The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
#1
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The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
In today's New York Times Sunday Magazine, the Ethicist (Chuck Klosterman) address this issue.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/07/ma...ef=todayspaper
For those who don't want to search the column via the link, I'll paste the question and answer here (is that even ethical?). The answer may not be what some of you want to hear, but I love it anyway:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/07/ma...ef=todayspaper
For those who don't want to search the column via the link, I'll paste the question and answer here (is that even ethical?). The answer may not be what some of you want to hear, but I love it anyway:
Q: I go to the movies often. Sometimes I’ll see something that is terrible or too violent for my tastes. Is it O.K. to walk out and go into another movie? Or even ask for my money back?
A: In enormous multiplex cinemas, I see patrons doing this quite often, and I assume their logic is this: They feel as if they’ve paid for a movie, so it’s up to them to decide which movie they see. This would be a justifiable argument if theaters sold tickets for three-hour blocks of time, but that’s not how the world works. Buying a ticket does not award you 180 minutes inside the walls of the building (which you can use in whatever way you want). Your ticket gives you access to a specific movie in a specific location at a specific time. That’s the transaction.
There’s an assumed risk with subjective art. When you buy a ticket for an artistic event, there’s no guarantee that you’ll like it. You can’t argue that the ticket buyer is owed a film experience that meets his or her personal criteria for quality entertainment, because the only guarantee is that the advertised movie will be screened at that place at that time. Your critical opinion does not dictate a refund. And by changing theaters, you’re hurting the creators of the film you saw without directly paying for it. A film’s box-office performance is obviously dictated by box-office sales. If you pay for a bad movie but end up watching a different one, you are rewarding the bad director while taking revenue from the director who made entertainment you liked, in that way incrementally perpetuating the likelihood that more bad movies will be made in the future.
A: In enormous multiplex cinemas, I see patrons doing this quite often, and I assume their logic is this: They feel as if they’ve paid for a movie, so it’s up to them to decide which movie they see. This would be a justifiable argument if theaters sold tickets for three-hour blocks of time, but that’s not how the world works. Buying a ticket does not award you 180 minutes inside the walls of the building (which you can use in whatever way you want). Your ticket gives you access to a specific movie in a specific location at a specific time. That’s the transaction.
There’s an assumed risk with subjective art. When you buy a ticket for an artistic event, there’s no guarantee that you’ll like it. You can’t argue that the ticket buyer is owed a film experience that meets his or her personal criteria for quality entertainment, because the only guarantee is that the advertised movie will be screened at that place at that time. Your critical opinion does not dictate a refund. And by changing theaters, you’re hurting the creators of the film you saw without directly paying for it. A film’s box-office performance is obviously dictated by box-office sales. If you pay for a bad movie but end up watching a different one, you are rewarding the bad director while taking revenue from the director who made entertainment you liked, in that way incrementally perpetuating the likelihood that more bad movies will be made in the future.
#2
Re: The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
And by changing theaters, you’re hurting the creators of the film you saw without directly paying for it.
#3
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
That's fine. I'm not above stealing. Though I've never actually done this. I don't go to bad movies.
#4
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
Never done it but I agree with what the NYTimes guy responded with. I thought it was going to deal with people who pay for one movie then after that movie is done, going to a different theater and watching that movie without paying for a ticket.
#5
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
We've done the two movie thing. Never really thought about it. I guess because we paid to get in and paid $20 for 50¢ worth of popcorn we can stay for another. I do remember going to one theater where the ushers would literally usher you out the door after the movie. I suppose it's wrong but compared to sneaking in the exit door when others leave, it's minor.
#6
DVD Talk Legend & 2021 TOTY Winner
Re: The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
If a movie really doesn't meet your tastes and you decide that early enough in the screening, most theaters will let you exchange your tickets for something else.
#7
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Re: The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
I use to work at an AMC multiplex in high school and people did this all the time, the managers didn't really care unless the patrons were being obnoxious which was usually only like tween and teens in the summer who didn't have anything better to do. But you'd be surprised a lot of older retirees do it as well . Older people also will argue about how bad a movie is for a ticket refund but rather than give them a refund the manager will just say "feel free to see another movie". I did this when my girlfriend and I were fighting I went from Dark Knight Rises to The Campaign so I wouldn't have to deal with her shit.
#8
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
Sometimes I just buy a ticket for a different movie at the same time just because I want to help their box office and not the movie I'm really going to see.
I also used to watch multiple movies all the time as a teenager. I can't imagine too many adults would even want to now, and I'd never go to a movie alone.
I also used to watch multiple movies all the time as a teenager. I can't imagine too many adults would even want to now, and I'd never go to a movie alone.
#9
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Re: The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
I did this when I was making just above min. wage and didn't think it wrong.
It was always a crappy movie I was not sure to pay.
DEAD HEAT, EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY were the ones I remember sneaking in to.
