This topic is a very popular one amongst the Movie Blog crew. We all have our pet peeves when it comes to going out to a movie theatre. (You can click here to view John Campea’s editorial on what he hates about going to the movies.) However, there are other things besides the atrocious costs of movie tickets and concessions snacks that piss me off, and it mostly has to do with us….the audience members. The stuff people do at the theatres can really get to me! Here is my list of things we’ve all been either subjected to or guilty of committing at the movie theatres.
Space-Seating– We are all guilty of this, yet it doesn’t really bother us until we’re the ones on the other side. It’s a sold out show. You have five friends and you’re trying to get good seats in the back. Unfortunately there are no five seats together, yet you can see there are five empty seats SPREAD OUT in an entire row. This is what really PISSES me off in theatre! You just want to ask the entire row if they could all move down so you and your friends can sit, but you don’t. You want to know why? Can you recall the times when there were only two of you, and you asked a couple to move down one seat. The universal look you probably got is the same one you get when you fart and everybody knows it was you. Now imagine the look you would get if you asked an entire row to move down for you? That is why we sulk and risk a sprained neck in the front row.
Determined People Who Want to Get Good Seats after the show has started– Unless you’re going to a non packed theatre, once the show has started, you should assume all the seats in the back are taken. But no, there are always the determined people who stand in everybody’s way to see if they can get a seat in the back as if good seats will materialize out of thin air. They’re actually the rare ones who notice the space-seating and actually have the balls to ask everybody in the row to shift down! Sit in FRONT! If you didn’t want bad seats, next time arrive EARLY!
Horny Teenagers– I’m not going to address the problem about all teenagers in the movie theatres, because that would take all day to write, and to be quite honest I enjoy screaming obscenities to the loud ass bastard kids who won’t shut up. I want to talk about the horny as f*ck teenagers who honestly believe they have the power of invisibility. Do you think we can’t see you? It’s as if they’re just oblivious or simply don’t care if the rest of the public sees the titty grabs, the tongue thrusts, or the up and down motion of the guy’s coat on his lap. It’s honestly the most awkward thing one can experience because you can’t possibly tell them to stop rounding third base, yet you can’t pay attention to the movie when you don’t. CATCH 22… (or 69 depending how ballsy they are) Also, why is it they always pick the most crowded show to do that at? If you want to “watch” a movie at a place where it’s socially acceptable to be horny, go to the DRIVE-IN!
The Stretch-out Killers– I know this is a selfish thing to comment on, but I’m human and don’t tell me you haven’t done this! Have you ever gone to see a movie in an empty theatre? It’s great isn’t it? You know you shouldn’t do it, but you put your legs on top of the seat in front of you, and stretch out and feel completely relaxed. Have you ever had a douche chose the seat directly in front of you, forcing you to put down your legs? Oooh…that f*cking makes me so mad! Out of all the 500 vacant seats, that person had pick the one in front of you??! I know it’s selfish and petty, but it still gets under my skin!
Line-butters– I usually don’t have to wait in line for a movie, due to the fact that I’m usually patient enough to wait a week after opening weekend for a blockbuster movie. However, a few years ago my then boyfriend made me wait in line opening night for ‘Spider Man 2.’ (Anyone who stood in one of those line-ups, feels my pain.) He had promised he would make it up to me, and because I loved the sex…I mean HIM, I waited. I waited two hours in the line-up and spent the time fantasizing about the late night sex he owed me and hours of ‘Sex and the City’ episodes I was going to make him endure before they eventually let us in the theatre. It was then I saw a group of bleach blond bimbos walk into the building, past the line, and into the theatre while the timid employees (a.k.a. “PUSSIES) did nothing. Believe me, I went off faster and louder than Roger Rabbit with a shot of JD in his system. I just wanted to yank those girls by their Jessica Simpson hair extensions and shout out, “Hey! This isn’t a line up to a club you can by pass because you sucked off the bouncer! Did you think I wanted to wait in this 2 hour line up with my overly excited and geeky boyfriend just so I can hope for potentially mind-blowing sex I might get afterwards? (*Note: I didn’t even get it afterwards. F*cker!) You are not royalty! The only thing platinum about you is your hair, so show a little respect!!” Lesson to all…do not butt in front of me. (Unless you just want to stand with your friends who will just save a seat for you anyways…then that’s totally understandable)
Non-apologetic Foot-steppers– This always happens. Someone will ALWAYS step on your foot while trying to get to their seat. When it hurts, it pisses you off, but all it takes for that inner fury to disappear is for that person to turn around and to genuinely apologize to you. Then you genuinely smile and say, “It’s okay. It happens.’ However, it’s when the person (who usually is a fat ass with stilettos) steps on your foot and doesn’t apologize that will send you flying through the roof. Now I understand why fights in clubs occur because of this.
