Black Folks and Movie Theaters

Black Folks and Movie Theaters

I went to the movies last night to see a premier of MARSHALL. It’s a very good film that I highly recommend, even though it took me several minutes to get over my initial offense of Chadwick Boseman being casted to portray Thurgood Marshall. I know, in a perfect world, anybody should be able to play anybody, but his physical appearance is drastically different from Thurgood’s appearance and because of that, I was prejudicial. Hollywood tends to think we're interchangeable, but will go out of their way with make-up and prosthetics in order to make their actors look more like the characters they portray. However, Chadwick's amazing acting chops won me over and I found myself, suspending my believe, and settling comfortably into the story.

Now I know that Black folks talk in the movie theater. I actually enjoy certain banter that comes from, mainly Black women, in movies that excite them. However, I was sitting next to 4 people (2 men and 2 women) who decided to have a full-on conversation through the entire first fifteen minutes of the film. (I should have known there was going to be an issue because one of the women asked one of the representatives of the marketing company for her business cards. She stated she was a screenwriter and wanted to keep in contact with her. TACKY!) Soon as the movie started, they started cackling. I tried to contain myself, but I found myself becoming more and more irritated. After one such long exchange I couldn’t take it anymore and before I knew it, or had a moment to sensor myself, I turned to them and said, “Would you guys be quiet? You’re being incredibly rude!” 

Now, for a split second, after I said it, I thought to myself, “What the hell did you go and do that for? You know how “people,” are. Now you’re about to have a full-on argument, in a packed theater, with some ignorant folks.” But then I had to pat myself on the back because normally I would have said, “Would you guys shut the fck up?!” and I didn’t say that. I thought I was very polite.

One of the guys, peeked his head forward and had the audacity to say, “But we’re talking about the movie.” At which I said, “Do you have to comment on EVERY aspect of the movie? Can you do, maybe, every OTHER aspect, Jeez?” Then the big girl sitting next to him, who asked the representative for her business card, said, “Sir, you don’t have to be rude and use the Lord’s name in vain!” I responded, “JESUS, just be quiet!” Then I turned and continued watching the film. Even though they continued to talk, it was more sporadic and less noticeable.

After the movie, I waited till the 4 characters got up to leave. It was then that I discovered I was physically bigger than all 4 people and secretly enjoyed their awkwardness as we were exiting the theater. When I got to door, I mad-dogged the group before walking down the hall. I don’t know why I did it, I just did. Then lady yelled out, “Have a blessed day!” A “Blessed day,”? First off, it was evening. Second, it took every bit of will power I had to not go back and confront them. I merely turned around and said, “Bye, you fake ass Christian,” then turned around and slowly walked out, making sure I didn’t hear them talk shit before completely exiting the building. I know that was SO WRONG on so many levels.

When I got to my car, I had a good laugh and thought, “Why don’t people take responsibility for their actions?” These are trying times and sometimes it’s better to apologize and keep it moving. Next time that situation happens, I don’t think I will confront them at all. I’ll just go get an usher because I have to heed my own advice and take responsibility for my actions as well.

In any event, Black folks, try to remember that a movie theater, although it’s there for your enjoyment, is not your personal living space. If you want to talk through the entire movie, then stay your behinds at home and wait for it to come out on DVD, Netflix, or cable. Nobody has time to listen to your commentary on the actions happening on the screen. We pay good money to watch a movie, not listen to you! You may comment a little, but by no means, do you have to become part of the show!