View Full Version : Is it just me or are there more and more nobheads in the cinema?
ivoryman
12-02-2003, 21:05
I'm talking about the leg in your back constantly.
The noisy kids talking/shouting/giggling/running up and down the isle every 5 seconds.
The guy who sits in front of you who is 7foot tall.
The chewy stuck to your ass conveniently left behind from it's previous occupant.
The film losing sound/cutting out midway through eg. the film cut out while watching gangs of new york just before the main fight sequence near the end.
I mean call me a grumbling arsehole if you want, but it's getting to the point where going to see anything rated under 18 makes me think twice, oh and i also try and see movies in the day when i'm off work, as it's pretty quiet.
father_christmas
12-02-2003, 21:09
I totally agree with this and often experience these kind of disruptions , thank god for DVD !!! (and widescreen tv)..
bruce-leroy
12-02-2003, 21:11
The 12A has made this a lot worse. :mad:
It really is getting to the point when the best time to go to the cinema is during the day, and during the week Mon-Fri. Its increasingly the only way you can sit and enjoy a film properly unfortunately. :(
ivoryman
12-02-2003, 21:14
You wanna know what the solution is? The cinemas need to employ a member of staff to sit in on the film. That way any problems can be nipped in the butt without customer intervention.
I know it's not feasible to have a member of staff in every movie all day long, but maybe they could increase the frequency of the walk through?
Anyone got any opinions?
neoboy259
12-02-2003, 21:17
I remember when the guy next to me lit up a "herbal cigarette" and stank out the whole cinema.
Management came in and kicked his ass:clap:
wabznasm
12-02-2003, 21:39
I only go and see a film during the day now (usually the first showing), when I get a day off work. And if the film is rated below an 18 I make sure it's not a school holiday.
Originally posted by ivoryman
The guy who sits in front of you who is 7foot tall.
Don't agree with that at all. Just because he's tall doesn't mean he's a nobhead :nono:
Have you just got a complex about being a shortarse :nuts: ?
jroadley
12-02-2003, 21:53
I went and saw Final Destination 2 last night, 17:50 screening and there was 10 people in a 300 seat cinema.
DO NOT GO TO THE CINEMA AT THE WEEKEND OR ANY LATER THAN 7PM AS THE SCUM COMES OUT TO PLAY :mad:
ivoryman
12-02-2003, 21:57
Originally posted by Bolch
Don't agree with that at all. Just because he's tall doesn't mean he's a nobhead :nono:
Have you just got a complex about being a shortarse :nuts: ?
I suppose i got a bit carried away with that one. And FYI i'm 6' tall. :p
No worries,
and FYI I've got an extra 5 inches on you (I'm also taller :p )
I recently went to see "Catch me if you can" a couple of days early on a preview.
5:20 showing, I thought maybe it will be full of arses but, hey, for once I'll watch a film before my mates. Luckily there were only 6 other people in the cinema, therefore no disturbances and a great film.
Might starting going to the cinema when the film is released rather than the usual last week run at 1:30 on a wednesday!
:smokin:
zeroluck
12-02-2003, 22:30
Originally posted by ivoryman
I'm talking about the leg in your back constantly.
The noisy kids talking/shouting/giggling/running up and down the isle every 5 seconds.
The guy who sits in front of you who is 7foot tall.
The chewy stuck to your ass conveniently left behind from it's previous occupant.
The film losing sound/cutting out midway through eg. the film cut out while watching gangs of new york just before the main fight sequence near the end.
I mean call me a grumbling arsehole if you want, but it's getting to the point where going to see anything rated under 18 makes me think twice, oh and i also try and see movies in the day when i'm off work, as it's pretty quiet.
I hate it when a person's mobile phone rings, and they continue to enjoy a 20 minute conversation on it during the film!!!
Jeez - bad experiences there chaps...
I've had some bad ones - The Others due it's low rating had some young 13 year olds talking to each other loudly ("this is crap!" repeated ad infinitum) until I asked them "do you mind?" (yes pretty lame but that's all that came out other than the cursing that was going on in my head) to which they grumbles abuse for the rest of the film...
Oh and in Antaarajuat (not really a neddy film) I had this greek bunch (there's a big greek contingent at my uni) who took it on themselves to do a running commentary. I was tempted to use my limited greek and say "malakA malAka" but thought I didn't really want to start a punchup in an arthouse...
What galls me most is that the cinemas no longer ask for silence during the performances - ok they ask for mobile phones to be turned off but asking for people to not converse? I can't remember the last time I saw that...
If I were a millionaire, I would set up a cinema where you had to take a vow of silence to not speak during the movie lest have your tongue torn out by vipers and be buried in the sand (or whatever the FMs do)....
