Horror in the movie theaters

We are all accustomed to getting scared in movie theaters. But there's one thing that's way too scary for owners...displaying the calories of those gigantic tubs of buttery popcorn and sugary drinks.

The NY Times reports after objections from theater chains -- did you expect "Love Story" -- the federal government exempted the candy, pop, ice cream, and that junk they call buttered popcorn, from calorie display rules.

Margo G. Wootan, director of nutrition policy of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, said leaving out movie theaters from the new rules was a mistake.

“It doesn’t matter whether you happen to be watching a movie while you’re eating,” Ms. Wootan said. “Those calories still count.”

The center, an advocacy group, has issued reports showing that at some theaters, a large tub of popcorn with butter topping can contain nearly 1,500 calories. A large soda can contain 500 calories. Federal dietary guidelines say that the average person needs about 2,000 calories a day.

The National Association of Theater Owners, a trade group, had called for movie theaters to be exempt from the menu labeling law. On its Web site, the group said that movies were “escapist entertainment” and that moviegoers did not go there with the intent of eating a meal. (Read more...)

All we were asking for was a display of the calories; not to stop selling junk. Obviously, information is power, and there is no one in the movie business that likes to share power. If you want to act like "Jaws" that's up to you; but theater owners don't want you to ever practice reading.

Now playing at all theaters: "I Spit On Your Grave".