Tonight’s “Don’t Talk” Adrenaline Rush
Man, tonight I had a weird experience up at the Village. I went up to watch WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE with my wife (I absolutely loved the movie, by the way). We came in just as the trailers were starting up and took a seat. Behind me I noticed all throughout the trailers that there was a group talking fairly loudly. I made a mental note, this is a group to watch. It was well past the new “QUIET ZONE” announcement, but I didn’t want to raise a flag and report the table until the feature started. The feature commenced and their loud chatter continued, so I notified my waiter who politely told them to keep their voices down as there was a complaint from a patron. One request by the waiter and all was quiet for the rest of the film.
Well, apparently the gentleman who was shushed apparently wasn’t quietly enjoying the movie, he was stewing in a quietly building rage. After the film, he complained vigorously to management about getting politely shushed. The manager-on-duty let him know that is was the owner (me) who had registered the complaint. Apparently this made him even more crazy. Crazy enough to chase after me in the parking lot with rage eyes, rant and punch my windshield. He swore to never again visit the Alamo.
Fabulous.
You sir are exactly the type of patron that I never want to see at an Alamo Drafthouse ever again. People who continue to talk when the movie has started are impolite, self-absorbed losers who were never taught common decency by their parents. WE DON’T EVER WANT YOU AT THE ALAMO. Please take your business elsewhere for the rest of your life.
If someone, a member of the Alamo staff or another patron, asks you to please be quiet during any film, please do so, and do so contritely. Remember, the Alamo is not your living room, there are other people around you that don’t want to hear your conversation.
Also, don’t let this anecdote scare you. If you raise a flag to alert an Alamo waiter to a problem talker, it looks just like he or she is taking your order. It’s a totally anonymous system unless you happen to own the place. To our friendly customers, stay vigilant, report talkers and keep our theater safe from the raging hemorrhoids of cinematic society.
Tim League
founder
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
October 29th, 2009 at 5:53 am
I feel bad that you had to deal with such an ass Hat, and I wish my local theaters were 1/10th of what you’ve managed to produce. I live in Northern California and can’t explain how bad I want a Draft House here. Our patrons are rude d-bags that talk the whole film, if you talk to the management they don’t know how to deal with it and simply ignore you.
I’m a film critic and I hate going to the movies. Coming to The Alamo for FF this past year was a treat, but only reminded me of how shitty my theaters are. If you’re ever looking to expand, please think of Northern California… we need something like the Draft House up here, and badly!
October 29th, 2009 at 6:02 am
Given the nature of the movie, there seems to be some irony that was lost upon this guy. I guess he wasn’t paying attention.
October 29th, 2009 at 6:26 am
Shoulda smacked that bitch up Tim.
October 29th, 2009 at 6:32 am
I bet it feels great to get to say ” I AM THE OWNER” when some assclown asks to speak to the owner. I love the Drafthouse, the culture, the attitude and I also think it’s great that you blogged about this event.
October 29th, 2009 at 6:32 am
I’d fire that manager for ratting you out!! (OK, not really. Still, he shouldn’t have done it.)
October 29th, 2009 at 7:00 am
You are a badass Tim, bless you and the Alamo for being so awesome.
October 29th, 2009 at 7:15 am
ahh tim, thank you for keeping the alamo free of loud, obnoxious patrons.
October 29th, 2009 at 7:15 am
Too bad it couldn’t have been filmed for a new “Be QuietL trailer! Perhaps a reenactment?
October 29th, 2009 at 8:22 am
i love my job and now i love my bosses even more. thank you, thank you, thank you for this post. and god(dess) bless america! f*ck yeah.
October 29th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Efff that guy – effff his the whole efffing personality type – The Alamo is one of the big reasons I left ATL for ATX – to get away from dbags like that. Much thanks for maintaining the benchmark all other theaters can aspire to be.
October 29th, 2009 at 10:35 am
We had a group of people behind at the Alamo (a couple months back) who were not only talking but taking/making phone calls. The theater was not crowded so I have to admit I was chicken about raising the flag, afraid of the very kind of reaction you went through. I should have reported it, I know…
October 29th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
If more companies were willing to stand up and say, “We don’t want YOUR business” in cases like this, we would have a vastly more polite society, IMO. Kudos.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
BRAVO, Tim! BRAVO!
