Reader comments
'Musical' switched for 'Sex' in Megaplex mix-up
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Get Real | 9:09 a.m. Oct. 29, 2008
Wah! Wah! Wah! My child saw nudity!!! Wah! Wah! Wah! I've been bathing
my kids in their clothes to avoid such a discussion and now the theater forces
me to talk about it. Wah! Wah!
Steve | 9:11 a.m. Oct. 29, 2008
GeorgeM
There was nothing wrong with either print. They played the wrong movie. Very few theatres are reel-to-reel theatres. Just about every current theatre assembles all of the reels into 1 big movie. They moved HSM3 to a larger auditorium to get more seats. They forgot to move the actual print. So instead of threading the projector with HSM3, the projectionist threaded Sex Drive. Having a manager screen this print would not have prevented the problem. Also it would be extremely difficult, most likely intentional, for someone to buildup a print of a movie with Reels from more than 1 movie. Although I do know from seeing it personally, that mistakes such as putting the reels together in the wrong order or putting a reel on backwards can happen.
There was nothing wrong with either print. They played the wrong movie. Very few theatres are reel-to-reel theatres. Just about every current theatre assembles all of the reels into 1 big movie. They moved HSM3 to a larger auditorium to get more seats. They forgot to move the actual print. So instead of threading the projector with HSM3, the projectionist threaded Sex Drive. Having a manager screen this print would not have prevented the problem. Also it would be extremely difficult, most likely intentional, for someone to buildup a print of a movie with Reels from more than 1 movie. Although I do know from seeing it personally, that mistakes such as putting the reels together in the wrong order or putting a reel on backwards can happen.
Is that a sentence? | 9:17 a.m. Oct. 29, 2008
For future movies.
Comments continue below
G Franke | 9:17 a.m. Oct. 29, 2008
I ran a theater for a friend while he was in the hospital 26 years ago. I
learned three things. One there is really no way to tell one film from another
while they are on the reels unless you run them. The booking distributor sent
the wrong movies on reels twice and I had to run the movies after assembling it
on the big three foot reels to find out. Two there are people who will be
offended regardless of what you do to avoid it. Rocky Horror Picture Show is
Rated R and run at mid-night but people will buy tickets and complain about the
cursing in the film. Three NC-17 is milk toast to some of the most respectable
members of the American population. Their Great Grand mothers were the Miss
Kitty of the old west and their grand mothers Sally Rand.
Phred | 9:19 a.m. Oct. 29, 2008
I live in Indiana, and I thought THIS was a conservative state until I started
reading all these comments from outraged parents. But you people take the cake.
Geez, folks, lighten up. Those of you who think this is the worst thing that
could happen to a child or that they will be scarred forever need to get a life.
Your kids can find -- and are finding -- much worse on the Internet with a click
of a mouse. If they aren't doing it in your home they are doing it in
someone else's.
Roddy Piper | 9:32 a.m. Oct. 29, 2008
re: Latter Day Saint | 12:10 p.m. Oct. 28, 2008
How do you know? Are you their Bishop or Stake Pres? If so, Have they even talked to you.
I love Utah where common sense & reality are not required or encouraged.
How do you know? Are you their Bishop or Stake Pres? If so, Have they even talked to you.
I love Utah where common sense & reality are not required or encouraged.
good advice | 9:38 a.m. Oct. 29, 2008
Philippians 2:12
Common Sense | 9:47 a.m. Oct. 29, 2008
Everyone in here calling for a lawsuit or claiming that this media was forced on
the kids in the theater by 'liberals' as one commenter stated, should
not be allowed to walk the streets, participate in democracy, or for that matter
raise a child.
Do you know how they handle problems like this in Europe? Most of the time these kinds of things AREN'T problems over there because they actually take a common sense approach to sexuality rather than America's generally pre-puritan-esque stance on it today.
I'm not saying that we should force feed our children a steady diet of hard core pornography with their eyes taped open, I'm saying that when a MINOR incident such as this happens people need to take a chill pill and realize that sexuality cannot just be magically expunged from their minds, especially for children who need to UNDERSTAND what they see rather than be 'protected' from it by ignoring the issue.
My guess? A lot of these kids will grow up secretly lamenting their parents because they are so strict that they keep their children from doing ANYTHING fun.
Do you know how they handle problems like this in Europe? Most of the time these kinds of things AREN'T problems over there because they actually take a common sense approach to sexuality rather than America's generally pre-puritan-esque stance on it today.
