Teenagers and Foster Movie Theater...

[roxy_skyy]

I went to the movies last night and now I refuse to go watch a movie on base when the highschoolers go because it's almost garaunteed that I won't hear half the movie. They're disrespectful and when people ask them to be quiet or get fed up and start yelling then they just continue to call them names. I know when I was growing up I terrified of authority, and for some reason all the kids these days just let it roll off their backs like nothing is wrong.

I don't think it's fair for the people who actually come to watch the movies that are played on base, and I prefer to because it's a lot cheaper than out in town. Then I really feel I'm getting my money's worth when they are there.
I've tried talking to someone about it...but I never get a response back from anyone or anywhere. :mad:

[Tempestuous]

Urggh!
How aggravating! In general there is little to no respect in many of today's youth. It is really a sad thing to see. This is a prime example of how many parents have slacked in raising children that have any concern about anyone but themselves.

[socalheart]

I was just talking about this with someone. I used to whisper about the movie as a teen, but never had random conversations so loudly that the other audience members couldn't hear the movie. At least, from what I can remember.

I try to avoid going to a movie on base, because the children are unruly, and the teens are rude. The manager doesn't do anything about it, because gawd forbid the brats' daddy is a general. I just want to beat them with their popcorn sometimes. :mad:

We should write to ICE or AAFES about it. Tack on a note to MCCS and Venture and all those military magazines on island. Gawd, I hate other people's kids sometimes. :rolleyes:

[Tempestuous]

It's really ridiculous that the manager can't (rather chooses not to) have control in their facility!

[TheNoNamedOne]

I went to the movies last night and now I refuse to go watch a movie on base when the highschoolers go because it's almost garaunteed that I won't hear half the movie. They're disrespectful and when people ask them to be quiet or get fed up and start yelling then they just continue to call them names. I know when I was growing up I terrified of authority, and for some reason all the kids these days just let it roll off their backs like nothing is wrong.

Great topic! And, on more than one level.

Basically, Roxy, you are frustrated that people cannot conduct themselves in a controlled manner, taking into account others around them, who may be more serious about their purposes for participating in something.

Whether it is a comedy, horror, fantasy movie, you seriously want to get the worth of your time and money when you put yourself there. Right? Would you think it a fair reply if someone said, "if you don't like it, just don't go or come"?

Or do you think the fair reply is that others must be respectful of others who come for the specific purpose put forth and not interfere with that purpose and function (after all, the function of a movie theatre is to watch and listen in a quiet manner as to not disturb other)?

That crap you describe is indicative of a lot of noise meant to derail the purpose of something. Yes, it is frustrating. I see your point clearly.

But, what would you say if after telling one of those persons to be quiet they said to you, "It's ok, the movie isn't that interesting anyway, or all the interesting parts worth paying attention to have already past."?

[P_chan]

That is exactly why I prefer to go see my movies off base. Sure it may be expensive but at least I don't have to deal with crappy ass, ill behaved dependents.

[socalheart]

Movies off base are upwards near $20 for a good seat. After snacks, you're broke. Admittedly, I never had a problem at a Japanese movie. I've been to a late show and a matinee. The children during the matinee were yappy, but at least parents took the crying babies out of the room. What is it about military parents who stay in the room while the baby is bawling like a banshee? Who the heck takes a baby to a movie anyhow? Get a farging babysitter! Take the children to a matinee with the other ill-behaved children, NOT to the evening show with adults. There's just no excuse for groups of teenagers at the movies, and I was one... once upon a time. gah... ranting again. :rolleyes:

[DoctorP]

I suggest you use the ICE comment online. Use a good email address and do not be afraid to include your name. They are required to reply to you!

[DataDink]

I agree with all of you. We just went to the movies on Kinser this week. With the same things. I can kind of understand some of the stuff that comes out of their mouths. My gosh I would have never said anything even close to what these kids were saying, even with no adults around. Then they complained about having to stand for the anthem, and not being worth the price. Where are these kids parents, I can't believe that these kids are night and day when around, and not around their parents. I'm headed to ICE. You what would straighten them/their parent out, catch them on tape, and post it to the net. Just ranting....

[P_chan]

That's what happens once your not beat as a child!

[TheNoNamedOne]

You what would straighten them/their parent out, catch them on tape, and post it to the net. Just ranting....

I am not sure that would straighten them out. I have overheard some rude talk to parents by dependents. Things seem out of control on many of the homefronts.

