Soda. Check. Popcorn. Check. Twizzlers. Check. Date. Check. Movie tickets. Check. After splurging on the sodas, popcorn and movie tickets (not to mention finding the perfect aisle seat), the last thing you want is to hear is someone carrying on a conversation while you’re watching “Snakes On A Plane” or “Talladega Nights.” Unfortunately, in most theaters it’s bound to happen. And if it’s not the couple chewing the fat behind you, it may be the baby crying below you (probably my kid), or the guy on the cellphone next to you. Let’s face it… movie disturbances have become a fact of life. But, for how much longer?
According to a recent business publication, the Regal Cinema Group is testing a new gizmo, “a transmitter it hopes will get two thumbs up from customers.” It looks similar to a dated version of a television remote control. Movie goers take it in to the theater with them and if there’s any kind of disturbance they simply hit a button and it in turn alerts a manager’s special pager indicating that there’s a problem.
The product is being tested in just ten movie theaters across the country and the reviews are mixed. While some say it is a great idea, others say they would be reluctant to use it because they feel like they would be “ratting people out.” (To that I say: The culprits will never know it’s you who “ratted” them out. But I digress.) Still some say it is faster to just handle the situation on their own by “shushing” a loud individual.
The manufacturer of the new product says it still has a few bugs to work out. For example, if you push a button from inside your respective theater, it is still unclear how the manger will know where the troublemaker is sitting since most movie seats are not numbered.
One movie goer who tested the new device made the comment that he would be more apt to use the product if pressing one of the buttons would trigger food delivery from the concession stand. I’m with him.
What do you think? Would you consider using this new theater device?