General behavior at movie theaters..Not good

[jlmace]

I recently went to see No Country for Old Men, and while I loved the movie, I was so disgusted by the wheezing, tuberculosis-infested guy sitting next to me, that I may not go to the movies for awhile. In addition to the hacking smokers cough, he managed to rummage around in a noisy bag of "goodies" for a full hour and a half. This follows my last theater experience where a 300 pound woman next to me and brought in a bag of Carl's Jr. burgers covered with raw onions, and was belching fried food for two hours. I am a slob, and not easily put off, but I am now at the point where I have a decent home-theater, and will just wait the 4 months for the DVD. Not to be a cynic, but the lack of civility in our society is beginning to concern me a bit. Not to mention, for two of us with sodas, it was almost $30.00.

I am oblivious to the talking, cell phones, and general miscreant behavior of the average teenagers at movies, but the olfactory and viral assault(s) have put me over the top. Anyone else, or am I just getting old and being a whiner? Please submit any good stories of degenerate behavior at the theater so I do not feel so alone.

[LockStock]

I've had little kids spill their icee on me and their parents didn't even bother to apologize. It's happened quite a few times.
Then there was a kid who kept kicking my seat during LOTR. I asked the mother to stop her kid from doing that and she just ignored me. What a great experience that was.
And the topper was when I went to watch Darjeeling Limited and I deliberately went early in the morning because I knew the theater would be more or less empty and I could enjoy the movie in peace. But no. I didn't mind the extra few people but this one woman came and sat next to me and yawned every 5 mins and my God...the worst case of morning breath EVER! She didn't even bother putting a hand over her mouth. The kicker was when I changed my seat and she proceeded to follow me. I have no idea why she did that but I told her point blank that her breath stank and that's why I was moving. She said, "I know." The gall of the woman. Either she's a really rude person who gets her kicks this way or she had some serious issues. Needless to say, I had to call the usher.

[jlmace]

I have no idea why she did that but I told her point blank that her breath stank and that's why I was moving. She said, "I know."

That was not morning breath. You could smell the crazy on her. Wow. I thought mine was bad.

[MartinBlank]

ANYBODY texting during the movie really pisses me off. Of the last half-dozen times i've PAID to sit in a dark room full of assholes I've had to exchange words with people. It's weird, they're always receptive :D

You can't chill out for 90 minutes and just watch a movie!?!?!??! I usually give 'em one shot...one shot to respond, "im in a flick, ttyl" after that it's, "DUDE, SHUT YOUR SHIT OFF!" Works everytime!

[mhg83]

I went to see The Mist with my parents last week. There was a guy in the back row that would continually comment and make a joke at almost every scene! that really pissed me off. Didn't realize the theaters now have audio commentaries.

[Joe Molotov]

I can't remember very many bad experiences at theaters. Really the only one I can think of where it felt like my experience was being ruined by another patron was when I went to see A Series of Unfortunate Events, and a couple sitting next to me put their toddler in the seat right next to me and crawled all over me for about 45 minutes. The couple would be like "Oops, sorry!" and pick him up, but 5 minutes later they'd sit him back down and then he'd be crawling all over me again. Finally I spied a few other empty seats and moved.

Oh yeah, and I do remember being a few rows back from a hacking smoker once, I think it might have been A Knight's Tale. About once a minute he'd let loose with a big, wet, wheezing cough that ripped through the entire theater. That was really annoying.

[Mittman]

I've had many bad experiences. Worst was during Spiderman 2. Ten year old kid behind me with his mom and 2 older sisters. Kid must have eaten his weight in ICEEs. Continued to talk the entire movie. I tried to let it go. During the train scene, he vomits over the back of my seat. Nothing got on me, but it did smell. I would have moved, but the theater was sold out. To make matters worse, he leaves with his mom. Mom comes back in about 10 minutes later and kneels down next to the sisters giving them an update. "Oh, he's getting some water in the lobby. He must have had too much sugar. I think he has another shirt in the car, I'll go get it and be back in 5". About this time I turn around and tell them to shut up. They respond by calling me a prick for not caring about this little kid. I tell the sisters if they are so concerned, go out in the lobby and check on him. Don't get the update in the middle of the movie. Blah, almost ruined the whole movie for me. I had to go back and see it again because I missed half of the 3rd act.

Since I've moved I've had a dozen or so bad experiences. Luckily, I've found that the AMC in Tysons Corner is the best mainstream theater experience in the DC area. Typically people there are very quiet and attentive.

[Drexl]

I can't remember very many bad experiences at theaters. Really the only one I can think of where it felt like my experience was being ruined by another patron was when I went to see A Series of Unfortunate Events, and a couple sitting next to me put their toddler in the seat right next to me and crawled all over me for about 45 minutes. The couple would be like "Oops, sorry!" and pick him up, but 5 minutes later they'd sit him back down and then he'd be crawling all over me again. Finally I spied a few other empty seats and moved.

:shrug: It sounds like you got what you came for.

[Brack]

General Behavior! *salutes*

[clemente]

You guys must just pick crappy theaters....I frequent the same 3 or 4 theaters and I have maybe 2 or 3 bad experiences a year (out of 100 or so)

[zekeburger1979]

General Behavior! *salutes*

Dammit! :)

[cardsfan111]

I don't see a great number of movies in theaters but I generally try to catch matinee showings of movies I really want to see. With the smaller crowd, it allows me to keep some space between myself and anyone who might annoy me. :)

[Heat]

I've pretty much stopped going to theaters. I'll send my kids off to the movies with their friends (and their friends parents) but I avoid the theater whenever possible. I do catch drive-ins regularly during the summer, and I rent DVDs / buy occasionally.

The last two movies that I remember seeing in the theater (not including the drive-in) were Happy Feet and one of the Lord of the Rings movies.

[Brian Shannon]

I have not been to a movie theater in over 8 years and will likely never go back. Although the OP has valid points, this is old news. Sadly theater owners do nothing about it.

[toddly6666]

In NYC movie theaters:

For me, there's always that piss-smelling person (male or woman) with scragily hair, long jacket, a lot of noisy plastic bags that walk in 20 minutes into the movie and sits near me....The stench is unbearable that I either move or eventually the person leaves after 20 minutes. ...And then there's the bum that also walks in 20 minutes into the movie and sits in one of those front corner seats and interacts with the movie - shouting, loudly reacting, raising hands, pointing to the screen.

For an empty theater, this is what I recommend for the seat kickers. If your seat continues to get kicked, get up, and sit right behind that person and subtly kick his seat. I've never done that, but i think about that a lot. Usually, I do the George Costanza, turn around, and say it really loud so it's more shocking than anything. If you whisper to the person to stop kicking, it's not really impactfull enough. Do the sudden turn around, and be really loud like "Could you cut it out!!!" It's the shock of the loudness and the embarrassement that stops them from kicking. If the whole theater knows that this person is a kicker and that i'm the type of person to speak really loud, they will try not to kick to avoid embarressment...

[Bandit03]

The only time I go to theatres is for the movies that I really want to see. Ive only been to the theatres 5 or six times this year. I used to go to the movies every Friday night until I found out it wasnt worth it. Everything from the traffic to the noise and behavior just starting pissing me off. My fiance and I decided that if we really wanted to see a movie, we would go see the matinee show; the rest of the time we would just wait a few months for the DVD and enjoy it at home.

[DVD Josh]

I've repeated this story many times before on the forum, but here's my favorite asshole in a movie theater story of all time.

Went to see a 10:30 showing of a film on a weeknight. There was about 15 people in a fairly large room. We were all very spread out. About 10 mins. into the film, a guy answered his cell, talked for about sixty seconds and got the usual shushes. 10 mins. later phone rings again, this time he's on it for about 3 mins. A guy walks up to him and looks to say politely to take it outside or turn it off. Seems to get some gruff back, but hangs up. 10 mins. later, phone rings again, and guy makes it a point to speak loudly an obnoxiously. This time, the other person goes to his seat, grabs his phone out of his hand, and throws it against the wall and it shatters, then calmly returns to his seat. Quite shocking to witness. First guy gets all freaked out, goes to get presumably the manager (from what he was screaming). Mgr. comes back, talks to second guy, then escorts FIRST guy from the theater (kicking and screaming).

We all made it a point to say thanks after the movie. I asked him if he felt like he needed some backup when he walked to his car and he told me he could take care of himself and was looking forward to him trying something. I had no intention of getting into a fight, just dissuade the guy from taking revenge.

[Giles]

the last past two times I've had to tell the person in front of me to turn off their phones.

at Beowulf (IMAX), some teenage girl was doing something with the phone and I was like:
'I didn't pay 15 dollars to see you use your phone'


at the beginning of Enchanted, (after an animated 'Kung Fu Panda' berated the audience to not use phones during the film) the mother in front of me was texting on her phone - I leaned over tapped her on the shoulder and said 'THAT's distracting' - she immediately put the phone away and never used it again throughout the entire movie.

[The Bus]

I must be incredibly lucky because I haven't experienced anything that is even remotely disturbing this year, and I've been to the theatres 60-odd times.

[boredsilly]

I went to see The Mist with my parents last week. There was a guy in the back row that would continually comment and make a joke at almost every scene! that really pissed me off. Didn't realize the theaters now have audio commentaries.

I went to see the Mist with some friends, and the Theatre was pretty well behaved.

However, there was one bit where

The lead realized he didn't have enough bullets to kill everyone, and some guy said "Why don't they just put two heads together?" completely serious, and the theater erupted in laughter. So that was kind of awesome.

[boredsilly]

My fiance and I decided that if we really wanted to see a movie, we would go see the matinee show; the rest of the time we would just wait a few months for the DVD and enjoy it at home.

I agree that the matinée route is the way to go, especially for adult movies (not stuff like Bee Movie or Shrek). You avoid a lot of the teen assholes and stuff this way. Also, waiting a week or two and then going to see a matinee almost guarantees there will be less than 10 people in a theater at any given early show.

[Giles]

I've had many bad experiences. Worst was during Spiderman 2. Ten year old kid behind me with his mom and 2 older sisters. Kid must have eaten his weight in ICEEs. Continued to talk the entire movie. I tried to let it go. During the train scene, he vomits over the back of my seat. Nothing got on me, but it did smell. I would have moved, but the theater was sold out. To make matters worse, he leaves with his mom. Mom comes back in about 10 minutes later and kneels down next to the sisters giving them an update. "Oh, he's getting some water in the lobby. He must have had too much sugar. I think he has another shirt in the car, I'll go get it and be back in 5". About this time I turn around and tell them to shut up. They respond by calling me a prick for not caring about this little kid. I tell the sisters if they are so concerned, go out in the lobby and check on him. Don't get the update in the middle of the movie. Blah, almost ruined the whole movie for me. I had to go back and see it again because I missed half of the 3rd act.

Since I've moved I've had a dozen or so bad experiences. Luckily, I've found that the AMC in Tysons Corner is the best mainstream theater experience in the DC area. Typically people there are very quiet and attentive.

also Washingtonians generally don't go to the AMC early morning shows before noon - it's a great time to experience a movie with very few people.

[kakihara1]

The last movie I went to was "30 Days of Night" and while the movie may have been awful the people in the theater made it a far worse experience than it needed to be...

Actually there were only 7 people in the theater when I watched it, a couple, myself and a friend, and this old bitch with two approximately 11 year old girls. At first it was just my buddy and me and the couple that sat about two rows in front of us but as the movie was getting ready to start the old lady came in and sat in the lower section of the theater as the little girls ran straight up to the top stomping their feet as loudly as possible every step of the way, then when they got to the top they started giggling and talking in half whispers that could easily be heard for a minute or two then ran down the stairs stomping the whole way to give thier coats to the old lady. then they stomped thier way back up the the top.

Much of the crappy film is pretty quiet so it was nearly impossible to pay attention to the movie when you could hear the little girls talking and then they would run up and down over and over again for concessions and the bathroom etc. I finally got super pissed when the old lady started hacking up her lung and it lasted like ten minutes so after she didn't leave the theater to get a drink of water or something I figured talking to her about controlling her kids was going to fall on deaf ears. So I went to the courtesy counter and complained. Actually at first I asked that they be removed from the theater but when the guy offered free passes for another movie some other time, I decided that would be good enough because the movie seriously sucked ass anyhow.

So back the the theater I go and after a minute or so the girls decided they'd had enough of the movie so they started playing some flippin game on the floor together and were being loud as shit so I actually said "can you girls please be quiet?" they shut up for about a minute and then went running down to the old lady where I'm sure they told her I yelled at them because when this POS film was finally over on the way out of the theater she was standing by the bathrooms and she gave me this super shitty look, at this point I just didn't care anymore. I didn't want to have a confrontation with her so instead I just blurted out loudly "You've got to be fucking kidding me!!" as I looked straight at her and she just kept staring as we walked by so then I made a comment to my friend loudly enough for her to hear "If you can't control fucking brat kids then you should bring them to a fucking horror movie" of course the girls were in the bathroom as I wouldn't have spoken like that in front of them (believe me I made sure they weren't around when I started making comments.....they were probably in the bathroom getting high or starting some shit on fire). Anyhow we walked out the door and went home.

Sorry for the long boring ass story but this was my most recent visit to the theater.

[slop101]

Seeing "No Country" at the Arclight was a pleasure - no noise from anyone.

But seeing a matinee of The Mist was a nightmare. About 15 minutes into the movie, I heard a baby, and I'm like, you gotta be kidding! So about 15 minutes after that, the baby starts crying, but the teenage mother (that's right) didn't do anything about it. But after a few minutes a bunch of people started shouting "get it out!", and she eventually complied and was followed out by the rest of her high school friends. Un-fucking-believable.

[Doc MacGyver]

It really is bad. Don't be quiet about it. Most people fear confrontation. When something annoying happens around me in a theater, ask politely for it to stop. If it does not, let go with both barrells. I've hung up other people's phones and threatened to break them next time they ring. I've told parents to make their children behave and stop kicking my seat. If they ignore you, try this chestnut: "Excuse me, son.. could you tell your obese whore of a mother to either beat you every once in a while or give you up for adoption to someone who can raise you properly?" This usually makes the mother leave with kids in tow.

If someone spills something on you and doesn't apologize, wait a few minutes and then go out to the concession stand. Buy a king-sized Hi-C fruit punch. dump a quarter of it out and replace it with nacho cheese and popcorn butter. Sit back down. Make a show of taking the lid off and placing it carefully in your arm rest. Then overtly pour it down the front of them - They will usually leave.

If you tell teenagers to be quiet and they start cursing at you - DO NOT BE AFRAID TO HIT THEM. No one likes teenagers, and no one will be on their side. Trust Me.

Of course it helps that I'm over 6 feet and weigh two hundred pounds with crazy-eyes. Still, give these helpful tips a try.


-Doc

[DRG]

My worst recent experience was a young dude, probably 15 or so I'd guess, who was doign the whole "make jokes about every scene like I'm on Mystery Science Theater 3000" routine. The worst part is not only were the jokes unfunny, they weren't even jokes! Example: there's a close-up of someone's eye... "Ooh, an eye!!!" His buddies weren't even laughing at his dumb crap, so I don't know what he was trying to accomplish. Luckily the audience pretty much turned on after a few minutes of this... it's funny how a chorus of "Shut the **** up!" from all over the theater can put some people in line.

[Goat3001]

I'm with the OP. At this point there are only certain movies that I will see in the theatre. I will see fun summer popcorn flicks as an audience for those movies can make it more fun. Especially if its a fanboy movie and you check it out midnight opening night. Transformers, Spidey 2 and 3 and LOTR were my favorite movie watching experiences because of the crowd.

I'll wait for DVD for movies such as No Country For Old Men. I made the mistake of watching Gone Baby Gone with an audience a few weeks ago. Great movie but ruined by idiots who find the need to laugh because they can't handle high emotional content. Theatres should block off some screens for certain movies to a 21 and older crowd only. For example, have 1 or 2 showings a day where no one under 21 can buy a ticket. Sure there are plenty of teenagers that are respectful in movie theatres but from my experience every time someone is being inappropriate its a teenager.

[starman9000]

I didn't want to have a confrontation with her so instead I just blurted out loudly "You've got to be fucking kidding me!!" as I looked straight at her and she just kept staring as we walked by so then I made a comment to my friend loudly enough for her to hear "If you can't control fucking brat kids then you should bring them to a fucking horror movie" of course the girls were in the bathroom as I wouldn't have spoken like that in front of them



I'd love to see what you would have done if you had wanted a confrontation

[kakihara1]

I'd love to see what you would have done if you had wanted a confrontation.
rotfl I mean I didn't want to get into an actual drawn out exchange with the lady and make some huge scene in the middle of the lobby, so what I said to her was in passing while we were actually walking out the door.

I can't figure out whether these people don't realize being a huge annoyance or if they just don't care. A little of both probably

[hermes10]

You guys must just pick crappy theaters....I frequent the same 3 or 4 theaters and I have maybe 2 or 3 bad experiences a year (out of 100 or so)

Or, maybe you're lucky, or just aren't as bothered by some of the things that bother others. I never go to the theater on a weekend or a Friday night. I don't go to any showing that starts after 6 PM. I don't go to movies that are likely to appeal to teenagers, no matter when they're being shown. And I don't go to cheap or "dollar" theaters. Still, I have bad experiences a good 30-40% of the time.

