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Where is the best place to sit in a movie theater?

January 14th, 2008 by Scott Marks

cineramadome.jpg

Bushido John of San Diego, CA writes, “Where do you like to sit in a theater? I like to sit in the middle along the aisle, a) it gives me a chance to run to the restroom when I can and b) isn’t it the optimum place to sit as the film is being projected (if I remember an old Siskel and Ebert show about this very topic).”

There are three answers to your question.

1. The Balcony. If a movie theater has a balcony that’s open, you’ll find me there. Call it misty-eyed nostalgia. Even as a kid the balcony was generally off limits except on the weekends when the main floor filled up. I managed a single screen revival house in Chicago with a balcony and never watched one movie on the main floor. I had the keys and only invited guests were welcome. The last balcony view I had was when the El Capitan screened “Lady and the Tramp.” It was glorious!

2 . Fourth row, center in any contemporary multiplex. I like it when the screen fits my peripheral vision. Besides, I’d rather have ‘em behind me than in front of me. I hate when people make endless rest room/concession runs or check their cell phones every 5 minutes. The closer you sit, the less chance of distractions. The only drawback: If the film is so much as slightly out of focus, sitting close will only magnify the blur.

3. If it’s a grand old palace like the big Chinese or the CineramaDome, I’ll usually back up to the seventh row.

How anyone sits off to the side is beyond me. These people should watch movies encased in strait-jackets. One local critic sits as far back as possible and off to the right. I’m not even sure that he’s in the same theater. Ebert’s rule of thumb is to sit a distance that is 1 1/2 time the height of the screen. He is also a center man.

As for peeing in mid-movie…the very thought of doing that is hateful. Always empty yourself before the show or wear Depends.

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