AMC: Just Kidding About That Whole Texting In Theaters Thing

[dixiegrrrrl]

After customers revolted and others in the theater industry came out against the idea, AMC said on Twitter that there will be “NO TEXTING AT AMC,” along with a copy of a longer letter from Aron addressed to customers.

In the letter, Aron acknowledges the media reports about AMC considering texting in some theaters, as well as the backlash that ensued after customers read quotes from a recent interview he gave to Variety.

Just to be clear, Aron goes on, that means there will be no texting allowed in any auditoriums at AMC Theatres.

“Not today, not tomorrow, and not in the foreseeable future,” Aron writes.

https://consumerist.com/2016/04/15/amc-just-kidding-about-that-whole-texting-in-theaters-thing/

[truedelphi]

1. I solved the problem by my usual over the top aggressive manner.

I bring a rather strong mini flashlight with me to theaters and if someone is spending half the movie texting, I blast them with the white light.

[underpants]

2. I like that

[yeoman6987]

3. Awesome. Thank you for doing that from the rest of the movie goers.

Those cell phones during a movie are so annoying.

[linuxman]

5. Nice.

Call them out too. Loudly proclaim you're just giving them the attention they crave.

I'm tired of people treating theaters like their living rooms.

[Laffy Kat]

4. So settle an argument:

I say NO TEXTING as soon as the previews start. My #1 son says it should only apply to the actual featured movie. IMO, the theater darkens for the previews and the light from the phone becomes obnoxious at that point. When he is with me I make him stop as soon as the lights dim; he rolls his eyes but will oblige.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

7. Everyone around your son will be wondering if he's going to keep texting during the feature.

[Mariana]

9. And then they'll be pleasantly surprised when he stops.

Seriously, I don't think it's necessary to stop texting until the advertisements are over.

I don't go to movie theaters anymore (too loud for me), but I used to, and recently enough that I've seen people texting there.

[WolverineDG]

11. To me, previews are still fair game for texting

Even Alamo Drafthouse doesn't run its "Text and we'll kick your ass out" notice until right before the movie starts.

I've gotten so spoiled there, I can't see myself going back to Cinemark or Hollywood, where anarchy reigns.

[usedtobedemgurl]

13. I text during previews....

but not during the movie. I allow my teen sons to do the same. If I thought we were truly ruining someone's experience then I would not do so. I also allow my kids to talk, to a certain extent, during previews. And on the rare times that there are patrons immediate around us (we usually go when it is slow), I say aloud, "Now remember, no talking or texting during the actual movie."

[Volaris]

26. I leave mine turned off and in the glove box of the car.

If its going to be off anyway I don't need to carry a useless object around to lose. Besides, if I'm going to shell out the ridiculous price I'm charged for the film ticket, it means I'm actually interested in the film I'm seeing, and don't want to be distracted.

[Travis_0004]

6. I wish they would build a theater that blocks cell phone signals.

Advertise the theater as such, and it would only be one or two screens. If you need your cell phone for an emergency, then choose a different screen.

Its illegal to actively jam a signal, but not illegal to passively block it, just very expensive.

[lindysalsagal]

8. But the talking in theaters is unbelievably rude these days.

I want it quiet if I spend the time and money and effort to go see a film on the big screen.

But people act like they're at home on the sofa.

I'm beginning to wonder if it isn't some immature desire to be heard and seen, like graffiti. It almost seems like they're looking for confrontation.

I get up and move 2 or 3 times, but it seems like everyone is blabbing away.

Can't people shut up anymore???

[Mariana]

10. They won't even shut up during a concert.

Many years ago, my mother and her friend got tossed out of a theater for talking during a movie. Too bad they won't do that anymore.

[ScreamingMeemie]

17. The Alamo Drafthouse does...

I love when they show this clip before the movie:

[dixiegrrrrl]

18. God bless Anne Richards........R.I.P.

Last movie I went to was in 1987 in Mobile Al.
Not only was everyone talking, but because it is so humid there in the summer, the theater smelled like a bad gym locker.
AND, it was a multi plex, the volume on the movie on the other side of wall was so loud, I could barely hear the one I was watching.

