Young children in cinemas.

[EltonFrog]

I went the see Expendables 3 last night. Sitting behind me was a couple with a young boy about four years old. This boy was fidgiting and being noisy and would not do as he was told by his parents. After one to many times knocking the back of my seat, I turned and told him to sit down and be quiet. I never heard a peep out of him for the rest of the movie.

I don't have children, so I'm not one to judge I guess but is it appropriate to take a four year old to sit through a film like that? There was a fair bit of fruity language and a lot of violence in it.

 

[Paul99]

I have stopped going to the cinema for a reason such as this.

I went to see the last in the LOTR trilogy and there was a women with a young boy of about 4 or 5 in the cinema. The boy was allowed pretty much to do what he liked during the film and his favorite activity turned out to be walking up and down the stairs. This in itself, although a bit distracting, wasn't so bad but when he was a sufficient distance from mummy he liked to TALK to her.

I swallowed it for about an hour and a half and in the end got up from my seat, went over to his mum and asked quietly if she could try and keep him quiet in his seat. Her response was to yell at me something about single parents being allowed to have a night out, then she got up and left.

She was clearly upset, and it made me think that perhaps she had no alternative and was desperate to get out of her house or something, and I felt a bit bad.

I know stopping going to the cinema is a bit of an over reaction but I want to enjoy movies on my terms, so I wait for Blu-Ray now.

 

[Profpointy]

I have stopped going to the cinema for a reason such as this.

I went to see the last in the LOTR trilogy and there was a women with a young boy of about 4 or 5 in the cinema. The boy was allowed pretty much to do what he liked during the film and his favorite activity turned out to be walking up and down the stairs. This in itself, although a bit distracting, wasn't so bad but when he was a sufficient distance from mummy he liked to TALK to her.

I swallowed it for about an hour and a half and in the end got up from my seat, went over to his mum and asked quietly if she could try and keep him quiet in his seat. Her response was to yell at me something about single parents being allowed to have a night out, then she got up and left.

She was clearly upset, and it made me think that perhaps she had no alternative and was desperate to get out of her house or something, and I felt a bit bad.

I know stopping going to the cinema is a bit of an over reaction but I want to enjoy movies on my terms, so I wait for Blu-Ray now.

mind you, if it had been the Hobbit, you'd have been grateful for the little scamp providing a bit of a diversion from the film

 

[welsh dragon]

I went the see Expendables 3 last night. Sitting behind me was a couple with a young boy about four years old. This boy was fidgiting and being noisy and would not do as he was told by his parents. After one to many times knocking the back of my seat, I turned and told him to sit down and be quiet. I never heard a peep out of him for the rest of the movie.

I don't have children, so I'm not one to judge I guess but is it appropriate to take a four year old to sit through a film like that? There was a fair but of fruity language and a lot of violence in it.

You should be able to expect to watch the film you have paid to see in peace and quiet. It is a shame for the parent, but they should think of others as well. I dont go to the cinema anymore because of that sort of thing. It costs a lot to visit these places these days . I prefer to watch films in peace and quiet at home now.

And no, it isn't appropriate to take young children to see films like that. Im surprised the cinema let him in in the first place. They shouldn't have.

 

[Paul99]

mind you, if it had been the Hobbit, you'd have been grateful for the little scamp providing a bit of a diversion from the film

Are they bad? I'm waiting until they are all released before watching them.

 

[Profpointy]

Are they bad? I'm waiting until they are all released before watching them.

the first one was very bad. I'm giving the next 2 a miss (next 2 ffs!) Started well enough, but super mario brothers on a roller coaster zooming through the orc mine is a good summary - presumably a teaser for a video game or theme park ride.
LOTR was overall pretty good to be fair.

 

[beanzontoast]

We tend to go to the cinema on rare weekdays off and during the daytime when kids are should be at school. We never go during school holidays any more - used to, but had a couple of films ruined by constant chatter. The film choice doesn't seem to be that great during the summer break anyway so I don't think we're missing much at the moment.

You are right, Welsh Dragon. When you factor in the cost of cinema food as well nowadays, it shouldn't be a lottery as to whether you get to watch the film in peace.

 

[welsh dragon]

We tend to go to the cinema on rare weekdays off and during the daytime when kids are should be at school. We never go during school holidays any more - used to, but had a couple of films ruined by constant chatter. The film choice doesn't seem to be that great during the summer break anyway so I don't think we're missing much at the moment.

You are right, Welsh Dragon. When you factor in the cost of cinema food as well nowadays, it shouldn't be a lottery as to whether you get to watch the film in peace.

My son took his sons to the cinema a few weeks ago. I couldn't believe it when he said it cost £50.00 what with tickets, drinks, popcorn. Thats an outrageous price.

 

[luckyfox]

Darn young whippersnappers!

My son was brought up to respect other people but judge lest be judged... And all that jazz.

 

[adscrim]

I totally sympathise - I always take my kids to the special early morning showing (called the brat pack up here, and its a little cheaper) so that I don't have to constantly tell them to shut up. However, last time we went was for the boy's birthday so we had four of his friends with us. There were carrying on a bit before the film started and a chap in front turned round and asked me to 'get them under control'. I had to gently remind him that this was the early morning childrens showing of a childrens movie and that we were still watching VW adverts.

All the kids were silent during the movie itself.

 

[CopperBrompton]

Nope, they shouldn't be allowed in. No kids should be allowed out in public until they are at an age where they can behave themselves (say 25 or so).

 

[Diggs]

Our local multiplex cinema Bas Vegas (and I'm sure, others of that ilk) have special parent toddler events. I dread to think what they are like (but I'd imagine a relief for the mums and dads)
We will occasionally take the Diglets to see a movie and it is expensive, unless you catch the "kids club" at weekends. I cannot remember the last time I saw a "grown-up" film at the cinema and although behaviour seems to be better generally than I expected. I wouldn't want to chance it watching something I deem "a good film" unless, as @beanzontoast suggests, careful consideration has been taken.

 

[perplexed]

Badly behaved kids and nobbers in cinemas who can't leave their mobiles alone for a whole hour and a half are reasons we don't bother going anymore.

The only way we'd be tempted out is to go to the Showroom in Sheffield, which is a small independent. They tend to show more obscure/quirky films, often of the European language variety.

Better class of clientele frankly.

One luxury I'd love at home is a proper, dedicated 'cinema' room. That'd be fab.

 

[Crackle]

Expendables 3!!!

You deserve everything you got. I mean, as if the first one wasn't bad enough, they then made another two. It's people like you who are responsible for propping up these ageing relics of actors and funding the banality of crap we get on the cinema. It sounds like the four year old had the right idea and frankly, four is a little too old to watch Stallone, my kids grew out of him at 3.

 

[snorri]

I stopped going to the cinema after this big adult sat in front of me and blocked my view throughout the whole film.
Snorri, (aged four and a half.)