Alternatively, cinemas could set up "silent rooms" which require you to be silent with staff ready to kick you out if you break that rule. A bit like the family stands in a football stadium?
Lenny Nero
13-02-2003, 00:09
Originally posted by jroadley
I went and saw Final Destination 2 last night, 17:50 screening and there was 10 people in a 300 seat cinema.
DO NOT GO TO THE CINEMA AT THE WEEKEND OR ANY LATER THAN 7PM AS THE SCUM COMES OUT TO PLAY :mad:
For the past FIVE YEARS I haven't been to a movie theater on a weekend once! I only go on work days at the last, latest showing when all the morons go to bed, plus one of my favorite theaters in Century City barely has any audience, ever, so I can even go on weekends and there'd only be 10-20 people for its huge auditoriums and even they're pretty polite because it's a white, rich neighborhood. Yes it is racist but that's the truth out of my experience of going to movies in various parts of town.
I kind of wonder actually how that huge theater stays afloat when there is no one there, unless they're showing M:I-2 or a Star Wars movie.
So yeah, go on weekdays, to the same theater where you've had better experiences, if your movie doesn't play there, watch another one and in 2-3 months get a DVD. I skip half the movies now because getting a DVD is cheaper than watching a movie in theaters, and you own it in the end.
WildThing
13-02-2003, 00:34
The main bad experiences I've had in the past couple of years are, the projector failinq when I went to see 'Gladiator'. Luckily it did'nt happen during any battle scenes, it still ruined the experience though.
Also when I went to see 'The Time Machine' there were a couple of young girls sitting right at the back, underneath where the projector is, they kept flapping their cardigans up in the air to deliberately block the film, I can see people getting really annoyed, this continued for about 20mins. I've never been an aggresive person, but I was only a split second away from walking up to them, shouting, giving them a slap or getting the manager to boot them out, but then they decided to stop. Why do people go to the cinema and pay £7 if they have no intention of watching the film.
Another problem I've had is the seating. Specifically, badly positioned seats, to make as much money as possible and cram in as many people as they can, the front row seats are positioned too close to the screen these days. The worst seats I ever had was when I went to see 'The World is not enough'. We had to sit in the front row centre seats cos there were no other seats left. The front row seat are positioned only about 8 feet from the screen, I was getting severe neck ache. after a while, everyone in the front row slipped further down/lower in their seats to avoid getting neck ache. We were all laying back in our seats so much that they might as well have installed beds in the front row. You also get a extremely distorted view watching the film at that angle, watching it at an extreme perspective was very annoying.
The Bear
13-02-2003, 01:04
The 'leg in the back of your chair' really, really annoys me. They must be aware that they're doing it. Surely there's enough room. If I and everyone else can manage then why can't they?
The solution to this is simple, cinemas could deal with this easily by employing people to sort out the annoying gits.
It can even be done appropriatly to the films theme
eg a poisoned dart in an adventure film, stab them in the back with a large knife during a horrorfilm, shoot them with a silenced gun during a gangster film, endless possibilties.
:norty:
The Bear
13-02-2003, 01:34
Originally posted by Jowy
The solution to this is simple, cinemas could deal with this easily by employing people to sort out the annoying gits.
It can even be done appropriatly to the films theme
eg a poisoned dart in an adventure film, stab them in the back with a large knife during a horrorfilm, shoot them with a silenced gun during a gangster film, endless possibilties.
:norty: What if you're watching a :norty: film!!?? Rogered to death?
ivoryman
13-02-2003, 01:53
One time this guy kept nudging my girls seat. After about 10 minutes of this she turned round and told him if he didn't stop she would know his block off, the guy **** and i :clap:
tj_director
13-02-2003, 03:12
agree there's not enough promotion to tell people to shut up etc... to be honest i can't remember that many times where a mobile went off during a film, and when it did i simply didn't turn around and waste my time.. it's like turning around everytime someone coughs! And at least most mobile incidents are simply a case of forgetting to turn off, and are innocent mistakes... though i hate it when people all turn round at the poor sod like he's hitler or something... like they'd do that to someone with a crunchy sweet wrapper!!
but they should have more adverts at the beginning to tell people to keep their voices down... though, in Cineworld they have that warning sort of.. but it seems to actually spark off people's conversations!!!
I could go on forver about my gripes about cinemas etc.. but one of the main reasons i don't go is that i can't bear to end up being seated away from the sweet spot, if you sit too far to the left or right the whole surround effect is wasted.. especially noticable if you've got home theatre... also the angle of the screen can be feel funny, so even if the cinema is quiet, they'll always be some sad case liek myself who has taken the sweet spot, and i can't exactly go sit next to him can i!!
