Obnoxious Moviegoers

I just came home from watching Cop Out at Regal Theatres Dole Cannery with my parents. Since the movie has been out for a while, there were only about 10 of us in a theater that could probably hold well over 400 people.

What are the odds that of the seven other people there tonight, one would have to be an obnoxious moviegoer? Apparently, the odds are pretty good. One row in front of us about five seats to the left was the most obnoxious man I've encountered in a long time.

First of all, he's one of those damn people who talk in a booming voice all the time. I could hear his pre-movie conversation loud and clear. When the previews started, he proceeded to comment on every single one of them. It was like listening to the audio commentary on a DVD.

Then, during the movie this guy thought he was so clever with all his side comments and observations. He even blessed us by repeat some of the film's jokes. It was like watching another film just listening to him.

While the movie was pretty funny, there was no need to laugh at every single joke (or perceived joke) yet our movie friend did just that. Tracy Morgan was on his game in this movie, but this guy was seriously over doing it with the yukking around.

Was he just in a tremendously happy mood or was he trying to be an ass on purpose? It's hard to tell.

Technology Makes People Stupid

The following conversation occurred at Ward Theatre last night at a showing of Planet 51. This is why technology is making people stupid.

Stars of this performance: group of about eight 7-year-old girls, a mother and a father.

Mom: "Okay, so we have two Sprites . . . one fruit punch . . ."
Girl 1: "I want a Sprite too!"
Mom: "Girl 1, I counted you already."
Girl 2: "Me too."
Mom: "Girl 2, you want a Sprite or a fruit punch?"
Girl 2: "Sprite."

- More of the same -
- Dad waiting for orders -

Mom: "So, we've got three Sprites, two fruit punches. Girl 7, you said you wanted a fruit punch?"
Girl 7: "No, I wanted water."
Mom: "Ok you can have a water."
Girl 4: "I want water too."

- More of the same -
- Dad only hears a high-pitched buzzing -

Mom: "Alright, raise your hand if you want Sprite?"

- Pause while counting -

Mom: "Who wants water?"

- Pause while counting -

Mom: "And what about fruit punch?"

- Pause while counting -

Mom: "Dad, can you get four Sprites, three waters and a fruit punch?"

- Dad shakes himself awake -

Dad: "Sure, four Sprites, three waters and a fruit punch?"

Mom: "Yes."

- Dad walks down stairs -
- Dad turns back to Mom -

Dad: "Four Sprites, three waters and a fruit punch, right?"

Mom: "Yeah, do you want me to text it?"

Dad: "Yeah, text me."

- Dad continues down stairs -

Are Kid Movies Really For Kids?

When did kid flicks start getting all adult on us? I don't ever remember animated movies being so high brow before. Lately, they all seem to be geared toward the parent and not the child.

Last night I watched Up with my brother and his family. His 3-year-old daugher was left cowering in her mother's lap during one part. During another part she was practically nodding off because the scenes were slow (from a kid's point of view). They were in fact pretty depressing (from an adult's point of view).

When did Hollywood turn innocent children's movies into these adult art films? It seems like I can find ways to deconstruct most of the recent array of kid movies more than I can the independent art film. What's up with that?

Yeah, I realize that production companies want to entertain the parents because they're the ones who bring the kids and spend all their money at the concessions. But seriously, is the full life cycle of a man and a woman really appropriate imagery for young people?