It's official....I no longer look forward to going to the movies

[TK421]

I went to see Pirates of the Caribbean last night ( mediocre installment ) and I realized just how fucking annoying people can be in a theater. Apparently, it is too much to ask of people to shut their fucking yaps when the movie is playing. I just paid nine dollars to see this thing, and I have to listen to the fucking chattering through most of it. Also, the fucking candy-wrapper crinklers ( you bastards know who you are ) and no, I don't think crinkler is an actual word...I just made it up, alright? Aside from the frigging talking and kicking of my seat, this is really annoying! All I hear is the sound of your greasy, chubby fingers fishing for that last Goober, while you're telling your ugly date how sexy Orlando Bloom is :puke: Enough ranting....this movie seemed like it would never end; I couldn't wait to leave so I could just take a piss. It seemed like they tried to cram too many things into one movie ( just like they did with the 3rd Spiderman ). Anyway, I'm interested in hearing opinions on this if you have seen it.

[Deja Q]

1. Try non-mainstream movies like "Serenity"

The audience is there to watch the movie; not engage in idle gossip.

[TK421]

2. What I described above has happened to me three times in a row

but there won't be a fourth. Even if it isn't a mainstream movie, the idea of simple courtesy seems to escape people these days

[Deja Q]

5. Point taken.

A pity that people have forgotten simple courtesy in our 'enlightened' times. :(

[philosophie_en_rose]

3. Drive-ins are still great. Theatres, not so much.

I don't mind crinklers, but I do mind people that talk on their fucking cell phones. Instead of stepping out or turning the damned things off, they have to answer and explain they're at the fucking movies.

And don't get me started on those fuckers that talk during the movie or put their feet on backs of other people's chairs.

Or the tall fuckers that choose - of all the seats in the theater - to sit right in front of a short person.

Or the people that let their kids run amok. Or bring cranky babies to the movies. (Sleeping baby at a quiet movie - no big deal; but why are you taking your fussy baby to see Return of the King?)

[TK421]

4. Gee...everything you just said happened there last night

We were sitting in the section just back from the front of house ( right behind the row where the people can prop their legs on the rail ) and maybe three people had their damn cell phones out and I could see the displays from where I was sitting....no excuse for that shit.....NONE

It's funny you mention the people who bring babies into a theater, because someones little bastard kept crying through most of the movie. Now, you would think that if it continued after a while they would take the child out of the theater but NOOOOOOOOO..........my experience had to be ruined because of their colossal ignorance. It is a distraction, and again I didn't pay nine dollars to listen to this bullshit!!!

As far as the people who choose to sit right in front of you in an otherwise empty house, that pisses me off to no end :mad: Why do they do it? Who knows...but I did have about twenty people moving past me through the aisle during the movie because....hmmmm, I don't know....maybe they just wanted to sit in the SAME FUCKING ROW AS ME!!!!!!! Mind you, there were four empty rows behind us.

I think I may just wait for the DVD to come out next time

[Midlodemocrat]

11. I miss Drive-ins!

I used to go all the time when I lived in CT. There aren't any down here in the south near me, I guess it's too hot in the summer to sit in the car without the A/C. *sigh*

[krispos42]

39. I found two here in the Cities

One shows a double-feature, one shows a triple feature. Life is good!

[alarimer]

6. People suck

They are rude and inconsiderate everywhere. It's why I don't go to movies anymore, especially Friday or Saturday nights.

[TK421]

7. I think the mistake was mine here....this is the first Saturday after the

movie opened. My friend warned me, I didn't listen. And yes, people do suck ass

[kedrys]

8. Try sitting next to a guy who takes his shoes off

:puke: IMO, the problem is that everybody else seems to think they're in their f*cking living room and can do as they please with impunity. :grr:

The guy who took off his shoes? We had him and his date thrown out by an usher. He was a total dick about not putting his shoes back on after being asked nicely (yes, his feet smelled), and we weren't about to put up with it.

It's been 4 years, and to this day, it's everything I can do to drag the s.o. to the movies. :(

[TK421]

9. I would have rammed those shoes down his stinking, ignorant throat

and laughed as he choked on them....now THAT would have been a real blockbuster. How disgusting, but you are correct; people seem to think that they are in their living room.

