In a country where one can get bootleg DVDs of recent movies for the equivalent of less than 50 cents, it is easy to catch up on every movie or sitcom that you've ever wanted to see in the comforts of your own home. Yet there are certain movies that just need to be experienced on the big screen with a good tub of buttery popcorn - just don't forget to bring your earplugs and salt. As noted in the al fresco to go post, the South likes sweet so many times the salty buttery popcorn is no where to be found. Instead, they have popcorn covered with a sugary coating with no other flavors.
Vietnam is similar to China in its censorship. There was a protest against China and its quest to take over South China Sea this weekend which the government made sure that all the local news outlets covered; however, certain international coverage were blocked when I tried to search for it on the internet. The censorship though seems quite random - porn is accessible but Facebook is not. For example, certain violent scenes in True Grit such as chopping off fingers made the cut but not shooting someone at close range.
Regardless of the big screen though, you are still in the comforts of a living room - just someone else's. People have no regard for general courtesy. Sometimes people read the subtitles out loud. Sometimes people are translating and/or explaining scenes for their movie mate but act as if the entire audience could also benefit from it as well. Sometimes people are having complete conversations with each other or on mobile phones that have nothing to do with the movie. As noted in got milk?, there seems to be a need to talk over the speakers. While amusing and bordering on offensive for its stereotype, sometimes I wonder if the PSA here is all that effective...
Perhaps they should consider what a theater back home (Alamo Drafthouse) did.
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