Strategically, I don't see why spouses and dependents are accompanied with military personel to forward based theatres of possible conflict and staging areas -- particularly with the more accurate Chinese and N. Korean missile systems always coming on line.

Okinawa should be designated as a hardship duty station and that should mean toughing it out with your job as #1 priority without the distractions of spouses and kids. All the Americans and support personel would then be able to fit on base in all the housing there without pushing up rental costs off base.

[roxy_skyy]

That's what happens once your not beat as a child!
LOL

I know a little tap on the butt or back of the head isn't much to ask for. I have used ICE before, but the only reply they've given me is that "They'll try their best to fix it for future movies." and trust me I work for MCCS and I know how far an ICE complaint can go.

It doesn't matter if all the good parts are over and if someone had asked me that then I'd probably ask them something along the lines of "Oh well since you've seen the parts that you've enjoyed how about letting us watch the rest of the movie."

I used to always get excited as a kid to go watch movies but I understood that there is a time and place for everything, I was raised to know that, and I could give craps about what you daddy's rank is..because you're not that rank and you didn't earn it doesn't mean you can do as you please. My mother and my father are both high ranking as well so I would like to see how that would play out. I just know better than to throw my mother/father's rank in someone's facee they do. It all stems from the parents and when the parents are snobbish and rude because they can get away it so will the kids. I know that all those kids parents aren't high ranking though...so I'm not sure what to say about it.

..Spare the rod, spoil the child....:mad:

[DoctorP]

ICE is not just for MCCS though. And when you complain about a service, the complaint goes to the top billet and then downhill. I've had one come in at my work, and it's not a joke!

I would expect for something like this that AAFES would at least offer you free passes. Not much, but it's something.

[DataDink]

P chan, I think your right.

[roxy_skyy]

ICE is not just for MCCS though. And when you complain about a service, the complaint goes to the top billet and then downhill. I've had one come in at my work, and it's not a joke!

I would expect for something like this that AAFES would at least offer you free passes. Not much, but it's something.

Yeah, no free passes here. I guess that eventually it'll get taken care of. Until then, I'll be going out in town to watch movies or waiting until they come out to rent. It's funny how selfish people can be and ruin something good for others. :(

[DoctorP]

I rarely go to the theater anyway...my work schedule and kids schedule doesn't allow it! I wanted to see Shrek3 Friday with the kids, but we were all busy with other things! I may take them out in town tomorrow to watch it.

[Tempestuous]

We don't go to the theater too often either. Usually the drive-in or watch at home.

I can't handle paying $35+ to go see a movie that we can rent for free or a buck outta the redbox in a couple months.

[DoctorP]

Yeah...I'm more comfortable stretched out on the floor with the surround sound going anyway!

[Tempestuous]

Yup! Throw on some Jammies, pop some popcorn and relax to watch a flick.
Nice too that you can pause to make a drink run, rewind to double check what they said. Too if it is really good you can throw it back in and watch it again!

[P_chan]

It all depends on how bad I want to see the movie. If you wait to the last showing off base the ticket price goes down to about 1100 yen. On average I only go to the movies off base once every other month and if it's a movie my wife and me really want to see. Anything else I will wait to rent or sometimes go to the base theater.

[DoctorP]

off base has ladies' day pricing too. If it's just you and your wife you can go on ladies day and safe some money!

[Tempestuous]

Ladies day? Is that a discount price between certain hours or a certain day of the month?
Could be kind of cool.

[roxy_skyy]

I know at the theater in Mihama they have discounts for late night movies, which I prefer when I have nothing better to do. Still it's about $11 dollars for each person, but not as bad and during the day/evening.

[TheNoNamedOne]

Ladies day? Is that a discount price between certain hours or a certain day of the month?
Could be kind of cool.

No, concerning the time. Yes, in regards to the day.

Ladies' day I think is on every Weds. I think it is for the whole day and the price is discounted to ¥1,100.

Man's day is monday -- because "mon" kinda sounds like "man." Easy to remember.

[socalheart]

Okinawa should be designated as a hardship duty station and that should mean toughing it out with your job as #1 priority without the distractions of spouses and kids.

Okinawa was once a hardship station. It lead to increased suicides, alcohol related incidences and things like rape and robbery of the local community. I don't agree that turning Okinawa back into a hardship station is worth a bunch of empty local real estate.

