AMC Aviation 12

I went to see “Straight Outta Compton” at AMC Aviation 12 Theater in Linden, NJ, on Friday August 21, 2015, arriving shortly after 5 pm. After confirming to the server at the ticket station that my request indeed was to see the aforementioned movie, the server’s earlier, seeming gregarious countenance became strained. Then, after being told that the show time I requested did not exist, I would have to repeatedly affirm my choice at which point the server finally conceded. The server took my money, initiating the purchase, afterward telling me to show proof of identification. Furthermore, with neither an explanation to the purpose of the server’s demand, nor an offer for a refund, I then noticed the server staring at me with an expression that had transformed into one of disgust. Naturally, when the act of surrendering one’s currency is met with disdain, the instinct is to respond to such an affront to one’s humanity in a way stressing the dire necessity of the offending party to attempt reconciliation. However, that might have been the overall aim: Either to force the termination of my viewing of this film, or to goad a newsworthy spectacle in relation to this film. Consequently, I declined the server’s impromptu demand, now urging efforts of explanation; none was forthcoming. Around this time, I noticed the size of the queue behind me increasing, which compelled my efforts toward peacekeeping. Without any notices visible that would forewarn the new movie-viewing protocol, I forged ahead to try to ferret out some dialogue. I prompted the server to finally say something to me by asking if the measure was due to my age. Finally, offering a makeshift clarification, the server responded to the effect of my suspected criminality being to my possible link to a supposed “underage ticket-scalping ring.” Such a perspective is at best a skewed interpretation of MPAA guidelines. The incredulity that the person accompanying me had toward the server who had just proposed me to be a racketeer, would bring them into the fray. They wondered if sincere patrons of “The Godfather” would have been allowed to be similarly regarded. This person, would ultimately remark that the server’s behavior was “eerily reminiscent of a peculiar institutional behavior.” All the while, in the place of actual attempts toward conflict resolution, all that could be heard from the server were loud and exaggerated scoffs. My company and I would agree that my displaying of identification to disprove my criminality would ultimately be in best interest to ourselves, the morale of other patrons and the overall vibe surrounding the film. I did so, and I regrettably witnessed myself being met with a snarky, “have a nice day,” as I was finally allowed my change and tickets. The whole affair warrants analysis. As per the MPAA guidelines that AMC notes, 17 year olds need guardians 21 years and older to accompany them and guests “may” be asked to show ID for rated-R movies only upon appearing to be 25 years and younger. Furthermore, only “children under than 6 years old” can be refused admittance to such films, and that is after 6pm. With that being said, it would seem that the ID request that “may” be undertaken, is more or less contingent upon the discretion of the theater. I wonder, amidst the overall sardonic exhibition of the server, that if the actual guidelines that are “strictly enforced” center around certain “requisites,” did the behavior that I experienced also derive from and thus also become justified based on a “profile” I fit? Moreover, if mere naiveté were the driving force behind the degradation ceremony I endured, then could that have been my excuse had I abdicated my decorum and responded equivalently? Heretofore, I delighted in AMC’s hosting of such films as the “Hangover” series, the “Saw” series, and also the film “V for Vendetta.” These works tackled such themes as “raunchy sexual encounters,” “bloody violence,” and “political subversion” respectively. There are many more works that I can reflect on, but in all my years of living, I can never recall those themes being enough to warrant such unconscientious behavior from AMC staff. In fact, such themes brought these featured works much acclaim, making it a malfeasance for “Straight Outta Compton” and myself to be concurrently maligned on that day. There must be some other distinction “SOC” carries with it to account for such a disparity. Presently, as “Straight Outta Compton” has enjoyed successive runs atop the box office, I congratulate all parties responsible. I applaud the creators of the film and the fans. A film such as this, like the greater culture that it is a fragment of, is rife with detractors. There are those maintaining close proximity, forcing upon themselves gregarious façades, purposely to shield their insidious intent. They fastidiously avoid being obvious, yet truth submerged always rises. Projects like “SOC” elicit glimpses into the true nature of things. A wise man once said, “If one doesn’t truly understand the nature of certain institutional behaviors, then whatever one may think they know will only confuse them.” It must also be understood, that adroit practitioners of certain types of institutional practices need not refer to you by specific names in order to treat you accordingly.

Imax has reserved seating.

I find it hard to believe that the photo on the opening page for this theater is actually an AMC theater in Seattle and not the one in Linden, New Jersey…

That theater is in alderwood, wa.

Please update, theatre opened June 29, 2007