The Stresses Of The Summer Movie Season

[Pirate]

Perhaps all of this is just in my mind, but my stress level goes through the roof in May of each year. Like anyone else, I have real world problems that I could be stressing about, but it’s the summer movie season that really does me in. I absolutely hate it.

I know I could wait a week or so to see the bigger films, but I just don’t have the willpower. And with all those damn kids (and their music) being out of school, you’re pretty much guaranteed a bad experience. Not to mention having to get to the theatre an hour early just to get a decent seat.

How do you guys deal with this?

[Taxi]

Sometimes I'll arranged to leave work early and catch an opening day matinee, but's that's usually a zoo.

I prefer to wait a week or so, and then catch a mid-week evening showing. But I think my "must see it on opening weekend" gene isn't as developed as yours is.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Taxi

I prefer to wait a week or so, and then catch a mid-week evening showing. But I think my "must see it on opening weekend" gene isn't as developed as yours is.

Yeah, I got it pretty bad.

[MooglePorn]

I'm with Taxi, I usually wait a week or so and see it at the latest show on a Wednesday or something.

Also, I don't go to the theatre much anymore... didn't even see Grindhouse. DVD is just too damn good.

I'll see Spiderman 3 though. Probably next Wednesday.

[Vonner]

If it's a must see in a theater, which for me are few, I generally go to late show, or weekday afternoon.

[Lex M]

I just dive right in and see most everything on opening weekend. (And I've already seen 30 movies this year.)

Actually, summer's a bit of a relief... Considering how many things I see, during the busy spring and fall seasons it's a nightmare, since odds-and-ends movies and horror flicks and star potboilers come out six to a weekend... Look at some of the weekends from last month (April); I realize those may not be anyone's idea of must-see movies, but on a given Friday you could have a half-dozen wide releases, not to mention smaller things like The Hoax or Hot Fuzz.

In the summer, everyone pretty much stakes their weekend, and the competition stays away. One, maybe two, big movies a week, many of which are kids' movies and tentpole pictures (Shrek, Harry Potter) I have no real interest in. An exception seems to be June 8, when OCEAN'S 12, FF, and HOSTEL 2 all come out on the same day, but for the most part I find summer moves at a more relaxed clip.

If you're talking about audiences, sure. But I live in the BAD AUDIENCE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, and it's just a matter of picking your times. I can't wait a week or two to see a big movie I'm excited about, so I either say screw it and dive right in, taking my chances, or I hedge my bets by picking an out-of-the-way time. 11am on Sunday, for example, is generally a good time to see action and horror; What teenage action fans really get their troublemaking posse together at 11 A.M. to see a movie in a group? On the flip side, 10pm might work better for something like Pirates or Spider-Man.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Lex M

If you're talking about audiences, sure. But I live in the BAD AUDIENCE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, and it's just a matter of picking your times. I can't wait a week or two to see a big movie I'm excited about, so I either say screw it and dive right in, taking my chances, or I hedge my bets by picking an out-of-the-way time. 11am on Sunday, for example, is generally a good time to see action and horror; What teenage action fans really get their troublemaking posse together at 11 A.M. to see a movie in a group? On the flip side, 10pm might work better for something like Pirates or Spider-Man.

I actually thought about you when creating this thread and wanted to know how you deal with it. How early do you get to films in LA to get a good seat? Does a good seat matter to you?

[Lex M]

Rest assured, despite my casual response, I'm indeed a NERVOUS WRECK every time I enter a movie theater. Being such a frequent moviegoer, I always fear the worst going in, and scan the theater for telltale signs of potential troublemakers. So for that reason, and because I'm a habitually late person anyway, I tend to go in as close to showtime as possible, sometimes even missing a trailer or two, because I prefer to avoid the busy spots, rather than coming in early and letting trouble settle around me.

My definition of a "good seat" is a seat that's as away from other people as humanly possible. Other people demand dead-center, middle, the best view, etc. I'll take off to the side and too close any day over right in the lions' den. Some people seem to like the community vibe and actively seek out a more populated part of the theater, but I don't. Of course, this can backfire royally, as sitting upfront or with a wide-open row behind or around you makes you a veritable target spot when people start filing in late or sneaking in mid-movie. Nothing worse than having the front section all to yourself for an hour, then a posse of teens sneaks in at the 45 minute mark, plopping down in your general vicinity.

