This is true. Out here in CA most theaters no longer have ushers, but have a budget for security instead. They usually hire “rent-a-cops” for large/troublesome film openings.
I see that you’re out here in So. Cal, Ruffian. Have you been to the Arclight yet? For the longest time after it opened, I was amazed at their prices, and marvelled that anyone would pay $14 to see a film (even the matinees are like $10 or so). But, having been dragged there twice in recent weeks, I’m starting to see how they get away with those prices. The main thing, as it applies to this thread, is that the people who pay to see a film there really want to see the film, not just to have an amusing night out screwing with other people. There are also ushers assigned to every theater, who sit there with the audience to solve any problems, including audience or picture or sound problems. Oh, and the theaters themselves, the seats, the screens, and the sound system are all amazing, as well.
Not that I’m suggesting the Arclight as a permanant solution to your problem; I certainly don’t want to pay $14 everytime I go to the movies. But it is amazing how much those extra several bucks weeds out the obnoxious idiots. At least, I’m assuming it does; as I’ve said, I’ve only been to the Arclight twice. Maybe rich idiots go there with their laser pens.
Your letter is fine, and I think you should send a copy to both the theater itself, and the main offices. And let them know you’re sending it to both.
In addition to the exhibitor’s head office, cc the letter to the movie studio (New Line Cinema).
Good letter, but I’m wondering what response will make you happy? From what I would think, pretty much the only thing a manager or higher-up can do is offer passes and an apology, with some kind of promise to look into the situation.
They’ve already got a person patrolling the theaters, but apparently that doesn’t work (maybe not enough people, maybe inadequate training). So what would you suggest the manager and theater do to correct the problem? You said you didn’t want passes.
Please don’t take this as an affront. I’m just very curious and would like your input.
The letter was mailed off today. I’m considering CCing it to the home office; actually I most likely would as they would be more capable of doing something about it.
lard2000 I took no offense. 
It’s a good question…what would make me happy? My hope, dim though it may be, is that I am not the first to bring up this problem to management. Rather, I hope my voice, somehow, jars their attention enough to where they say, “Wow, I knew there was some problem with talking, but I didn’t realize…” Something to get Upper Management talking, something to get wheels turning…I dunno. Basically, knowing my voice is heard–and that they will begin discussing new solutions to the problem. I have no real suggestions of a solution, as it is not my area of expertise. I’m hoping they’ll have the ideas.
To be honest, I don’t expect much to change, at least not yet. It’s going to take a more severe breakdown in etiquette–if its current condition could even be called that–to get the Big Guys’ attention.
It’s gotten to where I hate, hate going to the movies because I’m just waiting for someone to kick the back of my chair, or smack their gum, or talk LOUDLY, or argue, or answer cell phone calls–or make them!, or bring their 6 month old into an R-rated drama and hush them while they scream, or play with laser pointers, or…oh Lord I have to stop before my blood pressure causes a cosmic event.
Sadly, we have the rise and rise of the home video market to thank for this. Nobody seems to realize that the world ISN’T their living room these days. In your own home you can talk, get up and walk around, make comments at the screen, go to the bathroom, play with the baby, answer the phone, and so forth, and nobody cares. People then take that into the theater and behave the exact same way.
This, coupled with two social problems in America - the idea that anyone should, at all times, be able to do whatever the hell they want and the idea that no place is any different from any other place - have added up to your problem. I no longer want to see anything in the theater unless it’s something that I absolutely feel should be experienced that way. Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, those I’ll go see in the theater. If I were to see Adaptation or The Hours, I’d wait for the DVD.
I don’t know what the solution is. I used to think that barring people under 18 from the theaters (regardless of the movie’s rating) wouldn’t be a bad start, but most of the obnoxious people are over 18 anyway, so that wouldn’t stop anything. The ushers are usually 17 year old kids who aren’t paid or trained to handle a large group of unruly patrons.
The only thing I can think of is to have a special movie lover’s club that you could either pay to join or join after seeing a certain number of movies at that establishment. Then the theater could have a couple of special showings of certain movies in which only movie club members would be allowed to attend. I don’t see this happening, though, since the tehaters are only interested in packing as many goofballs into a theater as possible.