Most of the time the problems are with the patrons, but lately I've been having bad luck with the theaters themselves. At American Gangster I was treated to a guy in his 30's kicking my seat every five minutes like a 10 year old, and a running conversation with his wife or girlfriend (and it's rare I find a screening where no one talks, the variation seems only to be in how loud they talk). Then the movie kicked up on the adjacent screen and was so loud it drowned out the quiet passages of the movie we were watching. Next, the movie just stopped --right in the middle of the climactic scene near the end. I went to complain and when I came back, the movie was running. As soon as I sat down the movie stopped again. I was with my son and his girlfriend and this time we just demanded our money back. To the credit of the theater --AMC Barton Creek, Austin-- the manager apologized, was very professional and tolerant of my excessive rage, gave us our money back, free tickets for another movie, and free coupons for popcorn and drinks. But I sill haven't seen the end of American Gangster.

On the other hand, I'm not convinced the actual patrons are, on the whole, any worse now than they were 20 years ago. I routinely experienced all the rude behavior people talk about on here back then too. For me, the big difference now is the cell phone user. At least half of my bad experiences involve people with cells phones, either talking or texting during the movie. The texting, of course, doesn't bother me unless the people doing it are in front of me, and then it can be very distracting.

[cruzness]

I remember taking my younger brother to see Pinnochio about 12 yrs ago. Some jerk decided to talk loudly in the theater once again ala MST3K. I shushed him and he gave me a 'F@ck off'. Outraged people everywhere turned to look at him. I stood up ( all 6', 240 solid pounds of me) and told him to watch his mouth in front of the kids and shut up. He sat down and glared at me, but I told him I would beat him if he looked my way again. Needless to say he scurried out of there before the credits started.

Another time I went to see SW Ep III on opening weekend. The theater was silent and as soon as 'A long time ago in a galaxy far far away...' came on I said 'Crap, I've seen this one' and got roars of laughter.

[MBoyd]

Texting is annoying but I'd rather deal with that than talking. It's a trade off. One or the other is going to happen. I'll take texting.

[BravesMG]

I'll wait for DVD for movies such as No Country For Old Men. I made the mistake of watching Gone Baby Gone with an audience a few weeks ago. Great movie but ruined by idiots who find the need to laugh because they can't handle high emotional content. Theatres should block off some screens for certain movies to a 21 and older crowd only. For example, have 1 or 2 showings a day where no one under 21 can buy a ticket. Sure there are plenty of teenagers that are respectful in movie theatres but from my experience every time someone is being inappropriate its a teenager.:thumbsup: I've been dying for this option for years. It would eliminate the two biggest problems, teens and toddlers. I would gladly pay more for an over 21 screening, but I have a feeling I'm in the vast minority. Probably not on DVDTalk though :).

[DVD Josh]

All these stories remind me why I bought my projector and screen in the first place.

[KillerCannibal]

I saw a screening of The Warriors at the Arclight in Hollywood in the adult (21+) theater and it was perfection. After grabbing 2 frosty cold ones from the bar outside the theater doors some attendants informed us that there was to be no use of cell phones in the theater, no talking and that if we experienced any issues with the pq/aq they would rectify it. Now THAT is exactly how every theater-going experience should be.

I, personally, rarely have issues at the theater. Sure, people texting annoys the shit out of me but I don't get too many talkers or kids.

[Rypro 525]

funniest thing was, when i saw episode 2 at midnight. We were all sitting for at least an hour before the movie started. Right as the previews started, some guy yelled "we want fuckin star wars!!" which got a loud laugh and applause.

I have rarely have had issues at the movies.

[cardsfan111]

I will confess to a particular instant when my family I were 'those annoying people' described in this thread.

We went to a matinee showing of a family-friendly movie and were the only ones in the theater. We had a good time carrying on--making noise, changing seats, I believe think there might have been some popcorn thrown as well... :)

[mhg83]

one of my favorite quotes:

"I just get so tired of idiots shootin their mouths off laughin and clappin makes you wanna start pokin eyes out and slashin guts and kickin throats"

[Daytripper]

I recently went to see No Country for Old Men, and while I loved the movie, I was so disgusted by the wheezing, tuberculosis-infested guy sitting next to me, that I may not go to the movies for awhile. In addition to the hacking smokers cough, he managed to rummage around in a noisy bag of "goodies" for a full hour and a half. This follows my last theater experience where a 300 pound woman next to me and brought in a bag of Carl's Jr. burgers covered with raw onions, and was belching fried food for two hours. I am a slob, and not easily put off, but I am now at the point where I have a decent home-theater, and will just wait the 4 months for the DVD. Not to be a cynic, but the lack of civility in our society is beginning to concern me a bit. Not to mention, for two of us with sodas, it was almost $30.00.

I am oblivious to the talking, cell phones, and general miscreant behavior of the average teenagers at movies, but the olfactory and viral assault(s) have put me over the top. Anyone else, or am I just getting old and being a whiner? Please submit any good stories of degenerate behavior at the theater so I do not feel so alone.


This is so weird. When I went to go see "No Country For Old Men", I encountered a movie theater first. And almost started a new thread here. This film is very quiet. I don't recall much if any background music or a score. I went to a 9:45 AM Saturday morning show. There were about 25 people in the theater that early. All were completely well behaved and quiet. Except...the guy two rows behind me. Very clean cut guy, mid 40's or so. Well, he ate his entire bag of popcorn with his mouth OPEN! And that sound bounced off the walls. For nearly an hour. I soooo wanted to turn around and say "Would you please fucking chew with your mouth closed!?" I mean, Jesus Christ. How could he not know everyone could hear that?? SO fucking annoying.

[jessecrx]

Thank goodness we still have a drive in theater here in Houston

If I must go to a regular theater, I go on a Monday when there's hardly anyone there.

Much respect to you guys with so much tolerance for this kinda behavior

[RayChuang]

All these stories remind me why I bought my projector and screen in the first place.

And you wonder why sales of widescreen LCD/plasma display panels and non-CRT rear-projection TV's have boomed lately.

Who wants to put up with rude audience members that don't bother to turn off cellphones and pagers and talk during the film? It is of my personal opinion that the rudeness of the audience worsened considerably with the success of Mystery Science Theater 3000 on TV, which made it "hip" to "talk back" to movies, much to the annoyance of everyone else in the theater. http://www.websmileys.com/sm/mad/011.gif

[Fok]

I don't get it, people go to movies and just talk throughout it, what's the fucking point in seeing the move!
Anyway, we try and get the back seats, that way the no one is kicking our seats.

[Jonno2006]

Teenagers are the worst! It's like they don't even care they're watching a movie. I really don't get it, whether they paid or their parents paid why can't you just shut up and watch the movie? Why even go to the movies if you're going to be a jittery talkative pain in the ass? Just watch the movie at home with your friend then! Baffles me everytime.

I go to the theaters alot and i'd i had at LEAST 10-15 bad theater experiences this year alone! And people keep asking why people don't go to the movies anymore.

I don't know if what i did was bad but when i went to see 30 Days of Night we got there early as usual so we can pick out the best seats and while we're sitting in our good spots waiting for the movie to start we see these 4 black people, 2 girls and 2 guys and we were hoping they would not sit next or behind us and of course they sat right behind us! Just hearing them talk behind us we knew they were loud people. Whether they are loud when watching a movie or not i'm not taking any chances, so we decided to move and what's funny in all this is that they KNEW we were moving because of them. They started laughing and saying 'are they moving because of us?'


It was probably racist and stereotypical what we did but i don't care. I will not be disturbed while watching a movie! They could be the best movie persons in the whole world, i just didn't want to take the chance!

:D

[Daytripper]

Teenagers are the worst! It's like they don't even care they're watching a movie. I really don't get it, whether they paid or their parents paid why can't you just shut up and watch the movie? Why even go to the movies if you're going to be a jittery talkative pain in the ass? Just watch the movie at home with your friend then! Baffles me everytime.

I go to the theaters alot and i'd i had at LEAST 10-15 bad theater experiences this year alone! And people keep asking why people don't go to the movies anymore.

I don't know if what i did was bad but when i went to see 30 Days of Night we got there early as usual so we can pick out the best seats and while we're sitting in our good spots waiting for the movie to start we see these 4 black people, 2 girls and 2 guys and we were hoping they would not sit next or behind us and of course they sat right behind us! Just hearing them talk behind us we knew they were loud people. Whether they are loud when watching a movie or not i'm not taking any chances, so we decided to move and what's funny in all this is that they KNEW we were moving because of them. They started laughing and saying 'are they moving because of us?'


It was probably racist and stereotypical what we did but i don't care. I will not be disturbed while watching a movie! They could be the best movie persons in the whole world, i just didn't want to take the chance!

:D

It's not racist. And I hate it when people are vilified when they make this observation. Hell, even some black comediennes have poked fun at this. I don't think anyone said black people are the only one's who do this. Like mentioned above, teenagers are the worst offenders. And that doesn't make me a teen hater for saying that.

[Charlie Goose]

Sure there are plenty of teenagers that are respectful in movie theatres but from my experience every time someone is being inappropriate its a teenager.
I've had just the opposite. Of course, there have been teens that make noise, but in my experiences the vast majority of loudmouths have been old farts. They have full conversations in normal voices.

[DVD Josh]

And you wonder why sales of widescreen LCD/plasma display panels and non-CRT rear-projection TV's have boomed lately.



The kicker for me was when I realized that two tickets for a evening show and a drink and popcorn was $30!! That's the price of two DVDs or the cost of two months of my Netflix. I say hard cheese to that.

[Zen Peckinpah]

Some notable recent "experiences":

Usually the friend I go to the movies with is all "shut up" when I say something extraneous (albeit quietly), but during Zodiac, upon first seeing Chloe Sevigny's character he blurts out to me, "Jan Brady!" Needless to say, it was impeding on my enjoyment of the movie. :D

These 14-year-old twerps found a way to get into Superbad and were promptly escorted out. Not even the "cool" ones, the ones who would have dressed funny in the 70's or early 80's and gotten their asses obliterated to hell.

Aside from that, I admit that Transformers and The Simpsons Movie were the two most fun theatrical experiences I had this year, both on night-before pre-screenings. The reaction to the trailer for Simpsons before Transformers was one of the most vocal I've ever heard (my theater doesn't have a nerdy crowd unfortunately). I can also testify that this crowd flipped over the Borat trailer before Snakes on a Plane, which was a full three months before the movie went huge. I'm hoping that if I see Rambo, Indiana Jones, or Dark Knight that the crowd reactions are good.

Lastly, my most annoying experience HAD to be when I saw 3:10 to Yuma. It was in one of the lone non-stadium seating theaters, and I'm in the back, no one else in the row, maybe six or seven other people in the theater. Right before the trailers, and I'm not being racist, a herd of Mexicans walks in and sits in the SAME ROW as me, and during the film decide to jabber on during it. I was ready to flip out, but I gave them a nice "Shhhh" every time they got me aggravated.

And these weren't this year, but I remember Bowfinger and Traffic both having people bringing strollers or babies inside (with the former being particularly grating IIRC).

Another two stories of note:

During War of the Worlds, when Tom Cruise's son came out of the apartment at the end some guy near me coughs out, "Bullshit!"

A History of Violence was, however, my (least) favorite story. This ultra-nasty middle-aged woman kept reacting to EVERY ON-SCREEN OCCURRENCE AND SCENE with either a laugh, a gasp, or some random comment about it. I told her to be quiet, but she continued, so finally after giving her the evil eye she called me a "creep" and moved. I was ready to really go off on this woman, but I didn't. Pissed me off though.

[Ejunior2]

I agree - this problem has been going on for some time. I remember going to see a midnight showing of a movie a few years back. I could not believe it as the whole audience was very rude. People were talking throughout the movie repeating the lines and in some cases talking to the characters calling them "Slut" or "Nerd".

Why, many people actually threw hot dogs, toilet paper or toast at the screen. During rainy scenes people even used squirt guns in the theater. Can you believe it?

Now, if I could only remember the name of that film.....?

[DVD Josh]

I agree - this problem has been going on for some time. I remember going to see a midnight showing of a movie a few years back. I could not believe it as the whole audience was very rude. People were talking throughout the movie repeating the lines and in some cases talking to the characters calling them "Slut" or "Nerd".

Why, many people actually threw hot dogs, toilet paper or toast at the screen. During rainy scenes people even used squirt guns in the theater. Can you believe it?

Now, if I could only remember the name of that film.....?

:lol:

Rocky Horror Picture Show.

[Drexl]

And you wonder why sales of widescreen LCD/plasma display panels and non-CRT rear-projection TV's have boomed lately.

Eh, I don't think that there's necessarily a correlation. People like the idea of hanging a TV on the wall (or at least getting something thinner than a CRT RPTV), and recently it's become affordable to get one. Also, even the cheaper sets are all HD, and HDTV is a buzzword even to those who don't actually watch HD material. Screen sizes are getting bigger for less money as well.

I think it's more driven by technology than bad cinema behavior. The technology has made it possible (especially with HD television and disc formats) to get as good or better quality at home than in the theater.

[DVD Josh]

Eh, I don't think that there's necessarily a correlation. People like the idea of hanging a TV on the wall (or at least getting something thinner than a CRT RPTV), and recently it's become affordable to get one. Also, even the cheaper sets are all HD, and HDTV is a buzzword even to those who don't actually watch HD material. Screen sizes are getting bigger for less money as well.

I think it's more driven by technology than bad cinema behavior. The technology has made it possible (especially with HD television and disc formats) to get as good or better quality at home than in the theater.

There is absolutely a correlation between high theater prices and the purchasing of large display devices.

And under no circumstance can you achieve better than cinema quality at home.

[MartinBlank]

I don't get it, people go to movies and just talk throughout it, what's the fucking point in seeing the move!
Anyway, we try and get the back seats, that way the no one is kicking our seats.

I dont' get people who pick what flick to see AFTER they get to the theater, but that's just me.

It's almost as if it's just something to do. They don't really care about the movie they're paying to see, they just want to sit in the dark and talk to each other.

[RayChuang]

There is absolutely a correlation between high theater prices and the purchasing of large display devices.

And under no circumstance can you achieve better than cinema quality at home.

Plug in a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD player directly to a top-notch non-CRT rear-projection TV like Sony's SXRD LCoS units and at 56" or larger diagonal screen size, you don't miss going to the theater itself. I've seen the HD-DVD version Transformers on such a setup and the picture quality was outstanding. :up:

[jlmace]

"Excuse me, son.. could you tell your obese whore of a mother to either beat you every once in a while or give you up for adoption to someone who can raise you properly?" This usually makes the mother leave with kids in tow.
-Doc


Thank you. I am still at work at 7:00 PM on a Friday. That made my night, and I am actually dying to use that line at some point.

[SPiRAL]

We went to see No Country For Old Men on tuesday morning. There was about 10 people in the theater. Some old man and his wife rustling with a plastic bag, repeating everything said on screen, and laughing as it was a joke or something. I was just about ready to to rip his ass, but I chilled, talked to the manager after, he said he was sorry and gave us 4 free passes to come back, so that was was pretty cool of him.



On a side note, I usually go to Art House theatres. Never once, have I had a problem. People are so well-mannered, and respectful. If someone's phone rings, they go to the lobby to answer it. No seat-kicking, good hygiene -ptth- ( some people have brought up stank-ass breath and bodies ), and silence.

[tasha99]

I will confess to a particular instant when my family I were 'those annoying people' described in this thread.

We went to a matinee showing of a family-friendly movie and were the only ones in the theater. We had a good time carrying on--making noise, changing seats, I believe think there might have been some popcorn thrown as well... :)

Me too. :) I took my son to a 10 am showing of Fantastic Four Rise of the Silver Surfer, and since we were the only ones there, I let him do whatever he wanted. Basically, he stood on a seat and made shadow puppets through much of the movie, including picking people's noses. It was the only thing that made me feel like I got my money's worth, because it wasn't a good movie at all.

[dogmatica]

People are so well-mannered, and respectful. If someone's phone rings, they go to the lobby to answer it.
I hate it when people leave the theaters to answer their phones, but they only go into the hall and carry on a conversation everyone can clearly hear. This would be in those multiplexes with the hallway in-between the lobby and the main auditorium. Um, you didn't leave, and you're speaking loudly so the person on the phone can hear you over the movie - we can hear you, too.

We went with some friends to Superbad at the cheap seats this past Sunday. An old couple sat on the other side of us. They laughed at first, but their laughter got less and less. They left right during Seth's rant about sex in the liquor store parking lot. Then everyone laughed at their exit.

[Drexl]

There is absolutely a correlation between high theater prices and the purchasing of large display devices.

And under no circumstance can you achieve better than cinema quality at home.

Well, haven't high ticket prices been a problem for a long time now, at least 10 years? I remember years ago when they complained about a ticket price reaching $7. It may be a factor, but I don't think it's the only factor.

I shouldn't have said as good or better than a theater, but many multiplexes have poor quality presentations. From dirt and scratches on worn-out prints to bad black levels, an HD movie can at least be in the same ballpark. Film loses some of its perceived resolution when run through a typical projector anyway due to gate weave.

