Cinemas: Good, Bad or Ugly?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 16 Jan 2007, 19:21

romerojpg wrote:Mobile Phones are a majopr problem some people just dont turn them off, I personally hate people texting and reading them as the bright glow of them really is ditracting. I have told many poeple to please stop and put them away, sadly some people go mental if you say anything like that to them, but I have to when someone had it on since the credits for 30 minutes waving it about.

Yeah that is very annoying and frankly rude. By that point screw being politely I quietly tell them to leave or stop their conversation.

romerojpg wrote:Popcorn and crisps and nachos are the loudest foods in the world, yet some prick thought they would be great in a cinema, during a film they need a smack.

Like I said seriously Romero you're going to the wrong cinemas if it bothers you that much. This only every happens in multiplexes.

Art house cinemas none of what you describe ever happens and ever will. Art house cinemas are really theatres which happen to show films. The clientele does tend to be older which helps.

Shingster wrote:Anyway, we're getting way off topic here, perhaps it might be best for Brad/Tom to move all the cinema chat into its own thread in the general or debate forum?

Good idea.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 16 Jan 2007, 19:34

I agree with Shingster, what Mark (and Romero) said is OTT! Don't punish the many for the antics of the few who can't drink responsibly. There's nowt wrong with having a beer in a cinema, I had one when I saw Walk The Line (it wasnt in a multiplex though). The Arena (St. Albans Theatre place) sells beer etc and its fine.

Get over yourselves

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 16 Jan 2007, 19:36

Walk the Line + Beer great combo.

I tell you were Beer works really well, in a concert. It's essential

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 16 Jan 2007, 19:39

The thing is I have been to nearly all the cinemas in my area, to about 20 miles in every direction

its the same everywhere sadly. The cinema experience isnt getting any better and the last 2 years its got to such a state that I am thinking of not going any more as I am going to do some serious damage to some of these idiots.

The other day I went it was nice, quiet and no problems and a lot of the time it is like that, but the thing is when the big bad things happen it is ussually so bad it stays in my memory forever and it really stinks that the staff in cinemas do not help.
I am the one who has to go out of the film (ruining the film as you miss parts!) and tell them when theres a serious problem, thats not on to me, someone should be watching the crowd at all times.

If I listed everything that I can remember about cinema problem over the last 13 years I would be writing forever

theres just way to many idiots out there sadly ruining it for me and everyone else.

As hell its not like I am the only moaner, all my friends are exactly the same and cannot beleve the way people act in public places, hell even the crowds I am in with voice their opnions esspecially when I shout really loud for someone to get off their phone, or shut the hell up or get out.

The staff should be saying these things to fools who go to have a play about and talk on phones or have full conversations behind you.

If anything can ruin a film its pig ignornat people, when 99% of cinema goers are nice normal people who want to watch the film, not piss about all night.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 16 Jan 2007, 19:41

Hang on I meant WTL WASN'T in a multiplex, DOH!

When I went to see the Bjorn Again concert, you're not allowed to bring beer into the actual theatre, so I went over to the pub The Waterend Barn (next to the theatre), not paying £2.75 for a bottle of beer when I can get a pint for £2.20-2.40

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 16 Jan 2007, 20:10

romerojpg wrote:The thing is I have been to nearly all the cinemas in my area, to about 20 miles in every direction its the same everywhere sadly.

They're all multiplexes cinemas right? As seriously I'm not generalising it doesn't happen in independent or art house cinemas. Sure that's useless info to you if you don't live near one.

romerojpg wrote:someone should be watching the crowd at all times.

Or at least most of the time.

romerojpg wrote:theres just way to many idiots out there sadly ruining it for me and everyone else.

It's all Spielberg's fault

He and a few others turned the cinema into pure popcorn entertainment. To the point most literally think of the cinema as the same as going to a pub on a Friday night.

It's treated with zero respect.

grim_tales wrote:When I went to see the Bjorn Again concert, you're not allowed to bring beer into the actual theatre, so I went over to the pub The Waterend Barn (next to the theatre), not paying £2.75 for a bottle of beer when I can get a pint for £2.20-2.40

Really? That sucks. Plastic cups people.

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 16 Jan 2007, 20:37

Havent had much problems in cinema's myself. Sure there's the occasional cellphone that goes off, or dumb people that shout out loud and are annoying, but overall I havent had any drunks or whatever that ruined it.

