Isn't it annoying when someone is talking during the movie at a theater? Or maybe you get more upset when someone is kicking your seat behind you? Don't forget cell phones and beepers. What distraction is the most bothersome to you at the movies?

Constant coughing, that dang cellephane wrapper stuff on candy, people that can't laugh at a decent decibel, inappropriate reactions (laughter at something that's very sad, for instance), people who won't sit down and instead block your view, people who have to sit right on top of you when there are tons of empty places all over the theater, .....

I have more. Do you want me to go on?!

Talkers are the worst, I think, as a *common* thing to have happen.

When my friends and I went to see "Men in Black" once (it was our third time going) there were these three little boys sitting a few rows behind us who kept throwing little candies at us. The first time we complained to the manager they got a talking to. The second time, we were each given free passes good on any night. Since we'd gone on cheap night to a movie we'd already seen, it was a great exchange for us! Especially since we hadn't been planning on staying for the whole movie anyway -- we were just there killing time.

I was sitting there at a really scary horror movie one time, minding my own business, absorbed in the movie, when this woman directly behind me let loose this blood-curdling scream right in my ear! Man, I levitated straight-up!

Speaking of laughing at inapropriate times, I went to see the movie Castaway, and when he was in a bad situation, like spelling the word HELP in twigs, everyone started laughing. They kept it up in every serious part of the movie. I laughed too, because everyone else did.

I guess I have always been fortunate. I'd never have anybody kick the back of my chair, and I'd seldom have anybody talk behind me, so my most hated distraction is those people who get up during the film and walk out. Of course, most of them are not walking out permanently, they are just going to the restrooms or the snackbar, but it is still distracting for me and spoils my enjoyment of the film.

Oh, you talk about people up and going in and out-the LOTR was Beyond Belief!! About 2hrs. 20 mins. into the movie it was Up and down the aisles-in and out of the door! It started making ME jumpy and fidgety and I've worn out 4 boxed sets of the books! Never have I ever seen such movements in the aisles--Except in the Mall on Christmas Eve! Gracious!

That's interesting Linda, because in the theatre I saw the film at there was practically no movement the entire film. I think the audience was completely captivated. Perhaps those movers were the people who were coming for the 2nd or 3rd time? I suppose after 2.5 hours there's certainly going to be those who feel a certain pressure in the bladder area!

As for strange movie moments...my strangest was when I was in high school and I attended a showing of what I consider to be a very boring film...Three Men and a Baby. For that particular showing, however, it was the biggest laugh-fest in theatrical history. This is because the woman who was sitting directly in front of my friend and I couldn't stop laughing the entire film. I'm not sure what she was laughing at, but it the laughter was infectious and the entire audience was giggling and laughing for the whole 1.5 hours. Afterward, my buddy and I practically had cramped stomach muscles from all the chuckling and laughing. Unfortunately, we didn't get this woman's name and number...it would have been fun to go to other boring movies with here so she could spice them up!

After reading all the problems and distractions at the movies, I guess it isn't all that bad my being hearing impaired.

I just wait till it comes out on video which is closed captioned and sit back and watch it in the comfort of my own living room.

Ahh the silence is wonderful.

Jazz, it was the very First Day it opened--the Premiere movie!! Charlie had never read the books-but he loved the movie. He was glued to the screen-then- It started--up and out for popcorn-drinks-all around us!!I really could not focus on the ending! I guess some people, not fans of the books, just couldn't sit still. (They should have Went home--mean thing to say, but True, Darn it!!) Well, at The Night Of The Living Dead, a friend of mine screamed, throw her arm back and tossed a 32 oz. iced Coke on the guy behind her--he started yelling, she was screaming--Everybody joined in for good measure, I guess. It was better than the movie, I'll tell you what!

I have been to theaters & have gone to see a movie that adults would want to see & have brought their children in. Big distraction & uncalled for!

I know something else! Don't you just hate it when someone spills Coke and it runs down under your seat. Spilling popcorn is bad enough! It's bad when you go to see a movie and the whole time your feet stick to the floor!

When I went to Harry Potter, this girl in the front row went to the loo every ten minutes. She kept getting up and making noise. Then there was a woman behind us whose mobile phone kept going off at all the best bits. Then there was someone who kept laughing for no apparent reason. They din't even seem to be interested in the film. They just wanted to have a sit down!

When I went to see Harry Potter, this little kid let out a loud scream when the glass disappeared. The kid's mother ran the kid out of the theater, another distraction.

Have you ever been at a movie and the person behind you Talks to the characters on the screen, like this guy yelled out "Woman! Don't Go in that Room" one night at a spook movie. Actually, it was the Best part of the movie seeing as it was a really bad B-horror flick! We all started laughing and gave him a Big round of applause!!

I hate it when the floors in the theaters are sticky! (There's one particular theater in my area.)

I am also fortunate to never have anyone kick my seat or throw food at me, but I do hate it when people come in and out of the movie...especially when the door slams behind them! I also hate it when people talk back to the movie, like Linda had mentioned. Another thing that annoys me that no one has mentioned before is when someone behind you sneezes. That makes me so paranoid. Like there's going to be snot in my hair or something.

Speaking of spilled drinks...I have had 2 incidents along those lines. First, I went to see Titanic with my cousin (we were originally scoping out cute guys, because the theater was packed. I had a drink in my lap and I was so into the movie that I didn't realize that it had spilled all over me! Seriously, it looked like I had peed my pants! Second, I went to see Titanic again, but with my mother (she had really wanted to see it). Again, I had a drink, but I was holding it over my lap in front of me. Now Titanic is like 3 long hours, right?! The bottom of the cup had gotten soggy and had fallen out, spilling the pop (most of you refer it to soda) and ice all over my lap! Again, making me look like I had peed my pants! Funny, huh?

