If you already believe the golden age of cinema is way over, brace yourselves for this news: AMC Theaters is considering allowing texting during movies. Is that not the worst idea you've heard all week? There's nothing worse than sitting by someone who's constantly checking their phone in a movie theater. That kind of behavior has made me discover that I, usually a very calm and collected person, could experience borderline rage meltdowns in public. I don't think I've ever had the burning desire to fight someone in public until I've seen their screen glowin' up during a movie. Some anecdotes: Last week I sat by a woman who had her screen on full brightness and was showing something on her screen to her boyfriend, and I wanted to punch her in the face. When I went to go see Taken 3, I sat behind a group of teens scrolling through their Instagram feed during the FEATURE PRESENTATION, and I wanted to punch all of them. What I'm trying to say is, this is a terrible idea for all parties involved.
But AMC Entertainment's CEO Adam Aron wants to give in to the ways of social media-addicted millenials. He told Variety, "You can’t tell a 22-year-old to turn off their cell phone. That’s not how they live their life." Umm, those 22-year-olds shouldn't be allowed in theaters. Or you can teach said 22-year-old to chill without their phone for like 90 minutes. AMC must have realized appealing to teens is the best way to make money, but this is the wrong way to go about it. This is still in the brainstorming stages, which means social media outrage (as I've started to see on Twitter) may be able to shut it down. "What may be more likely is we take specific auditoriums and make them more texting friendly," Aron said. (Still a dumb idea but alright.) In a tweet, he later added, "IF ever, we ONLY would pursue in a way we'd be TOTALLY confident ALL our guests will fully enjoy movie going experience at AMC."
So far, no one seems to be happy about the news, including some actual 22-year-olds I know. As usual, Twitter chimed in with the outrage and jokes.
I'm all for texting-friendly movie theaters. I want to go where the people dance. I want action. I wanna live.
right, which is to NEVER allow texting in your theaters https://t.co/n976a4d7L6
I don't know what you guys are talking about, I love texting during movies! It's so cool and hip.
"Hey bro im watchin a movie rn lol"
"I think we should allow texting in theaters."
"Well I think we should allow farting in your face."
"I know! A theater where texting during movies is mandatory!" -- AMC's next big move
Texting-friendly movie theaters are a mistake. The current set-up where people are discouraged from texting but I text sometimes works fine
