Love Movies - Hate Going

[TimothyJinx]

I love movies. I used to love to go to the movies. I don't know - maybe I'm getting old and cranky but lately every time I go to the theater someone pisses me off.

My wife and I got a rare evening alone so we decided to go out and see a movie. We were just a bit early and got to choose our seats. The theater never filled to more than 10% capacity. But a couple with really long legs decided to park themselves right behind us. The lady must have kicked my seat at least 25 times.

Then we had to sit through 7 commercials. That is just crazy. And if I remember correctly 3 of them were phone commercials. I guess I never fully realized how central our cell phones are to our lives. I don't know about you but I hate my cell phone.

Then there was the usual movie etiquette short with the guy from "King of Queens." I thought it was funny the first 9 times I saw it. Not this time.

Then the previews. Normally a highlight for me. Not tonight. Stupid movie after stupid movie previewed with an annoying rap soundtrack. Crap I hate being old. Nothing is for me anymore.

Sorry to rant and be negative. It's just that my wife and I seldom get a chance to go out alone. And when you spend enough to put a down-payment on a Lowel Caselite you should be able to have a good time.

[dustino]

Theaters suck. I never go on a weekend night, period. Never. I have no problem moving seats when I get stuck near inconsiderate, oblivious people. If the theater is sparse and someone still feels the need to sit right in front of me or beside me, I move immediately. I just went to a double feature Friday (snuck into the 2nd flick) where the first showing was 11:40 am and the next showing was 1:45. Less than 4 other people in each theater - it was great. I know not everyone has that luxury, but to me, it's not worth it to go during busy times.

If I had kids and only had weekend nights available, I wouldn't see movies at the theater. Too bad so many people are oblivious and theaters do nothing to encourage etiquette.

[GenJerDan]

Theaters suck. I never go on a weekend night, period. Never. I have no problem moving seats when I get stuck near inconsiderate, oblivious people.

Before moving, best if you fart first, loudly and stinkily. That way, the people you're moving from won't think you're moving because of them. No need to hurt their feelings.

:)

[MattinSTL]

I think what we need in society is to have a wiffle-ball bat handcuffed to everybody... one with a counter on it... you get 10 hits per month. This way nobody really gets hurt... the only downside to my plan is that I could only go to one movie per month.

There are theaters popping up with premium admission... then giant seats and they actually control the theater (no kids, etc) It's like a first class theater where the seats are $10-12. I'm all for this... I don't consider it an extra $4 for nothing... I consider it saving $8 from a bad experience.

I've said it a million times... if Hollywood wants to know why the box office is down for all but the very best movies all they have to do is look at the movie-going experience... the current young generation is completely moronic with the rare exception to the rule... it's a worldwide problem that's reaching critical mass... I say it's time to submit my wiffle-ball bat bill to Congress.

[Lake Films]

I'm a filmmaker & I don't go to the movies often. Only during the school year and the first showing of the day, usually by myself & it's great! You're right, too many inconsiderate people out there!

"Beat em or burn em, they go up pretty easy"

[David Jimerson]

the current young generation is completely moronic with the rare exception to the rule... it's a worldwide problem that's reaching critical mass...
Somebody around here has a quote in his sig attributed to Socrates, lamenting that youth are obnoxious, disrespectful, etc., no doubt attempting to show that every generation thinks the same thing about the young when they get older.

Of course, what isn't mentioned is that shortly after Socrates is to have said that, Greek civilization fell.

[Greggl]

I dont go to see movies in the theatre anymore... Its now only a place to entertain
the kids with animated films in the afternoon.

[Blaine]

It's why I own so many DVDs.

[TimurCivan]

I think what we need in society is to have a wiffle-ball bat handcuffed to everybody... one with a counter on it... you get 10 hits per month. This way nobody really gets hurt... the only downside to my plan is that I could only go to one movie per month.

There are theaters popping up with premium admission... then giant seats and they actually control the theater (no kids, etc) It's like a first class theater where the seats are $10-12. I'm all for this... I don't consider it an extra $4 for nothing... I consider it saving $8 from a bad experience.

I've said it a million times... if Hollywood wants to know why the box office is down for all but the very best movies all they have to do is look at the movie-going experience... the current young generation is completely moronic with the rare exception to the rule... it's a worldwide problem that's reaching critical mass... I say it's time to submit my wiffle-ball bat bill to Congress.

our movie tickets in NYC are 12 $ anyway.

[acoreasc]

Agree wholeheartedly - that is why, when I usually go it is in the premium seating or arthouse films - most people are there to actually see the movie then so the viewing experience is actually close to what you want it to be. Then again, Grizzly Man isn't everyone's idea of what a big theatrical experience should be!

