US cinema chain AMC makes U-turn over texting

[Eugene]

Source: BBC

US cinema chain AMC makes U-turn over texting

15 April 2016 Technology

US cinema chain AMC has reversed a controversial plan to let customers use their mobile phones during films in some venues.

AMC chief executive Adam Aron had suggested the idea might encourage so-called millennials to visit the cinema.

But the plan was badly received on social media, where cinema-goers bombarded AMC with messages.

"We have heard loud and clear that this is a concept our audience does not want," the company said in a statement.

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-36056449

[RB TexLa]

1. If the phone isn't making any noise why would anyone care?

[lunamagica]

3. The LIGHT is distracting

[RB TexLa]

4. Seriously?

I just can't see how a lighted phone screen in someone's lap is something I could care about or notice.

[malaise]

5. Do you go to movies? n/t

[mentalsolstice]

10. If he does, he won't drink with you!

A DU classic!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x5330132

[mentalsolstice]

9. It's distracting when they hold it up at eye level.

I've never seen anyone reading texts with the phone in their lap, they usually hold it up chest level or higher. With stadium seating, when the person holds it up at a level high enough to read it's distracting to whomever is sitting behind them. I think it's just a physiological fact that the human eye will be drawn to the closest bright light. And chances are if they are texting, they will do it continuously throughout the entire movie. I don't understand why people pay $9+ for a movie ticket just to sit there and text. It's a waste of their money, and more importantly a waste of mine.

[TeeYiYi]

12. The screen on my phone...

...is bright enough that I use it as a night light / flashlight when i get up in the middle of the night. I've done this for years.

Imagine hundreds of night lights on in a dark movie theater...

The light pollution would be untenable.

TYY

[RB TexLa]

19. You can adjust the brightness of the screen

I still don't get how this is a deal.

[TeeYiYi]

20. They can...

...but they don't. That would require a certain level of respect and empathy for their fellow movie goers.

I'm not suggesting that phones should be outright banned, but neither am I willing to get behind a push for phone rights in a theater setting. That goes for movies, Broadway shows, opera, etc.

Phones should be on 'silent' with a dimmed screen. Any texting should be so discreet as to not be noticeable by the persons sitting around you; and if the need arises where multiple texts are required, you should take your critical communication requirements to the lobby.

TYY

[HERVEPA]

27. Because you apparently don't get the concept of going to a movie theater.

[Blue_Adept]

22. They're horribly distracting

Granted, what they're talking about here is a screening for mobile users that I wouldn't attend.

I hit the theater about 8 times a month and I'll admit I'm particular about where I sit, usually as far back and high as possible. While watching the big screen, seeing a range of small rectangular lights flash up amid the darkness is hugely distracting and takes you out of the moment completely.

[OriginalGeek]

24. even when the previews are on and lights are half up

the light from a smart phone in the row in front of me glares off my glasses and is a pain in the ass to avoid. It's worse once the movie starts and the lights go all the way down. It's rude.

I don't make a fuss while the previews are on even though it does bother me but once the movie starts, put that shit away.

[lagomorph777]

26. You do know that the movie is light on a screen?

And a little screen closer to the eye will compete for attention.

[yeoman6987]

6. I sat behind someone who looked at their cell phone every ten minutes.

It was so annoying. The light in a dark room illuminates big time. I stupidly let them continue doing it because I thought they'd eventually stop. Stupid me.

[linuxman]

8. Call them out.

I used to be the same way. One day I realized that these people are so self absorbed that it usually doesn't even cross their minds that other people are in the room and want to be immersed in the film. It takes a sudden and unexpected callout to shock them back. Just a quick, pointed, and very curt "do you mind?" usually does it. Every now and then someone genuinely doesn't care. In that case, see the manager and ask for a full refund, along with something to make up the inconvenience. Usually snag some popcorn vouchers for next time. Life is too short to sit through a movie you can't even enjoy properly.

[yeoman6987]

11. Great idea.

I remember going to see "Nebraska" at the theater and I was in back of this elderly couple who talked the entire film.....I wanted to ring their necks both of them. I was so mad at myself for sitting there putting up with it. The older I get the more likely I will start saying something. It really ruins the experience when others are not considerate. I am glad you don't put up with the crap anymore. Gives me hope.....

[Initech]

16. That happened when I saw American Hustle.

There were these two older women in the theater that wouldn't shut up the entire movie and at one point their phone went off and really pissed off more than a few people in the theater. I almost went and told the manager.

[linuxman]

7. A light shining down below and moving around draws your attention to from the screen.

It sucks me right out of the experience. Used to just sit and take it too, but after tickets went past $10.00 I lost all reservations about calling people out. Im a real reserved guy, but that shit makes me come unglued on a person. You want to talk, text, make calls, and reiterate every line you like, there is an awesome new theater called "your fucking livingroom". It's usually always some 12-16 year old kids, or an aging baby boomer. For some weird reason, I never see anyone in their mid twenties to thirties do it.

[trumad]

15. You serious ?

Fucking light in a cell phone fucking lights up the theater.

[LanternWaste]

21. If an open door from the theater to an outside exit males not noise, why would anyone care?

If an open door from the theater to an outside exit males not noise, why would anyone care?

[tammywammy]

13. Don't text during a movie

[Initech]

14. You give them money to watch a movie. Put your damn phones away for 2 hours.

Any theater that allows this is one that won't get my business.

[NobodyHere]

17. A good reason not to go to AMC theaters

Luckily for me there are no AMC theaters around me.

I'd rather go to an American company anyways

[Blue_Adept]

23. They werent' talking about it being in all screenings

They were talking about it being done for select screenings where it would be quite well posted that it was going to happen.

If you have six screens showing Big Summer Epic Film and one is marked as MOBILE FRIENDLY, that might draw in more people is what they wanted to test out and see. It wasn't going to be all six screens where it'd be an option.

[Sam_Fields]

18. Five years ago I went to a movie theater and I'll never go again.

People were texting, web surfing and talking on their phone. If someone asked them to be quiet they would start an argument. I left after twenty minutes.

[Blue_Adept]

25. so glad that doesn't happen near me

As I mentioned elsewhere in the thread, I hit generally about eight films a month and it's a very rare occurrence. In fact, I went two years without any issues until a couple of instances this year where I had to forcibly tell people to shut up. And it was folks in the 40's range, which pissed me off all the more.

I've been taking my kids to "grownup" movies since they turned eight or so and instructed them on proper behavior. They get after their friends because they know how annoying it is when it happens to them.

[EllieBC]

28. If you are such a busy person that you must text and read emails during movies,

Why are you wasting time at a movie?

Oh that's because you aren't actually a busy person or someone who needs to be available all the time. You're just an entitled asshole who thinks disrupting others with your phone is ok.