Buying tickets in advance seems way more common in LA (and NYC) than anywhere else. For big movies on weekends, advance tickets are almost a must, as EVERYTHING sells out here. A few theaters here have reserved seating, which might work for you if you're interested in getting the best geographically located seat without waiting in line all day. But it can backfire BIG-TIME when your assigned seat is smack dab in a hot zone of unruly kids bumping elbows with you, and you don't have the option to relocate.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Lex M

Rest assured, despite my casual response, I'm indeed a NERVOUS WRECK every time I enter a movie theater. Being such a frequent moviegoer, I always fear the worst going in, and scan the theater for telltale signs of potential troublemakers. So for that reason, and because I'm a habitually late person anyway, I tend to go in as close to showtime as possible, sometimes even missing a trailer or two, because I prefer to avoid the busy spots, rather than coming in early and letting trouble settle around me.

It’s funny, it make me very happy to hear that someone else feels this stress. I would give anything to be able to come in late. I’d miss the awful pre-show content and I see all of the trailers before hand anyway. But, the idea of having to sit up front or being that guy who sits next to you at the last minute just bothers me too much.

Originally Posted by Lex M

My definition of a "good seat" is a seat that's as away from other people as humanly possible. Other people demand dead-center, middle, the best view, etc. I'll take off to the side and too close any day over right in the lions' den. Some people seem to like the community vibe and actively seek out a more populated part of the theater, but I don't.

I don’t feel the community vibe (at least not for non-Star Wars films), but I do want a good seat. I want the sound to be even and the viewing to be at a proper angle. Sitting to the far side or up front, more often than not, kills the experience of the first viewing for me.

[Lex M]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I do want a good seat. I want the sound to be even and the viewing to be at a proper angle. Sitting to the far side or up front, more often than not, kills the experience of the first viewing for me.

I guess it depends on the theater, but in many of the big houses in LA, even the front rows are back enough that you're not craning side to side the whole time. I kind of like the whole frame to fill my vision, which is why I'm always confounded by Ebert's "twice as far back as the screen is wide" rule, which would seemingly you put you in the back row, if not out in the lobby.

Sitting on the sides has never killed the experience for me. I rather prefer it, assuming it's not at a distorted angle or otherwise unacceptable. In traditional auditoriums where there's a large mid section flanked by two small side sections, I never get why people would rather sit in the crowded middle than practically by themselves off to the side.

[Lex M]

Also, on a related note:

As for the talking/texting/annoying moviegoers, I'm always surprised to see that most people won't just get up and move. Assuming there's other empty seats, it's usually a better bet to just get up and move at the first sign of trouble, than to sit there and take it. Most people just sit there and boil over it, either never saying anything or finally erupting with a STFU. But that NEVER works. Just move. Or take it as a loss, walk out, ask for passes or a refund, and come back to see it later. At that point, the movie's pretty much ruined for you and that's all you're going to remember about the experience anyway, so just go back the next day or later that day and start over with a clean slate.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Lex M

I guess it depends on the theater, but in many of the big houses in LA, even the front rows are back enough that you're not craning side to side the whole time. I kind of like the whole frame to fill my vision, which is why I'm always confounded by Ebert's "twice as far back as the screen is wide" rule, which would seemingly you put you in the back row, if not out in the lobby.

That's the key then. Even in the nicest theatres here, the front row is right up on the screen. We just got this new multiplex that promised "luxury" auditoriums and, of course, the aisles are thinner and the front row is like 10 feet from the fucking screen! But, hey, the seats recline.

Originally Posted by Lex M

Sitting on the sides has never killed the experience for me. I rather prefer it, assuming it's not at a distorted angle or otherwise unacceptable. In traditional auditoriums where there's a large mid section flanked by two small side sections, I never get why people would rather sit in the crowded middle than practically by themselves off to the side.

Again, I think you just have better theatres that don't hate their audiences.

Back to your point about the social aspect of cinema: For me, cinema has never been a social thing. I see 99.9% of all films alone by choice. I like showing people films in my home theatre, but that’s just because I have total control.

I don’t want the theatres to shut down, but more and more I’m warming to the idea of day-and-date DVD.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Lex M

Assuming there's other empty seats, it's usually a better bet to just get up and move at the first sign of trouble, than to sit there and take it. Most people just sit there and boil over it, either never saying anything or finally erupting with a STFU. But that NEVER works. Just move. Or take it as a loss, walk out, ask for passes or a refund, and come back to see it later. At that point, the movie's pretty much ruined for you and that's all you're going to remember about the experience anyway, so just go back the next day or later that day and start over with a clean slate.

