On Kids and Teenagers who Ruin Films… Who Else Wants Childfree Cinemas?
2 06 2008I thought this was so absolutely spot on I had to post it as soon as I saw it.
Childfree cinemas (theatres) are long overdue. Can we have them soon please? How many more films (movies) does one have to have ruined by parents who are simply incapable of discerning what’s suitable for their progeny?? This is one reason that, while I want to go and see Iron Man, I’ve held off. Because the chances of it being spoiled by said kids and teens is disturbingly high (and yes, pun is intended). Cinemas/theatres seem all to happy to grab our money for their overpriced tickets, yet could give a toss for whether we get what we paid for. Maybe we should be voting with our feet.
Enjoy Mark’s post and the comments. If there’s a vote, campaign or whatever, I’m in.
Meanwhile I may have to wait for Iron Man on Blue Ray. And let’s not mention the forthcoming Batman film which is going to be pretty dark. I think we might be safe there as the rating on Batman will and should be higher, but who knows? If any kids are at that one…
Technorati Tags: Childfree, Iron Man
We actually have a CF area in one of our newest cinemas. There is a section reserved exclusively for those 21 and up. They serve alcohol and the legal age to drink in our area is 21.
How wonderful is that?!?!
You can always watch movies online you know. I know of links I’d be willing to share… I watched Sex And The City before it opened last Friday - LOL.
BTW, I have a VERY CF post up right now. If you get a second, please stop by.
Excellent as always BG!
Strangely enough, I’ve discovered (at least in the city I live in now, and the last one I lived in) that the perfect time to see a movie is Saturday or (better yet) Sunday morning. The first showing, in the morning, when kidlets *ought* to be watching movies (vs 11pm or so) is when they never seem to be around. Go figure.
I think the biggest problem, at least in the U.S., is that the rating system is basically set up to fail when it comes to keeping kids out of age-inappropriate movies. “Rated R” movies allow children under 17 if accompanied by someone over 17. Thus you have some clueless idiot taking their four-year-old to something like Saw or Hostel because hey, the “parent” is over 17. I think the solution would be to make rated R moves absolutely forbidden to ANYONE under the age of 16, 17, 18, whatever. No exceptions, no excuses. Rated R means you don’t see it until you’re of age or it comes out on DVD and your parents don’t give a shit what you rent. This “unless accompanied by parent or guardian” bullshit is so full of holes the stupid morons who bring their kids to late-night showings of totally inappropriate movies just sail right through them. Put some teeth behind the ratings and their enforcement at the theater level. Keep kids out of rated R movies, period.
Here in Vegas, we are a 24 hour town. You’d think that the people who live here would not want to expose their kids to what happens in Vegas, but even at the midnight showing of a movie, there will be children who should have been in bed long ago. Pretty sad considering that most movie theaters here are in casinos.
the problem i see is that these multiplex cinemas you pay your ticket and go in.. but you can walk into any screen, so that kids can walk into adult films when they are playing cartoons in the other..
I haven’t gone to the theater in about a year but we risked it to see Iron Man last weekend and I was shocked that there weren’t any screaming kids or cell phones ringing the whole time! I don’t even think I heard anyone talking during the movie, either! It was great! I guess everyone had taken their kids to see the latest Narnia movie instread. YAY!
I’d be thrilled at theaters that keep kids out of all showings except for kiddie or family movies, but I’d also like them to block cell phone signals in the theaters, too. Most times I don’t mind cell phone addicts but I don’t want them on their phones in the theater!
When I went to see “Ironman”, some breeders had brought their FOUR YEAR OLDS in. So the film was spoiled by children talking, children crying, children needing to go pee pee. Also, one came up to me when I tried to kiss my boyfriend and told me to stop because there were children there. The very worst bit about it was that afterwards - not even that, just before the credits - they were all bitching about how the film was unsuitable and how they were going to complain. I wanted to tell them off, but I knew I would get the “how dare you challenge my parenting, it’s haard” crap
Normally, I don’t mind teenagers, but I have lost count of the films (most recently SATC) which have been ruined by groups of them talking non stop, throwing popcorn and generally being a nuisance. I think that if you’re too immature to sit still and show some respect to the other viewers, as well as the staff, then you’re too immature to go to the cinema. It’s not a teenager thing, because I am one and I could always stay quiet. I’d be in favour of childfree screenings, but really, it shouldn’t be necessary. Parents should actually parent.
I went a Saturday afternoon (the usually safe cinema-time) to see a cartoon. When I entered the theater it was almost full of kids….and this was a movie about horses…need I say more..(pls dont ask why I chose that move..:))..When I came to my seat I saw that a female collegue was sitting there with her kids…I dont remember exactly what excuse I used when I turned around and went back to change my ticket for another movie (which they let me do)…but I am terrible happy I did…
By the way…anybody been to the swimming-hall during weekends?? It makes cinema look like heaven and gives some insight to the life of “happy” parents..
Now I know why I never go to the cinema. It’s an overpriced, grubby, PITA. But a 21 and over cinema with liquor - hell, I’d pay extra for that!
