Media Chatter

When I was young, my parents kept movies that my brother and I weren’t supposed to watch right along with the ones we could.  I guess you could say it was a kind of “honor system.”  It worked for a while, at least for me.  I was about 10 or 11 when I got the guts to watch one I shouldn’t. 

 The movie I chose was Blame it on Rio;  it was a very strange story about a man who has a brief sexual relationship with the daughter of his best friend.  She was legal age, though.  It had Michael Caine and Demi Moore, among others.  Made in 1989, it wasn’t an all together bad movie.  It was rated R, mostly due to brief topless nudity, sexual language, and swearing. 

Anyway, I remember being so scared that I would be caught watching this movie.  So scared, in fact, that I had rewinded it exactly to the same point it had been before I watched it.  Because my older brother and I were confidants, he had already informed me all I needed or even wanted to know about sex.  Therefore, the content was altogether unknown to me.  I think it was more the attraction of the forbidden that coerced me to watch the movie.  I believe it is this thrill of the forbidden that attracts people to many movies.  Movies, and television in general, allow us to live vicariously through the characters and experience things we’d never do in reality. 

After watching this movie, and getting away with it, I went on to watch the other “forbidden” movies on our shelf.  There was Sliver, Basic Instinct,  and several others I can’t recall.  None entertained me and more or less than the approved movies, but knowing that I was getting away with something thrilled me as a child.  Doesn’t it always?

            Movies are a great part of American society. Over my 18 years of life I have seen numerous movies of various types and styles. I have spent my time and in some cases wasted my time watching comedy, action, drama, western, horror, and mystery forms of movies. Of these, I have only seen one that I wasn’t supposed to watch. The story of watching that movie is a very interesting one. A few years ago, when I was probably 15 or 16 I went to the movie theater with my dad because my mom said we should get out the house and do something. We drove to Aiken and saw the movie “Cold Mountain”. It was a very good movie with an entertaining cast and tons of action-packed scenes. The only thing that we weren’t aware of at the time was that the movie was rated “R” due to violence, strong language, sexual references, and nudity.  My dad apologized for not realizing about the rating and content of the movie. Although, I could legally see the “R” rated movie because my dad was with me, my parents wouldn’t want me to see that kind of movie at that age. The experience didn’t affect me. I was glad I saw the movie because it was a well-made movie.

If I were a film producer and I had a say in what movies were made, I would like to see more mystery and suspense movies being produced. Movies that make you think but still can be watched and understood by an audience of people of common intelligence. These movies have a mix of many different styles that are appealing to the audience. They obviously contain suspense and mystery, but they also provide action and adventure as well. Take Gothika for example. In this film Halli Berri is being chased by a ghost for the large portion of the movie. As cheesy and over-done the ghost thing has become, the producers and directors of Gothika do and extremely good job of keeping it interesting and new. The ghost actually provides some intense action scenes including–the typical action must-have–a car chase. Gothika also has a deep plot that sparks curiosity and thought among the viewers. It keeps you intensely watching the TV screen becuase if you miss anything you are scared the whole movie is not going to make sense. At the same time, Gothika also has a great number suspenseful scenes that are well planned and not to the extremity of being considered horror. 

If I could change something about what is seen in the movies, it would be to produce more films such as Gothika or Seven. I would stop the production of awful horror movies that are currently being put out left and right. It is very uncommon to come accross a horror that is unpredictable and interesting. The only thing horror movies have going for them is they cause girls to get scared and get close to the guy they are sitting with. This tactic has been used millions of times over the years (even by myself) in a pathetic way to get close to a girl on a date. That, and that alone, is the only appeal of a horror film.

When I was no more than seven or eight I did very little i was not supposed to do. I had NEVER said a curse word, I got angry when my older brother said “shut up”, I didn’t go anywhere without telling my parents first, and I almost always kept my room clean. Now, don’t get me wrong, I was a fiesty child who was always up to something but i hated getting into trouble. However, my neighbor was an older lady in her mid thirties with a four year old son. I loved children and so i often went over to this house to “baby sit” for her. One night my brother Greg and I were over and she let us watch “A Nightmare on Elm Street” with her. This movie would NEVER have been allowed by my parents. My parents never, in all my years growing up, ever rented a “R” rated movie. However, that night, at age 7 or 8 I watched my first “R” rated horror film. The experience was awful. I didn’t sleep for weeks. I had nightmares nightly that Freddy was under my bed just waiting for me to go to sleep. I imagined him in my closet or outside my window. I was petrified. Movies apparently had ratings for a reason, because at that age, movies were still very real and very much how actual life was in my mind. The experience of watching a movie I was not yet old enough to watch is one that will stick with me for a long time to come. The saying that “your parents are smarter than you know” is one that i will not ever doubt again.