[dustino]

our movie tickets in NYC are 12 $ anyway.

I was thinking the same thing. Already $10 in Chicago.

I love the Socrates story above by the way. Too funny. Makes me feel less like a crumedgeon because I, too, have no faith in today's youth. And to sound even more like a grandpa, I blame a significant part of it on music! (maybe 15-20%) As someone who grew up listening to and loving hip-hop (my first concert ever attended was Run-DMC and the Beastie Boys); I think the nihilism of mainstream hip-hop is anillating self-respect among young people.

[Loki]

I think what we need in society is to have a wiffle-ball bat handcuffed to everybody... one with a counter on it... you get 10 hits per month. This way nobody really gets hurt... the only downside to my plan is that I could only go to one movie per month.

There are theaters popping up with premium admission... then giant seats and they actually control the theater (no kids, etc) It's like a first class theater where the seats are $10-12. I'm all for this... I don't consider it an extra $4 for nothing... I consider it saving $8 from a bad experience.

I've said it a million times... if Hollywood wants to know why the box office is down for all but the very best movies all they have to do is look at the movie-going experience... the current young generation is completely moronic with the rare exception to the rule... it's a worldwide problem that's reaching critical mass... I say it's time to submit my wiffle-ball bat bill to Congress.


wow... welcome to Ontario son... ticket prices for any of the moderately large theatres are around $10-14.... and since just about all the theatres in Ontario are huge AMC's or Famous Player's (Canada's second biggest theatre chain) good luck finding a cheaper place.

I think people are just cranky.... going out to a movie is social event basically.. your around other people.. and anytime that happens you will undoubtly encounter some morons..

and just a question, if that person kicked your chair like '25' times... why the hell didn't you just turn around tell them 'to f***ing stop' . Problem solved.

[TimothyJinx]

Yeah, I wish I were that kind of person. I would probably be more likely to get up and sit behind them and then kick their chairs. Man, that would have been fun.


and just a question, if that person kicked your chair like '25' times... why the hell didn't you just turn around tell them 'to f***ing stop' . Problem solved.

[Joe Kras]

I think people are just cranky.... going out to a movie is social event basically.. your around other people.. and anytime that happens you will undoubtly encounter some morons..

Okay, count me in among the cranky.

Societal mores in general have changed, for better and for worse.

I think in this case, it is the fault of Baby Boomers (those born roughly between 1945-1959). Speaking as a baby boomer, we have reaped what we sowed.

As late as the 1960's or even early 70's, going to the theater (like flying on an airplane) was a civilized affair. Except for Saturday matinees (which were filled with laughing and somewhat uncivilized hordes of small children) there were rules which were followed (and enforced if necessary) in theaters. No loud talking, no disturbing your fellow theater goers, etc. Ushers were the enforcers, and would escort you out if you didn't cease and desist after the first warning.

Well along came the 60's and 70's, as baby boomers came of age. We rebelled against a lot of good things (racism and sexism), some things which may or may not have been good (the Vietnam War), and especially rebelled against anything our parents said. "Do your own thing" and "Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll" summed up a generation.

As boomers became parents, and wanting to continue their individuality (and not wanting to repeat their parents' perceived mistakes) many let their kids do anything they chose, and instead of having a respect for societal mores of public behavior, insisted that THEIR children not be disciplined by anyone else. If I were to have been expelled from a theater in the 60's and told my parents, I would a)have been given a lecture on not bringing shame to the family name, b)been forced to write a letter of apology to the theater, and c)have privileges removed for awhile. I probably wouldn't get smacked for that offense, but it remained in the range of possibility.

As parents, if the same situation were to happen, boomers were more likely to a)complain to the theater if their kid got kicked out, b)demand their money back, and c)threaten to sue.

So now we are left with a coursening of public behavior (by both adults and kids alike) which has been only worsened by such inventions as the cell phone. I'm surprised noone has mentioned cell phones yet in this context. People talking on them in the theater, texting their friends, and lifting those brightly lit screens up (so they can take a pic of the screen?) are some of the most obnoxious things that serve to muck up the theater going experience.

There is a real difference in the theater experience, which is probably societally based, but partly the fault of the theaters. Going to the movies sucks, and most movie theaters (with the exception of a few boutiques) are probably headed the way of the drive-in theater.