October 29th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
You are my hero. I absolutely cannot stand talkers in a theater.. I have always wished every theater would use your, “Take their asses out” reminder for their theaters.. In regular theaters I have actually asked the talkers to please be quiet or to please refund my money so that I may come back when they will not be there.. I don’t wait for the management to quiet them down..
October 29th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Following someone to their car and punching a windshield should have earned him another shushing discussion from the APD.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Tim,
Fantastic. I love that management does the right thing instead of the profitable thing. This fills me with hope. You see, I have stopped visiting Alamo Drafthouse because of a couple of problems I’ve had, and suddenly, I feel like management is receptive! Sometimes you can’t fix things, but if you understand why they are the way they are, you can overlook it. Feel free to email me if you’d like to win back my custom.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
I applaud you! I love seeing movies at the Drafthouse and I’m glad to know that you talkers seriously. Thank you for posting this blog and telling the noisy patron that you NEVER want them to return. More poeple like you are needed in the world.
October 29th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Thank you, gracias, danke, Tim. Brav-freaking-o.
October 29th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Good for you, Tim! Yet another reason to love the Alamo…
October 29th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
nice work & sorry you had to go through that.
October 29th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
That guy is a jackass, I’m glad I won’t be running into him at another Alamo show. I’ve had the good fortune of always having a quiet theater, unless it was a Mr. Sinus show, but that’s another story. Thank you for the tip about asking a wait person to handle the noisy co-patron. That works much better than getting up during the movie and telling someone to shut the f up.
October 29th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
The Alamo is the last place I would go if I wanted to watch a movie in a quiet environment. From constant chit chat from the patrons, people talking on their phones, noisy waiters, and noisy eaters/drinkers, the Alamo has it all. Regarding the flag system, I can’t wait until one of these Internet tough guys gets beaten up in the parking lot after complaining that someone was noisy.
October 29th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
WAY TO GO TIM, you show that prick whose boss!
October 29th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
The manager probably name dropped you when the guy got out of hand. Too bad you don’t have his name or his photo.You could have blackballed him.
October 29th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
That’s awesome. I miss the Alamo already and I’ve only been gone from Austin a week!
October 29th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
I’m with Eric. We should film this for a “be quiet” trailer Pulp Fiction style, with you and Karrie gunning down the ass clown in the parking lot.
October 29th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Tim, you are my hero. Bravo!
October 29th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
It should be noted that for every extreme case like this there are 500 times that a flag has been raised by a customer, the waiter discreetly alerted and the (usually slightly embarrassed) talker politely shushed, with virtually no one else in the auditorium aware that it’s even taking place. Even removals are far less disruptive than you might expect, except for the occasional round of applause from the audience.
October 29th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Tim,I am so glad you exist. We in Austin enjoy a film appreciation scene that skyscrapers over that of most cities. You and Mrs.League, and those who you employ have everything to do with that. All my Love. P.S. I would have pounded that guy for you if I were there.
October 29th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Way to go!! I love the Alamo, and hate movie-talkers. In fact, I will only see movies at an Alamo, mostly for this precise reason. As a former film producer, movie-talkers grind my gears (apologies to Family Guy). And if you want to make a Pulp Fiction-esque trailer for your “keep quiet” series, count me in for free.
October 29th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Tim, I’m very glad you are not a violent man, but anyone who thinks you can be intimidated obviously does not know you at all. You could possibly sue someone for hitting your windshield, but it is so much cooler to be able to say, as a founder and owner of some of the best movie theaters that have ever existed on this planet, “Please take your business elsewhere for the rest of your life.” You and Karrie have created a haven for movie-goers and, “You have our gratitude!”
October 29th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Good for you. Hopefully the raging moron managed to fracture his hand on your windshield (and didn’t put any cracks in your window).
I’ve pretty much given up on going to any non-Drafthouse theater and seeing a movie in peace and quiet.
The only time we ever see a movie at somewhere other than a Drafthouse is if it’s not showing at one of the 3 nearby (S Lamar, Village, Ritz), and in recent memory, that’s ALWAYS resulted in me being annoyed at the loud, rude behavior of people nearby, and wishing I’d just waited for the DVD to come out instead.
October 29th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
This is exactly why Alamo is always our first choice when we get a date night.
October 29th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Today is a good day.
