Hands Up

Of all the insults pepetrated on movie reviewers, here's the latest and most pernicious:
On attending almost all screenings at regular movie theaters in Manhattan, and occasionaly at movie companies' screening rooms, you are subjected to these annoyances:

(1) Stand in line to have your bags searched for cameras and cell phones with cameras and recording devices.
(2) Be wanded by security personnel on the way into the auditorium, just as you are when you're passing through airport security, and
(3) Put up with roaming security guards in the theater who are (a) looking for people with cell phones who are recording the movie, or (b) scanning the theater with an infrared scanner that can be seen and distract you while you're watching the movie.
At several recent screenings, security guards interrupted the viewing so they could tell people to leave the theater because they were suspected of recording, or inquired if someone had a cell phone on their person.
At one screening, the guard actually got into a conversation with the viewer, a real nuisance if you're trying to keep track of a movie.
Reviewers are spoiled when they see movies in screening rooms, but even they have been invaded by security guards. Last week, one stood at the back of the screening room, checking out viewers and walking in and out of the room.
It's enough to dampen any enjoyment and concentration.
Unfortunately, too many of these security guards are humorless and seem to be taking their jobs ultra seriously, to the detriment of reviewers feeling free in pursuing what should be a pleasant occasion. I realize that movie companies lose many millions to piracy, but this Big Brother encroachment can't be the best means of preventing loss.
And just an FYI to these security folks: I don't own a cell phone, so relax.