I want to break free...

I think the constant parade of advertisements that run before the previews that run before a movie might be the most annoying new trend this side of "pop up" ads.

I just want to watch a movie. I understand that previews are part of that, and I'm fine with that to some extent. Show me two or three movies that somehow link to the movie I'm seeing (if I'm seeing a comedy, show me comedy previews) then STFU.

As it is now, a 7:20 movie (as I saw last night) starts around 7:40. When you're watching an ungodly long movie (like, say, The Aviator because your wife wants to see it) that means I'm sitting in that seat for about three hours. And it's all so they can pitch some crappy car or soda to me, then barrage me with previews for movies that don't come out for 18 months.

I'm also not exactly clear why they have to tell you 12 different times that you shouldn't talk and that you should turn off your cell phone.

When I open the "Have You Met Tom" multiplex, movie-goers will walk in, the lights will dim, and the words "Shut the fuck up" will appead on the screen in 10-foot tall letters. It will stay there for a minute, they'll show one preview, and the movie will start.

And I'll charge five bucks a ticket and three bucks for popcorn.

So there.