MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > Do Americans behave like retards in movi...

Do Americans behave like retards in movie theatres?


I've been watching videos like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DzVIafBMpE

I'm very confused, can someone please explain? Are these videos fake, or are they filmed in specific theatres where this sort of behaviour is encouraged? Or is this just the norm in America?

Because here in Australia, any noise in theatres is completely unacceptable, except laughter. It completely ruins it for people who just want to focus on the movie, which I thought was most people.

If I was in a theatre like this, I'd tell the staff to silence everyone. If they didn't, I'd leave and demand a refund. If they didn't give it to me, I'd sue them. I am absolutely baffled, I always thought everyone else felt the same way.

reply

This is a rather extreme example but this does happen in American cinemas. Also people talk, use their cell phones, eat loudly, bring little children to movies inappropriate for them, throw their trash everywhere and act very rudely. Telling the cinema staff about it does nothing. This is why I watch movies at home.

reply

No, that is not normal behavior. In most of the theaters I've been to, it was respectfully quiet, save for when we went to see comedies, or something randomly funny happened in the movie. There was one theater experience where my family went to see "Star Trek: Insurrection," and it came out a few months before "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace." We happened to be sharing that particular auditorium with a ton of college students, and when the Phantom Menace trailer showed during the previews, everyone clapped and cheered.

Truth be told, the only time I really had issues with noisy people in the theater was when a bunch of idiots brought their toddlers to see "Beauty and the Beast" in 2017, and the yelling and screaming from the kids running around brought me very close to telling those parents off.

reply

I imagine it depends a lot on where you live, it's not the same whether you live in Rhode Island, Detroit or Los Angeles. They're likely feel like different societies.

Europe and Australia and far more homogeneous. In Europe you can find no-go zones, but it's more about suburbs with high immigration. That's changing quickly, though, but that's another story.

reply

If you think that´s bad, you should see Chris Stuckmann´s rant on misbehaving audiences. He tells some pretty wild stories.

reply

Depends on where and when you are going.

I go to the movies several times a year. My worst experience was a guy who had some kind of mental issue, autism possibly, constantly making noise. Another time, I had a guy make a call right in the middle of the final scenes of a movie to let someone know that the movie was going to end soon and he'd be coming home.

I go during matinees, during the week if possible. And avoid opening weekends, unless it's something I'm just dying to see.

reply

I've been to theaters all over the US, and they have all been awful. I'll never go to a theater.

New movies suck dick anyway.

reply

Go in the middle of the day during the week if you can. Cheaper and quieter.

reply

I love movies from the 1930-70s, and can watch them at my house without a peep

(funny thing is, the last two times I went to a theater, it was during the week, and around noon, still loud, phones, etc.. and the audience were mostly "adult")

reply

It's not just in theaters. There seems to be a general decline in public deportment in today's American society, and it's getting worse. Just look at how people dress in restaurants, on airplanes or while shopping. Lack of grooming seems to be a growing fad, especially among men. Some of them appear to have stepped out of a time machine from the Woodstock Festival.

This "don't-care" attitude extends to and affects individual behavior. People who dress in a slovenly manner or who act obnoxiously in public are thinking only about themselves. They don't stop and think about how their actions or appearance might be offensive or distracting to others who are trying to enjoy a meal or are trying to watch a movie. It's all about ME.

I don't know the origin or causes of this trend, but I suspect that social media addiction has a lot to do with it.



reply

sounds like forced laughter, like an audience laughter sign goes up and they laugh even if they dont hear it they know they should laugh and if they are enjoying the film overall it shows other people they are enjoying it rather than the line itself being hilarious.

Mildly humorous stuff and they are jumping out of their seats holding their sides, lines laughed over, the works.

