DON’T TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONES DURING “DESPICABLE ME”

In the latest attempt to bring an interactive experience to movie theaters, and at the same time quiet mobile phones in them, Universal Pictures and Best Buy are teaming up to offer a free smartphone app to fans going to see the animated Despicable Me this weekend. The Best Buy “Movie Mode” app will allow users to see a translation of the “dialogue” delivered by the yellow “Minions” during the closing credits. At the same time, according to Best Buy’s online blurb, “The application will also automatically disable the ringer, dim the screen and discourage texting during the film so as not to bother other movie patrons.”