Am I over-reacting?

[Buckeye_Nut]

This is a cut/past of a comment I made in the movie thread:

"I took the family to see Enchanted today, but first I need to rant. I HATE public theaters!! The audio was turned soooo low, that anything more than a whisper drowned out the audio!! I tracked down the manager to complain...... and his response was something to the effect that "since it was a kids movie, the volume is turned down." What the hell kind of answer is that?? I asked why his theater completely disregard dolby reference level standards, and he responded with.... "parents sometimes complain that it's too loud" The manager said he'd "Crank it up" for me, and I responded with something to the effect of.... "don't just crank it....set it to the proper volume standard." He never did turn the sound up....... I should have tracked him down again, but didn't. Public theaters are such a disgrace, and there are no THX certified theaters anywhere near me."
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So....am I over-reacting? Should theaters have the discretion to turn-up or down the volume as they please? Is it wrong of me to expect theaters to follow industry SPL standards? Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill over a movie theater playing a movie at "TV speaker" SPL levels?

 

[Adam]

Hmmm, should they have the discretion? If it's an independent theater, then certainly they do. If they are part of a national chain, then I don't know. If you're really bothered, you could contact the national office if it's part of a chain.

I've had enough bad experiences at theaters (bad audio, bad video, annoying people) that I just don't go anymore. I haven't been to a movie in a theater in several years.

 

[highfihoney]

Nope,your not over reacting at all,most movie theaters ive been inside are a discrace,crappy sound ran by pimply faced kids,i gave up on going a long time ago,if i want to see something as soon as it's released i buy it on dvd,if i reall want to see it & i dont want for the dvd to be released i download it on Veoh.com.

The picture & sound from the Veoh downloads are mostly crap but its about the same as going to the theater,but it dont cost anything.

 

[loserwife]

So....am I over-reacting?

Absolutely not...At $8.50 a pop, you would expect to have a great experience.

We also got sick of the (bad audio, bad video, annoying people) so Major and I decided to create our own HT, and I thank the crappy movie theaters for it!

 

[stratman]

If it was free, yes, but as the Major's wife pointed out you paid your hard earned money so you expect good service. Why do you think movie theaters are taking a hit with low attendance? My HT makes up for 99% of my movie viewing. I only go to a theater if it's a real special occasion and then with trepidation.

 

[jinjuku]

As a business owner and software developer we write to the largest available audience. We get the occasioanl call with someone saying it doesnt do 'Y', or it doesn't do 'X' the way WE want it.

As an example: a current customer a while ago 'suggested' that we make every single type field in our software autocomplete as you start typing, and auto spell correct (like this is going to work well with a persons name, city etc) all because, you ready for this? Her manager didn't know how to type and was a bad speller. She didn't like my "send the manager to school" suggestion. Ya, change software for a 1K+ customers becuase one can't type.

Back to my original point:

The theater is doing the same thing. The target audience is kids. I have had kids over for a Pixar flick or two and had to turn the volume down. I would hope the manager cut you a free ticket and explain the volume issue and let you know it is S.O.P for them so you know in the future.

You can always take your business elsewhere (hopefullly there is another theater). It would suck to take the kids there and have them whine the enitre time that it was too loud.

 

[Rickster71]

Most theaters are not privately owned. They are franchises, and have to comply with the standards of that franchise.

 

[Highlander]

...am I over-reacting?

Hmm, difficult to answer, as I can give an example to the contrary of your own.

My parents last went to the cinema to watch The Bourne Ultimatum (the old man's a big fan). When I asked them what they thought of it they replied that the film was reasonably good, but that the volume was waaaaay too high. So much so that they were seriously considering not going back again.

At the end of the day I guess it's just one of those things. You can never please everyone.

 

[zumbo]

Isn't this the reason we are here? I built my HT so I could run it the way I want. I don't have to see the movie the day it comes out, just like I don't have to have the new equipment upon it's debut.

Over-reacting? Well, yes.

 

[10010011]

Most theaters are not privately owned. They are franchises, and have to comply with the standards of that franchise.

Sure, but the main "franchise standard" they have to comply with is showing a profit.

If a hundred customers come to the manager and say "The movie was tool loud, turn it down or we are going someplace else next time." and one customer come in and says "The movie was not loud enough, turn it up or I am going someplace else". What direction do you think the volume knob will be turned?


Personally I say let the free market do its job. If the theater sucks then complain to the manager. (as he did) If that does not take care if it, go someplace else. Enough people complain or go elsewhere then they will change or go out of business.

All of our local theaters are Regal franchised and they all suck. So the standards of that franchise must not be very high or the theater owners have the right to run their business how ever the feel. Personally I do not go to the theater very often and when I do I will drive 40 to 100 miles to go to a good theater.

 

[Rickster71]

Buckeye seems to feel his rights as a ticket holder were being marginalized.
Most theaters are THX-Certified, and it sounds like they weren't running it as such. (with the volume not at realistic THX levels)
I think Buckeye was entitled to a free ticket, or two, or his money back, to keep him happy. As the soccer moms were kept happy, with the volume being turned down.

The point I was getting at, when I mentioning a 'franchise', is that type of owner and/or business isn't really private, and the franchise has a protocol in place to satisfy customers, and it's operation.
Also the 'franchisee', is beholding to the 'franchise', and has lost some of his rights, in the franchise process. The rights, a private owner would have.
It's not the same as a mom & pop 'private' business. They can run it as they see fit, and the free market will decide.

I'm one that doesn't like to impose on other people.
If I'd felt the volume was too loud for my kid, or myself.
I would do, as I have done at concerts. I'd wear cotton or earplugs in my ears.

My wife and I gave up on getting ripped off with high ticket prices, and five dollar stale popcorn, years ago.

 

[majorloser]

Most theaters are THX-Certified, and it sounds like they weren't running it as such. (with the volume not at realistic THX levels)

Actually, most theater are NOT THX certified. In fact most wouldn't even come close to meeting the requirements. Besides the fact that they don't want to continually pay for re-certification.

Here's a link where you can find a certified theater near you:
http://www.thx.com/cinema/search.html

EDIT: Just for the record. Not every thread in the steam vent has to end up as a political battle.

 

[Rickster71]

Very interesting, I did not know that.
I suppose I was under the impression; in order for theaters to show the Star Wars films, they had to be THX- Certified?

I tried the link to "Find a THX Certified Cinema near you"
The closest one, was 30 minutes away!

 

[billy p]

Perhaps this thread wasn't politically motivated. However, B_N is usually the exception to the rule.
I also agree with some of the other comments above and prefer my in house home theater experience.

 

[mike c]

hmm, the theater here must be really good ... I get more chest slam in the movie theater than at home.

but the most important benefit at home is the PAUSE button for the all important piss break.

the OP title is a bit leading ... you have a right to complain, and a right never to go back, i'd say you're not really over reacting: slightly.