Langkawi Chronicles: Cinematic Misery

Right. Langkawi I thought was devoid of a cinema but thank heavens there is one - Chiah Mega Cineplex (click here). This one in Langkawi is fairly large, it has 3 cinema halls and the largest can accommodate about 400 pax ( 20 per row and easily 20 rows named alphabetically). The smaller halls can accommodate about 300 per session. None too shabby actually. Equipped with Dolby Surround and all the usual cinema AV standards. Their concession stand sells arguably the best Caramel Popcorn on the Island - sweet, sticky and crunchy!

However, every time I go catch a movie invariably some manner of cinema experience ruining things will occur. Sometimes all of them. T_T

Rowdy crowds will often show up late, basking in their exuberant energies and stomp up the stairs leading to their seats and talking to their mates, who from the volume of their speaking would suggest they are across the hall (but in actuality right next to them). How fun it is when you come in late (but buying popcorn takes time!), slowly leg it  to your seats and become the main attraction along the way.

Seethe.

Some person will invariably have their phone NOT silenced. And invariably they will have the most obnoxious sounding ring tone blaring (which they will only realise is ringing after several long seconds) before actually answering the call AND initiating a conversation getting louder as they try to drown out the on-going movie so that the caller can hear them. All this while still comfortably seated in their chairs. Totally oblivious to the fact that many have paid good money for an uninterrupted viewing of the movie.

Sure, I tell myself that it must be a very important call. A friend once had to de-stress by watching a movie during a family crisis, but he had his phone on just in case. So I can see the logic behind it. But these jokers are certainly not expecting an emergency call, with their relaxed posture and animated conversation. Dude! At least GTFO of the hall (or the sidelines) please!

Then there would be families, with mom and dad and their gaggle of monkeys in tow. Innocent enough yes, cute even, but then why would you bring an infant/toddler along for a midnight showing? Mid movie, their demon-monkey (sorry parent/s) would be bored out of their young minds and start twitching, squealing and finally cry out indignantly. In the dark of the movie showing. And their parent/s would only realise their shrieking imp is unhappy a few long moments after. 

Guys, what were you thinking bringing a sub-2year old into a movie screening of Pacific Rim? Did you really think your squirming blood-maggot can actually enjoy the show? That it would be educational? That cute lil' Ahmad or Lisa can benefit from it? Note to couples: If you ain't ready to become parents, put on protection before you do the horizontal tango please. 

Please. Just Help Me!

As if all the above was not enough, there will always be twitchers and chair back knee-ers, whose resonating twitching with increase in frequency along with the excitement level of the on-going show. 

I.Just.Die.