Last night my wife and I took advantage of an evening alone and went out for dinner and a movie. We had burgers at Five Guys and went to see a movie. We picked Splice. And I was reminded once again why I built a movie theater in our basement and why we rarely go out to theaters anymore.
I love movies. And there are few things better than seeing a film on the big screen with an appreciative audience. And there are few things worse than being stuck in a theater with idiots talking, kicking your chair back, and spoiling that experience.
I’m not a violent man. Although, if you insist that the moon landing was faked, I’ll ask you to step outside and settle it like gentleman (women included). It’s an insult to one of mankind’s greatest engineering feats as well as one of our best examples of courage and imagination. You can even see the lunar landers in the latest survey photos. Talking in the movie theater is another way to get yourself hauled up by the collar and punched in the nose.
No jury in the land would convict me if I did. Most would award me with medals and offer the thanks of a grateful nation.
What made me even madder was after I asked a bunch last night to quiet down they sent me looks of distain and hatred. How dare I? They finally quieted down after several requests, thank god, but then several of them left. The remaining ones left a few minutes before the movie was over. Heathens and idiots.
It’s clear that some people are just rude. I won’t say “raised in a barn” because I myself was raised in a barn and I know better. More than that, I don’t think movie talkers and seat kickers have any consideration for other people. The don’t love movies the way we do and they’re simply insulated against these facts: when the lights go down, other people have paid way too much and are trying to enjoy a film. It’s beyond rude to talk, play with your phone, and make an ass of yourself in public. Consider this your fair warning.
My recommendation for these rude morons: shut the frack up. Better yet: stay home and rent a movie you can talk through and ignore.
How I lament the loss of the uniformed usher who would deal with these yahoos.
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Let’s ratchet it up a notch, Randy: combine public movie watching with air travel, sprinkle it with a couple of squirming toddlers in the seats behind you and even though the airplane is equipped with ushers, er, flight attendants, there’s reluctance toward reigning in the rudeness.
How about popularizing a Code of Movie Etiquette? You write it, I’ll do the graphics and we’ll see if we can get some compliance.
I think a code is a great idea, as long as it’s enforced by taser and club wielding patrons!
I’ll send you my code and we’ll post the result here so others can distribute it and contribute to my bail bond fund if things get out of hand.
Easton? I’m finding the whole place to get more an more obnoxious, which means I am truly becoming “middle-aged!” That being said, I have better success there during matinees - don’t know if that works for you.
Yes - I have better luck at the Arena Grand. Nice theater, reserved seats.
How I lament the loss of the uniformed usher who would deal with these yahoos.
As with many things involving more than one person, a moderator is required.
Well said.
I moderate here, but I lack the bright virtual flashlight to shine in troublemakers’ eyes. But I still tell them, “Come on, bub. Let’s step out into the lobby and have a civil discussion about proper behavior.”
Thanks,
Randy