October 29th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Often the right thing to do is also the profitable thing to do, maybe not immediately but in the long run. If I have a choice between venues, all things being equal I’m going to choose the one that doesn’t cater to or knuckle under to douchebags. It’s comforting to know that Tim has our collective back in combating the relentless encroaching tide of public asshattery. Hats (and cell phones) off to you, Mr. League!
October 29th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
I believe everything in this story except the part about Tim loving Where the Wild Things are.
October 29th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
It’s hard to run a business as cool as the Drafthouse in the middle of a fallen world full of people who can’t be trusted yo have even the most basic decorum or common sense. I think it’s a pretty amazing that the Alamo manages to prevent most of this stuff as effectively as it does. There’s always going to be one asshole every once in a while though. I remember that one knuckle-dragging foodhole fucktard that threw a pint glass at a waitress during one of those new star wars movies. That guy should have been publicly boiled in his own excrement.
October 29th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
As for the commenter who claims the Alamo isn’t a quiet environment- what other theaters have you been to lately? Because every other theater I have been to outside of arthouses and film festivals is full of jabbering, cell-phoning idiots. The Alamo is BY FAR the best theater experience I’ve had- from waitstaff actually enforcing the no talking rule to excellence in projection.
October 29th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
This post and all of the comments are the main reason my husband are 1) totally ruined for other movie theaters for the rest of our lives and 2) never leaving Austin.
Tim, we all have your back.
October 29th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Great job with shutting him down, but did he do any damage to your windshield? If so, did you file charges?
October 29th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is why I love the original Alamo Draft House. It’s that rare example of a theater that is run by a couple who loves movies, and it caters to patrons who love movies. Thank you, Tim and Karrie, for giving the movie loving people of Austin a home.
Whenever I have the option, I will always choose a League owned theater over any other venue. Why? “Please take your business elsewhere for the rest of your life”. That’s why.
October 29th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
A critic I follow on Twitter posted a link to this. My reply?
“To the owner of the Alamo: You, sir, rock.”
October 29th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
by far, one of the best theaters in all of my movie watching experiences. thanks for bringing us all of your fantastic side events also, Tim.
October 29th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
That’s it – I’m moving to Austin.
October 29th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Tim League, you continue to be my hero!
October 29th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
This is exactly why I will only go to the Drafthouse for movies… It’s the only place to go see movies with “my people”. Talkers go elsewhere!
October 29th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Well done. Too bad you can’t do anything about obnoxious eaters. Even so, the Alamo rocks.
October 29th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
It’s this policy that has had me coming back to the Alamo after all these (10+) years.
Thanks, Tim for being just like the rest of us. A movie lover who wants to enjoy what they are seeing and hearing. A movie.
October 29th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Everyone needs to be vigilant and stand up against this kind of shit, whether at the Alamo or not. If I am in the same row of a talker at a non-Drafthouse location I start things out with a cold, direct stare. If that doesn’t do the trick I just go ahead and shot “SHUT THE FUCK UP” and let things roll from there. And “Steve”, you’re a fucking douchebag. They turn the sound up to compensate for the minimal noise made by people as they eat, noisy waiters? Chit-chatting patrons? Choke on your own trolling you sad sack, and if you want to meet this internet tough guy in person please don’t hesitate to reach out further. I’m a United States Marine and pretty confident in my parking lot brawling skills. ALAMO FTW
October 29th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
It is stories like these that make me happy the Drafthouse exists. I had the misfortune of attening “Paranormal Activity” and had to sit next to some schmucks who talked to each other constantly and had bouts of laughter as well. I sure was annoyed and rue and lament not alerting a waiter to help during this disturbance. Still, the other times I’ve attended have been nothing but perfect. Like the time Zack kicked out the meatheads shit talking during Terror Tuesday. iViva el Alamo!
October 29th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Thank you!
I don’t mind sharing a movie theater with people who are chatty, especially if they quiet down when shushed.
I don’t like the idea of sharing a movie theater with psychotic jerks that stalk people in parking lots when they are politely corrected.
October 29th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Tim,
You continue to be a hero to all who love movies.
I would suggest that the Alamo staff be armed with water pistols full of India ink and that they be allowed to use them on patrons who refuse to shut up. They would leave the theater humiliated and stained, much like bank robbers who have taken dye-explosive bundles of money.
Keep up the cause of maintaining the three Original Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas as “Quiet Zones.”
