Poll: Applauding In The Cinema

[Owyn_Merrilin]

I think it's an important part of the experience of going to the movies. Thought provoking movies cause the audience to sit in reflection for a moment or two as the credits roll, really good films get applause despite the knowledge no one involved knows you're applauding, films that are just "meh" end with an immediate shuffling of people trying to leave, and in one case a film was so bad (In the Name of the King, case you were wondering) in the final moments of the movie where it was supposed to be driving home the emotion someone stormed out of the theater with a loud "THIS MOVIE SUCKED!!" and everyone proceeded to burst into laughter.

It's all audience reaction, and frankly it's what keeps me going back to the theater.

This. If I wanted to sit quietly and watch a movie in peace, I'd wait for the DVD. My sound system is better than most of the local theaters anyway. One of the biggest points in going to see a movie in theaters is that you're seeing it with a crowd, and you kind of feed off of each others emotions. There's nothing worse than seeing a great movie with a dead crowd; it happened when I went to see the last Harry Potter movie. Not nearly enough cheering and clapping for my taste.

Edit: As for clapping during the movie, there are times when it's appropriate. If you went to see the last Star Trek movie and didn't clap when the red shirt died, congratulations; you aren't a Trekkie, but you were in that film's target demographic.

 

[Mathak]

At the end of a movie, fine, whatever you want.

During? GTFO, you're breaking my immersion.

 

[Sandernista]

I think it's an important part of the experience of going to the movies. Thought provoking movies cause the audience to sit in reflection for a moment or two as the credits roll, really good films get applause despite the knowledge no one involved knows you're applauding, films that are just "meh" end with an immediate shuffling of people trying to leave, and in one case a film was so bad (In the Name of the King, case you were wondering) in the final moments of the movie where it was supposed to be driving home the emotion someone stormed out of the theater with a loud "THIS MOVIE SUCKED!!" and everyone proceeded to burst into laughter.

It's all audience reaction, and frankly it's what keeps me going back to the theater.

This. If I wanted to sit quietly and watch a movie in peace, I'd wait for the DVD. My sound system is better than most of the local theaters anyway. One of the biggest points in going to see a movie in theaters is that you're seeing it with a crowd, and you kind of feed off of each others emotions. There's nothing worse than seeing a great movie with a dead crowd; it happened when I went to see the last Harry Potter movie. Not nearly enough cheering and clapping for my taste.

This this. (Is that the correct way to agree with both quotes?)

Anyways, I always clap for a good movie.

 

[Neonit]

stupid. applauding should be imho directed to actors, not to the big sheet of paper. then again, i guess this depends on "sort" of cinema.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

I don't see the point of it but luckily, I only ever encounter this during midnight screenings. It's like others have said above though: none of the film makers are there so there's no reason to clap. Especially if there's a good song playing during the credits.

 

[ParanoidAndroid]

I've only seen it happen twice. Once at the end of the final Harry Potter movie, and the second was when they were live-streaming a RHCP concert. I have no problem with it, unless it's during the movie.

 

[catalyst8]

I haven't seen applause in a cinema since the '70s. It used to be considered basic good manners to show one's appreciation, regardless of whether anyone involved in the film's production was present. Of course times & social mores change, & this is one small example of just that.

To address the question, of course it's fine to demonstrate appreciation for someone's work, but after the final credits have rolled. I find it infuriating that people stand & exit while the credits are still rolling but, just like the absence of applause, that seems to be the currently accepted convention.

 

[catalyst8]

EDIT: Deleted, double post.

 

[Erana]

People are having fun, and aren't ruining anything when they clap at the end.
Why give them flack for it just because it isn't all that logical or practical? I mean, we're gamers, for Christ's sake. Isn't that a bit hypocritical?

 

[The Hero Killer]

I never do it myself but its nice to hear that everybody enjoyed a good movie, and it makes the shift to the credits feel better especially if the movie ended with a speech like on the Transformer's movies or The Dark Knight.