Be damned if I am gonna pay my money for that environment.

Damn you, Reagan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lindysalsagal]

24. There will never be another Ann Richards. Class act.

Best person Texas ever had.

[Bigredhunk]

22. Agreed

At least around here (Eastern Iowa, Southwestern Wisconsin) the talking is way more ubiquitous than the texting, surprising as that may be (given everybody's fascination with staring down at their phone 18 hours per day). I rarely see the little screens light up at the movies here. People actually behave in that regard.

But I hear couples/groups talking at a majority of the movies I see. And I don't mean you hear the couple/group make one comment throughout the movie. I mean back-&-forth commentary the whole movie long. Sometimes I tell them to shut up, sometimes I put up with it and seethe the entire time. I get tired of having to play Wyatt Earp & police every damn theater. I don't want to miss 5 minutes of the movie while telling the manager (who invariably sends in a 14-yr-old kid to deal with it).

I wish more chains would crack down on asshole behavior. I'd go to many more movies in the theater if I didn't have so many bad experiences. Even if they just had a 2 or 3 screens with dedicated ushers or something...showtimes at which I'd be guaranteed of having an asshole-free experience. I don't imagine things will ever get better in this regard though, outside of a couple of small chains like Alamo Drafthouse.

[lindysalsagal]

23. 100% right. Why pay $11 to listen to assholes?

Movie theaters forget the customer. They're only interested in the ripoff food sales.

[Orrex]

12. Texting is nowhere nearly as bothersome as talking during a film

Honestly, if you can't tune out the glow from somebody's phone, then maybe you should stick to theaters that don't bother with those pesky [font color="red"][font size=4]EXIT[/font][/font] signs, either. I simply don't accept that a phone is that big a distraction from the 60 foot screen at the front of the room.

But talking is more insidious, because it can overwhelm and drown out sound from the film. You're immersed in sound in a way that's different from watching a screen, so the sound of someone chattering at your ear is a bigger nuisance than incidental flickering here and there.

YMMV.

[backscatter712]

14. Good. The light from phones is fucking obnoxious.

Do it if you want during the previews, but when the actual movie starts, your phone needs to be silent, and DARK. Put it on silent, and put it in your pocket, and LEAVE IT THERE. It's not that hard to go without texting for two fucking hours.

I don't want to see the light of the damn things when I'm trying to watch the movie.

[cwydro]

15. It amazes me that people cannot put down their phones for two hours.

Or however long a movie is nowadays.

Haven't been to a theater in quite some time. The talking drove me crazy.

[robertgodardfromnj]

25. I agree

Some people just don't have much of an attention span these days. No wonder everything is made by Michael Bay or Jerry Bruckheimer. Shame.

[JI7]

16. don't go to movies much but i usually turn my phone off

[HeiressofBickworth]

19. I go to the movies a lot

Sometimes three in a weekend (not this weekend - nothing I want to see). For the most part, talking, texting, phones, are not a problem. Probably because of the type of movies I go to -- independent or foreign. No teenage offenders in the audience and usually the auditorium is less than half full.

However, there was one time I went to a movie where the couple sitting next to me were real assholes. I first noticed them when the man, who was sitting directly next to me, pulled out his cell phone and proceeded to record the movie. I told him the glow from his phone was distracting and to please stop. He merely changed places with his female companion. After a while, when the woman never shut her flapping mouth, I leaned over and harshly said, "don't you EVER stop talking?" She said, sometimes. I told her to try it NOW. These were not kids, but probably in their late 50's. Guess once an asshole, always an asshole.

[meaculpa2011]

20. My daughter was T-Boned by a driver...

who ran a stop sign and made an illegal left turn while texting in a car that he had borrowed from a "former" friend.

How do I know this? He blurted it all to the police officer who responded to the 911 call.

It's all in the police report!

[Heeeeers Johnny]

21. There should be court room rules in place.

No cellphones allowed, or cellphones must be turned off.

One beep, chime, obnoxious ringtone or glowing screen and the offender should be unceremoniously escorted
out the door... no 'what if's' or buts about it.