[hitmanjules]

Seriously, why the hell do all these people need to be in constant communication with whomever's NOT there with them? I use texting to ask a quick question and get a short answer without the "hassle" of a phone call, but that's NOT in a movie theater! There are devices that scramble cell phone signals, and they should be used in places like movie theaters. But what about those with occupations such as doctors, EMTs, etc?

[Brent L]

I'm just gonna toss this out there, oh boy...

If someone has some sort of condition where they, ummm, make noises over and over again, is it "wrong" to get very, very pissed off over it, even though they can't help it? I've been in theaters where people obviously had something wrong with them, and they would make noises like growls, barks, and other such things. I've had that happen to me a number of times, and even though I've never complained about it to anyone working in the theater, I have come very close to doing so.

I feel horrible when I end up feeling that way, but, come on.

[GizmoDVD]

This is why I see 1-2 movies a year in theaters and usually only because I have free pases thanks to a recent DVD purchase.

[calhoun07]

I'm just gonna toss this out there, oh boy...

If someone has some sort of condition where they, ummm, make noises over and over again, is it "wrong" to get very, very pissed off over it, even though they can't help it? I've been in theaters where people obviously had something wrong with them, and they would make noises like growls, barks, and other such things. I've had that happen to me a number of times, and even though I've never complained about it to anyone working in the theater, I have come very close to doing so.

I feel horrible when I end up feeling that way, but, come on.


That happened to me when I went to see Antz. Some special needs kids came in with social workers or whatever and they made noises all throughout the movie.

I am glad we live in a society where these people aren't forced to live in asylums or locked up and never allowed in public. But I think there should be limits. Yeah, it's great they can get out to the stores and malls and do things, but I believe (and this may be controversial) that they should be offered exclusive showings of movies at certain times for their groups or maybe they should wait for the freaking DVD. I don't say that to be mean, but come on...the people with them are paid to go with them. And while I am not angry about them being in the theater, I do find it horribly inconsiderate of the caregivers who should be more considerate.

[mndtrp]

I'll go to a matinee in the off chance I see a movie in the theater. Otherwise, I'll wait for the dvd and watch it at home. I don't need to see a movie when it first comes out, and I have such a backlog of films to watch, I can wait.

[JumpCutz]

and they would make noises like growls, barks, and other such things. .

http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/scared011.gif

[matome]

All perfect examples of why I no longer go to the theaters. People are inconsiderate assholes. Thank god for movies on disc.

[Doc MacGyver]

Thank you. I am still at work at 7:00 PM on a Friday. That made my night, and I am actually dying to use that line at some point.


You're quite welcome :)




I'm just gonna toss this out there, oh boy...

If someone has some sort of condition where they, ummm, make noises over and over again, is it "wrong" to get very, very pissed off over it, even though they can't help it? I've been in theaters where people obviously had something wrong with them, and they would make noises like growls, barks, and other such things. I've had that happen to me a number of times, and even though I've never complained about it to anyone working in the theater, I have come very close to doing so.

I feel horrible when I end up feeling that way, but, come on.


Situations like this are usually avoided by the home or center or group who bring special needs kids to the theater. They rent out an entire showing, usually a few weeks deep into the run of a movie, and always early in the day. I worked at a movie theater in high school and in fact, we would have special screening in the morning before the theater opened to the public at noon.

Now as for fully-functioning adults with tourettes syndrome, that is a stickier topic. This is, for all intents and purposes, an intelligent, well-mannered, fully-fuctioning member of society who happens to have this unfortunate (and annoying) disorder. It would not be fair to refuse this guy the simple pleasure of taking a night off at the movies.

On the flip-side, that is exactly what everyone else in the theater is trying to do, and their money is just a green and they worked just as hard for it, and it's not fair to them to have their theater experience ruined in the name of fairness and understanding.

I think that if I were that man, I'd probably do a lot of DVD renting.

It's tricky - The liberal in me wants to say that no one should be excluded from activities the rest of us take for granted, but the film loving snob in me wants a graveyard-quiet theater with no kids, teenagers or old people.


-Doc

[baracine]

I have given up on theatres 8 years ago when I set myself up with a home theatre and almost never go out to theatres and am glad I don't. The problem for me is more the lack of comfort, convenience and quality of a movie palace run by a bunch uncomprehending teenagers than the bad manners of the audience.

Canadian audiences are generally well-behaved anyway but here, in the winter, we have the wintercoat issue which means that in a crowded theatre, a family will take up at least two seats just for their assorted winter gear while unseated patrons have to sit in the alleys until an usher intervenes, generally with lots of bad feelings all around. This all stems from a certain timidity that prevents the seated patrons from offering the seats and the unseated ones from asking for them in the first place.

But I couldn't keep myself away from the communal experience of The Simpsons Movie which was really positive. The Canadians really love their Simpsons and even their improvised comments to the screen are inspired and bring on applause from other patrons.

[RayChuang]

Who wants to go out to the theater when you have to consider these issues:

1) The cost of driving out to the theater and back, plus paying for a babysitter if you have children.

2) The ridiculous cost of tickets even for matinees (A number of theaters are now charging US$8.00 for a matinee ticket). I'm not going even ask how expensive evening tickets now cost.

3) The ridiculous cost of concessions. :eek:

4) The frequently dirty floors in a theater.

5) The uncomfortable seating in some theaters.

6) The subpar picture and sound quality.

7) Totally rude audience members that don't bother to turn off cellphones and pagers and talk during the movie at inappropriate times.

And you wonder why sales of widescreen LCD, Plasma, and non-CRT rear-projection TV's have gone through the roof, along with sales of home theater systems.

By the way, one additional advantage of home video release on DVD/HD-DVD/Blu-Ray disc is that you often get the version of the movie the director intended to make, with no limits imposed by time considerations and/or MPAA rating considerations. (Look at the message thread about the movie Troy being vastly better on the director's cut DVD version.)

My brother--who has a full home theater system--has rarely seen a movie in a theater because it's way more comfortable to watch a movie at home. Sure, we miss the big screens and the "shared movie experience," but given all the downsides I mentioned above that's a tradeoff I'm willing to live with. :)

[DVD Josh]

Well, haven't high ticket prices been a problem for a long time now, at least 10 years? I remember years ago when they complained about a ticket price reaching $7. It may be a factor, but I don't think it's the only factor.

I shouldn't have said as good or better than a theater, but many multiplexes have poor quality presentations. From dirt and scratches on worn-out prints to bad black levels, an HD movie can at least be in the same ballpark. Film loses some of its perceived resolution when run through a typical projector anyway due to gate weave.

Don't get me wrong, I love my projector. But I've never thought that my home theater, which is pretty dang decent, comes close to a DLP on a 300" screen with a massive sound system.

[mhg83]

I only go to matinee screenings and its only $5. I always sneak in pop and snacks from home. If you count gas money It only costs me $7 to got to the movies.

[Mr. Cinema]

#1 bad theater experience: morons talking to the screen. Uh, hello, we aint watching the movie in your living room.

#2 bad theater experience: morons talking on cell phones. Shut the fucking thing off!

I haven't encountered these in quite some time though. I usually try and pick the earliest or latest showing of a movie, which seems to be the best time for me. There is also a local indie theater that I love going to as it's always adults who truly love films that attend.

[MartinBlank]

It's a catch-22 anymore...I enjoy the energy of a full theater, but with that, you run the risk of children/assholes. It's a bummer.

I find it interesting that you can pack a theater for Star Wars or LOTR and NOBODY is messing around, they're into the flick. Any other picture and it's like people are just killin' time.

[RayChuang]

Don't get me wrong, I love my projector. But I've never thought that my home theater, which is pretty dang decent, comes close to a DLP on a 300" screen with a massive sound system.

Problem is, here in the USA top-quality digital projection with a THX-certified sound system are still very rare. And a lot of theaters still don't bother to check the focus of the projector lens, which really detracts from the viewing experience on a large screen in a theater. :down:

[TheMovieman]

My biggest pet peeve isn't when someone's cell phone rings. No, it's when it rings, they answer and then, rather than hanging up, continues to talk. But even then, I can let it go assuming the person couldn't be a complete idiot... and yet they still amaze me. A few minutes later the damn phone rings AGAIN! Ugh.

[Drop]

Who wants to go out to the theater when you have to consider these issues:

1) The cost of driving out to the theater and back, plus paying for a babysitter if you have children.

2) The ridiculous cost of tickets even for matinees (A number of theaters are now charging US$8.00 for a matinee ticket). I'm not going even ask how expensive evening tickets now cost.

3) The ridiculous cost of concessions. :eek:

4) The frequently dirty floors in a theater.

5) The uncomfortable seating in some theaters.

6) The subpar picture and sound quality.

7) Totally rude audience members that don't bother to turn off cellphones and pagers and talk during the movie at inappropriate times.


All of that is voided, for me, by the fact that a movie theatre poses magic a home setup will never recreate, ever, ever, ever. When a theatre presentation and the crowd is perfect (like when I saw Blade Runner recently), that is it.

I've only ever encountered a few poor presentations, and the crowds are usually pretty good, so the theatre going experience is something I look forward to.

Would people pay more for a ticket for a better run theatre? As in strict behavior rules and better trained projectionists, and possibly an on seat complaint system to inform the managers of problems? I would.

[abrg923]

It really is bad. Don't be quiet about it. Most people fear confrontation. When something annoying happens around me in a theater, ask politely for it to stop. If it does not, let go with both barrells. I've hung up other people's phones and threatened to break them next time they ring. I've told parents to make their children behave and stop kicking my seat. If they ignore you, try this chestnut: "Excuse me, son.. could you tell your obese whore of a mother to either beat you every once in a while or give you up for adoption to someone who can raise you properly?" This usually makes the mother leave with kids in tow.

If someone spills something on you and doesn't apologize, wait a few minutes and then go out to the concession stand. Buy a king-sized Hi-C fruit punch. dump a quarter of it out and replace it with nacho cheese and popcorn butter. Sit back down. Make a show of taking the lid off and placing it carefully in your arm rest. Then overtly pour it down the front of them - They will usually leave.

If you tell teenagers to be quiet and they start cursing at you - DO NOT BE AFRAID TO HIT THEM. No one likes teenagers, and no one will be on their side. Trust Me.

Of course it helps that I'm over 6 feet and weigh two hundred pounds with crazy-eyes. Still, give these helpful tips a try.


-Doc

rotfl

[KingSmoth]

In years past, I would go to the movies 2-3 times a week. This year, I've only set foot inside a theater 3 times. I have had plenty of wonderful crowd experiences, but the bad ones, along with ticket prices, finally turned me away this year. From babies(I'm talking to you, stupid teenage mother at 28 Days Later) to cell phones to confrontational seat-kickers to the crowd melee after one movie I saw, I had to call it quits.

[beesonosu]

I'm imagining myself saying "Teenage Mother!!!" in the movie theater. You may or may not find this funny if you've seen Synapse's 42nd Street Forever (vol. 1, I believe).

"Teenage Mother!"

[Charlie Goose]

Up! Up! with people!
You meet 'em wherever you go!
Up! Up! with people!
They're the best kind of folks we know.
If more people were for people,
All people ev'rywhere,
There'd be a lot less people to worry about,
And a lot more people who care!
Yeah!

[RichC2]

The theaters where I live aren't all that bad. Generally, it's college students and adults with the occasional high school kids. The last time we saw a movie with a high concentration of high school kids was a matinee showing of Accepted, at which time the theater manager walked in and said if anyone was even the least bit obnoxious they would be kicked out.

There's rarely a peep at the arthouse theater, but having to go there to see a movie in punishment enough (horrible screens, seats, theaters, sound systems, etc; )

[baracine]

I'm imagining myself saying "Teenage Mother!!!" in the movie theater. You may or may not find this funny if you've seen Synapse's 42nd Street Forever (vol. 1, I believe).

"Teenage Mother!"

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/t0TLu_KlfYc&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/t0TLu_KlfYc&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[RayChuang]

Would people pay more for a ticket for a better run theatre? As in strict behavior rules and better trained projectionists, and possibly an on seat complaint system to inform the managers of problems? I would.

So would I--but try finding them. :down: Unless you live in the largest major metropolitan areas, finding a theater with top-quality digital projection, THX sound system, comfortable seating with decent sightlines, high-quality concessions that are actually worth the extra money for them, well-trained ushers, and projectionists that constantly do decent upkeep on the projection system is close to impossible. I'm stunned that we don't see more theaters that follow the Alamo Drafthouse model, because if you can provide a premium experience at the theater people will go to such a theater in the major metropolitan areas.

[dadaluholla]

I really have not had any bad experiences at the movie theaters I go to. The only thing I can think of in my 14 trips this year was a few pre-teen girls who wouldn't stop playing some Nickleback song on their cell phone before the show started. Once the theater started filling up they stopped, and actually, a few minutes into the movie, they left and never came back. So no big deal.

[JP5683]

In 1996, I saw 27 movies in the theater in 3 months.

Now it's rare for me to go to the theater more than once a year, with the higher cost of a ticket, and dropping cost of DVD's.

But twice in the past month, a friend has invited me to a movie, and I have had no bad experiences to report.

The only thing I find strange is that there is hardly anyone in the theater.

First movie, besides me and my friend, there were four others.
Second movie, besides me and my friend, there were seven others.

[droidguy1119]

When I went to see No Country For Old Men two weeks ago I had the worst theatrical experience of my life. I was sitting basically in the center of the back row of the theater. On my left, these two Mexican guys spoke fairly loudly to each other for literally the first 40m straight despite requests to clam up (if you've see NCFOM then you know that, to make things worse, the first 40m feature almost no dialogue).

Then, in case I couldn't be more amazed at the rudeness of people, these teenagers picked up the slack once those guys finally closed their traps and took seven -- seven -- phone calls throughout the rest of the movie. It was so close to that scene in Scary Movie that I was amazed. They even passed the phone back and forth across two rows of seats. Eventually they left, but they couldn't even do that quietly: they stomped down the stairs on the way out, laughing and talking the whole time. They seemed completely and entirely oblivious to the fact that there was anyone else in the movie theater. It was stunning.

Now, I'm not too despondent about the state of people's behavior in movie theaters yet, because this is an isolated incident. Sometimes there's a loud child, maybe a jerkoff with a laser pointer, or someone who shouts a few things at the screen but on the whole that still means 95% of the viewing experience is still pleasant. Still, I hope people like this aren't a sign of where things are going because it was almost too much to comprehend how these people did not understand how to behave when a movie is playing.

[Giles]

So would I--but try finding them. :down: Unless you live in the largest major metropolitan areas, finding a theater with top-quality digital projection, THX sound system, comfortable seating with decent sightlines, high-quality concessions that are actually worth the extra money for them, well-trained ushers, and projectionists that constantly do decent upkeep on the projection system is close to impossible. I'm stunned that we don't see more theaters that follow the Alamo Drafthouse model, because if you can provide a premium experience at the theater people will go to such a theater in the major metropolitan areas.

I don't know if this legal or not, but I know that Japanese cinema's have cel phone blockers - the ability to experience a film in a truly no phone theatre seems awfully appealling - I'd pay.

[Doc MacGyver]

<b>I don't know if this legal or not</b>, but I know that Japanese cinema's have cel phone blockers - the ability to experience a film in a truly no phone theatre seems awfully appealling - I'd pay.


They have cell-phone blockers in certain conference rooms in the White House -Roosevelt Room, Situation Room, etc. Though that doesn't really prove it's legal ;)


-Doc

[Drop]

I'm stunned that we don't see more theaters that follow the Alamo Drafthouse model, because if you can provide a premium experience at the theater people will go to such a theater in the major metropolitan areas.

Exactly, oh what heaven that would be. I want to become rich just so I could make a theatre like that.

[achau9598]

At an evening show of Armageddon - full theater - some asshole sitting all the way at the back of the theater decided it would be fun to fling lit matches every time the asteriod was shown.

At another show - don't remember the film - someone sitting all the way in the back brought alcohol into the theater. Now, the theater wasn't stepped, but rather a nice long curve from front to back. Well, the bottle was either kicked over and (during a quiet scene) loudly rolled all the way to the front of the theater.

[lotsofdvds]

I have not been to a movie theater in over 8 years and will likely never go back. Although the OP has valid points, this is old news. Sadly theater owners do nothing about it.
I've seen three movies in the theater since 2000. I hit my breaking point and realized that life is too short.

Thankfully home video windows are also short. So I just wait the three months and enjoy the DVD in comfort and peace.

[Giles]

At another show - don't remember the film - someone sitting all the way in the back brought alcohol into the theater. Now, the theater wasn't stepped, but rather a nice long curve from front to back. Well, the bottle was either kicked over and (during a quiet scene) loudly rolled all the way to the front of the theater.


heheh - I happen to do exactly that after seeing 'Showgirls' with a friend of mine... he was like "be careful standing up..." (too late) cling, cling cling cling, I was so embarrassed I didn't even bother retrieving it, he and I made a quick bee line to the exit...

[jeffkjoe]

R-rated movies in which I've seen parents take kids younger than 5:

The Exorcist (2001 re-issue)
300
Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood


The LAST thing I thought I'd see after Gerald Butler slicing people to pieces, would be seeing a young girl toting a Dora the Explorer backpack, holding her father's hand while leaving the theater.

