Very welcome in New York City. It can be very frustrating paying $11 to sit in a room full of obnoxious people who talk and scream their way through the movie.

I've heard that they are only giving out ONE of these PER screen. That means of there is bound to some abuse of authority here (Gold Members only or some such crap...get the device). 1 person per 200 people at a single screen? How do they catch the guy way at the other side of the theater who's textin' on his cellphone (perhaps bothering folks nearby, but not necessarily the tard with the remote on the other side of the theater)....

I can just see some crazy power abusers with this one....(unless they start giving one out to everybody...but that brings about other problems...like theft...yep, even if they don't work outside the place...)

How about hiring ushers who actually PAY ATTENTION to what's going on?

Buying a projector for my basement was the best thing ever. I havn't been to a movie since. Sure, I have to wait 6 months for it to hit DVD, but it is a small price to pay to avoid the necessity for this kinda crap.

Anyone want to bet that kid who thinks it's too much is also the one yelling during the movie and talking on his phone?

why don't the theaters just set up a text number to report straight from your cell phone? The last thing we want is the constant disruption of pranksters summoning the ushers all movie long with this device.

@ Fierock:

No, the last thing we want is everybody on their cellphones.

I love this idea. It's clever and makes it easier to let staff know about problems without having to miss critical plot points in the next Micheal Bay masterpiece.

I'm surprised I didn't see these at ShoWest in March.

It is a fantastic idea, but there should be more than one per screening. The big problem here is the general public has NO idea how to conduct itself in social situations where quiet and courtesy are necessary.

Ushers in the theater? When's the last time an usher was in the theater? I sure can't remember.

Using this in conjunction with the night-visioned ushers would be the best bet.

two words: Home Theater.

They can stuff their $10 a seat, I don't need the hassle.

just carry a few dead batteries/empty wippit cannisters to throw...

Fierock,

Texting in theaters is nearly as annoying as talking. The last two movies I took my wife to, there was some wanker sitting in front of us searing our eyeballs with their ultra-bright LCD, paying no attention whatsoever to the movie.

Next time I just might read their messages out loud to the entire theater.

What happens while watching pirates of the caribbean 3? Should you press the piracy button every time you see jack sparrow?

It is a fantastic idea, but there should be more than one per screening. The big problem here is the general public has NO idea how to conduct itself in social situations where quiet and courtesy are necessary.

Of course, if you have too many then all the idiots who can't conduct themselves will have one more doohickey to abuse to the annoyance of others.

@gofastmini2005

Last time I saw an usher in the theater was when they were passing the collection bucket for some charity. Yeah, how about giving a portion of the ludicrous profit from concessions instead ya thieving bastards!

@FubarGuy

I've actually seen that, they used to do a package deal. You got a small soda, a small popcorn, and a box of whatever candy wasn't actually selling.

It was around $10, and some tiny percentage went to the Roy Rogers Foundation, or something like that.

Of course, they always shilled this right before the previews started, so everyone already had their overpriced snacks in hand.

This is, literally, outsourcing the usher's job to a patron, who will do the same work for free instead of $6.75 an hour. Call Lou Dobbs! Tell him it was invented by Mexicans with the plague.

Also, there's no reason why picture/sound couldn't be a single button.

wait...they give these to people watching the movie? I'm telling you right now. I'm a teen, and I would do some mad button mashing on this thing. Pressing "video" and hauling ass would be much too fun. why dont they just set up cameras next to the screen to watch different parts of the theatre. then, watch the live feed on a monitor. The ushers remain lazy, but the job is still done.

That's the WILL Rogers ("I never met a man I didn't like") Foundation, not Roy. Different generation.

I like Snorbalp's idea... but I was thinking of just whipping the remote at their head (or maybe the free refill of my 44oz coke?)

Do you REALLY need to bring your 2 year old to a 10pm screening of Shrek 3, just to have her cry and scream because she doesn't want to sit in your lap?

What they really should do is modify a gunshot tracking camera to filter out the soundtrack of the movie playing and then use night vision to show an usher who the loudest jerks are so they can be removed (if they're not sneezing or the like).

If I ever get one of these things going in to see a movie, there's gonna be a pirate in that movie theatre every minute. Maybe after the fifth time, they realize maybe it wasn't such a good idea.

So much for the "Stop Snitching!" campaign. (heh)

Oh, I hope those come to Los Angeles soon. I'll start going to movies again so I can keep pushing the "sound" button till they effin' TURN IT DOWN.

There is no reason the sound at a movie has to be enough to blow you right through the wall. I'm all about the Netflix these days because I haven't found a set of earplugs comfortable enough to wear through an entire movie in a theater.

I think it's funny that Piracy is seen as a bigger problem than Other Disturbances even though most people would say that other patrons are their biggest problem.

I made one of my own:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lukewallace/524188634/

Annoying people should be the number one button.. i've never once seen anyone pirating a movie, but i've seen dozens of annoying people, and had a few instances of broken picture and sound.

I think this is a great idea.. of course, they realy should have an usher in the cinema.. but i can't see that happening. sigh.

I've actually walked out of a movie once and got my money back because there was suck a big group of kids being pains in the butt...

I remember when ushers actually helped people find seats. One of them would stay in the side or back of the theater and keep an eye on obnoxious people, going up to them and telling them to be quiet and throwing them out if necessary. I hardly ever go to the movies now because of the noise, excessive advertisements, and increased cost for both the ticket and concession items. I usually would pride myself on sneaking in my own food and drinks, beating the system. But I'd much rather be cozy at home with friends, eating affordable popcorn and drinking affordable drinks.

@kadtech:

I had that exact same thought.