I went to the movies for the first time in months and found myself

[Ladyhawk]

completely disgusted, 1) that there WERE commercials before the feature, and 2) that there were SO MANY commercials before the feature. Look, I paid for my fucking ticket so I wouldn't have to look at that crap! It's bad enough that it's a constant presence on TV. It also made me SO not miss TV. I haven't had access to TV since September. I found the commercials so loud and obnoxious I wanted to throw something through the movie screen. The only two things I had were my purse and my cervical collar, so no...not a good idea. Jail wouldn't be good for my neck, either.

This is yet one more area where corporations have overreached. I identified NBC as the main offender. I was told what to watch and what to eat by NBC and the Cartoon Network. :eyes:

Look, this is pretty small compared to an atrocity like Wal*Mart, but is there an ongoing boycott of some kind? I'll gladly boycott NBC, Cartoon Network, Snickers, Poppables, Sprite, Coke and all the other crap that was forced against my defenseless eyes and ears. Sickening. If I wanted to watch commercials, I watch the fucking TV.

[Democrats_win]

1. Thanks for the update on the pre-movie commericials. A couple of years

ago, it was the same. The movies were so bad then they just weren't worth it. Was tempted to see star wars, but read the book at the library so thanks to your update, I'll continue to save my money.

[Ladyhawk]

3. It was the worst display of commercialism I've ever seen at a theatre.

I was disgusted. In fact, I think the audience members wanted me to STFU. I was complainin' and bitchin' and the right-winger I went with thought the commercials were "OK." I held up the ticket and said we'd paid to see a fuckin' movie, NOT a string of noisy, obnoxious commercials, Matt Lauer and Al Roker.

"Criminal!" I shouted. "This is criminal!" Maybe I should ask for my money back?

[CBHagman]

2. My sympathies, and I have only small solutions.

I agree with giving feedback to the advertisers and/or the theater company. If anyone likes these pre-movie ads, I haven't heard about it.

I do enjoy seening the trailers, though. I'm a sucker for coming attractions, as long as the trailers are good. I also have no problem with public service announcements (my childhood was full of them, and they worked) or cautions about talking during the movie.

Here's what's left to do:

*See if you can't find a museum or club or some other organization that shows movies without the commercials. Yeah, I know this is a useless suggestion for anyone who doesn't live in a major city or college town, but it's a thought. Foreign language clubs, art museums, and the like show movies.

*Go to independent theaters, if you can find them.

*Make friends with somebody with a large-screen TV and a subscription to Netflix or the like. It'll give you both more control.

Warning: Even videos and DVDs have advertising on them these days. :-( You can always skip them, though.

Best of luck!

On edit: I understand some people are after theater owners to post the actual starting time of the movie, not the moment when the lights go down. You can check and see if the theater offers that. The downside is that you will make other moviegoers upset if you climb over them in the dark. People already do things like this anyway.

[Ladyhawk]

5. Oh, trailers are half the fun of going to the movies.

Commercials...no. I just subscribed to Netflix. My reasonably large TV hasn't seen much use these past several months, so I'm good. I ordered documentaries. I'm very big on nature docs. Maybe someone who likes same can make friends with me? :)

And yes, I'll fast-forward past commercials. :)

The local theatre was aquired by Regal, I think. I want to bash some heads.

[Clark2008]

4. When I go (which isn't often - can't afford it)

I usually go late and get popcorn and the other goodies while all that crap is on.

[AspenRose]

6. When I went to see Fahrenheit 911 it was at the theater

and once again, NBC was the primary offender, showing Olympics previews with olympians driving various forms of Chevy vehicles.

It surprised me, too. I think there was also a preview of a cable miniseries show or something.

[Slyder]

7. Other problems with movie theaters

I hate the commercials too! New theaters are often extremely wheelchair unfriendly for us wheelchair riders--stadium seating requires that folks in wheelchairs sit on the front row. My neck is sore after a feature film, and I am more disabled after the movie than before. I cannot relax and be confortable at a movie! Add high prices for tickets and for eats and drinks, and the confiscation by security goons of food brought to the theater. Not to mention unsupervised children, cell phone, and rude people! I just don't go!I don't need this shit! I wait for the films to arrive on DVD at my public library and watch them at home for free. Don't understand why the theater folks hate the handicapped so much. Thank you for allowing me to get this diatribe off my chest!