[Daytripper]

R-rated movies in which I've seen parents take kids younger than 5:

The Exorcist (2001 re-issue)
300
Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood


The LAST thing I thought I'd see after Gerald Butler slicing people to pieces, would be seeing a young girl toting a Dora the Explorer backpack, holding her father's hand while leaving the theater.

I used to say I hate kids. But I don't really. It's the parents I hate.

[celmendo]

I have two worst peeves:
1) seat kickers. Sad that the kids will usually stop if you ask them (They're just spastic and prob. aren't even aware they are doing it) but it's the older people that get all confrontational when you ask them to stop.
2) perfume. That hasn't been mentioned. WHY would you go to a theater where you are sitting inches away from someone and have enough perfume on to coat 10 rows?! I have no problem getting up and moving if possible even though I shouldn't have to but when it's crowded you don't have the option to get away from it. really ruins the movie

Alamo Drafthouse has been mentioned. For those who don't know, kids aren't allowed. It's awesome! and usually people are too busy eating to talk on cell phones, etc.

[Giles]

I don't know if they've changed their policy but kids aren't allowed at Baltimore's Senator theatre either.

[jdcopp]

This is a page I was just viewing that defines the types that one meets up in movie theaters.

The Movie Theater Dictionary (http://www.angelfire.com/film/alfredk39/)

[Brack]

^^^ jdcopp, great link.

[Goat3001]

6) The subpar picture and sound quality.

7) Totally rude audience members that don't bother to turn off cellphones and pagers and talk during the movie at inappropriate times.


I agree for the most part but the reasons to go to the movies anymore is because reason number 6 isn't always true. Many times the audio and video in theatres blows away that of a living room. Sure if you have a huge plasma TV a Blu-Ray/HD DVD player and awesome speakers its worth it. I have an above average non LCD HDTV, an SD DVD player and mediocre speakers. They work great for me and I can enjoy ANY movie I watch on it but it doesn't compare to the theatres.

And the opposite of number 7. Sometimes the right crowd with the right movie can make the movie much more enjoyable. I enjoyed Superbad and Transformers so much more with a big audience.

And the best part of the theatre is that you can see the new movie instead of waiting 6 months for the DVD. Sometimes I'm so excited about a movies release that I don't want to wait for the DVD.

[project86]

There is an amazing theater that just opened near me, I don't think I'll be able to goto a normal theater ever again.

http://www.monacopicturesusa.com/index.html

No people under 18 are allowed in after 6PM. If you're 21 or older you can pay $11 bucks to sit upstairs in leather seats, and they have a full bar and (i believe) restaurant. I'm 20 so I still have to sit downstairs, but holy poo was it clean, and everything was top notch.

[Brack]

project86, that theater is pimp. I'm jealous.

[Drexl]

This is a page I was just viewing that defines the types that one meets up in movie theaters.

The Movie Theater Dictionary (http://www.angelfire.com/film/alfredk39/)

I would add: The Firefly - someone with a device such as a cell phone with a distracting bright light. It's not necessarily someone who makes noise, but just has that light.

[Lt Ripley]

There is an amazing theater that just opened near me, I don't think I'll be able to goto a normal theater ever again.

http://www.monacopicturesusa.com/index.html

No people under 18 are allowed in after 6PM. If you're 21 or older you can pay $11 bucks to sit upstairs in leather seats, and they have a full bar and (i believe) restaurant. I'm 20 so I still have to sit downstairs, but holy poo was it clean, and everything was top notch.

Wow, nice theater, and with the way I drive, it would only take me 20 more minutes than if I drove to Franklin/Nashville!



I guess I can lend my aggravating chair kicker story to the thread. I was in the Charlotte/Concord NC area over Memorial Day weekend the year Matrix Reloaded came out. My buddy and I went to see it. Now, normally I am very chill and able to tune things out, but that night I exploded. Prior to the movie, the group behind us was talking, making the normal boasts that 17-20 year old boys make, no big deal really. A couple times prior to the show starting a couple of them got up to go get popcorn, so I could see that at least one of them was my size. They were not annoying at all at this point, and when the previews started they stopped talking and I couldn't hear them eating.

The only problem was that there was a light rhythmic tapping (The way some people overreact, some would say they were horse kicking) on the back of my chair. Every couple minutes there would be a slightly stronger tap. I couldn't tune it out for nothing. It was like the person behind me had there legs crossed and bouncing the one leg causing it to tap my chair. I tried so hard to tune it out. The longer the movie went, the stronger the tapping got. I was getting pretty upset, I had no clue what was going on in the movie. My vision seemed blurred because I was so angry.

During the scene where they were fighting on top of the semi trailer, My chair was kicked so hard that it caused my head to lunge forward. KA-BOOM! Now, I have a rather deep voice and some pipes to go along with it. I started yelling as I was turning around, "WOULD YOU STOP DOING A TAP DANCE ON THE BACK OF MY FUCKING CHAIR!!!" I yelled it loud. Not a screechy loud, but a deep, menacing, I will rip your legs off at the knee caps if you don't stop loud. The only problem is, once my eyes adjusted, I realized I was yelling a rather cute young lady! (I never once heard a female voice prior to this point, I had no clue it was a lady) It looked like her ears folded back like a cat's, and she was sinking herself as far as she could back into her seat.

At that point I noticed I was lit up like a Christmas tree and everyone in the theater was staring at me. An expression that I meant to keep to myself ran through my head when I realized this but due to being in nuke mode, I yelled out "Jesus Christ!" This all happened within about 6-7 seconds. I turned around at sat down. My buddy looked like he was having convulsions trying to suppress his laughter. After I calmed down a bit I was quite embarrassed, and I started thinking that it was about to get interesting when the movie ended.

I don't think my chair was even breathed on for the rest of the movie. Yeah, all fifteen minutes of it. When the movie ended, I heard one of them get up, but then one of the others whispered "Just stay down!", and I heard them sit back down. I was considering apologizing, but since we were outnumbered, I didn't feel like pushing my luck being so far from home and all. I let the intimidation ride. I stood up, stretched my back, and walked out.

After using the rest room, there was a couple in the lobby that looked to be in their late 30's that came up to me and my friend. The guy said that I "looked like I was about to break someone" back in the theater. I said I was sorry if I disturbed them. They said no need to and ended up thanking me. They said I was more entertaining than the movie.

So, if any of you members happen to be one of those that I yelled at, i will take this time to apologize to you. I could have nicely asked you to stop kicking my chair prior to my eruption.


Edit:
Lol! After reading the link jdcopp posted. I did use the traffic check, but I guess I only used a quiet whisper to my buddy instead of a loud whisper. I definitely took the direct command to a higher level though.

[RayChuang]

I agree for the most part but the reasons to go to the movies anymore is because reason number 6 isn't always true. Many times the audio and video in theatres blows away that of a living room. Sure if you have a huge plasma TV a Blu-Ray/HD DVD player and awesome speakers its worth it. I have an above average non LCD HDTV, an SD DVD player and mediocre speakers. They work great for me and I can enjoy ANY movie I watch on it but it doesn't compare to the theatres.

And the opposite of number 7. Sometimes the right crowd with the right movie can make the movie much more enjoyable. I enjoyed Superbad and Transformers so much more with a big audience.


A couple of comments:

1) Unless you can find a theater that has THX certification, it's a real hit-and-miss in regards to good picture and sound quality. That's why I try to find theaters with real THX certified screening rooms, because that means at least the sound quality will be good (that's why I loved seeing the three Lord of the Rings movies in THX-certified screening rooms :up: ).

2) Remember what I said about moviegoers talking at inappropriate times. I can understand the audience reacting loudly to the action on the screen, and that does improve the overall viewing experience. That's why I've always grumbled the TV show Mystery Science Theater 3000 was such a bad influence, because it encourged moviegoers to do "running commentaries" on the film, much to everyone's annoyance.

[Chad]

Just when you thought texting couldn't possibly get any worse in movie theaters:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/06/04/verizon_cinema

Verizon sends text messages to the big screen

Don't turn off your mobile in the cinema

By Bill Ray
Published Wednesday 4th June 2008 15:23 GMT

Verizon will be asking moviegoers about their music preferences and posting their responses up on the cinema screen as part of a new pre-movie advertisement.

The promotion starts mid-June, and will precede 3,500 film showings around the US. Punters will be asked questions about the kind of music they like, and invited to respond by text. They'll then sit through a couple of adverts from Verizon, followed by a chart showing the preferences of that audience, in that theatre, on that day.

This is made possible by Screenvision, and their 7,000 digital screens.

Digital cinema has been promised for years now - it was supposed to change the cinema into a flexible venue that could show everything from classic films to last night's EastEnders, but it's always fallen down when it came to deciding who was going to pony up the cash for it.

The studios are the ones who gain most from digital distribution; they don't have to print and distribute physical copies of films, and can make additional income by getting cinemas to show their back catalogue. But the projectors belong to the cinemas, who have proved remarkably reluctant to pay for the upgrade.

Digital cinema also makes interactive and local advertising possible - replacing the traditional lurid slides of the nearby curry house that are so much a part of the UK cinema experience.

With Screenvision expanding their deployments we look forward to a Google-Adwords-style market, where advertisers bid for a number of viewings linked to films of a specific genre - just so long as everyone is reminded to turn their phones off before the film begins. ®


Wow. Now the cell companies are actually encouraging these pricks to text in a theater?! I can't tell you the number of times I've been distracted by that obnoxious glowing screen glaring in front of me and just how badly I wanted to knock that person upside the head with a 2x4.

Bring back the old-school ushers with the big bright flashlights that aren't one bit hesitant of whacking you upside the head and dragging your worthless ass out into the street. Honestly, if you can't go a couple of hours or so without using a cell phone in any form or fashion -- you're clearly way too important to be wasting your precious time watching a movie and your ass needs to be off saving the world or some shit. :lol:

[beesonosu]

Glad this thread was bumped so I could read Ripley's great story!

[Groucho]

I was buying tickets today, and noticed my theater has a "21+" showing of The Hulk on Friday. "No children, babies, or teens". :thumbsup: Sadly, it's at 11pm.

[UAIOE]

Glad this thread was bumped so I could read Ripley's great story!

Who knew Lt. Ripley had such a booming, manly voice.

[Inhumans99]

So to keep this thread alive, I saw Kung Fu Panda on Sunday, and a guy answers his phone and holds a brief conversation, does not even get up to go out into the hallway. Fortunately, myself, and most of the theater was cracking up, so I basically tuned it out (Kung Fu Panda is a real animated gem). I remember a woman also answering the phone during The Sixth Sense, so rude behavior is unfortunately nothing new. Please note both my examples involve ADULTS, not teens.

You know what is worse than rude behaviour, it is how downright nasty and disgusting theater seats are becoming, I always check for gum on the edge of seats where your leg touches the fabric, and lately, it feels like there are more and more seats with gum stuck to them.

I was googling the Hacienda Regal in Dublin, CA, and there was a thread with folks who were talking about mice running free all over the theater while they were trying to watch Sex and the City...can you say YIKES!! They also mentioned a nasty smell...ewww, I like that theater, have not been their lately (last film I saw there was I Am Legend in IMAX), but good golly miss molly, I think I will stay away until I hear things have improved.

It feels like theaters upgraded to amphitheatre seating, and just forgot to budget the upkeep of a theater as part of their operating costs. The charm of not worrying if someone in front of you is tall or wearing a ball cap has worn off when the theaters are becoming so rundown.

I can picture the next major round of upgrades to theaters being a conversion to IMAX/Digital/3-D, because lets face it, more theaters need to make this improvement to keep people going to the cinema nowadays. This might give them a chance to also clean the theaters up/reupholster the seats. I know running a theater is expensive, but seriously, people are gonna start complaining about all the gum on seats, and end up costing the theater more money in free passes than it would to clean up the gum (if people start getting gum stuck to their clothes on a regular basis, this will rapidly become a major issue).

[MartinBlank]

Had this happen AGAIN at The Strangers a few weeks back.

Everybody seems to feel the need to text during a movie...to me, the light of even a small screen like a phone is very distracting in a dark theater. The girl in front of me started texting...I gave he 3 chances...I figure the first one or two is, "i'm in a movie and i don't want to be rude, ttyl" once the phone was flipped open a third time I leaned forward and loud enough to be embarrassing, "Are you gonna play with your phone the whole fuckin' movie or just a little bit long?!"....."....just a little bit longer?" Problem solved! :D

[superdeluxe]

I am oblivious to the talking, cell phones, and general miscreant behavior of the average teenagers at movies, but the olfactory and viral assault(s) have put me over the top. Anyone else, or am I just getting old and being a whiner? Please submit any good stories of degenerate behavior at the theater so I do not feel so alone.


There was a family of like 6 with 4 kids under the age of 4, that were totally kicking our seat, then basically hanging on to our seat. Was driving me insane.

eventually I turned around to the parent and said "Excuse me, your child is kicking my seat and basically leaning over on my seat".

They said "Well they are just children"

I almost responded "They are YOUR children, YOU control them, unless you give me permission to spank the living hell out of them".

Pretty much every movie going experience, I run into problems. I used to take the annoyances, but now I usually tell people to "SHH" if they are talking, or if its something else, I go get the manager on them.

[superdeluxe]

The regal theaters around me are now handing out 'Disturbance buttons'. Where if there is a certain type of disturbance, they can 'buzz' it in, and someone will come and check on it.

[superdeluxe]

One more retarded ass story.

This was a Thursday night, 12:00am showing of Return of the King. These are supposed to be reserved for the freaking fanatics. So we have a couple of fanatics, and their 5 kids, and 2 kids under the age of three, and one infant (6 months?). Are you fucking kidding me?

Anyways of course, this being a LONG movie, the kids start to get bored, and whine, and causing a ruckus, the toddler reacting to the loud noises, starts to cry. DO they shush the kids? no, Do they take the crying baby out to calm it down? No.

I was so fucking pissed, I went out to the manager, and basically went off. The manager ended up coming in, and talking to the parents. Everyone seemed pretty well behaved after that (and when the baby cried again, they went out to calm the baby).

The manager ended up giving me 4 free passes, I was still pissed about it..and still kind of am. I don't usually go to Thursday night midnight showings, and it was pretty much a ruined experience for me.

[Pillowhead]

I went and saw the Strangers on a Saturday night, 11pm showing.

All during the movie, this annoying fuck kept flipping his phone open and texting. The constant flipping sound and accompanying light was irritating me to no end. I finally leaned over my friend and said "Will you just stop?!"

He looked at me incredulously and stopped texting, but continued without the loud flipping sound.

What the fuck is the point of spending $9.50 if you're just going to write a book? I'm getting really sick of this shit. I like going to the movies, but I'm not sure the stress is worth it anymore. People have become savages to an extent and do not care about anyone but them self.

I'm absolutely convinced that this next generation is going to sink this fucking world into the ground. It's not just at the movie theater, but going out in general. You can't go to a concert, store, or a drive without some fucking jackass being a complete fuck all.

I'm reluctant to bring up kids in this world because of some of this shit.

Sigh, sorry for the long rant. Perhaps I should look into a shrink so I can get a prescription to tune most of this shit out.

[beesonosu]

At least the management tried to fix the situation and gave you 4 free passes! I went to see Postal a few weeks ago and I was the only one in the room. I walked in with nary a minute from show time and the room was still dark and the projector off. I laughed a little thinking that they had to turn on the projector just for me! I happily bought a popcorn and drink simply because I'm sure they made very little money on showing the movie in the first place! I enjoyed the movie by the way.

[Aegean2007]

Trust me, you're not the only one bothered by that kind of stuff.

I'm 19, but I am not like that at all and am also disgusted by how my generation acts.

For example, I invited a few friends over to watch a movie (Hot Fuzz) and a few of them would not stop texting through the whole movie, too. I invited them over, to the place where I live, and they have the nerve to do that?! It's horrible.

I do have a cell phone, but it's only for emergencies (and to see what time it is - I look at the face of the phone, no flipping required).

It just makes me sick how everyone my age acts. The shit music they listen to, the shit movies they watch, it's horrible. They refuse to do anything that challenges their minds even a little. They're not in touch with themselves, either. All they do is go out and get drunk every weekend, stay in horrible relationships, talk endlessly about "drama" and "hooking up", blah blah blah, it's horrible - it's "The Hills" generation.

I used to be upset that I didn't have many friends, but now I'm happy with the few intelligent ones that I do have, after seeing how utterly stupid everyone else is. I'm not saying that I'm that smart, I just have enough common sense to not be a moron. You know, I try new things, I watch all genre of TV, music, movies, etc. I'll try anything - I don't like it all, but at least I try it and expand my mind a little.

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only sane one in this world!

[Jon2]

Just when you thought texting couldn't possibly get any worse in movie theaters:...

Wow. Now the cell companies are actually encouraging these pricks to text in a theater?! I can't tell you the number of times I've been distracted by that obnoxious glowing screen glaring in front of me and just how badly I wanted to knock that person upside the head with a 2x4.

I think the quickest way to put a stop to this nonsense is to go immediately after seeing this spot and find a theater manager, tell them you think the spot is totally inappropriate, and that you will demand a refund if you see anyone texting during the movie.

