Loren Pechtel

And what is an R-rated movie going to do to a 7-month old baby?! Nothing!

Loren Pechtel

Good point. I doubt the baby will react much to the movie itself, but the volume level....

wildernesse

It's not going to do anything to a 7-month-old (and probably nothing to older children either for that matter)--it's what I'm going to do to the parents of a kid who won't be quiet (or still) while I'm trying to enjoy myself at a movie.

--tibac

echidna

There's a few cinemas in Melbourne which specifically run baby-friendly sessions for parents, so the movies are for grown-ups but noisy toddlers are less likely to be frowned on. Just a thought.

Viti

How about the drive in? Or are there so few of those left you don't have one?

Hedwig

I'd agree that the sound level is a definite issue. Theatres inevitably tend to crank up the volume far more than necessary (I'm speaking as someone who spent her teenage years working in one.) If you do decide to go, you might want to look into something that would shield the kid from the sound.

crab juice

That shit is LOUD. I took my 6-month-old daughter to a preview of Titan A.E. , late at night, only after my friend assured me that his friend used to bring his infant all the time. I spent the whole movie with my hands clapped over my baby's ears. I would have left if my friend hadn't driven me there.

I'm just now thinking of taking her to a movie, Finding Nemo actually, I think 3 1/2 might be old enough. I believe it's too much to ask of most little kids to sit still and quiet for the length of a movie, and there are few things more distracting and annoying than a fidgety little kid in a movie you're trying to enjoy. Wait for rental is my vote.

scarmig

We had some asshole bring her infant to a 7pm showing of Matrix Reloaded. Naturally when the shit hit the fan, the kid screamed her guts out.

Now, I'm a new parent too, and we had scheduled a babysitter to watch our spawn just so we could go see this movie. I was terminally pissed.

Finally the kid started screaming during one of the talking points and about 3 of us screamed at her to take her kid out, and which point she got all offended and left in a huff.

Matinee showing of a kid's flick should be fine, but take the usual precautions: Make sure the baby is tired, well-fed, and sound-insulated, and sit next to the door so you can leave if necessary.

brighid

My son's first movie experience was at about 3 1/2 and we saw the Amazing Panda Adventure. It was a matinee show during the middle of the week and I was glad few people were in the theatre. Although he was relatively quiet he couldn't sit still and kept running up and down the aisle we were sitting in. He sat still for a while, but it was just too much for him. I think I waited another year before we did that again. Although we went to Germany 2 years later and what a big difference that was. He sat through an 8 hour trans-atlantic flight quietly and the stewardesses just loved him ... especially considering the other children on the flight that were a bunch of damned monsters.

I would suggest what others have ... if you want to actually enjoy the movie experience it might be best to leave that sweet one at home. The noise level really is too loud, although it won't be as bad as something like the Matrix. If she is asleep, well fed, dry, etc. you might be able to get away with it - such as at nap time. Definately do the matinee if you can. Although, children at that age often sleep through very stimulating experiences like that. When my son was 9 months old I took him to a Fourth of July fireworks show ... it was dark by time we got our spot and I had no idea we were close to the where they shot off the damned fireworks. He slept through the entire thing. He didn't even flinch! I think I was just lucky though.

Good luck. I hope you get to see the movie. Maybe you and your wife can make some agreement where the other watches your daughter for a few hours, while each of you takes part in a much desired activity alone every once and a while.

Brighid

Kinross

I say bring the kid. A baby crying is no more annoying than the adults talking. I'll be enjoying a movie in my quiet home.