So I'm searching for a solution to an age old problem. When you're in public and someone's child is misbehaving and the parents won't discipline them, what can you do?

Here's the scenario I encountered on Saturday night. I went to an 8:30 PM screening of Cars at Bridgeport Village. While the movie is geared towards animation lovers of all ages, a tot sitting ten feet away was bored out of his skull. No amount of NASCAR in-jokes or Volkswagen "bugs" could deter him from loudly babbling through the whole thing. His father made a few half-hearted attempts to keep him quiet but completely gave up during the final 30 minutes. At the point, the brat started banging on a metal barrier in front of his seat. I could contend with this sort of thing if I'd made the mistake of going to a weekend matinee but an evening show? What sort of sociopath brings a grumpy child to a movie past his bedtime?

Fortunately, the theater's sound system drowned out most of the brat's running commentary. Unfortunately, neither myself or the predominantly adult crowd in attendance did anything to discourage his endless banter. Dealing with his inconsiderate parents directly would have only resulted in a "HOW DARE YOU TELL ME HOW TO RAISE MY CHILD" or a similarly outraged response. Usually I would change seats but the theater was nearly sold out.

So what would you do, given the circumstances? Complain to the management? Leave and demand your money back? Hog tie the kid with Red Vines?