These days the ONLY advantage of cinema is having a bigger screen, and watching films earlier.. but if you have a relatively big screen at home plus patience, then i really can't see the need to go to the cinema... which is a shame, because there's nothing like seeing a film at the theatre.. but the cinema has now become a public hang out more than anything.
nothing's changed though really, has it? nearly 20 years ago i worked in a cinema and all the same problems were there except mobile phones! still, those were the days when i had to sit in on the movie after collecting the tickets..good for Bladerunner over and over again but then again i did have to suffer Jaws 3-D a million times.. even worse when it's not even a 3-D compatible screen!
the knee in the back and 'tall guy' have got better i reckon though.. and i can even 'half-stretch' my legs sometimes, woohoo! and for the noisy crowd may i suggest an idea from 'the tingler'? the odd electric jolt should shut 'em up! :)
Panavision
13-02-2003, 08:35
Coughing kids is a major annoyance, unbelievable how irresponsible many parents are!!! :mad:
dazza001
13-02-2003, 09:16
I always used to favour the cinema over home viewing, for obvious reasons such as pic/sound quality etc., and also because there were less distractions ('phone, door, etc.) and it was more immersive. Nowadays it's anything but distraction-free.
There are lots of problems, most already covered: people kicking the backs of chairs is one of the worst (I'm always aware if I nudge the seat in front, so how can they not be?). The lack of staff giving the auditorium at least a couple of cursory glances throughout a film is also a big problem; sometimes there isn't even someone on the door to check tickets!
I still enjoy going to the cinema if the circumstances are ideal, but paying £15 or so for a DVD is now my preferred option - it costs a lot more for 2 of us to go to a screening at the cinema.
I reckon that one of the reasons why cinemas aren't too fussed about stamping out annoying behaviour is because they know that these pea-brains account for much of their business, and as most of them think that it's compulsory to also buy an XXL popcorn & drink (most of which they'll freely decorate the auditorium and/or other patrons with), the cinema makes a lot more than the 5% or whatever they take from a ticket. Alas, the real film fans are starting to stay away...
Dazza.
Originally posted by Bolch
No worries,
and FYI I've got an extra 5 inches on you (I'm also taller :p )
:norty:
Nick dVl
13-02-2003, 09:32
If you're patient enough, do NOT go and see a film as soon as it is released. I tend to leave major releases for at least 2 to 3 weeks (sometimes 4). And then only watch it on a weeknight.
By that time, most of the yobs and nobheads have had their fill and won't be there to bug me... :suspect:
I very rarely go to the cinema anymore thanks to DVD's. The last couple of times have been a joy though (Goldmember - 4 people watching which included me and the missus, xXx - every youngster well behaved for once, Minority Report - nothing but adults, major silence throughout the movie).
The worst experience I had was when I went to see Evolution at 3:30 on a Sunday afternoon. Cinema full, tons of youngsters with short attention spans. About halfway through the film a bunch of these mongs about two rows behind us started bunging food about and spitting stuff through straws. I was about to lose my rag until this big bloke about 40-ish piped up:
"I suggest you stop doing that or I'll shove that straw right up your arse!" :clap:
Cue much hilarity from our row and deathly silence from the mongs for the rest of the film.
I must be lucky - I don't think I've ever heard a mobile going off in the cinema; the munching of popcorn and crackling sweety wrappers does get to me a bit though - why is it always a group of four or more people who are always in the row behind me!
When I went to the Corner House in Manchester they didn't have a kiosk, and I don't recall having this problem; now I go to the Belmont in Aberdeen, which does have a kiosk, and every film is accompanied by munchies :mad:
Mind you, it's even worse if you go to the ballet or opera in Aberdeen - the theatre has a kiosk selling sweets :eek: - then people unwrap them slowly to keep the noise down, which just makes it last ten times longer :rolleyes:
The UGC in Slough is notorious for having knobbers ruining films. So much so that a lot of my friends who have got the monthly passes do not go anymore. It seems though that things are changin for the better. A friend went to see a film last Friday night and true to form there were idiots mucking around. A few minutes in the cinema manager strolled in and pointed at about six teenagers and told them to get out. So they left tails between legs. About ten minutes later another load of teenagers started to play up and within moments the manager was back in and threw them out as well! Now thats what all cinemas need.
I'm lucky though as my local cinema (Showcase Reading) has always been an enjoyable experience. Only once have ever had to tell someone to shut up.