I remember in high school going to the movies every friday night to view the latest movie. The movie theater had an atmosphere that I thoroughly enjoyed. Even when I did not make it out to see a movie, I could go to the local Blockbuster store and rent one. I find it more convenient to rent movies as the price and rental period are reasonable. However, one cannot compare the experience of sitting in a movie theater and watching a movie. Going to a movie does cost more than a rental at Blockbuster. At a movie rental store a movie can be watched anytime, unlike a theater that is a one time, non-stop showing. I would rather rent movies and watch the movies on my own time. Over the last few months, I have gone to a movie theater to see the latest movies, but I usually rent movies at a store. My family has the unlimited rentals at Blockbuster so I use that alot. It is more convenient to rent movies because you can stop the movie when you want to. The user is in control of the movie with a rental. At a movie theater, the viewer is not in control of the movie. Overall, renting movies is the most convenient and costs less than going to a movie theater every week.

I was in my very early teens, a tender age where just the slightest bit of inappropriateness on TV was compelling. As with all films shown on TV, there are always advertisements leading up towards it, probably about a week in advanced so everyday I was constantly reminded of when and what channel the film was on. For my parents, allowing me to watch a film like Stephen King’s ‘IT’ at my age then was outragous so I knew asking them was completely out of the question. Therefore I decided to sneak downstairs the night it was on and watch it on my own. Probably one of the worst decisions of my life because simply seeing the opening scenes of the film caused more nightmares then anything had before! As well as that I was on my own downstars so you could only imagine what was running through my mind about what awaited me on my journey back upstairs! Since then I always remembered watching the little boy playing in the rain then being enticed to the storm drain where ‘IT’ the clown lay. For weeks on end just the thought of a clown sent shivers down my spine and not forgetting to mention the countless nights I spent sleeping in my parents bed! From that point onwards I always knew that some films where just not meant for me to watch! Looking back now, there aren’t many films out there that will affect me in the same way, however, I still think twice when there’s a clown about!!!

I can remember my first movie in the theater pretty clearly.  I was two years old and went with my dad on a “date” to see The Little Mermaid.  I loved every minute of it, even though my dad fell asleep!! The movie was stuck in my head for months and I ran around the house singing the songs as best as I could.  Finally the movie came out on video and my parents bought it for me.  The Little Mermaid is still one of my favorite movies of all time and I’m so glad I can still remember the first time I went to see it.

My mother, on the other hand, said that her earliest memory of seeing a movie in the theater was Disney’s Cinderella.  She couldn’t remember how old she was but she remembers going with her parents and siblings.  It had the same effect on her as the The Little Mermaid did on me… she couldn’t get the songs out of her head!!!  Still years later we both can remember our favorite scenes and songs from these classic Disney films.

Rentals are definately the way to go.  I love going to the movies, but I don’t love spending between five and eight dollars on a movie ticket, especially when I don’t know if I am going to like the movie.  I love to rent movies though.  You can watch the movie whenever you want, and you can curl up under a blanket and sleep during the movie if you want and you still have days to watch it before you have to take it back.  I like to watch movies in the comfort of my own home,  and I like to watch movies over and over to catch the symbolism in the movies.  One such movie that represents this well is The Sixth Sense.  I watched this movie over and over on DVD and was able to watch the extras which explained the symbolism, then I was able to go back and re-watch the movie to see which things I caught.  After watching It several times I still was finding new things.

There are a few actors/actresses that I will make a special trip to the theater for, though.  Reece Witherspoon, Mark Ruffalo, Julia Roberts, and Sandra Bullock are my favorite actors and I love to see them on the big screen, but of course, I always end up renting or buying the movie in the end.

I rarely ever go to the movie theaters to see movies. I have been to the movies recently to see the movies Step Up and John Tucker Must Die, but it had been at least two months prior that I had been to see the movie Superman Returns. Going to the movies is kind of like a big ordeal. I hate spending so much money just to go to a movie. Tickets for the movies can cost anywhere from $5.25 to $8.00. That’s just rediculous!

I don’t rent movies either. I have a Blockbuster card, but it hasn’t been used in years. I do frequent Blockbuster though. I love buying movies there. Some people collect baseball cards, some people collect earrings, and some people even collect stamps. I love to collect movies. I never buy movies when they are first released though. I wait until they are in the “already been previewed” section at Blockbuster or are in the cheap bin at Wal-Mart or Target. It’s become an addiction and my mom fusses at me because of it. I should fully pay my credit card off, but I tend to pay a little over the minimum payment and then buy a ten dollar movie. I guess it’s like some people and smoking; sometimes you just need to fulfill the addiction.

If I had to choose between renting movies or watching them in the theaters, I would choose to rent because I could rewind the movie to catch a scene again and I wouldn’t have the interruptions or annoyances of the movie theater. Renting is so much cheaper too. You can rent about three movies for the price of seeing one in theaters. In regards to renting and buying a movie, I totally think it’s worth the extra couple dollars to own a copy of the movie for future watching. I guess I would be partial though since buying movies is my addiction.

