Don't be late!

We went to a movie this afternoon, so we could be home in time for the BYU/San Diego State Men's Basketball game, and all in all the movie was pretty good.  I'm a Harrison Ford fan so waiting for "Extarodinary Measures" was worth it, or so I thought.  We enjoyed the movie, but the main reason I'm blogging about this event is not the movie, it's what came before it started, right before.  I'm the type of movie goer that always wants to arrive at the theatre early, so we can get a good seat (and of course, get our snacks).  Sometimes I get us there a bit too early, but it's tolerable, if you don't mind watching the local commercials on that endless loop.  I really know more than I want to about garage floor sealants, painless dentists, pool installers, and those movie quizzes that nobody knows the answers to.  Today I was even reminded (endlessly) about the "highest U.S. Army wartime medal," and if you want to know what it is, you'll have to stay tuned.  Back to the movie.  Getting there early, as I said before, is a priority for me, so off we went to the Pine View Cinemas to buy our tickets, load up on snacks, and pick out our seat.  We found that the best seat in the theatre is the top row, where you have extra leg room.  It's really roomy, and you don't have anyone behind you constantly bumping your chair.  This particular theatre decided to save on their electric bill, or whatever, so there was no lighting halfway up the stairs.  For that matter, there wasn't much lighting at all.  I'm not kidding, I could not see my hand in front of my face as we struggled up the steps.  I had to use my cell phone for what little light that provided.  We finally made it up to our seats and awaited our movie.  The movie was to start at 2:05 and at approximately 2:00, up the steps stumbles a lady, and inquires about the seats on the other side of us.  Seriously, you could not see a thing.  We assured her that there were 3 or 4 to my right, so she wedges through the seats, guided by my cell phone light.  She told me she was waiting for her friend who was a bit late (late? She was late!)  Anyway, up the steps stumbled her friend, just before the theatre turned down the rest of the "lights" and she barely made it to her seat, loaded with her cell phone/light and snacks.  I thought that would be it, but here comes my big pet peeve: more people wandered into the theatre, casually looking for a primo seat.  WHAT?  It was now 2:05, and these people expected to find any seat in a dark, three-quarters full theatre.  I don't get it (quoting Erin and Mariah)...why would you go to the movies, especially on opening weekend, and expect to find a seat.  I'm thinking that some of these air heads actually think they will be escorted to a seat, vacated by a sympathetic (and might I add, on time) patron.  It really annoys me.  Get there early, at least while there is still a bit of light, and casual conversation going on.  Now I feel better.