Went to Crawley UGC on sunday to see Catch me if you can. About 60 minutes into the film a baby starts crying somewhere in the front row :mad: Why do parents take such a young child to a cinema for gods sake?!!! They didn't leave until the baby had cried twice more :mad:
ivoryman
13-02-2003, 12:46
I guess one of the reasons i don't fly off the handle anymore is because i have a monthly pass, so my pocket doesn't get stung every time i see a film.
It's funny though because every time I and my g/f go the cinema we always joke about what will happen to **** us off, the sad thing is something always does happen.
Oh yeah another irritancy is people smoking. :mad:
rogeralpine
13-02-2003, 12:56
A colleague, who's a Star Wars nut, saw one of the films in the States - can't remember which one. He really enjoyed the booing, shouting and cheering during the film - at appropriate moments may I add - saying that it contributed to the overall atmosphere.
It sounded like hell to me - each to their own heh?
Why can't they set up some sort of film club, and have regular showings for members only, then anyone who causes trouble can get their membership revoked for life. Surely it would be worth it as it would encourage so many more people to go.
ivoryman
13-02-2003, 13:30
In the extras section of Attack of the Clones region 2 we see an exert of the premiere in the US. Wow what a great atmosphere! Everyone was wearing costumes, light sabre's everywhere to be seen, glow lights, and the resonating applause upon the opening credits.
Are the US ahead in terms of Cinema? I personally have never been.
I dunno... go to a Rocky Horror Picture Show screening and check what happens at one of those over here... i also used to hoover up on saturday mornings at the cinema i worked.. suffice to say i quit the week befor a late night Friday RHPS event!
NinjaBen
13-02-2003, 13:45
My local cinemas are the two wood green cinemas, which, arguably, are the worst in London as far as annoying people, bad service, and poor projection go. In the short time that both have been open, i (along with the rest of the audience) have received four 'free passes' because of disturbances caused by idiots.
Originally posted by ivoryman
In the extras section of Attack of the Clones region 2 we see an exert of the premiere in the US. Wow what a great atmosphere! Everyone was wearing costumes, light sabre's everywhere to be seen, glow lights, and the resonating applause upon the opening credits.
Are the US ahead in terms of Cinema? I personally have never been.
In the US, you quite often get people shouting at the screen and such. I wouldn't say they're ahead of here.
But then again, I've never experienced the kind of things people talk about here. Only once did a mobile phone go off in the cinema and the person actually took the call. :eek: I thought I was going to explode! If these other things had happened to me I'd be in jail for homicide right now.
Where I saw Star Wars, the rerelease, you had the people in costumes, you had the cheering at the opening credits, and a "wooooh" went through the audience every time Darth Vader appeared. 'twas great! :D
This was back in Norway, where you also got people queuing for months to get tickets for FOTR. When the same thing happened with TTT, the film distributor and cinema built a "hobbit village" in a nearby park and moved the line there. I imagine the vibes must have been pretty good when the film opened!
Reading this thread has reminded me about the time I saw Titan A.E. at Plymouth's Warner Village. It was a weekday, the film had been out for several weeks, and there was only me and one other guy in the screen. Great! Nice quiet viewing of what is really a kids' film.
His bloody phone rang and he jabbered on for a good ten minutes :mad:
As for atmosphere during a screening, I saw the special edition of Star Wars at Leceister Square during it's opening weekend. When the audience cheered and clapped when the Death Star blew up, my sister turned and said "Why's everyone clapping? They KNEW the Death Star was going to exploded!" I just let it ride - I was to busy immersing myself in the great atmosphere.
Wish more screenings were like this.
Have to admit though, it is a habit of mine to see films during a weekday afternoon, usually opening day if possible, as it's quieter. Glad I saw Gladiator on it's opening day, before all the hype started.
Hateincarnate
13-02-2003, 16:53
I reckon one of the problems is the fact that most of the people working in cinemas today are either kids or just non confrontational people as the money is rubbish, so when there is a "fool" nothing is done cos they're normally a loud group of yobs or just mouthy idiots and whats the point in the 17 year old kid who takes tickets risking his neck. Cinemas need good managers, i used to work in a cinema and the manager was a weak willed git who wouldnt back up any of the staff when thay had a complaint about a "patron" and these days the massive multiplexes are so big i dont reckon ive ever seen anyone resembling a manager doing anything about anything, after reading threads on here about people complaining about film quality in movies and managers just giving lame excuses that scape goat someone else.
My list of bad experiences - bulemic girls in the toilets, glue sniffers, old men that stink of effluent, kids drinking, mobile phones, laser pens (worst example of that was in an independant cinema full of adults seeing an obscure movie??!!) drunk yobs.......Oh those were the days, the last few months of the ABC - damn those blue waistcoats and bow ties were good!