Saving stranger Seats– I don’t mind saving a stranger’s seat. However, I DO mind saving their entire party’s seats. It’s just incredibly rude to ask a stranger to be subjected to the anxiety of being constantly asked, “Are these seats taken?” over and OVER again until they arrive! Put your f*cking coat on the chair like everybody else!
The “Wannabe Comedian”-Have you ever been to a funny or atrociously bad movie where someone in the audience spouts out a funny line, and the majority of the theatre breaks out laughing. No matter how funny this person’s line was, I NEVER laugh. You know why? Once this person has succeeded the first time, they have the courage to say one-liners for the rest of the f*cking movie. People who laugh at these dicks should be ashamed of themselves. I’m always thinking, ‘Shut up! You’re not funny! If you were a comedian, I would heckle more than people at a Pauly Shore show! Shut the f*ck up! F*ck!’ Sorry…I had a ‘Doug Nagy’ moment there. ;)
Bonus: The Pee-Inducing Fountain Soda- Okay, this isn’t the fault of the audience members, but I feel it’s something that should be brought up. Yes, I have a problem with the soda at the theatres, or what I like to refer to as ‘the pregnancy-test friendly’ fountain soda. This is because if I anxiously needed to take a test, I would down this soda….because I’m guaranteed to pee within fifteen minutes once it’s been consumed! It doesn’t matter whether you get a small, medium, or large, you will always test your bladder to see if you can make it to the end of the movie without p*ssing your pants. If you’re like me and hate missing any part of the movie, (unless it’s a Michael Bay film, then I know I can leave to the bathroom and come back and the same things will be occurring on screen) you probably have experienced the “foot tap” the “rocking” and if nobody is watching “the genital grab” just to distract you.
What are your suggestions?
Is my comment a little late? Dang it! Forgot to check the last post’s date. NOV 25th?!?!?! Wow this is late & akward. Forget I posted!
You R so right on this! I cannot tell you how many times i’ve seen people pull out their cell phones and text for the whole movie. It’s kinda akward because you want to yell at them so you can see the movie but if you do it would be really rude. So while they’re having the time of their life texting, your trying to see what little you can salvage from the movie.
Darren, come out of that corner. I was a little harsh. You are man enough to own up, so forget about it.
“And I think you all need to chill out about people texting or checking their phone clocks during movies…I’m NEVER bothered by that happening.”
NBA, if it doesn’t bother you, great for you, but when someone anywhere in my field of vision pulls out a cell phone with the screen lit up it is as if they have pulled out a flashlight and are shining it in my face. (OTOH, if they pull it out of their pocket real quick, with their hand cupped around it to block the light for a quick peek, that’s cool.) It is distracting and annoying to me and others, and in violation of the theaters’ (around here) rules. If I see it more than once, I am going to say something to the person, and if I see it again, I am going to have them thrown out.
If that makes me a bitch, so be it. I’ll be a bitch who actually gets to see a movie, instead of a cell phone light show.
I am hereby banished into a corner…a 24-hr timeout, solace and self-reflection.
I almost NEVER have these problems you guys are mentioning, I just must either a) live in a really good area of the country or b) just be really lucky everytime I go to the theater.
And I think you all need to chill out about people texting or checking their phone clocks during movies…I’m NEVER bothered by that happening.
The thing I hate about theaters is having to get there so early in order to get a good seat/waiting in line. And when my seating choices MUST MUST MUST include the back 2 rows in center, that’s a real pain.
I only go to a theater if there’s a MUST SEE movie out or matinees or after they’ve been out for weeks. Most of the time it’s not worth the price or hassle.
Darren, “nervous laughter” happens when I see something happen to a person in real-life. In Saw 3, I was laughing because I knew it was fake and that other people were freaked out by it. Don’t try to educate a 30-something on “nervous laughter” okay? You talk too much sometimes.
I usually sit in the middle of the theater, so the teenagers necking are mostly behind me.
