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A scene from the movie “The Lone Ranger”

Film: The Lone Ranger
Cast: Johnny Depp, Arnie Henreid, Tom Wilkinson, William Fichner, Barry Pepper, Jamian Badge Dale, Helena Bonham Carter.Director: Gore Verbiniski
Length of film: 153 minutes
Type of film: American Cowboy/
Western
Cinema: Eastgate
Age restriction: 16

Prof Joel White
It is common in American and especially in New York, where I come from, for people, upon leaving a restaurant, to talk about “value for money.” Was what they have just eaten worth what they paid for it?

To assist their judgment, they tot up what the food would have cost had it been purchased in a supermarket; to which they add the cost and time in its preparation.
Are there those who, upon leaving a cinema, consider the value of what they have just seen against its cost — both in time and money spent?

All things being equal are longer films rated more highly than quickies? One wonder does Hollywood think it a good idea never mind the extra vast sums incurred to spill out a film, such as this one, which runs for more than an hour longer than the average film?

And then there are the “special effects”. Whenever what appears on the screen is more than just two people, facing each other and talking, “special effects” is called for. And there lies the difference between “cheap” films and very dear ones.

At today’s costs, an average film from Hollywood requires an investment of US$100 million. What is the prospective film-goer, to think upon considering viewing the film we are now discussing; when he learns that it cost just under US$300 million!
At Eastgate Cinemas, the price of admission is US$4.

Pretty good value for money if you leave out all the other reasons a prospective movie- goer chooses to see “this film and not that one”.
Of this most expensive film under consideration, it is not only the great cost of its making, but let the prospective audience know that in my opinion every dollar was wisely spent and, in the overall, one of the truly great films has resulted.

Set in the year 1869, when vast western regions of the United States were still under the domination of native Indian tribes, we learn from this film with often unpleasant truths dominant position they hold today.
A film of the year.