Let us be somewhat fair, this is a case of Disney trying to find some way to revive their old practice of re-releasing films theatrically.

"OK, everyone already has this film on video at home. How can we get them to justify paying for their kids to see it in a theater?"

No, it's not the same... I agree that my example is rather extreme. But the overall attitude is somewhat similar. Texting in a theater may seem innocent compared to outright vandalism, but they're both symptoms of a "fuck you, I'm more important than all of you" attitude.

Kids need to be taught some manners and that Disney experiment is a step in the wrong direction. Yeah, I know... I sound like an old prick

As long as this "audience participation" is confined to special screenings, I'm fine with that. But little kids may not understand the concept of a "special screening" and develop wrong habits (some already did). We wouldn't want Rocky Horror behavior at all screenings, right?

Last edited by MartyJ (2013-09-13 17:41:51)

OK, unless the Alamo Drafthouse is charging you a few hundred dollars, I don't see your experience there as being a GOOD thing. With only three customers a showing, they'll be closing soon

I don't recall whether it's been mentioned yet, but as a frequent matinee attender one thing that regularly disrupts my experience is, quite frankly, older people.

Not all older people, obviously, and not all of the time, but I go to enough screenings to have noticed that it's a thing. Specifically, it's older people who likely have hearing aids (or are likely in need of hearing aids) not realizing how loud they are whispering and/or not realizing that they are, in fact, not whispering at all but speaking in a much-too-loud voice. Also, there's the falling asleep and snoring loudly thing, which I witness at least once a month.

To be fair, I consider this almost a separate issue altogether because these folks are absolutely not doing these things on purpose and are otherwise exemplary theater patrons. If someone doesn't realize, then they don't realize. The good news is I've never seen an older person horsing around on an iPhone during a screening.

As an anti-shitty patron activist, I'm gonna go on record as saying I find this excessive.

You're right. Dismemberment of the hands would have been just as effective, without the distracting gunshot noise.

Agreed.  Plus it is never okay to shoot anyone in a movie theater for texting at any time.

Of course, this was in Florida so that warning should probably be shown onscreen before every movie.

Not to get too political, but I wonder if the shooter was a fan of the movie "God Bless America" or "The East"

A lot of people like to argue that talk radio hosts should watch what they say and/or suggest because they have a lot of influence over weak minded people. I wonder if the same argument will be made about some film makers.

And no matter what the shooters motivation or frustration, what he did was absolutely sick.

I feel like the fact that this person did this in a movie theater is interesting but, overall, incidental. If someone would have pissed this guy off at Starbucks, he'd have probably whipped out his pistol there. He's a sick puppy.

It's being reported that the shooter is a retired police officer(!) and former security person at Busch Gardens. The cops are saying he was indeed looking for a theater employee.

Apparently he was hauled before a judge today and charged with second-degree murder. Minimum 25 to life in FL because a firearm was used. He'll probably die in jail. (The guy's 71 years old. I'd be surprised if he were a video gamer. Man he shot was early 40s. Very sad.)

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/13/justice/f … -shooting/

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/2444 … rt]charged

Only, for Trey.