Movie going tales (long)

[Mottom24]

So, being an Animator I have had to study movies so much that I can't enjoy some of them anymore... I just can't... but that also means I watch alot of them. I probably go to the movies atleast twice a month (although this summer has been rather light). needless to say, I have had some "experiences" at the theatre.

so... why are you here?

Me and 5 other friends were going to see Return of the King for the first time. the place was pretty packed so we had to sit up pretty close. behind us were about 7 tweens giggling and chatting it up during the previews. whatever, I don't care, but once the movie starts they should shut up. movie starts, they shut up... for about an hour. then they start gabbing and laughing again. finally... I lose it and turn around looking at all of them.

Me: Hi...
One of the brats: uh... hi
Me: so... why are you here?
Them: .......
Me: because I'm here to watch a movie, so how about you all shut the F*&^ up so I can do that? cool? awesome.

I turn around and there is silence... they don't say a single word... for 30 minutes. they start whispering and I don't give them a chance to start gabbing again. I just turn around, stare at them, they shut up, and I turn back. when the movie was over they high tailed it out of there.


Perfect place for an argument

Me, my best friend and his girlfriend were seeing a movie one night... don't remember what movie, but it was rated R, that's all I know. about 20 minutes in this woman bargs in and starts yelling at this guy who is with his very young son... I guess he was 8 or something. I guess she was pissed her brought him in to see an R rated movie and she decided to come in, buy a ticket, go into the teatre and instead of drag them outside to talk, decided this was the best place to yell at him. my best friend has enough

BF: SHUT UP AND GET THE F' OUT!
Crazy Lady: what did you just say!?
(suddenly someone else speaks up)
Random guy: he said to get the F' Out! so we can watch the movie you bitch!
(suddenly everyone clapped and she grabbed her sons hand and ran out. minutes later the guy followed.)

now I don't like cursing infront of kids... but this was an R rated movie, he heard the word we said about 20 times at this point and saw some brief boobage. so... I doubt that will scar him.

Opening nights

Ok... I understand having a child is hard. I also understand it sucks that you can't do some of the things you loved to do when you were childless... but there are some rules you probably should make yourself. if you're going to see a premire of a movie... do it during the day with a child... not at 10 or 11pm when it will be at its most crowded... and the kid will be tired... not to mention don't do it for a pg-13 movie or higher with high action and scary parts. scary parts + tired kid + pitch black = no fun for anyone.

also, why are you bringing in a toddler to a pg-13 or R rated movie at 11pm!? what part of that plan sounded good? and when the kid starts crying, don't ignore them or try cheering them up by bouncing them on your leg and blocking someones view behind you and drowning out the movies soundtrack with baby talk... leave the theatre and come back when the baby is quiet... idiots seem to breed the most.

Cell phone fun

Me and my girlfriend went to go see UP in 3D this summer. I was very excited because I love Pixar and seeing one of their movies in 3D was something I always wanted to do. so we pick the top row (since 3D glasses don't work so hot close up) and got cozy... but every 10 minutes this guy kept opening his phone and texting... listen... you picked the back to do this... I know... but there are other people back here. the glare from the light of his phone F's up the 3D glasses effect.

so once my Girlfriend pointed out this jerk, I waited for his next ill fated light show. I didn't curse, I just firmly said "hey... could you not do that during a movie." he mumbled a bit and said sorry and never poked it out again. but on cue his lady friend ANSWERED her phone to tell them she is in a movie... for about 2 minutes too long... does that warning to turn off your phone/silence it in the begining of the movie do nothing!?

did you see that?

Hi little "kind of" friend. I am only friends with you because our parents are friends, but you're ok... until we got in this theatre. stop asking me "did you see that?" after every major point of the movie. I assure you, I didn't have my folks waste 8 bucks (this was nearly 10 years ago) so I could stare at the walls and ceiling. I came to watch the movie. So you can be sure I saw everything you saw... so stop asking.