[kedrys]

15. I almost did

The s.o was about to start a riot, so I figured I'd let an actual employee of the cinema finish it. I understand the paperwork for (even justified) homicide is a pain in the arse. :rofl:

The guy's date was all huffed that we would protest such a rude and uncalled for gesture. I hope they didn't get a refund.

[Midlodemocrat]

10. My husband and I don't like the same types of movies, so

I go by myself in the middle of the day.

It's quiet, no chit chat and cheaper.

Mind you, the last time I did this was to see Cast Away, so it isn't a weekly thing.

[TK421]

13. We used to do the matinee thing....you do have a point

It's cheaper and nowhere near as crowded....however, with my work schedule it is very difficult.

[Haole Girl]

12. How awful

Thanks for reminding me why I wait a few weeks, after a movie is released, before seeing it! Also, I go to a theater that is just slightly more expensive and less crowded-- just for those reasons!

[hippiechick]

14. I usually wait +2 weeks, and go to a late weeknight showing ...

... that way there's maybe a handful of people in the theatre, and I purposely sit as far away from the rest of them as I can.


:shrug: I feel your pain, though.

[TK421]

17. The movie started at 7:40, and we got there at 7:20 because there was

a mob scene outside of the mall. Most people got there about 7:35 so I thought we were safe. Next time I'll wait, if I go back at all

[hippiechick]

19. ... by late I mean, like 10:00 pm

... although I know that's not possible with everyone's work schedules.


:hi:

[skygazer]

16. I can't remember the last movie I saw in a theater

For one thing, it's absurdly expensive - by the time you get your ticket, some popcorn, a drink and maybe some Raisinets, you've spent twenty bucks. That's just ridiculous.

Then to have to put up with all the crap you so eloquently outlined - no, thanks. There are very few movies that I need to see in a theater. I'll wait for the DVD release.

[TK421]

18. You know what it is? It's the experience of seeing something on the

big screen ( with the sound, it's always been quite an experience for me ) However, I have lost patience with what goes on in theaters, and perhaps I've gotten more bitter about it over the years. Still, when I watch that DVD on my television, something isn't quite right. I don't know if any of that makes sense, but that's what it's like for me, anyway

[skygazer]

21. No, I do know what you mean

And I agree. It's just that the cons have gotten to the point where they outweigh the pros. Which is too bad.

[TK421]

20. Be right back....the kitten just knocked something down in the kitchen

:mad:

[rainbow4321]

22. My daughter works at a movie theater

and has some weird stories to tell from this weekend.

One lady had to go get the manager because kids behind kept kicking her seat nonstop...even after the lady asked the kids' MOTHER to get her kids to stop. The manager had to go into the theater and threaten to kick the whole family out if they continued to kick the seat.

Another woman came and asked for a refund on her drink. WHY??? Because she bought it before getting in the "wait here" line and drank the whole drink while waiting in line in the lobby before the movie. So in her mind, she deserved a refund because the drink was gone before she got into the movie. Ended up with 2 concession workers and 2 managers trying very hard to not use the word "IDIOT" while explaining to the woman why she could NOT get a refund.

From a previous weekend:
Yet another customer was overheard telling her kid "WHY are you carrying that out here, just leave it in there, the workers throw that stuff away"..referring to an empty container of junk food. She was SCOLDING her kid for picking up after himself and bringing the trash out of the theater to put in a trashcan.


It's gotten to the point where my daughter much prefers to work up in the "booth" where the workers run the movies (alone in a room, above the theater lobby)---no stupid public/customers to deal with up there!

[TK421]

24. Referring to the second story, why does that woman ( and I use that term very loosely )

expect a refund for drinking a soda? If the soda was flat, or there was a hair in it, perhaps I would understand...but that is flat-out ludicrous. People are slime- I work at a theater ( not a movie theater, but a live one ) and I deal with ridiculous people all the time. What's worse is that we have assigned seating and the majority of people have their preference as to where they sit. As far as the lady who scolded the kid who tried to be courteous and take the container out...I better stop right there :dilemma:

[Downtown Hound]

62. Heh, I worked in a movie theater for three years

and I recall all of those stories. But I think it's even worse now. People really do seem to get more crass, more rude, and more selfish as time goes on.

