Lots of film aficionados would like to make the argument that movie ticket sales are down because of a decline in quality, but that’s a tough sell, since Americans have embraced cinematic mediocrity (and worse) for years. A more likely explanation has to do with the steadily rising cost of tickets, a trend which stands in stark contrast to the dropping price of DVD rentals and on-demand movies. A family of four wanting to see this summer’s big blockbusters can expect to drop at least $34 ($23,971 if the family lives in New York,) and that’s before popcorn and soda pop.