Fabers in Frisco: Crybaby matinee? Try cry mommy matinee...

Today, Annabel and I went to see a movie at the Angelika Theatre in Plano. This is the theatre that shows mainly independent films that don't usually get the wide distribution deals to play at the big AMC or Cinemark or Edwards theatres. I had seen a promotional flyer that said that they feature a "Crybaby Matinee" on Thursday afternoons. The flyer said that they basically make the theatre, "baby friendly" complete with changing tables, and that they don't turn the lights all the way down so you can keep an eye on your baby. Also, they said that since this showing is specifically for parents with babies, you don't have to worry if your baby starts crying during the film.

Sounds ideal for Annabel and me, right?

Well, folks, the reality is quite different. For one thing, what the Angelika web site lists is a completely different movie and time than what is actually showing at the theatre. It says that the movie starts at 1:15pm. So, knowing that I'll need to get Annabel settled, I arrive at about 12:55pm to buy my ticket. I ask for the 1:15 crybaby matinee showing of Brick Lane, and they look at me like "say what?" Then they inform me that the crybaby matinee is actually at 2:15pm, and that they are showing Then She Found Me. There's nothing else really starting until almost that time either. Great, so I get to hang out for an hour. At this time, Annabel decides she's hungry anyway, and they have a decent lounge. So I head over there and kill about a half hour feeding Annabel. For the rest of the time, I basically check email on my phone and play with Annabel.

Then, about 20 minutes before the movie is set to begin, I go to the restroom to change Annabel (because all of sudden, she smells stinky!). Typically, most places have that koala changing station that hangs from the wall in the largest, handicap-accessible stall. So I head straight for the last stall, and lo and behold, there's an ACTUAL changing table in there! I get excited about it until I discover that it's BROKEN. One corner of the base of the table top has become dislodged and sinks below the edge, so there's no way I'm putting Annabel on that hazard. I look around, and there's pretty much no flat surface except for a tiny bit of countertop next to the last sink. Fortunately, Annabel is still kind of tiny herself, so she barely fits there (also, fortunately, she doesn't really roll yet, so even though I would NEVER let go of her anyway, at least she's not squirmy enough to try to roll off the surface). So I do a quick change and pray that Annabel doesn't poop again while we're there.

Finally, we head to the theatre! It's not crowded, maybe about eight other people there. Now ask me if any of those eight people are or have babies with them. NOPE. I am the only one with a baby at the supposed "crybaby" matinee. Also, mind you, there is no signage to indicate that this is the crybaby matinee. So there's no warning to anyone off the street buying a ticket to this movie that there could be crying babies during the film. Ugh.

Previews begin. Annabel's doing great. She's in my lap, I'm playing with her feet and she's smiling. Movie starts. Annabel's no longer doing great and starts to complain. Not all out crying, but definitely making noise. Great timing, sweetie! Well, the only thing I know to do that will for sure stop her crying is to stick her back on the boob. I hope and pray that she'll latch on, even though she ate only an hour ago. Success! If there's one thing my Annabel is, she's a great breastfeeder. She happily sucks away as the movie goes. I'm pretty sure I'm a human pacifier at this point, because she falls asleep after just a few minutes, but I'm fine with that. I dislodge her, she sleeps for about 15 minutes and then wakes up. I put her back on my lap, and she's content to watch the movie for about another 15 minutes. Then starts complaining again, only louder! Oh well, back to being a paci, Mommy! This time, she falls asleep for the rest of the film. She's so cute when she sleeps, I feel conflicted between watching the movie, and watching her sleep. Good thing I'm an excellent multi-tasker.

The movie itself was OK... I'll save movie reviews for another post. I was just pretty irritated about feeling duped into the whole "crybaby matinee" concept, when it was nothing like they advertised it to be! So, when I got home, I actually wrote an email to Angelika's customer service explaining my frustration. I'll let you know if they respond. I'll be interested to see what they have to say (if anything).

Oh yeah! And just as the movie's ending, Annabel let's me know her opinion of the movie by making a poopie! Instead of dealing with the unfamily-friendly bathroom, I take her back to the car and change her there before going home.

I apologize for the photo-less and video-less post. I'll close with a cute photo of Annabel that has nothing to do with this post, aside from the fact that she's sleeping in it and I talked about her sleeping.