Dia on 16/5/2008 at 10:54

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My husband & I used to go to the movies on an average of once a week and we loved it! We, like more discerning movie-goers, always went to the matinees when we knew there'd be less of a crowd. Though the seats were always clean, I think the most unpleasant thing I ever encountered was sticky floors.

I do agree about the 10 mins. of commercials run before the movie being a major pain in the ass; hell, you can get that at home. The only other complaints I have are:

a.) the person sitting a few seats down or behind you who either drank six beers before coming to the theater or ate something with onions/garlic in it and the air current seems to be determined to waft that person's gag-me breath in my general direction, (same goes for those who take a bath in their after-shave or perfume),

b.) the idiot who didn't turn their cell off (I mean, come on! There's even a huge banner on the screen just before the movie starts requesting that everyone do so!) and who must be very popular because the damned thing starts going off every 5 mins. until some brave soul gets the stones to politely ask that person to either turn off their cell or take their calls out in the hall,

c.) the moronic parents who insist on bringing little kids to 'R' rated movies; no lie, there have been more than a few times when a manager was brought in because the kids had been causing a ruckus and each time the parents were asked to take their kids out of the theater. Wtf! Do people not pay attention to the ratings anymore, or don't they care how much violence, etc. their little ones are subjected to?

d.) the unconcerned parents who let their kids run up & down the aisles during the movie, or don't stop the little darlings when they decide to have food fights wherein each kid positions him/herself a few rows apart and starts to bombard the other who's a few rows down/up and God help any hapless person caught in between,

e.) the people who have a problem sitting still, or seem to be hearing music in their heads and persist in kicking or thumping the back of your seat with their foot; I can't believe that grown adults could be so inconsiderate, but there have been more than a few occasions when I've turned around and politely asked an adult to please stop kicking my seat.

Luckily, all of the above don't happen on a regular basis. One thing did happen once that totally surprised me, though. I was sitting there in a packed theater (Return of the King) and about 15 mins. into the movie I noticed my neighbor's hand in my popcorn. I didn't even know the guy!!! I turned to him and asked what the hell he thought he was doing and he apologized profusely, explaining that he usually comes to the movies with his girlfriend and they always share popcorn. He actually offered to buy me another which I declined: I just got up & went to get a fresh popcorn myself and was relieved to find upon my return that the guy had moved to another row.

I still thoroughly enjoy going to the movies; have to agree with Scots on that one.

Dia on 16/5/2008 at 13:25

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Your case is a lot different than the people to whom I'm referring, raph. A fair amount of fidgeting and shifting is expected when trying to get comfy enough to enjoy the movie. I'm talking about people who start rhythmically kicking the back of someone's seat, like when you have your legs crossed and swing the upper leg up & down. That is seriously annoying almost immediately. I can make small allowances if it's a kid because face it, kids usually have a seriously difficult time remaining still for long periods, but adults who repeatedly thump the back of someone's seat with their foot deserve to be slapped.