~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
We went to see the new Bond movie on Sunday - Quantum of Solace. I must say, Daniel Craig is by far my favorite Bond - not only does he have that ruggedly handsome look, but he's an excellent actor. However ... this is not a movie review (good thing because the 20 minutes I fell asleep during a critical part of the movie might impact my understanding of the plot), but rather a movie manners review. You know me and manners, and when I'm spending $32.00 in admission for my family of 4, I get a little picky about the company I keep.
First and foremost, the movie theater is not your living room. It is a public place where you should be aware and considerate of others. But since that general statement seems to need further definition, let me add a few more pointers.
First and foremost, the movie theater is not your living room. It is a public place where you should be aware and considerate of others. But since that general statement seems to need further definition, let me add a few more pointers.
There is a reason they print starting times for movies - so that you won't be late. I don't mind if you disrupt the previews, but at least find your seat before the movie starts, especially if you were standing in line in front of me at the concession area.
If I am looking for a center seat, and you are in the isle seat, either stand or swing your knees in the direction I'm heading so that I can get by. I really don't want my ass in your face any longer than you want it in your face.
Your sideways ball cap? Take it off when you sit down. It really does distract from my view of the movie screen. And Mohawk man? The back row is probably the best place for you since your hair extends 6" above your head and is directly in my line of sight.
You know that little message they play during the previews? The one that asks you to turn your cell phone off? They mean off, not just on vibrate (unless you are a neurosurgeon on call). You see, the blue light that emits from your cell phone screen while you text throughout the entire movie is just as annoying as hearing your Womanizer ring tone!
Please - for the love of good movies - don't talk! I paid $8.00 for 90 minutes of the oration of my choosing, I really don't want to hear your interpretation of the movie. You are not a film critic.
Children. If they are not in elementary school, they have no business in a movie that doesn't carry a "G" rating. Allowing them to run up and down the aisles is not an appropriate remediation for their boredom. And you soccer moms? The ones who drop off your tween kids at the theater so that you can go to the mall alone? Stop it! Little Johnny is really a pain in the ass when left on his own and although I will parent him in a public place, I shouldn't have to!
We have wireless internet, but manufactures can't seem to make silent food packaging for movie theaters. Until that technology becomes available, please open noisy packages quickly and refrain from jiggling your soft drinks and popcorn containers. Oh! And chewing with your mouth closed is expected - even in the theater.
Recovering from bronchitis? Ricola is really not the answer to your coughing fit. A move to the lobby until you can stop coughing is a much better solution!
If I am looking for a center seat, and you are in the isle seat, either stand or swing your knees in the direction I'm heading so that I can get by. I really don't want my ass in your face any longer than you want it in your face.
Your sideways ball cap? Take it off when you sit down. It really does distract from my view of the movie screen. And Mohawk man? The back row is probably the best place for you since your hair extends 6" above your head and is directly in my line of sight.
You know that little message they play during the previews? The one that asks you to turn your cell phone off? They mean off, not just on vibrate (unless you are a neurosurgeon on call). You see, the blue light that emits from your cell phone screen while you text throughout the entire movie is just as annoying as hearing your Womanizer ring tone!
Please - for the love of good movies - don't talk! I paid $8.00 for 90 minutes of the oration of my choosing, I really don't want to hear your interpretation of the movie. You are not a film critic.
Children. If they are not in elementary school, they have no business in a movie that doesn't carry a "G" rating. Allowing them to run up and down the aisles is not an appropriate remediation for their boredom. And you soccer moms? The ones who drop off your tween kids at the theater so that you can go to the mall alone? Stop it! Little Johnny is really a pain in the ass when left on his own and although I will parent him in a public place, I shouldn't have to!
We have wireless internet, but manufactures can't seem to make silent food packaging for movie theaters. Until that technology becomes available, please open noisy packages quickly and refrain from jiggling your soft drinks and popcorn containers. Oh! And chewing with your mouth closed is expected - even in the theater.
Recovering from bronchitis? Ricola is really not the answer to your coughing fit. A move to the lobby until you can stop coughing is a much better solution!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
33 comments:
"I really don't want my ass in your face any longer than you want it in your face."
But, what if I DO want it there! ;-)
I can barely stand to go the movie theater anymore because of all the annoying kids and people w/ cellphones etc. It drives me crazy. That's probably why I only go to the theater maybe once a year. I watch most of my movies on NetFlix DVD.
HA HA HA Oh the movie theater experience in one overly sized nut shell. We mostly watch at home. We went to see Dark Knight in the theater and luckily on that very rainy day there were only 6 people in the theater, yeah! There is supposed to be a movie house here that has very strict rules about children and cell phone use, we haven't been there. Why don't some people get it? It really isn't that difficult to be considerate of others.
We haven't been to a theater since Finding Nemo came out and we took the kids to see it. And that was at the discount theater where it's five bucks for the movie ticket, pop and popcorn.
My ass is cheap!
We generally rent movies, a family movie to watch together, and then a movie for the kids to watch UPSTAIRS while we watch one of our choosing.
I couldn't agree with you more! My solution to this (and its a sad solution) Wait for Video, DVD, Video on demand, whatever...I just stay home.
Hmmmm. I agree... except for Mohawk Man. Mohawks are slim and you can look around them. I don't think his choice of haircut should banish him to the back of all movie theaters.
Other than that, here, here!
For all the above reasons mentioned- I don't go to movies, I wait until I can rent them. By then, all the reviews are out, and I can watch a movie in my robe, eating $1.00 popcorn that's better than the $5.00 popcorn at theaters!
you should sit in the back row...
Precisely why I don't go. I think we've been ONCE in the 2 1/2 years we've been together.
Of course, *IF* you're going to put your ass in my face....
that might make me change my mind. ;)
wow, this really bothers you doesn't it? Are you like a female version of Monk? I just go and enjoy and eat my popcorn with my m&m's in it and those things don't bother me. Of course I like the bustling crowds at the mall during the holidays too, life is too short, the glass is half full, I choose happy :)
I think this should be displayed on the screen during previews. Either some people think they are the ONLY PEOPLE IN THE THEATER or else they're just ignorant.
Great post!
The last few times I've gone to the movies, I tend to drift more towards the side seats instead of the middle section of seats.
Why? Because most of the annoying folks go to a movie to be seen or noticed. If I decide to move off to one side, I can avoid the problem, and still enjoy the movie.
The only real issue I've had has been with the Chatty Kathies of the movie world, and even with those I tend to just sit in my seat and mutter dark and evil things under my breath about the offending folks.
I sure wish there were some other way to fix the movie experience, but it is what it is, isn't it?
Jay, I actually like the theater for some movies. But we don't go more than 3 or 4 times a year either because of the distractions.
Lu, I'd say that there are just a lot of people who are completely unaware of how they impact the enjoyment of others.
Leighann, I am far more tolerant of fellow movie goers at a "family" movie. I think "G" rated movies are exempt from movie manners by necessity.
Flyinfox, I think your solution is becoming more and more common for many "grown-ups"
Jenni, we'll have to agree to disagree then, because if your hair (or hat) is blocking my field of vision (unless you sat down first) then I think you need to be more considerate.
Buff, what? You don't like the artery clogging, $10/bucket popcorn??
RLL, my ass will only be in your face if you sit in an aisle seat!
Snugs, yes, bad manners (generally) bother me! Monk? I'm afraid I am not familiar with him. I chose to be happy too, but that doesn't mean (IMHO) that I should lower my expectations for common courtesy from others.
Random, I think many people are just so caught up in their "rights" that they forget they might be stepping on the "rights" of others.
Jormengrund, I've come to the same conclution - that many people intentionally do some of this stuff so they will be the center of attention.
My fix? Are you old enough to remember when theaters employed folks to actually be present in the theater and enforce rules?
Yeah, I remember when the guys used to patrol the aisles to make sure the kids weren't doing things they weren't supposed to be doing.
This lead to many potentially GREAT dates to be curtailed because of a small red flashlight being beamed into the eyes of a romantically involved couple, and the whispered promise of being physically ejected from the darkened room if personal boundaries were not reset, and quickly!
