Movie Theatre Desperation: Will the Tweens Show Up if We Allow Texting?
Poll: Should theater owners allow texting in movies? – latimes.com.
According to a report from the CinemaCon convention in Las Vegas by Deadline New York, Regal Entertainment Chief Executive Amy Miles said at a panel discussion that her theater chain had considered allowing some cellphone use during showings of “21 Jump Street.” At the same panel, Deadline reported, Greg Foster, chairman and president of filmed entertainment for IMAX, endorsed the idea at the same panel, saying teens may “feel a little handcuffed” by the ban on phone use.
This is a tough one for me. On one hand, I don’t like rude people in theaters (so much so that I once was the catalyst for a fist fight at the midnight showing of Star Wars Clone Wars where someone was nearly stabbed in the jugular with a broken beer bottle. Sweet home, Chicago!) On the other hand, I hardly ever go to theaters anymore so rude people frequenting the movies have no effect on me. I stopped going shortly after the melee at Star Wars but it wasn’t the fat lip.
It irks me that I have to miss part of the movie if I have to go to the bathroom after a giant Big Gulp. Whatever happened to intermission? The sticky floors aren’t my favorite experience either. I much prefer the comfort of my own couch, the warmth of my dog Moose snuggled at my feet, the pause button, and the ability to text whoever I want without getting yelled at.
There may be something to the distraction angle. Most of us are so used to doing so many things at once it almost feels strange to sit and stare at one screen for two hours. A few months ago Mr. Fox and I tried out one of those theaters that serve dinner and drinks. I loved that. Yes, there is some chatting with waiters but the sound is so loud it’s not that bad and there’s beer, so…duh. If I have to sit in a room with a bunch of strangers, wings and beer makes it a heck of a lot more pleasant.
Perhaps we should encourage the young people to keep that texting addiction going simply for the weight loss benefits. Michelle Obama could add it to her list of demands on children. As reported by CBS News,
And with excessive texting come a number of problems, including lack of eating, isolation and sleep deprivation, experts say.
If that’s true, childhood obesity may become a thing of the past, although carpal tunnel could take over the planet.
Is movie-going declining for reasons of technology or just personal preference and convenience or is it something else?
I still don’t even know why people text. They’re doing it on a cell phone. Am I missing something? It’s a virtual acknowledgement they have nothing to really say. Isn’t that the actual average text?
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing. Otherwise I’d call.”
“What are YOU doing?”
“Nothing. I’m texting you.”
“LOL.”
What is with all the texting? It’s a f*cking phone! Talk into it!
I don’t get you two. Texting is brilliant. I’m a busy mom. I can’t chat on the phone all day. If I need something like a play date address or a time I simply send a quick text and I’m off. I don’t need to call someone to find out we were meeting at noon. Also, most phone plans charge for minutes but texting is unlimited so it’s cheaper too. I’m so partial to texting that I’ve asked people on my voicemail to please text for a faster response. Everyone laughs at that but I can’t be counted on to see I have a voicemail but I will get a text instantly. It’s a matter of expedience. Texting is great. If I never had to talk on the phone again I would be happy. I’d rather sit across the table from you with a cup of coffee anyway. Anyone who has kids knows the minute you get on the phone they freak out and start choking or something just to get you to hang up. It’s not worth the hassle.
I absolutely agree. My kids are older and it’s an easy way to keep in touch with them. For factual info like where they are and what they’re doing it is a godsend. Also, we live where cell coverage can be spotty, but texts make it through where a call won’t.
It’s true that sometimes I get texts from my eldest son that are a little random- but he’s 500 miles away in college so it’s pretty cool to keep in touch that way. There is no doubt I am much more “in the loop” because he can text me whenever he wants and it’s no big deal, like a phone call would be. In fact, I would strongly encourage any parent who’s sending a kid off to school to learn to text for that reason alone.
I agree. A text is less disruptive than a phone call. It’s also more direct & to the point.
It wouldn’t bother me if people texted during a movie, especially if it kept them from talking and kicking the back of my seat.
I have to admit, I’ve gotten hooked on texting…and for someone waaaaaay over the hill for whom the age of technology is daunting, that surprised even me. It is a real time saver once you learn how to do it. Quick,easy, much shorter than a phone call, and convenient–nedd the grandkids shoe size? Send a quick text, get a quick answer, buy the shoes. Love it!
The most daunting thing to me was that I had to learn right away to text using both thumbs so I would not embarrass my children!
There are very, very few movies made recently that interest me sufficiently that I’m willing to subject myself to the inevitable herd of unmannerly louts that infest the theaters.
Bingo