Chale
October 29th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Way to go, Tim! It’s for this very reason that the wife and I stopped going to any non League-owned theaters years ago. We’ve never had anything less than a perfect experience at any Drafthouse location, and we probably attend at least three times a month. There was an instance about a year ago where some bitch was knitting a sweater right behind my head, and the big steel needles clicking together were driving me nuts, but I never raised a flag because I was too baffled by the oddness of it all…
October 29th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
If only Henry Silva had been there with a sniper scope… I commend you and applaud your adding the “Don’t be afraid” part. I very politely asked a babbling woman to please keep it down once (she was saying things like “How much you think that car cost? You think I look good in a dress like that?) and her husband just about jumped out of his seat saying “Just watch the movie!” I sat through the whole thing thinking, I’m going to get in a fight with a cracker in the parking lot after this. My ten year old son is going to see his father either learn or teach a lesson. I wasn’t afraid, but still, it ruined the Val Kilmer SAINT movie for me… what with all the distractions… but nothing happened.
October 29th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Wow, people like the windshield puncher are losing it. In this week’s episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, I think that Larry David concluded that Honking could get you killed, but that shushing was still barely safe. Barely indeed! I hope the managers have some Tazers in case one of these freaks starts assaulting the wait staff.
Go Tim!
October 29th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I once (politely) asked a noisy group of people to be quiet at a movie (not at an Alamo). After the movie ended, one of them men started chewing me out. He told me I needed to lighten up and if I wanted to have silence during a movie I should watch it at home. I think he had that backwards…
October 29th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
I was disturbed by the noisy rattling of ice in a young man’s soda cup and the crunching of another patron’s popcorn directly behind me at a screening this week. Was it at the Drafthouse? NO – it was at the Paramount, and I felt like I couldn’t say a thing. And yet I very rarely notice the dining noises at the Alamo Drafthouse.
Everyone I met at AFF this week including the Herpes Boy cast RAVED and raved about the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz. Most frequent comment – “WHY don’t we have something like this in INSERT NAME OF TOWN HERE.”
October 29th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
yes, I have clients come in town for business and specifically to experience the Alamo Drafthouse… AFF was great this year and I hope to attend FF next year.
October 29th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
I love how tim doesnt mention how this really happened. I was a member of said group and the only time we ever spoke was at the beginning of the movie and it was to our waiter. Tim fells to mention that the couple to the right of us spoke the whole movie. He fells to mention as well that the conversation started in a different manner not hostile but concerned. Tim then tells him to fuck off and be totally unprofessional. Then runs to get onto his mini cooper like a coward and proceded to get his phone out to make it look as if he were dailing the cops. Now i had a very cordial conversation with the manager and we were working the situation out until these events unfolded. I have no ill blood towards the alamo, i love the alamo and what it stands for ( experience wise) but this nite at the movies was an eye opener towards tim league.
October 29th, 2009 at 11:17 pm
“apparently the gentleman who was shushed apparently wasn’t quietly enjoying the movie, he was stewing in a quietly building rage.”
I’ve seen this type in the movies before. The arrogance and sense of entitlement is staggering. You shoulda maced him. With a mace.
October 29th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
Oh, and to the commenter above me: I could produce 100 people from around the world who would testify on behalf of Tim’s class and professionalism. I’ve known the man for about five years and I think I’ve seen him get angry twice. Rude to customers …. never.
October 30th, 2009 at 12:07 am
Yea i know the people who were involved with this group and its ridiculous how you have handled this situation tim i am greatful for the alamo but this type of behavior is immature and you should treat your customers with more entitlement and repect you sir are a disappointment i have always been a huge fan of the alamo supporting it with wearing t shirts and word of mouth but now i have a horrible taste in my mouth the way you have treated my friends. Next time you explain a story to your twitter followers try and tell it the way it happened.
October 30th, 2009 at 12:16 am
Hip-Hip- Horay!
Cheers to you Tim and may there be poop in that guy’s candy basket for Halloween.