[Aegean2007]

And beesonosu, that happened to me once, too. At Spider-Man 3! I was supposed to meet a friend there but she didn't show, so I thought that she was maybe inside the theater already. I bought my ticket, walked in, and - nobody. It was on a Wednesday, but still...

[mhg83]

I think the quickest way to put a stop to this nonsense is to go immediately after seeing this spot and find a theater manager, tell them you think the spot is totally inappropriate, and that you will demand a refund if you see anyone texting during the movie.

One thing they can do to prevent all this cell phone crap is for the theater to install cellphone blockers. The technology exists so i dont see why they cant just have them in every theater.

[Drexl]

One thing they can do to prevent all this cell phone crap is for the theater to install cellphone blockers. The technology exists so i dont see why they cant just have them in every theater.

We've discussed that before, and some say that they may need to take a call in the case of an emergency.

[freshticles]

I have a 16 month old kid and no local relatives to take care of him. My wife and I used to go to the movies all the time, but we were finding it impossible with the kid. We discovered a drive in about 30 minutes away and we've been going there almost every weekend. It's awesome. 3 movies (last week it was Iron Man, Indiana Jones and the Ruins)for 11 bucks, you're in your own environment, so no screaming kids or coughing people. You can sneak food in. The only thing that kind of sucks is, of course, there's no surround sound, but I can wait for the DVD. For the price and the privacy, it's well worth it.

[naitram]

People do suck, but here in Minnesota they're so comatose it's usually chill.

It's waiting for the movie to start that got to me; last movie I saw a year ago there were 13 commercials before the 8 trailers started, besides the other theater promos and crap. We sat through 40 minutes of shit I can't even stand watching for free on t.v., and seriously we were both exhausted and annoyed by the time the movie actually started. Haven't been back since.

[superdeluxe]

At least the management tried to fix the situation and gave you 4 free passes!


I told her that we see about 60-80 movies a year at that theater, and spend at least 15-20$ on snacks everytime. I basically said, I wouldn't bitch if I wasn't really pissed off.

[superdeluxe]

People do suck, but here in Minnesota they're so comatose it's usually chill.

It's waiting for the movie to start that got to me; last movie I saw a year ago there were 13 commercials before the 8 trailers started, besides the other theater promos and crap. We sat through 40 minutes of shit I can't even stand watching for free on t.v., and seriously we were both exhausted and annoyed by the time the movie actually started. Haven't been back since.


I hate the commericals, but I actually look foward to the trailers, especially if its a big blockbuster movie.

[Dr Mabuse]

i was seeing 'The Sixth Sense' when it first came out... and some guy stood up in the theatre and said, really loud:

"Bruce is already dead from that gunshot wound!!! remember he got shot??? and the kid talks to dead people??? well Bruce is dead and doesn't know it like all the other dead people that talk to the kid!!!"...

at first i was pissed as he had spoiled the whole film, i had no idea Bruce was dead... but somehow, oddly enough, the whole audience erupted into laughter and applause, and i did too...

[Giles]

At least the management tried to fix the situation and gave you 4 free passes! I went to see Postal a few weeks ago and I was the only one in the room. I walked in with nary a minute from show time and the room was still dark and the projector off. I laughed a little thinking that they had to turn on the projector just for me! I happily bought a popcorn and drink simply because I'm sure they made very little money on showing the movie in the first place! I enjoyed the movie by the way.

why does that NOT surprise me...

;)

[DRG]

It feels like theaters upgraded to amphitheatre seating, and just forgot to budget the upkeep of a theater as part of their operating costs. The charm of not worrying if someone in front of you is tall or wearing a ball cap has worn off when the theaters are becoming so rundown.

I know what you mean. When our theaters upgraded, they put in those armrests that fold up and down. The armrests were covered with a nice comfortable padding, an improvement over the plastic ones. The problem was there were so many people using the armrests in front of them as footrests that the padding wore off the armrests. Since the armrests were all tore up, the theater just took off the padded part altogether, leaving a ridged plastic piece that is much less comfortable than even the regular plastic armrests because it is ridged and bumpy, as it is designed for holding an armrest piece and NOT designed to be an actual armrest.

On the same topic, I've noticed in theaters in recent years a LOT of girls take off their shoes and rest their bare feet on the back of seats, like they're home in their recliners or something. I suppose it's a dream come true for foot fetish types, but it grosses me out.

[MartinBlank]

On the same topic, I've noticed in theaters in recent years a LOT of girls take off their shoes and rest their bare feet on the back of seats, like they're home in their recliners or something. I suppose it's a dream come true for foot fetish types, but it grosses me out.

That's what happens when it becomes acceptable to wear your pajamas in public :shrug:

[Daytripper]

Didn't go through all the posts here. But the most recent annoyance for me in the theaters are people who flip their phones open during the movie to check their text messages. And/or to send one. With that glare. Drives me crazy. I see this every time I go to the movies now. One guy did it the whole time he was in the theater.

[zooiiks]

i was seeing 'The Sixth Sense' when it first came out... and some guy stood up in the theatre and said, really loud:

"Bruce is already dead from that gunshot wound!!! remember he got shot??? and the kid talks to dead people??? well Bruce is dead and doesn't know it like all the other dead people that talk to the kid!!!"...

at first i was pissed as he had spoiled the whole film, i had no idea Bruce was dead... but somehow, oddly enough, the whole audience erupted into laughter and applause, and i did too...

Damn you! I was JUST going to watch The Sixth Sense tonight!

j/k but might be wise to spoilerize such things :D2:

[Lt Ripley]

Who knew Lt. Ripley had such a booming, manly voice.

Facial hair too. Thankfully I can now use the bathroom of my choosing as well. :bdance:

[mcfly]

I don't know if I have room to complain here, but I'll atleast share my story..

I saw Harold & Kumar 2 the first weekend in May. Now, at that point it had been out for a few weeks and the theater was dead. It was in one of the smaller auditoriums, but there were still plenty of seats. There was just myself, and a young couple on the other side up towards the top. I was in the third row of stadium seats.

About 10 minutes after the movie begins, an ENORMOUS woman.. easily, and I am NOT kidding.. close to 500lbs (if not more) came in.. which is whatever, but of all the spots in the cinema she sits RIGHT NEXT TO ME. HER ARM FLAB TOUCHED ME. But, it didn't just stop with the bizarre seat she chose. She had one of those Family Sized buckets of popcorn, a large soda, nachos, a hot dog, AND BAGS FROM DEL TACO THAT SHE SNUCK IN A DIAPER BAG. So, I moved down a few seats, she was already being distractive enough with her loud munching and chomping and rifling through the gobs of food.

But, to make matter worse, she brought along her daughter who in turn brough along an infant no more than a year old. What happens? About half-way through the film the kid started crying from a loud noise, wouldn't STFU and the mom was just laughing at the movie. Did nothing to calm the kid.

Then, finally, when the credits rolled, she saw me trying to get out towards the exit, and had the nerve to tell me "Go the other way. I'm busy."

I nearly shit a brick. That really irked me.

I haven't gone to the movies since then, and I still need to see Indy. I was just turned sour on the whole experience. I hope Hulk on Friday is much better.

[baracine]

There you have it. The "movie experience" is only for trailer park residents - or whatever you call them in your neck of the woods. The rest stay at home and wait for the DVD. Unfortunately, producers still calibrate their films for the people who do show up in theatres after chasing everybody else away.:D

[mhg83]

I don't know if I have room to complain here, but I'll atleast share my story..

I saw Harold & Kumar 2 the first weekend in May. Now, at that point it had been out for a few weeks and the theater was dead. It was in one of the smaller auditoriums, but there were still plenty of seats. There was just myself, and a young couple on the other side up towards the top. I was in the third row of stadium seats.

About 10 minutes after the movie begins, an ENORMOUS woman.. easily, and I am NOT kidding.. close to 500lbs (if not more) came in.. which is whatever, but of all the spots in the cinema she sits RIGHT NEXT TO ME. HER ARM FLAB TOUCHED ME. But, it didn't just stop with the bizarre seat she chose. She had one of those Family Sized buckets of popcorn, a large soda, nachos, a hot dog, AND BAGS FROM DEL TACO THAT SHE SNUCK IN A DIAPER BAG. So, I moved down a few seats, she was already being distractive enough with her loud munching and chomping and rifling through the gobs of food.

But, to make matter worse, she brought along her daughter who in turn brough along an infant no more than a year old. What happens? About half-way through the film the kid started crying from a loud noise, wouldn't STFU and the mom was just laughing at the movie. Did nothing to calm the kid.

Then, finally, when the credits rolled, she saw me trying to get out towards the exit, and had the nerve to tell me "Go the other way. I'm busy."

I nearly shit a brick. That really irked me.

I haven't gone to the movies since then, and I still need to see Indy. I was just turned sour on the whole experience. I hope Hulk on Friday is much better.

So... did you tap that ass :question:

[Rainet]

I don't know if I have room to complain here, but I'll atleast share my story..

I saw Harold & Kumar 2 the first weekend in May. Now, at that point it had been out for a few weeks and the theater was dead. It was in one of the smaller auditoriums, but there were still plenty of seats. There was just myself, and a young couple on the other side up towards the top. I was in the third row of stadium seats.

About 10 minutes after the movie begins, an ENORMOUS woman.. easily, and I am NOT kidding.. close to 500lbs (if not more) came in.. which is whatever, but of all the spots in the cinema she sits RIGHT NEXT TO ME. HER ARM FLAB TOUCHED ME. But, it didn't just stop with the bizarre seat she chose. She had one of those Family Sized buckets of popcorn, a large soda, nachos, a hot dog, AND BAGS FROM DEL TACO THAT SHE SNUCK IN A DIAPER BAG. So, I moved down a few seats, she was already being distractive enough with her loud munching and chomping and rifling through the gobs of food.

But, to make matter worse, she brought along her daughter who in turn brough along an infant no more than a year old. What happens? About half-way through the film the kid started crying from a loud noise, wouldn't STFU and the mom was just laughing at the movie. Did nothing to calm the kid.

Then, finally, when the credits rolled, she saw me trying to get out towards the exit, and had the nerve to tell me "Go the other way. I'm busy."

I nearly shit a brick. That really irked me.

I haven't gone to the movies since then, and I still need to see Indy. I was just turned sour on the whole experience. I hope Hulk on Friday is much better.

Why didn't you just move to another seat. I mean you said yourself there were few people there. And this way the woman can have the whole armrest herself if she was touching you. No biggie. She probably rather have the whole armrest herself anyway and both of you would of been happy.

[Mr. Salty]

Why didn't you just move to another seat. I mean you said yourself there were few people there. And this way the woman can have the whole armrest herself if she was touching you. No biggie. She probably rather have the whole armrest herself anyway and both of you would of been happy.
Reading is fundamental. You must have missed this part:

So, I moved down a few seats

[Rainet]

You must have missed this part:

Oops, my bad. :blush: My apologies.

[baracine]

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0mwHSkSvjlI&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0mwHSkSvjlI&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/d9K2ONYCMM8&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/d9K2ONYCMM8&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/i7WFVZPvLUY&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/i7WFVZPvLUY&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/i9DRslYkRqs&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/i9DRslYkRqs&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[baracine]

And, of course, we all remember Brenda's big night at the movies from Scary Movie - a prophetic film if ever there was one:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/c8UOEmxzXRY&hl=fr"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/c8UOEmxzXRY&hl=fr" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[baracine]

And the winner is...

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6GzmMebIIKA&hl=fr"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6GzmMebIIKA&hl=fr" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Close runner-up:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CKK8CVKMrgY&hl=fr"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CKK8CVKMrgY&hl=fr" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[RichC2]

that Scary Movie scene wasn't prophetic, it was true for the time period, as the lady eating mcdonalds a few seats over put it *stunned silence and minor humility*

Theaters didn't all of a sudden get bad, did everybody forget about the glory of laser pointers already?

I haven't really had a bad theater going experience since Constantine, and since then, I've sworn off that particular theater (which seems to draw only jackass high schoolers as is). Terrible movie, too.

[TheHive08]

So nice to see that other people are in my world. I guess misery really does love company. ;)

I used to think I was just a magnet for moronic people in theaters. Every time I went, there was somebody who was talking, texting, yelling at the screen, making noise with microwave popcorn they snuck in the theater, etc.

My wife and I have gotten so disgusted with it, that the ONLY movies we'll see in theaters are R-rated movies in their finals days of theater distribution when everybody has already seen it and/or really, really loud action movies that can drown out the idiots.

I'm going to see the Incredible Hulk on Friday afternoon because I grew up with the Hulk and am a big fan. But I have feeling I'll be bumping this thread when I get back.

[baracine]

I grew up with the Hulk.

I wonder how the Hulk would treat those offenders at the theatre.

[Giles]

it's funny that the majority of teenagers are perceived as rude and obnoxious, of the few recent times I've been to Landmark in Bethesda Maryland where a large porpotion of the audience is over fifty - they are almost just as worse - talking, clucking like hens... I have no problem telling kids to shut the F up, but older folk, I'm a tad hesistent. (I shouldn't be but I am).

[baracine]

More extreme bad manners:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hSqJ-rA0AUY&hl=fr"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hSqJ-rA0AUY&hl=fr" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ak8R9th5dh8&hl=fr"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ak8R9th5dh8&hl=fr" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/amY55l2n7GY&hl=fr"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/amY55l2n7GY&hl=fr" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[baracine]

Fight back:

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/16I-vQLtNYM&hl=fr"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/16I-vQLtNYM&hl=fr" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Of course, cellphone users are pretty much doing it to themselves. This is your brain on a cellphone (the seeds are popcorn kernels):

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QjDUJVx3W0k&hl=fr"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QjDUJVx3W0k&hl=fr" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1Uc7DAFtIOg&hl=fr"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1Uc7DAFtIOg&hl=fr" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[BravesMG]

I know that a lot of posters have said that the best way to stay clear of idiotic people is to wait out the movies until they near the end of their run, but by that time they are usually on screens barely bigger than my living room that seat 40 or 50 people. It only takes one person in those theaters to ruin the movie, whereas in a big theater on opening week you can be 10 rows away from the next person if you go during a weekday.

[TheHive08]

it's funny that the majority of teenagers are perceived as rude and obnoxious, of the few recent times I've been to Landmark in Bethesda Maryland where a large porpotion of the audience is over fifty - they are almost just as worse - talking, clucking like hens... I have no problem telling kids to shut the F up, but older folk, I'm a tad hesistent. (I shouldn't be but I am).
Yeah, I've found middle-aged women that travel in packs tend to be the worst. Talking, laughing, chatting, etc. If I see a group of 4-5 middle-aged women coming in together, I get much more afraid than if I see 4-5 teenagers.

I wonder how the Hulk would treat those offenders at the theatre.
Smash them through the floor.

[Inhumans99]

On the same topic, I've noticed in theaters in recent years a LOT of girls take off their shoes and rest their bare feet on the back of seats, like they're home in their recliners or something. I suppose it's a dream come true for foot fetish types, but it grosses me out.[/QUOTE]


Wait, you are saying that there is someone in the seat in front of them, and they still leave their feet up...holy cow, super-rude, and yeah, disgusting. If someone had their feet up and I could feel them I would absolutely say something. I could see if no one was in the seat, but otherwise....

[Inhumans99]

Yeah, I've found middle-aged women that travel in packs tend to be the worst. Talking, laughing, chatting, etc. If I see a group of 4-5 middle-aged women coming in together, I get much more afraid than if I see 4-5 teenagers.


Smash them through the floor.


Nice to see folks notice that while the occasional dipwad in a theater may be a teenager (and whaddya expect they are teens:) ), it is the folks who really ought to know better, those who have been around the block, oh say, 30, 40, heck 50 times even (heh!), that usually turn out to be very rude, talking throughout, etc.

[Inhumans99]

[QUOTE=baracine]And, of course, we all remember Brenda's big night at the movies from Scary Movie - a prophetic film if ever there was one:

Holy cow, I forgot about the movie spoof in that scene...Amistad II, that is freakin hillarious.

[jPoD_TGN]

Trust me, you're not the only one bothered by that kind of stuff.

I'm 19, but I am not like that at all and am also disgusted by how my generation acts.

For example, I invited a few friends over to watch a movie (Hot Fuzz) and a few of them would not stop texting through the whole movie, too. I invited them over, to the place where I live, and they have the nerve to do that?! It's horrible.

I do have a cell phone, but it's only for emergencies (and to see what time it is - I look at the face of the phone, no flipping required).

It just makes me sick how everyone my age acts. The shit music they listen to, the shit movies they watch, it's horrible. They refuse to do anything that challenges their minds even a little. They're not in touch with themselves, either. All they do is go out and get drunk every weekend, stay in horrible relationships, talk endlessly about "drama" and "hooking up", blah blah blah, it's horrible - it's "The Hills" generation.

I used to be upset that I didn't have many friends, but now I'm happy with the few intelligent ones that I do have, after seeing how utterly stupid everyone else is. I'm not saying that I'm that smart, I just have enough common sense to not be a moron. You know, I try new things, I watch all genre of TV, music, movies, etc. I'll try anything - I don't like it all, but at least I try it and expand my mind a little.