The biggest problem I ever ran into, was when I was with my best friend (former neighbour), and his 2 nephews and another chinese guy (so it was basically me and 4 chinese guys), and we were just in the cinema watching the movie (Bowfinger... certainly not my pick, since I wanted to go see Tarzan (Disney) but the other guys said that was for kids) and somewhere during the movies there was suddenly an occasional piece of candy flying in our direction, from a group of kids (about 16 years old I guess), girls and maybe also boys). So my best friend looked where it was coming from, and just told/shouted out 'QUIT IT!'. Few minutes without any debris, and suddenly a piece of candy came our way again. My friend grabbed a whole hand of candy (nice hard candy as well) and just took a swing and threw it at those kids (must have hurt).
'Next time it's a can'

That put a stop to it.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 16 Jan 2007, 20:43

Shingster wrote: Sometimes I read your comments on society and I wonder if you ever leave your house and experience the real world first hand at all Mark!

The "real" world as you put it frequently sucks. I've had more than enough experience to make a judgement, thanks.

Cinemas that sell alcohol during a screening do it via the loftily priced Gold Class (or whatever fancy name each chain gives it) auditoriums.

I rarely go to the cinema and the one I use has a seperate bar. I honestly had no idea some(?) cinemas let you drink inside the auditorium. Seems crazy to me.

As such, the "yobbos" are nowhere to be seen and everyone drinks within moderation.

OK. I'm a cynic. It's true. But if I'm taking the pessimistic side, you're taking the optomistic side. Maybe the truth is somewhere in between? Why should cinemas be any different than pubs and clubs? I mean, everyone has different alcoholic tendancies and tolerances.

Just because Britain as a nation has a problem with binge drinking does not mean that every alcoholic outlet in the country is frequented by disruptive drunks - Brad has already given the perfectly valid example of theatre as a perfectly safe environment where alcohol is consumed.

You can't compare the type of person who goes to the theatre with one who goes to the cinema. I've never seen yobs, unruly kids, chavs, etc, in a theatre.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 16 Jan 2007, 20:45

Yi-Long wrote:Havent had much problems in cinema's myself. Sure there's the occasional cellphone that goes off, or dumb people that shout out loud and are annoying, but overall I havent had any drunks or whatever that ruined it.

I reckon it's only Romero and Mark who have, they live in a bubble didn't you know

'Next time it's a can'

I remember seeing Ali at the cinema and there was a bunch of 16 year old at the back (about 6) talking through the first half, clearly bored. I eventually got so annoyed I yelled at them to shut up. They did. My Mum and brother with me, they were a bit surprised I said something. They agreed with me though.

It's cinema, it's serious business

I've had to do it 3-4 times but nothing as extreme as Romero talks of.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 16 Jan 2007, 20:51

Markgway wrote:I rarely go to the cinema and the one I use has a seperate bar. I honestly had no idea some(?) cinemas let you drink inside the auditorium. Seems crazy to me.

I never knew you could go to a cinema which had a bar, great idea

.

Which to use your argument is worse as alcohol is openly available to get drunk before hand. I'm talking about 1-2 beers and that's it.

How is it any different from a theatre or is that the same?

Markgway wrote:OK. I'm a cynic. It's true. But if I'm taking the pessimistic side, you're taking the optomistic side. Maybe the truth is somewhere in between? Why should cinemas be any different than pubs and clubs? I mean, everyone has different alcoholic tendancies and tolerances.

Kind of but like I said can you honestly see people ever going to the cinema purely to get pissed?

Why? Because a pub and club are drinking establishments mostly there for that purpose so people do just that. A better comparison would be cinema with theatre.

Markgway wrote:You can't compare the type of person who goes to the theatre with one who goes to the cinema. I've never seen yobs, unruly kids, chavs, etc, in a theatre.

Yes and No. Like I said if you go to the right cinema it's exactly like the theatre.

You've never seen unruly children at a theatre? Crikey I have. Besides I've never seen a problem caused from selling alcohol at the cinema.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 16 Jan 2007, 20:57

bradavon wrote:So a certain percentage abuse their legal right and you want to take liberty and freedom away from everyone? How is that right?

Because the right to drink alcohol in a cinema is less important than the right to a safe, undisturbed screening. How easy would it be to throw a glass in the dark at someone - you could never prove who did it? It's the perfect environment for violence and disruptive behaviour. I'm not saying everyone does it, of course, but as Romero has pointed out it happens often enough to be a problem. We must accept Britain is not Europe. When our culture matures then we can have these rights back.

Do you honestly think people who go out to get drunk go to the cinema to do it?