 

[Mr.Pandah]

I don't mind if it's at the end, since it shows that the audience liked the movie.

However, in the middle of the movie, it is distracting and obnoxious.

This. I've only cheered once or twice, but that is because I really loved a movie.

I absolutely abhor when people clap after someone says something witty or an action scene when more dialogue is immediately followed.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

It's part of the social experience of going to see a film. The energy of an audience...their approval, their apprehension, their excitement, their laughter...can enhance your own. It's part of why laugh tracks can be so effective. Paranormal Activity, for example, was 100 times more effective on a screening with a live audience because 95% of them seemed to be teen girls who were sucking their gums out with terror every time a night scene came along. We're social animals. You pick up on their emotion.

In short...no, it's not a problem. It's perfectly normal and innocent, your friend is not more clever than the clapping audience, and he kind of comes off like a douche for thinking that he is.

 

[Scarim Coral]

Since I had never encounter anyone who applaud the movie whenever I go to the cinema I'm not bother about it. I suppose if I did encounter someone who did that I could be annoy or not.

 

[Mallefunction]

I don't mind applauding at all. Yes, sometimes the end credits are supposed to be silent but I'm not going to fault people for doing so because it is the end of the movie. So what if the directors aren't there? You know who are? The theater ushers.

I worked in a theater for a few years and I can tell you that it helped a lot to know which movies people liked enough to clap in and their reactions at the end. It helped us give advice for people who were a little more indecisive over their ticket choices and it also made working at the theater feel at least a bit rewarding. Honestly, it's AMAZING how many people go to the movies in a foul mood...

 

[Hellion25]

If people want to applaud then let them. I don't see the point but as long as they don't do it when the film is actually playing I don't really care. This seems to be a recent phenomenon in the UK to be fair. I've noticed some kids doing it during films and it makes me want to hit them. If they wait til the end then everything is gravy.

 

[Goofguy]

A friend of mine often voices his huge annoyance and bewilderment at people who applaud during or at the end of a movie's showing. His point? That the creators of the project are not present to receive the show of approval and that it is therefore moot.

Surely that's like saying that you shouldn't laugh during a film if it's funny, because the creators aren't there...

I disagree. Clapping is a voluntary action, you make the conscious decision to clap before/during/after a movie. Unless you've got something to prove, laughing tends to be involuntary. If something strikes me as funny in a movie, then I laugh and most of the time, I have no control over it.

That being said, I think clapping at any point during a movie is unnecessary. If you like the movie, recommend it to others; tell your friends about it, blog about it online, whatever. You aren't doing the creators a favour by clapping unless they happen to be at the theatre at the same time as you.

Quite frankly, I fail to see any point in clapping in a movie theatre. You might as well clap at your TV after a particularly riveting episode of your favourite TV show just aired.

 

[The Breadcrab]

I see no problem with it. When they clap, people are basically expressing that they liked the movie. What's the big deal? It's not like it's harming anyone. If it annoys you so much, just ignore it.

 

[DAAANtheMAAAN]

I can't say I mind it very much. I don't applaud myself, but I have nothing against people doing so at the beginning and end of a flick.

 

[Bambi On Toast]

Sometimes when I go to the cinema with a few friends, the audience will begin to clap at the end of a movie.

If my friends try to join in, I warn them; "You clap, and I'll disown you."

It's just... weird. A few people might clap to show their approval for the movie, but the majority will just clap because they don't want to feel left out.

I'm quite happy to be in the sane minority of people who aren't compelled to clap along with complete strangers.

Mind you, this is Britain I'm talking about. We're kind of quiet and reserved in Britain. I hear Americans are a lot quicker to interact with strangers though... any truth to this?

 

[Akytalusia]

i don't care one way or the other but... do people really do that? i don't have alot of experience with the cinema, but whenever i've gone, this has never happened. (that i noticed anyway.)