NBC "Parks and Recreation" star Aziz Ansari is currently waging a war of words against Regal, AMC and IMAX theaters, after he was lured to a genuine IMAX experience theater visit and was subsequently jacked an extra five bucks for a slightly larger screen, not a proper IMAX viewing.
Don't mess with Aziz Ansari - he'll blog-orrize you! IMAX is on notice © Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos
Ansari plays Tom Haverford on the new show "Parks and Recreation" which airs Thursdays at 8:30pm on NBC.
He has a blog, "Aziz is bored", and has requested other blogs and news sites "REBLOG THE F*CK OUT OF THIS WARNING" to his fans and unsuspecting theater goers.
Aziz writes: "AMC theaters are running FAKE IMAX's and charging $5 extra for a slightly bigger screen. Boycott IMAX, AMC, and Regal. Don't let them fool you.
Ansari was set off after he entered the theatre only to find it was "slightly bigger than normal screen and NOT the usual standard huge 72 ft IMAX screen."
Aziz writes: "I was very upset and apparently this problem is happening all over at Regal and AMC theatres."
Aziz apparently researched online and found "IMAX is whoring out their brand name and trying to trick people." Aziz adds,"These new 'IMAX' theatres are really just nice digital screens with good sound, but they ARE NOT IMAX, in that they don’t have the huge 72 ft gigantic screen which people would expect. However, they still charge $5 more for tickets as they would for the regular IMAX."
Aziz has branded the Regal, AMC, and IMAX chains as "liars." He is asking fans to "boycott" the theaters.
To say Aziz is upset with IMAX is an understatement, and he quotes IMAX CEO, Richard Gelfond, who defended his IMAX decision to attach the name to smaller screens, claiming he puts IMAX digital systems into multiplex auditoriums that meet certain criteria. Aziz writes, "He jokingly said, 'It’s a very scientific test. It’s called the ‘wow’ factor. So if you don’t go in and go ‘wow,’ we won’t do it.' HAHAHA! REALLY FUNNY RICHARD!!!! What happens if I go in the theatre and go “This isn’t a f*cking IMAX screen, I just got ripped off for $5!!” Do I get my money back?"
Ansari Twitters and M&C follows him; this morning he twitters: "IMAX you a**holes! Another 2 points for me! IMAX is now a "trending topic" on twitter and SlashFilm picked it up - http://bit.ly/gRAJY "
He laid out the entire customer service script, (which shows his incessant complaining at least scored him a couple of free movie tickets) on his blog as a warning to others:
From Aziz is Bored:
Aziz: Yes, I’d like my $5 back. I paid $5 extra for an IMAX screen and that’s not nearly as big as what I have known IMAX to be.
Guest Services: I can’t sir. Its IMAX quality picture and sound.
Aziz: But the screen isn’t big, that’s the whole reason I pay $5 more for IMAX.
Guest Services: Well sir, you watched the whole movie, you could have come out and we could have given you tickets to a different one.
Aziz: Why would I do that? I’d leave Star Trek, the movie I wanted to see and you’d give me a ticket for Ghosts of Girlfriends Past? Oh yeah that’s fair! No, you need to give me the $5 back, its the principle of it. Can I see a manager?
Manager: Sir, we can’t refund the money, you saw the whole film.
Aziz: I don’t want $15, I just want $5 cause AMC lied about IMAX.
Manager: Sir, I can give you popcorn and a drink.
Aziz: I don’t want to go home and drink a nasty soda and eat nasty ass popcorn. I want my $5 back. Its not about the money, its the principle of the matter, ITS NOT IMAX.
Manager: Sorry, I can’t do anything.
Aziz: You know what Twitter is? I have 25,000 followers, I’m tell 25,000 people you run fake IMAX’s and that they should boycott AMC.
Manager: I don’t really care sir.
Aziz: Yeah, I wouldn’t care either if I worked here, but you know you are in the wrong! You should give me $5!!
Manager: SIR, I CAN GIVE YOU POPCORN AND A SODA.
Aziz: I DON’T LIKE POPCORN AND I DON’T LIKE SODA, I WANT MY $5!!!
Manager: Ok here’s two free passes.
Enjoy one of Monsters and Critics favorite Ansari moments on "Flight of the Conchords":
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