No, but as a catalyst it's hardly a positive. Is it really that important to you to drink beer that you're willing to risk safety of others? Because the rights given to you have to be given to everybody. If only intelligent people were allowed to drink it wouldn't bother me in the slightest. But British life isn't like that. But then again I do live in an urban town so maybe the state of behaviour varies.

The answered isn't to ban it, did it work in America?

I'm not talking about banning alcohol entirely. Just that cinemas currently aren't a place I want to see it sold. And while I'm at it - pubs and clubs are enormously guilty for serving patrons they know to be under the influence. As long as their tills are full they don't care what happens inside the premises or out. The Police have a hell of a job clearing up the mess.

Not in the slightest. The government should make it illegal to sell alcohol so cheaply and ban blatant advertising to the youngsters. That would do for starters.

I'm not even sure it's the price... it's the mental attitude. Europeans don't drink responsibly because alcohol is expensive, they do it because that's what's right. If kids want to drink... they'll find a way. We need to change the British mindset.

This strikes me more of a problem "you've" got with alcohol generally than anything else.

I drink. I prefer spirits as it happens. But I don't need a drink so bad I would risk allowing it cinemas anymore than I would football matches. Have a Coke with your hotdog. For two hours surely anyone can do without for the good of society?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 16 Jan 2007, 21:25

Markgway wrote:Because the right to drink alcohol in a cinema is less important than the right to a safe, undisturbed screening. How easy would it be to throw a glass in the dark at someone - you could never prove who did it?

Firstly as I keep saying (please listen) it's 1-2 beers you're allowed, secondly who said anything about glass? What! That would be stupid.

They're the same cups you get for beer. It is bottled beer but you're not allowed to take the bottle in.

True it does happen BUT the yobs Romero mentions got drunk long before they got to the cinema and if they wanted to cause trouble they'd smuggle their own beer in and certainly not pay the inflated prices the cinema charge.

What's so complicated for you to understand? Agreed if what you say is true but it's not the reality (as per buying beer in the cinema).

Markgway wrote:No, but as a catalyst it's hardly a positive. Is it really that important to you to drink beer that you're willing to risk safety of others?

Get over yourself. Why not ban pubs and clubs while you're at it. Talk about taking the EXTREME opposite.

Markgway wrote:If only intelligent people were allowed to drink it wouldn't bother me in the slightest.

I better frame this Mark is calling me intelligent

pubs and clubs are enormously guilty for serving patrons they know to be under the influence. As long as their tills are full they don't care what happens inside the premises or out.

I couldn't agree more. The police should however should be more proactive and raid places known to do this. Arrest the owners.

Markgway wrote:We need to change the British mindset.

Agreed but that really has very little to do with the original point.

Markgway wrote:But I don't need a drink so bad I would risk allowing it cinemas anymore than I would football matches.

Well seeing as I only get drunk 1-3 times a year clearly neither do I but it doesn't mean it's not a pleasurable experiance.

You really can't compare a football match where riots have happened to a cinema. As far as I know no riot has ever happened at a cinema and while yes violence may happen it's not because of alcohol "being sold" on the premises which causes it.

Markgway wrote:Have a Coke with your hotdog. For two hours surely anyone can do without for the good of society?

Seriously Mark "for the good of society" what a load of trumpet up bollocks. Hotdog yuck, I'm vegetarian remember

Besides you must know you seriously can't compare a coke to a beer.

They're two entirely different tastes but you're not a beer drink so I don't think you'd understand. A spirit experience is not the same as a beer one and even if it was beer tastes nothing like coke. It would be like having coke in a pub.

Lets put it in context. We're talking about a solitary beer here.

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 16 Jan 2007, 22:09

bradavon wrote:
Markgway wrote:If only intelligent people were allowed to drink it wouldn't bother me in the slightest.
I better frame this Mark is calling me intelligent

Actually, no he didnt... which means you're NOT intelligent, and Mark doesnt wanna see you in a cinema near him, while drinking!

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 16 Jan 2007, 22:38

I don't remember starting this thread? I gotta stop drinking...

j/k btw.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 16 Jan 2007, 22:56

Yi-Long wrote:Actually, no he didnt... which means you're NOT intelligent,

Yes he did

, read it again.

Neither do I he'd take my beer off me

Shingster · Post by **Shingster** » 17 Jan 2007, 01:00

Markgway wrote:Because the right to drink alcohol in a cinema is less important than the right to a safe, undisturbed screening. How easy would it be to throw a glass in the dark at someone - you could never prove who did it? It's the perfect environment for violence and disruptive behaviour. I'm not saying everyone does it, of course, but as Romero has pointed out it happens often enough to be a problem. We must accept Britain is not Europe. When our culture matures then we can have these rights back.