October 30th, 2009 at 1:47 am
I vote for Tim. If the colleagues of said douchebag (who freaks out a punches a windshield? Really? How old are these people?) don’t care enough to listen in school and learn how to spell words and use grammar properly, then I’m going to have to listen to the person who had the foresight (and generosity) to provide a world class movie establishment to the masses. You now don’t like Tim League, but you’re still willing to funnel your money to his endeavor (and pay him as well)? I say you burn your shirts and boycott, or better yet, steal his idea (invest all of your hard-earned cash, and get loans) and try to start your own theater (and watch it fail). It’s amazing enough that you guys can even figure out how to use the internet. You should re-s-pect the man who brought this movie-going experience to you, and all of the patrons who go to see a movie free of interruptions. You shouldn’t support people who pound on his windshield like neanderthals. If you’re not at fault, then take no offense. It’s that simple. Be grateful, like I am. Thank you Tim, and all of the wonderful staff who make the Drafthouse the beautiful entity that it is. “Entitlement…” You shouldn’t run around acting like you own everything, bastard. Give respect, earn respect.
October 30th, 2009 at 2:38 am
try this folks, it works for me. Just as the trailors end, stand up and shout out “for your safety, i highly recommend that you dont talk during this movie”
hehe
It freaks people out. they probably think i have a weapon so they shut up REAL fast. Of course i dont have a weapon and I never say that i do. I simply state “for your safety”
October 30th, 2009 at 4:27 am
When that goon punched your thing you should have been like “honey, hand me my fighting shoes.” She would have probably been like “just let him go, it’s not worth it.” “Honey….I said – hand me..my fighting shoes.” Finally she hands you them and you’re like “wait here.” You get out of the car and the guy’s like “what are you gonna hurt me with your shooooes?” Then him and all his friends start laughing. You put on the shoes. “Oh man, you are so dead,” he says, as he rushes toward you with a punching fist ready. At the last second you move out of the way, dodging the punch and you roundhouse kick him so hard in the back of the head that it flies off into the hands of one of one of his friends, who stares at it in disbelief. Everyone in the parking lot starts clapping. “Oh man, let’s get outta here!!” the friend says, and they run off into the night.
October 30th, 2009 at 7:02 am
My boss is a badass! I have been a League Inc. employee for half a decade and all you talkers try and make shit up to defend the fact that you were in the wrong. Just shut your mouth or stuff it with popcorn and fried pickles, wash it down with a cold beer and shut the f@*k up.
Tim, high fives!
October 30th, 2009 at 7:32 am
for the record, i think Chale’s idea is brilliant… ha.
October 30th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
I think it is interesting (and scary) how many folks want to deal with the violence shown by this idiot by returning it with violence. No wonder the world is so screwy and full of rage.
The Drafthouse is amazing and wonderful and adjectives too numerous to mention. I have only had the pleasure of visiting Tim’s establishment two times on visits to Austin but it was absolutely great.
That being said, I guess my favorite way of watching movies is at home because I am one of those “talkers” during a movie, especially if I can watch the movie more than once. I don’t talk extraneously, I talk about sets, scenarios, dialog, stuff like that and I love to comment on whatever action is taking place. But, I do it at home, not in the theater where such things could distract or bother the patrons. Or, I try and do it very quietly, in a whisper because I find it difficult not to do.
Truth is, I don’t go out to movies very often because of that fact (and I love the pause button) but each to their own. If I had a ADH here, that would most certainly change. And I would try and not be rude and/or crude or most certainly, not violent either! Thank you Tim. I love visiting your place.
October 30th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
In Serbia, we place small amounts of urine into coke drinks to quiet patrons down. It usually does trick…but this shushing idea is good, too. I love this country!
October 30th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
And this is exactly why my fam and I will continue to visit, time and time again. Thanks for the great post, and for the actions backing it up!
October 30th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
In Soviet Russia, car windshield punches you for being shushed during movie!
October 31st, 2009 at 12:40 am
While I have nothing but respect for the treatment of this entitlement brat (and I live in Dallas, so you can’t go to a movie in this town without having to listen the entire time to the nickering and neighing of some dangerously inbred Highland Park dolt who couldn’t spell his alma mater’s initials, the ones on the front of his sweatshirt, if you spotted him the “S” and the “M” and gave him three chances on the “U”), what I really love is the alleged testimony from the guys who claim to have been there at the time. Ain’t it amazing how 300 people in a theater can cheer when one of these loudmouths throws a tantrum in a public place and leaves in a snit, swearing “I’m never coming here again!” at the top of his lungs, and the only people who saw “what really went on” happened to be his frat brothers?
October 31st, 2009 at 5:46 pm
The revisionist history here, courtesy of Chris, is pretty amazing.
