Going to the movies used to be one my favorite ways to spend my free time. I like to see movies as soon as they come out because I don't want other people's opinions or reviews to sway my subconscious. I've gotten spoiled working here because I get to attend screenings for movies, I'm lucky because they're free, I see them before the general public, and the theater only holds 40 people, so there are few annoying people to distract me.
That brings to me to my point, that going to the movies USED to be one of my favorite things. Saturday I was in a suburban theater watching "Running With Scissors" with a friend. Four rows behind me a teen boy was talking to his date DURING the movie. I gave my usual evil eye look, I did it twice, then finally I just gave up and sputtered "SHHHHHH!" It worked. Great, back to the movie. Twenty minutes later I was shocked to hear an older gentleman screaming at the teenager "Are you going to be talking the whole movie? Do you need to keep kicking the seat in front of you?" The teenager responded with a bunch of "Yo's" after every single word. Then the older man got up and started making his way to the teen, words were exchanged and finally two security guards made their way to the fracas. Fine, scene over, but it continued because an elderly woman wouldn't give up and called 911. The argument was over, the people were removed, but she still felt the need to call the police. It was ridiculous and a tad bit scary.
Next day, different theater. This time I was watching "Babel" with Brad Pitt. It's a long movie, two hours and twenty two minutes. Deep into the film we heard a loud noise, a constant loud noise, the man behind me was snoring! Come on man. Don't go to the theater if you're that tired. There's a Starbucks downstairs, I know they're strict here, but you can sneak one in if you really need it. A guy in front of me started throwing popcorn at the snorer. I finally got up, with my sister whispering in my ear "No, Bonnie don't do it, just let him be" But enough is enough. I shook the loud man and told him that he was snoring and ruining the movie for us. That's it. He stayed awake for the rest of the film, but what dialogue did I miss? Obviously I don't know. Two movies in two days and disturbances in both. Now I have to find a new favorite past time, it's unfair, but I'll sit silently and sulk, maybe those annoying guys should have too.