NOTORIOUS B.I.G. Preview Engagement
was an insult to decent people.
was an insult to decent people.
It is a well know fact that the movie industry is losing a lot of money because of "bootleggers." "Bootlegging" is a term used to describe the unlawful distribution of copy written material. This term has been used most recently to describe the illegal recording and distribution of movies. Well, It seems that because of the bootleggers, we are all destined to be treated like criminals at the movie theaters.
On Thursday of last week, I went to the pre-screening of NOTORIOUS, the new movie bringing the life of Christopher Wallace, aka rapper B.I.G., aka Biggie Smalls, aka Notorius BIG, to the Big Screen. I was surprised to find that the preview engagement included several openning activites. These activities included music, prize give-aways, several local radio personalities, local celebrity personalities, and a live performance by a local rapper, accompanied by scantily clad dancers. He performed his hit song, "Dunk Dat Butt." But the most surprising event of the evening was the strip search at the door.
That's Right! Every movie goer on this night was subjected to a pat-down and metal detection. I couldn't believe it. My first instinct was to take my popcorn and run for cover. I knew the hip hop world had grown violent but damn! Were they expecting an East Coast West Coast shoot out in the theater?
My 60 minute wait to enter the theater came to an end as I approached the armed guard. "No cell phones are allowed in the movie theater." What the hell? "Anyone with a cell phone will have to leave it on the table or take it out to your car."
It turns out that as a precaution to criminal video taping, the theaters are now preventing watchers from taking in any devices that could be use to record the movie. On a six foot table at the entrance to the theater lay piles of cell phones and gadgets, suspected as tools of the bootlegger. My Treo 755 smartphone and I are very good friends. Actually, until I can afford a secretary, my phone has served as my assistant who handles all of my business. Therefore, I naturally opposed the ridiculous request. I assured the security officer that I was not a bootlegger and I needed to retain my cell phone. He replied in a loud voice for everyone to hear, "If you have a device that lights up during the movie you will be asked to leave or be charged and arrested."
At that moment, I was ready to leave, but the people I had come with had already surrendered their devices and entered the theatre. Reluctantly, I turned over my beloved assistant to these strangers, who tagged her with a cheap ticket and placed her in the pile. I turned and walked into the chaos on the otherside of the door.
Last Thursday, I not only left my phone on that table, but I left my right to be innocent until proven guilty on that table. I left my deginity and respect on that table. Moreover, the thought that the crowd on this night was filled with mostly black faces left me to question, "is this going to be the norm in all theaters?" Is this what we can come to expect on a date night? First the airport and now the movie theater. Maybe, I''m getting old but I just don't think its right to pat down an old lady at the airport or take a man's phone at the movie theater. But one thing is for sure, last Thursday night we were all treated like bootleggers and I went along with it.
On Thursday of last week, I went to the pre-screening of NOTORIOUS, the new movie bringing the life of Christopher Wallace, aka rapper B.I.G., aka Biggie Smalls, aka Notorius BIG, to the Big Screen. I was surprised to find that the preview engagement included several openning activites. These activities included music, prize give-aways, several local radio personalities, local celebrity personalities, and a live performance by a local rapper, accompanied by scantily clad dancers. He performed his hit song, "Dunk Dat Butt." But the most surprising event of the evening was the strip search at the door.
That's Right! Every movie goer on this night was subjected to a pat-down and metal detection. I couldn't believe it. My first instinct was to take my popcorn and run for cover. I knew the hip hop world had grown violent but damn! Were they expecting an East Coast West Coast shoot out in the theater?
My 60 minute wait to enter the theater came to an end as I approached the armed guard. "No cell phones are allowed in the movie theater." What the hell? "Anyone with a cell phone will have to leave it on the table or take it out to your car."
It turns out that as a precaution to criminal video taping, the theaters are now preventing watchers from taking in any devices that could be use to record the movie. On a six foot table at the entrance to the theater lay piles of cell phones and gadgets, suspected as tools of the bootlegger. My Treo 755 smartphone and I are very good friends. Actually, until I can afford a secretary, my phone has served as my assistant who handles all of my business. Therefore, I naturally opposed the ridiculous request. I assured the security officer that I was not a bootlegger and I needed to retain my cell phone. He replied in a loud voice for everyone to hear, "If you have a device that lights up during the movie you will be asked to leave or be charged and arrested."
At that moment, I was ready to leave, but the people I had come with had already surrendered their devices and entered the theatre. Reluctantly, I turned over my beloved assistant to these strangers, who tagged her with a cheap ticket and placed her in the pile. I turned and walked into the chaos on the otherside of the door.
Last Thursday, I not only left my phone on that table, but I left my right to be innocent until proven guilty on that table. I left my deginity and respect on that table. Moreover, the thought that the crowd on this night was filled with mostly black faces left me to question, "is this going to be the norm in all theaters?" Is this what we can come to expect on a date night? First the airport and now the movie theater. Maybe, I''m getting old but I just don't think its right to pat down an old lady at the airport or take a man's phone at the movie theater. But one thing is for sure, last Thursday night we were all treated like bootleggers and I went along with it.