But also, I think the theaters themselves need to do more to make the experience more enjoyable for people. The last few theaters I've been in hadn't even been cleaned by the ushers. And this was at the biggest and most glamorous theater in town.

[TK421]

70. The fact that it hadn't been cleaned for such a long period of time seems

to be a management issue. That's pretty gross. Where is this?

[Downtown Hound]

77. Santa Rosa, CA.

[TK421]

23. OK....that was a bottle of rum she knocked down, but fortunately it didn't break

:applause:

[leftofthedial]

25. People suck

I've decided we'd all be better off without us.

[TK421]

26. Strongly agreed n/t

[dropkickpa]

27. I rarely go to the theater

I just can't afford it. But when I do, I wait several weeks after release, and go to the noon matinee on the weekend, which is usually the least crowded. Last movie i saw was Night at the Museum (Dropkid and I both loved it) and before that was Serenity. It was probably about 3 years before that that I saw one at the theater.

[Blue_Tires]

28. yeah, it's become a pita

you haven't even mentioned the cell phones...grrrrrr

[TK421]

30. There were people with their cell phones out towards the front

that was distracting, but they closed them after a while

[Rabrrrrrr]

29. Add in the filth who can't eat with their mouths closed, and I hate going to movies.

I will go to matinees, on a weekday that school is in session, a few weeks after a movie is out, and that's pretty much it.

That guarantees the smallest possible attendance.

I have no idea why this country has lost its etiquette, except that Reagan made it fashionable to stop thinking about the collective and the community, and focus on oneself.

[TK421]

31. Ahhhh....there's nothing quite like the sound of someone sucking down

the popcorn butter between handfuls of the stuff.....especially when they are sitting right next to you. I swear, I'm beginning to think that I'm a magnet for people like this

[rug]

32. "I couldn't wait to leave so I could just take a piss."

This is my new measure for movies.

:applause:

[TK421]

33. I'm glad I've touched the life of another person....just about every

movie this summer has sucked, and Hollywood is running out of ideas. Keep that bladder full

[bikebloke]

34. I haven't been to the cinema in over 7 years

I discovered I wasn't enjoying it. All the talkers. Mobile phones weren't so prevalent when I quit. And those slobs who carry enough food for a six month siege. Then get up and continually squeeze past me every 15 minutes for additional food runs. So I now wait for the DVD. I have a poor man's home theater. Meaning I sit close to my 20" screen and plug in my Bose headphones for the rich cinema sound. And I can stretch out my legs.

[wildhorses]

35. 3 little words --

tuesday afternoon matinees

[TK421]

36. Granted that would be fine, if I didn't have to work

but again, I will never go during the week of the opening...ever

[SeattleGirl]

37. My theory on the rudeness of people in theaters is that we have

become so used to watching movies at home on cable and DVRs and VCRs, that when we (I mean "we" in general) behave as if we are still sitting at home on our couches and chairs, by ourselves, or with a few other people. The rude ones in the theater are those that "forget" they AREN'T home, but act as if they are.

And yes, behavior like that pisses me off big time. People talking loudly to their friends, talking on their cell phones (:grr: ), eating noisily, etc.: Makes me want to start knocking heads together!

[TK421]

42. Sad that it has come to this, isn't it?

And believe it or not, I'm one to give people the benefit of a doubt most of the time. Today, it's all about me,me,me and fuck everyone and everything around me. I am the center of my own pathetic universe

[KT2000]

38. Manners are the consideration

of other people and using them is the desire to make others feel comfortable.
This is something we are losing as a society.

But...there are still pockets of sanity. I just went to see The Cats of Mirikatani and the audience was lovely. You could hear a pin drop - which says something about the movie as well as the people watching.
Maybe if you try the out of mainstream movies, you may have a better experience. The movies are better too!

[TK421]

43. See post#2...it shouldn't matter if it is mainstream or not

being considerate of others who paid good money to see it should never come into question. I know, everyone was excited to see the 3rd installment, but still...some people just don't give a shit who is around them when they are gabbing. They ARE aware that others are around, they just don't give a shit.
That is the main problem I'm having here

[KT2000]

56. That was the first movie

I had gone to in many years. If I attended more I would probably have the experience you have.
Another example of rudeness is the public use of cell phone. people are cloggin aisles in the stores, yelling into my ear while standing in line.
I guess that lots of people in a small space is a concentration of rudeness these days.

