Copyright 2010 Bob Richards
BOB'S BLOG
Bob Richard's Ten Commandments
of
Movie Theater Etiquette
1. The seat in front of you is not a foot rest - especially if I am sitting in it. But even if I'm not, my seat is connected to it, and I don't appreciate being jostled by your feet.
2. No matter how many burritos you had for lunch, movies should never smell.
3. Your baby's screaming might be music to your ears, but I'd rather listen to the movie's soundtrack.
4. I don't want to see your cell phone light up during the movie - no matter who is texting you. I also don't want to see your Bluetooth headset light blinking, or hear you listening to your messages. Can't you just watch the movie and leave your phone alone?
5. I watch the credits. Please don't stand in front of me while you decide whether to leave, or comment on the movie to your friends.
6. Your conversation is not as interesting as the one onscreen. Someone paid millions for the onscreen conversation, yours is just hot air.
7. Even though you are sitting in the top row, your shadow puppets are not contributing to the plot.
8. You might think that shining that laser pointer on an actress's private parts is funny, I don't.
9. Do you really think your 4 year old belongs in an R rated movie? And he shouldn't be running up and down the stairs either. Certainly, you have better parenting skills than that!
10. If your date is really that hot, GET A ROOM.
Whoa. The Oscars VS. James Cameron?
For years now, there have been complaints that the Oscars are out of touch with mainstream America. With this year's awards, Hollywood proved that point.
I predicted that The Hurt Locker would win Best Picture, but I wanted Avatar to win. So did the millions of Americans who have paid a whopping 720 million dollars (so far!) to see James Cameron's masterpiece. Compare that to the 15 million that The Hurt Locker has taken in. I think most people vote with their wallets. I know I do. I have seen Avatar 3 times. I have seen The Hurt Locker once.
Now, don't get me wrong, The Hurt Locker is an excellent film. But even though Hollywood won't admit it, Avatar has changed film making forever. It is groundbreaking in more ways than any film of the past decade. Not to mention it is the most outstanding film of 2009 and of the last ten years.
The problem between Avatar and Hollywood, is simple.
Hollywood hates James Cameron.
This is well documented. One need only turn to google to document his problems with actors, and to see the overwhelming desire for him to fail. Is it jealousy? Spite? I don't know.
I've never met Mr. Cameron. Yes, I know he's been married five times. Yes, I've heard the story Kate Winslet tells of how she almost drowned during the making of Titanic, and how she will never work with Cameron again. The Hollywood political machine doesn't seem to approve of James Cameron.
So what?
Didn't you see Avatar?
Of course you did. And you probably share my opinion. This was a fantastic movie. Period.
I have seen all of his movies. Each of them has been groundbreaking in one way or another.
And he continues to make films people flock to see.
Oscar continues its disconnect with America. And the ratings reflect that. What used to be the second highest rated TV event of the year behind the Super Bowl, has seen steadily eroding ratings year after year.
I don't care what anybody thinks about James Cameron. I loved Avatar. I think it should have been awarded the Academy Award for Best Picture.
I don't care what the man is like, I just like his movies.
He makes great movies.
I'm sure the majority of America agrees with me. But Hollywood can't honor a great movie unless it approves of the film makers, or the film's agenda.
And that's the problem with the Oscars, and with Hollywood.