Movie blogger calls 911 over phone use at screening

TORONTO — A movie blogger irate about cellphone usage during a Toronto International Film Festival screening called 911 to report the offense.

At a midnight screening Monday, FirstShowing.net blogger Alex Billington became increasingly annoyed by constant texting and emailing at a screening for press and film industry members.

He first complained to theater managers who he claimed said working press could use their phones during a screening and “told me I should go to only public screenings if I don’t like phones used.”

Unsatisfied, Billington took the extreme step of dialing the police.

He said the emergency dispatcher laughed at his complaint, but Billington took to Twitter to vent his anger. He claimed to be concerned that the movie, the horror film “The Sacrament,” was being pirated, and that “drastic measures” were called for in restoring moviegoing etiquette.

“I’m just trying to fight the good fight,” wrote Billington, “even if others don’t agree with my methods.”

Billington’s Twitter tirade got mixed reaction across social media to which he responded via Twitter, “Ya I overreacted made heat of moment gaffe, should’ve called police dpt. Mea culpa. Full respect for responders, no intention to waste time.”