FIRST OFF . . .

A New York City councilwoman is leading a small-scaled but growing consumer protest against New York’s $7 movie tickets, the highest in the country. Councilwoman Carol Greitzer said Tuesday that her consumer affairs committee will be looking into the $7 tickets and other alleged movie exhibition abuses. She said large numbers of movie goers have complained about lack of service and poor theater conditions, “but the complaints need to get organized. Now’s the time.” Greitzer spoke to a small crowd of anti-$7 protesters Saturday night in front of Cineplex Odeon’s freshly refurbished Olympia Twin theaters, which charge $7 admission. Cineplex Odeon and Loews Theaters are the two exhibition chains charging $7 at some showcase theaters in New York. A Cineplex Odeon spokesperson reached Tuesday said: “It’s unfortunate that with the many community problems in the New York area that something like this would occupy their time. It will be business as usual.” Loews Theaters officials declined to comment.