But last night I was at a concert at a standing room only club, and the couple in front of me progressed from meaningful looks to um…provocative dancing as the night wore on. When she started LICKING HIS FACE, I pretty much had enough.
Save it for your car people, please. For the sanity of those around you.
I must emphasize that all this text and that list reverts to the original problem which is WE ARE TREADED BADLY BY MOVIE CHAINS IN THE FIRST PLACE.
1.Commercials
2.WAY TOO MANY COMMERCIALS,which applies to that point about people getting there at the very last minute.
3.We’re now paying for the rent,the employees,the concession stand,THE DAMN COMMERCIALS..and…and..oh yeah..the film.
I’m starting to think they could take out the film and we wouldnt notice.
So to a small degree,i can understand people not giving a crap.
The proles are going to have to stand up eventually.Or the proles are going to,pun intended,have to PAY for it.
I much have phased it wrong, i meant does seem comfortable coming from you…
Double standard cause when us lads do it its fine..
24. Serena Whitney replies at 23rd November 2007, 11:01 pm :
…You’re on a site where somebody f*cked a squash on an audio file for all to listen to, …
Huh? I must not have checked into the site that day! All I can say is holy cats!
The Stretch-out Killers- I know this is a selfish thing to comment on, but I’m human and don’t tell me you haven’t done this! Have you ever gone to see a movie in an empty theatre? It’s great isn’t it? You know you shouldn’t do it, but you put your legs on top of the seat in front of you, and stretch out and feel completely relaxed. Have you ever had a douche chose the seat directly in front of you, forcing you to put down your legs? Oooh…that f*cking makes me so mad! Out of all the 500 vacant seats, that person had pick the one in front of you??! I know it’s selfish and petty, but it still gets under my skin!
The secret is to sit in the seat behind the seat the theatre has removed for wheel chair access. Lots of leg room there.
@Darren,
My ancedote was just that….an ancedote. It was supposed to be funny, and I have no ill will against the people I mentioned from my personal life. You are the only person on this board that analyzes my personal life on a public forum. This needs to stop.
So stop digging yourself into a deeper hole you’ve already managed to get yourself into. The apology was all I needed.
Anyways, let’s move on shall we? :)
Alot of the issues you guys are having have at least been partially addressed at my local cinema. When I went to see 30 days of night at Halloween, the staff new it was going to be packed so they reminded everybody as they went in to not leave any gaps. Then just before the film started someone stood up in front of the screen and asked if everyone could turn off their phones. I understand that these kind of measures would be difficult to implement for every screening of every film but at least for the big films it worked quite well.
Now on to my grievences.
The main issue I still have is talking. There is no excuse for people not understanding that you keep quiet in a cinema. I think I was in Saw 4 a few weeks ago and there was a group of early 20 year olds sat at the back and they talk constantly throughout the film. I’m not joking they may as well have been sat in someone’s living room.
My apologies, Serena, it’s just that you made a slight side issue out of it to start with, and then the majority of the post was basically all out warfare on the problems with the unsuspecting majority of filmgoers.
It just came across to me as a “mad as hell against the world post, and I don’t have to put up with this crap anymore and if you are one of these people, watch your ass before my foot finds it!”
I was only wondering what brought it on.
And my follow up comments were in jest overall.
Except for the cowboy hat problem and the possibility of the usher getting laid after/before Spider-Man 2…those folks can take to the bank.
@Beerchug:
Sometimes folks laugh a little during blood n guts scenes not because they are ineffective. It’s called ‘nervous laughter’. In the case of Saw III, however, there was more yawns in my theatre than laughter. Yawning was not distracting; many were having a few Z’s.
I would say that about 90% of these problems can be avoided by going to matinee showings. I know that may not be an option for some, but matinee crowds are usually just so much better and more well-behaved..and much, much smaller, obviously.
There have been several times that I’ve had the theater all to myself. Like my own personal screening! : )
Oh, and regarding the tall dudes/dudettes that just HAVE to sit in front of you and block the screen: I won’t even bother with a theater that doesn’t have stadium seating.
Hey Gerball,
You’re on a site where somebody f*cked a squash on an audio file for all to listen to, and you feel uncomfortable about me mentioning sex I DIDN’T even get to have? Come on now. ;)
Damn, Serena’s got claws!
Anyhow, the people who enjoy speaking to characters in the movies always piss me off. Yeah, I’m pretty sure a projected image from a strip of film can hear you, you stupid bitch…
I still stick to my Theater Marshal idea, kinda like Airplane Marshals, they sit in theaters incognito and attack when someone fucks around.
