KCCK’S Talking Pictures- Movie Rules!

When you go to a movie and pay money to experience it, you expect certain things to be true to ensure your enjoyment of the show. They boil down to two simple ideas: You want to be able to see the image and to hear the sound without distractions.

We have developed a short list of rules that are designed to support those two expectations. Here they are:

1. NO TALKING.

Outside of “Pass the Popcorn” or “Pardon me” if you cross someone else for a bathroom visit, there is never a reason to talk during a film. Good films will answer your questions before they are done. Save discussions for later. You don’t need to read words on the screen either. You are not the only literate person in the room.

2. NO CELL PHONES or other light sources

Turning on a digital device is extraordinarily distracting. A cell phone light can be 5 to 10 times brighter than the reflected image on the screen. This rule also applies to iPads and digital watches. For most people, there is never a reason to activate something like this in a theater.

3. ON CALL FOR A BUSINESS OR FAMILY MESSAGE? TAKE AN AISLE SEAT

Sometimes you are expecting a message or people need to call you. Always take a seat on an aisle close to an exit so that you can quickly go outside to deal with the message without bothering everybody else. Don’t even look at messages.

4. DON’T TAP SEATS WITH YOUR FEET.

This usually applies to kids, but there are adults with nervous habits that canresult in kicking the seat in front of them. And keep your feet off the seats in front of you.

5. TALL PEOPLE, BE AWARE OF FOLKS BEHIND YOU

Don’t sit in front of shorter people, or kids. Better yet, arrive and take a seat early. You get first choice, and others can adjust around you.

6. NO SMOKING

It’s illegal to smoke in Iowa movie theaters.

There are probably other things that can be added to the list. Please send us your suggestions!