Latecomers to screenings and other cinema nuisances

[ClareBarr]

I saw pitch perfect at Purley Way last night. Even though we all loved the film, the first hour or so was annoying because of all the distractions around me. A woman kept scrunching up a crisps / sweets packet, for what seemed like forever. Then latecomers arrived & sat directly behind us - knocking the backs of our heads with our coats as they sat down & munching popcorn loudly. The reason I love these free previews is that even though the cinema is packed, the audience are usually really quiet. Last night was an annoying exception!!

[bradders1980]

Pretty certain the woman behind me last night was literally trying to climb into a plastic bag... can't have been successful... she gave up after about half hour.

[mupton]

That's what press screenings are for though. I just find it so annoying seeing those screens all over the place.Whether you are p*ying or not you want to see a film or show. could you imagine how bad Avengers Assemble would have been if the fans were tweeting? PLus, how could you stop them from filming bits?

I agree with where you are coming from on this; and I would not look forward to open use of smart phones and pads at preview screenings; but public preview screenings are now about spreading word of mouth and publicity for the film. And if you believe Hugh Grant more important than newspaper coverage. But lets hope it doesn't happen!

[RickyRaj]

That's what press screenings are for though. I just find it so annoying seeing those screens all over the place.Whether you are p*ying or not you want to see a film or show. could you imagine how bad Avengers Assemble would have been if the fans were tweeting? PLus, how could you stop them from filming bits?

Tighter security possibly to stop filming. I remember the preview for TDKR - security was extremely tight. I was checked 3 times as I had someone else's ticket, I had to show ID, on top if that before the film the audience were told that if anyone caught taking pictures or filming then the film will be paused and the individual will be asked to leave.

[newdot]

Posting this as it reflects my own personal opinions, but do not take it as an attack on you !!!

I personally think it is a great privilage to recieve anything for free & that includes cinema tickets (they ain't cheap to b*y).

Given this, I (I stress again, my own opinion...do not jump on me) think it is out of order to:

1. book to see a film & do not attend

2. book to see a film, change one's mind & then either not cancel through official channels or offer unwanted tickets here.

3. book to see the same film multiple times...how about giving others a chance?

4. save multiple seats for "friends"...this is a personal bug-bear, given that most bookings are limited to 2 tickets, it really gets my goat when i walk into a screening and some lovely person is "saving" 4 seats for others....anger only compounded when some of these "nearest & dearest" do not turn up.


...ok, rant over. Had too many recent bad experiences.

grrr.

[greece]

I personally don't feel attack by your post at all, however I might say that a couple of things that you mentioned could be a bit controversial such us: save multiple seats for "friends", book to see a film & do not attend, this has happened to me more than once, still not offended though because sometimes things don't go as planned

[newdot]

I'm glad that you are not offended, as this is not meant as a personal attack on anyone, just my personal observations.

I think we are privileged to take these opportunities & should not abuse that privilege.

ps someone on this site kindly offered me their unwanted tickets last month for a film & I gratefully accepted.....yes I know that this will make me a hippocrite in some peoples eyes (and rightly so), but upon reflection, I think that my actions in accepting these ticket may well have been wrong...these should have been returned to "the pool" & distributed on a more random / equitable basis....the old socialist in me is re-emerging :)

[nickchanel]

The saving of multiple seats can be very annoying. It's cool if it's one, because sitting next to your guest/partner seems normal, but when I experienced on Monday, in a very full screen, someone saving 4, it was ludicrous, If you can't turn up on time to claim a seat, and it's one you haven't pa*d for, it's not fair to expect others who have turned up earlier to make a compromise.

Brilliant. 9am and my rant for the day is already done!

[klass_u]

I agree :) So many times I have attended screenings where there have been empty seats - I know sometimes things don't go to plan and not always easy to get to a computer to offer the tickets if you can't go. Perhaps we need a neat App when on the move :)

[andrew.falconer]

Thankfully it's stopped now but I used to get quite annoyed at people booking tickets for a free screening for a city they don't live in and then going to the "offer" or "swap" section here and putting the tickets up to swap i.e. 2 tickets for Birmingham, will swap for London! That just stank of "get whatever is available and take away from the people who could actually attend that screening"....

Hope that makes sense :$