There has been some good discussion going on here lately about the pros and cons of watching a movie at an actual movie theater, or at home on a decent TV and sound system.
Some people on here have talked about how they much prefer to wait for films to come out on DVD so they can watch them at home. They also raise some very good points about why they enjoy this more:
1) No people talking
2) No babies crying (unless you have one at home)
3) Much cheaper snacks
4) No parking issues
5) Less expensive than buying tickets
6) No sticky floor (depending on your personal Hygiene)
7) No line-ups
8) No one kicking the back of your seat
There are more… but I think I covered the major reasons.
For me personally though… no matter how good home theater systems get, nothing will ever replace the experience of going to the movies for me.
To me, going to a movie should be an event. I like getting ready to go out. I like buying tickets (although I’m not thrilled with the price of them these days). I like being with a crowd, laughing with a crowd, seeing a crowd all jump at the same time or scream at the same time. I like hearing the buzz before a film. I like all the talk about the movie I hear people having after the credits roll. I like the over priced sub-par popcorn.
For me, something is lost on the EXPERIENCE of watching a film for the first time when you do it sitting in the same living room that you sit in all day, on the same TV (no matter how awesome it is) that you watch the evening news on, without a crowd of people or the general atmosphere of a theater.
I’ll always enjoy “going out” to a movie. I want my movie to feel like an event, an occasion. Watching them at home just isn’t the same for me.
Still… I can TOTALLY see where people like Richard and Logboy are coming from when they say they prefer watching them at home. It’s all subjective I guess.
Which do you prefer? And Why?