Perhaps it's another aspect of living in the oh-so-wonderful south, but I've had some pretty horrendous experiences with moving seats or shushing people. A friend of mine went to see Kingdom of Heaven and ended up in jail for the night after having to defend himself against a belligerent audience member who refused to be quiet. Not a happy tale.

I guess I just need to move.

[Monterey Jack]

Living in a semi-podunk community (there's actually a farm at the end of my street! ), I've had pretty good luck in avoiding the horror stories Lex frequently describes, Plus, I see virtually every movie at a 12:00 or 1:00 PM matinee, which, in addition to cheaper tickets, also means smaller crowds. Even the biggest blockbuster rarely sells out at noon, even on opening day. Maybe I'll occasionally get a theater that's 3/4 full, but not very often. I think the first Spider-Man was the last really crazy audience I can remember, with numerous cell phones and snot-nosed brats crying during the scary parts and running up and down the aisles when they got bored. Then again, I got a cell phone abuser when I went to see fucking Mystic River.

[SilentBob]

Well even being a worker at a movie theater i tend to miss a lot of films when we get them. I just don't like going back to work on my day off too enjoy a film. Thankfully with the some of the big summer movies they tend to have Wednesday openings which means the film prints arrive early Monday. This allows me to make up the print and enjoy a mostly private screening of it that night with management (Transformers seem like a go this summer) Overall though i go when i feel like going and knowing that i want to see the movie and that the movie pass will be there for me (and sometimes my friend) Although working on floor for the big summer movies will be a pain in the ass. Not looking forward to having Spider-Man 3, Pirates 3 and Shreks 3 all playing at the same time. Last time we had Shrek 2 we broke attendence records for my theater 3 days straight (8,421 people in one day 11:30 am to 11pm, 12 Plex) I expect to probably shatter this record once we have the above 3 films playing. So i have other Summer Movie Stresses other then my seat to worry about. (hoping i will be running booth for a good portion of the summer and not asked to help out on Floor duties)

[Rileydog]

I do go through these stresses to some degree, but with a wife and kid and one on way, i've learned to make minor compromises.

I used to have to go for every movie, summer or not, that I was eagerly anticipating or was slated to be a big summer hit on the Friday it opened.
I'd plan the day, buy the tickets in advance, get to the theater early enough to get seats- it was a whole big coordinating process.

But over the years it just became frustrating because the other people I was going with were unreliable, or late to theater, or just didnt have the "cant wait to see it" need to have to go then. I felt in alot of instances that I was convincing (forcing) people to go that really didnt care enough to make the effort the way I would. THey'd get around to seeing it when it was convenient to them, not plan other things around making time to see a movie.

This was a conflict I always had cause I like to include friends, family, whoever in plans so we can all be together. But after many frustrations, immature arguments, and disappointments of missing a show or crappy seats, etc., i started getting selfish and not waiting to make decisions on people who were indecisive themselves.

Fast forward to now- Typically I want to see a movie I am interested in on opening night. (The number of movies has dwindled based on quality). But, job schedules affect our ability to go to matinees, so rule has been changed to make a film opening weekend if not opening night.

So, we now go Saturday's to get matinee prices and slightly lesser crowds. This has gotten more difficult since we moved to Charlotte- matinees are before 3pm here. In Greenville, they were prior to 6pm so we could go right after work on Friday before it got crowded.

I have had little problem with noisy kids and I almost always get seats I am very happy with.

Biggest pet peeve- I need to be at the movie to see the trailers. If I am close to start time or even late (knowing i have a 10 minute cushion with trailers) i'll opt out for a later show so i dont feel rushed.

For this weekend, I have no idea what I am gonna do for Spiderman 3. I wanna go tomorrow and I am actually off from work cause our project ended and our manager wants us to take time since we worked retarded hours on this. But, I dont wanna go by myself and i am sure my wife cant get off early enough to make a 4-5 showing. My dad is coming for Wachovia Championship after work tomorrow and doesnt want to see the movie, but isnt coming up at a time when we could complete a showing.

We'll be at golf on Saturday, and unless he changes his mind and wants to go later on Saturday, it looks like a noon showing on Sunday after he leaves.

[sub780lime]

Originally Posted by Lex M

Rest assured, despite my casual response, I'm indeed a NERVOUS WRECK every time I enter a movie theater. Being such a frequent moviegoer, I always fear the worst going in, and scan the theater for telltale signs of potential troublemakers.

