Episode 178: Why going to the movies sucks

[stridechicken]

I was just listening to the most recent episode and I immediately thought of a great recent film experience I had (I hope this isn't too spoiler-y for Splice, but I can't work out how to hide text).

I went to watch Splice with a friend and the cinema experience was fantastic, for many of the reasons you gave as bad. For example, there were some people who had just come to see 'whatever was on next', and had NO idea what they were getting in for, apart from the poster. So, there were constant shouts of "This is a HORROR?!", and "What the Hell IS this?!".

There were a lot of people talking, but it was quite a communal experience, going "I can't believe that just happened" etc, but since everyone was on the same page about not taking the film too seriously, it was OK and not irritating (if it had just been one person, that would have been a different matter).

It was also the first film I've seen where someone actually walked out, during a certain scene (if you saw the film, you'll know which one!) and there were cheers when he came back inside. It was an experience you couldn't get on DVD and I loved it.

[Tyler Smith]

Aug 16, 2010 8:50:47 GMT -5 stridechicken said:

since everyone was on the same page about not taking the film too seriously, it was OK and not irritating

Of course, I wasn't there, but I'd wager that not everyone was on the same page. The film was fairly well-reviewed and there was likely somebody in the theater that really wanted to see the movie. And that person was not only frustrated at those that were talking, but probably mortified that this behavior was sanctioned and encouraged by the rest of the audience.
That's the problem with the "Don't Take It Seriously" mentality. As silly as you may think the movie is, somebody probably really wants (and, in some cases, may have actually saved money) to see it. Then, because a few jackasses decided that they're thoughts and opinions were more important than anybody else's, that person's movie experience is ruined.

[lennart]

Really good episode; the topic was very good, everyone had good insights and stories, and the guest was terrific.
On the subject of theatre experiences:
Perhaps it's because I go to the theatres very infrequently (once every 3-6 months I'd estimate) or I've just been lucky in my choices of showings to attend, but I haven't noticed the same level of conversations or open phones as you guys have.
I wouldn't say this contrasts with your stories and observations, but I have one instance where I truly feel the audience's actions improved my experience.
I went to see Inglourious Basterds in the theatres with a friend of mine. I think the film had opened the week prior or so. In any case, the theatre was relatively full (~80-90%). I think, for whatever reason, the audience was very much on the same page, which was the page I also was on. (Spoilers for Basterds?) The opening scene was so deadly quiet in the theatre and every pause had its own moment to breathe. When the Waltz took out his pipe you could feel the audience's shoulders relax. There also happened to be a guy with a great sense of humour and a hearty laugh who inadvertently ensured everyone realized that the film was still really funny in spite of its seeming weight. The audience wasn't dumb though. They knew when to laugh and when to shut up. They didn't cheer like idiots or yell things out. I don't think I caught any phones or heard much talking. And at the end we all applauded sincerely (I agree it's a bit odd to happen in Ottawa, Canada, but I still think it's a valid expression of appreciation). In the end, the communal experience left me feeling very positive afterwords.
I couldn't claim this is representative of all theatres, or even of all showings at that theatre. I just thought I'd throw that out there as an instance where I genuinely felt like the vibe of the audience helped me enjoy the film more.

[Dr Handsome]

Advertisements and iPhones rarely ruin a movie but that guy who wants to show the audience how much he gets it is literally among my least favorite things in the world. But these really terrible experiences are few and far between (I'm not sure I can recall more than one or two) and I even the larger flat screens don't come close to seeing a movie projected in a theater.

I'm sure you'd also agree that a great crowd sometimes sells the theater experience. I had a similarly positive experience at a midnight showing of Inglourious Basterds where there were no distractions, just an enjoyably enthusiastic crowd. Sometimes that alone is enough to sell the theater experience.

[gtboozer]

Great episode. This is one of the reasons I don't frequently listen to podcasts that review new movies in theaters. I'm usually perfectly content to wait till DVD and watch it at home in comfort.

The last time I went to the theater was for Iron Man 2. I went at an odd time but it was still pretty crowded. I got another type of annoying patron sitting right behind me... this guy would laugh hysterically at lines that weren't funny at all, and then not laugh at the lines that were funny. He had a laugh in a tone that carried very well, so everyone in there knew when that guy laughed.

I haven't been to our little Indie theater here in Tulsa yet, but I would hope it has a better audience. Overall though, I just don't go to the theater except for odd times with less traffic. I am much more comfortable watching at home, I have a pretty damn nice home theater.

[marcraymond]

Correction: CASABLANCA did win Best Picture for the year 1943. It was released in December 1942, but only in New York, and back then films had to have wide release to qualify for that year.

[vulpix]

This was an interesting topic. Don't we all have at least one story to tell?

I saw United 93 with a friend of a friend who waited until the climax of the film to start loudly cracking jokes. I just couldn't grasp the mentality of somebody who thought a movie about the deaths of thousands of people needed a good ribbing--and that the rest of the theater would appreciate it.

[Tyler Smith]

My guess would be that the friend of a friend was made incredibly uncomfortable by what the film was doing and humor is his default mode when agitated. Laughing to keep from crying, so to speak.

[radiorob123]

I enjoyed this episode and completely agree that going to the theater can be a nightmare at times. In my opinion it is still the best way to see a film. There is something about sitting in a theater with a group of people and sharing the experience of watching a film. Much more satisfying than throwing in a DVD and having to pause it a thousand times to answer the phone, chase my kid around and searching for snacks that I know aren't there to begin with.

Certainly I have had bad experiences at the theater. The 9,000 year old woman behind me during Waking Ned Devine that just repeated over and over to her great-great-great granddaughter "What'd he say?" immediatley springs to mind. I will say that the movie going experience has also been enhanced by the audience at times. I saw There's Something About Mary in a $2 second run theater, the audience was loud and shouting jokes out during the movie but I've never laughed so hard in my life.

I've also been known to embarrass my wife at the movies. Laughed so hard during Zack & Miri Make A Porno that she didn't want anyone to know she was with me. I drug here to see Freddy vs. Jason on opening night (sue me I love campy slasher films) and there was one ridiculous scene that made me burst into uncontrollable laughter. Of course, I was the only one in theater laughing, she hit me to try to get me to shut up. In her defense everyone was looking at us.

The point of this rambling post is that going to the movies is no worse than going anywhere else in our society. People are incredibly rude everywhere and it seems like it is getting worse every year. Given the choice though, I would still rather take my chances, head to the movie theater and hope I get a good audience that enjoys the film as much as I do.

[siege121]

I don't know where everyone here lives but in general I have had good experiences at the movie theater. I live in Green Bay, Wisconsin and previously lived in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and honestly I have no story about someone on their phone or talking endlessly or general rudeness. I have gone at every time of the day, in packed theaters or in empty ones and I have had nothing but good experiences there. The only time something close to annoying happened was when me and my dad went to see SAW (we saw the movie. we didn't go to a park) and my dad got so frustrated that he yelled "Shoot Him!" when Cary Elwes' wife had a gun pointed at Michael Emerson. It has been a constant running joke in my family but I can see how someone might have been annoyed. I clearly see that I am in the minority and am wondering if i have gotten lucky or maybe if it does have to do with the environment or city you are in.

That said, everywhere else in public, people are almost unbearable. I have no problem with sandals or flip flops but the talking on cell phones and swearing and just generally talking loud drives me crazy. I feel like an old man when people way older than me act like little kids. The lack of respect for anything is very disconcerting.

[maarow]

I live in the suburbs of Chicago and bad theater experiences are pretty rare, even at event films on opening day. The only time I can recall an unruly crowd was at The Ring 2, and that was such a terrible movie that I was glad for it.

The worst moviegoing experience I've ever had was at a midnight showing (which, right away, is a red flag) for The Warriors at the Music Box in Chicago. Awesome movie, but everyone was shouting at the screen (and not even saying things that were particularly funny), laughing ironically to show how hip they were, and one group in the back was carrying on a regular, full-volume conversation and not even paying attention to the movie. At the very least I should have gone back to the box office and demanded a refund, but being the passive-aggressive moron that I am I just sat there and stewed for two hours and went back to my dorm in a rage. The Music Box generally attracts a respectful crowd, but for some reason every twentysomething jerk within a five-mile radius decided to show up that night.