Is it ok that I laughed during the painful scenes in Saw 3? Because I really did. And then the couple in front of me was laughing because I started to laugh. Then it kind of snowballed from there. Not the whole audience, but quite a few people were laughing. But I see what you’re saying Stefan.
Here’s one type of person I HATE in cinemas:
The dickhead who laughs at sad/poignant moments in the film. I’ve experienced this twice so far, and it’s bloody awful. Ok, the first time wasn’t so bad, I guess, it was during Mission to Mars (a crap film, by all accounts), and its attempted efforts at poignancy were pretty laughable. Even so, to have 3 people behind you laughing their heads off at some guy getting his face decompressed because his helmet broke in space vacuum really takes you out of the film.
But worse, MUCH WORSE, was when I saw The Two Towers (luckily the second time I’d seen it), there were some bastards in the row behind me laughing manically EVERY TIME Gollum came onscreen! I’m serious, they would not stop the entire time, and the more poignant the Gollum scene was, the louder it got (it rose to a fucking shriek of infantile delight at the first shizophrenic-talking-with-himself moment).
fuckers that eat as loud as possible crinkling the paper and plastic wrapper that shits worse then talking
that “ouch” was suppose to follow post #16.
ouch.
When i was a student a few years back i got a job at the local cinema no for extra cash but to see movie free… (at one stage i went a whole 6 weeks without working giving my shifts away but still gettin the benifit of free movies)
The poster who claimed staff are uninform, I had a huge problem with this also working there i was dying to know release date etc. and i loved to see movies as soon as they are released. but most cinemas (UK) have to policiy that you cant see film opening weekend or even longer (free list suspended) because they dont want us taking up paid seats fair enough but when the movie arrives in on a tuesday to be put together and the projectionist has to preview it, i ask about sitting in on the screening. These are usually dun after closing. this was allowed for a short period but then with no explaination i was stopped being allowed.
When applying for the job it was pumped into us that they waqnt you to be inform and see movies but yet they are of little help to this at all. and a cinema here in Northern Ireland Storm Cinemas allows their staff to see 1 movie a week. These peeps are minimum wage you gotta help them out just a little.
as a movie goer now i have not problems what so ever asking people to move down to get seats together. What are they going to say NO? just makes them an idiot if they do.
Note: the whole SEx thing! you writing about it just doesnt seem comfortable. maybe just leave the intimate detial out next time.
Darren, I waited in line WITH him…no underlining metaphor for that or bitterness….He did not see the other girls, and the only reason why he didn’t “make it up to me” that night…was because Spider Man 2 if you recall was long.
Please don’t try to analyze my personal life anymore. Thank you.
Well, you really want me to explain, Serena?
I get the impression that your post (almost) sounds like there’s a “take a number” complaint about anything and almost everything.
Maybe ‘cuz I’m a dude and reading too much into it, but…
* Making one’s g/f wait in a line for two hours. Since you never stated the ex returned within that time span…look, I wasn’t there, but no guy in his right mind leaves his woman in line for two hours. Ten or fifteen minutes maybe- but only if he is getting snacks outside the theatre or parking the car.
If he did join you within the two hours, who noticed the Girls Next Door first…you…or…him? (Now, it’s also possible the gals worked there …or, and I’m not saying it was so, I was not there, they promised sex to the Usher who did nothing.
* Horny teens/necking.
If one got dumped by a date or had a fight, and go to the films anyway, this little extra bit of vouyerism is even more unwelcome.
Not to mention if one of the kissing couple simply wants to see the film…and (this I did witness once) where the two had a lover’s spat. Very nasty, too. In my theatre (since closed) the Usher wasn’t a pussy, put a light in thier face and told them to knock it off or get kicked out. They got kicked out.
That was during a screening of “The Patriot”, w/ Mel Gibson, BTW.
I remember it well.
Anyway, just be thankful that the person who sits in front of you are not over 6’2, 300lbs. ANNNND wearin’ a big cowboy hat.
I have one. Excessive laughing. Okay I know comedy is subjective. I know that. I went to see Bee movie with my wife and daughter. These parents with two kids were sitting next to us and were laughing excessively. I’m not jaded or anything it’s just that some of the jokes were not that funny and their laughing out loud made
me miss what was said next or a follow up punch line.