Its sort of funny what you guys are discussing, because going into a theater I do fear the worst, but for a different reason. I am more concerned that I get what I consider my seats. In the AMC I frequent that would be the middle seats of about the middles row. In those theaters, about halfway up there is a wider walkway for people to cross. My seats are the row below that walkway. I get annoyed when I walk into a theater and someone is already in them and I get a little jolt of excitement when I see that they are free and rush to get them.

Now, I dont go to as many opening days as I used to, graduating from college and moving a little farther away from my chosen theater has made it more difficult, but for the summer releases I will be there for Harry Potter, Transformers, Pirates, Spiderman, etc etc. I do usually try to get to the theater at least an hour before show time and wait in line. Usually this will place me as the second or third group back depending on the movie, which are not bad odds to ensure my seats. I am a little concerned with Spiderman requiring a little more time but in my college days it was not unusual to be there a couple hours before show time in the summer.

Now for what you guys seem to get worried about, I don't really worry as much. I tend to not be shy about sharing my opinion about loud annoying nuisances in the theater. However, I do get a little annoyed when I am in my seats for an 11:30pm showing of something and see some mom come in with her 2 kids (ages 5 and 8) and she sits down in the row right in front or behind. What are these people doing?

As this weekend goes, I have tickets for 12:15am showing of Spiderman 3 for Friday night, Saturday morning really. I will probably be getting to the theater around 11 and hope for the best. One of the biggest problems with late shows is when a movie sells out and so people who getting get in often go for the later one...and then the later one, so forth an so on.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by sub780lime

What are these people doing?

Following Satan's orders.

P.S. It's 5 hours until my showing of Spider-Man 3 and I'm a nervous fucking wreck.

[Monterey Jack]

Took in an 11:45 AM showing of Spider-Man 3 today. Barely two dozen people in the theater, and half of them were wheelchair-bound senior citizens way back in the handicapped seats. Wonderful experience.

[MooglePorn]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

Took in an 11:45 AM showing of Spider-Man 3 today. Barely two dozen people in the theater, and half of them were wheelchair-bound senior citizens way back in the handicapped seats. Wonderful experience.

Wish I could say the same... Packed theatre here in Tampa with a bunch of teenagers, who in my mid 20s I began to DESPISE, and little kids. Lots of screaming, yelling, crying and strangely clapping... every scene they clapped, I have no idea why... never saw anything like it.

I sat next to two old ladies, which was a mistake. They talked the ENTIRE time, and not even just about the film, but other crap. I wanted to murder them, but I didn't, for fear of penalty.

[El Lancito]

Originally Posted by MooglePorn

I sat next to two old ladies, which was a mistake. They talked the ENTIRE time, and not even just about the film, but other crap. I wanted to murder them, but I didn't, for fear of penalty.

Isn't that the damndest thing? I get it why the kids act like a bunch of little dipshits; their parents aren't there with them so they can just go wild. But what the hell is up with so many old people who go to the movies just to talk? They bug me even more because they should know better.

[Astrakan]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

I see virtually every movie at a 12:00 or 1:00 PM matinee, which, in addition to cheaper tickets, also means smaller crowds.

I live in a pretty big city, and my two main theaters are on the subway line, and for me this has been the key to an enjoyable opening weekend movie going experience.

KM

[Monterey Jack]

Originally Posted by MooglePorn

I sat next to two old ladies, which was a mistake. They talked the ENTIRE time, and not even just about the film, but other crap. I wanted to murder them, but I didn't, for fear of penalty.

Plus, why would old people want to see a Spider-Man movie? I thought geezers only want to watch Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaatloooooooooooooooooooooock!

[MooglePorn]

Originally Posted by El Lancito

Isn't that the damndest thing? I get it why the kids act like a bunch of little dipshits; their parents aren't there with them so they can just go wild. But what the hell is up with so many old people who go to the movies just to talk? They bug me even more because they should know better.

Yeah, as much as I hate teenagers I hate old people more, 'cause they do the same stupid shit AND should know better.

I have to admit it was cute when one of them whelped "go spiderman!" though.

[MrE26]

In my experience UK audiences are pretty quiet for the most part, unless you're going to a guaranteed geek fest (midnight preview or suchlike, where you'll get a good vocal crowd.) I can probably count on one hand the amount of times i've had a bad experience at a cinema here & we NEVER have people yelling at the screen or applauding & stuff like that. Just doesn't happen.