[/sociology lesson] [/rant]

[Blaine]

As boomers became parents, and wanting to continue their individuality (and not wanting to repeat their parents' perceived mistakes) many let their kids do anything they chose, and instead of having a respect for societal mores of public behavior, insisted that THEIR children not be disciplined by anyone else. If I were to have been expelled from a theater in the 60's and told my parents, I would a)have been given a lecture on not bringing shame to the family name, b)been forced to write a letter of apology to the theater, and c)have privileges removed for awhile. I probably wouldn't get smacked for that offense, but it remained in the range of possibility.

As parents, if the same situation were to happen, boomers were more likely to a)complain to the theater if their kid got kicked out, b)demand their money back, and c)threaten to sue.
This is FAR TOO GREAT a generalization. As a baby boomer myself I have felt we have gone WAY TOO FAR in not allowing our educators (for example) to dicipline our children while they are under their care. When I was in the fifth grade in Texas, if you go in trouble you were sent to the Vice Principal who was the P.E. Coach and depending on your infraction, dicipline might be meted out in the form of a paddling. Personally, with some of the kids in schools today, this kind of dicipline is what's sorely missing.

There is far too much psycho-babble that has led to "time out" being the answer to all things. Perhaps if the judges in our judicial system used "time out" as a punishment, no, wait, in some places they are...:Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

People have to be responsible for their actions whether they're our children or not. If my daughter was kicked out of a theater for misbehaving you can bet my first reaction would NOT be to blame the theater, and she knew it. When there was a problem at school, my first reaction was not that she was being picked on (her complaint). I would, however, meet with the teacher to work out how we'd deal with any problem behavior.

[Joe Kras]

Blaine, it is definitely a generalization (which means it doesn't apply to everybody), but far too great?

Your example tends to prove my point.

[Lady Jane]

I have been to my fair share of weekend movies... Yes, some had terrible experiences. My friend actually got these kids kicked out because they were being so obnoxious. But, there's also the good part of being in big crowds. When you go to a movie and really feel the crowd loving it is a great example. All the jokes are getting laughed at, some of the scares are getting a few screams and people are jumping in their seats, etc.
With all the technology of home theatre systems there's been a fear that people would prefer their privacy over going to the actual theatres... But, there's some movies you just have to see on the big screen, I say!
When there aren't annoying yappers, the movies can be a great place~
In the past (possibly in other countries), some political films would be watched at theatres and stopped after certain segments to discuss. This makes the independent process of watching more of an interactive experience with the people around you. Chew on that for a bit. =)

[David Jimerson]

You're young. You'll get over it. :)

[oneinfiniteloop]

I have been to my fair share of weekend movies... Yes, some had terrible experiences. My friend actually got these kids kicked out because they were being so obnoxious. But, there's also the good part of being in big crowds. When you go to a movie and really feel the crowd loving it is a great example. All the jokes are getting laughed at, some of the scares are getting a few screams and people are jumping in their seats, etc.
With all the technology of home theatre systems there's been a fear that people would prefer their privacy over going to the actual theatres... But, there's some movies you just have to see on the big screen, I say!
When there aren't annoying yappers, the movies can be a great place~
In the past (possibly in other countries), some political films would be watched at theatres and stopped after certain segments to discuss. This makes the independent process of watching more of an interactive experience with the people around you. Chew on that for a bit. =)

I agree, when I went and saw the 40 Year Old Virgin and Wedding Crashers on their opening nights, the theaters were packed and it was a great experience. Of course, there were annoying people, but there were also more people to tell the annoying people to shut the hell up.

A local University professor puts on free movies every Thursday night, where he plays movies that are older or don't play in theaters around here (i.e. in the South). This is where I saw Farenhiet 9/11, Buffalo 66, City of God, and others on the big screen for the first time and it was a really cool experience, since people would stay after the film and discuss it. One time he showed Boyz in the Hood and had some guest professor from South Africa (apartheid days) and another lady from Compton there to talk with us afterward.

[KingVidiot]

Just be prepared to be the a$$hole who has to speak-up and tell the culprits to be quiet, move, or face the consequences. They have the right to be obnoxious outside of the theater, but not inside IMHO. That's not grumpy, it's called common courtesy which ain't so common any more.

The good old quick comment and/or stare usually does the trick. You can always "step outside" if necessary. You'll probably have more fun doing that than watching most movies these days.

[thartley]

I used to have road rage, now its just rage. haha!! Naw, but I dont have any problem telling people to be quiet, to keept heir kids in their seats, or to stop kicking my seat. Of course, my first option is to see if there are other seats I would want to move to. But if not, I'll ask people to be quiet. I try to do that before things get me too angry, because then I just cant enjoy the movie at all.

[Noel Evans]

I find by going to see the non HOLLYWOOD productions such as independent films or foreign films the audience is vastly different and usually more educated providing for a much better movie going experience.