My problem with Hollywood is that they are pricing themselves out of the market, the big screen is just an ad for DVD sales.
I agree with that. I almost never go to the theater anymore. the only time I go is if the big screen would make a difference in the experience (as someone else said).
Plus if you wait a while to see a move after it comes out you not only get to read critical reviews, you also get to read discussions on message boards from many people who have seen it. You get to see ticket sales and plenty of other info about it, so you can make an informed decision about whether to spend the time and money on it.
Take Sci/Fi for example. Before 2001: A Space Odyssey and after. It made people think about space travel and the future, not just running from a robotic space alien invasion. That's generalizing in a big huge way, but I don't feel like writing an essay.
I'm not trying to argue with you,

, but I just felt the need to point out a few things:
1.From the Earth to the Moon:1867
2. Buck Rogers: 1928
3. Flash Gordon: 1934
4. R is for Rocket: 1943
5: Dr. Who 1963 (ok, maybe it doesn't quite fit your criteria, the Dr. did fight robotic space aliens. But I still think Dr. Who is one of the best, most innovative, sci-fi settings ever)
6. Dune: 1965
7. Star Trek:1966
8. 2001: A space Odyssey: 1969
I'm sure other people can think of more.
I'm not saying you should write an essay, but perhaps you could elaborate a little? I understand you're "generalizing in a big huge way," but I can't really imagine what you might be trying to say.