[Dr Handsome]

The one pattern I'm finding here is that there is no pattern.

I have very few awful movie experiences and I live in a crowded commercially centered suburb just outside of New York. A year back they decided to get rid of the local tenplex and build a megaplex inside the Garden State Plaza, the thirteenth largest mall in America. If there was ever a place to have a bad movie experience it would be here.

My best guess is that (with the very occasional exception) the midnight screenings I go to are full of film geeks like me who are just as eager to see every last frame as I am. Going in, the crowds are super loud but once the lights go down it's usually surprisingly tame. And when I'm not at one of those I'm usually seeing things in the city on the quiet Sunday afternoon between church services.

Did I mention that time the stranger next to me brought a seven year old to see Watchmen? He strategically covered her eyes as if she'd be able to enjoy the 15 percent of that movie that's arguably child safe. Unfortunately he didn't have the reflexes to save her from the scene where Rorschach cleaves open that dogs head. Irresponsible parenting will no doubt lead into even more discussion.

Oh, and congratulations on making the front page of IMDb, this episode should definitely rope in some new listeners.

[gtboozer]

Hah, I've had some of those moments too, when I think, "why the hell did you you bring a kid to THIS movie". The biggest one was probably when I went to see 300 at the iMax. They were even sort cheering and shouting "AWESOME!!" in some of the more violent parts.

Oh well, we used to sneak to the living room and watch horror movies after the parents went to bed. Same thing I guess, but they wouldn't take me to the theater to watch the newest Nightmare on Elm Street.

[johnson27546]

I got back from the theater and felt compelled to comment on this subject. During the movie "The Black Swan" a couple in front of me kept talking though out the movie. I had enough of their talking and asked "do I need to separate you two?" They kept quiet for the rest of the movie, and I felt like the rest of the theater thanked me for it.

[deadpool]

This was the first episode of you guys I heard and it was one of your best. As an usher at a theatre let me tell you if someone is bugging you by talking come and get one of us we love a chance to kick someone out or tell them off. Also don't stop going to movies because of these people don't let them take it away from you.

I live in a small town of about 30,000 people. We are generally quiet but once and a while there is an insident. I went to go see paranormal activity 2 in theatres. I got there about 5 mintutes before the trailers started because I was working. The place was packed and I choose to sit next to the teenage males (bad idea.) They talked through out the film saying the stupidest things like "Thats the girl from the first one." "That thing is moving look." "I saw the first movie." Someone told them to shut it down and they quieted for about 5 mintutes.

I'm the kind of person who dosn't like to be seen or heard in a movie. If I get snacks I try to nnja my way through eating them and I hate having to get up during a movie because I feel like I'm distracting everyone. However I was responsible for an insident once. I went to go see a movie with friends. They picked the lovley bones which I was ok with because it was the only one we had that I hadn't seen. Well a couple of my other friends had seen the movie before and they told me about a part that distuirbed them. When that line came up I'm not sure why but I laughed. It was a very quiet laugh so no one heard me, except my two friends. They burst out laughing and everyone in the theatre thought they were sick and demented. I felt so bad about it.

[Dr Handsome]

Feb 1, 2011 15:20:53 GMT -5 deadpool said:

They burst out laughing and everyone in the theater thought they were sick and demented. I felt so bad about it.

Ha! The best you can hope for is that they thought that was your way of grieving... or got a refund.

While I'm writing here, what's with the AMC in Times Square not having concessions on every floor on a Sunday afternoon? Not that I get a lot of snacks but its a movie theater... with multiple floors... that are hard to navigate... in Times Square!

Anyone ever used their coat pocket to smuggle in fast food? Or been forced to finish eating in front of the ticket taker?

Another thing, what about picture quality? Does anyone ever get the feeling that your local AMC picture is just a little... off? It might just be paranoia but I sometimes get the feeling that the picture is too dark or just a little out of focus.

[deadpool]

Oh no my friends knew why I was laughing they know how weird I am. I never bring in outside food other than one time I had a fortune cookie in my pocket but I didn't eat it. I work at a theatre and I know that the consessions is the place that they make their money. I don't like our prices either but I do like reciving a paycheck.