When asked how often I go to the movies I almost laughed, the theaters just don’t work for me. I always hate when I go to the movies and come out with the feeling that I just wasted 5 dollars and fifty cents. I would much rather wait for a certain movie to come out on DVD and be able to watch it a couple dozen times if I like.

Every movie I own is one that I didn’t see until it came out on DVD. I feel that being able to buy a movie for just 14 dollars and watching 12 times is better than paying 5 to see it once; plus if i don’t like the DVD I just watched I can take it somewhere like Game Stop and trade it in for either another DVD or for cash.

I would much rather be able to sit at home and be able to pause a movie fast-foward through previews and sit on my own comfortable couch than those thinnly padded theater seats. I also don’t deal well with crowds and stupid theater employees telling me to be quiet during the dang previews, but the part I hate most is when I drive to the theater to learn that the movie has been sold out; nothing peeves me off more.

My motto is : wait till it comes out on DVD and then ill watch till the cows come home.

I try and go to the movie theater once or twice a month, sometimes more depending on the quality of movies being released.  As for this past month I have seen Jackass 2 and the Jet Li movie which both I would recommend seeing.  However saying that come next month am sure there maybe one if that which I would take a chance on seeing.  I say ‘take a chance’ as the trailers can be very deceiving.  For instance, Miami Vice, you would expect it to be a good movie especially with Colin Farrell who is a top actor, but to be fair it was a massive let down with only a few interesting parts.  I think the main part was the whole story or lack of one in my opinion. 

I wouldn’t say I rent a lot of movies as I have seen a lot in my time, but I tend to borrow them more as at Video stores it just takes so long to look around and by the time you have seen one which catches your eye, you will see another one, and then another one, and by the time you have finished you have 3 videos and a massive debate on your hands.  

Unless there is a movie which I never got to see at the movie theater or one which has got recommended to me then that’s the only real time I would rent a Video from the store.  

My favored experience would be going to the movies not because you know what type of film your letting yourself in for but the whole sound FX which goes along with the theater and the enormous screen packed with people waiting patiently, just as anxious as you are to find out what happens next. 

Being in the movies when its packed out with people adds to the movies realism and you tend to get lost in the movie more as well as the atmosphere is there to do so.  Scary movies are the best for this as you tend to jump more on other peoples reactions than your own, which is funny. 

I go to the movie theater about 3 or 4 times a month, so roughly once a week. I thoroughly enjoy the movie going experience. I also like to rent a DVD or two once or twice every two weeks. I really like the staff at Blockbuster.
I honestly prefer the actual movie theater against renting a movie and watching it at your own personal home theater. There are several reasons why I feel so biased about movie theaters. The first reason being, you can see the movies when they first come out. I’ve been to a ton of “ sneak preview” showings, including the midnight Matrix2 showing, the Jungle Book (when I was around the age of 10) and others. I also enjoy the atmosphere. I like to feel like I’m a part of the movie, actually there and experiencing the situations with the actors/actresses. I like how you can get lost and caught up in the plot and the emotion of a film. Call me a dreamer, but I’ve been this way ever since I was a kid. My very first wish for a future “grown-up” occupation was to be a “movie star;” even back then I preferred movie theaters to a measly VCR.
There is also a certain escape from reality that takes place when you’re sitting in a theater, there is no concept of time contiuum. This same illusion just cannot be duplicated at home, unless you have a home theater with stadium seating, surround sound, and a large dimly lit room, which most of us don’t. Sure it might cost a bit more to go and watch a movie, but to me it is definitely worth it. Besides, it costs a whole lot more to actually own your own theater! Now which option is the better value?

The reason for nickelodeons popularity is found in the name. The word odeons means theater and a nickel was the price. In a time when immigration was peaking this was a great outlet for middle or lower classes. Nickelodeons provided entertainment and a break in the tireing work week. Nickelodeons were also very accessable. They were makeshift theators found in old cigar shops or pawnshops.

Nickelodeons also helped new immigrants to learn the english language. From 1907-1908 nickelodeons hit an all-time high. They also replaced vaudeville theaters for the main viewing place for movies. Nickelodeons paved the way for the theators we have today. Todays theaters, althought much improved are the same concept. A person can pay a releatively small price and be entertained for hours. Modern day theators are a good outlet for any family from any economic status. If it wasn’t for Nickelodeons we wouldn’t have the theators we love today.

   I still remember the first time I ever watched a movie I was not allowed to see; it was when I was seven years old. I was with my best friend at her sister’s eleventh birthday party. We were hanging out with her sister’s friends when they decided to go into the living room and begin to watch a scary movie; it was Nightmare on Elms Street. They let us watch it with them. I remember when I watched it with the girls I was not scared and I felt so cool because we were hanging out with the older girls.

