I’m afraid today’s post is going to be a bit of a rant. Thanks for listening. 
The second last movie I went to see was “The Hunger Games”. I loved the book, and was interested in seeing how it would be on the big screen. I met a friend at the movies a week or two after it opened, and she decided she wanted to see it. And while I think they did a great job with the film, I’d forgotten how bad it can be on a Saturday afternoon at the movies. People are constantly turning on their phones (and the bright screens are really distracting), chatting with their buddies, and coming in 15 minutes after the movies starts – and then sitting on the stairs! I guess this makes me sound old and cranky, but I just don’t get why you’d pay the ridiculous price a movie is nowadays, and then not arrive on time or pay attention. I take some comfort in the fact I buy discount passes through CAA, but I’m still paying and want to enjoy the movie.
So after that, I swore off movies for a while. And I was just going to bypass “The Avengers” until everyone start raving about it. My boss. My co-workers. Mr. Canuck Buck (yes, he had my permission to go without me ). They were all in awe of how amazing it was and I just had to go so they didn’t ruin any more of it for me. So I finally caved and went on Friday afternoon after getting out of work early.
Big mistake. After having my seat kicked repeatedly during the “pre-show”, I moved to the very back corner. I was in heaven – til 15 minutes into the show. Then someone, who’d obviously dragged along their not very interested girlfriend, came in and sat right beside. She proceed to get out her phone on and off for the next hour. She’d even leave it out and on, and not use it. It drove me nuts, and came close to bringing out my inner Hulk. I finally said something (after sighing loudly and swearing under my breath), and she cut it down after that, but it really wrecked the movie for me. Do people not know how distracting their phones are? Or do they not care? Why would you pay good money if you have no interest in a movie?
So, I truly think that’ll be it for me at the movies for a while. I even ended up spending more money afterwards on some chocolate to help chill me out.
Have you ever had this happen to you? Any idea why people do this?
Movies are really expensive these days,so my wife and I almost never go. But man, when we have I completely agree that the cell phone thing is complete bullsh*t! When people have those screens on, they’re SO BRIGHT! It’s distracting and annoying, and honestly, just plain disrespectful. I’m glad you said something, man.
I guess I’m old and cranky too
I get so annoyed by how disrespectful people are in theaters. So I rarely go anymore too. If I’m paying good money to see a movie, I don’t want to have to put up with people chatting away, flashing their cell phone screens or kicking my seat. Once that stuff gets started I get so focused on it that I just can’t enjoy the movie. Then it all just turns into a negative experience.
Hey TB and MM – glad to know I’m not the only one it irritates. I really think I ought to have the right to take people’s phones away when they do that.
I would have complained to the theatre and tried to get a free movie out of it, That’s so annoying and I’ve totally experienced that, it ruins the whole movie!
Hey “Mo”. I hadn’t even thought of that. I should have at least tried it. It’s funny – everyone I’ve complained to had a similar story. Sigh..
Wow! I can’t believe how rude people are! We don’t go to movies often (we still haven’t seen the Hunger Games), but I have never run into a situation as bad as the one you described. We even went to the Avengers on opening weekend with the kids – other than every seat being full, and not getting our preferred location to sit because of it, it was a terrific experience.
I just can’t get over how rude that girl was!
Hey Kris – yes, I still can’t believe it. The only plus I can take out of it is that’ll save me money b/c I won’t go to the movies again for a long time!
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