On the other hand, when watching films with my students, they are incredibly verbal about their experiences. At first I didn’t like this, but it definitely helps me gauge what’s happening in their heads while watching a film. Oftentimes, sad endings will elicit an immature response, particularly from the boys – and this allows me to address what happened in the film and how it made them feel and why the filmmaker made certain choices, etc. Of course, when we pay to see a film, we have no such obligation to our fellow audience members.

I do, however, think it speaks to people’s growing need to interact with their entertainment, which is something filmmakers must contend with to stay relevant.

Doug Williford: Nicely written, Gabriel. And I completely agree. I went to see A Single Man recently here at The Angelika which is an art house. The guy to my left turned in his seat to stare at me for the emotional scenes near the end. I wasn’t sobbing or moaning, just wiping my eyes. It was intrusive to say the least.

Teresa: your article reminded me of when I went to see Return of the King in theaters. I saw it 3 times there, and each time I had the same experience with people. being a J.R.R. fan, I was totally moved by the ending, while everyone else was not.

In the ending scenes when it would fade in and fade out to tell the closing story people literally were sighing in frustration and mumbling that it was “the movie that never ends.” Honestly, if you pay high prices for a flick then milk it for all its worth. Rushing it wouldn’t justify it.

And then the scene when Frodo & co. are pretty much sobbing when Frodo is saying his fair wells to head to the Undying Lands was pretty hard to get through. I dunno how many times I heard the words “fags”, “homos”, “gays” etc. being said in that one scene… All because fictional male characters were expressing sorrow in a goodbye? Really? I wanted to rage….

The only reason I put up with going to the movies is because I like sitting in a big chair staring at an even bigger screen. But if I was allowed to go Grand Theft Auto on people in the theater I would.

/end essay

Unfortunately, going to the movies has become a stress not a joy like it used to be. I have told people the following at least 3 times: “I’m sorry ma’am but I didn’t pay $20 to listen to your child scream his head off, would you please take him outside?” At Avatar, as the movie theater darkened for the commercials and previews, the theater was packed of course and a couple asked us to move over one seat so they could sit together I said politely: “No, I’m sorry I won’t move over. We got here early and waited in line and picked out the seats we wanted where we wanted them to be. To me, this is the perfect seat. We will gladly pass your popcorn back and forth if you like.” They gave me a dirty look and moved on mumbling about me being a B. Whatever.

I think it’s more about the “I don’t care about anyone else, but me” attitude that plagues the majority of society. They believe they are so important that they MUST answer that phone or text or tweet or have a conversation. Again, I’m not paying $20 to be your friend or listen to you talk to your mom on the phone or get blinded by your iPhone or hear the words “Dude, I can’t talk right now, I’m in a movie. Yeah, I’ll call you when we get out” or hear about how OMG that fugly Edward is soooo dreamy as I’m trying to immerse myself in a movie. (BTW I have yet to see that Twilight flick but I did see a clip about his skin being shiny and look how I sparkle! I wanted to obfuscate myself right out of the room or spend a blood point to cry a tear of blood for subjecting myself to that BS. )

Due to our precautions, we have been able to avoid the average movie patron so our experiences have not been marred–if you’re at the theater at 10am on a Sunday morning you really want to see that movie. If you hear someone sniffling and crying at the sad parts, it’s probably me–I get totally emotionally immersed and have been known to weep openly. (Up is the most recent that comes to mind). Just pass the tissues.