How about a standing ovation....for the big screen?

So I went to the movies last night to watch the new Underworld movie. For the most part the audience was fine, but there was one thing (other than the cell phone that went off) that really got on my nerves. It must be a sci-fi/fantasy thing in general, since I've had to put up with it when I've gone to see Lord of the Rings and Star Wars movies as well.

What am I talking about? People applauding the movie. Okay, honestly, what is the deal with people clapping in movie theatres? Its annoying, people. Stop it.

I could understand if Quintin Tarrantino was sitting in the theatre with you as you watched Kill Bill. Applause would be appropriate in that case, since there would be someone there to receive that applause. Applause at the end of an opera or broadway show is fine as well, as the actors are in the theatre with you. But in a movie theatre, you're applauding a freaking screen. The people you're applauding are NOT THERE, and don't know you're applauding them. So quit doing it. It doesn't make sense, and it annoys those of us without our head up our ass.