Staying at a theater near you

Thanks to Brad Newman, who covers local entertainment at the Globe-News, for noticing this little nugget. "Paul Blart, Mall Cop" is still showing at the Hollywood 16. The movie made its debut in January.

We're bordering on three months here for a mindless comedy starring Kevin James. This movie has been showing in Amarillo longer than Obama has been president, and the reviews have been about the same for both. The consensus on rottentomatoes.com, a movie review website: "Paul Blart has some laughs, but its plot is flimsy and lacking in any sustained comic momentum."

James, as Blart, is attempting to become a New Jersey cop. But the last test is the obstacle course. He's doing fine, but is also hypoglycemic, and passes out before finishing. So he takes a security job at a mall in the interim. Hilarity ensues.

I haven't seen the movie, but the rest of America sure has. As of two days ago, the movie has grossed $156 million, and took just $26 million to make. Maybe the country feels like laughing while watching the economy crumble, who knows?

All I know is that "Nixon/Frost", director Ron Howard's Oscar-nominated Best Picture, was here for roughly a long weekend. Or about 85 days less than Paul Blart. Not sure what this says about Amarillo. Well, yes, actually I do.