[Oeditpus Rex]

40. Okay, let's review

Theatre

Pros:

•Screen so big you can see pores
•Sound so big it knocks you out of your seat

Cons:

•Outrageous cost
•Assholes
•Go pee and miss something


Video

Pros:

•Couple bucks to rent; less if it's a membership thing
•Watch when you want
•Bed, sofa, comfy chair, etc.
•Pause
•Eat what's in the fridge

Cons:

•Screen's not 800 feet wide


Conclusion:

Why would anybody go to the movies? :shrug:

[TK421]

46. The pros and cons you listed are valid, yes....however, the problem

with one of the cons listed ( assholes ) could also happen if you are watching a video at home. If you are watching it yourself, no problem. Plus, I've always gone to see movies in the theater. As I mentioned before, though...this may change soon. Thanks for the input

[Lautremont]

79. Because that's how movies are meant to be seen.

Not with the noisy jerks, necessarily, but up on a big screen and, yes, WITH people, even Sartrean hell-type people. It is and should be a group activity. That's my opinion, anyway.

[TK421]

81. Once upon a time, it was an enjoyable group experience...and I'm not saying

that theater ignorance is something new, but it IS more prevalent nowadays, and has gotten much, much worse.

I used to love going to the movies....but not anymore. Granted, I have a short fuse as far as these matters go, but again, it wasn't always like that.

I guess I AM becoming a bitter old fart ( and I'm nowhere near what would normally be considered old ).

[Nicole]

41. I quit going to the movies.

The night showings have the problems you mentioned.

I tried going to matinees but they are too loud. The volume needed for a packed theater is too much for a nearly empty one. It's not enjoyable when it's loud enough to give me a headache.

I wait until they are on PPV or DVD to watch them now.

[SPKrazy]

44. Some Matinees are as crowded as night ones now

and its still too darned loud I agree!

It's nice to be able to stop the movie once in a while too!

:hi:

[TK421]

49. I have been to matinees that were extremely crowded just because tickets

were cheaper. I would pay double if I could have the theater to myself, but I don't want to sound arrogant about it.

[Nicole]

53. Not too crowded here except on weekends.

You're right, being able to stop the movie is a plus.

:hi:

[TK421]

47. In the age of PPV and DVD this is something to consider...

perhaps I should get with the times. As I mentioned in the post above, it's just something I've always done...not to say that what you said doesn't make a great deal of sense, it does. Some habits are hard to break, I suppose.

[texanwitch]

45. I haven't been to the movies for a long time.

The last movie I went to see was the last Lord of the Rings movie.

I really don't care to go.

To many rude people.

[MiniMandaRuth]

48. Drive-ins are cool.

Me a couple of friends are going to get a blanket and crash in her truck bed at the drive-ins.

Hahaha. Fun!

[TK421]

50. Unfortunately, there are no drive-ins nearby. If there were, I would like to go

But the local theater ( the largest in the area ) has 24 screens so one would think that not getting tickets in advance would be a problem. However, more and more people are taking public transportation out of Philadelphia and the malls nearby are getting slammed.
Wasn't always like that, folks :(

[MiniMandaRuth]

51. The world just sucks, doesn't it.

You should take some initiative and start your own little drive-in... but with like, old films. Ooo... Like Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!!!


that'd be cool..

[TK421]

52. Swamp Thing, Prom Night, Evil Dead....THAT'S IT!!!!!!!!!!!

How about I start my own drive-thru and I can put up an Evil Dead Night! Awesome....all three Evil Dead movies ( with post commentary by the man himself, Bruce Campbell ). I would need funding for the build, but all of D.U gets complimentary passes. Let it be known I'm a man with standards. ;) Of course, considering my current financial situation, I would need a massive donation in order to kick-start such an endeavor.

[BluePatriot]

54. The only theatre I like anymore...

...is this one:

http://www.drafthouse.com/

Worth the drive for us as a special treat. Tasty food and beer and $6 matinée...Pirates was a bit rambly-plotted though...

