tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post5735260559098238141..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Movie theater etiquetteBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-47433422871750261212014-09-27T09:09:18.530-07:002014-09-27T09:09:18.530-07:00Everybody has a right to express his or her opinio...Everybody has a right to express his or her opinion. sammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00520512837398419410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-84143408904939112272010-08-03T02:22:24.050-07:002010-08-03T02:22:24.050-07:00On Gordon's Comment:
Likewise, the person who...On Gordon's Comment:<br /><br />Likewise, the person who has their seat and doesn't have to move doesn't give a crap about the fact you want to sit together. It's the fact that you just think people should move who were actually there first that is the problem. Whoever was there first has the right to say no to moving, and you who come late or later have no right to get pissy about it, or just expect it. Just because someone got there early for the movie doesn't mean they have no life. They might be very excited for the film. However, people such as yourselves are a big problem thinking they can just insult and push people around. You better check yourself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-19676731323244398462010-07-05T20:31:49.400-07:002010-07-05T20:31:49.400-07:00A lot has been mentioned here, and I dunno if this...A lot has been mentioned here, and I dunno if this has been mentioned, but....<br /><br />If the theater is empty enough, DON'T SIT NEXT TO ME. I don't care why you want to sit in that row. Don't like it? COME EARLIER NEXT TIME!<br /><br />Also, please don't wear brightly colored clothing. It reflects off your clothing and it's really distracting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-80851165320977781172009-02-19T06:32:00.000-08:002009-02-19T06:32:00.000-08:00We rarely go to the movies because we have two sma...We rarely go to the movies because we have two small children. The last few times we went to the movies I was appalled that people showed up to PG-13 and R rated films with children under 6 years old. One couple showed up to a 10'Oclock showing of a PG-13 movie with 3 small children and during the previews discussed their little girl's fever(who appeared to be about 3 years old) Our last trip to the movie included a small child about 2 1/2 years old that decided the best seat in the house was standing directly in front of my husbands chair and the parents didn't do anything about it. I told the child about three times she needed to go back and sit with her parents and they still did nothing. If you are attending a PG-13 or R rated movie this is a film for teens or adults. If you don't care enough for your children not to expose them to the violance, langage,and sexual content ment for more mature audiances then respect the fact that mature audiances don't appreciate the interuptions of your small children. There are movies ment for small children they are G rated films. I go to mature films to escape the children for an evening. Leave them at home or go to a film appropriate for them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-76564878796045667312008-11-27T11:35:00.000-08:002008-11-27T11:35:00.000-08:00Schoolkids around here--in a less-than-nice part o...Schoolkids around here--in a less-than-nice part of London--think its perfectly acceptable to throw rubbish on the ground. Even if they're standing right next to a bin. They don't even notice it--the shit just goes straight to the pavement.<BR/><BR/>Ask them why they litter, and a common response is: "I'm giving somebody a job, innit?"<BR/><BR/>And if I smash your fucking nose in, am I giving that nice NHS doctor a job, too?<BR/><BR/>Still... when did people get so anal about the theatre/cinema? There's never been a 'golden age' of pacified comment-free viewers. Better than Elizabethan theatre-goers, pelting the actors with shit if they didn't like the play.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-42128289959629261192008-09-04T15:50:00.000-07:002008-09-04T15:50:00.000-07:00It's the text messaging that really burns my banan...It's the text messaging that really burns my banana. These annoying spotlights of rudeness happen every single time I go to the movies nowadays. Honestly, I can't think of a movie I've seen in the last 3 years that wasn't ruined halfway through by strangers text messaging. Just as many adults do it as teens. I've started bringing an index card with me that I put in front of my eye to block out the light. I wonder if I should upgrade to a small mirror so I can shine the light back at the rude perpetrators? Probably wouldn't work, though. They're so oblivious that they'd probably be happy for the extra reading light.