I love movies and really enjoy the movie-going experience. One could do worse than settling into a nice comfy theatre seat on a Sunday afternoon, and diving into that much anticipated film you’ve been itching to see. In addition, munching down some fake-buttered popcorn and slurping down a gallon of soda are mandatory activities that go hand in hand, or hand in mouth, rather.
I like to sit in the back of the theatre, so I try to get there a little early in order to improve my chances of securing that prime real estate. The reason I sit in the back? Call me crazy, but I actually like to hear the dialogue and sound effects of the film that is on the screen in front of me. I am not really interested in other movie-goers’ personal issues, what they did that weekend, or how hard they partied the night before. These are matters that would be more appropriately discussed before or after the movie. So, in order to cut down on the unwelcome and obnoxious chatterboxes, I choose to sit in the back.
There is one drawback, however, to sitting in the back. And that is seeing all the neat little cell phones lighting up like whack-a-moles at an amusement park. What is so important that people feel the need to just look at their cell phones as if they were expecting some profound announcement like they just won the lottery? Most likely the message goes something like this, “OMG, Britney, that’s so LOL!”
What’s amusing in all this, is that the theatre management actually states clearly and boldly on the screen, “Turn off your cell phones,” and “Please don’t talk during movie.” I just shake my head when I see the warning, and a second later, eight teen-age girls all break out their phones to see if they missed any text messages.
One other thing I have noticed recently, are all the Johnny-come-lately folks who walk into the theater 10 minutes after the movie has already started. This is astounding, given the 20 minutes of commercials and 15 minutes of trailers that occur before the movie starts. Some of these folks may have legitimate reasons for being late, but I have found most of them to be somewhat loud and disruptive. Why bother to come at all? Would you start a book on page 20, and understand what you’re reading?
I know this is sounding like a bit of a rant here, but gosh, movies are very expensive, and as paying customers, don’t we have the right to enjoy our little investment? I want to soak the movie in, understand the dialogue, figure out clues and hidden messages, and experience the subtle nuances in the direction (or big explosions, depending on what I’m in the mood for). What I didn’t pay for was perpetual yakking, raucous ringtones and last-second party crashers. It all comes down to respect, and being considerate to others. Somebody should make a movie about these lost arts and call it Audience Behavior and Etiquette 101. Cell phones not admitted, exit stage left…
