Okay, so this is kind of a throwaway topic, but I was just wondering if any of you, like me, have certain... rituals (for lack of a better word) that you have for watching a movie at home. For example, is there a certain chair you must sit in, a particular beverage you must have at your side? Or maybe the lighting in the room has to be just right. I, for example, won't watch certain movies if I know there will be distractions. When I first saw The Thin Red Line, there were others in the room (I was sharing an apartment) that were not watching the movie, just talking amongst themselves. I thought I could tune them out, but I couldn't and as a result the movie washed over me like a giant tsunami, leaving me with the vaguest of impressions.
I will shut the fuck up now, sorry that was so long-winded, and leave you to (hopefully) fill me in on some of your own viewing habits.
I must always sit directly in front of the screen or I won't watch it
in theaters, there is no chair directly in front, so I sit on the middle-left chair
I'm probably too obsessed with sound. It has to be centered (i.e. I have to be centered). And it has to be loud.
Also, in the theater, I never get concessions unless I'm with someone.
Hehehe yeah that whole apartment scenario has lead to a couple of fist fights in my early University years. My ritual isn't so much of a ritual but a code of ethics:
1.) STFU, 2.) Don't ask me what just happened 3.) STFU 4.) Widescreen or Noscreen 5.) STFU 6.) No crunchy snacks 7.) No external lighting 8.) STFU 9.) If you are going to scream leave the room. 10.) S T F U
But yeah aside from people talking while I am watching a film in the supposed sanctity of my own domicile I am relatively benign when it comes to the enforcement of these ethics. Which is to say I merely chop off the left hand (sinister!) of first time offenders, dang but those Saudis have it down pat. Repeat offenders are converted into confectionery to be purchased by 1st time offenders before they too partake in the offense/confection cycle anew.
i must always be facing the screen, or i won't watch it.
....when watching filmS At NEON MERCURY's house you must:
1.0 not fake laugh at anything
2.0 not speak unless spoken to
3.0 watch the trailer before the feature
4.0 drink decent beer
5.0 make sure I get the recliner
6.0 not crinkle the bag of chips
7.0 no crying
8.0 not walk out and say the film was/is total garbage
9.0 watch the film w/out light
10 applaud my brillaint tastes in film upon my request
11 not quote the dialogue at the same time onscreen characters do so. :roll:
12 not dance like you are in a rave whe generic techno pops up in a film
13 use an ashtray
14 have a good time or at least pretend to are........................ :lying:
Quote from: Anachronismcode of ethics:
1.) STFU, 2.) Don't ask me what just happened 3.) STFU 4.) Widescreen or Noscreen 5.) STFU 6.) No crunchy snacks 7.) No external lighting 8.) STFU 9.) If you are going to scream leave the room. 10.) S T F U
great fuckin' code. I follow that too.
Quote from: NEON MERCURY....when watching filmS At NEON MERCURY's house you must:
1.0 not fake laugh at anything
2.0 not speak unless spoken to
3.0 watch the trailer before the feature
4.0 drink decent beer
5.0 make sure I get the recliner
6.0 not crinkle the bag of chips
7.0 no crying
8.0 not walk out and say the film was/is total garbage
9.0 watch the film w/out light
10 applaud my brillaint tastes in film upon my request
11 not quote the dialogue at the same time onscreen characters do so. :roll:
12 not dance like you are in a rave whe generic techno pops up in a film
13 use an ashtray
14 have a good time or at least pretend to are........................ :lying:
Why do you watch the trailer before the movie ?
maybe the only ritual i have to watch a movie at home is watch it alone..
but yesterday i met a man who told me that he noticed that film fans have a special attitud, for example he said that every film fan he knew use to sit in the 5th or 6th row and in the middle, to have the screen just in front of them, and i realized i use to do exactly the same! and i see for some posts before i was not the only one....
"Why do you watch the trailer first?"
The same reason I eat my green beans before I eat my succulent Turkey bathed in gravy.
The same reason I insist on studying the overhead menu while standing in line at BK everytime. I see where all you pricks are coming from though.. Foreplay isn't for everyone, some just want to go directly for the sex.
