Joining a brave tradition of human rights crusaders such as the lady who sued the makers of Drive because it wasn’t enough like The Fast and the Furious, a Michigan man (the Drive lady was also from Michigan, incidentally) has filed a class action lawsuit against AMC theaters alleging that snack prices are too damn high. No word yet on how many other moviegoers have signed on, but if the complaint doesn’t have butter smears on it by the end it will be a miracle.

Joshua Thompson loves the movies.
But he hates the prices theaters charge for concessions like pop and candy.

Funny, I love crab, but I hate picking it out of those annoying shells. Won’t you join my class action suit against the ocean?

This week, the 20-something security technician from Livonia decided to do something about it: He filed a class action in Wayne County Circuit Court against his local AMC theater in hopes of forcing theaters statewide to dial down snack prices.
“He got tired of being taken advantage of,” said Thompson’s lawyer, Lionel Hutz Kerry Morgan of Wyandotte. “It’s hard to justify prices that are three- and four-times higher than anywhere else.”

Actually, it’s super easy to justify. Theaters have to pay movie studios up to 80% of the ticket price, so the high-priced concessions are where they make their money back. If you don’t like it, stick a Coke in your purse like everyone else. I eagerly await Thompson’s follow-up lawsuit, The People vs. Hey, What’s Up With Airline Food?

American Multi Cinema, which operates the AMC theater in Livonia, wouldn’t comment on the suit. A staffer at the National Association of Theatre Owners in Washington, D.C., angrily hung up the phone when asked about industry snack pricing practices.

(*slow clap*) But wait! Not enough material for a story yet! Can we get a chorus of idiots to chime in?

“The prices are ridiculous,” Rebecca Motley, 55, a self-employed Southfield physician, said while leaving the AMC Star Southfield 20.
Motley said she and her office manager spent $5 each for morning movie tickets and $11 each for soft drinks and popcorn.
“When I was a kid, $1 could get you into the movies and buy you a pop and popcorn. But not anymore,” Motley said.

When you were a kid, gas cost a nickel and Detroit was an economic powerhouse.

Timothy Fells, 29, part owner of a Redford Township gym, agreed with Motley.
“Movie concession prices are extremely high, and that’s why I don’t stop at the snack bar very often,” he said while leaving the AMC theater in Southfield. [DetroitFreePress via CinemaBlend]

“Plus, I try to eat healthy. Did I mention I own a gym?” Fells said while doing dumbbell curls.

Popcorn prices are pretty high these days, but you do get unlimited refills and liquid butter product that you can apply yourself. Has my friend Ben ever told you the story about sitting next to a lady who filled a dixie cup full of butter and dipped all her popcorn in it individually like french fries? Because I’ve heard him tell it at least six times. Anyway, my point is, you can’t say popcorn prices are too high when you’re getting free refills. That’s faulty math. You probably just aren’t bringing a big enough bag.