I'm not saying that we should force feed our children a steady diet of hard core pornography with their eyes taped open, I'm saying that when a MINOR incident such as this happens people need to take a chill pill and realize that sexuality cannot just be magically expunged from their minds, especially for children who need to UNDERSTAND what they see rather than be 'protected' from it by ignoring the issue.
My guess? A lot of these kids will grow up secretly lamenting their parents because they are so strict that they keep their children from doing ANYTHING fun.
what a bunch of whiners | 11:01 a.m. Oct. 29, 2008
Grow up people. It's an honest mistake, and nothing to get upset about or
plan a lawsuit, boycott or anything like that. It's not going to damage
anyone's psyche or anything. It's just a movie!
Oh the irony | 12:04 p.m. Oct. 29, 2008
No Zack and Miri? No Brokeback Mountain? But Sexdrive to 8 year olds is ok for
LHM.
Re: Common Sense | 12:13 p.m. Oct. 29, 2008
"Do you know how they handle problems like this in Europe? Most of the time
these kinds of things AREN'T problems over there because they actually take
a common sense approach to sexuality rather than America's generally
pre-puritan-esque stance on it today."
I actually just moved back to the United States after living in Europe, where, over the course of time I lived there, I had about 30 roommates from five different European countries, and spent time with people from many others. Do you know what I found out?
Most of those people with a "common sense approach to sexuality" had absolutely zero morals in regards to sexuality. They saw absolutely nothing wrong with committing the most disgusting sexual acts you could think of, with watching movies full of full frontal nudity or even pornograhy, or with anything the Bible actively preaches against - and each of them considered themselves to be religious people.
If that's the kind of common sense attitude you're talking about, I'll HAPPILY take America's generally pre-puritan-esque stance.
I actually just moved back to the United States after living in Europe, where, over the course of time I lived there, I had about 30 roommates from five different European countries, and spent time with people from many others. Do you know what I found out?
Most of those people with a "common sense approach to sexuality" had absolutely zero morals in regards to sexuality. They saw absolutely nothing wrong with committing the most disgusting sexual acts you could think of, with watching movies full of full frontal nudity or even pornograhy, or with anything the Bible actively preaches against - and each of them considered themselves to be religious people.
If that's the kind of common sense attitude you're talking about, I'll HAPPILY take America's generally pre-puritan-esque stance.
Anonymous | 12:37 p.m. Oct. 29, 2008
sex drive is hilaaarious!
no one | 12:41 p.m. Oct. 29, 2008
This is false outrage. A one second flash of a male tush /four minutes/ into
the film? Come on, people. They wanted to see what was coming. A sex scene
under a sheet? Hello? Is that what they thought HSM was going to show? Shame,
shame on them. They had /plenty/ of time to crawl under the seats so they
wouldn't be polluted with this awful, awful smut. I call foul.
Comparison/contrast. "They're bad" ergo, "I'm
good/perfect/worthy/cool". The stupidest thing of it all is that the
coming attractions of any movie are keyed to the movie. They should have known
something was up just from the movie previews. But the previews didn't
seem to bother anyone [nota bene]... maybe they just had to wait until Mommy #1
got offended and then follow suit. ie, "I don't want to be seen as a
prude/intolerant/uncool/square -- but I shore nuff don't want to be seen as
"unworthy" so I'll join the general outrage club."
John | 3:52 p.m. Oct. 29, 2008
It was a mistake! An honest mistake! If free movie and popcorn passes
aren't enough, what would you like them to do? What could they possibly do
that would be considered just restitution? Yes it is sad this happened. But
forgive and move on.
My parents were too prude to have a birds and bees discussion with me so maybe an incident like this will help some parents actually confront the reality.
My parents were too prude to have a birds and bees discussion with me so maybe an incident like this will help some parents actually confront the reality.
Nude Man | 4:29 p.m. Oct. 29, 2008
There is a difference between sexually charged imagery and nudity. Had the film
only shown nudity without the explicit sexual detail than this would be a
different story completely.
Bob McBeverhousen | 5:56 p.m. Oct. 29, 2008
That is interesting, I went to see Sex Drive, but was forced to endure the first
few minutes of High School Musical 3. Can I file a lawsuit also?
JK - Love HS 1&2. Can't wait to take the kids to 3.
JK - Love HS 1&2. Can't wait to take the kids to 3.
