So, my personal touchstone for the "magic of cinema" has always been Lost in Translation. I saw it opening weekend in an actual theater, and the movie is slow and meditative in a way that really forces you to engage with it on its terms...when you see it in an actual theater, without distractions. When you watch it at home, even with the…
So, my personal touchstone for the "magic of cinema" has always been Lost in Translation. I saw it opening weekend in an actual theater, and the movie is slow and meditative in a way that really forces you to engage with it on its terms...when you see it in an actual theater, without distractions. When you watch it at home, even with the best intentions, you'll get distracted during its quieter moments by whatever's going on around you or whatever household chores need to be done, and once that's happened, the entire ambiance of the film is lost. Giving up control of a few hours of your time to a movie is a unique thing, and when it works (to quote Nicole Kidman), it's just magic.
If you're watching something at home, watch in total darkness, there are always distractions around, usually of those things you should do (and then you feel guilty you're not doing them.)
So, my personal touchstone for the "magic of cinema" has always been Lost in Translation. I saw it opening weekend in an actual theater, and the movie is slow and meditative in a way that really forces you to engage with it on its terms...when you see it in an actual theater, without distractions. When you watch it at home, even with the best intentions, you'll get distracted during its quieter moments by whatever's going on around you or whatever household chores need to be done, and once that's happened, the entire ambiance of the film is lost. Giving up control of a few hours of your time to a movie is a unique thing, and when it works (to quote Nicole Kidman), it's just magic.
If you're watching something at home, watch in total darkness, there are always distractions around, usually of those things you should do (and then you feel guilty you're not doing them.)
A good pair of headphones is useful too.