Please. Anyone with half a brain can tell that Romero's just going off on one of his usual nonsensical rants using blatant exagerrations to try and drive is non-existent point home like he always does! I live in a town that would be considered a shithole by most people in this country. It has a problem with alcohol related crime, a serious problem with hard drugs and a much higher than average violent crime rate & I can tell you flat out that experiences like the ones Romero is harping about are very very VERY infrequent.

Besides, you can clearly tell from romero's tone that he has some sort of complex about food in cinemas, I can only assume he lives in a parallel universe where we all didn't grow up going to the cinemas and enjoying a snack and a drink whilst watching the film. He is also demonstrating a staggering level of naivety of how cinemas actually make money, coz as you know Mark and everyone else here with "half a brain" should - they ain't earning it from the ticket sales!

gasteropod · Post by **gasteropod** » 17 Jan 2007, 01:09

Shingster wrote:they ain't earning it from the ticket sales!

They're expensive enough...

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 17 Jan 2007, 07:21

There's a nice little cinema about 300 meters from my house.
They don't sell food, they don't sell drinks. Just movies.

Not very popular, though.

A couple of months ago, I went to see The Host when it premiered.
There were only 2 people in the theater (including my girlfriend and me

).

I've had some problems with drunk people in crappy cinemas, but nothing that a well-placed punch to the nose can't solve.

For the record: there's a time for drinking, a time for eating, and a time for watching movies. I think people shouldn't be allowed to eat or drink (even coke) at a cinema.
Respect the movie experience: don't make noise, shut the fuck up and let me watch the film ! :twisted:

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 17 Jan 2007, 09:55

I don't mind if people drinking Coke/eating popcorn or something, what I hate is when people talk loudly in a film

Laughter is okay (when not too loud), it enhances the experience of a comedy for example. Everyone was laughing their asses off at Shrek when I saw it (2001), Flushed Away and the gags in Casino Royale, which made the experience more enjoyable IMO

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 17 Jan 2007, 09:57

Shingster v Romero v Mark: Round Two

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 17 Jan 2007, 17:40

I win.

I like people to act nice, respect others and watch the film in a nice civilised way. Obviously others dont give a shit about how others act.

Next time you go the cinema you lot may get a taste of the dick heads who eat loudly like little children, eating every piece of popcorn with their mouths open, they are tossers along with anyone else who do things like that.

If I eat in a cinema, I make as little noise as I can, in other words no noise! not many others give a shit about anyone near them. I do and everyone I know is the same, obviously some people on the net dont care about wankers in the cinema, or just havent ever had them in with them, and if thats the case your one lucky sod

Depends on how much you go I guess, I have been a lot mind you over the years and still go a fair bit, mostly on Saturday night sadly, thats a mistake, but its the only time available to me and friends. Its when the noisey disturbing buggers are out in force it seems.

and really I dont care at all how a cinema makes cash, if they are making that much from food, employ someone to watch over the crowd and police the dicks.

and as far as using

blatant exagerrations

your talking bollocks there

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 17 Jan 2007, 17:58

Shingster wrote:Anyone with half a brain can tell that Romero's just going off on one of his usual nonsensical rants using blatant exagerrations to try and drive is non-existent point home like he always does!

Romero does like to exaggerate doesn't he

. Blow things well out of proportion. Oh no I'm agreeing with you again

We seem to have two points going on here:

1. Romero wants to ban food/general noise
2. Mark wants to ban alcohol in cinemas outright - He seems to be alone here

Also:

3. We all seem to wish mobile phones and general talking was banned.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 17 Jan 2007, 18:00

Show me where I have exaggerated then suckers

Blatant lies like others on this forum are better I guess.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 17 Jan 2007, 18:08

I agree with Romero in banning general noise, IMO if you pay to see a film you should shut the f*ck up and not talk through it

I remember going to see all LOTR movies in the cinema (twice) and it was possibly in Two Towers that they were some kids talking at a few points in the film

Lost In Translation was ruined too.

romerojpg · Post by **romerojpg** » 17 Jan 2007, 18:12

Hey Lord of the Rings (the 1st part) was ruined for me by kids as well, they were talking a lot and even talked about what happened in part 3! the buggers!
Then some idiots set the fire alarms off by going out the fire doors! and the film was cut off and we had to go out! now that sucked! it was at the meeting where they were all getting ready to go on the quest. The film in the end didnt finish till well past 2 in the morning!

ahh memories