Now I usually go to the Ritz theatre across town, because they don't allow children below the age of 5 in, they kick you out with only one complaint, and it's nice and cozy inside... but they don't play major motion pictures, only indie... so every once in a while.. I must venture back... into the black void of pain and suffering.

[KiaKat]

Heh. Until your last paragraph, I could have SWORN you were talking about the multiplex near me.

Awful, terrible place. I drive into Manhattan when I want to see movies now, just to guarantee a good crowd.

[Nohbody]

There are times I think it should be legal to bludgeon talkers during movies into unconsciousness. I think the talker experiences in the OP qualify.

The other week I went and caught a movie, when I was visiting Atlanta, and some braniacs a few rows back were playing "Captain Obvious", apparently thinking they were witty.

In my more charitable moods, I'd have said that they were half-right. That day, though, they didn't even qualify for that much.

[HorrorFrogPrincess]

I only play Captain Obvious in bad horror films.

Actually, it's more like Statler and Waldorf.

Maybe they think the kid will be asleep during the late show. Which is stupid considering how freaking LOUD things get, especially in an action movie.

[trunks2k]

Now I usually go to the Ritz theatre across town, because they don't allow children below the age of 5 in, they kick you out with only one complaint, and it's nice and cozy inside... but they don't play major motion pictures, only indie... so every once in a while.. I must venture back... into the black void of pain and suffering.

Are you in Philadelphia? I used to go to the Ritz theaters all the time during college. It's been ages since I've been to one. Now since I'm so out of the loop in regards to indie movies, I basically have to choose between the Bridge, which used to be really nice but has gotten expensive and gone downhill or the Riverview where a guy shot another guy for talking during the movie.

[Mottom24]

Are you in Philadelphia? I used to go to the Ritz theaters all the time during college. It's been ages since I've been to one. Now since I'm so out of the loop in regards to indie movies, I basically have to choose between the Bridge, which used to be really nice but has gotten expensive and gone downhill or the Riverview where a guy shot another guy for talking during the movie.

actually yes, I live in west philly in the clark park neighborhood. I like the bridge, but you're right, it's incredibly expensive! I like their assigned seating deal, but for 11 bucks... thats just nuts.

I hate the riverview! not only is it dirty, the sound is always terrible, the workers flash their flashlights on the screen, and the lighting is always odd. we only go there if we have to. otherwise we take a trip over to King of prussia and see it on Imax if it's showing. seeing movies is expensive and far to trying

[ArcticChicken]

I basically have to choose between the Bridge, which used to be really nice but has gotten expensive and gone downhill or the Riverview where a guy shot another guy for talking during the movie.

This is why I'm so glad we moved out to Chestnut Hill, now we usually go to a theater in Manayunk.

I think the last time I went to the Ritz was to see In Bruges, and, of course, we stopped by SoHo for pizza afterwards. Best BBQ chicken pizza on the planet.

actually yes, I live in west philly in the clark park neighborhood.

Have you ever walked by clark park on a saturday afternoon and seen those crazy people running around with foam swords? That's a group I'm involved in, you should come play with us, it's lots of fun.

[trunks2k]

actually yes, I live in west philly in the clark park neighborhood.

Ah yes, my friend used to hang out over there all time. I live at the corner of Northern Liberties, Fishtown, and South Kensington.

[infinitemonkies]

First time I ever saw a theater run a message asking people to turn off cell phones was back when Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon came out.

This girl 2 rows ahead of me proceeds to pull out her phone, and make about 40 calls telling everyone she knows "I'm at the movies, don't call me for a couple hours."

She was still doing it half an hour into the film.

[wagegoth]

There's a cool little theater about a mile from our home that is our first choice for movies. It's an old, single screen theater. The tickets are about $3 less than the other theaters, even though they show first run movies. However, they only have the movies for a week or two, then they move on to the next one. You have to go opening weekend or the first week, or you'll miss it. One drawback, no parking lot, just street parking, but we can usually find a spot within a block or so. But the place is clean, the teenagers (seriously, every person I've seen working there looks like they're no more than 19) working there are all very helpful and friendly, they toss people if you complain, etc. Just about perfect.