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-84819261064912788292007-09-06T14:40:00.000-07:002007-09-06T14:40:00.000-07:00Some people here are crabby and overly demanding, ...Some people here are crabby and overly demanding, but there are certainly lots of legitimate complaints, too. When my gf and I saw "Harry Potter" in IMAX a few weeks back, we were hit with all of the following:<BR/><BR/>1. A family of three walked past *six empty seats* and sat right next to us, so the father and I had to share an arm rest.<BR/><BR/>2. Same family started chatting at the start of the film, so I "shhh"ed them softly. When the dad started in with a story about the glory of Cinerama from his childhood, I loudly "SHHHH"ed them -- and this time they didn't utter a peep for the rest of the movie.<BR/><BR/>3. A not-very-young couple in the front row brought their goddamn baby in a goddamn stroller. (Yes, he cried during the movie.)<BR/><BR/>4. Two women were sitting on the opposite side of gf and one made little noises and comments about every single goddamn thing: "Uh-oh!" "No way!" "Oh, God..." "Here we go." "Geez..."<BR/><BR/>5. The teenagers in the front row (with stadium seating, in clear view of everyone) kept checking their cellphones for text messages -- which is like shining a spotlight into someone's eyes.<BR/><BR/>But damn, the 3D IMAX ending was sweeeeeeeeeet!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-77466307997094965462007-09-06T13:34:00.000-07:002007-09-06T13:34:00.000-07:00Add on the moronic junior high girls who think its...Add on the moronic junior high girls who think its neat to pop their gum as loudly as possible. Die in a fire.<BR/><BR/>My story: Wife and I went to see Harry Potter 3 in Kansas City. Full house, so we had to sit in the front row. Next to us was a line of kids probably 14-18 years old, 10 of them.<BR/><BR/>Right when the credits started, the one right next to me slid down in his seat, unbuckled his pants, and start digging around his crotch. <BR/><BR/>My wife, sitting on the other side of me, hissed, "What is he <I>doing?</I> I was mildly concerned until I saw him pulling a 1-hitter out of his pants. He was just smoking pot -- annoying, but hopefully it would keep him quiet.<BR/><BR/>Well, most of the movie passes with my wife staring directly across me at this kid as he kept fishing various implements out of his pants. Dude needed a purse, seriously.<BR/><BR/>One of his friends took a cell phone call during the movie. Full volume talking, etc. I turned and looked at him and said, very loudly, "Shut the fuck up you little drug addict." He looked at me and kept talking, and I stood up and said, "Shut the fuck up before I come over there and shove it down your throat."<BR/><BR/>I normally don't threaten violence against kids, but he pissed me off.<BR/><BR/>Best part of what I said is that the entire row behind me, full of black people (race cliche of talking at movies) all said things like "Yeah!" and "Tell him, brother!"<BR/><BR/>So, I guess what I really came here to say, is that I'm a ginger, so being called brother was kinda cool.Reboundinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01610595028216626302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-13238023165177607782007-09-04T16:49:00.000-07:002007-09-04T16:49:00.000-07:00In the late '80s, when I was in film school in Car...In the late '80s, when I was in film school in Carbondale, IL, one of the local theatres had its projector positioned at an odd angle, so that any film needing a 'Scope lens couldn't be consistently focused. At least one third of the screen was out of focus at all times, regardless of how much the projectionist fiddled with it. Anytime we complained, the manager would get pissed because "It's only you film students who notice." Maybe he was right: I've been in full theatres when an obvious focus or speaker balance issue was ignored or tolerated by everyone but me (and yes, my glasses give me 20/20 vision and my hearing is good).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-28823145678833790492007-09-04T15:12:00.000-07:002007-09-04T15:12:00.000-07:001) Senator Craig, we have to SHARE this row, will ...1) Senator Craig, we have to SHARE this row, will you pulleeeez NARROW YOUR STANCE !