   However, I remember the next night I had nightmares and my mom asked me why I was so scared. I finally told her about the movie and she was so mad that I disobeyed her and watched a rated R movie. She had told me before not to watch that movie because she knew it would scare me and she was right. After a few days she finally told me I could go back to my friend’s house and hang out, she just did not want me to watch anymore scary movies.

            Going to the movies is a great experience and tons of enjoyment for anyone.  If a movie strikes my interests, I’ll go see it in theaters.  If it doesn’t seem that great or I just don’t have any money I’ll wait and just rented it when it comes out on DVD.  Either way I still enjoy movies, but in my opinion the big screen is the place to see a movie.  Everyone loves that big picture and sound.  Just the very atmosphere of the theater makes the movie going experience better.  Being with friends or even the opposite sex on a first date can make the experience that much better as well.

            Given that this day and age has let people make parts of their houses into personal movie theaters.  The sound and picture might be pretty good and loud, but the true cinema is always just a touch better.  For me I prefer the movie theater over watching a movie in my house.  I try to make it out to the movies as much as I can, just to get that great showing.  Some theaters are better than others but they all are pretty nice inside.  Plus who can go to the movies and not get some popcorn and snacks.  In my opinion that is another thing to like about the theater.  Theaters have been around for a long time now and they still are making movie goers experiences enjoyable.  So the next time you see a commercial for a film that looks interesting, consider going to the theater to see it first. 

I can vividly remember going to the movies the first time.  When I was little, it was a family ordeal.  Then again, with my family everything was an ordeal.  There was a fight about everything.  Who was going to sit where, what movie we were going to see, and what kind of candy we were going to eat, were just some of the arguments that took place.  It is really not like any of those arguments mattered.  We were going to sit wherever we were told.  We were going to see whatever tickets my parents bought.  And CANDY?  You think we’re going to buy you candy at the movies?  Not likely.  We would always have to make a trip to Big Lots right beside the movie theater to stock up on sugary goodness before the show started because there was no way we were buying anything there.  That would just be ridiculous. 

I remember being really excited all day when I knew I was going to the movies.  It was something I had never experienced before, so it naturally had me longing to be there just at the mention of the event.  I remember everyone being really rushed when we got there.  Apparently we arrived a little late, because frantic walking seemed to be the new trend that day.  The lights went low and everyone got quiet.  We were seeing Batman, and I had even taken into consideration that I might want to play during the movie, so I naturally had my Batman action figure on hand.  The movie itself is a blur.  I’ve seen it several times since then, so I know the plot and basically everything that happens in it, but that day’s viewing doesn’t appear so much in the memory.  The atmosphere of the theater really outweighed the movie that day.  To make a long story short, the movie ended, I lost my Batman toy, we made a special trip back to the theater after I realized the travesty, and I never saw it again.  Even though that was not the happiest time in my life it didn’t turn me off from the movies, and I still attend on occasion today, but I leave my toys at home (or in the car sometimes).

I’ve heard time after time about my dad going to the movies.  He’s older than me, only by a couple of years though, so he did not have to pay as much to go.  It was not unheard of for him on a Saturday to go to the movies all day long.  He’d walk 26 miles, there and back, uphill both ways in the snow, pay a nickel, watch 13 movies and get 17 free hotdogs.  That is just the way things were back then.  The movies were much better from what I hear.  I’ve seen a couple from his day.  Things like the Charlie Chaplin classics and all those gems by the late, great Al Jolson.  I’m obviously missing a few details here and there, but the point is, movie going now and then has changed.  Some of the magic has been taken out of it.  It was there back in the “olden days,” and it was there when I was younger, but I don’t get genuinely excited anymore, and I certainly pay more than a nickel for a show.        

I rent on average probably 2 movies every two weeks or so. I travel to the theatre probably no more than 3 times a year. It takes a very special movie to get me out of the house and down to AmStar, like a “movie event of the summer” or something to that effect. Of course a landmark film such as “Passion of the Christ” is going to get me to the theatre because of it’s importance as an event rather than a movie. Renting DVD’s on the other hand I do very often for several reasons.

First reason is simple: It is cheaper to rent movies than to travel to the movie theatre every time I get a hankering for some cinematic entertainment. It costs me around 8 dollars to rent two movies from Blockbuster, whereas it costs me 15 dollars or so for two tickets at AmStar. That also doesn’t include drinks and Junior Mints which will add another almost 10$. So if I rent two movies and stay home I spend a total of 8$, maybe 12$ if I stop at Taco Bell, whereas if I go to the movie I would most likely spend around 25$. I’ll take the 12$ stay at home movie experience anyday.