Two ones that you forgot,
1. The teenager that decides they will spend the entire movie texting their freinds and showing them to their freinds. I remember watching Blood Diamond and constantly seeing lights come on during the entire movie from various seats.
2. The guy that has already read the book that the movie is based off of, and decides to create his own personal commentary for the entire fucking thing, explaining each character and how the movie is different than the book.
I totally agree with the Stretch Out Killer. I just get up and move into the seat in front of them.
So far I haven’t been a fan of assigned seating because everytime I do this, the theater is empty, but someone always ends up sitting next to me. Theoretically, this only works for an opening weekend blockbuster that will be sold out.
My new pet peeve is buying a ticket and when going to get in, the ticket taker informs you there is a line all the way back where you came from and they do this with a look on their faces that says they think you’re an idiot for not reading their minds and knowing. I go to the AMC in Burbank, CA and you have to go up a flight of stairs and then they make you go all the way back down.
Serena, I remember your first appearances on the podcast, when you’d get embarrased if the guys brought up anything regarding your personal life, and now you’re telling all about your old boyfriends. The movie blog has clearly changed you;)
Anyway, it doesn’t matter how early i show up to buy my ticket, i will always end up with a tall guy sitting right in front of me, a stupid mother and her bratty son sitting beside me, or worse. I remember when i went to see X-Men 3 that a totally obese guy ended up sittin right next to me and the seats were, not quite designed for his tender frame. Although he managed to sit down, his chunky arm and leg were bulging so much over his side of the seat towards me that, i literally had half a seat to call my own for the whole film. You know how a lot of people felt X3 was too short; i wasn’t one of them;) To his credit though, they didn’t smell.
Most of my complaits are always to do with the staff. At my local, they are never polite or informed, and they never, ever ask me if i want a premiere (posh) seat. It’s as if they don’t think i can afford one because i’m young. Then again, it seems they don’t ask anyone. It becomes i real pain in the arse when i get in the screening because a lot of people just take whatever seat they want, ignoring the difference between the seats. Which means, as soon as the trailers start, the staff come in and start evicting people from the posh seats who haven’t paid for a premiere seat, right in front of me.
God forbid that it’s sold out show. There’s no assinged seating so people grab what they can, and when the ushers try to kick people out of the posh seats, they quite rightly point out that there are no normal seats left, despte the fact that your fancy computers provided us with tickets for them. So the poor people have to be dragged back to the box office to buy upgraded tickets (which borders on extortion) and then come back…..all while i’m trying to watch the film.
I hate when some tall dude sits in front of me blocking the whole fucking screen with his massive head.
Space-Seating-I don’t mind this to be honest. I kinda hate being next to friends watching a movie because they always have to comment on something at some points in the film.
Horny Teenagers-I remember being a horny teenager :(
Line butters-I always did this when I was working in the cinema ;)
The Stretch-out Killers-I always strech out when no one is in front of me. The seats in my cinema are si fucking tiny which is something that pisses me off, there should be something for your feet dammit.
The “Wannabe Comedian”-I had one of these in Spider-Man 3. When peter hit mj some guy shouted out bastard, not sure if he was joking or serious to think of it.
I never need to pee in the movies.
I will never leave during a movie…ever!!!
I was at the Landmark Theater in L.A. where there is assigned seating. Kid in front of me starts to text so I was getting pissed but he stopped and I enjoyed the film. Guy next to me recieved a text and reads it. My thought at first was, This guy better be a fucking doctor getting info on a patient to be disturbing my movie. Later in the movie I look a little closer at the guy. I ask you, How mad do you get at someone texting when the guy is two time academy award winner Tom Hanks? Turns out it was his son in front of me. They had to sit in seperate rows because I had reserved a seat between three empty ones. So I turned out to be the A-hole that kept him from sitting with his son.
There are a couple more of these theatre specemines that I would like to present:
-yack-box: It must be the first time these people(normally female from different age groups) have ever been inside a movie theater and they feel the need to talk about every little single detail about the movie that they’re watching. Think of it as an unwanted DVD movie commentary. This type of theater dweller is often accompanied by a boyfriend, whom she turns to ask about something in the movie she didn’t understand and more often then not he’ll also answer.
Either tell them both to shut up or bring headache pills if you happenned to be seated next to them.
-the careless parents or “McCaan Syndrome”: this type of theatre dwellers often go in groups, normally with a small child they claim that wants to see that animation or kids movie.
And then something odd happens, the parents pretty much expect someone else to babysit the kid for free, because the toddler ends up going up and down in the room, sometimes screaming for no reason, while the parents enjoy the movie almost not acknoledging the toddler’s existence, apart from telling the kid not to make much noise.
Have the child service number ready for a situation like this.
-the no-kiss howlers: normally tennagers who give a loud booing sound if the couple on the movie screen don’t actually kiss.
That’s all I can think of, right now.
“By the way, why I do I feel there’s something a little metaphoric about your post, Serena?”
Huh?? Darren you need to explain! ;)
Space seating is the killer. I just got back from Disney World with the family and at every show they had ushers urging eveyone to move to the middle to make room. Sure it’s a pain, but when you’re one of the later arrivals, it’s nice to have a place to sit as a family even if it’s in the upper tier.
You buy a ticket for yourself, not your coat.
I went to a show a few years ago with a friend and the place was packed. This couple has a seat on either side of them so we asked if they could shift. They wouldn’t. So we sat on either side of them and passed our popcorn back and forth during the previews until they got really pissed and complied.
nice article Serena. i thought i was the only one who got subjected to the Stretch-Out Killjoys in near empty theaters.
1) Not that I have ever done this, but… Smuggle in a small can of soda if you can ; better to have a drink not watered down full of ice, and cost three dollars. However, should you choose fountain drink, and ice is more abundant than Mountain Dew, once drink is gone, put cup on floor standing upright. Soon ice will melt and you will have a small bit of water. Or suck an ice cube or two. DO NOT bite into ice cube, though. Also, **don’t drink a thing before one hour going to the show**Note: do not smuggle in any beer or vodka. Many others do this when watching a Jon Heder or Paul Walker movie, so when judgement is impared, one…oh you get the idea.
2) Not that I have ever done this, but … when some goof presses his feet into the chair behind me, lean forward and put your bucket and soda cup (standing upright) on the floor. Then, sit back up in the chair as fast as you can. In watching a horror or thriller, make sure to ‘jump’ at all the right scenes. If someone’s feet are in the chair behind you, they will be in for a big surprise. Not that I’m an expert witness or anything but 9/10 they will never but feet into the chair in front of them if occupied by another person.
3) Not that I have ever done this, but… when it comes to hecklers, give them dirty looks and/or tell them, very politely, that if you want to waste two hours of your life watching a crap movie that’s your choice, but you did not pay them to waste two hours of thier time to open thier piehole. Watch the film, or find the nearest exit. If they protest, you may be tempted to lay in a few f bombs. If you can resist that temptation, great. If not, that’s fine too. Chances are you are not only more funnier than them anyway. You will also, unlike them, used mouthwash earlier than morning. Note it will rarely come to this: the ushers will come in and do thier jobs and eject these bastards. Note: if the film stars Jon Heder, Paul Walker or Chris Tucker, join in with them. You are more funny regardless.
As for all the rest, all I can suggest is…
Avoid human contact and interaction at all costs.
One cell phone ringtone is all it takes for capital murder, twenty commercials could lead to attempted suicide. In both the latter cases, with all the foot stomping, necking and seat pushing (and farting!)…no one will really notice. Not that…you know, that I actually ever tried any such actions.
By the way, why I do I feel there’s something a little metaphoric about your post, Serena?
I’d like to recommend that the name of the blog entry’s author be up at the top. I read this thinking John was was writing it and then I got down to the sex with the guy comment and I was a bit freaked out.
I don’t understand why someone hasn’t started a petition for assigned seating in North-American theatres. The thought of standing in line for two hours to get decent seats for the next big blockbuste you want to see as fast as possible, and then it turns out the movie sucks(i am looking at you Spider-Man 3) that is 5 hours at least wasted. I am so glad we have assigned seats in Norway
In his original post John mentioned people who don’t turn off or silence their cell phones, the people that I’ve had the most problems with recently are people who are pulling out their phones and texting during the movie.
I have really good peripheral vision, and whenever someone pulls out a cell phone – whether they are far to the side of me or well below me – I can’t not be distracted by the light. In the last half a dozen times we have been to the movies I have threatened to have three people thrown out if they didn’t put away their cell phones. All of them did, but I shouldn’t have had to talk to them about it begin with. One was a late-20s to early-30s woman and the other two were teenagers, one male, one female.