Movie Natters: October 7, 2008 Archive

Annoying moviegoer habit #35

Posted at 11:20 PM on October 7, 2008 by Euan Kerr (1 Comments)

I needed to take in a screening of "The Duchess" late this afternoon as research for an upcoming interview. I battled traffic across St Paul but was delighted to get to the theater with what seemed like a decent amount of time to spare.

It was past the start time listed in the paper, but I knew this theater usually does at least 10 minutes of previews so I was in the zone.

Imagine my surprise when I saw a long line, as in 10 people, at the box office. And the line wasn't moving.

The reason? There was only one ticket seller and the couple at the front of the line were discussing which movie they wanted to see. They pointed and they discussed. They changed their minds and pointed and talked some more.

The clock kept ticking and the line kept growing. Finally they decided, and they began flipping through their wallets to decide which credit card to use. More delay! Finally, after what seemed like a prolonged farewell to the young lady in the box office they moved on.

Next up were two ladies, one of whom decided to pay with singles. However when she tried to push them through the slot in the window, the air blasting out of the box office caught the bills and scattered them across the foyer. More delay.

Finally I got up front, paid in a flash and headed in (to the most distant theater natch.) I was sure I was going to have missed the first 10 minutes.

But it seems they show even more previews in the afternoon. So I saw the whole of the "Milk" trailer before the lights went down for the show.

On reflection now I suppose I am a little jealous that people can turn up to a theater without knowing what they are going to see, but maybe they should wait to get in line until they have decided for sure.

Comment on this post