Another reason I enjoy renting is the control I have over the movie itself. Once I rent a movie it is mine for 4 days. I can watch outtakes, rewind scenes as many times as I want, and watch it with the director’s commentary if I’d like. If I’m in the theatre though I am only able to watch a movie one time through without any special features and that is it (unless I stay in the very back and wait on the next screening, but I wouldn’t do that because it’s immoral).

 Renting just seems much more practical to me.

No one seems to be writing about sneaking around and watching things they weren’t supposed to so I’ll go out on a limb and talk about being sneaky. When I was a kid there were a few things that would cause my parents to nix the idea of me watching a particular movie. Generally it was nudity, sex, and excessive violence. They were much more lenient, however, on the violence part (much to the chagrin of my homonally driven pubescent thought process). This was a problem for me because once I reached the age of 12 that was the only movie content I was interested in. Fine cinema be damned. There was one movie in particular that I really wanted to watch. It had all those wonderful elements that made it off limits to yours truely. The name of the flick in question is Road House. It is a wonderful piece of brain candy starring Patrick Swayze and Sam Elliot. If you have a Y chromosome and haven’t seen it then you need to recitify that sitation immediately. Road House came out in 1988 so by the time I reached the age of wanting to watch it it had made it’s rounds to the cable TV channels. It isn’t satisfying to watch a movie like that on TV though because you just know that all the good parts have been cut out. Good parts, of course, referring to those things mom and dad didn’t want me seeing.

Anyway, one night when I was about 13 I spent the night with my friend Tony. Tony’s parents didn’t care so much what he watched (they might have regretted this later in life when he made a really bad decision). While at his house looking through the assortment of movies that we might watch as we attempted to be cool and stay up all night I found a copy of Road House. I announced that that was my one of my favorite movies and I wanted to watch it. Before long, I had finally seen what I’d been missing all along. Looking back, the content was relatively mild by today’s standards but back then I thought I had really gotten away with something. It wasn’t the last time I snuck to watch something I wasn’t supposed to but it was certainly the most memorable.

I remember when I was young, my parents were strict about the movies I saw. One of the first movies I saw behind my parents back was Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. It was rated PG-13, and I was only about 8 at the time. My older brother and sister thought it was hilarious, and I wanted to be in on the fun. I figured if they could see it, why can’t I? I asked my parents and they still said no. Well, sometimes when my parents would go out they would drop me and my sister off at my grandma’s, if they couldn’t find a babysitter. My grandma had tons of movies. Ferris Bueller happened to be one of those movies. So I grabbed it and went to my grandmna’s tv room. I watched the crap out of that movie, every little second of it. Now, at the time I didn’t get half the jokes and innuendoes from this John Hughes classic, but I had finally seen it. I finally was on the same level as my brother and sister. Now, I couldn’t be too vocal about it because they would’ve ratted me out the first chance they had, but I was so happy. Now, I like the movie even more since i get all the jokes. I may laugh more than I did when I was little, but the movie meant more to me then than it does now. I would say I appreciated it more when I was little, because it was like I had tasted the forbidden fruit, and it was delicious.

I think that I saw a lot of movies that I shouldn’t have seen when I was growing up. I’m not trying to say anything bad about my parents, but most of those movies were seen with them. There were plenty of movies that my parents told me not to watch though. I remember one of those movies was Bad Boys with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. One day while my parents were gone for a while me and my brothers watched the forbidden movie. The whole time we watched the movie we were on edge and in fear that our parents would walk through the door at any second. We, of course, eventually were caught and received punishments. Watching that first movie that we weren’t supposed to though seemingly made all the other movies alright to watch. Doing it once took away most of the fear or conviction that we had in the past.

I remember my first movie very well to this day. I remember the theater and all the people.  The smell of popcorn filled the room and I was in amazement. Nothing has changed about those experiences for most Americans until recent years.  The entire movie watching process is changing and morphing to fit a society that is ever moving and never constant.  The last time I actually went to a movie theater was for a special occasion but before that it has been months since I had darkened those doors.  Why drive all the way to the theater, wait in line, buy expensive food, and buy a ticket when I could watch it all from the comfort of my couch at home?  Companies such as Netflix make it were movie watching actually comes to me.  No need for lines and driving.  I just select the movies I want to see and wait for them to come to me via the mail and then return them once they are watched.  Sure you don’t get to see the movie on opening night but for the price of a few movies I want watch many more and never leave the house. These changes that are geared toward convenience and the ever-changing consumer constantly call for new technology and new ways of entertainment.  With time we may see the close of movie theaters and a whole new type of movie entertainment take over.

I love movies. If I could watch them all the time, which is not uncommon on holidays, I would be the happiest guy around. This craze started a few summers ago when blockbuster came out with the all you can rent in a month for one price deal. It was great me and my friends could go and check out 2 movies at a time and once we were finished go get 2 more, all in one day. There is something about movies that is different than other forms of entertainment. Is it the characters, plots, sets, or just the fact that they are there for our entertainment? We may not ever know but we sure do love them not only as Americans but as human beings.

