MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why It’s Called “The Box Office”

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why It’s Called “The Box Office”

When you go to the movies, you first get your tickets at the box offices, those enclosed, sometimes detached booths just in front of the theaters. But why do we call them “box offices”? Not once have I ever taken a box to them, have you? The actual beginning of the box office involved a…

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Hit Movies Are Called “Blockbusters”

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Hit Movies Are Called “Blockbusters”

When you hear the word “blockbuster” mentioned, it’s usually about movies, (either a flick that was a huge box office success or a certain now-defunct chain of video rental stores). Yet, while the word’s meaning is pretty innocuous now, “blockbuster” actually used to describe something pretty dark. Back in the 1940s, “blockbusters” were actually large,…

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Do People Love Horror Movies?

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why Do People Love Horror Movies?

It’s that time of year: horror movie time! Now I think we can all agree that, when it comes to scary movies, people either love ‘em or hate ‘em. Not too many people are neutral on the subject. But for those of us who love terror flicks, the question usually asked by those who don’t…