We don’t go to the movies very often, but when we do it’s normally to the Vue in Hartlepool. We like this particular multi-plex because there’s normally only a handful of people at the screenings we attend. After all these years I am amazed how they stay in business.

Anyway, on Tuesday we went to see The curious case of Benjamin Button as Jennifer likes to catch all the films nominated for the best picture Oscar. When we arrived at the cinema we noticed that Vue is now offering some “Over 18 only” screenings of films that are of lower ratings. Apparently we the public have demanded this. To a certain extent I’d agree with this. My biggest complaint about going to the movies is all the other people. They annoy me with their rustling, chewing, talking and over enthusiastic laughing (Hey, it’s not that funny). Under 18s are in no way the only culprits but excluding them is a start. Given that they won’t do special “Peter only” screenings I suppose it’s the best I’m going to get in the circumstances. I should mention here that these ‘speical’ showings come at a premium of 50p extra per ticket.

So, on Tuesday night the only showing of Benjamin Button was one of those with an age limit. We therefore had to cough up our extra 50p each. By now you may be wondering what I’m complaining about – it was only 50p each after all. Well I shall tell you. It’s the fact that when we normally go we have most of the auditorium to ourselves. Usually there’s a handful of people and they are mostly adults. This last Tuesday was no exception. Yes, on that cold, wet, dark Tuesday evening in February we paid 50p extra for precisely… nothing.