As I said before, the modern movie theater consists of people who don’t care showing movies at people who aren’t interested. We can’t get our theater to leave anyone in the projection booth long enough to make sure the film is in focus and framed right, so I certainly don’t expect them to also patrol the aisles regularly.
Lego do you really think an bad crowd is going to see The Hours?
But I agree with you that people seem to have the idea that it’s their right, and some think duty to be rude in public.
I wouldn’t have thought a bad crowd would go see Gosford Park, but halfway through the movie a very upper-middle-class, upper-middle-aged lady in front of me took out her emery board and began doing her nails. I kid you not. Scared the shit out of her when I quietly leaned up right behind her ear and said in my best Hannibal Lecter voice, “I’m very sorry to interrupt you, but if you don’t stop that, I won’t be responsible for what happens next.”
She put that goddamned emery board away P.D.Q., let me tell you.
Bad crowd is only parts of it. Do I want to see it with my knees up under my chin, in baking heat or freezing cold, listening to people eating nachos and crinkly-wrapped candy while the blurry film jitters out of frame? Then I’ll see it in the theater.
Bad croud has cost the theater revenue from me. I saw TTT twice in the theaters, both times there was an unruly audience. I want to see it again, but am waiting for it to come to video since it will likely be a pleasanter experience, even though it wont be on the big screen:( 
:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
The second time I saw TTT there were at least 6 toddlers/small children in the seats surrounding mine. The children weren’t terribly bad - no crying or screaming, at least. But they were understandably restless, and running up and down the aisles, as well as talking in a normal (loud children’s) tone of voice. It really was a distraction. And I’ll admit - as some people suffer from raod rage, I suffer from Theatre Rage. Don’t talk. Don’t rustle your candy/popcorn boxes. Turn off your cellphone. Sit down, shut up and watch the freakin’ movie! I have asked people to stop talking or moved if the distractions were too much.
StG
I’m curious, Ruffian, did you happen to have tons of commercials before the movie started? A reader from Irvine sent that complaint to Ebert. If so, I would have suggested including that in the letter.
I have demanded my money back and vowed never to return to a local theater here in San Francisco b/c I had sat through 15 minutes of commercials (Cingular, Coke, etc) before the Previews had even begun. When the next one started up, I was out of there. I reeeeeally hope that trend does not catch on.
That’s normal for UK theatres. In fact, some cinemas will list separate times for when the “programme” starts (i.e. ads and previews) and for the film itself (usually about 15-20 minutes difference). The spouse and I bet each other how many alcohol ads there will be (usually 1-4, depending on the film).
That’s preposterous. As Ebert said - I have paid to see the movie - why should I get subjected to commercials? If that becomes the SOP here I will be furious. :mad:
In the UK that ‘Special Movie Lovers Club’ is called BAFTA.
I will be joining as soon as I’ve passed all the exams, been in the industry for two years and become chums with two other senior members…
London Cinema: (aghaghghag) - munching, kids yelling at screen, talking on mobiles/mates, doors banging, the next audience talking loudly outside the door near the end of the film, people kicking your seat are all constant and predicable behaviour I hate.
The pick of the bunch:
People laughed out loud when Chuck lost Wilson in Cast Away.
In the Prince Charles Cinema people are ALWAYS reading/translating to their friends.
Parents let their kids run around the back during xXx.
People come in and out CONSTANTLY in our Odeon becuase there’s no-one to stop them moving to another screen when the film they paid for ends.
Kids whooping etc whenever any flesh appears in any film rated 15a or under.
Old women talked very loudly about what they’d seen Paul Newman in before.
Etc.
I take a water pistol with me - actually everywhere I go now because I go to the cinema a lot - originally it was for the Prince Charles as a pacifier for me Was it ever so bad I’d shoot the F - - - er ? Not so far, but I’ve been very close. I can’t stand distractions (I know, it’s me - I’m getting better at ignoring it) I love to watch it on a big screen: Home Cinema here I come.
PS: Send those letters. I e-mail my complaints. Not had a reply yet either - Grrr.
The Prince Charles? I’m not surprised – it has a notoriously exuberant clientele. Remember, this is the place that does the Sing-Along Sound of Music.
There’s always the NFT – it’s not light entertainment (usually), admittedly, but you know the crowd is more serious about watching the film.