We went to see V for Vendetta this weekend, and boy was I not surprised when the movie was once again spoiled for me.

Yea - I am a very anal movie goer, and I get irritated by annoyances in the cinema more easily than the average folk, but I simply like to experience a movie as the director intended. But lately, I think, most cinema goers seem to think that they are in the comfort of their own lounge!

The cinema was practically empty, but as my luck has it, the only tossers sitting behind us were joking and commenting on the damn movie all the way through. Good lord! If they wanted to see a comedy, they should have gone to see Big Momma's House 2! And then some other person starts talking on their cell phone again! Usually I have a 3 shush limit. Yep! After I have to shush you for the third time, I get nasty. But this time I didn't even bother, because the movie was already spoiled by the steady boom boom booming base coming from a pool club below us.

Yes, throughout the entire movie, we, the paying viewers, had to contend with loud music invading the cinema from below. And all this is after we already had to move seats to the other side of the cinema, because one of the right surround speakers was blown and rattling, again!

I think the pool club is directly below cinema 7 in Gateway, and the cinema management must be aware of this. So why do they still sell us tickets to defective shows? I've fought with the management before, and the only way of getting to them is by insisting on getting a full refund in cash. Complimentaries mean nothing to them. But off course when you come out of the late show, there's no-one but the sweeper left to take the brunt of your frustrations.

Ster Kinekor and NuMetro are trying to wage a war against movie piracy. But they certainly are not going to any effort to ensure that our experience at their cinema is an excellent one. Out-of focus screenings, surround sound that continues to be faulty and is never set up correctly, disrespectful cinema goers, crying babies, cell phones, and now noisy pool club intrusions don't seem to be at the top of the Cinema's list of priorities. Ripping us off with over priced and compulsory munchies at their concession stands is much more important!

I've had enough! I have a small, 60 watt Yamaha surround sound system at home that cost me R4000 and a 74cm TV. I continually get a better quality viewing experience at home with superior sound quality. I don't need the cinema anymore. In fact, I only go when there is something really special showing. I don't support piracy either - I can wait for the DVD's to hit the video shops.

I have vitality, so it doesn't cost me mush to go to the cinemas. But I'll gladly pay R60 for a quality screening.