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only sane one in this world!

Dude, are you serious? It's almost as if I wrote this. We're probably very close in age too (I'll be 20 in a month). It's just indescribable how annoying the majority of teens are, especially during movies. My best friends are the kind of people you guys all describe, who spend the majority of a movie texting. I've literally yelled at my friends in front of people. There's a time and a place for some of the antics people pull (I'd be lying if I said I dont comment during some stupid movies like Vantage Point and the Strangers.), but to laugh, and talk and all that shit during The Sixth Sense, No Country for Old Men? Are you kidding me? I'll never forget the idiot couple who brought their four year old to 300. Society is screwed.

[Aegean2007]

Dude, are you serious? It's almost as if I wrote this. We're probably very close in age too (I'll be 20 in a month). It's just indescribable how annoying the majority of teens are, especially during movies. My best friends are the kind of people you guys all describe, who spend the majority of a movie texting. I've literally yelled at my friends in front of people. There's a time and a place for some of the antics people pull (I'd be lying if I said I dont comment during some stupid movies like Vantage Point and the Strangers.), but to laugh, and talk and all that shit during The Sixth Sense, No Country for Old Men? Are you kidding me? I'll never forget the idiot couple who brought their four year old to 300. Society is screwed.

That's funny that you say that, that happened to me, too - a 3/4 year old at 300.

When I saw Hostel with some of my friends (another of our friends let us in for free, okay) the whole audience was involved, screaming and laughing, but that was fun - it was a fun horror B-movie. But if people had been chatting during Zodiac or No Country for Old Men or There Will Be Blood? I would have pulled out a bowling pin.

[SPiRAL]

I know what you mean. When our theaters upgraded, they put in those armrests that fold up and down. The armrests were covered with a nice comfortable padding, an improvement over the plastic ones. The problem was there were so many people using the armrests in front of them as footrests that the padding wore off the armrests. Since the armrests were all tore up, the theater just took off the padded part altogether, leaving a ridged plastic piece that is much less comfortable than even the regular plastic armrests because it is ridged and bumpy, as it is designed for holding an armrest piece and NOT designed to be an actual armrest.

On the same topic, I've noticed in theaters in recent years a LOT of girls take off their shoes and rest their bare feet on the back of seats, like they're home in their recliners or something. I suppose it's a dream come true for foot fetish types, but it grosses me out.


Went to see S&TC and i counted 7 women doing this, gimme a fuckin break. Seems everytime I go to a movie its only the women who put their feet up on seats.

[jpb07]

Yeah...I think I got a kid story that's as bad or worse than any other. Opening weekend of Transformers last year and the theater was packed. Mr and Mrs Gomez decided to bring 6 month old Johnny to the movie. Did I mention it was the 10:30 showing? I had a son at home who was about the same age and I wouldn't even think of taking him at that point or for the next 5 years to a 7pm movie much less a loud 10:30 movie. The kid started crying and about half the theater piped up to tell them to take the kid out.

A close second was an afternoon showing of FF4: ROSS last summer. This college couple were talking through most of it. I gave them two polite please be quiets. Then I finally turned around and said shut up. Had to put up with being calling a "fucking asshole" for the next 2 minutes but after that they STFU.

I swear this generation of punk teens has absolutely zero respect for anyone older than 21.

[jPoD_TGN]

That's funny that you say that, that happened to me, too - a 3/4 year old at 300.

When I saw Hostel with some of my friends (another of our friends let us in for free, okay) the whole audience was involved, screaming and laughing, but that was fun - it was a fun horror B-movie. But if people had been chatting during Zodiac or No Country for Old Men or There Will Be Blood? I would have pulled out a bowling pin.

Where you from?

[RichC2]

That's funny that you say that, that happened to me, too - a 3/4 year old at 300.

When I saw Hostel with some of my friends (another of our friends let us in for free, okay) the whole audience was involved, screaming and laughing, but that was fun - it was a fun horror B-movie. But if people had been chatting during Zodiac or No Country for Old Men or There Will Be Blood? I would have pulled out a bowling pin.

That's why I really enjoy horror movies in theaters. Good audience reaction is a phenomenal amount of fun. Snakes on a Plane was a hohumm flick but the experience with a theater full of dorks like myself was an absolute blast. The "brain" scene in Hannibal had the single greatest reaction I've ever seen for a movie (half disgusted the other half laughing at a mix of that and the people who got grossed out, much like the "audience test" sequence on the DVD that had the exact same reaction.) More recently, Grindhouse during the Thanksgiving trailer (knife in tramp) and the finale to Death Proof (applauding/cheering, and no, it wasn't because it was over.)

It has been a long while since I've been to a "serious" movie with chattering. Both No Country and There Will Be Blood were pretty much dead silent except for a few parts of either "oohs" or laughs (the final part of TWBB). Hope to keep it that way *knock on wood*.

[mcfly]

I turn 22 in a couple of weeks.. but I don't act like the majority college-crowd. If I shell out $10 or $11 to go to a movie, it's because I want to see IT and not flashing cell screens and people talking during the whole fucking thing.

What really bothers me is when you get to the theater well ahead of time, pick your seat, and people want you to move so they can fit all their friends in your spot.

Too fucking bad. Should have got here earlier instead of waltzing in during the first 10 minutes of the movie.

[RichC2]

That's when you say you're saving seats. It's the most harmless excuse ever.

[MartinBlank]

Too fucking bad. Should have got here earlier instead of waltzing in during the first 10 minutes of the movie.

Fuckin' A right! :thumbsup:

That's why I usually show up 30 minutes early and end up being one of the first few in the theater, I want my seats...middle of the row, close enough to the screen I don't have to move my head or my eyes to pan it...yap, I'm a dork.

[DthRdrX]

That's when you say you're saving seats. It's the most harmless excuse ever.

My friends and I used to move if asked, but had a terrible experience once and changerd our tune. We got to a movie opening over two hours early at Cinemark, stood as the first people in line, and then watched the employees start a second line to accommodate the influx of people. Guess which line got to go into the theater first?

It gets better! We finally found shitty seats somewhere off to the side in the front. We had one open seat next to us and one of the usher guys tapped my friend on the shoulder and asked him to move over.

If we get asked anymore we just tell the usher that those people would have had our seats if they didn't walk in late, then we ask that usher why he is disturbing us while there are perfectly good seats in the front three or four rows, which are almost always left empty. They should be filling those rows before disturbing other people who didn't walk in at the last minute.

[Groucho]

What really bothers me is when you get to the theater well ahead of time, pick your seat, and people want you to move so they can fit all their friends in your spot.This is why I only go to theaters with reserved seating.

[Charlie Goose]

We got to a movie opening over two hours early at Cinemark, stood as the first people in line, and then watched the employees start a second line to accommodate the influx of people. Guess which line got to go into the theater first?

I would not have just stood there and let that happen after waiting for 2 hours.

[DthRdrX]

I would not have just stood there and let that happen after waiting for 2 hours.

We complained when it happened and were ignored. That's pretty much why we just ignore the ushers anymore when they ask us to move. We also emailed and called to complain. It all falls on deaf ears anyway.

[mhg83]

I just saw Wall E today with my mom and dad. There was a pretty good sized crowd in the theater and everyone was very quiet except at the funny parts which is completely acceptable. What wasnt acceptable was the retarted guy that would not stop laughing. And when i say retarded i mean literally mentally retarted. Every minute he kept laughing and laughing very loudly. It completely ruined the experiance.

Its kind of a double edged sword cause on one hand I felt like getting the manager to remove the man. But on the other, i knew he cant control himself and he should still be allowed to watch the movie like any other person. It just really pissed me off and I'm sure the other people were not happy either (especially the ones sitting right next to him)

I know they have special screenings for mothers that have babies. Are there theaters that do the same for mentally retarded people?

[Daytripper]

That's funny that you say that, that happened to me, too - a 3/4 year old at 300.

When I saw Hostel with some of my friends (another of our friends let us in for free, okay) the whole audience was involved, screaming and laughing, but that was fun - it was a fun horror B-movie. But if people had been chatting during Zodiac or No Country for Old Men or There Will Be Blood? I would have pulled out a bowling pin.

I always try to get the back row of the theater because I **hate** people who sit behind me and talk and/or kick my seat. Well, I couldn't get the back row for "Wanted" and chose the next to last row. It was a 9:45 AM show, and some jerk came and sat right behind me. Kicked his shoes off and put his feet right behind my head. This was all before the previews even started. I immediately turned around and said "Oh hell no! Don't even think about it". And he lowered his feet and didn't even tap the back of my chair the entire movie.

[troystiffler]

I know what you guys mean.

It's really hard to masturbate when people are talking and texting and stuff. Sheesh!

[calhoun07]

I just saw Wall E today with my mom and dad. There was a pretty good sized crowd in the theater and everyone was very quiet except at the funny parts which is completely acceptable. What wasnt acceptable was the retarted guy that would not stop laughing. And when i say retarded i mean literally mentally retarted. Every minute he kept laughing and laughing very loudly. It completely ruined the experiance.

Its kind of a double edged sword cause on one hand I felt like getting the manager to remove the man. But on the other, i knew he cant control himself and he should still be allowed to watch the movie like any other person. It just really pissed me off and I'm sure the other people were not happy either (especially the ones sitting right next to him)

I know they have special screenings for mothers that have babies. Are there theaters that do the same for mentally retarded people?

I have not heard of special screenings for mothers and babies. At least not at the theaters around me.

And I suppose if people ran a group home that cared for people who needed special care for that condition, they could rent out a private screening just like any other group could. But I can't imagine it would have the demand a mothers and babies screening would have.

And I understand not wanting to come off as insensitive, but come on...the person responsible for the special needs person HAS to know that it's going to be a burden to others. Rent a freaking DVD instead. It's not like they are going to care one way or another...they are RETARDED.

Too insensitive?

[dadaluholla]

Some of the theaters I go to have that special parents/babies program, so I would imagine they could do one for retards as well.

http://www.nationalamusements.com/programs/baby_pictures.asp

[zekeburger1979]

Fuckin' A right! :thumbsup:

That's why I usually show up 30 minutes early and end up being one of the first few in the theater, I want my seats...middle of the row, close enough to the screen I don't have to move my head or my eyes to pan it...yap, I'm a dork.


I do the exact same thing. When I walk into the theater, I look at the screen and mentally make a line from the middle of the screen to the seats and find a spot where I'm looking right at the dead center of the screen.

[baracine]

I just saw Wall E today with my mom and dad. There was a pretty good sized crowd in the theater and everyone was very quiet except at the funny parts which is completely acceptable. What wasnt acceptable was the retarted guy that would not stop laughing. And when i say retarded i mean literally mentally retarted. Every minute he kept laughing and laughing very loudly. It completely ruined the experiance.

Its kind of a double edged sword cause on one hand I felt like getting the manager to remove the man. But on the other, i knew he cant control himself and he should still be allowed to watch the movie like any other person. It just really pissed me off and I'm sure the other people were not happy either (especially the ones sitting right next to him)

I know they have special screenings for mothers that have babies. Are there theaters that do the same for mentally retarded people?

On the guy's defense, I remember I laughed like an idiot all through Woody Allen's Annie Hall and I could very well have been mistaken for a retarded person. But I just couldn't help it and to make matters worse, my laughter comes in loud, explosive bursts that do sound a little retarded to an uninformed person, especially when I make an effort to stifle myself. At the end, I had to be poured out of my seat and almost carried out of the theatre. Many kind people expressed sincere concern during my ordeal but luckily no one threatened to have me expulsed or hospitalized. :D

To this day, I can ruin any solemn occasion like a funeral eulogy with uncontrollable titters whenever a friend whispers the line "But we need the eggs".

Alvy Singer: [narrating] After that it got pretty late, and we both had to go, but it was great seeing Annie again. I... I realized what a terrific person she was, and... and how much fun it was just knowing her; and I... I, I thought of that old joke, y'know, the, this... this guy goes to a psychiatrist and says, "Doc, uh, my brother's crazy; he thinks he's a chicken." And, uh, the doctor says, "Well, why don't you turn him in?" The guy says, "I would, but I need the eggs." Well, I guess that's pretty much now how I feel about relationships; y'know, they're totally irrational, and crazy, and absurd, and... but, uh, I guess we keep goin' through it because, uh, most of us... need the eggs.

... which, come to think of it, is pretty much the moral of Wall•E.

[arminius]

... which, come to think of it, is pretty much the moral of Wall•E.
Oh no, now I am spoiled.:grunt:

:D

[baracine]

Oh no, now I am spoiled.:grunt:

:D

:thumbsup: Good one!

[DeputyDave]

I've got many horror stories of bad behavior in theaters (I think I've posted most of them before) including physical confrontations (I've always said that if I ever end up in jail it will be over something that happens in a theater), but there's one funny one where I turned out to be the offender.

Because my number 3 biggest pet peeve in theaters (behind conversations and cell phones) is seat kickers I am always ultra careful never to even brush the seat in front of me. I am 6'4", though and very occasionally accidents happen. One time, after being perfectly still for about 1/3 of the movie I had to shift legs and my toe ever so slightly touched the seat back in front of me. The heavy set woman in front of me instantly spun around and screamed, "Jesus fucking Christ will you stop kicking my god damned seat!"

She turned back around but continued her curse filled rant under her breath for a good 30 seconds, calling me every name in the book. I swear I only lightly touched her seat once and her reaction was far out of proportion to the offense. I hate seat kickers as well but her Tourette's like diatribe really pissed me off. Here I was being hyper sensitive to those around me and she insults my mother, heritage, sexuality, and hygiene (among other things).

I'm ashamed to admit it but I snapped a bit. With all my strength I kicked the top part of her seat back, knocking her forward about a foot and cutting off her rant mid "cocksucker". She glared in shock at me but quickly moved to the opposite side of the theater.

I may, ironically, end up sharing a place in hell with those I despise.

[AndyCleveland]

Didn't go through all the posts here. But the most recent annoyance for me in the theaters are people who flip their phones open during the movie to check their text messages. And/or to send one. With that glare. Drives me crazy. I see this every time I go to the movies now. One guy did it the whole time he was in the theater.

This really gets to me too.

Why don't people understand that it's incredibly rude!?

[Zen Peckinpah]

I won't talk out loud during a movie, but I do whisper a few things if I notice something movie-related.

Trailers are fair game though. When the Bolt trailer appeared before WALL-E I couldn't stop muttering the South Park version of John Travolta (Omahgohd Tom Crooz yoo gotta com outta da clozit omahgohd!).

[baracine]

cutting off her rant mid "cocksucker".

Priceless!

[calhoun07]

I'm ashamed to admit it but I snapped a bit. With all my strength I kicked the top part of her seat back, knocking her forward about a foot and cutting off her rant mid "cocksucker". She glared in shock at me but quickly moved to the opposite side of the theater.

If somebody caught me on a particular day, and I was in the exact same situation, I can't say I wouldn't do the same thing but you should have said, "You want to see what kicking your seat would feel like?"

[paradicelost]

All these stories is why i really miss being a manager at a movie theater. I know the entire year(2004) i was a manager at a theater in Louisville, i maybe saw 4 or 5 movies during the day with a crowd of people and that was only with my kids or if my wife and I had a date night. I probably saw up to 25 after we closed at 2am by myself in the theater.

[CharlieK]

Then there's always this approach:

http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20081226_Phila__man_shot_because_family_talked_during_movie.html

Phila. man shot because family talked during movie

A South Philadelphia man enraged because a father and son were talking during a Christmas showing of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button took care of the situation when he pulled a .380-caliber gun and shot the father, police said.

James Joseph Cialella Jr., 29, of the 1900 block of Hollywood Street is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and weapons violations.

"It's truly frightening when you see something like this evolve into such violence," said police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore.

Police were called to the Riverview Theatre in the 1400 block of Columbus Boulevard about 9:30 p.m. where the gunshot victim, a Philadelphia man who was not identified, told police a man sitting near him told his family to be quiet and threw popcorn at his son.

After exchanging words, Vanore said Cialella allegedly got out of his seat to confront the family when the father got up to protect them. That's when the victim was shot once in the left arm, sending others in the theatre running to safety.

Cialella then sat down to watch the movie. Police arrived a short time later and arrested Cialella and confiscated his weapon, Vanore said.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p238/aduerson/122608_cialella_300.jpg
James Joseph Cialella Jr., 29, of the 1900 block of Hollywood Street is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and weapons violations for allegedly shooting a guy who talked through a movie.

Handsome devil.

[ruddiger_718]

How awful... or innovative.

[The Black]

Wow!

I'm a bit perplexed at how some of you loathe the texting issue!
I sometimes text at a concert/movie, but only if it's of importance will I do it during a showing/performance.
We have a break during movies here in the Netherlands, so I tend to do it then, but if I receive something that is of importance that needs to be answered, I do answer. Keep in mind my phone is on silent mode, and I do it quickly as well.

But I've never had a problem with people doing the same, or had people comment at me for doing so. As I've always thought of it as almost unnoticable.

Now answering a phone call, that's something different, I will not answer, or first leave the area and call back in such instance. As I find it, like most of you, generally rude to ruin the experience for others around me.

