Quick Checkin, or, Soapbox: Movie Manners

Hey. Just a quick update to let anyone reading that I'm still alive. I just got back from a showing of the first Bleach movie, Memories of Nobody at a nearby theater (nearby being a relative term) and had a lot of fun. Expect a review to be coming in the next few days, but for now I'm tired and don't have the energy to write one as I have work in the morning. However before I go to bed, there is something that I need to get off my chest, so get ready for my first soapbox. It's about some of the antics that went on in the theater before and during the movie.

When I first showed up at the theater, I was honestly a little surprised by the number of people that were in the theater. The room was maybe half full (if that), but it was still a lot more than I had expected to show up. Maybe I'm still getting used to the idea that anime and manga fandom is fairly large and rapidly growing, but whatever the case I was surprised and a little pleased to see that many people there. However it quickly became clear that most of them, or at least a VERY loud portion, were middle schoolers or MAYBE high schoolers. Not surprising. I was in middle school when I started watching anime and honestly what demographic is most likely to think of cartoons as a regular source of entertainment? American anime fans are well known for being enthusiastic about their hobby, but unfortunately other stereotypes that I've encountered peg us as being extremely outspoken, lacking in basic social graces or awareness, and perhaps TOO enthusiastic. Sadly some of the patrons at the theater tonight only reinforced these stereotypes.

Before the movie, they were shouting at each other and holding a conversation across 8 rows of seats. A portion of it seemed to pertain to particular anime series, but the vast majority of it consisted of inside jokes and references that, while incredibly amusing to this group of apparent friends, were completely lost on the rest of us in the theater. And yet, they felt the need to broadcast these comments for the sake of everyone in the theater. Just because the movie hasn't started yet doesn't mean that you are given free reign to be as loud as you want. You are still in a public place, in the presence of strangers who honestly don't really care that you saw a video online replacing the dialog from a scene of Naruto with an audio clip from The Waterboy. Please be aware of this and be aware that many people are not as tolerant as I am.

Next was the movie itself. There was a group of very loud fans (both genders) who felt the need to scream or holler when they favorite character came on screen or to make snarky remarks (and lame jokes) to each other in regular conversation volume during the movie. Again, please remember that you are in a public place and that you must be courteous to your fellow moviegoers. In the past I too have been guilty of adding MST3K type commentary to movies and do you know what happened to me? A very large, very intimidating man in row in front of me turned around and politely asked me to "Shut the hell up." When you are talking out loud or screaming during the movie, two things happen. First, any kind of immersion the movie has created is instantly shattered as I am ripped violently back into the real world by your shenanigans. Second, I can no longer hear what the characters are saying. It might be something unimportant like, "I've got your cheeseburgers" or some exposition of vital importance, but I will never know because you were too busy squealing or being an asshole. This kind of behavior may be acceptable when you're watching a movie at home with your friends, but please don't assume that the rest of us in the theater want to hear your clever commentary over the movie's audio track.

To make it clear, I (and a couple other patrons) did voice these same opinions (although with far fewer words) during the movie to the troublemakers, so this isn't just some after-the-fact whining because I didn't want to do anything in public. However during the drive back home (and it's not a short one) I kept stewing about this stuff and just had to write something about it. In summary, your enthusiasm for anime is great and I whole heartedly support it. Just temper it a bit with some consideration for other people and put a little thought towards appropriateness. That's all I ask.

-ZK