Lights, Camera, Box Office!

Veteran film journalist, critic and industry analyst David Poland joins Paul Dergarabedian for a conversation that quickly moves beyond the numbers and into something they both care deeply about: movies and the moviegoing experience. They talk about the Cinerama Dome, ArcLight, VistaVision, cinematography, horror movies, filmmakers, actors, film history, audiences and the communal experience of seeing a great movie in a theater. David also offers a sharp take on what he calls “abandoned weekends," release dates studios too often leave open because they assume audiences won’t show up. His view is simple: “Anything is a good date if you have a movie they want to see.” The conversation also touches on box office tracking, marketing, studio economics and the need for more movies in theaters. And David sums up the spirit of the episode perfectly: “Show business be damned. We care about movies.” Recorded before the official end of the 2026 summer movie season, so some box office figures discussed were still evolving.

On Episode 2 of Lights, Camera, Box Office!, Paul Dergarabedian and Mike Polydoros sit down with Brett Fellman, President, Film and Marketing at TCL Chinese Theatres, for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s most iconic movie palaces. Brett shares the story behind the extraordinary run of The Odyssey at the Chinese, what it took to bring IMAX 70mm into the theatre, how great presentation can turn a movie into an event, and why the communal big-screen experience still matters. From premieres and footprint ceremonies to the theatre’s approaching 100th anniversary, it’s a conversation about moviegoing history, showmanship and where theatrical exhibition goes next. Hosted by Paul Dergarabedian, Head of Marketplace Trends at Rentrak, and contributor Mike Polydoros of Paper Airplane Media.

For the premiere episode of Rentrak’s Lights, Camera, Box Office!, host Paul Dergarabedian, Head of Marketplace Trends at Rentrak, and Mike Polydoros of Paper Airplane Media sit down with Michael O’Leary, President & CEO of Cinema United. Michael shares his perspective on the state of theatrical moviegoing, the importance of collaboration across the industry, continued investment and innovation in cinemas, and the opportunities ahead for the big-screen experience.