[TK421]

57. Those are kind words for this movie...it seemed like a big mish-mash

of special effects and sordid storyline

[BluePatriot]

64. Must've been better while drunk

The great thing about having beer at the movies is that you wind up enjoying yourself anyway. I'm sure I would have thought Clerks II was way stupid w/o the "Tower of Beer," lol.

[ceile]

69. Great to be a patron-

but not an employee....

[TK421]

72. I can imagine what the employees are put through...believe me, I know

and I get the sense that they are under-appreciated for their jobs at times. Most of the ticket-takers and box office personnel look like they want to be put out of their misery, and this comes from someone who works in a box office

[ceile]

80. I was a runner and it was hell!

Under paid and over worked. People thought it was so cool that I worked there. Even at 24 I was too old for that shit. But don't get me wrong-I will always try to go there rather than a chain cinema. I support local business and the League's have definitely come up with a top notch business.

[TK421]

82. Who or what are the Leagues?

:shrug: sorry, I might know, but not at this moment

[Bullwinkle925]

55. I'm assuming you are still part of the 'working-class'??

One of the perks of retiring is being able to go to a movie mid-day, mid-week to avoid all the asshats who don't have an ounce of courtesy left in their being.
I actually dread the summers due to the fact that only crap seems to come out for the teen crowd and since school is out I don't make it to the theater as often as I'd like.
I'll wait to see "Pirates" on DVD. The movie I'm waiting to see is "Sicko" - which I'm assuming will draw little attention from the teen crowd and I can safely attend a screening mid-week.

Just know that your movie viewing will be a lot better when you retire.

[TK421]

59. I'm nowhere near retirement age, bad for me....however..my gripes are with

people who don't have the common courtesy to shut up during a movie that everyone has paid to see. I would have gone to a week-day matinee, but my work schedule does not allow it. I took a chance, and came out with negative feelings about the experience.
As I stated before, perhaps it would be best for me to wait for the DVD...but after some consideration, why the hell should I have to? I feel that the points I made are valid ones, and most of the posters who replied seem to agree. It's true that most crap seems to come out in the summer, I've not turned a blind eye towards this trend, however...when an installment like this comes out ( and I liked the first movie, and the second...pretty good, too ) I would simply like to watch a movie without the above-mentioned annoyances and inconsiderate behaviors. Is that too much to ask for? I really don't think so. I suppose I'm trying to raise awareness...as futile an attempt as that may be

[Bullwinkle925]

66. I totally agree with you.

I don't understand what has happened to common courtesy any more. I've had people set up a picnic behind me and tear open chip bags and munch - pop open soda cans and guzzle - it's disgusting. Even when I did take myself to a mid-week screening where there were very few people, there was one woman who had her GD blue blinking phone ear-piece sitting a few seats down from me that was very distracting. I finally had to get up and move a row or two down from her. What is up with these people???
I love films. I love the experience of sitting in a theater and watching (hopefully) beautiful cinematography and a great plot unfolding.

I feel, unfortunately, that this is the way things are now. I hate it as well. Be that as it may - it has altered the way that I attend movies. I will not go to a summer blockbuster because I know the theater will assuredly be filled with teens with their cell phones, chat, etc. I will only attend films that I feel will have no attraction to the 'younger' set.

It could be due to the fact that I am older now. I just don't want the hassle of crowds and the negative behavior that comes with it.

I hate to think that your attempt is futile.

[Chovexani]

63. Try to find a quiet theater to see Pirates 3

Normally I'm all about waiting to see movies on DVD but I saw Pirates 3 this evening and watching it on a TV screen just won't do it justice. I'm a pirate fangirl in general and of PotC in particular so I'm a little biased (I didn't hate DMC as much as everyone else seems too, I think it's a lot like The Two Towers in that it's a much better movie in retrospect, as it's meant to be set up for the third one). But I'm not being facetious when I say the climax of At World's End is by far one of the best action sequences ever filmed. It truly needs to be seen on a big screen...I just hope it comes out in IMAX because I will be all over it.