To set the record straight, they talked all the way through the trailers. Tim got up the moment the film started and stood in the aisle watching them. A waiter approached and they spoke to the waiter. The waiter left, and they continued talking. Tim sat back down, raised a flag and waited for it to be picked up. The whole time, they were talking. By the time they were shushed, it was probably 6-7 min. into the movie. There may have been other people talking to their right, but that was much further away, and we didn’t hear it.
Afterwards, having no idea of any drama happening, we talked to one of the managers for a while about nothing in particular, then went out to our car. We had just started the engine when this guy comes jogging out across the parking lot, hailing us. He was alone and there was no-one else anywhere in visual range. Tim didn’t have the chance to be either professional or unprofessional, because the guy didn’t give him a chance to say anything over his ranting. Realizing that conversation was useless, Tim then just rolled up his window, provoking the punching.
Thanks to everyone for all their support, and I hope everyone will continue to raise flags to eliminate the loudmouth talkers from the Alamo.
November 1st, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Chris says “we were working the situation out”.
What is there to “work out”? Somebody said “don’t talk” and the situation was over. I don’t understand why saying “don’t talk” would wound your ego enough to still be upset about it 2 hours later. How did this hurt you, even if the waiter got the wrong person, what’s the big deal? Oh poor poor baby, a waiter said be quiet, what a horrible thing for you to endure.
Please, you and all your friends stay far far away from the Alamo. You should instead spend the money on therapy to work out your self entitlement issues.
November 1st, 2009 at 8:17 pm
The last two posts before this one say it all. Case closed. Good triumphs over evil.
November 1st, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Bravo Tim! We went to watch Inglorious Basterds on opening night at the Ritz and ended up sitting next to the loudest bitches on the planet. It fucking sucks! I can’t stand these vapid, Ed Hardy wearing, peanut heads who think The Alamo is Lavaca Street Bar on dollar Tecate night. Take your ass somewhere else. And seriously people…all of you “involved parties” who have had their “eyes opened” by the experience need disappear forever. Or Better yet take your Affliction wearin’, UFC watchin’ , latent homosexual, frat boy, steroid rage to the Galaxy Highland and see how far ya get with it.
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Good to hear management in at least one movie theater does something about the rude, selfish, inconsiderate asshats who don’t know the first thing about decorum or just basic common decent behavior. A pity I don’t live in Austin, or I would consider taking another chance at going to a movie theater. I pretty much gave up on the experience after one movie theater too many where talkers were just allowed to roam by the management with nothing to be done. I pretty much refuse to go to a movie theater any longer. Have been doing it for years ; I think Lord of the Rings trilogy were the last movies I saw in a movie, and I have not returned since (that should give you an idea how long it has been). I am no rush to return either. Between cellphone talkers, just plain loud talking people, and the mofos who take little children to movies that are age inappropriate, not worth it. But I am glad to hear that somewhere, someone finally stands up for the common folk who just want to watch their movie in peace.
Good luck.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
This is a wonderful story. I’ve been discussing customer expectations recently with a friend who works in customer service management. We both noticed that customer expectations have grown into absurdity so that a person feels entitled to ANYTHING from a business. I assume his anger was just embarrassment coupled with insecurity. This is the backlash against unreasonable demands that the country needs. After all, we’re all consumers and producers.
November 9th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
That’s my boy!!!
December 31st, 2009 at 12:17 am
I love you for this policy. If more theater owners would adopt this kind of attitude, going to the movies would be something I would do every weekend instead of the first showing on Sunday morning when all the assholes are still asleep. Don’t ever change. Look forward to spending my money at your establishment.
December 31st, 2009 at 12:28 am
i just saw this and think that your policy is amazing. i really wish that you (or someone with your movie going sensibilities) would open a theater here in Pennsylvania.
keep up the great work, i only read great things about the Draft House
December 31st, 2009 at 12:36 am
Dude, that’s great. I HATE talking in theaters. It’s the only thing that can really get my temper going anymore in life.
I know I’m going to end up in a fight because I keep telling people to stop talking in theaters, and usually people are not nice to me about it. I saw “The Road” last weekend and told this really annoying, mid-30s couple to stop talking, and the guy laughed and said, “That’s funny’. I about wanted to jump over the aisle when he said that, but he was pretty quiet the rest of the movie.
