People playing with their phones in the theatre

[Jim H]

Jesus. H. Christ.

The next time some jackass toys around with his phone in the first few rows in the middle of a big scene, I think I'm going to scream. I can deal with people TALKING ON THEIR PHONES during a movie. It's very annoying, but if they're relatively quiet, I can sort of zone them out.

But the stupid fuckers who randomly flash a bright light into the corners of my eyes at random intervals a couple dozen times in every movie? No. There's nothing I can do. These people need to start getting ejected from theatres - the sooner the better.

Who's with me here?





Oh, and if I see somebody else doing this with a sidekick/iphone/other giant brick phone with a 5" screen, they're going to get their asses beat. Grrrr.

[sirdizzy]

I absolutly hate that too, I have seen people who have had their phone open more than it was closed during the film.

Can't we unplug for ninety minutes and just enjoy a movie, how the fuck did we get by like 5 years ago without these fucking cell phones. How did we drive, eat, see movies, and even work without the damn things, How did our parents and our grandparents.

Part of it is giving 14 years olds cell phones nowdays likes its normal, a 14 year old does not need a cell phone, I barely need one.

I was waiting in line for a movie and there was this group of teenagers comparing who had the largest text messaging bill ever, one girl was like $400 yet there she was still with a cell phone. Jesus H Christ if that was a kid of mine she would never touch a cell phone again tell it was in her name and the bill was her responsibility which I believe is 18.

[g05]

unfortunately, this kind of stuff will never stop and it will get worse before it gets any better. i absolutely hate cel phones. i have one and it's always turned off. no one has my # and if i have to use it, i make sure no one is around or looking at me cause i don't want to be like everyone else.

[Le_Big_Mac]

I concur on this rant. Young people these days and their accursed anti-social advanced technology, dagnabbit!

[bigred760]

It is very annoying, but I think talking on the phone during the movie is moreso. But still . . . I don't get why these people can't keep their phones out of sight for two hours while they (and others) watch a movie.

[Jim H]

Originally posted by sirdizzy
I absolutly hate that too, I have seen people who have had their phone open more than it was closed during the film.

Can't we unplug for ninety minutes and just enjoy a movie, how the fuck did we get by like 5 years ago without these fucking cell phones. How did we drive, eat, see movies, and even work without the damn things, How did our parents and our grandparents.

Part of it is giving 14 years olds cell phones nowdays likes its normal, a 14 year old does not need a cell phone, I barely need one.

I was waiting in line for a movie and there was this group of teenagers comparing who had the largest text messaging bill ever, one girl was like $400 yet there she was still with a cell phone. Jesus H Christ if that was a kid of mine she would never touch a cell phone again tell it was in her name and the bill was her responsibility which I believe is 18.

It's especially stupid since you can buy unlimited text messages for like $10 a month.


Can't we unplug for ninety minutes and just enjoy a movie, how the fuck did we get by like 5 years ago without these fucking cell phones

I especially like how they're apparently paying $9 to sit in a dark room and play with their phone. I mean, yeesh.

[Cronos]

It really pisses me off when people do this, not as much as when they're talking on them or just talking to the person next to them, why don't they just stay at home and sit in a dark room, would be the same thing since they aren't even watching the damn film.

Still i get this less now since i wait a number of weeks before going to see something at the cinema.

[RustyRazor]

Originally posted by Jim H
Jesus. H. Christ.

The next time some jackass toys around with his phone in the first few rows in the middle of a big scene, I think I'm going to scream. I can deal with people TALKING ON THEIR PHONES during a movie. It's very annoying, but if they're relatively quiet, I can sort of zone them out.

But the stupid fuckers who randomly flash a bright light into the corners of my eyes at random intervals a couple dozen times in every movie? No. There's nothing I can do. These people need to start getting ejected from theatres - the sooner the better.

Who's with me here?





Oh, and if I see somebody else doing this with a sidekick/iphone/other giant brick phone with a 5" screen, they're going to get their asses beat. Grrrr.

They've created a number of those commercials before the movie asking people to silence their phones so other people can enjoy the movie.

But WHY would people still talk on their phone, fuck with the color on their phone ("I'm trying to chage it to cyan! It's not cyan enough! I don't care if the movie's playing! I want the proper color!")?

It's because people are pricks.