Although it's a natural reaction to do so, and I am guilty of it a few times myself, I hate when people ask "what's going on?" or "what just happened?" I just want to scream at them "MAYBE IF YOU FUCKING WATCH THE MOVIE AND STOP ASKING SO MANY GODDAMN QUESTIONS, YOU'D KNOW!"
Only because people ask in the worst movies to talk during. People know (or should know) that not just in my house, but anywhere I'm watching Pulp Fiction, Clockwork Orange, Punch Drunk Love, etc. you are only allowed to laugh at the appropriate times. Unless everyone has seen the movie, it is sacred and all must behold.
I hate especially when people say it sucked immediately afterwards. You can't just say it that fast. That means at one point you decided it sucked and never gave it a chance and you closed off your perspective to it. That's just not cool. Like when I watched PDL with some people immediately after the line "Where to now?" and the as soon as the credits popped up I heard from one unfortunate fool:
"I don't get it, I just wasted 90 minutes of my life."
I would've killed them, but I remembered they liked Buying the Cow, so I knew that they weren't too cultured in moviemaking and overlooked all the cinematography in the movie.
Bastards.
Quote from: Pas RapportWhy do you watch the trailer before the movie ?
maybe he likes to know everything that's gonna happen before he watches it.. a lot of ppl here are into that..
Quote from: Vile5every film fan he knew use to sit in the 5th or 6th row and in the middle, to have the screen just in front of them, and i realized i use to do exactly the same! and i see for some posts before i was not the only one....
That's too close, the best place to sit is 2/3rds of the theater from the screen in the center because that is where the sound mixers are in the dub theater.
But this is about home experiences.
Just this: No lights, No Lip
Quote from: PQuote from: Pas RapportWhy do you watch the trailer before the movie ?
maybe he likes to know everything that's gonna happen before he watches it.. a lot of ppl here are into that..
p, i seriously dig the shit you post on this site
Quote from: BankyQuote from: PQuote from: Pas RapportWhy do you watch the trailer before the movie ?
maybe he likes to know everything that's gonna happen before he watches it.. a lot of ppl here are into that..
p, i seriously dig the shit you post on this site
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nec.co.jp%2Fcs%2Fen%2Fomoi%2Fimage%2Fcs_simbol.gif&hash=e376a9d0e92415d03cb43aecbf3eb7dc57e04447)
I like to sit near the front in the cinema, central but if with others then left of everyone else. If I sit on the right in cinemas, cars etc I get very agitated. In my arts cinema I specify C9 in the small auditorium and D8 in the large one (there's an aisle down the centre, which bothers me). I get upset if there are people sitting in front of me, unless the place is full, when I don't mind.
At home I think I try to replicate this, only I put my feet up. As in the cinema, talking and noise-making depends on the movie.
Quote from: budgieIf I sit on the right in cinemas, cars etc I get very agitated.
so you are a "
right leaner" huh?
You will have to explain that to me.
for big movies and alone, see the movie on slowest day of week (middle of week) and always at the earliest time. Place of seating is always back row. Besides maybe a few people, it feels like you have the place to yourself.
for big movies and w/ friends, doesn't matter about anything.
with indie movies, back row and anytime. no one hardly goes to those around here so I still got the place almost to myself.
~rougerum
For watching at home alone, I pretty much take care of myself. With friends: phones in home must be unplugged, lights off, total concentration demanded (meaning LOOK at the screen at all times, not at your snacks), one bathroom/coffee break allowed if necessary, must sit and discuss for a few minutes afterward.
1) Lights out
2) Pot if you've got it
3) Don't talk during the movie
4) One bathroom break
5) No fucking cell phones
6) Heineken preferably, please
7) Volume up up up
Quote from: coffeebeetle25
2) Pot if you've got it
6) Heineken preferably, please
Nuff said. I'd watch that movie.
Edit: opps. missed it.
Quote from: budgieYou will have to explain that to me.
it's from a Seinfeld episode...sorry, it was my bad joke.
