Ritz 16 in Vorhees---Incident on Saturday, April 25th

Well, despite our previous poor experience at the Ritz Vorhees 16 on April 18th, my wife and I ventured out there once again on April 25th---this time with the assurance from Mark Elson, City Manager for New Jersey and Pennsylvania, that there would be increased 'usher patrols' in place based on my email to him last week.

We went to a 9:35 showing of the Soloist. We got there early, stood in line, and were admitted to the theater (Theater #9 I believe) at approximately 9:00. We sat in the very last row of the theater, chatted a bit, and I ate my popcorn anxiously as the theater filled, anxiously awaiting the noisy, rude and inconsiderate patron who would undoubtedly sit right across from me.

At approximately 9;15, a man of about 25 and his girlfriend made their way a few rows to the right and down from us--he proceeded to serenade his girlfriend with some kind of romantic tune (I couldn't make it out), About 5 minutes later, 4 teenage boys made their way up to the last row, and somehow, I knew this would be the prize winning group.

I was right, as they chatted and texted before the lights went out, during the previews, and during the movies.

One of the young men, apparently not wishing to disturb the crooner and his girlfriend in front of him, decided to direct his cell phone to his left--thereby shining it into the eyes of a middle aged man on the aisle, who after a few minutes of this crap, suddenly snapped his fingers at the kid, and told him he was disturbing him and told him to shut it off. Amazingly, the kid did so--at least for the next hour.

Of course, no usher was ever seen in the theater, and I half expected one to come up and escort the man out, not the kids.

Once again, I implore the Ritz 16 to do something about this---an announcement prior to the movie that cell phone usage will not be tolerated would help. Having an usher come in once in a while (as promised by Mr. Elson) would also help.

As for me, I'm getting closer and closer to calling it quits.

My wife and I easily spend $1,500 at the Ritz each year ($18 per week x 52 weeks, plus $12 in snacks). A big screen TV with some theater chairs in our basement may be the next best thing for us.