Before the invention of cellphones, you'd run into people at the local movie theater screwing around with their tin cans during the movie.

Ushers tripping over the strings, injuring themselves. It was a mess.

They need to put a big sign up outside of the theater stating NO cell phone usage allowed inside of the theater.

If you don't silence the phone, you WILL be escorted out of theater.
If you need to take a call, step outside of the theater and talk all you want. If you don't, you WILL be escorted out of the theater.

Of course, this will never happen because they hire teenagers to usher the theaters and I wouldn't expect a teen to go head to head with some big, beefy motherfucker or his loud ass girlfriend who won't shut the fuck up.

The movie going experience ain't what it used to be.

[sirdizzy]

Originally posted by RustyRazor

The movie going experience ain't what it used to be. [/B]

Its not just the movie going expierence, society isn't what it used to be. There used to be something called common courtesy. Teenagers nowdays don't have it, I feat what the world will be like in 15 years when they have to grow up and get jobs and have families without having instilled anytime of normal social behavior in them beforehand.

[RustyRazor]

Originally posted by sirdizzy
Its not just the movie going expierence, society isn't what it used to be. There used to be something called common courtesy. Teenagers nowdays don't have it, I feat what the world will be like in 15 years when they have to grow up and get jobs and have families without having instilled anytime of normal social behavior in them beforehand.

Amen, Sir.
Amen to that.

[EvilHenchman]

Originally posted by Jim H
But the stupid fuckers who randomly flash a bright light into the corners of my eyes at random intervals a couple dozen times in every movie? No. There's nothing I can do. These people need to start getting ejected from theatres - the sooner the better.

Who's with me here?


I'm with you, Spartacus.

These people could at least have the decency to leave the theater - say, go out into the lobby or something. Even the bathroom.

On a slightly-related note, I also despise hearing someone's loud ass cellphone conversation at a ballgame as well. Don't know why, but it drives me - pun shamelessly intended - batty.

[Tagia_Romero]

Originally posted by bigred760
It is very annoying, but I think talking on the phone during the movie is moreso. But still . . . I don't get why these people can't keep their phones out of sight for two hours while they (and others) watch a movie.

Yes, talking on the phone tears it for me. If the phone playing is out of my eyeline, it's not a problem, but if it's anywhere I can see it, I feel the impulse to snatch it out of their hands and throw it down to the further corner of the cinema.

[MansooLee]

So none of you ever sat at movie thinking, "I wonder what time it is?" check your phone, put it down then realize you were looking at the screen and didnt really pay attention to the time so you need to check again?

[sirdizzy]

Originally posted by MansooLee
So none of you ever sat at movie thinking, "I wonder what time it is?" check your phone, put it down then realize you were looking at the screen and didnt really pay attention to the time so you need to check again?

No why the hell do I need to know what time it is during a movie. I am watching the movie I don't need check the time, my text messages, see if anyone has called me or anything else during the movie. I can suspend reality for two hours an enjoy a movie, I don't need any other further entertainment.

[zombievictim]

I've opened my phone up BEFORE a movie just to see if the film is starting on time or what. But I never open in up during a movie. Hell, I turn my phone off during movies so I don't have the urge to look at the time during boring films (I have a bad habit of doing that. LOTR was a killer.)

[MansooLee]

It just seems that whenever I go to the movies 10% of the audience needs to know, at some point during the move, what time it is. As if they need to be somewhere, in which case I ask why are they even at the movie? If you need to be somewhere so bad, why did you decide to come to a 2 hour movie? I came because I wanted to see the movie, NOT your blue light.

[teenkiller]

People can be real dickheads. Movie going experiences can be hit or miss. During Halloween I was expecting a pretty obnoxious audience but luckily I got to sit through most of the movie in peace. Well thats all for now GOoD JOURNEY my fellow schmoes.

[dreamcurls]

oh yeah, that annoys me to no end.
and it's not just teens either. i've seen adults do it too. people using cell phones during movies is one of my biggest pet peeves of all time.
when i went to the messengers awhile back there was some little punk who kept opening his cell phone, not even talking on it, just randomly flipping it open and spewing this annoying blue light into the room. it's so distracting! i'm not a violent or overly out-spoken person by nature but that's enought to set me off. just the incredible amount of disrespect and ignorance alone. escpecially after all the disclaimers and requests on the screen from the theatre to turn off all eletrical devices. what makes some people think that those rules don't apply to them?!
i feel really sorry for these people man. it's pretty sad that they can't get along with out thier damn cell phones for 2hours!