I guess my roommate and I lucked out, because we saw a matinee here in downtown Tempe, college town, and people were exceptionally well-behaved. No screaming brats (in fact, I don't think there was a single child in the showing we went to), no cell phones going off or people texting. It's like, people chatted and stuff during the trailers but once the movie started everyone was all business. It was one of my more pleasant theatergoing experiences.

[AlCzervik]

58. When i went to see the last Star wars prequel this *woman* sitting behind

kept yapping, "I don't understand this" and bah blah blah and she would not shut the hell up, finally i turn around and "Lady, George Lucas puts that scrolling text up there for a reason, now read it and stop talking!"

[TK421]

60. Seriously, are these people waiting for a response from someone else

in the audience besides "Shut the fuck up and let ME watch the movie"! Most people, I find are looking for some kind of a reaction. I'm not there to give them my feedback, but they do need to shut up!

[mentalsolstice]

61. Matinee, middle of the week?

For a big blockbuster, this is when we go. Otherwise, we do matinées on the weekend.

[fishwax]

65. we were fortunate enough to go on Friday afternoon

while all the kiddies were still in school and most of the crowds were still at work--otherwise we were planning to wait until Tuesday in order to avoid the situation you describe. There were about 12-15 people in the theater, so it worked out exactly as planned. But the last several times I've gone to the theater (this one aside), I've had similar experiences. A year and a half ago, when I went to see Munich, not only did some girl's cell phone ring, she actually fucking answered it :eyes:. Several years ago, a friend of mine pointed out that with more people watching movies on video than in the theater, people didn't know/weren't trained on proper theater behavior :shrug::grr:

I liked the movie, but after the second one my expectations were lowered. It was better than I expected, and some parts of it were really great. They did cram a lot in, and I had a hard time following the plot sometimes, but I went for some summer blockbuster fun and that's what I got. It wasn't as good as the first, which transcended that whole summerblockbuster genre, but I thought it was quite a bit better than the second.

Of course, some of my pleasure with the movie may simply have been a result of being in a theater without being totally aggravated at teh annoying people around me. :)

[TK421]

73. Come to think of it, perhaps my criticism of this movie had something to do with

the fact that there was so many annoying things hitting me at once....maybe if I saw it in an empty theater again ( or nowhere near as crowded ) I probably would have enjoyed it more and not have been as confused about the storyline as I was.

[GirlinContempt]

67. Well, he IS pretty hot.

[dolo amber]

71. It's true!

:patriot:

[TK421]

74. Alright, alright....I get it

:hi:

[mvd]

68. There are only few I'll go to the movies for

The Harry Potter movies, An Inconvenient Truth, Star Wars Prequels - those are some.

[TK421]

75. I'm particular about which movies I will see on the big screen, myself

This was one that I was really looking forward to, but I have learned a valuable lesson from it

[Evoman]

76. What I hate is all the fuckers who come in late.

I'm tall, and have long legs, so I usually try to sit somewhere where the person behind me is either tall or the seat is empty (I figure if someone sits behind me after..well..too bad). But then come the people AFTER the movies have started looking for a seat...they yap to each other loudly ("pssst...HOW ABOUT THIS ROW"} and then cross in front of you. Not only that, but I have to stand up to let them pass, and that bothers the people sitting behind me.

FUCKERS! Sit down, shut up, and close your mouth while your eating. And come on time, or don't come at all.

[TK421]

78. I try not to sit in front of ANYONE if I can help it...I'm the same way, too

and as far as the people who expected me to get up every time they wanted to fill their lard-corn ( yes, I call it lard-corn ) buckets...well, after a while I didn't stand up anymore, but MADE the bastards squeeze past my long legs ( I'm cursed with those, too ). I could see they had a difficult time with it, but I'm glad! They should have been more organized!

[Shine]

83. I agree with you, I thought the movie was mediocre, at best.

hard to follow plot, waaaay too long....I wasn't terribly impressed, but hey, we took the kids and went for the entertainment factor. It was good family fun, on that simple enough level.

Generally speaking, I enjoy going to big movie events with full houses b/c I like the energy of the crowd. I like the communal feeling of it, laughing together, clapping in certain spots...I don't know, I just think it's fun.

That said, however, sometimes the "communal experience" can be extremely unpleasant. It just depends, I guess....

How's that for clarity? LOL. :hi: