When the Lights Go Down, We're All the Same

What does a teen taking a fateful final swim in the ocean, two dogs who steal a kiss while sharing a bite of spaghetti, and an astronaut rediscovering the statue of liberty have in common?  They all share two things.  First is they’re all iconic moments from iconic movies.  The second is I believe its better to view these movies on the big screen.

The movie theater is a great source of many things.  Viewing movies on a big screen chiefly among them.  It’s a different experience to see an image projected on a massive screen with friends and strangers alike then it is to watch the same thing at home.  With the invention of digital projection and blu ray releases the argument for quality can be set aside.  Personally I prefer the quality of the big screen but that’s another point.  

While home video is enjoyable, part of what is missing is the magic.  The magic amplifies the emotion of watching the movie, almost like experiencing it.  Can you imagine how much more fate of Janet Leigh in Psycho is when it crosses on the big screen?  Or how much more exciting the anticipation is of Tim Curry’s introduction in The Rocky Horror Picture Show?  Yes those moments and thousands like them can be seen from the comfort of one’s couch but seeing them in a darkened auditorium with family, friends, and strangers and sound booming from all directions heightens the senses making the moment that much more enjoyable.

Also going to the movies connects everyone.  It doesn’t matter what your gender, age, religion, skin color, and sexual orientation happen to be.  For the run time of the movie, those watching it are drawn together for a common cause.  One’s gender, age, religion, skin color, and sexual orientation really shouldn’t matter, it’s what makes us human.  However during the course of the movie it really doesn’t matter.  From the second the lights go down till the second the end credits roll we’re all the same.  We are there to watch, no experience something together.  It doesn’t matter if you know the person sitting three seats over or not you both are sharing a common thread.

Of course I say going to the big screen is the way to watch a flick!  I’m always happy to have you join me for this experience.

Non traditional, Traditional Movie Habits

I’m sure we all have are own traditional movie viewing habits.  For example every year after, the week after Thanksgiving, I host a viewing of 1947’s Miracle on 34th St (my second favorite Christmas movie.)  I also tend to watch John Carpenter’s Halloween around October 31st and a Jason Voorhees usually makes its way across my television screen around the time the calendar states its Friday the 13th.

However I have other traditional movie viewings, outside of the holidays and fun calendar days.  

For the past few summer’s I have found myself enjoying Roger Corman’s cult classic Piranha, around the time the pool opens.  It’s a fun summer movie to watch after a swim.  

During the summer months I tend to put on Gravity and some disaster movie such as Volcano, The Day After Tomorrow, or San Andreas.  Also around the summer solstice I put on the summer blockbuster Mad Max Fury Road.  I figure the desert sun/heat in that movie is a great way to celebrate the longest day of the year.

When fall hits and football season starts I celebrate with a viewing of Silver Linings Playbook.  Though not a football fan I enjoy the rom com with all its quirks.

After new years I tend to watch Alien.  In fact this year I did so with a big screen viewing.  I enjoy the cold of space during the cold of winter.  

Speaking of cold if I’m stuck inside with snow I tend to watch some of the long movies such as Zero Dark Thirty or the David Lean epic Bridge over the River Kwia.  Also during the snow I watch the Jake Gyllenhaal thriller Nightcrawler.  I’m not sure why but I enjoy it.

When spring comes around I watch the Kevin Costner sports flick Draft Day.  It’s not the greatest movie but always fun to watch.  

What are you’re non traditional viewing habits during the year? Anything to celebrate back to school or the start of winter break?