[sirdizzy]

its the reason I stopped going to midnight movies, we rate movies by what we call the jackass factor before going to them.

If the movie is a teen comedy or some pop culture horror film like Saw the movie automatically gets a +5 on the jackass factor

If a movie is crowded and its opening weekend the movie gets a +3 on the jackass factor

If it is a midnight showing it gets a +4 on the jackass factor

if it is a movie that there is a very good chance someone will bring a screaming annoying baby or kid to the movie its gets a +2 on the jackass factor

if the movie can be easily mocked (snakes on a plane) and its way overhyped the movie gets a +2 on the jackass factor


If at any point you reach a Jackass factor of +7 you need to skip that movie until its radiation goes down

I mean you can get away with a midnight film if its not opening weekend and their is a good chance of a low percentage of teenagers in the film but otherwise the movies need to be seen as a matinee when they are all at school

[Badbird]

I don't know about you, but I love it when a flashlight gets shined in my face in a pitch black room.

Oh, wait. No I don't. I fucking hate it.

If I sit up front, I can hear the people behind me talking. If I sit in the back, I can't hear them, but I get a laser show in my eye.

Once this guy sat down to my left and this light kept flashing. Turns out it was a blue tooth ear piece he was leaving in his ear the whole time. What the fuck? I told him to do something about it because it was fucking annoying. Seriously. If I was out with someone who kept their fucking ear piece in all the time, I would never stop pointing out how fucking stupid they look.

The other thing that bugs me is when someone fumbles around with their menu for several minutes trying to figure out how to turn their ringer volume down. You know what's a lot easier? The fucking off button!

[jbar1026]

i have to admit im guilty of this. i do try to hide the screen becuase i am aware of how annoying it is to see these lights. but some times i need to see how much longer a movie will be. but i dont do it more than once a movie
what i hate is when your watching a movie and suddenly someone starts snoring real load why go to a movie to sleep stay home its free

[Badbird]

Doesn't anyone have a watch with a light on it anymore?

Considering how lazy we've become, you figure it would be way easier to turn your wrist that pull out the phone and flip it open.

[jbar1026]

Originally posted by Badbird
Doesn't anyone have a watch with a light on it anymore?

Considering how lazy we've become, you figure it would be way easier to turn your wrist that pull out the phone and flip it open.

im 28 and have never worn a wrist watch for more than a week! the bands always bust and i have hairy arms so it hurts like heck when those metal bands get cought in my arm hair. but i suppose it would be easier than digging in my pocket for a phone.

[BubbaStrangelove]

I keep my phone on silence during films, and maybe will look down at it 2 or 3 times to see if there's any emergencies going on, or something time sensitive. When I look at my phone, I do it during scenes that are loud/bright and I hold the phone down by my hip and peer at it through the corner of my eye - I don't need to flip it open because of an outter LCD screen. If for some reason, I do need to make a call, I quietly exit the theater before removing the phone, and proceed to use it in the lobby or outside.

That's all I'm saying in fear or being virtually beaten down.

[floydtheater07]

I'm a generally liberal guy. I think that the death penalty is archaic and represents a society's inability to mature. However, people who play with their cell phones during the movie should be drawn-and-quartered.


Recently I went to see "Knocked Up" with a friend of mine. He's one of those can't-sit-still-and-won't-take-my-meds types who says that going to the movies sucks because you have to sit and be quiet. Anyway, through the first few minutes of the movie he was just opening and closing his cell. Literally. He wasn't texting, wasn't playing with the layout, wasn't taking blurry pictures of his d!ck, he was just opening and closing it. I was ready to tear my friend's head off and punt it into the audience to scare the little teeny-boppers who even think of typing "lolz" while Seth Rogen is on-screen praising the greatness that is Eric Bana.



Yeah, I want to own a theatre just so I have the authority to go in their and kick those little people out.

[ListersParanoia]

I will do it as covert as possible, maybe checking under the flap of my jacket etc...people who actually give a damn about general basic consideration are a dying breed. I agreed that it will definately get WORSE before it gets better.

[BubbaStrangelove]

Originally posted by ListersParanoia
I agreed that it will definately get WORSE before it gets better.


