A question for those who watch movies in theaters

[Shampoobra]

I haven't been to a movie theater in years. (I like movies, but I watch streaming rentals, digital download purchases, DVDs, and Blu-rays.) The last time I was in a movie theater, texting hadn't really caught on yet.

My question is about an article I just read...

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-207_162-57607624/madonna-banned-from-movie-theater-chain-after-reported-texting-incident/

Madonna banned from movie theater chain after reported texting incident

Madonna apparently crossed over the "Borderline" while attending the recent New York Film Festival screening of Steve McQueen's "12 Years a Slave."

The Queen of Pop is now "banned" from the Alamo Drafthouse theater chain after she was reportedly spotted texting away on her Blackberry during the movie at Lincoln Center's Walter Reade Theatre. The Texas-based chain doesn't own the theater where the premiere took place, but it does have a much-publicized, strict no-texting rule.

Many of the comments below the article are in agreement with the theater, and having never been in a theater while someone was texting, I can't figure out what the problem is.

It's not like I have a pro-texting position. If it's a distraction to other patrons, then I can just add it to the long list of other reasons I avoid theaters.

Is it the light of the phone that bothers others? An audio signal that sounds each time a text is sent? (I do use my own phone to send texts, but it's a silent process when I need it to be.)

[OriginalGeek]

1. All the theaters I go to

announce they will remove you if you turn your phone on during the movie. Yes, in a dark theater the bright screen of a phone or iPad is a pain in the ass. The glare plus my glasses ruins the view. I don't much care during the previews but turn that shit off before the movie starts.

I enjoy movies at theaters but only big special effects movies that need the big screen and sound.

[Shampoobra]

3. Thanks

It's pretty much idle curiosity, because I doubt I'll find myself in a theater again in this lifetime, but at least I can stop wondering.

[OriginalGeek]

5. Oh and I love movie nachos too lol

And my favorite theater has big leather seats with super wide arm rests so even if you get stuck next to someone not with you there's enough room for both of you to get some quality leaning on. That theater also has Yuengling on tap.

[onehandle]

2. When the previews are over, PUT YOUR FUCKING PHONE AWAY!

We rarely go to theaters because PEOPLE THINK IT'S THEIR LIVING ROOM!

It's not, moron.

[Shampoobra]

4. I stopped going way back when they decided to

make the rows so close together that I could count on being kicked in the back of my chair a few dozen times per visit. That was on top of all the reasons I already didn't like the experience.

[Phentex]

6. I have only recently returned to the movie theaters...

I don't like watching with people who talk or kick the seat or have crying babies. But some theaters have changed. The seats are larger and more comfortable so you don't feel like you are all crammed in together. Most of them are stadium style which is good for us short people. Many of them offer food and drink service. And in some cases, you can select your seats ahead of time so you aren't stuck way in the front or back or separated from your guest.

I went to see The Butler when it opened and was sitting about 4 seats away from another woman. Because of the light of her phone, I did look toward her when she was texting. I wasn't distracted as much as dismayed that she was texting during some key parts of the movie and was missing out! And then at one point, she actually took a call and whispered for a little bit. I just think it's strange.

[Xyzse]

7. I don't see movie theaters caring when there are only maybe 5-6 people in that huge room.

However, if it is a packed theater, I could see them doing something about it.

I generally don't care if they text or not. Talking though, or the phone ringing is something else. There is also a way to make the screens not as bright.

My view is, I don't mind if they text, especially if they go to the top area so that it limits how many people see the light in those screens. I don't waste my time feeling resentful about such things, since I have no idea what their reasons are for doing that. It could be an emergency, or they are on call for their jobs(particularly those on medical fields).

I can ignore them easily enough. It is not as if they are making noise.

Of course, this is just me. I know other people get annoyed by it, it just doesn't get to me.

[Aristus]

8. If one is expecting a world-shattering, all-important text that just can't wait...

...don't go to the movies, all right? Sheesh!

[MicaelS]

9. The glare of phones texting

Can light up a dark theater and ruin the movie experience, especially when ticket can go as high as $10. Plus another $10 for concession.

Theaters are kicking out people for using their phones in a theater, as they should.

[Iggo]

10. Yes, it's the light.

[Myrina]

11. Some people also have ringtones on their texts ... so it chimes or makes a noise when one comes in .

.... Like instant messaging used to do. That can be irritating as hell.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

12. I don't even own a cell phone

and I don't "text", whatever that involves. I just can't conceive of living a lifestyle where I feel that every one of my thoughts is so important and earth-shattering that it has to be communicated immediately to someone else by phone or device, even in the middle of watching a film. Maybe if I was Victor Hugo, but I think he wrote down his thoughts with a quill pen.

[ScreamingMeemie]

13. The Alamo Drafthouse is super strict on this, has a huge preamble

(usually starring one or two current hit actors), and basically lets you know you're done. I love the rule. Glad to see it enforced. In the smaller theaters in the Alamo, it is very distracting.

Here's a great video done by someone we'll all recognize:

[charlie and algernon]

14. that's why I mainly go to the movies on Tuesday nights now

No teenagers and you never see anyone on their cellphones as the people that go on Tuesdays actually want to see the movie, as opposed to just looking for something to do on Friday night. It also helps a ton that it only costs $6 to see a movie on Tuesdays in the 2 main theaters around here.

But now, I loath seeing a movie on the weekend because there are so many assholes that like to either talk through the whole movie or are on their phones texting away so I have a bright light always in my range of vision, which is distracting as hell.

[Orrex]

15. Anyone so distracted by incidental light in the theater should wear horse blinders

Or else should buy all the tickets to ensure a pristine, undisturbed viewing experience.


Flame-suit on.

[charlie and algernon]

16. it's too expensive to buy out the whole theater

Going on Tuesday works just fine. In fact, I'm going tonight to see that new Formula 1 movie, Rush.

[Orrex]

17. That's another good solution

It blows my mind when people complain about minor, insignificant light-related distractions in a theater. How do such easily-distracted peopl manage to get to the theater in the first place?!? Certainly all of the blinking and flashing lights of ordinary traffic must overwhelm their senses and put their lives at peril!

[charlie and algernon]

18. yeah, but in traffic you expect to see lots of different lights

When you're in a dark theater, a sudden light from a phone is distracting. Sure, when I watch a movie at home, I'm on the computer, checking my phone, playing with the cat, etc. But when I go to the theater, I want to be engaged and focused just on the movie experience, so to speak. If you can't be off your phone for two hours, then wait for the movie to get to On Demand or Redbox.

[Orrex]

19. I don't know. It all seems a little too delicate to me.

If someone wants to enjoy uninterrupted movie immersion, then they should wait for On Demand or Redbox.


I get that it annoys some people, and you actually seem pretty reasonable about it, but the sheer passion that this subject ignites is baffling to me!