Island Swing
13-02-2003, 17:03
One of the reasons why I like the cinema is the atmosphere, sure theres sometimes a bit of noise but I dont think you can beat a packed cinema thats looking forward to a film. I always think it takes away from it slightly if the cinemas nostly empty.
To be honest in my experience its when a cinema is about a quarter full the worst of the noise is, maybe cos the neds think they can get away with it. Never had much of a problem with mobiles while I've been though.
I do have grievances though I think I notice them less when the cinemas full.
1. Folk tapping their feet on the back of your chair, I can live with the leg pressing cos I can adjust but the tapping drives me crazy.
2. Crisps. Why would anyone dream of taking them in to a movie
3. UGCs incredibly noisy popcorn packaging. (see no2 for noise)
4.12A. Films can contain unsuitable scenes for kids nightmare if theres brief nudity :brickwall kids cheering etc. Then you have parents explaining what just happened to their kids :brickwall :brickwall
Michael Mackenzie
13-02-2003, 17:20
When I went to see 28 Days Later, some idiot's phone went off. Fine, I thought, it's a one-off. Then, five minutes later, it rang again. Not only that, he answered it and proceeded to have a conversation with someone. "Yeah, I'm in the cinema!" Shades of Dom Jolly. God help them if it had actually been a good film!
bruce-leroy
13-02-2003, 17:53
Originally posted by ivoryman
Oh yeah another irritancy is people smoking. :mad:
I went to the Showcase Cinema to watch Blade 2, and there was actually people smoking marijuana in the auditorium. :mad: :oh-hum: By all means smoke it in your own home, but I wish they would show some courtesy in public! :mad: Smoking and Marijuana is not my thing, and I don't need the pungent smell going up my nose when I am trying to enjoy a movie. :brickwall
ivoryman
13-02-2003, 19:02
Can't remember the film but once their was this couple in the corner, and i kid you not they talked from the start of the film right through till near the end, and no not whispering, a fully fledged conversation. If you go the Cinema to watch a film, then watch the frigging film! It's not a social club!!!! :mad:
Just remembered The Others was the film and it was pretty much ruined. How insensitive can you get?!?!
Just to add to this debate. I think it's a case of good old British mentality. We don't complain about anything.....ever!!!
Aha - I did the other day - they messed up the sound on the first 2 mins of City of God and I went to complain after it (though was the only person who did it out of 40 present!)... My mate was sooooo embarassed (as if I was threatening to strip in public) that he legged it to the toilets but emerged rapdily when he saw I was getting a free ticket for whichever film I wanted :D
But I'm probably not really British - French upbringing does a lot for your outrage neurons :)
ivoryman
13-02-2003, 19:25
Originally posted by perfecta
Aha - I did the other day - they messed up the sound on the first 2 mins of City of God and I went to complain after it (though was the only person who did it out of 40 present!)... My mate was sooooo embarassed (as if I was threatening to strip in public) that he legged it to the toilets but emerged rapdily when he saw I was getting a free ticket for whichever film I wanted :D
But I'm probably not really British - French upbringing does a lot for your outrage neurons :)
Well you have just backed up my point. The other 39 presumably British folk didn't say nowt but you didn't stand for it, bravo :clap:
robzinski
13-02-2003, 19:35
Originally posted by The Bear
The 'leg in the back of your chair' really, really annoys me. They must be aware that they're doing it. Surely there's enough room. If I and everyone else can manage then why can't they?
There's not always enough room. The last time I went to the UCI near me I realised my knee's were touching the seat in front, so anytime I moved I would have been banging the seat in front.
Luckily there wasn't anyone sat there though.
Lately i've been going to see films on my day off (Monday) and going to a showing at around 2pm at Star City. The other good thing about Star City is The Gold Class screening, which are exclusively for over 18's, whatever the film. The added bonus of going in the afternoon is that before 6pm its only £1 more, and the seats are great.
robzinski
13-02-2003, 19:49
Originally posted by ivoryman
Just to add to this debate. I think it's a case of good old British mentality. We don't complain about anything.....ever!!!
I think its half to do with the hassle involved that no-one complains. You have the following set of conclusions to complaining.
1. You get offered a free ticket, and nothing gets done to the offenders.
2. The manager (More likely to be a teenager with no backbone) comes into the show and tells the offending people to stop. This, more often than not if the offenders are teenagers arsing around, then results in a big argument breaking out. The film is then ruined for everyone.
3. You complain directly to the offenders, and you then receive abuse from them for the rest of the screening. Again, if its teenagers behind you expect to be occasionally hit by popcorn followed by laughter.
