Last week, DreamWorks Animation worried investors with the announcement that fewer than half of the theaters slated to show Monsters vs. Aliens on March 27 would be outfitted with digital 3-D projectors in time for the film's release. Thankfully, though, a disaster may have been averted: The hapless, blundering clowns at Bank of America — which recently received $45 billion in federal bailout money after breaking the economy — are funding a promotion to allow customers to see the film in 3-D, instead of flat, boring 2-D, at no additional cost, meaning DreamWorks Animation is indirectly receiving taxpayer aid.

Matt Drudge and Vulture buddy Nikki Finke are incensed over this, but for us, the only infuriating part of this story is that Monsters vs. Aliens won't receive money directly from the federal government.

If greedy bankers and our failing auto industry — which couldn't sell cars even before the economy cratered — are eligible for taxpayer bailout money, then why can't movie studios, who are responsible for America's largest, most profitable export, get some help in hard times? Certainly Kung Fu Panda (worldwide gross: $632 million) did more for America's economy and world image than any other domestically assembled, non-film product last year, so is there any reason Monsters vs. Aliens shouldn't get a federal boost? Come to think of it, comic-book movies have done more than their fair share to stimulate spending and create jobs — so why no Watchmen bailout?

WHAAAAAT? Bailed-Out Bank of America Paying Consumers to See Hollywood Film [DHD]

Earlier: Lack of 3-D Theaters Looks to Dent the Box Office Potential of 'Monsters vs. Aliens'