Ok, that's my general rant. (And I am not anti-kid, but lately I cannot believe how often I've seen kids under 13 in R rated films with their parent sitting there. This is most surprising when it is the first showing of a new film.)

The stupidest thing I have experienced was during "Pearl Harbor" in a fairly nice theater. A person's cell phone rang and he answered it saying, "I can't talk right now, I'm watching a movie." Excuse me, but I go to the movies so that I do not have to hear a phone ring in the first place!

"RING, RING, RING, Hello?, Nuttin' just chillin'...who dis? Oh whats up fool... Nah I'm just watchin' a movie."

that's when you have let them know:

A. the power of your high-dollar advanced education, and

B. My size will not go unused, if such rude behavior continues!

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Originally posted by Chris Kinsinger:
All of these rude behaviours are the result of...HOME VIDEO!

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Actually, home video is the solution as well. Give me a house of my own (so I can turn on the volume as much as I like) and a projector, and I won't need cinemas anymore, at least most of the time.

In the meantime though, a nifty 16:9 TV and a good stereo system are nice enough as well.

Viacom built a new $ 25 million multiplex they called Paramount.

So many of the problems disappeared.

First because before the movie begins, there's a theater employee who comes in and tells everyone
1) not to put their legs on chairs in front of them because the theater cares about people and wants everyone to enjoy comfortable undamaged chairs;
2) to turn of all cellphones and pagers, or put them on vibration mode (sometimes adding: "You'll see, you'll really like vibration mode.");
3) not to talk during the movie;
4) emergency exits are on the left and right;
5) "if you need anything my name is [insert name], I'll be outside if you have any questions or comments"

Six kids: four youngins with mullets and two babies in pumpkin seats, running about and screaming wildly (this was the last show on the night, mind you). The doorman gave them all free popcorn. We paid $3.00 for Sno-Caps.

Two "adults": Cletus The Slack-Jawed Yokel and his wife.

The only reason I'm posting that is to mention that at the end of the film, the doorman who has to clean the theatre at the close of each show told us that the guy had spit "chew" all over the floor and there was a used diaper under one of their seats.

Charming.

Shaun

P.S. Forgot to mention the time I saw a little girl (who couldn't have been more than 4 years old) with her dad, seeing The General's Daughter. "Hey, honey, I'm taking Susie to that rape movie, I'll be back in a couple of hours." Ugh!

OK, now I have to cool down and go watch the Unbreakable DVD WITHOUT IT STOPPING 4 TIMES!

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Originally posted by JJH:
ever had someone behind you reading the credits as they appeared on screen?

that's when you have let them know:

A. the power of your high-dollar advanced education, and
B. My size will not go unused, if such rude behavior continues!

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quote:

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Originally posted by SplbrgWlms:
Ever have some punk kids seated behind you throw ice at you and others in the theater?

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[2] At THE SIXTH SENSE, a mobile went off, less than thirty seconds after the big sign went up at the start of the film: Turn Off Your Mobile Phones.

[3] At LOST SOULS, two people in the row in front of me spent the entire time sending and receiving text messages. Whether they were texting people outside, or just each other, I don't know.

[4] When I politely asked three women to keep the chatter down during BREAKDOWN, I was told "shut up, it's only the opening credits."

[5] At LETHAL WEAPON 4, some joker was shining a laser pen at the screen. Presumably someone complained, because a member of the audience was escorted out by staff and hopefully shot.

[6] During the very hot summer of 1997, I went to see CITY OF INDUSTRY. Stretching outside into the blazing sunlight, was a sweat-soaked queue, the length of which I ascribed to there being just one till open. Eventually I reached the till and purchased my ticket. Once in the lobby, I noticed that not only was there a huge amount of activity going on at the information desk, but the overhead TV screens and all the lights kept going out. I located what I hoped was a less clueless than usual member of staff and asked about this: he explained there were power problems due to the excessive heat.

"So are the films stopping all the time in the auditoria?".

"Yes, that's why we're giving refunds over there."

"Well, that's no use, is it? I'll get my refund now, if that's the case."

"So you don't actually want to go in?!"

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8. Then there's the noisy theater staff who flip on the lights and make noise while you are trying to hear the end credits music.

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Years ago, I was in a dollar theater, the staf kept carrying ladders in and out during the movie.

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I hear you loud and clear. They should not allow cell phones or babies in films period.

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It all comes down to bucks. Years ago, I almost got into a fight with a guy sitting next to me because of his incessant talking (I couldn't move to another seat, it was a packed theater). I complained to the staff and they pretty much laughed at me. I was one ticket that may or may not come back. This guy was with two other people. They were more afraid at pissing this guy off and losing three tickets worth of repeat business than they were at losing my one ticket worth of repeat business.

So it comes down to bucks. They would rather buy me off with a free pass (which I regularly refuse anymore because I feel like I'm being bought off. The staff will never do anything about the talking problem).

quote:

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Originally posted by Richard Street:
[2] At THE SIXTH SENSE, a mobile went off, less than thirty seconds after the big sign went up at the start of the film: Turn Off Your Mobile Phones.

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I actually heard a mobile phone last time I was in the opera...

Shaun

As a father though, of two boys under 4 years, I can say that a child can be taken to a film without being noisy or disturbing. You can chalk much of that up to lousy parenting. I wouldn't take my 3 1/2 year old to a PG-13 or R movie. But I did take him when he was a baby. (1) He's got no clue what's going on. (2) He slept through the movies (3) If there was even the slightest bit of starting to fuss or cry, my wife or I would leave the theatre. I think it's rude for people to just let their kids cry.

So I'm with you all, and just want to point out that it's not all kids, and a lot is the parent also.

And of course, you can't go to a G rated movie and not expect noise, kicking of seats, etc. After all, they are geared for kids. But we're not talking G movies here.

Take some responsibility parents!!! (I know, I'm in the few here on the board)

besided the incessant cricket in the theater at A.I. yesterday, some bitch teeny-bopper let her cell phone ring. and then she answered it IN THE THEATER, walked to the side entrance and talked there -- loudly -- next to the cricket (of course).

bitch.