UNSWEET CHARITY

Sitting at the UA Woodland Hills, waiting for “Roxanne,” we patrons were shown a film clip for a charity, followed by ushers going around with collection cans. That blatant pressure reduced my enjoyment of the movie.

The film breaking part way through made me wonder if the projectionist was in one of the other theaters of the multiplex hitting on other unprepared customers instead of watching the projectors.

I will henceforth avoid UA theaters until their ads include some such phrase as, “Extortion will immediately precede all showings.”

Afternoons like this are converting filmgoers into video viewers. It made the (missing) L.A. Times commercials seem pleasant by comparison.

RICHARD ARONSON

Los Angeles