Back on the subject though, my husband doesn't like going to the movie theater; something about not being able to smoke while watching. :rolleyes: I don't go so often either, but do enjoy it when I go. I especially like watching sci-fi films on the big screen; like, Star Wars, Star Trek and the like. The big screen makes outer space look better than on a TV. I also have a thing for movie popcorn with loads of fake butter. :p

[quietasariot]

I'm not that far out from high school (graduated five years ago) and MY GOD. I do NOT remember being as obnoxious as these kids I see. This is why I don't ever go to the movies. Thankfully the last one I went to on base - Flags of our Fathers - didn't garner a lot of attention from the kiddums, so it was a nice, quiet night at the movies. Can't say the same for other nights, though. ugh.

And, during those times, I look at my 2 1/2 year old daughter and thank god she's better behaved than those teenagers, who should know better.

[dk]

Man you guys really ought to just give up on the base theaters and spend the necessary money to actually enjoy a movie out in town. Yeah, it's expensive, but just don't go out to movies as often. Rather than spending $3.50 every two weeks or whatever the cost is these days, hold off until a great movie comes out and then see it in Mihama or Shintoshin. I can't say I've ever had a bad experience in an off-base theater.

Most movies aren't even worth watching in a theater anyway. Just wait for the dvd unless it's something big like Star Wars, Harry Potter, or 300. :P

[roxy_skyy]

I love the new Off Base schedules on the homepage. Great idea!

[wranglerpuff]

WELL guys and gals, i know im new but i would just like to say that i know where everyone, the on base dislikers, and the off base reccomenders are comming from. never the less, i did submit a ICE report to all the bases on okinawa suggesting for them to put something into effect to ensure that this doesn't happen if nothing else as often.

addios

[roxy_skyy]

I have a solution, we enforce the age limits. Check ID cards, they did that in Germany, it was just better on everyone else. We also need a crying room. lol. That'd be nice...until then, I'll stick to off base movies.

[dk]

TGFDVD's!!!!!
Hello brother! :w00t:

I'm a DVD guy too.

[TheNoNamedOne]

My wife and I are big movie freaks. Except for this month, we go to Mihama 3~4 times per month. Always sit in the very front row center, no matter how empty the theatre is. Keep a look out and you may spot us. Our two lonesome heads kind of stick out since everyone else likes to sit in the middle sections, which they think are the prime spots.

We are not really big on DVDs, though occassionaly we will rent them. My wife likes them more than I do.

[Tempestuous]

Nothing like watching a movie in the privacy of your own domicile,
Unless your 11 yr old thinks they are a window. :rolleyes:

no one walking pass the screen,

Unless your kids decide they are now bored of the movie you are watching and need to walk in and out just to make sure a more interesting segment hasn't come on. :cursing:

no one trying to get to the seat next to you,
unless your wife thinks....hey! This is a perfect opportunity to snuggle!!:thumbup1: Then the youngest kid comes up and begs to sit next to Daddy :thumbdown:

and the most beautiful thing of all is the ability to pause and go grab a snack
this is definitely a perk!! Potty breaks, coffee breaks.....cleaning up puke breaks as your 5yr old, who decided they needed to sit next to Daddy dozes off and suddenly wakes up puking :barf: all over both you, them, the couch, the floor & your wife


I am greatly anticipating the TRANSFORMERS dvd at the moment!

Yeah, I look forward to that too! Despite all the ruckus, I like watching movies at home!

[dk]

Potty breaks, coffee breaks.....cleaning up puke breaks as your 5yr old, who decided they needed to sit next to Daddy dozes off and suddenly wakes up puking :barf: all over both you, them, the couch, the floor & your wife
Woah... I have this to look forward to? :scared:

[Tempestuous]

Woah... I have this to look forward to? :scared:

Yeah, it is a possibility!! The youngest has managed to puke on him twice now....both times the kid was asleep and suddenly woke up vomiting

[Tempestuous]

I think what is worse is we have the quietest pukers known to man, so it is not until you feel the warmth/wet that you realize what is going on, unless you are fortunate enough to see it.

[P_chan]

I'd rather watch dvds too! But I do enjoy going to the movies off base. I've been trying to buy one or two dvds a month just so I can get up a nice collection. Damn katrina claimed most of my dvd and all of my cd collection. Well not the storm but the aftermath and little bastard kids who like to steal.

[joker69]

i have been known to ask for id cards and get thier sponsors name and make contact with them explaining the issue. i have also stopped many dependants from doing something stupid. i have even made them call thier parents from my cell phone to inform thier parents of thier kids wrong doings. i have only been yelled at once by an officer. i then asked his name and reported him to the camp commander and family advocacy. im like that. if i cant do it, why can they?