I recently saw Quantum of Solace in the cinema with my girlfriend, and age limitation was set at 12+. Of course there were kids there, al too confused at what they were seeing, and no parents to be seen, trying to entertain eachother with jokes. I was almost ready to explode, but they settled down when I was almost at my boiling point. What kept me quiet at first was knowing that I was with my girlfriend, and knowing she wouldn't have appreciated me doing so.

[Cheato]

I sometimes text at a concert/movie, but only if it's of importance will I do it during a showing/performance.
...
if I receive something that is of importance that needs to be answered

That's the problem right there.

[superdeluxe]

. As I've always thought of it as almost unnoticable.



Trust us. Its noticeable. The blue blacklight that allows you to *see* the screen, also allows others behind you to see your phone.

[Bronkster]

Trust us. Its noticeable. The blue blacklight that allows you to *see* the screen, also allows others behind you to see your phone.
I want to back this up in case someone thinks it's just a "select few" who are bothered by it. IT'S DISTRACTING!!!!! Maybe to you it's no big deal, but when I'm a few rows behind you - mentally engaged in the film on the screen - the sudden appearance of a lit object bouncing around pulls me right out of the movie. If you are so damn important that you can't be left alone for a few hours, then rent a goddamn DVD and stay home.

[Rainet]

Wow!

I'm a bit perplexed at how some of you loathe the texting issue!
I sometimes text at a concert/movie, but only if it's of importance will I do it during a showing/performance.
We have a break during movies here in the Netherlands, so I tend to do it then, but if I receive something that is of importance that needs to be answered, I do answer. Keep in mind my phone is on silent mode, and I do it quickly as well.

But I've never had a problem with people doing the same, or had people comment at me for doing so. As I've always thought of it as almost unnoticable.

Now answering a phone call, that's something different, I will not answer, or first leave the area and call back in such instance. As I find it, like most of you, generally rude to ruin the experience for others around me.

I recently saw Quantum of Solace in the cinema with my girlfriend, and age limitation was set at 12+. Of course there were kids there, al too confused at what they were seeing, and no parents to be seen, trying to entertain eachother with jokes. I was almost ready to explode, but they settled down when I was almost at my boiling point. What kept me quiet at first was knowing that I was with my girlfriend, and knowing she wouldn't have appreciated me doing so.

I'll take a guess you are under 25. I am sure your a decent lad, but if that's how you honestly feel, then PLEASE stay home and rent. That's the problem. That only if it's important mentality, brings out about a dozen of them during a movie. Forget the christmas movie you may be watching. The rows of people now looks like christmas lights.

[BullGooseLoony]

Then there's always this approach:

http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20081226_Phila__man_shot_because_family_talked_during_movie.html

Phila. man shot because family talked during movie

A South Philadelphia man enraged because a father and son were talking during a Christmas showing of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button took care of the situation when he pulled a .380-caliber gun and shot the father, police said.

James Joseph Cialella Jr., 29, of the 1900 block of Hollywood Street is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and weapons violations.

"It's truly frightening when you see something like this evolve into such violence," said police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore.

Police were called to the Riverview Theatre in the 1400 block of Columbus Boulevard about 9:30 p.m. where the gunshot victim, a Philadelphia man who was not identified, told police a man sitting near him told his family to be quiet and threw popcorn at his son.

After exchanging words, Vanore said Cialella allegedly got out of his seat to confront the family when the father got up to protect them. That's when the victim was shot once in the left arm, sending others in the theatre running to safety.

Cialella then sat down to watch the movie. Police arrived a short time later and arrested Cialella and confiscated his weapon, Vanore said.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p238/aduerson/122608_cialella_300.jpg
James Joseph Cialella Jr., 29, of the 1900 block of Hollywood Street is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and weapons violations for allegedly shooting a guy who talked through a movie.

Handsome devil. I don't want to sound nuts or anything, but I was kind of glad to read this. I don't condone the behavior, but it's about time people got the idea of how annoying talking during a movie is.

[Hokeyboy]

I'm wondering if anyone else has ever experienced this...

You're in a fairly crowded theater. It goes dark, and the commercials start, and then the trailers. The audience is dead silent. Paying rapt attention. No calls, no texts, nothing. Maybe some light appropriate reaction (laughs, gasps, etc.), but that's it.

But then... the opening credits to the feature film start.

And the inconsiderate idjits come out of the woodwork and start talking with each other. Loudly. Giggling and texting. Taking phone calls.

Why is that??! It ALWAYS happens lately. The commercials and trailers deserve absolute silence and respect, but the movie itself? Feh.

[toddly6666]

Why was a gun-carrying dude seeing Benjamin Button?...That's the kind of activity one would expect during Wanted.

[Bronkster]

I'm wondering if anyone else has ever experienced this...

You're in a fairly crowded theater. It goes dark, and the commercials start, and then the trailers. The audience is dead silent. Paying rapt attention. No calls, no texts, nothing. Maybe some light appropriate reaction (laughs, gasps, etc.), but that's it.

But then... the opening credits to the feature film start.

And the inconsiderate idjits come out of the woodwork and start talking with each other. Loudly. Giggling and texting. Taking phone calls.

Why is that??! It ALWAYS happens lately. The commercials and trailers deserve absolute silence and respect, but the movie itself? Feh.

Two minute attention span.

[Mr. Salty]

I sometimes text at a concert/movie, but only if it's of importance will I do it during a showing/performance.
I honestly would like to hear your definition of important in this situation. Unless you're an on-call doctor, or someone awaiting an organ transplant, I have a feeling we will differ on what can and cannot wait until the movie is over.

[Sonny Corinthos]

I won't talk out loud during a movie, but I do whisper a few things if I notice something movie-related.

Trailers are fair game though. When the Bolt trailer appeared before WALL-E I couldn't stop muttering the South Park version of John Travolta (Omahgohd Tom Crooz yoo gotta com outta da clozit omahgohd!). No, they are not. If I pay 10 bucks for a movie ticket, I want to be able to see and hear everything that's being shown on the screen. Why do people yell out unwelcome, stupid, unfunny remarks that only entertain themsleves? If you feel the need to do so, please stay at home and watch the dvd so the rest of us can enjoy the movie going experience.

It's stuff like this is the very reason I haven't been to a theater in almost three years. It's sad because nobody enjoyed going to the movies as much as I did. But when people would act like they are at home on the couch watching a movie, I gave it up.

When ticket prices hit 10 bucks or more and people are more worried about texting, talking, bring crying babies and kids to the theater, it's not worth the hassle anymore.

Unless you are the President of a Country, I don't think you are important enough that you can't leave your cell phone off for two hours to watch a movie.

[SteelWill]

Wow!

I'm a bit perplexed at how some of you loathe the texting issue!
I sometimes text at a concert/movie, but only if it's of importance will I do it during a showing/performance.
We have a break during movies here in the Netherlands, so I tend to do it then, but if I receive something that is of importance that needs to be answered, I do answer. Keep in mind my phone is on silent mode, and I do it quickly as well.

If it was typed with thumbs then it's not important. Ever.

[arminius]

If it was typed with thumbs then it's not important. Ever.
:lol:

[MinLShaw]

Here's a little tale for you. I grew up in a dry county with no theater until 1995. The nearest theater was a solid half hour or so away in those days, so as kids we only made it out to see things that we really, really wanted to see (i.e., The Transformers: The Movie). One consequence of this was that we understood that if we actually went to a movie, we were so engrossed by the idea of going that it never occurred to us to be disruptive. Had the notion crossed our mind, our mom would have made certain that it only happened once because after the beating commenced--outside the theater, so as not to further disturb anyone else--we would have been informed that it was our last movie-going experience for a good, long while.

Cut to 1995, and we finally got a theater in town. I can't say exactly when it opened, other than it was after 16 July because we had to go to Louisville to see Batman Forever when it opened. Anyway, for a few years, it was regularly packed. Then, a new, bigger, theater opened on the county line near a lot of places to go shopping (something this county still lacks). All the parents that dropped off their kids to see movies started going to that theater, because it gave them something more interesting to do during the show.

What has happened? Well, simply put, only the kids whose parents aren't involved in their lives to the point of transporting them and their friends to and from a movie go to our theater these days. And not to stereotype, but many of these kids tend to be raised by classless parents themselves. Hence, on the way into the theater, you're greeted now by a printout warning that any disruptive behavior will result in your being removed from the theater and not allowed to return. In case this is too much to read, most screenings I've attended in the last year or so have been introduced by an employee calling everyone to attention to remind them of this.

It seems to be effective, but it's a sorry state of affairs that in a town that was so starved for entertainment for so long, that the very first generation to grow up with a theater would be so disrespectful of having that opportunity.

[Brian Shannon]

There is a huge difference between "important" and "urgent".

My guess would be that your texting is neither.

[Brent L]

If it was typed with thumbs then it's not important. Ever.

Awesome. :lol:

If you are so busy, so worried about something happening that you need to be contacted about, then you only have two choices as far as I'm concerned - 1) Keep your phone on vibrate, and leave the theater to even text someone or, and this is my main pick for ya 2) DON'T GO TO A THEATER AND POSSIBLY RUIN THE EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE ELSE!

I hate to break it to people, but few people are so important that they need a cell phone on their person at all times.

I flat our refuse to even take my phone into a theater...unless I get there really early and the lights are still up with nothing at all playing...and even then I almost never even take it in. If I do take it in, I don't put it on silent, vibrate, or whatever. I flat out turn my phone off.

Besides, it's good to just get away from the world for a couple of hours. That's half the fun, the experience, of going to the movies in the first place.

[riley_dude]

Wow!

I'm a bit perplexed at how some of you loathe the texting issue!
I sometimes text at a concert/movie, but only if it's of importance will I do it during a showing/performance.
We have a break during movies here in the Netherlands, so I tend to do it then, but if I receive something that is of importance that needs to be answered, I do answer. Keep in mind my phone is on silent mode, and I do it quickly as well.

But I've never had a problem with people doing the same, or had people comment at me for doing so. As I've always thought of it as almost unnoticable.

Now answering a phone call, that's something different, I will not answer, or first leave the area and call back in such instance. As I find it, like most of you, generally rude to ruin the experience for others around me.

I recently saw Quantum of Solace in the cinema with my girlfriend, and age limitation was set at 12+. Of course there were kids there, al too confused at what they were seeing, and no parents to be seen, trying to entertain eachother with jokes. I was almost ready to explode, but they settled down when I was almost at my boiling point. What kept me quiet at first was knowing that I was with my girlfriend, and knowing she wouldn't have appreciated me doing so.

I amazed watching younger kids in and out of theaters now adays and they cant seem to do without texting. I guess Its a generational thing that I do not understand. What could be so important that you need to talk to someone right away?
What is so addictive about communicating with friends all the time by phone calls and texting?

[Brian Shannon]

I amazed watching younger kids in and out of theaters now adays and they cant seem to do without texting. I guess Its a generational thing that I do not understand. What could be so important that you need to talk to someone right away?
What is so addictive about communicating with friends all the time by phone calls and texting?

I wish I knew. My son was just shy of 5000 text messages on our last bill for the month. As far as I know it did not improve his grades, get him a job or help him sell his paintball equipment.

[Navinabob]

No matter how sneaky or polite you think you are being while texting. you are wrong. Your cell phone glows and is visible to the 10 rows behind you. We all see it, we all hate you. The ones no smart enough to hate will will think to themselves, "OMG... I fegot 2 tell Marsha I had wafflez 4 breakfast lemme text her!!!1!!!"

So please stop it. Intermission is fine, the lobby is fine, any part before the first trailer is fine. Otherwise, stop it. Thank you.

[tasha99]

Just came back from seeing Australia in the cheap theater in town. I found a great seat all off on my own, but right before the movie started a couple of 50ish women sat near me. They then proceeded to discuss everything going on in the movie. God damn if they could not shut. up. for. one. minute. I had to get up and move because they were so incredibly annoying. Plus, I would feel comfortable telling a couple of kids to be quiet, but these ladies were older than me!

[The Black]

Ok,

I'm not going to make myself any more popular by stating the following things, but here it goes.

Recently, out of curiosity, before the trailers started I asked the people behind me (4 different groups, 11 people, varying ages) if it would be distracting if I were to respond to a text during a movie. I stated that my phone was on silent mode, so they wouldn't here me receiving a text, all they could possibly see is my lit screen.

All 4 groups had no problem, one couple even chuckled at the thought of someone being distracted by such a thing. And from my point of view this seems to be the general conception of the theatre's and venues I've visited in general Europe. One factor that could play a part in this is my appearance/attitude. At first sight I do not come accross as a poorly raised, disbehaving, loud-mouthed idiot who acts as if the world revolves around himself and his pleasure at the expense of others.


Now never have I been distracted by somebody sending a text, the reason being is that I focus my attention on the screen. I'm going to be even more hated by stating that it's probably something you've been used to getting distracted by, that you automatically focus your attention at their phone.


And to add more fuel to the fire, it's probably something to do with age as well. Routine is something that just does not apply in my life, or those of my friends/girlfriend. Plans can be changed at any given minute. I'm not in a situation in life where I tell everybody what my plans are, so if somebody tries to make plans, that's where they try to contact me. If someone needs a farely immediate response, I will respond. Basically I must respond if it's down to travel for others, or I have knowledge of a subject that somebody needs from me.


Situation A
(girl)friend texts: how's it going? got any plans for tomorrow night?
I will text after the movie has finished!

Situation B
(girl)friend texts: what time will you be home?
Given the situation where a friend has to travel at least an hour, I will text quickly what time.

Situation C
(girl)friend texts: where did you leave the key?
I wait till the movie's finished, just to avoid any confrontation from any American that might be enjoying the movie... ;)


I know I've made some bold statements, and I have already acknowledged that you might not agree with my view's. However just consider that there are people who will act/think differently.
I DO NOT wish to purposely disturb other people (and I never have acknowledged from others, except you guys, that I have), but please consider the reason for me doing so.
And also, it's something that doesn't occur every single time I go to a concert/movie. It happens sometimes, please keep that in mind.

[DarthVong]

Ok,

I'm not going to make myself any more popular by stating the following things, but here it goes.

Recently, out of curiosity, before the trailers started I asked the people behind me (4 different groups, 11 people, varying ages) if it would be distracting if I were to respond to a text during a movie. I stated that my phone was on silent mode, so they wouldn't here me receiving a text, all they could possibly see is my lit screen.

All 4 groups had no problem, one couple even chuckled at the thought of someone being distracted by such a thing. And from my point of view this seems to be the general conception of the theatre's and venues I've visited in general Europe. One factor that could play a part in this is my appearance/attitude. At first sight I do not come accross as a poorly raised, disbehaving, loud-mouthed idiot who acts as if the world revolves around himself and his pleasure at the expense of others.


Now never have I been distracted by somebody sending a text, the reason being is that I focus my attention on the screen. I'm going to be even more hated by stating that it's probably something you've been used to getting distracted by, that you automatically focus your attention at their phone.


And to add more fuel to the fire, it's probably something to do with age as well. Routine is something that just does not apply in my life, or those of my friends/girlfriend. Plans can be changed at any given minute. I'm not in a situation in life where I tell everybody what my plans are, so if somebody tries to make plans, that's where they try to contact me. If someone needs a farely immediate response, I will respond. Basically I must respond if it's down to travel for others, or I have knowledge of a subject that somebody needs from me.


Situation A
(girl)friend texts: how's it going? got any plans for tomorrow night?
I will text after the movie has finished!

Situation B
(girl)friend texts: what time will you be home?
Given the situation where a friend has to travel at least an hour, I will text quickly what time.

Situation C
(girl)friend texts: where did you leave the key?
I wait till the movie's finished, just to avoid any confrontation from any American that might be enjoying the movie... ;)


I know I've made some bold statements, and I have already acknowledged that you might not agree with my view's. However just consider that there are people who will act/think differently.
I DO NOT wish to purposely disturb other people (and I never have acknowledged from others, except you guys, that I have), but please consider the reason for me doing so.
And also, it's something that doesn't occur every single time I go to a concert/movie. It happens sometimes, please keep that in mind.

Phones should be turned off during a movie. It's a distraction to others.

[riotinmyskull]

Phones should be turned off during a movie. It's a distraction to others.

this.

[CharlieK]

I can't see how anyone could not be distracted by something that is essentially a tiny flashlight being pointed at you in a dark theater. It's not a question of being so focused on the screen, its that someone is basically turning on a light and moving it around.

Maybe you have really poor peripheral vision.

[The Black]

Will remember once I visit Virginia.

[Maxflier]

In my most humblest of opinions, if you can't go 2 hours without texting then don't go to the movies. It annoys the shit out of me how so many people have to be on the phone or texting every minute.

[The Black]

In my most humblest of opinions, if you can't go 2 hours without texting then don't go to the movies. It annoys the shit out of me how so many people have to be on the phone or texting every minute.

Point very well made!

Though in my situation I did state that it can happen during a movie, doesn't occur every time. And I think the most I have sent during a movie was 3 texts, and that was an exception! If it happens, it's most likely 1 text during the entire course of the movie.

[MinLShaw]

Situation A
(girl)friend texts: how's it going? got any plans for tomorrow night?
I will text after the movie has finished!

Does not warrant having a phone on during a movie other people have paid money to see.

Situation B
(girl)friend texts: what time will you be home?
Given the situation where a friend has to travel at least an hour, I will text quickly what time.

Does not warrant having a phone on during a movie other people have paid money to see. Call your friend who lives an hour away before you enter the theater.

Situation C
(girl)friend texts: where did you leave the key?
I wait till the movie's finished, just to avoid any confrontation from any American that might be enjoying the movie... ;)

Does not warrant having a phone on during a movie other people have paid money to see. If your "(girl)friend" has the right to know where you leave keys, then she shouldn't have to contact you to find out where they are.

You could easily have averted all three of your incoming text messages by simply thinking of someone besides yourself prior to entering the theater. Call your "(girl)friend" and tell her whether or not it will be worth her while to drive an hour to see you, and where you leave keys. Better point--if she's driven an hour ("or more") and has time to ask you where you left a key before the movie is even over, you really should have told her you'd see her another night, or you should have left the movie altogether.

Try thinking of someone other than yourself once in a while. You're thinking about whether the audience will permit you to take your text messages. You're also asking your "(girl)friend" to drive more than an hour to see you, and instead of having the courtesy of being there to meet her, you're asking her to find a key and let herself in to wait for you. Either she has some serious self-esteem issues, or your relationship with her will not last long. This might be heresy on this forum, but there are more important things in this world than movies.

[Hokeyboy]

There is a groiny satisfaction in the swift administration of beatings.

[iamiam]

It's always me, me, me.

[Mr. Salty]

I DO NOT wish to purposely disturb other people (and I never have acknowledged from others, except you guys, that I have), but please consider the reason for me doing so.
And yet you seem to do so with great regularity because you're oblivious to anyone else's needs but your own.

And also, it's something that doesn't occur every single time I go to a concert/movie. It happens sometimes, please keep that in mind.
It shouldn't happen at all. Please keep that in mind.

[riley_dude]

And yet you seem to do so with great regularity because you're oblivious to anyone else's needs but your own.


It shouldn't happen at all. Please keep that in mind.

Right. It shouldn't happen at all.
I was debating this with a young girl at work who said much the same thing. She did it only sometimes and she didn't talk on the phone, she just texted.
You still get the blue glow.
I agree, if you are so addicted to texting, which most people under the age of 30 are these days, stay home and wait until DVD.

[JayDerek]

if people need to text so bad, they should avoid all public locations where it interferes w/ others - like a movie theater.

There's NO legitimate excuse for texting during a movie. If something's so important, just DON'T go to a movie

[DarthVong]

Is it that difficult to just turn the phone OFF when you goto the theater and such. I remember not too long ago when we didn't even have cellphones. We had to use a payphone and that's the way it was and we loved it!!!

grumble grumble

[riley_dude]

Is it that difficult to just turn the phone OFF when you goto the theater and such. I remember not too long ago when we didn't even have cellphones. We had to use a payphone and that's the way it was and we loved it!!!

grumble grumble
I belive it is a social thing for the young people. Of course they have almost no social skills these days but they sure know how to type with their fingers.

[Navinabob]

I'm gonna agree that the solution is easy, don't text. It's nice that you asked the people directly behind you, but what about the people behind them? What about the person who was courteous enough to NOT text saw you do it and went, "Well, if he is gonna do it..."

It's just rude.

[The Black]

Points taken.

Solution: back row, at the end of one side, shining the light away from some other person that might be next to me.

[DarthVong]

Points taken.

Solution: Turn off Phone.

Fixed.

[The Black]

Sarcasm. That's what I was going for.

Anyways, congradulations! You've converted me into a non-cellphone user during movies. Now, seeing as there's a one in 100million chance I will ever sit through a movie with you guys, I guess you'll have to persuade all the people you will share a theatre with! Good luck! :dance:

[bunkaroo]

This is just a symptom of a larger issue which is we have become far too connected for our own good.

Way back when (barely 10 years ago), most people did not have cell phones. Maybe they had pagers. You might actually have to wait hours to hear from someone. *gasp*

Attention spans are also in the toilet. I have to admit ever since I got my laptop a couple years ago, it is almost always with me at home when I am watching TV, and even during some movies at home if I am bored with the movie. But I NEVER take out my phone during a movie at the theater. I'm 34 BTW.

We were just at The Wrestler this weekend, and the guy next to me was getting a text every 5 minutes. He kept the cell super low and I could barely see it, but the vibrating was plenty loud and it was still a distraction.

I am just praying the day comes when you can pay per view a first run movie in HD the same day it's in theaters. That will be the day I no longer go to theaters for any movie.

[jjcool]

Snip...


Europe.

Snip...

Figures.

[jjcool]

I dont really understand why there is any debate on this. All teh theaters that I go to ask for phones and pagers to be turned off during shows. It's real simple. And for those debating that "texting is silent", take note. You are in a darkened theater. You then introduce a light into the darkened theater. Of course people are going to see it, no matter where you point it.

[riley_dude]

Points taken.

Solution: back row, at the end of one side, shining the light away from some other person that might be next to me.
Same mentality that wants to text in the theater, always has to have the last word.
How about just turning off your phone? Why is that so hard?

[mhg83]

The only time one should be allowed to use their cell phone in the theater is if there's an emergency like a family member just had a heart attack and is going to the hospital.

[DarthVong]

Same mentality that wants to text in the theater, always has to have the last word.
How about just turning off your phone? Why is that so hard?

Because then he would have to wait for all his life-altering messages like "How's it going?"....

[The Black]

The only time one should be allowed to use their cell phone in the theater is if there's an emergency like a family member just had a heart attack and is going to the hospital.


Condoning cell-phone use under any circumstances in a theatre is forbidden, has thou not read what other people have said. How would one know if it's an emergency unless there cell-phone is switched on?

"Damn it, why didn't you have your cell-phone on? You were the last person he had the chance to reach?"

"Screw that, I was at the movies. No contact zone."


Same mentality that wants to text in the theater, always has to have the last word.

Fantastic comment. I beleive the consensus of a discussion board is to discuss certain topics?
If nobody differed from opinion or point of view, there would be nothing to discuss!



And once more I state you guys have convinced me. Dare you to convince those around you though in a theatre?

[Jon2]

This discussion is beginning to take on the attributes of the old "taking babies to movies' threads.

No matter how much logic and reason one side brings to the table, some discussions will never be resolved when the other side refuses to be logical or reasonable.

And, btw, turn off the damn phones.

[MinLShaw]

The only time one should be allowed to use their cell phone in the theater is if there's an emergency like a family member just had a heart attack and is going to the hospital.

If someone you know is in the hospital and you know it, you have no business going to see a movie.

[fumanstan]

The other night during Slumdog a group of older adults came in filling in the back row. They were chattering all through the end of the previews and the opening of the film, including the whole raise up your hand with the cell phone light to get the attention of someone looking for their group. They continued to chatter until finally quieting down 15 minutes in. And throughout the rest of the movie, there was this old woman that kept making these odd sniffling noises throughout the movie.

Today during Gran Torino at a 12 noon showing, there was a gentleman alone a row in front of us that fell asleep a few times during the movie and we could hear some light snoring.

God damn older folks :(

[SethDLH]

This debate will never be settled. I try to be partial with this, if someone is texting and can manage to angle the phone into their body so the light is blocked, I don't care as long as the phone is silent. As for noises with phones or talking, it just shouldnt happen. If you get a call that you feel you should take leave the theater and answer.

Though the family/friend emergency situation raises a point. If I do recieve a text or call that is a real emergency well then I could honestly care less about the people in the theater as someone I care about is in a bad spot. Of course I wouldn't sit in my seat screaming on the phone, but I would take care of the situation.

[SethDLH]

The other night during Slumdog a group of older adults came in filling in the back row. They were chattering all through the end of the previews and the opening of the film, including the whole raise up your hand with the cell phone light to get the attention of someone looking for their group. They continued to chatter until finally quieting down 15 minutes in. And throughout the rest of the movie, there was this old woman that kept making these odd sniffling noises throughout the movie.

Today during Gran Torino at a 12 noon showing, there was a gentleman alone a row in front of us that fell asleep a few times during the movie and we could hear some light snoring.

God damn older folks :(

This type of situation definatly warrants a "shh" or "shut up" if it persists.

[mhg83]

If someone you know is in the hospital and you know it, you have no business going to see a movie.

I meant an unexpected emergency.

[tasha99]

Ok,

I'm not going to make myself any more popular by stating the following things, but here it goes.

Recently, out of curiosity, before the trailers started I asked the people behind me (4 different groups, 11 people, varying ages) if it would be distracting if I were to respond to a text during a movie. I stated that my phone was on silent mode, so they wouldn't here me receiving a text, all they could possibly see is my lit screen.

All 4 groups had no problem, one couple even chuckled at the thought of someone being distracted by such a thing. And from my point of view this seems to be the general conception of the theatre's and venues I've visited in general Europe. One factor that could play a part in this is my appearance/attitude. At first sight I do not come accross as a poorly raised, disbehaving, loud-mouthed idiot who acts as if the world revolves around himself and his pleasure at the expense of others.


You don't seem to have caught on to the fact that people lie. Many people who are annoyed with your texting will still say oh sure, go ahead out of misplaced courtesy.

[MinLShaw]

You don't seem to have caught on to the fact that people lie. Many people who are annoyed with your texting will still say oh sure, go ahead out of misplaced courtesy.

Also, when people are put on the spot it's easy to get them to consent to going along with things to which they actually object.

[iamiam]

Also, when people are put on the spot it's easy to get them to consent to going along with things to which they actually object.

I agree, but maybe I really object :lol:

[superdeluxe]

The only time one should be allowed to use their cell phone in the theater is if there's an emergency like a family member just had a heart attack and is going to the hospital.

You really shouldn't be in the movie then.

[Goldberg74]

When I saw TCCoBB this past weekend, there were three cops in the threater.

Sure they were just keeping tabs on the kids who wanted to sneak into Notorius, but at least it was quiet.

And they even escorted a couple groups of teens out the Exit Door for trying.

;)

[jjcool]

When I saw TCCoBB this past weekend, there were three cops in the threater.

Sure they were just keeping tabs on the kids who wanted to sneak into Notorius, but at least it was quiet.

And they even escorted a couple groups of teens out the Exit Door for trying.

;)

I havent sen security in a theater since I saw Showgirls in the theater.

[bluetoast]

You really shouldn't be in the movie then.

Are you saying that if you just happen to be in the movie theater and someone you know simultaneously experiences a heart attack, you have no business being in the theater?

Or are you saying that you should leave the theater upon receipt of said information.

If the latter, I can agree, but the former...is pure coincidence.

As for me, I either silence or turn of my phone in the theater. Even when my friends check the time, I'm thinking "Are you serious? I wasn't aware you had an urgent appointment to go to."

[Josh-da-man]

It's always been my experience that "older" people are worse in theaters than teenagers.

I've never had a movie interrupted by teenagers, even when they come in a group of seven or eight. They might be noisy before the movie begins, but they always shut up and watch the movie once the lights go down and the projector starts running.

The absolute worst are middle-aged women... these 35-50 soccer mom types who plant their asses in the seats directly behind me and then commence a never-ending conversation, bitching about their kids and husbands while the fucking movie is running.

[mndtrp]

How do people determine if it's an emergency without turning their phone on? I would have thought that to check what the message is, you'd have to have some sort of light appear.

Or is that ok, and it's just the return text that people don't like?

For what it's worth, I don't have a cell phone, and I have my girlfriend turn hers off when get into the movie.

[MinLShaw]

How do people determine if it's an emergency without turning their phone on?

Everyone seems to be dancing around it, so I'll just come out with it. One side says they want their phones on during movies for the off-chance that there will be a legitimate emergency so they can respond instantly.

I, on the other hand, disagree. I'm saying here and now that respecting those around you is more important than the rare chance that someone you know genuinely needs you. I've been in a theater with cell phone calls and texts countless times, and not once have I ever seen someone on their phone leave during the movie. Not once. If you're that paranoid that something might happen to someone, then quit going to theaters. My wife and I paid $15 or more for our tickets to see the movie--not to witness you fiddling with your social scene on your phone.

[Steve Phillips]

I can't for the life of me understand why someone would pay $12 to go to a movie and then spend the entire running time of the feature texting.

It VERY annoying to see those screens light up every 60 seconds. Would it kill these people to not be in contact with their friends for 90 minutes? If so, maybe they shouldn't go to a theater?

This "emergency" crap is BS, too. If you have a pending problem, put your phone on vibrate and exit the theater immediately to answer if you get a call.

These "what if' scenarios are ridiculous. How did anyone survive before cell phones and texting?

I'd have no problem if they jammed the signals and put up signs stating that was the case.

As for talking, I haven't had too many issues with that until recently. A bunch of teen girls were yaking loudly for an hour, ignoring several people who politely asked for them to be quiet. Finally, someone got up and complained and the management made the entire row leave the theater, and they didn't come back. This should happen every time. If people want to talk throughout a movie, they should rent a DVD and stay home!

[SethDLH]

It's always been my experience that "older" people are worse in theaters than teenagers.

I've never had a movie interrupted by teenagers, even when they come in a group of seven or eight. They might be noisy before the movie begins, but they always shut up and watch the movie once the lights go down and the projector starts running.

The absolute worst are middle-aged women... these 35-50 soccer mom types who plant their asses in the seats directly behind me and then commence a never-ending conversation, bitching about their kids and husbands while the fucking movie is running.

QFT on the soccer moms. I had a group of them behind me when I saw The Wrestler on saturday.

As for teenagers they are usually my biggest annoyance, they heckle the movie (which is fine if the whole theaters is doing it, as was the case for House of the Dead). But if you're the only person being an ass there is a problem.

[mcfly]

I attempted to go to the movies today. Attempted. This was the first time I had to leave a theater, before the movie started, and get a refund for my ticket.

A friend of mine and I had absolutely nothing to do, and there were *no* movies starting at this specific time except for Paul Blart. Yeah yeah, movie looks like crap but I figure'd I could sit entertained for an hour and a half.

So we bought our tickets, and went in to the theater. The "pre-show entertainment" hadn't even started yet, and already there was a mom with some kids in there. This is a "family film", so yeah it's expected to see kids at a movie like this (why they were there at 2 in the afternoon - instead of school, is still beyond me). Well the mom was sitting down with her kids in the second row from the top. My friend and I went up to the top to sit, and she sent her kid up there at the same time. She then yelled at us "This row is saved." WTF? Saving an entire row? I asked her what for, and she said there were about 30 or 40 more kids and moms coming in to see it with them. This was just a generic soccer mom social outing.

I got to the seats first, mind you, and she had her son "stop us". She then said the next few rows were saved, too.

What a load of crap. I could have wasted my breath, yelled at her, and made her kids cry, but I bit my tongue and knew even if I did stay, I'd have 50 kids yelling throughout the movie and I wouldn't be able to enjoy it anyway.

I dunno, I just never heard of "rows saving" before. That's some shit, and ballsy. So I went and got a refund. First time I've ever done that, in all of my movie-going experience.

[SPRBD]

These "what if' scenarios are ridiculous. How did anyone survive before cell phones and texting?


I once went to a movie with some friends and turned my phone on afterwards only to find 6 or 7 panicked messages from my wife after one of our kids got pretty banged up and she had to take him to the ER. It was a pretty horrible experience for all, because by the time I got the messages, I couldn't get a hold of her anymore.

I still turn my phone off when I go to movies, but I understand why some parents may not want to.

[riley_dude]

Everyone seems to be dancing around it, so I'll just come out with it. One side says they want their phones on during movies for the off-chance that there will be a legitimate emergency so they can respond instantly.

I, on the other hand, disagree. I'm saying here and now that respecting those around you is more important than the rare chance that someone you know genuinely needs you. I've been in a theater with cell phone calls and texts countless times, and not once have I ever seen someone on their phone leave during the movie. Not once. If you're that paranoid that something might happen to someone, then quit going to theaters. My wife and I paid $15 or more for our tickets to see the movie--not to witness you fiddling with your social scene on your phone.
What did people do BEFORE Cell phones and Video Games and VCRS and...
I notice that even at the gym the young people are texting and talking on the phone While they are running on a treadmill. You cant wait a half hour to talk to a friend???

[KillerCannibal]

I once went to a movie with some friends and turned my phone on afterwards only to find 6 or 7 panicked messages from my wife after one of our kids got pretty banged up and she had to take him to the ER. It was a pretty horrible experience for all, because by the time I got the messages, I couldn't get a hold of her anymore.

I still turn my phone off when I go to movies, but I understand why some parents may not want to.

Wouldn't an experience like that cause you to keep your phone ON from now on? I don't understand why people can't just leave their phone on vibrate and check it discreetly if needed.

[Gerry P.]

Wouldn't an experience like that cause you to keep your phone ON from now on? I don't understand why people can't just leave their phone on vibrate and check it discreetly if needed.If by "discreetly" you mean leaving the theater and checking the message in the hallway, then I agree with you.

[Charlie Goose]

It's always been my experience that "older" people are worse in theaters than teenagers.

I've been saying this for years. I've had much worse times with old farts having normal-voice conversations than with teens or even children being boisterous.