I spent my last summer in South Asia, where the movie business is picking up fast. Bollywood films are very popular there and are influencing out movies here in America. There are many older Bollywood films (and some new ones also) that are just Indian remakes of American movies, but with singing, dancing, saris, arranged marriages, and mopeds. Now they have began writing their own stories and making them less American but with a good Indian story. They have many theaters and it is a popular place for the innovative teenagers in south asia. The theater experience in South Asia is unlike anything we have in America. I saw Superman Returns while I was over there and there was an intermission in the middle of the climax of the movie. The person sitting next to me was consuming alcohol that he bought at the consession stand. There was a guy who decided to have a conversation on his cell phone and wanted everyone else in the theater know that he was on a cell phone, soon after that to keep his children from fighting he handed them his cell phone and told them to pick out a ring tone for him. The children went through every ringtone in his phone atleast twice. I think the crowd is part of making the movie.

I know that when I saw Naploean Dynamite in theaters I went with 4 of my movie buddies ,who love comedies and have the same since of humor that I have, and we laughed the whole time. There were other people that went and saw that movie by themselves and came out hating it. If the people around you are at the theater or in a Dorm room watching a movie and they are enjoying the act of watching the movie nothing else really matters, because you are going to have a good time.

I have realized that movies dont have as much as influence as the movie experience does. If we are able to lose ourselves in the movie and excape from reality, I think that is the best part about movies. In my house we have a projector hooked up to our DVD player (I made a vow that if its on VHS im not watching it) with surround sound, so our living room is basically a movie theater. Nothing could make me relax more than sitting down with a coke and some popcorn and forgetting about the real world for an hour or two or three (if we are watching king-kong)

Movies have come a long way from it’s predecessors generation. You now have the choice to either rent a movie or go out to the movie theatres. However, opposed to watching movies at home compared to enjoying them at the theatres can be two completly different experiences.

Home movies has many different options then deciding to go to the theatres. First, home movies are easibly more accessible then going to the theatre. This is because it is on your own time when you decide to watch the movie. Another thing that makes this relevent, is the option of having movies sent to you through mail. Netflix makes a very good example of this. This alternative it makes it even easier for movies at home. Second, sometimes it can be very noisy in the movie theatres( people telling the actors what to do, cell phone calls, a family with eight babies, etc…), that it can distract you from enjoying your movie. Home movies provide the opposite effect by allowing it just to be you and maybe a couple of other people, which makes it a more personal pleasure.

Although most of these traits prosper for home movies, a trip to the movie theatres has it’s advantages. The one main thing that differs home movies from theatres are the experience of the size and sound. The presentation excels beyond a mere home movie production. For Example, the Imax Experience has taken the way we see and hear movies to a whole different level. Movies on the big screen just make it all bigger and better. Another way that theatres thrive, is the abilty to release the movies months before they are out on home video. This allows people to be more intrested and want to rush out and see the movie on the big screen then just wait for 4-6 months. Finally, even though noises in a movie can be annoying to some people, I enjoy having all different types of emotions around me. This engages me deeper into the movie so that I am able to enjoy the laughter of comedies, or the sadness of dramas.

Overall, movies are movies either way you look at it. Although the way we watch them and the way they are presented to us can affect our overall preference. Watching movies at home has it’s advantages as well as going to the movie theatres does. My personal choice would be the movie theatres, not saying that I dislike watching a movie at home, just that if I had a choice I would pick the movie theatres. It is something addictive about the presentation and performance that always keeps me going back.

Disney movies have been a favorite in my family since was before I was born.  The Disney obsession has passed down from my grandmother, to my mom, and finally down to me and my sisters!  My sisters and I each have our favorite, from Aladdin to Finding Nemo, and finally landing on my favorite, The Little Mermaid.

The Little Mermaid has become somewhat of an “icon” in my household, a neverending joke, if you will.  One of the first memories I have was when my grandmother bought me a copy of the newest Disney creation.  We watched it later that evening as a family, just my mom, dad, and me, and I was hooked!  From that moment on, my life was surrounded by Ariel.  I wanted to be just like her!  I loved to sing as a child, so my mother would put me in little talent shows around town.  I always sang “Part of your World”, dresed as a mermaid with my long hair down folwing just pass my waist…just like Ariel’s!

It’s funny how we remember things like this.  Everybody wants to hold a piece of their childhood in their hearts forever.  Many hold on to the funny little memories like mine, and never seem to let go.  I have a sister who is about twelve years younger than me, so we have enjoyed pulling out the old Disney Classics, because of course, we own them all!  Just like her big sister, one of Blaire’s favorites was The Little Mermaid.  Once day about four years ago, Blaire came into the living room where I was sitting and looked very suspicious.  I started questioning her, and finally, I got out of her that she had “hurt Ariel”!!!  She brought me the tape, and she had broken the film on the inside, because she had just figured out that you could open it and look at it!  Boy was I mad!  Yes, as an eighteen year old, I sat there, almost to the point of tears, because she had broken my Little Mermaid tape.  I still have not fully forgiven her!  That is until recently when I found out that Ariel will indeed swim again!  Yep, that’s right, Disney is re-releasing the movie on DVD.  I do not think that anybody is more excited than I am!