<BR/><BR/>2) What? I can’t sit in front of the tallest Jew since Brad Garrett? I’ll bet the missus only SEEMS short.<BR/><BR/>3) This one is serious. Here in the South there are still old movie theaters with a “crying room.” Honest. This is an insulated room looking into the theatre from the back wall through a large picture window.<BR/>The one I’m thinking of has about a dozen theater seats, and there’s a speaker. I’m told the room was built for theatergoers with small children, so, if any crying were to break out, it wouldn’t annoy the other patrons. I’ll bet those in the very last row might still hear a muffle ruckus, but it seems like a good concession to everybody else. BTW, I have never seen ANYBODY sitting in the Crying Room unless the rest of the theater was completely filled. <BR/><BR/>4) Bonus beef: Cinema-savvy patrons who just won’t give a guy a break. <BR/> <BR/>A long time ago, as my wife and I were leaving a movie theater, an employee was up on a ladder affixing the individual letters of the following days feature to the marquee: “AIRPORT 1975 STARRING CHARLESTON HE…….” A dozen of us watched him looking all over for about 10 minutes, without the decency to let him know he had already misused the missing “S” in “CHARLESTON.”Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-88983326524770285932007-09-04T13:19:00.000-07:002007-09-04T13:19:00.000-07:00Like fabiola thing said at 10:06 AM, you long ago ...Like <I>fabiola thing</I> said at 10:06 AM, you long ago drove me out of the movie theaters. So congratulations. You won. As far as I'm concerned you can bring in live poultry and wear a fez. Just stay out of the supermarkets between 2 and 4 in the morning and we'll get along fine.Dr. Leo Marvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07669626692363827776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-13186289928101923302007-09-04T10:36:00.000-07:002007-09-04T10:36:00.000-07:00I agree with most of Ken's rules except the cell-p...I agree with most of Ken's rules except the cell-phone checking thing. If one rule states that I can't bring my baby to the movies (which I agree with), then if my phone vibrates during the movie, I'm gonna discreetly peek at the display (shading the phone from other moviegoers with my hand) to make sure it's not the babysitter telling us that our daughter isn't bleeding or on fire.<BR/><BR/>And yes, as a former Disney World Attractions peon who has mucked out all kinds of horrifying garbage from theaters after shows, I throw my own concession junk away. (If I'm allowed to watch the end credits in peace, that is. If not, eff 'em.)Thommehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317672223999236939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-54590448451955873342007-09-04T10:18:00.000-07:002007-09-04T10:18:00.000-07:00I had a particularly annoying experience myself: h...I had a particularly annoying experience myself: http://rogerowengreen.blogspot.com/2007/08/movie-review-spider-man-2.htmlRoger Owen Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05298172138307632062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-62470972125708500202007-09-04T10:06:00.000-07:002007-09-04T10:06:00.000-07:00I solved this problem about 10 years ago. I stoppe...I solved this problem about 10 years ago. I stopped going to movie theatres. Cold Turkey. It was and continues to be a sacrifice, but one I was willing to make and I do not regret it for a nanosecond.<BR/>Netflix rules.Fabiola Thinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15048011490452938853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-39772965102881216292007-09-04T08:59:00.000-07:002007-09-04T08:59:00.000-07:00On Ken's response...So you arrived early. Big dea...On Ken's response...<BR/><BR/>So you arrived early. Big deal... <BR/><BR/>I don't really care that you didn't have anything to do all day so you could sit through an hour of rotating ads for the local painless dentist on the screen accompanied by bad music.<BR/><BR/>So, what if someone tall also shows up early and decides to sit in front of your wife?<BR/><BR/>You don't like that either and you want tall people to be kind.<BR/><BR/>I'm short, too... I don't want to sit behind a tall guy either.<BR/><BR/>I've had "great" experiences with tall people who not only sat in front of me, but purposefully sat up straight to make it even more difficult.<BR/><BR/>So, perhaps there are times when you can point out to someone who wants you to move over that it willl make your experience miserable. I'm sure they'll understand that and look for somewhere else to sit.<BR/><BR/>But you didn't make that point at first.