Basically when a couple are sitting down to, say watch a movie, together...you have a preference as to which way you wanna lean into and snuggle one another. Since you said you don't like sittin' on the right side of anything...in this scernerio you would be a right-leaner. Similar to preferences like which side of the bed do you sleep on, what end of the couch to lay your head, or where to sit in a movie theater.
as I said...stupid joke.
Home
Only watch movies when everyone has gone to bed or when everyone has left the house. This way, no noise of dishwashing, talking, etc.
No lights on.
No eating during the movie, especially crunchy food that makes noise.
Watch the whole movie when possible.
Don't start a movie if I'm tired.
Theater
Get to the theater early for a popular new release so I don't get stuck in the first few rows.
Sit in the middle region of the theater.
Have the screen fill my range of vision enough so that I'm immersed in the picture but not so that I have to turn my head to see the sides of the screen.
If it is a movie that won't be crowded, show up in the middle of the trailers.
No eating. (I did buy some popcorn at About Schmidt because I was mad hungry. Tasted like wet styrofoam.)
Don't leave the theater before the house lights even come up.
Watch the credits for credit cookies.
At the theater, I try to find the best seat possible that is as far from anyone else as possible. I hate it when you wind up sitting next to some stranger who has bad breath or BO or who laughs. I usually try to sit in the middle in the lower third of the theater. I never buy concessions, unless I'm really really thirsty (but most of the arthouse theaters have bars in them, so sometimes I take advantage of that -- a strong cocktail and a good movie go well together sometimes).
At home -- well, it's usually when I'm writing or editing and just want something on in the beackground. I'm really bad about watching movies at home. If I'm even the slightest bit tired, I'll have trouble staying awake. If someone's there watching it with me, though, I don't have a problem.
u guys r lucky, im amazed u r able to enforce these kind of strict regulations w/ ur friends when watching movies. i wish i could do the same.
w/ me, i got to watch movies w/ the right ppl. they don't necessarily have to be film buffs, rather ppl who have a decent enough attention span to pay attention and not ask stupid questions or bitch about slow scenes, etc. what bothers me the most is when u have a friend who doesn't pay attention, who will leave the room, answer a cell phone, mow the lawn, do laudry, and then come back an hour later to catch the very last bit, only to comment on how stupid the movie was.
Theater:
- always weekday matinee
- no concessions (except an occasional box of Sour Patch Kids), bring juice
- stay until credits are finished
- leave through back exit
Home:
- preferably late at night
- wear my cowboy pajamas
- no phone
- no lights
- 1 spliff
- 1 tall glass of ice water w/ slice of lime
- if I have to take a break, I rewind it at least five minutes
at home: eyes open, feet up, pink arm chair that is about ten feet from tube, by myself, dimly lit room, volume up loud, door locked, juice for drinking, cat sleeping on the rug (good for the chi)
in theater: eyes open, looking through projection booth window (it is my job to project movies) unless the auditorium is empty (I only watch movies in the auditorium if I am alone) in which I will sit in the back row (I'm talking way back, next to the love seats and handicapped section) with volume cranked up past the number 5 (usually set at 3 1/2)
Quote from: GhostboyI never buy concessions, unless I'm really really thirsty (but most of the arthouse theaters have bars in them, so sometimes I take advantage of that -- a strong cocktail and a good movie go well together sometimes).
Wow.. Ive never been to any cinemas where you can get alcohol.
I usually watch movies at home by myself, because none of my friends like my favourate movies.
I think there are some good points and bad points watching movies with friends who may not be into film as much as you are.
I was watching Human Traffic on sunday night, which I'd seen a few times already.
However two of my friends had also seen it and they dropped off about half way through, after pacing around the loungeroom and playing with things out of bordem.
However, I once got these two 'pacers' to watch Magnolia with me. I knew it was a pretty heavy duty movie , although I hadn't seen it. I was taking a risk seeing it with these guys, but they held out.
And the truth is I probbaly would have taken that movie way more seriously if I saw it on my own, but some moments in it (like the frog falling from sky scene) were just fucking hilairious because we'd gotten delirious by the end of it, it was great.