The Only solution would be for there to be employees in every screening, but even if they were there half of the time they couldn't remove the offenders without totally spoiling the film ala option 2.
ivoryman
13-02-2003, 19:52
So is there no hope for incident free Cinema? :noid:
The should fit every seat in the cinema with an electric shock device. So when you go and complain one of the members of staff will have a device with every seat listed on it, one press of the button to the corresponding seat and then get a pin prick. If they continue to be a nob the voltage is increased and then icreased agian..........:nuts:
Originally posted by NinjaBen
My local cinemas are the two wood green cinemas, which, arguably, are the worst in London as far as annoying people, bad service, and poor projection go. In the short time that both have been open, i (along with the rest of the audience) have received four 'free passes' because of disturbances caused by idiots.
Think yourself lucky - when I lived in Wood Green in the late 80s there was only the Coronet near Turnpike Lane tube. What a dump. Only memorable for me cos the manager had a limp, so it would take him about an hour to come and fix things when the projector got stuck!
Nautilus
13-02-2003, 22:46
Originally posted by WildThing
Another problem I've had is the seating.
I've been to a few different Warner Village cinemas in London, and they are generally quite good. Their seats have a reasonable amount of legroom, and most of the auditoriums have staggered or stadium-style seating (no matter who sits in front of you, you always get a clear view of the screen). Good sightlines too, even from the sides of the auditorium.
Originally posted by Nick dVl
If you're patient enough, do NOT go and see a film as soon as it is released. I tend to leave major releases for at least 2 to 3 weeks (sometimes 4). And then only watch it on a weeknight.
If you're going to a multiplex though, they'll often move the film from one of their larger screens to a smaller one. I always find it a bit disappointing walking into an auditorium with a small screen. :)
Oh, I just remembered that I have experienced something like this.
When I saw Final Fantasy, a bunch of kids in the back rows kept making silhouttes and shadow puppets on the screen, and also waving laser pointers around.
Well, when the film was over, every male in the audience went up to them as one gave them a lecture in common courtesy. Their humiliation ... their fear ... Ah! 'Twas a glorious moment! :thumbs:
NinjaBen
13-02-2003, 23:54
Originally posted by Beddie
Think yourself lucky - when I lived in Wood Green in the late 80s there was only the Coronet near Turnpike Lane tube. What a dump.
Yes, i still suffer post-traumatic stress disorder from visiting that place as a youngster. Imagine my dismay when it was closed and demolished.
Went to see Narc last Monday at the UCI in Norwich. I was on my own in there as it was an afternoon showing. Absolute bliss:thumbs:
Tempting my fate next week though as I want to see Daredevil and its half term week:rolleyes:
Mandrill
14-02-2003, 00:48
Originally posted by tj_director
but the cinema has now become a public hang out more than anything.
Totally agree with this.You get big groupsof people manily youths who come in and sit and chat like they are watching a movie at home with no respect for anyone else.
I went to see Bourne Identity and had 2 gilrs in front of me chucking pop corn at each other and squashing it in each others hairs I mean they were around 18 for gods sake grow up.:mad: :mad:
I try to only go during the day or if its an 18
When I went to see Die Another Day a group of Asians at the back of the cinema were speaking loudly in their own langauge (whatever that was) and they had absolutely no interest in the film at all. They were also standing on the seats putting their hands in front of the projector and trying to make animal shapes on the screen. :nono:
I'm with the people who say the ******** quotent has got worse with the introduction of 12A 100%. I don't know what it is about this rating, but it's turning into the death knell of cinema viewing for me.
It's really bizzare, because I've been to PGs and 12s for years with few problems, but every time I've got to a 12A (about four so far), it's been a nightmare. Kids running off for a slash every few minutes, ubiqutous yobs and their mobiles, popcorn, chatting whenever a "boring" (ie, screen isn't filled with explosions) scene comes on ... you name it, I've seen it! Worse of all was Catch Me If You Can, which featured, in addition to the picture, the bonus of a group of tweenyboppers performing a most accomplished display of handstands against the bottom of the screen! Throughout. Quite unbelievable. I've also got to the point of dreading the singe f-word most 12As contain, since the expletive tends to leave the woefully underage audience in paroxysms of laughter for a good minute (if you're lucky), meaning you miss all subsequent dialogue until the novelty of hearing n0rty language on screen dries up.
I think the main problem is that the subject matter is too much for most kids, who get dragged along with their parents; that, or tweenys (Christ perserve the cinema when there's a sizable quotent of the buggers) wander in aimlessly and compete with each other to see who can crap over the film from the greatest hight.
