The 21st Century So Far: absolute disintegration of the dignity of the public sphere.
Simple politeness is more important than law. If someone asks me how a communist society would function without laws, I reply that our society already functions largely depending on the unspoken laws of politeness.
A film should unite people in a collective experience of enjoyment, not separate people into waring camps. One should feel a sense of duty to the rest of theater; to discipline oneself for the greater good. Strength through unity! Strength though discipline! Row! Row! Fight the powah!
I don't know. I don't think this is really just a recent trend. Just thinking about the movie theatre itself, though -- they have always been a place for annoyance. I mean, you're in a room with people from all walks of life. All those different personalities and yet we're all human.
And I don't think movie theatres automatically qualify as a place for unity and respect. Most people are there because they want to see something they can't see in the privacy of their own home and maybe because they needed to get out of the house. But I think a majority of people would rather watch the movie at home. Come on now -- if everyone had a movie theatre sized screen at their homes and could access newly released films there, who'd go to the movies? Who'd go to these places to watch what you could get at home? It'd be like going to a public bathroom for the hell of it.
Movie theatres are not art museums. They are a means of seeing something you can't see at home -- although, with the internet, now lots more people are downloading new movies and not going to the theatre. I have always liked movie theatres, but the prices for tickets are getting ridiculous. People should not complain about the prices of a movie ticket because of cell phones and loud people -- people should complain about the prices irregardless of that. It's insane to pay $15 to see a movie.
IT'S INSANE! Considering that the movie will - typically - be everywhere after you pay that price - it's insane. $5 is the most someone should pay to see a movie. More if it's a really fancy theatre. Before movies became so widely available through the internet, I would have said paying more for a movie seemed reasonable, but now I honestly think the limit for a typical movie should be $5. If movie theatres end up going out of business -- I can't believe I'm now saying this, but tough. Our technology is changing. Life is changing. Society is changing. We must deal with it and move on. It's a better solution that paying $20 to see a movie and complaining about the cell phones and people talking on them.
Also -- movie theatres
are a great warzone. We live in a time where everyone's thinking like a famous person. Everybody is a celebrity if they have their Twitter and Facebook and their cell phone. Teenagers are walking into movie theatres and talking loudly on their phones and texting away because it's aggressive and looks cool. It is a new way to look hip and current and show that you own something modern. Guys used to hate talking on the phone -- and they probably still do -- but more modern guys probably enjoy the attention they get by appearing to have all kinds of friends and girlfriends to call. A cell phone is now a status symbol, a way of looking important and powerful, and when you're on your phone in a movie theatre, you're showing off. You're sending a message that you're important. And everyone wants the most current cell phone to look hip --
"I had to get a new cell phone again last night. LOL." Might seem crazy, but that's how it is. Unfortunately, this affects the movie theatres, but what can you do? You just have to adapt. The world changes.