When I went to see The Scarlet Letter several years ago, there was a mother daughter and granddaughter (about 10) together to see it sitting right behind me. As soon as the movie started, the mother starts the questions, most of which were simply, "Why is [______] doing that?" After about ten minutes, I finally turned around and just stared at her. Slowly, she stopped talking, looked at me for a moment, before quickly looking away, then shut up for the rest of the movie.

[Kaylyn]

I was at a theater a while back, can't even remember what movie it was, but there was a group of gang-wannabes sitting immediately behind me. Theater was crowded, so I couldn't move. They were incredibly loud during the movie, and when I turned around and gave them the death glare, they smacked me in the back of the head when I faced the screen again.

At the time I was too meek and scared to complain about it. If that happened today I would most assuredly let the theater manager know.

On another note, I have a friend who has no respect for anyone else at the theater. I've since stopped going to movies with him, unless I know it's one he'll behave in. He will yell and curse quite loudly when he's making fun of the movie. It's my opinion that you should respect others in a theater setting; save the cutting up for a private viewing of the movie at your home on DVD, or if you're lucky enough to have the theater to yourself on a matinee or something.

[MergedLoki]

I hear you on people talking during movies. I can't stand that! Whispering amongst your friends (now and again not through the entire flick) is alright.

When I go to a movie I do my best to sit with some space around me (and whoever i'm with) from anyone else so that way IF we do whisper a bit I'm not bugging anybody around me. (obviously not always possible in a crowded theatre but i dont yap away through a whole movie either :P).

Your ROTK mention brought back a memory for me. My buddy n me went to see ROTK when it was in theatres. and of course the theatre was jam packed. and I had to sit next to a little kid (kid was.. i dunno somewhere between 7 - 10 i suck with judging kids ages).

Apparently kids mother who brought him hadn't taken him to see the 1ST two movies as about 20 minutes into the movie (and roughly every 5 minutes after for the ENTIRE FRIGGIN MOVIE and for anyone who hasn't seen it. LONG movie) questions like 'who's that, what are they doing? why are they doing that, why are they going there, whos that again... and repeat... for the whole movie until the friggin credits rolled.

And it's akid so i'm too polite to say anything but christ. either take your kid to see part 1 and 2 of a trilogy! or.. if you have and he's forgotten then don't bring a kid w/the memory of a goldfish to a theatre!

k im done now. but so many sucky movie stories to tell lol

[EricKei]

I'm getting the impression that I should be *happy* that the megaplex here "only" charges $8.50 for non-IMAX movies (imax ones are 10-12 or so) o_O

Tho, seemingly unannounced, the non-mall ones of the same chain recently began treating ALL mon~thurs shows as "Matinees" (except for "special showings/IMAX/first weekend or so"), charging only five bucks for them, which is rather nice ^_^

[MergedLoki]

I'm getting the impression that I should be *happy* that the megaplex here "only" charges $8.50 for non-IMAX movies (imax ones are 10-12 or so) o_O

Tho, seemingly unannounced, the non-mall ones of the same chain recently began treating ALL mon~thurs shows as "Matinees" (except for "special showings/IMAX/first weekend or so"), charging only five bucks for them, which is rather nice ^_^

$8.50 sad to say isn't horrible.. not great but not horrible. Id say it's avg. my local theatre charges.... i believe $7.95 or some random # like that.

But i'ts a really shitty theatre so I usually drive the 20 min to go the AMC. $10/ticket but it's at least got decent seats.

Also for any IMAX movie goers. unless the film is SPECIFICALLY made for IMAX (which very few are if they are released in imax and reg. format) you're wasting your money as they screw with the aspect ratio and just stretch it out to fill the bigger screen. (although if it's a movie that is being made FOR imax theatres then yea pay the extra money as you're getting something worthwhile then).