God, saints and mammon perserve us if 15s and 18s ever become advisory. Can you imagine tweenies in the likes of Irreversible? :eek:
tj_director
14-02-2003, 03:17
i think a practical solution would be to install a CCTV camera in each screen, i doubt it would be that much of a cost, considering how much each screen costs. I reckon this would definately lower the amount of fooling around by a lot, especially if it seemed that people were watching and responding efficiently... instead of just sticking a CCTV sign on the door.
The obvious downside would be a lot of innocent people wouldn't feel comfortable knowing someone's watching them the whole time. Though i doubt the guy or gal watching the CCTV would be interested in the guys who were just sitting there doing nothing.
I think there are bad points to it, but i can't think of any other easy solution... though i imagine people wanting to make out on the back row will feel violated.. then again they'd probably get a kick out of it!!!
:norty:
Ravenger
14-02-2003, 09:04
Originally posted by tj_director
I could go on forver about my gripes about cinemas etc.. but one of the main reasons i don't go is that i can't bear to end up being seated away from the sweet spot, if you sit too far to the left or right the whole surround effect is wasted.. especially noticable if you've got home theatre... also the angle of the screen can be feel funny, so even if the cinema is quiet, they'll always be some sad case liek myself who has taken the sweet spot, and i can't exactly go sit next to him can i!!
.
I don't have a home cinema sound system, so one of the reasons I go to the cinema is to get the full surround effect. I too hate it when I have to sit at the sides, for exactly the same reasons.
I always try to get a seat bang in the middle of the cinema, If I can. Unfortunately it's not always possible. For LOTR TTT I was way off to the right and it was very irritating having a distorted view, and no proper surround effect.
ivoryman
14-02-2003, 10:22
CCTV in each screen sounds like a great plan. They could use night vision technology so everyone shows up clearly.
Sounds like a plan. Now all we need to do is convince the cinemas. :norty:
Here in London I have experienced the following:
Talking: yes sometimes, depends on film
People getting up to go to the toilet: yes
People coming in late just at crucial plot moment: yes often
People behind you kicking your seat: all the time
Floor sticky: yes
Auditorium smells of old socks: yes usually
Also had the following projection problems in the last 12 months:
Odeon Leicester Square: LOTR FOTR: curved screen therefore subtitles partly illegible (and subtitles look stupid, with screen curving away below them)
Odeon Marble Arch: Star Wars II: out of focus, hair caught in film guide
UGC Trocadero: Road to Perdition: one ventilation shaft making loud buzzing/whining/humming noise throughout film; film not properly framed so blurry/messy edge seen in top right corner.
Solution: buy a good digital projector & decent sound system. That should set you back no more than 2 grand, less if you get it second-hand. I know what you're like, that's probably what you spend on buying DVDs in a year anyway (so from now on rent, don't buy). Or if you spend £15 a week on cinema tickets, that's £750 a year which would pay for the system in just under 3 years. Plus you save on popcorn, parking etc.
CCTV in the cinema! Nooooo! Where the hell else can I go for a good nose pick then? Jaysus...
tj_director
14-02-2003, 17:12
Originally posted by spudman
CCTV in the cinema! Nooooo! Where the hell else can I go for a good nose pick then? Jaysus...
at least they can't pick up a slient-but-deadly boff.. unless of course added to the Night Vision they had thermal.. that'd be great, the F.A.R.T Brigade!! who come in and kick out smelly people!! :clap:
and go pick your nose in the toilet spudman, or in the mddle of some random forest!!! i bet you flick it on unsuspecting viewers in front don't you?!.. forget the popcorn, sticky boogers are far more fun!! :D
tj_director
14-02-2003, 17:24
Originally posted by cm-9
People coming in late just at crucial plot moment: yes often
one of the best things i saw was during a packed showing of The Mummy Returns, (which was showing on 2-3 screens), 10 minutes before the end, a couple walk in, and find two empty seats right at the front... it took them 10 minutes and the final credits to realise they walked into the wrong screen, and the end of the bleedin' film! :brickwall
Solution: buy a good digital projector & decent sound system. That should set you back no more than 2 grand, less if you get it second-hand. I know what you're like, that's probably what you spend on buying DVDs in a year anyway (so from now on rent, don't buy). Or if you spend £15 a week on cinema tickets, that's £750 a year which would pay for the system in just under 3 years. Plus you save on popcorn, parking etc. [/QUOTE]
and you could get an Usher's uniform for your girlfriend/wife/boyfriend/husband/both, make a mock cashier's desk, and food stall.. then make them wait in the lobby (toilet) until the film finishes.. occasionaly calling them in to tell the kids to be quiet, or complain about the temperature. Now that would be the ultimate perfect solution!! :lol:
George vader
14-02-2003, 17:41
Originally posted by neoboy259
I remember when the guy next to me lit up a "herbal cigarette" and stank out the whole cinema.