[TheNoNamedOne]

This topic has been inactive for a while, but I just remembered it today when I was in the car and listening to the afternoon show on AFN radio. The dj put it out to the audience if kids under the age of 5 should banned from the base theaters and asked for caller feedback.

I caught only the last part of the show and those callers I heard were all pretty much for a ban of some type. The last guy drove the point home about so many on base parents not having common sense on bringing kids so young to a movie and expect them to be still or not cry for 2 hours.

I know this thread is directed at teenagers, but still see the connection of banning kids. Did anyone else catch this AFN radio show discussion today?

[DougP]

I missed it but man can I relate. I had to go to a "newcomers" briefing today... Still not sure why, since I've been on this island darn near 6 years... Holy crap there was a lot of families there today and boy were the littles ones set on high annoyance mode. What was getting to me was the fact that there were quite a few families with both parents present yet when the kids started crying, running around, or just plain acting up, they just sat there and didn't do anything. Why not have at least one parent get up take the kid(s) outside so they aren't causing trouble. I mean its a newcomers brief, one parent can easily soak up everything being said and handed out and later pass on the bits that his or her spouse missed. Hell I just let my wife take advantage of her WiFi capable I Pod touch.:) Kudos to the parents that had their kids in check though. There were a few.

[Tony Stacks]

I think as far as the teenagers because of whatever high ass rank mommy or daddy is they think that makes them above the law and more time then not they are right. Pretty ******* sad.

[P_chan]

Damn annoying kids with your jean jackets and Dan Fogelber:old:

[DocTurtle]

Spank your kids! Put the fear of God...or at least YOU in them!!

[IndyGal]

I missed it but man can I relate. I had to go to a "newcomers" briefing today... Still not sure why, since I've been on this island darn near 6 years... Holy crap there was a lot of families there today and boy were the littles ones set on high annoyance mode.

Why were there so many kids there? When we have sponsered anyone and scheduled them for this brief; free child care was always offered along with it. Do they not offer that anymore or parents just not using it? I would be really pissed if I were new here and trying to get info and have others there letting their kids act up like that!:rolleyes:

[swindland]

I know how you feel. I went to watch I am legend and I just wanted to shoot kids and beat the crap out of them myself. They were so annoying throughout the whole movie. Some of them were making stupid loud noises. This one marine was telling them to shut the f*ck up and they would just mock him. nobody did anything about it. Damm loosers!!!!:cursing:

[P_chan]

I missed it but man can I relate. I had to go to a "newcomers" briefing today... Still not sure why, since I've been on this island darn near 6 years... Holy crap there was a lot of families there today and boy were the littles ones set on high annoyance mode. What was getting to me was the fact that there were quite a few families with both parents present yet when the kids started crying, running around, or just plain acting up, they just sat there and didn't do anything. Why not have at least one parent get up take the kid(s) outside so they aren't causing trouble. I mean its a newcomers brief, one parent can easily soak up everything being said and handed out and later pass on the bits that his or her spouse missed. Hell I just let my wife take advantage of her WiFi capable I Pod touch.:) Kudos to the parents that had their kids in check though. There were a few.

Something similar happened once I had to take my wife to the newcomers brief, kids everywhere. She only had to go to the driving portion to get her base driving liscense so she can drive on base. Funny, they make a japanese person take a driving class, for driving in their own country:rolleyes:

[Ammoyankee]

Why were there so many kids there? When we have sponsered anyone and scheduled them for this brief; free child care was always offered along with it. Do they not offer that anymore or parents just not using it? I would be really pissed if I were new here and trying to get info and have others there letting their kids act up like that!:rolleyes:

I went through this recently while sponsoring a dual-military couple.
It was a few months ago during the "high PCS" months and every single childcare was full. We went to the Family Support Center for the list of sitters who will do the free care (paid by base) and not a one of them had a single opening. The problem is children under two. All the licensed sitters are only allowed to watch two children under two at a time which creates a hugely backed up list!

