For many consumers, the most exciting developments in the film biz don't involve new gadgets or Oscar nods, but, much more simply, the soda, candy, and buttered popcorn they get before the show.

So, appropriately, the food vendors are a large part of the appeal for theater owners during events like ShowEast. With samples galore, the convention holds some glimpses of new goodies that may be available in a local theater in the near future.

Nestle had an array of new products to be launched early next year, including a Sweet Tart Rope and a Shockers Rope, which Nestle employee Dale Boehm reports as consisting of a tart lemon exterior and a berry filling. He also tells us that the Giant Nerds candies, set to be launched in March, have a jelly bean-type consistency.

Taste of Nature has a new cookie dough candy out, a bestseller at many concession stands. This variety of the cookie dough has a dark chocolate exterior and was being handed out by product supervisor and box-designer Douglas Chu.

Mars is looking to launch a promotional campaign to match the new Indiana Jones movie, with special M&M's in a variety of colors. They also had their brand new Chocolate Skittles, which may take a while to hit theaters, but will be in grocery stores in May, and the limited edition Mint Chocolate M&M's.

And speaking of campaigns, though Hershey's didn't bring any brand new candies to ShowEast, they did bring news of a Batman promotion, which will lead up to the film The Dark Knight. Hershey's will run a contest on Milk Duds, Whoppers, and Reese's Pieces, and one lucky winner will ride away in a road-worthy, one-of-a-kind, Batman styled Ducati motorcycle.

Most of these new treats should be hitting theaters in the spring of 2008.