I absolutely agree with Sarah. If a film is rated, then that’s the minimum age to get in, and you should have to provide ID if you’re asked. That was always the way it worked when I was growing up, and it worked well.
Mark is absolutely right in that parents can’t be trusted to make reasonable decisions, they’re all so self absorbed and entitled that they just do what the hell they want anyway. There is a reason that someone has recommended that kids under a certain age don’t see this stuff - get a clue and choose something more appropriate, or leave the kids with a sitter.
I tried to publish this comment, but it didn’t work:
To: mrs_primevil
You seem to miss the point. Not everyone wants kids, it’s a CHOICE. And the ones that are selfish are the parents who force their kids to see inappropriate movies, thus ruining the experience for everyone. Movie tickets are expensive. Hey, if you can afford them, you can afford a baby sitter for your kids and a class about manners for you.
I saw “Sex and the City” with my husband on Saturday night at 10:30. There were two children there who appeared to be about 5 years old, and there was at least one baby. The baby started crying about halfway through. Everyone else was well-behaved, though–no talking or phones ringing, so that’s something. Still, I would gladly pay to see a movie in an adults-only theater. It should just be common sense to keep the kids home, since it is after all basic consideration…but many parents lack common sense and manners.
We saw Ironman last week and were quite surprised at the lack of children- of course, like Phoena, it was probably Narnia’s opening that saved us.
Last year, we went to see the 3rd Pirates of the Carribean. A mother had brought her two children to the film (it was late enough, 9 or 10pm)- we are talking about a 4 and 6 year old here. The youngest one cried, obviously traumatised at what she saw on the screen, which I forget because the film was so bad but was inappropriate for her age. My sister and I must have given the mum lots of turn-around dirty looks everytime she tried to comfort them. I think we even told her twice to go out and sort her kids out, to no avail. I am sure I muttered “for fuck’s sakes” a few times too, but no reaction.
We were so ticked off at the end (and, to be honest, appalled at the film’s mediocrity) that we went to the customer service booth and demanded a refund because the trio ruined the experience for us. That in itself was an amusing encounter because I just demanded three passes and then just stared the clerk down. I’s funny how when you refuse to speak any further and leave, the silence is really intimidating to the customer service rep and they eventually just give you what you want to make the discomforting silence go away.
Yeah, I would love a CF zone. I also know there are repertory theatres here in the city who do mothers and tots at the cinema, which is also a great idea. Everybody could win if you just organised things properly.
xx
AM
Great comments all!
I just cannot understand the numbnut parents who take small children in to watch shows that are clearly going to traumatise them. I just don’t get it. And, lets say they didn’t know (because of course they didn’t bother to read the rating) then why not take the wailing kids home?? It’s completely daft. I’d love childfree cinemas/theatres.
I know one can watch movies on-line - and I have done but it’s not the same. I love the whole atmosphere of watching a big-screen film/movie - and I love the Friday night/Saturday night movie night feeling. Sans kids of course. There are some films that simply have to be seen on the big screen - especially the IMAX - even if I’m going to watch it on DVD afterwards, which I often do. Between my hubs and I we have over1200 DVDs…
so we will often just wait for the it to come out on DVD anyway. I think they need to enforce the ratings… not let anyone in who shouldn’t be there and dare to piss off the bad parents. At least we’ll actually enjoy what we paid for.
I’m all for childfree cinemas. I just don’t really hope for it, to be honest. Sorry if I’m so pessimistic.
We have here a theatre that you can order dinner and watch a movie. You sit either two to a table or at a counter. The seats are like executive office chairs - comfy!
We went to Ironman on Sunday afternoon. Out of the WHOLE AUDITORIUM, the one couple with a YOUNG boy of maybe 4 or 5, they had to sit next to us! I told my boyfriend it’s like cigarette smoke and a non-smoker. For some reason, it just waftes over to the person - as is famblees with kids. He chuckled. Then I wondered if parents who bring their children sit next to women, specifically, because they think that women wouldn’t mind? As if it is just some reflex thought they have? I dunno. But it’s annoying. I hope I don’t “look inviting” to have a kid around me. Ultimately, we moved. I didn’t want to risk hearing the kid. Even if he would try to whisper. I don’t know how he behaved, but atleast he wasn’t loud because we didn’t hear him.
This theatre also sells alcohol. But since they serve food, I guess people think it’s ok. A 21 and over theatre would be awesome.
BTW, as to the comment of going early Sunday mornings. Well.. we don’t get up that early. We’re late people. And quite frankly, I’d really like to be able to go whenever I want. It is true: watching a movie at the theatre is a whole experience. And who wants to go out on a date Sunday morning? Some of us are still recovering from Saturday night. LOL!
