>>>>Works for me.
>>>
>>>Last time in the US when it worked for me was when I pulled a dirty trick. I asked the girl who sold the tickets, "when does the movie really begin?". She told me "15 minutes later than it says".
>>>
>>>So I waited outside, just having fun with my daughters. We went in with just enough time to find seats while the last ad was booming from the screen. No popcorn, no zuckerwasser, just the movie. Unfortunately, it was the disneyfied "Hitchhiker guide", which had most of the fun chopped out. The redeeming moment is the one gag that was a deep in-joke, for aficionados who would notice. We did, and laughed out loud. Nobody else did, and I've seen many faces turning in our direction. That was the second redeeming moment.
>>>
>>>Perhaps I may find that movie again and watch it, just to see if I'd get that same gag again.
>>
>>All true about movie theaters in the U.S., although I don't think it rises to the level of national disorder. I routinely show up at movies 10 minutes after the posted time. Works for me. Now if there were just movies worth going to that aren't released in awards season I would be fully content.
>
>That's why I'm so happy to have Alamo Drafthouse and Flix in my area. Real food, real drinks (and a nice selection of local beers), no commercials and (usually) no kids - or what kids are brought are made to behave. If they don't, they (and their parents) leave. No talking or texting during the movie - people around you WILL complain to management and you get one warning, then you're outta there if you continue.
>
>Google Alamo Drafthouse PSA on YouTube if you want some giggles

One of my favorite movies is "The Last Picture Show", based on a book by Larry McMurtry (a true Texan from west Texas). It is set in a dying oil town where everyone's dreams have either died or been moved hopefully into the future. The cast is like a character actor hall of fame. Of course, being 16 when it came out, the main actress was Cybill Shepherd, who was kind enough to bare her breasts.