Filmmakers design movies to deliver information to the viewer in linear parcels (even “non-linnear” movies still play from beginning to end). They want you to have questions at the beginning to create intrigue, this keeps the viewer watching. Good filmmakers have the ability to predict questions that will arise and answer them with a well constructed stream of information over the course of the movie.
Some film-goers are in the habit of asking questions early to peers that might have seen the movie before, this is a bad habit. 99% of the time the movie will answer the question for you if you just keep watching, so enjoy the ride. The inverse of this problem is people who have seen the movie before abusing their power over the others by offering unsolicited explanations. Or in the worst case, giving away the ending… TRINITY DIES.
It’s OK to ask questions if it’s concerning something out of the filmmakers control. If you weren’t sure what a character said, it’s OK to ask “What did he say?” Though hopefully your question won’t drown out further dialogue from the movie. It’s also OK to clarify who did what or said what if you are confused about that, because the filmmakers cannot control your ability to hear every line of dialogue correctly or recognize every face, especially early on. Still, the best way to answer even these type questions is to just watch the movie twice if you can.
An example of a bad question to ask would be “Why?” That is a question to be answered later by the movie itself, and is also something better discussed after the movie.
In certain contexts it’s OK to voice predictions. That is just a fun thing to do, if your company is also playing along with their own predictions. But be warned, if the movie is good you will almost always be wrong, and bragging rights for a correct prediction are fleeting.
Another type of comment that adds to the filmmakers vision rather than obstructing it is positive energy comments. Laughter is the most obvious example. Also, things like, “oh my god” and “holy shit” (if sincere) are always welcome, especially in a heavily populated setting like a theater. The more the mob can get into the movie, the better. Comments like, “That’s a great shot” or “great performance”, while positive are less encouraged because they are lame and in some ways contradictory because the best shots fit in with the whole of the movie unnoticed and a comment like that breaks the link with the viewer. They realize they are watching a movie.
In the age of smart phones, many film-goers surf the web for new craigslist VW car deals with only one eye on the movie. They are then disappointed when the movie gets ahead of them and might feel inclined to ask a question to a friend who has been paying attention. That friend then has permission to tell them to shut up.
I should probably mention the infraction that I am most commonly guilty of, taking your viewing friends to film school. Pausing the movie to discuss awesome storytelling tricks or behind the scenes historical context can be pretty annoying I would think. Especially the abuse of the remote control part. It’s cool to do that before hand, as Quentin Tarantino often does with his midnight screenings or whatever. Some Art House Cinemas do this, too.
And finally, pointing out where you’ve seen certain actors before (“Oh that’s the guy/girl from…) Pisses me off so much. Who the hell cares? That defeats the purpose of the entire suspension of disbelief. Stars have to carry their baggage from other characters a little bit, but nobody points out every movie George Clooney’s been in every time his mug pops up. It doesn’t give anyone extra credit recognize actors in movies.
If all these guidelines are obeyed, the filmmakers get what they deserve, an attentive audience, and the viewers get to enjoy a good movie. I say guidelines instead of rules because finding exceptions to rules is always fun. For example, if 30 minutes in you realize you picked a stinker, you and your friend can start Mystery Science Theatering it. Sometimes this is the only way to get through a bad movie, to just make fun of the shit out of it.
