Is rock and roll dead? U2 at the Fremont

I don’t get it.

I went to the Fremont on Friday night, worried that the place might be packed for a screening of "U2 3D," the concert movie about the mega-famous Irish rockers. But I was astounded to see that just eight people — including my wife and I — had shown up.

Eight people for a movie about arguably the best, most popular band of the last 25 years.

In 3D!

When I told my friend Dan about this, he was immediately pessimistic.

“Rock ’n’ roll is dead,” he said, sounding defeated.

He and his wife went the following Saturday, and there were only a couple of dozen people — in a theater that seats 800.

It just doesn’t make sense. A few weeks ago, I tried to see “The Princess Bride” at the Fremont, but I had to get a refund because it sold out. Assuming that “Princess Bride” fans included a lot of 80s fans, I figured the U2 movie would also be teeming with people.

After all, the movie had stellar reviews — and with good reason. It featured great camera angles, it captured the energy of live stadium shows, and, of course, it featured lots of the band’s greatest hits.

This would have been a great movie even had it not been in 3D. But the 3D was also remarkably well done, giving you a feel for what it’d really be like to be in the front row or even onstage with Bono.

So why didn’t anyone go to see it? Would a movie about Justin Timberlake attract more than eight people on a Friday night? I have to think it would and, frankly, that depresses me.

Maybe people were saving their money for the upcoming San Luis Obispo International Film Festival which begins next week. For more on that, check out this Thursday’s Ticket.

Meanwhile, maybe Martin Scorsese can help revive rock ’n’ roll. Before the U2 movie, there was a preview for his upcoming film, Shine a Light, a documentary that will span the entire history of the world’s second greatest rock band. Look for the Rolling Stones flick beginning in April. Meanwhile, Scorsese, who gave us “The Last Waltz,” also plans to make a documentary about Reggae guru Bob Marley.

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Speaking of the Stones, check out Ron Wood’s art. The Stones guitarist is quite good. His portraits of other rock stars are especially fun.

--Pat P.