasn't ditched my Goobers. What's your favorite movie snack? Sundance Kabuki Address: 1881 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94115 (near Fillmore; map) Phone: 415-929-4650...
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