I’ve literally yelled at people to shut the fuck up, and have gotten a “Fuck you!” in response. That was in a packed house for “The Hurt Locker” where everyone was totally quiet except for three teenagers behind me.
What gets me in both instances was they were talking about such stupid things. Each time, these people were just narrating what was on screen to their friend or girlfriend. Are the people around you so stupid that they need things narrated to them?
I managed a theater and saw this problem in EVERY SINGLE SHOW. People would be belligerent about me warning them, and when I kicked people out, usually they would be practically ready to fight me.
I’ve just about given up watching movies in theaters. I really can’t stand it. And having worked in a theater for 18 months, I know that most management and employees there don’t care. My coworkers almost never backed me up when I kicked people out. It made me feel like crap. I live in DC, but I would love to live in Austin just to have the Drafthouse there. The only place I can tolerate going to see movies is a place called the Cinema Drafthouse here, which also is a full restaurant inside. Somehow, when people talk in those shows, it seems much less obnoxious, probably because of the casual environment.
I would really like to run a theater someday just to kick out talkers. Maybe I’ll get to go to the Drafthouse someday, or better yet, have a movie I make play there.
December 31st, 2009 at 2:59 am
Heard about the Drafthouse through many film sites, and I think it is watermark for theaters worldwide. Sorry about your window dude, but that guy was more than just the kind you don’t want in your theater. You don’t want him around anywhere…period. Though, I live and am stationed in Japan now, and they have a church like respect at theaters here, which I love. It doesn’t matter what theater I go to, they all shut the fuck up the minute the lights dim. Of course, all theaters here are reserved seating, and utilize ushers. Take note America!!!
December 31st, 2009 at 1:11 pm
It’s kind of surprising to me how commonplace this problem of people talking during movies in the theater seems to be. I feel like I’m lucky in that I’m usually able to focus on the movie and tune out the talkers, but I know that these rude idiots really bother a lot of people. A lot of Americans seem to have a huge problem with understanding that they don’t live in a bubble where no one matters but themselves, and many of them get belligerent and violent when someone writes them a reality check. When I went to Star Trek this past summer, two guys were chatting away in the row behind me until a theater employee stuck his head out of the projection window and told them that if they wanted to talk they needed to take it outside. So from that point until the end of the movie, these two shitheads sat there bitching to each other about getting scolded by a theater employee. It was actually pretty funny. I guess what I’m trying to say is that the problem goes deeper than just a few clueless morons who can’t keep their mouths shut for an hour and a half; American society has enabled many of us to be rude, inconsiderate, selfish assholes who think that the only person we have to think about is ourselves and fuck anyone else, because they’re just in our way. I’m just glad to see that someone has the guts to stand up to these idiots even if it means not selling a couple extra tickets that night. Tim, thank you for being an example to business owners everywhere by showing them how to think long term and not kowtowing to these jackasses simply because they have a couple bucks in their pockets.
December 31st, 2009 at 11:08 pm
I add my virtual voice to the praise. I raise a glass to you sir. Slainte! Happy Hogmanay! from sunny Glasgow
January 2nd, 2010 at 1:24 am
So what happens at this place when a movie like New Moon is shown? I mean that’s a movie that was made to be fun while watching it! Or what about if they have a showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show?
January 4th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Thank you for this! What a great example of when a business does not need to apologize. Society is falling apart, & it’s people like that who are ruining not only movies, but life for all of us. Everyone thinks they can do whatever they want, with no regard for others. It’s wrong.
I’d love to address Justin’s question, as my local cinema-pub experiences this exact problem. In general, you go to an audience-participation movie with the knowledge that there will be talking. But there is participation, and there is being a douche. Every month we have MST3K style movie night. Problem is, there is a group of regulars who just chat loudly through the entire movie about completely unrelated things. Even when you have a screening like RHPS, there is a time to talk, and a time to shut up. If you’re not behaving appropriately for the setting, you should stay home.
More people need to learn how to be a part of society.
January 5th, 2010 at 1:16 am
[...] como, um dos cinemas no qual Quentin Tarantino gosta de apresentar seus filmes em primeira mão, apresentou sua reclamação sobre a baixa qualidade do público que se encontra nos [...]
January 6th, 2010 at 3:57 am
Holy crap! Total Tim League badassery of the most perfect order. Well played and well said. And I’m grateful that guy wasn’t any further bent toward lunacy.