Deb | 8:12 p.m. Oct. 29, 2008
Ok, wouldn't the opening credits have been a clue that they weren't at
the right movie??? These people must be complete morons or just too lazy to get
up and go tell the theater personnel that something is not right. I mean,
c'mon!!! And that one post about their kids being scarred for life, give
me a break! It's only sex.....oh wait! That's a dirty word in
America. Silly me....
Anonymous | 8:16 p.m. Oct. 29, 2008
No one was hurt. None died. Not a soul has been converted to some sort of dark
lifestyle. Much ado about nothing.
Jaybee | 8:18 p.m. Oct. 29, 2008
I think it's a fantastic mistake--I am now going to go see SEX DRIVE.
I'm all about R rated or better.
bite your tongue | 8:39 p.m. Oct. 29, 2008
re: Parents should be punished | 5:04 a.m. Oct. 29, 2008
Disney put out something not accurate? I'm shocked & hurt.
Disney put out something not accurate? I'm shocked & hurt.
John Winger | 8:44 p.m. Oct. 29, 2008
re: LightenUpFrancis | 6:00 a.m. Oct. 29, 2008
>>Um... if you couldn't figure out VERY quickly this wasn't HSM, then it's genetically likely your kids aren't smart enough to be 'traumatized'. (Though you making a huge deal out of it might scar them).<<
Too funny & true.
Hey moral majority; Was the tank was out of Gas and nowhere Czechoslovakia?
>>Um... if you couldn't figure out VERY quickly this wasn't HSM, then it's genetically likely your kids aren't smart enough to be 'traumatized'. (Though you making a huge deal out of it might scar them).<<
Too funny & true.
Hey moral majority; Was the tank was out of Gas and nowhere Czechoslovakia?
Bender Rodriguez | 8:49 p.m. Oct. 29, 2008
re: Utah_is_a_weird_place | 6:37 a.m. Oct. 29, 2008
>>Be good parents. talk to your kids openly and honestly about what happened...and move on.<<
Too simple a solution. Its much easier to act like the Mel Brooks' yes men in Blazing Saddles.
re: uuu | 6:46 a.m. Oct. 29, 2008
Amen. This has 2B the pithiest thing coming out of Provo this football season.
>>Be good parents. talk to your kids openly and honestly about what happened...and move on.<<
Too simple a solution. Its much easier to act like the Mel Brooks' yes men in Blazing Saddles.
re: uuu | 6:46 a.m. Oct. 29, 2008
Amen. This has 2B the pithiest thing coming out of Provo this football season.
Bender Rodriguez | 8:52 p.m. Oct. 29, 2008
re: jon | 7:06 a.m. Oct. 29, 2008
>> "...it can even lead to future addictions and fetishes."
What's wrong with a fetish? Lots of normal, healthy people have them.<<
Yes. Look @ all of us still discussing this non-issue. I wonder if this what staff meetings @ Republican Nat'l Committee are like?
>> "...it can even lead to future addictions and fetishes."
What's wrong with a fetish? Lots of normal, healthy people have them.<<
Yes. Look @ all of us still discussing this non-issue. I wonder if this what staff meetings @ Republican Nat'l Committee are like?
DSM1G90 | 9:36 p.m. Oct. 29, 2008
Gotta ask the projection people - was the print in film or in digital?
Who was sleeping at the switch when this all happened?
Who was sleeping at the switch when this all happened?
Old Projectionist | 9:56 p.m. Oct. 29, 2008
Whether the show was in digital or 35mm film, it doesn't take a rocket
scientist to start the correct show. With the booth-clowns that work in
projection booths these days, I'm not surprised that this hasn't
happened before. I'm sure it has, but hasn't got this much press
because of the shows that were involved. These theatres need to make sure that
the people they put in the projection booths know what they're doing and
pay attention as well. They need to know more than just "press the start
button".
I agree with the parents that went to this theatre to see HSM3; which is rated G; and got a very offensive show rated R. Adults may not be offended by "Sex Drive", but when you take children to see a G-rated movie and get anything else, you'd be offended too. Heck I'd be talking to a lawyer too.
I agree with the parents that went to this theatre to see HSM3; which is rated G; and got a very offensive show rated R. Adults may not be offended by "Sex Drive", but when you take children to see a G-rated movie and get anything else, you'd be offended too. Heck I'd be talking to a lawyer too.
Anonymous | 10:12 p.m. Oct. 29, 2008
...And the Children were Screaming!!!!
n8 | 10:31 p.m. Oct. 29, 2008
hahahaha! hahahahahahahahaha!! STORY OF THE YEAR! I can't stop laughing.