Management came in and kicked his ass:clap:
I would have asked for a toke not complained:smokin:
Nachos should be banned, they always stink the place out.
ivoryman
14-02-2003, 19:46
Originally posted by tj_director
one of the best things i saw was during a packed showing of The Mummy Returns, (which was showing on 2-3 screens), 10 minutes before the end, a couple walk in, and find two empty seats right at the front... it took them 10 minutes and the final credits to realise they walked into the wrong screen, and the end of the bleedin' film! :brickwall
Solution: buy a good digital projector & decent sound system. That should set you back no more than 2 grand, less if you get it second-hand. I know what you're like, that's probably what you spend on buying DVDs in a year anyway (so from now on rent, don't buy). Or if you spend £15 a week on cinema tickets, that's £750 a year which would pay for the system in just under 3 years. Plus you save on popcorn, parking etc.
and you could get an Usher's uniform for your girlfriend/wife/boyfriend/husband/both, make a mock cashier's desk, and food stall.. then make them wait in the lobby (toilet) until the film finishes.. occasionaly calling them in to tell the kids to be quiet, or complain about the temperature. Now that would be the ultimate perfect solution!! :lol: [/QUOTE]
If you really want to create that Cinema feel why stop there?
Spit a load of chewing gum on the carpet so that your shoes stick to the floor no matter where you walk.
Employ the local thug to smoke a spliff in the corner.
Get the neighbours kids into your living room and have them run up and down the isle/hall every 5 minutes and talk at the crucial points in the film.
I could go on but i think you get the point.
Last night one of our 'guests' activated the firealarm by completely smahing the firepoint off the wall. The whole building went into evac mode :(
John Mardaljevic
14-02-2003, 23:53
Just ask the person/persons making a noise politely, but firmly, to be quiet. And do it before they start to really **** you off. It's too late if you wait until you're really angry, by that time you'll be so cross the noisy gits will take it as an affront rather than a reasonable request. I used to regularly ask people to be quiet in the cinema. Nearly always worked. The fact that my friends found this astonishing: "he told some people off again" suggests very few people do this. Shame really, most people seem quite pleased when someone 'has a go'. I suppose the reluctance to do this is a British thing (cf. American guest at Fawlty Towers).
Originally posted by The Bear
The 'leg in the back of your chair' really, really annoys me. They must be aware that they're doing it. Surely there's enough room. If I and everyone else can manage then why can't they?
There's a UCI in Norwich that has decent sized seats - it's the first I've seen though. Not everyone is a shortass :)
Originally posted by theblob
nothing's changed though really, has it? nearly 20 years ago i worked in a cinema and all the same problems were there except mobile phones! still, those were the days when i had to sit in on the movie after collecting the tickets..good for Bladerunner over and over again but then again i did have to suffer Jaws 3-D a million times.. even worse when it's not even a 3-D compatible screen!
the knee in the back and 'tall guy' have got better i reckon though.. and i can even 'half-stretch' my legs sometimes, woohoo! and for the noisy crowd may i suggest an idea from 'the tingler'? the odd electric jolt should shut 'em up! :)
Agreed on that score,'cos I worked in a cinema as well nearly 20 years ago too. & yes Jaws 3D didn't work, neither did Amityville 3D either. Only 3D films I've seen that were remotely interesting were Love in 3D & what the Swedish butler saw in 3D! :norty: :nuts: :thumbs: :D
There is CCTV in a lot of the newer cinemas.
If anyone's been to the AMC in Manchester, they will surely have noticed the menacing nightclub-size bouncers (long coats and shaved heads as well).
I went with a mate to watch a film (can't remember which - I must have seen 20+ in october when they were giving away free tickets). We were the only two people in there and I was resting my feet on the top of the seat in front of me, when one of the bouncers walked in and asked me to take my feet off the chair :eek:
Another time I went with a few friends and one of them found someone's left-over popcorn and threw it at another of my friends. He threw a bit back and they then settled down (this was well before the start of the film). A few minutes later a bouncer wandered in and had a good look around, then told them off for throwing the popcorn!
I think it's a great idea to have this style of monitoring, more cinemas should follow suit.
Originally posted by ivoryman
I mean call me a grumbling arsehole if you want, but it's getting to the point where going to see anything rated under 18 makes me think twice, oh and i also try and see movies in the day when i'm off work, as it's pretty quiet.
I live in a university town and I have to say that the people who usually end up talking constantly, fidgeting etc.. are usually people over 18.
Kids I can understand because they've yet to learn but when a supposed "adult" does it it really annoys me.
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