I don't. Right now I think we're in a time in society when rudeness is a form of coolness. This is a pretty inconsiderate time in history, not like Caligula-times or anything, but manners really are out the door.

Everything cycles, and I think we're getting to that self-awareness point right now where it would seem that it's not too far off that it'll swing the other way. In fact, I recently saw a news program talking about a new etiquette program they are opening in inner city schools, so we're already starting to see it.

"It only takes 20 years for a liberal to become a conservative without changing a single idea." - Robert Anton Wilson

[corran horn]

Originally posted by sirdizzy
its the reason I stopped going to midnight movies, we rate movies by what we call the jackass factor before going to them.

If the movie is a teen comedy or some pop culture horror film like Saw the movie automatically gets a +5 on the jackass factor

If a movie is crowded and its opening weekend the movie gets a +3 on the jackass factor

If it is a midnight showing it gets a +4 on the jackass factor

if it is a movie that there is a very good chance someone will bring a screaming annoying baby or kid to the movie its gets a +2 on the jackass factor

if the movie can be easily mocked (snakes on a plane) and its way overhyped the movie gets a +2 on the jackass factor


If at any point you reach a Jackass factor of +7 you need to skip that movie until its radiation goes down

I mean you can get away with a midnight film if its not opening weekend and their is a good chance of a low percentage of teenagers in the film but otherwise the movies need to be seen as a matinee when they are all at school

Great system. Hope you don't mind if I adopt it too:D . This is why I often wait until after the opening weekend to see a movie (there are exceptions: ROTK, Bourne Ultimatum) and if it's during the summer/winter break, I'll see it on a weekday when it's less crowded. This is also why I go for "brainier" fare--it significantly reduces the potential "jackass" attendance--which isn't to say I don't enjoy a good blockbuster (LOTR, Bourne, Batman Begins, Departed, etc).

[FrankT.JMackey]

Adults do it just as much as teens. People in general are inconsiderate morons.

[Jim H]

Adults do it just as much as teens. People in general are inconsiderate morons.

The people I've seen do it the worst are women in the 30-50 age range. They can operate their phones, but it takes them a really long time apparently, so they just have it held way up high while they're texting or whatever for like 5 god damn minutes of the movie.

[smok3h]

If I ever have to check my phone I do my damndest to lean way over in my seat and just barely pull my phone outta my pocket to see who is calling me, because you never know when someone really needs to talk to you (emergencies and shiz)

[SAI]

I hate mobile phones. I refuse to own one but I do take one of my parents' phones when I go to the movies because I have to call and let them know when I'll be in so I can get a lift, but the phone is always switched off right up until I am on my train home. I really don't understand why people don't turn their phones off at the movies. It's discourteous, it's annoying and I can't imagine, if you've got time to go to a movie, what's SO important it can't wait till after the credits roll.

[smok3h]

It's discourteous, it's annoying and I can't imagine, if you've got time to go to a movie, what's SO important it can't wait till after the credits roll.
I agree that it's rude to have your ringers and shit on, but silent mode is god's gift to movie-going cell-phone owning fans. And LOTS of stuff could be important that it couldn't wait till after the credits roll.

I'm not saying it's cool to answer your phone when you're in the theater, but sometimes shit happens and people need to talk to you. If that is the case then just leave the theater and talk on your phone.

[ChickFlick]

I completely agree with this rant. It's one of the many reasons why I just don't go to the movie theater anymore. Especially the one by my house - it's just plain disgusting.

[Raimo69]

It's really bad when they have there ring tones on and its in a tense moment in the movie. I don't get with the people with the phones just sit in the back of the theater.

[electriclite]

I went to a free screening on Monday, and low and behold someone was playing with their cell. Thankfully, a guy went straight up to the person and told them to quit it. It was very refreshing.

People always have the option of putting their phones on vibrate in case of emergencies, but apparently people are either unaware of this feature or determined to be the asshole of the day during a feature.

And if you must answer, seriously, leave the movie. We paid for a movie not to get an earful of your daily drama. Put it in screenplay format, get it made into a film and then we'll be interested.

I have a phone where I can see the person calling on the faceplate. When I go to the movies I set my phone to vibrate and it if someone rings me I cover the glowing screen, and take a quick glance of the name either in my purse or under a jacket.