Here in the UK people do laugh but when they do you know it was actually funny and earned.

reply

i'm sure you're aware that the avengers movies that were released in 2018 + 19 were enormous, really unique pop culture events that brought out excited, energetic crowds. it's safe to say that the audience responses recorded in that video are very atypical.

going by my letterboxd account, i went to the theatre 48 times in 2019, and, aside from a very annoying person taking out her phone constantly during into the spider-verse, and one understandable incident (there was a group of mentally handicapped adults at my showing of 'peanut butter falcon' who talked throughout the movie), i really have no negative experiences. certainly nothing that makes me not want to go again.

reply

"i'm sure you're aware that the avengers movies that were released in 2018 + 19 were enormous, really unique pop culture events that brought out excited, energetic crowds."

I haven't seen any of them, but looking at that video, that's what I was figuring. Sort of like toned down shades of Rocky Horror audiences.

Haven't been to see a movie in a theatre in years, but good to know aside from occasional phone annoyances, it's nothing like in the OP's video.

reply

i went to see 'endgame' on opening day, and that experience was more like being in the audience at a rock gig than at a movie. there were certain moments where the crowd absolutely exploded, much like what you hear in that yt clip. personally, i loved the film, and i'm very glad i went opening day. being in a packed auditorium with a group of people who were really into what was happening added a lot to the experience.

i went to see it again about a week later, and the crowd was pretty quiet - certainly nothing like the opening night audience.

reply

I can see how that'd be a fun group experience. It would mean seeing the movie a second time, but if it's one you're really into, that wouldn't be a hardship.

The types of movies I'm drawn to wouldn't benefit from that kind of showing. I'd be very annoyed if everyone was making loud comments throughout them 😄

reply

I absolutely could not tolerate all that cacophony! This is why I go to early matinees. I’ve had the whole theater to myself, with buttered popcorn, sitting in a recliner. What a joy...except I miss half the dialogue due to my hearing loss.

Hey Cat, too bad you couldn’t make it for dinner. My daughter is still here and loves mac and cheese. I prepared so much I think she could swim in it! Egads! We didn’t put a dent into it! I always think of you when I’m throwing my secret recipe together. 😋For now night, night.

reply

It would depend on the movie. I can see it being fun if it's a big movie that lots of fans are hyped up to see, like The Avengers, and you'd have to plan on seeing it a second time if the dialogue matters at all. Kind of like going to see a concert of a very popular band.

It wouldn't work for any of the types of films I'm interested in.

Arg, I would *love* to have come for dinner and had some of your Mac and cheese! I'm famished right now and while it sounds delicious any time, it sounds even better right now 😁. I've wondered how your daughter is doing. Better, I hope.

reply

I love the MCU movies. I’ve purchased Phases 1, 2, and 3. Hope to see Phase 4 released soon. I suppose I’m eclectic when it comes to movies. I enjoy Superheroes, Star Trek, (but not Star Wars) Westerns, Indiana Jones, Covert Spy Action (Mission Impossible), Tom Clancy scripted movies (when they follow his work; his death leaves a void), Agatha Christie, Period Pieces 1700’’s thru 1800’s, Harry Potter, and of course Lord of the Rings. I also purchase the Sound Tracks. What I detest is the profanity which is so prevalent in today’s movies and the blatant sex scenes. Nothing left to the imagination!

War if based on true events. I went last week to see “1917” which was slow going for the 1st hour then I watched with rapt attention! I left the theater thinking “That’s what I would deem determination & true grit in a young man!”

I still would wish for a quiet audience so I go to the matinees before school lets out. My daughter and I watched Captain Marvel for the 4th time this evening. She has the Disney Channel, but I had seen it twice at the theater. I rented it for the 3rd time.
Daughter not well...has fallen 3 times. It’s almost time for my bi-annual trip to Florida. I will fly her home when I return.

My husband is unable to take care of this 6 lb. monster of a fur baby, Miss Molly. She is finally potty trained! Yay! Her litter pan with wee wee pads is in the laundry room. She goes by herself then comes and barks at me to get her a treat! She’s a bundle of energy. I have empathy for her due to her living with two oldsters. My daughter spends a lot of time with her for which I’m grateful.

reply