HAHAHAHA!
Hollywood Anonymous | 10:52 p.m. Oct. 29, 2008
The Megaplexes are digital locations. There have been reports that some digital
management systems have a bug that may actually refer to an incorrect
composition playlist. Because Sex Drive was originally set up to play in this
theatre, it may be possible that the artifact still referred to that feature
even after the move. It could also account for the G slate of trailers playing
because digital playlists are not physically attached as in film. So, it is
entirely possible that the theatre made the correct changes and that the
software bug accounted for G trailers playing but an artifact for the R movie
superceded and was played. If I would Larry Miller's team, I would at
least check into this possibility.
DC | 11:28 p.m. Oct. 29, 2008
Im an active member of the LDS church and i find this hilarious.. lets face the
facts. Our kids are going to see nudity eventually, why not with their parents?
The most awkward it could get for a kid is seeing sex with their parent... now
that that's over, its smooth sailing from here! :)
don't look | 2:30 a.m. Oct. 30, 2008
People say, its just nudity. Ok, well you people who say that, take your
clothes off right now and go to the mall and shop for a new toaster.
All of you liberals, we wear clothes for specific reasons, more than being sanitary or to hide our hairy backs.
Movies and media in general try to confuse people into thinking that sexual liberality is good, when in reality it leads to broken homes and families. Who in their right minds wants their kids exposed to home-wrecking activities and behaviors?
Case closed.
All of you liberals, we wear clothes for specific reasons, more than being sanitary or to hide our hairy backs.
Movies and media in general try to confuse people into thinking that sexual liberality is good, when in reality it leads to broken homes and families. Who in their right minds wants their kids exposed to home-wrecking activities and behaviors?
Case closed.
Bob | 4:19 a.m. Oct. 30, 2008
Hoolywood Anonymous,
What??? They were film prints not digital. The digital movies at the theatre where I work, while not attached to the digital movie, were still programmed to run with the movie. Its all one sequence. A different movie would have a different program set to run with different trailers. The only way to run a digital print of Sex Drive with HSM3's trailers would be to physically reprogram the trailer package.
Most if not all theatres will not programs trailers more than 1 rating above the film being shown. HSM3 is rated G. The fact that someone who was there claimed that Twilight was being shown should have been a hint. Since one rating above G is PG. Twilight is not PG.
Even without knowing this, parents still should have been able to figure it out when they saw no kids-related previews.
What??? They were film prints not digital. The digital movies at the theatre where I work, while not attached to the digital movie, were still programmed to run with the movie. Its all one sequence. A different movie would have a different program set to run with different trailers. The only way to run a digital print of Sex Drive with HSM3's trailers would be to physically reprogram the trailer package.
Most if not all theatres will not programs trailers more than 1 rating above the film being shown. HSM3 is rated G. The fact that someone who was there claimed that Twilight was being shown should have been a hint. Since one rating above G is PG. Twilight is not PG.
Even without knowing this, parents still should have been able to figure it out when they saw no kids-related previews.
Utah is wound too tight | 6:35 a.m. Oct. 30, 2008
Only in Utah is this news.
My take | 7:30 a.m. Oct. 30, 2008
Ahhahahahahahahahahahahaha!
That's about the only editorial that needs to be said about this story.
That's about the only editorial that needs to be said about this story.
wordzee | 7:34 a.m. Oct. 30, 2008
Parents had every right to complain and be upset.
I have one issue though. Pre movie trailers are always a dead give-a-way to the general content of the upcoming movie. I think I would have caught on long before the movie started. But what about those who are running later? Great point! While there are always instances where being late can't be helped, I've long been annoyed with the 'Mormon standard selfish come when I darn well please despite the disturbances it causes' attitude. Perhaps if people had been on time and paid attention, they would have caught the forth coming wrong movie.
All in all, sounds like an honest mistake and the theater handled it well.
I have one issue though. Pre movie trailers are always a dead give-a-way to the general content of the upcoming movie. I think I would have caught on long before the movie started. But what about those who are running later? Great point! While there are always instances where being late can't be helped, I've long been annoyed with the 'Mormon standard selfish come when I darn well please despite the disturbances it causes' attitude. Perhaps if people had been on time and paid attention, they would have caught the forth coming wrong movie.
All in all, sounds like an honest mistake and the theater handled it well.