<BR/><BR/>You just acted like you were superior and didn't have to move. And screw anyone who showed up "late." Whatever "late" is. Sometimes it isn't "late" at all. Sometimes the theater is just very full and tons of people like to have an empty seat beside them so they can have "space." Empty space isn't what a theater is for. The seats are there to be filled with people -- not your shopping packages or your wife's purse.<BR/><BR/>This is about etiquette and it works both ways.<BR/><BR/>That said, I love your site and read it frequently.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03941608270612771611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-26862796758519621892007-09-03T17:43:00.000-07:002007-09-03T17:43:00.000-07:00I wrote about some of the same things on my blog l...I wrote about some of the same things on my blog last week. Specifically I mentioned a time when some old fogeys kept chatting during a movie and I had to shut them up. Some of the etiquette issues you mentioned were funny, and almost all have to do with the same thing: people generally have little consideration for others.<BR/><BR/>Ah well, at least it makes good fodder for bloggers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-72436461592588529832007-09-03T14:12:00.000-07:002007-09-03T14:12:00.000-07:00I agree except about the credit card for a small p...I agree except about the credit card for a small purchase and baseball caps. I live in a town with a modern movie theater where the floor is so steep that the guy in front of you would have to be 8 feet tall to block your view.Steve Lockharthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07190206956105463689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-76164755381053425622007-09-03T13:14:00.000-07:002007-09-03T13:14:00.000-07:00Say, Ken -My post about the hostile in the theater...Say, Ken -<BR/><BR/>My post about the hostile in the theater isn't from my native NYC - it occurred in Kansas City, Missouri. (Where concealed-carry is legal.)<BR/><BR/>The industry cannot long tolerate this kind of lunacy. I have serious doubts about the deaths of actors and stunt players: On the early morning hours of July 23, 1982, actor Vic Morrow, and two juvenile Asian actors Renee Chen and My-ca Dinh Le were killed during an accident on set. IMDB; and Stunt player Harry O'Connor was killed when he hit a pillar of the Palacky Bridge in Prague, para-sailing during one of the actions scenes. The accident occured while filming the second take of the stunt; O'Connor's first attempt was completed without incident and can be seen in the completed film. <BR/><BR/>How many loonies with pocket-rockets do we need in public theaters? How many theater shootings will it take to kill the big screen?<BR/><BR/>Me, I see good films at 70mm theaters whenever I can - unfortunately, there are none here in KC. We have a pair of brothers (The Mossman brothers) who have rehabbed at least four 50 year-old arts & crafts theaters. The clientele are reasonable. 1st Run is not available. <BR/><BR/>What pisses me off? Threats to life and limb. And, I am no stranger to conflict - this business of guns in theaters is the end of the line for the retail business.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-73434106359941281072007-09-03T10:10:00.000-07:002007-09-03T10:10:00.000-07:00During Lord of the Rings, a group of guys in fron...During Lord of the Rings, a group of guys in front of me kept shouting, "Willow" everytime a hobbit appeared on screen. They also had smuggled in a couple flasks, so after an hour, they thought they were more entertaining than the movie itself.<BR/><BR/>They got the boot after trying to pick a fight with the people telling them to cram a sock in it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-86398604579945964452007-09-02T09:57:00.000-07:002007-09-02T09:57:00.000-07:00Karen,I just love to be controversial. :)KenKaren,<BR/><BR/>I just love to be controversial. :)<BR/><BR/>KenBy Ken Levinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-75570772789655536962007-09-02T09:27:00.000-07:002007-09-02T09:27:00.000-07:00Ken, I have to say I agree with the folks who are ...Ken, I have to say I agree with the folks who are questioning your "don't make me move over so your friends can sit together" rule. I honestly don't see why this should be a problem.<BR/><BR/>I would add something to the list for movie theatre owners, though: don't BOTH raise ticket prices AND up the number of pre-trailers commercials into the double digits. Seriously: just how much profit do you think you're entitled to? Movie tickets in Manhattan are up to $11, and I still have to sit through 15 minutes of car and soda and insurance commercials before I even get to the Coming Attractions? That's just not right, son.