Never a hit.
Like today I would do it for LONE RANGER.
It was always a crappy movie I was not sure to pay.
DEAD HEAT, EARTH GIRLS ARE EASY were the ones I remember sneaking in to.
Never a hit.
Like today I would do it for LONE RANGER.
#10
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
Was wondering if it was going to be the "bad" thing that I do from which is use those movie passes for one movie but see a different one instead. No way was I going to see TDKR five times last years. They had movie passes on so many different blu's for that movie it was not even funny.
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Re: The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
I used to do this a lot in high school. I once took in an odd triple feature of Little Nicky, Bones, and K-Pax. Can't really say I'd do it now, since being caught as an adult would just be embarrassing as hell, but if I did I'd buy a few concessions to make up for it. They'd probably prefer that anyway.
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Re: The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
When I buy a ticket for a movie, I stick to that showing. If it sucks, I walk out and ask for my money back. That's how it should always be. If you want to see another movie after walking out of one, ask for a refund, and wait for the next showtime.
#13
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
I don't understand people who just go to the theater with no idea of what they want to see. They'll usually end up purchasing a ticket to a movie they have only heard the title of. They have no idea what it's about, who's in it, etc....and then they want a refund. Boggles my mind.
#14
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
My wife and I did this regularly, but after our daughter began to go to the movies with us, we ceased the practice to set the proper standard. However, when one now needs a second mortgage to afford concessions, it's clear that copping a free flick now and again is hardly the worst crime occurring at the cineplex
#15
Re: The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
I don't understand people who just go to the theater with no idea of what they want to see. They'll usually end up purchasing a ticket to a movie they have only heard the title of. They have no idea what it's about, who's in it, etc....and then they want a refund. Boggles my mind.
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Re: The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
#17
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Re: The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
Only did it one time as a teenager. Me and a group of friends paid to see The Fly, afterwards snuck into Cobra. Needless to say, a most excellent time at the movies.
#18
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
I've never once considered doing this - you bought a ticket to a movie, you should buy another ticket to another movie if you want to see that one too.
And I don't see movies I don't think I'll like, so I've never felt the need to walk out of one.
The whole practice reeks of entitlement (I paid 10 bucks, I should get to do whatever I want!).
And I don't see movies I don't think I'll like, so I've never felt the need to walk out of one.
The whole practice reeks of entitlement (I paid 10 bucks, I should get to do whatever I want!).
#19
Member
Re: The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
I've only asked for a refund if the presentation of the film is piss poor, i.e. poor framing, bad picture, bad sound, and it's not fixed.
I made the mistake of going to this second-run theater to see Les Miserables. Horrible sound and the screen looked like the shape of a trapezoid.
I told the staff about it, they lied to me and said they'd fix it. After 5 minutes I said to my wife "fuck this shit" and I asked for a refund for tickets and food. I got the refund, with a strange look from a manger type, as if I was strange for expecting the screen to be framed properly and I can at least hear the movie. Then we left. I'm never going to second-run again.
I made the mistake of going to this second-run theater to see Les Miserables. Horrible sound and the screen looked like the shape of a trapezoid.
I told the staff about it, they lied to me and said they'd fix it. After 5 minutes I said to my wife "fuck this shit" and I asked for a refund for tickets and food. I got the refund, with a strange look from a manger type, as if I was strange for expecting the screen to be framed properly and I can at least hear the movie. Then we left. I'm never going to second-run again.
#20
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
I've actually purchased tickets so I could see two different movies back-to-back. People can dress it up however they want, but sneaking into a second movie after purchasing a ticket to the first one is stealing.
#21
DVD Talk Reviewer & TOAT Winner
Re: The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
After working in the theater business for 10 years, I've since gone into a 2nd movie after seeing the one I paid for. (No matter how bad a movie is, I would NEVER walk out on it.) Last time I did this, I snuck into "Gigli" after seeing Terminator 3- they should have thanked me just for seeing that movie at all (and I later bought the DVD for 3 bucks at Big Lots). One thing that theaters do that encourages this behavior is putting the movie's start time right above the doors. If I'm walking out and see that another movie is about to start, it's a temptation to just go right in.
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#23
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Re: The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
Not to sound like an old fart but way back in the late 70's early 80's, theaters started the next showing right after the previous one's credits ended. Literly, the credits end, 3-4 trailers & the movie starts. I was super young & my mom took me to see a rerelease of Mary Poppins. We saw it twice. I was 4 or 5 so its not like I had any concept of how movies/tickets worked.
#25
DVD Talk Reviewer & TOAT Winner
Re: The Ethics of Going from One Movie to Another at a Multiplex
The union projectionist I worked with said one of the old downtown single-screen theaters in the 70s used to show kung fu movies all day long, and would schedule them so that the last one always ended at the same time- so to make sure this happened, the first movie of the day would often start a few reels in, possible to do since they were running changeovers.