Apparently a recession does not mean a slowdown in consumer spending in all industries. While Americans may be going less to restaurants and shops, they are seeing movies more.

Box office receipts are up 12% from this time last year. Hollywood has already has several movies to pass the $200 million mark and Transformers 2 may be one of the biggest movies ever. 4 of the current top 12 films in this week’s grossing, have made more than $200m and Transformers has crossed the $300m mark in just three weeks and Up is near that mark in its 7 week.

It makes perfect sense. Films are inexpensive, fun and offer a momentary escape from all the worldly problems that currently plague Americans.

Films allow us to laugh at the misery of others - see The Hangover - instead of stressing over ours.

And equally important, they allow for comradeship. During the recent recession since the Second War World, people want to know that they are in it with the rest of the nation. Even though cinemas consist of a gathering of strangers in a dark room with no talking, it is still a common experience. That is very comforting for Americans. That experience is meaningful during the good times, but during the hard times I believe it takes on more potent meaning.

So go see a film. I hear Bruno is funny.