I don't go that often any more as there aren't that many movies that inspire me.
But I went to see the Omen, with Gregory Peck and "Damien" all by myself in Oakland California. It was a matinee as I was looking for a job and had nothing else to do.
So there were only about five people in the theater. Needless to say, the Devil and his antics and the various scary things were commented on like Linda said, "I told you not to do that" and screeches. It was actually kind of funny and relieved the tension.
Then the funniest one was Carrie, with Sissy Spacek. And in the end the girl who survives stoops to put flowers on her grave and her hand pops out and tries to drag her into the earth.
Needless to say, everyone in the drive in theater screamed and someone's horn got stuck. (They might have been doing something else besides watch the movie!) So people turned to yell at them to stop that damn horn, they popped the hood and stopped the horn.
Then another film came on but it was a dud so we were leaving and there were a bunch of people leaving with us.
I overheard them yelling. "Let's get outta here."
"Well I was ready to leave when the hand popped outta the ground!"

Saw Gosford Park last night and it was an ok movie, but slightly ruined by a guy sitting next to me who had the most hideous and disturbing laugh, which of course came at all of the most inappropriate times. This may have been something to do with a Canadian not really understanding what the British movie was really getting at, but it was annoying none the less.

Also had a man and woman behind me, who talked just loud enough that it could be heard over the movie and the woman kept kicking me in the back.

I think the most disturbing for me are crying babies. I think they ought not to be allowed in the theatre. The most memorable movie experience had to be at the viewing of the movie "Titanic". My date and myself were sitting prior to the showing of the movie and discussing the actual event of the Titanic sinking, the band playing and so forth. Well there was a teenage couple seated in front of us and they abruptly got out of there seat turned to me and my date and said "Thanks, you have just ruined the entire movie for us." and they walked out. I about laughed myself silly.

Crying babies? You mean they let them in the theater?
I know that when we took flights with the little ones, I thanked my lucky stars that I was a nursing mom because when the film starts up, and you've got all those darn trays on your lap then the baby is whiny, you just shut him or her right up! It takes practice but it's the only place and way I got to see the films.

I think the reason I stopped going to the theaters in the States was because people ate loudly and profusely and it wasn't that pleasant an experience.

By the way, Castaway, as I said, not the film to see if you are in the worst part of your midlife crisis in my humble opinion, but there is so little relief from the anguishing scenes and the solitude that I laughed at that part too. Must have been gallows humor. Plus I'd taken my children as it was in English and they were pretty pie eyed at it.

Hey how about people fiddling with their hair! I hate that in my classes. The Cher syndrome?

Remember when Jaws came out? (dead silence amongst you young'uns who I could have been babysitting). I was keeping two little tykes that summer and their parents told me to take them to it. I said, "I wouldn't do that if I were you, but if you insist, ok by me!" Picture two little boys, trying to save face and sitting way far apart. Then the shark starts scarfing everyone in sight, and I found myself with two boys on my lap. "Heather...this is scary"
"You noticed huh?"

A few months ago a friend and I went to see a movie, and during a CRUCIAL SCENE, a cell phone rang. The owner, who looked like she was about 17, ANSWERED the phone and proceeded to have a CONVERSATION. That truly is infuriating. Ever since that episode, I make sure and turn my cell phone off even before I enter the theatre.
Also, parents, please leave your babies at home. They don't understand or appreciate what's going on on screen.
AND please if the movie says "R Rated", leave your children at home. I saw what looked like a 4-yr-old at "Saving Private Ryan." Jeez, I don't think I was even old enough for that, and I was 25!!

We recently went to see an 8.30 showing of Lord of the Rings and someone had brought a baby! First of all, the movie theatre has rules about bringing children into movies after 7.00. Second of all, in that kind of movie, something is bound to make a child scream! Needless to say, she left. A few months ago we went to se The Others. The guy in front of us had his mobile going off about every 5 minutes. He would sit there and have a conversation in the middle of a movie!!!!

My pet peeves would be children too young to be in a movie theater who cry, fidget, talk loudly while their parents make no attempt to quiet them. Getting kicked in the back or head by the person behind me. The overly critical person I always seem to have the misfortune of sitting in front of. You know the one, the person who points out every singel inconsistancy, every slip-up, every stray from the book the movie was based on. It's like sitting in front of Comic Book Guy from the Simpsons.

I also can't stand kids who are dropped off at the theater so mom and dad don't have to deal with them. They usually travel in large groups and talk through every thing.

*big deep breath*

Now, I feel better

What bothers me most at the theater is fifteen minutes before the show. You know, when they're showing advertisements for local dentists or law firms, reminding you of the refreshing nature of Coke and popcorn, perhaps playing some lousy music at a volume just loud enough to be annoying but not loud enough to drown out the imbecile behind you who is trying to impress his date with pseudo-masculine verbiage. And before the trailers can commence you have to endure the sensational self-promotion of the theater as they blast you with their supposed glory. It is a beautiful thing to finally see the green screen and the words "The following preview is rated...."

Lincoln your last thread reminded me of a bad date many years ago with the guy trying to impress me.
Does anyone recall the scene from Annie Hall where the guy is talking about the film in the ticket line and Woody is there with Diane Keaton (sorry I might have the wrong film!) and the person is spouting off the worst blarney you can imagine about the intent of the filmmaker and then boom! The filmmaker appears in a cameo appearance and tells the guy he's full of it?
Oh yes!
I wish I could rent that film again. It would be worth it.