Consumerist: Every once in a while when movie with a built-in fan base opens, superfans show their excitement by donning costumes of their favorite characters and carrying props related to story. Some Harry Potter fans waved wands, Hulk fan encased their hands in giant green foam fists, and Star Wars lovers engaged in light saber duels, but fans of the soon-to-be released Fifty Shades of Grey movie have been instructed to leave their toys at home.
9 comments:
I think that this could be false move on the part of AMC, if I were them, I would capitalize on this fan base, and have special screening where guests are only allowed to dress in movie paraphernalia. Kind of like the Saturday midnight showings of the rocky horror picture show, I think this could be a big draw to the kink community. I think that it is a shame that fans are being discouraged from supporting their favorite movie. When the star wars movies were coming out, I remember that there were issues with girls coming to the theater dressed in princess Leah’s slave girl outfit . . . my mom was one of them . . . I don think anyone was made any more uncomfortable by the sci-fi movie slave girl outfit than the outfits of the more scantily clad teenagers.
First off, I’ve never really understood the idea behind dressing up to see a movie. No one is there to watch you; they’re there to see a film. I understand Cons where people dress up, but the movie thing just goes right over my head. Secondly, why are ties and handcuffs are considered “weapons?” I understand that a whip is a weapon, and should not be brought to a movie. Even actors on stage have to use extreme caution with whips because they are the most dangerous of all prop weapons. But handcuffs, on the other hand, or at least those available to the average public, are able to release easily. Ties are too if you have a scissor on you. So why is this a big deal? People bring all sorts of weird things to the movie theaters. I’ve seen people bring bags of carrots, marbles games, sex toys; you name it, someone has probably brought it.
I could see people addressing this decision by AMC executives from both positive and negative viewpoints. First off, AMC owns the theatre, so it is fair that they are able to restrict what patrons bring and don’t bring. It’s a practice that baseball stadiums do all the time for the safety of patrons and players (though it’s more likely to be able to charge $9 for a hot dog). I understand why people would be upset by this, but it isn’t exactly as if this concern is unjustified. Bringing BDSM props is different from bringing wands or foam fists, there’s not a real market for magic supplies but there is a real market for sex toys. Fans could bring real items, not props, and things could get out of hand fairly quickly if not monitored properly. I think that all AMC is trying to do is cover their ass in case things got out of hand so that they wouldn’t be liable for damages.
I see where AMC is coming from with these rules regarding the first “Fifty Shades of Grey” movie, but I think they’re being a bit too strict. I get that they don’t want people to be showing up at their movies with whips, and it would be good, sanitary or (in some cases) decent if they wore a minimal amount of clothing. That being said, they should allow the fans to do something to show their support for the movie. Provided they keep it covered in public areas, I don’t really see an issue with bring sexual paraphernalia into the theatre. It’s “Fifty Shades of Grey”, if people aren’t comfortable with seeing a dildo than this probably isn’t the movie for them. Also, I think that things like handcuffs should be allowed, provided they’re trick release. It makes sense that AMC is making these rules, because they’re worried that people who are fans of this movie are going to go all out, but that’s not the right logic for this sort of thing. This isn’t going to be a hit movie. There are basically going to be two types of people there, people who are curious/want to see it because they know it’s going to be bad and people who are obsessed. They should embrace these obsessed fans, considering that most of the revenue is probably going to be coming from them. If they’re concerned about naked people carrying whips, they should make universal rules that apply to all of their theaters and movies. If these rules only apply to “Fifty Shades”, what’s to stop a “Watchmen” fan from showing up naked and covered in blue paint? Their concerns are valid, but the solution isn’t to discriminate against their target audience.
I find this situation all a bit ridiculous, to be honest. The movie itself is ridiculous, but that's a personal opinion. I can, however, understand the reasoning behind AMC's intentions. They want to keep the movie theatre a public, child-friendly place. And if they want to squeeze in as many bucks as possible, they're going to want to have as many showings of Fifty Shades of Gray in as many times slots as possible. Which means 11:oo AM movie times. Which also means, if people are trotting around whips and dildos and whatever else they're bringing around, that might start conversations parents aren't willing to bring up with their eight year olds just yet. I do concede that Chris' idea makes much more sense than completely outlawing the dress-up altogether. If they had midnight screenings in select theaters that permitted the dress up, they could capitalize on the sale even more by selling themed types of food and drink. Then they would produce a profit for AMC while also allowing people to dress as they liked. Problem solved.
Okay, I can understand where AMC is coming from on this one. As a huge Harry Potter fan, I can personally attest that people can go a little hard at movie premieres. I think that, yes, the line should always be drawn at weapon-like items, such as whips and knives and things, but it is a bit silly that they should also ban those things that might make audiences "uncomfortable"...like ties? No no no. These people have paid for a ticket to see a movie based on dominant sexual relationships and other erotic bondage type sex acts. There is no reason for the theatres to ban things like handcuffs and costumes and ties from the theatre, since they do not threaten anyone and it is certainly the right of any theatre-goer to display pride in his or her movie preferences. The same way that I'm going to wear a Gryffindor scarf to a Harry Potter premiere, Fifty Shades fans are going to wear silver ties to this movie premiere.
I can see where AMC is coming from. Fifty Shades of Grey fans won’t be the only ones at the movie theater and even though, I am all for self-expression and free speech that is not something small children need to see. I do however; think Chris came up with a great idea. Having a special, Rocky Horror style showing for fans of the movie would draw in a huge crowd and allow to be as open in their support of kink as they would like, without having to worry about affecting the general public.
I don’t think AMC did itself any favors by making special rules for this specific movie and fan base. Had they just enforced their existing rules and reminded people of what is no allowed in their theater already then the amount of controversy would be diminished astronomically. AMC has now put themselves in an unnecessary argument about their support of free speech.
The fact that this is a real article is something that does not surprise me at all, but I still find it hysterical. However, the fact that it ahs made the green page is actually pretty amazing! As someone who enjoys going to see movies in theatres (that is when I have time) I would probably not approve of other audience members bring “props” to the theatre with them. They would be quite distracting, and especially if they were using them while the film is being played. I completely understand the theatre’s reason for posting this because they want to respect all of their patrons. To put it simply, how would you feel if you went to see a movie and there were people in front or behind you playing with “props” while you are trying to watch the film. I don’t know about you but it would make me pretty uncomfortable.
Wow wow wow wow WOW! In all, the fact that movie theatre companies were pushed to publicly announce that they will not allow specific costumes and props, involving the topics discussed in a movie, serves as a testament to the nature of our society. One can observe - publicly - certain acts and garb, but cannot - publicly - perform what they are seeing. I do completely understand the notion that the theatre experience is for the ALL patrons, and if allowing certain people to act a certain way takes away from other people's experience, measures should be taken to prevent the given discrepancy. Personally, I am not attested to people wearing and doing what they want, however, when in a confined space - movie theatre - while watching a movie that I have payed for, I would certainly not enjoy the distraction of sex toys and whips clashing about my seat.
Kevin Paul (54-102 :: A, Acting 1, Cameron Knight)
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