The correct way to watch a movie:
In a packed theater with stadium seating, plenty of leg room, a giant screen and on opening night.
People who talk during a movie, watching a movie on an iPhone, streaming on your computer…this is all crap.
In a movie theater.
There do not need to be a lot of people.
There does need to be a lot of leg room. (that’s nicest anyway)
Stadium seating always preferable.
It does not need to be on opening night. (not everyone can make opening night)
With an open mind. And no expectations.
The Arclight is where it’s at.
AMC is for fools.
Arcllight rocks. I agree.
And I’m talking Arclight Hollywood.
Don’t give me that Pasadena or Sherman Oaks bullcrap.
And don’t even get me started on “Beach Cities”.
Hollywood is nice. But if I want to see the damn film and I can’t go to Hollywood, I’m going elsewhere.
I have no idea where Beach Cities is.
El Segundo.
aka the devil’s playground.
Jazz, your question might be better framed as: Are there more and less productive ways of watching a film?
The answer to that to that is certainly yes, and it certainly depends on what you are watching.
The wrong way to watch a movie : Struggling to stream through a crappy internet connection because your brother can’t be assed to move out of line of sight of the den television.
Last time I saw a movie at the Arclight, the curve of the screen was just enough that the bounce off the left side of the screen if it was brighter than the right hand of the composition (or vice versa) would dull out the detail of the darker portions of the image….BOOOOOOOOO!
With your eyes closed.
Last time I saw a movie at the Arclight, the curve of the screen was just enough that the bounce off the left side of the screen if it was brighter than the right hand of the composition (or vice versa) would dull out the detail of the darker portions of the image….BOOOOOOOOO!
Sue them.
watching a movie with your butt just doesn’t work.
trust me, guys. i tried just about every conceivable method.
^ Not even with the surveillance camera stuck in it? Geez. False advertising is rampant these days.
There is no wrong way, only wrong movies – I’m gonna watch one of those now !
that was the wrong night to go to that bela tarr retrospective
A wrong movie? lol
“Sue them.”
HAHA…good call, especially given the recent suit brought against DRIVE for not having enough driving in it (uh, spoilers?)
^ exactly! :D
OK. I was thinking of this question in a totally different way from the answers so far—not to say that the answers are wrong. Most of the answers suggest that the question dealt with the environment or conditions for watching movies. I was mostly thinking of one’s approach and state of mind going into a film. But again, answering the question in relation the physical environment is alos interesting as well.
What are some examples? Ironically, one comes to mind that Robert often chides me for—looking for developed characters in a genre movie. (Did I get that right, Robert?) If I understand Rober correctly, the extent to which a film develops a character is irrelevant in certain types of movies, so to watch a movie with this expectation in mind is inappropriate. (I disagree with Robert about this—at least from some of the films that I criticized for this reason! :)
@DBL
Jazz, your question might be better framed as: Are there more and less productive ways of watching a film?
OK, I can live with that.
The answer to that to that is certainly yes, and it certainly depends on what you are watching.
How about some examples?
@Santino
In a packed theater…
I don’t usually do this, and I’m not sure it dimiinishes the experience. For action, horror films or comedies a crowded theater might add to the experience, but I’m usally watching low-key dramas, artfilms, etc. Do you think a big audience would positively impact one of those types of films. I definitely think the a crowded theater increases the chances of someone talking or doing something distracting, and that’s a huge turn off.
^ I’ve come to intensely dislike huge crowds in my old age, so I prefer not to deal with them when possible.
Watching a movie with not a lot of people in the theater can be pretty nice, I think.
A wrong way is always with a significant other that isn’t interested in the movie.
^ ha!
Jazz, you point about expectations is certainly an example. There was a time when I was young when I wouldn’t put up with anything camp. I just saw it as stupid and certainly artless. But later, with different expectations and understanding, I realized that I was wrong on both counts. There is also the issue of picking the right time to see something. If you are tired and just want to be amused, you better not choose something that is only rewarding if you fully engage with it.
“Do you think a big audience would positively impact one of those types of films. "
Yes. Obviously action, horror, and comedy gets enhanced with a group. But I do believe this can be applied to all kinds of movies. Think about dramatic, emotional films. If you experience it in a packed house, I think the emotional experience is enhanced. I saw The Tree of Life opening weekend to a sold out theater and I think it was enhanced. And also when I saw those films last year at AFI Fest – seeing it in a huge theater with lots of people made the experience better (even if the film sucked).
I guess I should clarify that when I say a packed theater, it’s with the assumption that the crowd is full of respectful, quiet adults. If you go to a giant multiplex full of kids, well, I’m not advocating that experience at all! I guess us Los Angeles folks are just lucky because there are theaters here that negate a lot of the issues of people talking, ringing cell phones, and snotty children.
However, at LACMA, I’ve experienced a drop kick dog in someone’s bag barking.
That’s always good.
drunk.
“streaming on your computer…this is all crap.”
What does that even mean? Why is streaming a film from your computer a mistake when it’s the only fucking possible way MANY A-TIMES to watch a film? Please, do explain to me how much of a crap I’m letting off each time I’m viewing a film this way through my computer.
@DBL
Jazz, you point about expectations is certainly an example. There was a time when I was young when I wouldn’t put up with anything camp. I just saw it as stupid and certainly artless. But later, with different expectations and understanding, I realized that I was wrong on both counts.
Yeah. This is the reason I think you should strive to know what a film is really about and what it’s going for before you really judge the film.
If you are tired and just want to be amused, you better not choose something that is only rewarding if you fully engage with it.
Agreed. Saying such a film sucked in such conditions is probably not fair, either.
@Santino
I think you make some valid points—although I can imagine seeing Tree of Life in a crowded theater might not be so pleasant—especially if you have people walking on in droves or snoring (ha!).
Jazzaloha
Before I begin—Yes, Santino, I’m bored. :)
I don’t know, I think this could be an interesting topic to discuss. Are there wrong ways to approach a film, or is there no such thing? And if there are wrong ways to a watch a movie, that implies that there are correct ways to watch a movie. If so, what the correct ways to watch a film?