I must admit that, well obviously, I am still a bit obsessed with Ariel!  About a month ago, I was shopping with my boyfriend at the local mall, when I spotted a shirt and almost sucked all the air out of the store.  It was a fitted t-shirt with Ariel spread all over the front.  I had to have it!  So after about twenty minutes of begging and pleading like a four year old, he finally bought me the shirt.  I wear it quite often!

I know it is probably time to let go, but why?  It is something that brings back the sweet memories of childhood.  It is fun to be able to sit down and pull out the favorites and think about the first time that Disney created the magic for us.  So honestly, I will not be able to let go!  I don’t think my family would let me forget my mermaid days anyway!  We’re just going to have to hold on to the “magic” forever!

My mother and I definitely had very different first experiences at the movie theaters. The first movie that I ever went to the movie theater to see was Little Mermaid. At this time just to get in the movie it cost about 4 to 5 dollars. Then it cost a few more bucks to get a soda, popcorn, and whatever candy you wanted. Also you could get a big gulp cup or tub. We were not exactly to stadium seating but the chairs were improving in comfort, style, and viewing range. When you came into the theater you were to find a seat on your own and local advertisements were played on the screen before the movie began. When the movie actually did start many movie previews for upcoming movies came on before the movie actually started.

            My mother’s first visit to the movie theater was to see Mary Poppins. She said to go into the movie and get popcorn and a soda it would only cost about 5 dollars. She also said the only form of food that they had was popcorn, soda, and maybe two or three candies. She also said there was no such thing has a big gulp cup or tub. Once you entered the theater you were ushered to a seat by a movie theater usher. The ushers were also somewhat “chaperones” to make sure there was good behavior in the theater. When you sat in your seat there was a curtain in front of the screen instead of a screen with local advertisements. Once it was time for the movie to begin the curtains would part just as they would at a theater when viewing play. The movie started with only a couple of previews before the actual start. She also said the floor was only slightly slanted and the chairs had wooden backs and cushions squeaky seats.

There is nothing like going to a movie theater to see a new release.  Hollywood producers and actors are coming up with anything and everything these days.  Each year it is interesting to see what will succeed at the box office and what will fail.  Working at the local movie theater, I see a lot of different movies pass me by.  Many are complete junk, while others are diamonds in the rough.  If I were a movie producer, I would definitely change many things involving the types of movie our culture enjoys.

It is very rare to find a good movie, but it is even harder to find one that doesn’t have a curse word in every other scene.  Sex and nudity are a large part of selling movies these days.  It seems that people are attracted to lots of gore and stupid situations.  Society has lost many of its good moral qualities when it comes to producing a film.  Instead of content, it has turned to be all about the money.  People are clouding their minds every weekend with senseless junk that is pretty much mindless entertainment.  For example, the recent release of the MTV movie, “Jackass Number Two.”  Many shows that are being made are getting the ‘R’ rating more and more.  I see parents take their children to watch these films, and shiver in absolute horror after they buy their tickets and walk away.  Exposing children to this kind of movie is the parents fault, but even so, the movie companies are responsible for making it such a “bad” movie.  One Saturday while I was working, we had to call an ambulance because a young boy passed out while watching a gory movie.  It is an event like this that shows people the point of having a rating system and why ticket sellers are suppose to card.

Having said all of this, I want to see more movies with morals and lessons.  Good, family type movies that parents can enjoy with their kids, not exploit them.  Movies with Christian values, true love, and thoughtful plots lines.  My biggest movie making pet peeve would be how animations have gone from being about the kids to being about the parents.  I would take movies back to the way they used to be.  Movies that are not full of adult humor, so much so, that the kid has no clue what is going on.  What ever happened to kid shows like “The Little Mermaid” or “The Rescuers Down Under?”  We should start making movies that are for kids.  Movies that teach them life lessons and how to deal with everyday issues. 

Although, I do tend to be somewhat opinionated because I have experienced working at a movie theater, I do believe that everyone knows that things are slowing down for cinemas.  Producers are not using their imaginations, and remake after remake is being made.  When will Hollywood stop looking at who the biggest star is and just start making some truly good movies?

I really hate movie theaters. Even with a student discount, prices for food and tickets are ridiculous. I only go if a good Sundance movie is out, which is why the last movie I saw in theaters was Little Miss Sunshine. Before that, I don’t even remember what I last saw. I would much rather rent a DVD. Back in Asheville, Movie Gallery had 99 cent Mondays, where every movie (even new releases) were 99 cents. What a bargain! I would stock up on three or four movies to watch throughout the week. It’s so much better than paying $7.50 for one movie!