Dutch | 8:03 a.m. Oct. 30, 2008
I wonder if these are the same parents who took thier small children dressed in
Batman outfits to the opening night of Dark Knight and then had to carry them
out crying when the movie got real interesting SCARY - it was rated PG 13 -
This was a simple mistake
Gordon Hill | 8:38 a.m. Oct. 30, 2008
These children and adults will probably be scarred for life. Now, they'll
probably grow up to be homosexuals!
RE: Martin | 8:38 a.m. Oct. 30, 2008
I'm going to sue you for dumbing down this entire message board. Thank you
for portraying conservative opinions as "liberal". Propoganda at its
best!
SS | 8:49 a.m. Oct. 30, 2008
Too funny!
RE: JR | 9:07 a.m. Oct. 30, 2008
Seriously...it is actually illegal?! That's funny...the theater I go to
actually has a sign that tells you not to bring kids under age 6 to R rated
movies after 6:00 p.m. Gee....all of those parents bringing underage kids to
matinees isn't getting them thrown into jail...Don't get me wrong. I
would never take an underage child to an R rated movie, but stop fueling the
fire for a lawsuit.
Easy Mom and Dad | 9:09 a.m. Oct. 30, 2008
Was it a bad mistake, of course. Could it affect those kids lives, maybe.
Every parent who is crying lawsuit, or the vouchers aren't enough need to
relax. Do you not know that your sweet precious kids are talking about sex at
ages as early as 6th grade among their friends? Do you not know that your kids
are viewing things on tv, the internet, movies at friends, that they
shouldn't see either? Kids are having to grow up a lot faster these days
and there is no way to control that. If parents really knew what their kids
were doing, they would be appalled. "My sweet little angel wouldn't
do something like that!" Um really? Face the music and get to know your
kids! This is a minor bump in the road on their way to the adult world
beginning at age 12. Use it as an educational tool for them and take it easy on
the lawsuits! You people are really out of touch when it comes to what is
really going on in the world today with kids. Your kids aren't as good as
you think they are!
Normal | 11:07 a.m. Oct. 30, 2008
These children will probably grow up normal now.
CTBCHLCKR | 11:55 a.m. Oct. 30, 2008
Too bad, so sad, your child will live...end of story, this is not news.
ER | 12:15 p.m. Oct. 30, 2008
Imagine my surprise when I finished this article to find that 192 people
commented on it! Regrettable, but WOW, c'mon.
wallofvoodoo | 12:18 p.m. Oct. 30, 2008
Megaplex is avoiding because it looks like a stupid movie that they would loose
money on and found a way out of showing it. Personally I think it is genius. I
bet there are a lot of movie theatres that wishes they could do the same.
arc | 2:53 p.m. Oct. 30, 2008
I didn't see either movie. I wouldn't go see Sex Drive, as I
don't go see R movies, most PG13, and some PG movies. My choice.
I am really glad I wasn't there.
1. I don't want to see that.
2. If that Megaplex theater thought I through a fit the last time they made a mistake when I was there...
I am really surprised they didn't call me just to make sure I wasn't there.
The District Megaplex is really the best theater location in town. It is bad that it happened at all.
I am really glad I wasn't there.
1. I don't want to see that.
2. If that Megaplex theater thought I through a fit the last time they made a mistake when I was there...
I am really surprised they didn't call me just to make sure I wasn't there.
The District Megaplex is really the best theater location in town. It is bad that it happened at all.
Red | 3:41 p.m. Oct. 30, 2008
That's awesome!!
Locutus | 4:24 p.m. Oct. 30, 2008
This was a mistake by the theater. Not a traumatising effect to the children in
the theater. The parents should have been able to tell by the previews that the
wrong movie was playing. Disney does not permit previews for any movie above PG
on any move with the Disney trademark on the movie. Theaters comply with this
because they do not want to loose Disney's business. There are on average
12-15 minutes of previews as well as up to 30 minutes of pre show advertising in
the theatre and not one of these parents could figure that it was not
appropriate for the movie???
Wake up and pay attention!!!
Wake up and pay attention!!!
freaked out | 5:32 p.m. Oct. 30, 2008
Ahh!!! That would be scary for the parent, don't you people realize that
the crowd for HSM is kids 5+!!!!!! This is really bad pornagraphy. Those
parents might have to give the birds and the bees talk early!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have
simpathy for the parents
machelle | 7:05 p.m. Oct. 30, 2008
it is not the first time and i dont think it will be the last
does it matter | 9:12 p.m. Oct. 30, 2008
Makes me ashamed of my state
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