Picking your movie seat and not standing in line for hours

I have become a big fan of movie theaters that let you pick out your seat when purchasing your ticket online or at the theater. Yes, you can do that once inside any movie theater. Sometimes you get those coveted middle seats, just far enough away from the screen, but not too far. But think about all the popular films you've attended. Did you have to show up hours early to get in line to get a decent seat?

I bought my tickets for The Avengers — a movie the whole family can't wait to see — yesterday. I'll drive a little farther, but I know I'll be seated in the center in the row I preselected. I won't need to stand around for hours to get my preferred seat. I'll show up just early enough to put in my snack order. And that makes for one happy Movie Mama.