[socalheart]

The theaters need to pay better attention to the MPAA rating age restrictions of kids sans parents. I agree that children ages 0 - 4 should be restricted to children only movies in theaters, like animations and Milo & Otis genre. Otherwise, gag the lil' noisemakers if they're awake. I refuse to take my child to a theater until she's started school. At that point, she should know to behave in public... hopefully. :o

[DougP]

Something similar happened once I had to take my wife to the newcomers brief, kids everywhere. She only had to go to the driving portion to get her base driving liscense so she can drive on base. Funny, they make a japanese person take a driving class, for driving in their own country:rolleyes:

All my wife had to do was fill out the yellow card(which I did for her) and take it down to base safety with her Japanese license and the printed out a SOFA drivers permit or her. But yeah I can agree with how stupid some of this stuff can be. Making it manditory for a contractor whos been on island for almost 7 years and his Okinawan wife attend the newcomers brief:rolleyes: Yup that makes sense.

[P_chan]

All my wife had to do was fill out the yellow card(which I did for her) and take it down to base safety with her Japanese license and the printed out a SOFA drivers permit or her. But yeah I can agree with how stupid some of this stuff can be. Making it manditory for a contractor whos been on island for almost 7 years and his Okinawan wife attend the newcomers brief:rolleyes: Yup that makes sense.

I told them the them the same thing. That she has been driving on okinawa for 13 years so why should she have to go to the driving class. They said because they're are different rules for on base driving. What different rules? The class was all about driving off base, so they were full of crap.

What pissed me off most was that it wasted a morning that we could have run around doing more important stuff. It's not like my wife can just take days off of work whenever she likes:cursing:

[IndyGal]

It was a few months ago during the "high PCS" months and every single childcare was full. We went to the Family Support Center for the list of sitters who will do the free care (paid by base) and not a one of them had a single opening. The problem is children under two. All the licensed sitters are only allowed to watch two children under two at a time which creates a hugely backed up list!

Yeah I used to do home day care here awhile back. The need for under two care was always high. Plus many of the of the Family Childcare providers didn't want any children under two. Many only wanted preschool age. I was the opposite. I loved having that age. :)

[retributionnk]

The theaters need to pay better attention to the MPAA rating age restrictions of kids sans parents. I agree that children ages 0 - 4 should be restricted to children only movies in theaters, like animations and Milo & Otis genre. Otherwise, gag the lil' noisemakers if they're awake. I refuse to take my child to a theater until she's started school. At that point, she should know to behave in public... hopefully. :o

I think banning kids from movies altogether is harsh. I think irresponsible parents should be banned, but that's a different topic altogether. I agree with you though, that kids under 4ish, or even older, shouldn't be allowed to see more adult-oriented movies. I've got a 2 year-old who does fine at a movie theatre. Of course we only take him to movies he'd want to watch (Disney mostly). We also took him to Circo Luci on Kadena in December, and he did fine there as well. If he would've acted up, I would've been the first to eject his diaper-covered butt! You can't blame a kid for doing what a kid does. You can, however, blame the irresponsible ****head parent for either A. Taking their kid to see I am Legend in the first place, or B. Not removing their kid from the theatre after he starts crying and throwing gummi bears at the dependopottamus 4 rows in front of you. PS: If you're the dependopottamus I'm talking about, I didn't mean to offend. (But you should consider a well-balanced diet and regular exercise.)

[DougP]

I told them the them the same thing. That she has been driving on okinawa for 13 years so why should she have to go to the driving class. They said because they're are different rules for on base driving. What different rules? The class was all about driving off base, so they were full of crap.

What pissed me off most was that it wasted a morning that we could have run around doing more important stuff. It's not like my wife can just take days off of work whenever she likes:cursing:

Either they changed the rule or they let us off the hook because I'm not military.... Even if they had pulled that card I would have raised the BS flag on them. Reason being is there are several Japanese folks who work and drive on base and do not have to get a SOFA license. My wife, for example, has been working and driving on base for over 3 years now.

[DoctorP]

Either they changed the rule or they let us off the hook because I'm not military.... Even if they had pulled that card I would have raised the BS flag on them. Reason being is there are several Japanese folks who work and drive on base and do not have to get a SOFA license. My wife, for example, has been working and driving on base for over 3 years now.

Yes, but once she becomes SOFA sponsored, it is a different ballgame! :rolleyes: My wife didn't take a class any of the times we came here. Just showed her license and they typed up the SOFA one. No hassle.

On the subject of kids at the theatre...the teens should be reported to the manager, then if they don't calm down, he/she should escort them out and report them. As far as smaller kids go, it seems to me that many parents are just too damn cheap to hire a sitter. But who can blame them when prices for a 13 year old sitter are getting out of hand too! :rolleyes: