The piercing glow of cell phones lights up the darkness like so many pesky fireflies, and people talk to each other in a packed auditorium as if they were sitting in the privacy of their own living rooms.
The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin, Texas, did something about this trend by kicking out a patron who refused to adhere to the theater’s rule against talking or texting, then turned the ranting, profane voice message she left into a hilarious public service announcement. It’s gotten over 1.75 million hits on YouTube in just a couple of weeks.
The rant from the woman and the (appropiate) response from The Drafthouse stirred up discussion over movie-going manners. In the rant-video below, the woman says she used her cell phone to find a seat before the movie started (unlikely; she also implies indirectly that she was, in fact, texting and that once one’s eyes adjust to the dark movie theater, you can have an easier time finding a seat) and how “they” are rude to customers, specifically her (yet she gets no awards for tact) and there’s probably a good reason why “other” theaters did not kick her out for texting. Either they didn’t catch her, they didn’t enforce policy, she used her phone BEFORE the film started or she’s lying. There’s a ton of people who go over the speed limit on the freeways and without wearing a seatbelt all across the land; when one of these jokers pass by you you call them morons and wonder where the cops are. Just because they aren’t caught today does not mean they aren’t caught tommorow. (and what does happen when The Man does pull them over? You guessed it..they shout “DUMB COPS!”)
Most theaters have no problem if you use you cell before the movie starts or as you leave. But during the film is a no-no. It’s a show of respect for your neighbor who paid the same amonut of money you did, spent money on drinks, find a parking space and so on. Many want to sit back in peace and watch the Transformers blow up stuff. They do not enjoy listening to other (real) people’s dramas. They don’t want to see distracting lights. They want to enjoy the movie. If one texts, they are missing out on the film they paid to see. Boring movie/ think it sucks? Check your watch. If you want to leave, LEAVE. Don’t sit there and text or bark on the phone. You may think Green Lantern sucked; others may think it’s as important as the Mona Lisa.
But there’s another reason why there is a cell-phone ban. Many cell phones come with the usual gadgets, specially a mini-video camera. Aim that sucker the wrong direction; if they find you, you will be lucky to keep that Android. Don’t tempt fate, cool out and enjoy the show. Or walk out. Pretty simple.
What do you think?