And there was one scene where the old quiz kid gets out of his car, and the song playing on the radio is "dreaaaaaamss cannn come truee" - I don't know why we thought that was funny but it was the source of laughter for ages afterwards.
Hahaha, ohh, cancer... what will you do next...
it's fun to watch magnolia with a big group of people and laugh at the crazy linda stuff. that scene in the pharmacy, man... it's great because when i watch it on my own, it's heartbreaking and sad, when i watch it with people it's hilarious. "you murrfugger. you mother fucker, how dare you!"
anyway. yes, usually after everybody's gone to bed (however, that means i can't put it on VERY loud which is how i like it). complete darkness, sometimes i'll microwave some leftover chinese and have a dr pepper. other times i'll just put something on when i'm bored and can tune it out whenever i want to talk to somebody or vice versa. if i decide to make an event out of it, i'll watch without interruption, sometimes even when i take piss breaks to make it like the movie. if i'm high or have been drinking, i usually take cigarette breaks, but i'm only high or drinking and going through my process when i'm watching these specific movies. during boogie nights, i have a smoke after macy shoots himself. during magnolia, i'll stop the dvd where my vhs copy used to stop, at the point right before stanley answers the question about the opera carmen (right after his buzzer chimes in). during 2001, i'll have it at the intermission. sometimes you can substitute cigarette break for a microwaved meal or a drink refill, but the break times are always the same because i am completely and totally insane.
Quote from: bonanzatazit's fun to watch magnolia with a big group of people and laugh at the crazy linda stuff. that scene in the pharmacy, man... it's great because when i watch it on my own, it's heartbreaking and sad, when i watch it with people it's hilarious. "you murrfugger. you mother fucker, how dare you!"
I'm a bigger fan of
"Suck...my DICK!"
Quote from: bonanzatazduring boogie nights, i have a smoke after macy shoots himself. during magnolia, i'll stop the dvd where my vhs copy used to stop, at the point right before stanley answers the question about the opera carmen (right after his buzzer chimes in). during 2001, i'll have it at the intermission.
That is just crazy - But hilair. I never really thought about having toilet breaks during movies... but you all seem to have weak bladders.
Ouch. Swift kick to the crotch by the aussie.
My bladder is fine, thank you.
And for the record, I've never agreed with Hitchcock's theory on the human bladder.
Quote from: CinephileOuch. Swift kick to the crotch by the aussie.
My bladder is fine, thank you.
And for the record, I've never agreed with Hitchcock's theory on the human bladder.
Please elaborate.
I can't stand to walk out of a movie or turn one off in the middle. Even if it is a horrible movie I will tough it out.
Quote from: RaviI can't stand to walk out of a movie or turn one off in the middle. Even if it is a horrible movie I will tough it out.
me too
Quote from: tremoloslothQuote from: RaviI can't stand to walk out of a movie or turn one off in the middle. Even if it is a horrible movie I will tough it out.
me too
me 3. thou I have no shame in gettin' comfy and fallin' esleep. But that only happend twice to date.
Godfather III
......&
The 2nd Harry Potter
Quote from: aclockworkjjQuote from: tremoloslothQuote from: RaviI can't stand to walk out of a movie or turn one off in the middle. Even if it is a horrible movie I will tough it out.
me too
me 3. thou I have no shame in gettin' comfy and fallin' esleep. But that only happend twice to date.
Godfather III
......&
The 2nd Harry Potter
I think that's terrible too though
i've never REALLY walked out of anything (not since I was little and got bored by the grown-up movies and went to play the video games in the lobby). i have no qualms about turning a movie off, but only if i REALLY dislike it. recently, i turned off spun about 15 minutes in, i turned off auto focus about 5 minutes before it ended because i couldn't sit through it any more. there are movies that i will turn on cable, they'll keep my attention for 30 mins and then i'll stop watching. there are other movies that have to be watched in more than one sitting. i am still watching the unbearable lightness of being and it's been 3 months. i keep watching five minutes of it and then something comes up. i like it, but it's just too heavy for my tastes. at this point, i don't think i'll bother finishing it. my friend took it back, so, really, i can't unless i go out of my way to rent it.