Movie Theater Etiquette???

[Conan71]

A friend and I went to see "Atonement" last night.  (Okay I like a good mental challenge in a movie, but that one made me feel retarded for about the first 3/4 of it).

We got into the theater as the previews were starting to roll and it was packed.  On the top row, there was a biker couple flanked by two empty seats.  I politely asked them if they could scoot over one.  After picking up their stuff from one of the empty seats they moved over with minimal fuss.

Three ladies to the left of the seats had their over-sized purses, coats, babushkas, and probably an ice chest propped on the other empty seat.  The one adjacent to the storage seat said, "But I'll have to move my stuff!"

In the most patient voice I could muster I replied:

"One ticket, one seat.  Unless you used a movie pass, I believe we both paid the same price for a seat, now please be nice and move your stuff."

She huffed and re-distributed their ample stuff amongst her friends.

Look, I'd never be an donkey if a theater is half empty, but when it's a packed house, don't leave empty seats and sure as hell don't pack a bunch of crap from you and your buddies into one of the empties.

[cannon_fodder]

People are jerks.  90% chance they positioned their crap to weasel the extra room.  

I've had issues with idiots talking, laughing at inappropriate ties (clearly not at the movie), texting and other annoying crap.  Not GENERALLY, I'm impressed that people in movies behave as expected.  I know that is a bit of a contradicting, but still.

[tulsacyclist]

Ahh.. the joys of going to the movie theater. We made the mistake once of going to see a horror flick at a theater. These ladies behind us had to provide commentary throughout the entire movie. Especially the suspenseful parts. I heard things like..

'NAH DONTCHU GO IN THURR! STUPIT!'

'OH HEEELLL WATCH OUT OVER THURR OMGG!!'

'YOU OL DUMB WHITE B*@#$'

Then one of these ladies decided mid-movie that she should answer her phone that rang very loudly - instead of ignoring the call and setting it to silent or vibrate. So she answered the phone talking extremely loud, because you know.. the person on the other end couldn't hear her over the MOVIE.

I must say, it really added to the movie experience. Not really in a positive way, unfortunately.

Then in other instances you have the teenyboppers all going to the movie laughing, giggling, kicking your chair, throwing things, texting, talking and just being idiots.

So usually when we go to a movie it's one that has been out for a week or so and all the new-movie-excitement has partially worn off. This makes it so you can possibly sit where you want (away from those mentioned above) because there aren't nearly as many people in there as opening weekend and whatnot.

[breitee]

And they wonder why attendance is always down!

[RecycleMichael]

Have you been to the Eton Square thearter lately?

They took out every other row of seats and replace them with tables. It is a great place to put all your stuff, but it also gives you some separation from other movie-goers.

[cannon_fodder]

I go to Promanade and AMC in Midtown an average of once a month I'd say - and have really only had one memorably bad experience.  It was of the loud talking ebonics talking teenager kind (no, not all black kids... just generally talking like urban rubes) who insisted on giggling at inappropriate times.  

For the life of me I can't remember which movie it was - but it was that the ending was what made the entire movie.  Even the grown up mean look did not deter their yaking.  I was pissed but the staff came in and walked with flashlights and looked back in that area and shut them up for a while. So they tried.

Movies are fairly expensive, if you want to talk, text and be loud go to a basketball game for the same money.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder


Movies are fairly expensive, if you want to talk, text and be loud go to a basketball game for the same money.

Or stay home... or go to one of Kitchell's night clubs and bust a cap when it's closing time.

[HoneySuckle]

Maybe it's Tulsa, but we were in Branson this week and went to the movies twice.  Before the movie began a group of teens were giggling and horsing around.  I anticipated problems but once the movie started, "August Rush" there was silence right through.  Great movie btw!

Then we went to see "P.S. I love you" (wait for the DVD), and again, silence... not the largest crowd since the cinema was kind of small (new), but I was duly impressed.

[booWorld]

I almost never attend movies in theaters anymore.  I can't stand people talking on mobile phones during the film.

Also, all the extras on DVDs make them more attractive to me.