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288100796201737845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-104406011277421732007-09-01T18:14:00.000-07:002007-09-01T18:14:00.000-07:00-How about waiting on line to buy tickets and real...-How about waiting on line to buy tickets and realizing the reason the line is not moving is because the cashier is busy signing up someone for their "Frequent Movie Club"?<BR/>-A personal peeve of mine is with stadium seating theatres designed for only athletes. My Dad can't go anymore to the movies as he's in a wheelchair and is forced to sit in the front row cranking his head. When I complained to the manager his response was that "the theatre is buit up to code" and he gave me a coupon for a free coke! <BR/>-How about when an usher finally comes around to check an audtorium he's waiving a flashlight around just to check a thermostat (why are they always on the wall on the corner of the screen?) And naturally he's talking to his other usher pals on his walkie-talkie?<BR/>-And how about NOT cutting off the film when the end credits begin just to get us out faster in order to get the next show in (or at least the ads). I've had this happen many times and every time the manager blamed the (missing) projectionist!<BR/>But I still go. When you complain legitimatly they usually give you passes rather that argue with you.Unkystanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14561636366494227519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-47602190483439962632007-09-01T17:38:00.000-07:002007-09-01T17:38:00.000-07:00Let ME respond to those who took issue with my not...Let ME respond to those who took issue with my not wanting to move over to allow someone who has arrived last minute to not be inconvenienced. I purposely get to the theatre in time so I can select the seat I want. My wife is short and we try to sit in such seats that she's able to see. And then someone breezes in last second and asks us to move, for her to now sit behind someone blocking her view, and I'm sorry, squatter's rights. <BR/><BR/>If you want to make sure your group can sit together, show up earlier. <BR/><BR/>There are times I have showed up last minute and my feeling is, it's my fault. That's the way it is, and I take whatever's available. <BR/><BR/>If I make the effort and arrive on time I shouldn't be considered the bad guy because I don't accommodate people who aren't.By Ken Levinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-79750037136973781492007-09-01T16:55:00.000-07:002007-09-01T16:55:00.000-07:00If a movie begins, and you see a shot of the Eiffe...If a movie begins, and you see a shot of the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State, the Golden Gate or whatever famous landmark, please don't yell out oud "Paris", "New York", "San Francisco" or wherever. Please, dad, don't.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-60477068410531297462007-09-01T14:43:00.000-07:002007-09-01T14:43:00.000-07:00Frankly, it isn't the other customers who have mad...Frankly, it isn't the other customers who have made me sharply curtail my moviegoing habit. It's the theater management. I know some theater chains are having trouble financially, but they aren't helping themselves by ruining the moviegoing experience and making our home theaters seem much more enjoyable by contrast. For instance:<BR/><BR/>1. A lot of theaters have started to charge for parking, even with validation. I'm paying 11 bucks per ticket, and you want me to pay to use your overcrowded parking lot as well? <BR/><BR/>2. Inundating us with half an hour of advertising while we're finding seats, then eight minutes of captive-audience commercials once the "show" starts. Guess what? This movie will be on DVD in six months and on HBO in a year, commercial-free.<BR/><BR/>3. A lot of movies are projected out-of-focus these days, because multiplexes don't want to pay for projectionists. Even worse, some of them save electricity by showing the film at half-brightness, so you can barely see what's going on. Then they try to make up for it by turning the sound up to an ear-destroying blast. (You can call me old, but I'd swear the decibel level in some theaters would be illegal on a construction site.)<BR/><BR/>4. Clean the floors once in a while, wouldja?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com