Whatever happened to those folks?
What can I say? You've hit the nail right on the head with that one.
For what it's worth, my theory is that the advent of the VCR and DVD has meant that people have got used to watching films in the comfort of their own home. Now when they go to the cinema, it's just like being at home except with a particularly large TV - and they behave the same as they do at home.
I'm not a great fan of capital punishment but ...
Ha, my wife is a bag rustler. It irritates me to no end. we tend to wait for the movie to be out for a while so the theater will be less crowed. Finding a seat away from all the annoyances is easier that way. It is frustrating though, that I should have to alter my movie watching schedule because of the rudeness of others.
What timing! I just returned home from taking Darling Boy to the movies and had read your post earlier today but did not comment at the time. Thanks to your post, I was reminded of every little thing that annoys be about movie theaters!
Gee, thanks! (insert sarcastic tone here...)
All very good points. We hardly ever go, least go together. I guess I fall under the "Soccer Mom (Baseball Mom)" quote.
But I know mine does behave, and I don't want to get stuck watching (paying) for movies I have no interest in.
Cell phone and talkers and open mouth chewers are what gets me the most.
I'm recovering from bronchitis and a movie theater is the last place I want to be in. At least at home, if I have a coughing fit I can pause the movie until I can breathe again. ;)
I remember having a similar rant after I went (against my will) to The Passion. I didn't get the whole situation...some lady doing just about everything you described while watching this film. It's annoying as hell true enough, but then I couldn't not ruminate on the additional Why the Fucks at THIS paricular movie. Nachos, brats and a cell phone during a crucifixion scene. It didn't compute---though I do have to say at least I didn't have to watch most of the movie.
Well you just reminded me that I'm not missing a damn thing by not getting to go to the movies. The last adult movie I saw in a theater was Cold Mountain when I was pregnant with Emma back in 2003. ;)
It just costs sooo darn much these days, it's absurd they don't have ushers to enforce the rules!
Precisely why I avoid the theater. I can wait until it's on On Demand or HBO/Showtime/Cinemax.
I assure you, Dana, you are most definitely NOT a Monk (and that's a good thing). Gotta love people who feel free to comment rudely because they have no blog.
Jormengrung, I was one of those "guys" - it was my first job, and since I didn't have a boyfriend, it was sweet revenge to shine my flashlight at those smooching couples!
Doomed, it hurts, doesn't it??
Ro, I'm liking your capital punishment solution!
Jeff, ACK! You married a bag rustler? What were you thinking?
Hubman, I did that on purpose *evil chuckle*
BBall Mom, there are certainlt exceptions to every one of my very general statements!
Anndi, none of my readers would be violators!
Hope, what a lovely picture you paint *giggle*
FF, nope! You're not missing a thing!
Biscuit, snugs has been a "fan" of mine for a while. I'm getting used to it!
And this is why I go to matineed at lunchtime. Everyone is eating lunch.
I have also told people to STFU during the movie. I am crazy that way.
I make sure that I go to the bathroom BEFORE the movie, that I don't buy a $8 drink that I can drink for 50 cents elsewhere, and just sit near the aisle so I can exit quickly if someone thinks he/she can make me sniff their unwashed ass...allows me to stretch my long legs as well. ;)
Oh OH! I am a stickler for movie etiquette. We see quite a few movies and my BIGGEST bitch is people who are noisy. I understand chewing and adjusting in your seat. But loud talking, commentary, obnoxiousness...or tiny children crying/laughing/talking is not ok.
Like you mentioned, you practically have to take out a second mortgage to go the movies these days. RESPECT THE OTHER PPLE IN THE THEATRE.
LOL
You are on roll! I am like to go to movies in the early evening during the week - like on my way home from work. It is empty and I don't have any of those problems.
But talking and the phone are the worst.
ASM, oh, trust me! I'm not one to be quiet if someone gets extremely out of line!
Nolens Volens, I've always wondered how someone thinks they can drink 124 oz soda and not have to go to the bathroom during the movie.
Vixen, I think with snacks (1 package of red licorice each) and admission, it was just under $60 for a 1.75 hour movie.
Post a Comment