Man shot for talking at the movies

[Ricordanza]

Here's the latest in a series of events (trampling to death at Wal-Mart, shooting rampage by man in a Santa suit, etc.) that are not in keeping with the holiday spirit (and note what the shooter did after the shooting!):

Moviegoer charged with shooting another
By Barbara Boyer

Inquirer Staff Writer

A South Philadelphia man enraged because a family was talking during a Christmas showing of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button decided to deal with the situation by shooting the father, police said.

James Joseph Cialella Jr., 29, of the 1900 block of South Hollywood Street, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons violations.

His alleged victim, whom police did not identify, was shot in the left arm. He was treated at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

"It's truly frightening when you see something like this evolve into such violence," said police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore, "that something like this leads to a shooting in a movie theater."

Police were called to the United Artists Theatre Riverview Plaza in the 1400 block of Columbus Boulevard about 9:30 p.m., less than an hour into the filmed adaptation of an F. Scott Fitzgerald short story that stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett.

As the story of a man's aging backward unfolded on the screen, drama among the spectators erupted when Cialella grew angry that a family sitting in front of him was talking too loudly, Vanore said.

Cialella told the family to be quiet and threw popcorn at a boy who had been talking to his father. The father, 31, exchanged words with Cialella, who got out of his seat and came around the aisle to confront the family, Vanore said.

The father stood, shielding his family, Vanore said. The argument turned physical. Cialella then pulled a black handgun and shot the father, sending others in the crowded theater running for safety, according to police.

Vanore said Cialella then returned to his seat and continued watching the movie. [!]

The victim and witnesses were able to identify the gunman, who was confronted in the theater by police. Vanore said officers found a Kel-Tec .380-caliber handgun on Cialella, who was taken into custody and charged.

[Guitarist]

It might be better to notify an usher rather than shooting the offender!

[GK]

Of the three offenses listed, the last is the one I'm most in sympathy with.

[Ralph]

That movie is 167 minutes. The cops should have handcuffed him and let him see the rest of the flick.

[absinthe]

It might be better to notify an usher rather than shooting the offender!

We have them in our cinemas. They go round saying " 'ush, 'ush," when they catch people talking.

[Madame]

It might be better to notify an usher rather than shooting the offender!

We have them in our cinemas. They go round saying " 'ush, 'ush," when they catch people talking.

That 'ardly ever 'appens 'ere

[jbuck919]

That sound you just didn't hear was Corlyss explaining why this sort of thing (not to mention all the other holiday crimes we've been hearing about) does not justify stricter gun control.

[karlhenning]

I'm strictly a DVD-at-home man.

Cheers,
~Karl

[Chalkperson]

[Barry]

Hey ... this is a tough town!!

[Chalkperson]

[karlhenning]

I'm strictly a DVD-at-home man.

Me too, I go to the movies once a year, this year it was Charlie Wilson's War...

Apart from new concerns about whether someone in the crowded cinema may be carrying a piece . . . sound systems have gotten very loud. I'd have to find my ear-plugs before I go out to a movie.

Charlie Wilson's War was one of the first titles I Netflixed . . . .

Cheers,
~Karl

[RebLem]

Whenever I encounter a situation like this, I simply go to the theater lobby and demand my money back. It gets their attention, I can assure you.

Twenty one days left until the restoration of constitutional government in the USA.

[Chalkperson]

[Ralph]

Whenever I encounter a situation like this, I simply go to the theater lobby and demand my money back. It gets their attention, I can assure you.

Twenty one days left until the restoration of constitutional government in the USA.

*****

I demand a large buttered popcorn for which the price is larceny in and of itself.

[Barry]

I see a movie at the theater where this happened maybe once a year or so. I'll have to start wearing a bullet-proof vest when I go there.

[Anton Webern]

Maybe if they ushered like they were being told to, this wouldn't have happened. You can act without manners and probably get away with most of the times, but sooner or later you are bound to meet the crackpot with the gun. Then what?

[IcedNote]

It's a shame that violence is pretty much the only thing that gets anyone to listen these days.

-G