We need childfree theaters NOW. I can’t stand going to the movie theater because whenever I do I will inevitably run into a child or children who spend the entire time talking, yelling, laughing, throwing popcorn and candy, and kicking the back of my chair. And of course, the parents wouldn’t dream of putting an end to they’re precious little angel’s fun. As if the horrendously high prices for tickets and concessions and the twenty minutes of prevues/commercials weren’t enough reason to stay away from the theaters…
I’ve been fortunate to never have a movie experience ruined by children…but I don’t go to a lot of movies. It’s stupid to suggest that people go at earlier or later hours to see adult rated films without children present. If it’s an ADULT RATED FILM, that means children shouldn’t be seeing it. Not everyone wants to get up at, or stay up until stupid o’clock to see an adult rated film with the hope that perhaps there might not be children attending as it’s obviousally not a guarantee. I mean, if a parent is going to drag their kid to an adult film, they probably aren’t going to care if the kid is up past bedtime, or during nap time, they’ve already proven they lack the ability to know how to care for their kid. If they can’t deal with the fact that maybe they won’t be able to do everything they did before children in the same way, then I guess it’s society’s job to do that for them.
I think a good, though slow acting, solution would be that if you are in an adult rated film, and it is ruined by children, you demand a refund EVERY TIME. If enough people do this, cinemas will have no choice but to actually enforce/develop policies to keep children out of ADULT RATED FILMS, like they used to.
There’s one movie theater in Chicago where you have to be 21+ to get in because they serve alcohol during the movies. It’s the only theater in town that is totally kid-free.
At the other theaters, you take your chances. You’re not even guaranteed a pleasant time at the movies if you go to late night showings. I’ve seen kids in the theater at 10:00 PM, and teenagers at midnight showings whom, according to curfew laws, should have had their behinds at home.
A few years ago, a couple of theaters instituted a “mommy and baby” time where parents could come in with their kids. It appeared the only parents who could take advantage of this (it took place in the mid-mornings and early afternoons) were stay-at-home moms. If such an event can be scheduled, then why can’t an “adults-only” time at the movie theater take place? I asked the theaters in questions, but they have yet to get back to me.
I find at times it isn’t just the children who are making noise in movie theatres, it’s also teenagers and sometimes other adults. The problem seems to stem from the “home theatre” experience. People seem to forget that they aren’t in their living room where they can chat and do whatever they want while the movie is playing. It’s an example of the entitlement mentality and also a lack of manners and thoughtfulness toward other people - I want my fun now and I don’t care if it bothers other people. Sorry folks, your right to your fun ends at the tip of my nose, or in the case of movie theatres, the range of my hearing!
I agree with Feh but I would extend it to any time anyone is ruining your movie experience. It isn’t just the children who are making all that noise.
RMS,
As a teacher, I can tell you that the ability to sit silently through any kind of performance has disappeared in the last ten years. I agree with you that it’s the home entertainment influence that has completely changed the perception of what being in a live audience means. My students regularly talk back to their peers when they are performing little skits, etc… and the adults these days aren’t much better. Just go to any school concert or recital and watch how distracted the parents are. I watched a man last year type on his laptop during a concert he was attending and at which his child was playing. On top of that, the parents tend to want to come to school concerts and walk out after their little angels have finished their number and not care that they are being disrespectful of everyone else after them by walking out before any intermission. It’s more than a child problem, and you see the inability to listen and just be across all ages now. It’s almost like we are so hurried that no one can take the time to just sit down, shut up, and enjoy the moment.
Anne-Marie said:
I read that and thought that just PROVES that people having kids is all about them and not about contributing to society.
I would pay extra to enjoy a movie CF.
It is beyond annoying that parents don’t have a little more control (many seem to have no control) over their monsters. Gone are the days that a parent would remove an errant child when they got obnoxious!
I think both parents and unruly children should be escorted out of the cinema/theatre if they disturb the enjoyment of others. I’d love to have a 21+ entrance rule for cinemas here. But if my experience is ruined by noisy kids I’m going to make a complaint and ask for my money back. Even if I don’t get it back, I’ll have made a point… and if enough people do the same perhaps they’ll start taking us seriously and keep badly behaved kids - and their parents out.
I agree with all of you whole heartedly.I just cannot comprehend bringing small children to a movie that is not G rated.I have seen people bringing infants to the theatre as well.Please get a babysitter!I don’t think your little angels are cute,frankly,I find them annoying.
The only problem I see with having an adult only theatre is that parents will raise holy hell about it.Some parents feel that their children should be welcomed with open arms everywhere they go and accuse those of us who don’t have children of being mean and anti children.I have no problem with WELL BEHAVED children…..I have a problem with children who are badly behaved.There is a difference!
One of the (few) good things about the UK is that people under the age for which the film is certified (ie 12, 15, 18) cannot actually enter the theatre, whether with or without somebody of the requisite age.
Still a bit p*ssed off about the latest Batman flick, though - it was certified ‘12A’ in this country, which meant that anybody over the age of 10 (8? I could be wrong) accompanied by an adult could see it. Personally, I think it should have been a 15. Not that I’m so worried about ickle darlings’ minds being frazzled by the themes, just that it would have improved my viewing experience.
Rhona - I’m amazed that any parent would let their children under 15 watch The Dark Knight…shows that there’s no accounting for fools…