Home > Blogs > Sir Critic on Cinema > Archives > 2009 > April > 16 > Entry
Heckling a movie - via text message??
Normally, texting during a movie is considered very rude. Even if you have your sound turned off, the glow of the screen can be more than a little annoying to people who are trying to concentrate on that bigger screen in the room.
Now, however, there is a kind of theatrical moviegoing experience in the Chicago area where texting is not only allowed, it’s essential to the experience. It’s called MuVChat, where people enter their snarky little comments via text message and they’re displayed on screen to movies as campy as Zoolander or as cult-loved as Office Space. Here’s a story in the Chicago Tribune about it.
What do I think of this idea? I’m not against it in principle - I love the idea of heckling bombs like Gigli or Glitter as suggested in the story. Thing is, I’m not much of a texter. I’m a little bit outside that “Millennial to Gen Y demographic” this concept caters to. And even if I weren’t, I’d still be too darn slow on the keypad to make it work for me!
My only question is, what would Statler and Waldorf make of all this?
Actually, that’s not my only question. What do you think of this idea? Would you do it? And what movies deserve the texting/trashing treatment?
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Moviegoing
Comments
By Kim S.
April 17, 2009 9:22 AM | Link to this
I’d do it as well. Actually, I have done it - most recently for “Atonement”, where I was one of three people in the theater and stood in the back aisle so that no one could see the glow of the screen. I’m all for it - and not just for “cult” movies.By Allie D.
April 16, 2009 2:30 PM | Link to this
Oh my god, I would absolutely do this! :) I’m a texting fanatic, however, so no problemo. Oh sure, there would be considerable typos trying to keep up, but I’d enjoy the heck out of myself. I think Showgirls would be a perfect film for this medium. :)By Kenny D.
April 16, 2009 12:45 PM | Link to this
Statler and Waldorf would approve if they had usable digits, even if only for the fact that they could be afforded a break. This would be great for any movie also eligible for MST3K lampooning as well.