In a theater, it’s hard to discuss the turns, the twists, and characters with your friends. Watch it at home, and you can talk all you want! You can take plenty of breaks, because there is a pause button. You can rewind, fast forward, stop and start. Being in the company of friends, and laughing or even crying (thanks to The Notebook) is so much more fun. Another positive is all the great food you can make that you don’t have to pay $10 for! My friends and I always make cookies and dip for movie nights. Theater seats are so uncomfortable, and while the floor is always swept I don’t think it is ever actually cleaned.

Renting is just a better, cheaper experience. It’s much more convienent to be able to pause when you would like a bathroom break, or rewind if you didn’t catch an important event. Having friends over for a night, and watching a favorite movie (mine is Requiem For A Dream), is a lot more fun than paying more money than most college students would like to pay and sitting quietly in uncomfortable seating.

When asked how often I go to the movie theaters, my answer would be hardly ever.  It’s not that I don’t want to, but it is simply because they are so expensive these days.  I don’t usually rent a lot as well, but I like to wait for certain movies to come out on DVD so I can either rent or buy them.  If I had to choose, I would definately prefer going out to the movie theater instead of renting the movie.  When at the movie theater, the action is real and in your face as if you were in the movie actually living it.  It’s easier to make believe that what you’re watching is real when in a movie theater.  When you rent a movie and watch it at your house, it’s not as realistic it seems.  I love going out to the movies more because you can make it a social event.  You can go with your family or friends, and that makes it a whole lot more fun to me.  Also, when a new release comes out in the theaters, don’t you want to be the first person to see it and see what happens? When a movie comes out that i’ve been waiting so long to watch, I have to go see it.  This is so because I don’t want to have the patience to wait until I hear about it from other people or when it comes out on DVD.  I am anxious to see what the movie is going to be about.  To sum this up, I rarely go to both the movie theater or store to see a movie, but when it comes down to it, I’d choose going to a movie theater anyday.

When I was about seven years old I thought I was fearless.  I was starting to really get obsessed with the Goosebumps book series and a Nickelodeon show called Are You Afraid of the Dark?  I really enjoyed reading and watching these “really scary” things.  At seven, these made me feel more like a grown up, and I liked it.  So I decided I was gonna watch as many scary movies as I could.  Everytime I saw an advertisement for a new scary movie on television, I would ask my Mom if I could see it.  Her common response was “NO.”  This was because the movies I wanted to see were usually rated R, and being so young, were inappropriate for me to see.  So one day my Mom had seen that a Stephen King movie called IT, was going to be on later that night.  Looking back on the situation now, I understand why my Mom let me see it.  She didn’t think it was a movie that would scare me beyond belief, it was on TV so it was edited for content, and letting me watch this “really scary” movie would make me feel like a grown up.  So later on that night, I sat down with her in the living room and we watched the whole movie.  I ended up scared out of my mind.  It was about 9 o’clock at night when the movie went off and everything in the house seemed dark and threatening.  I remember running down the hallway as fast as I could to my bedroom so nothing would jump out and grab me; I was scared to brush my teeth in the bathroom because I didn’t want to be left alone; Even years later I would not go anywhere near street drains.  Needless to say I was not ready to see that movie.  Eventually, I stopped having nightmares about IT.

Probably about a month ago, I was surfing through channels, trying to find something to watch, and came across the movie IT on the Sci-Fi channel.  I tried to sit through the movie but barely could.  At eighteen, I thought this movie was terrible.  It had such a stupid plot and it had horrible special effects.  I felt embarassed of myself for freaking out over a movie such as this; I couldn’t believe any of it ever scared me.  I guess it just goes to show how age and maturity (or lack there of) can influence a person’s perception.

Besides the fact that the popcorn, candy, and drinks at the theater are way too expensive, the  effects of watching a movie in a movie theater is a thrilling event.  I would estimate that I go to the movie theater maybe once in a two week period, depending on how busy my schedule is.  Although, I prefer going to see a movie at the theater, I go to Blockbuster (www.blockbuster.com) and rent a DVD a lot more than I go to Amstar or Starlight to watch a movie.  This is only because renting a DVD is less expensive and less time consuming. One reason I prefer to go watch a movie in the theater is because the atmosphere is so much more thrilling.  The screen is bigger and the the sound system is better than most anything available for a home sound system.  In a theater you can actually feel like you are in the movie and I feel that gets you more involved.  I feel that going to the theater is more exciting because it is not as common as renting a video.  For example, most dates consist of going out to eat and going to the movie theater.  This goes the same for friend outings.  Going to the movies to me is considered a special activity rather than simply going to rent a DVD.  One other plus to going to the theater versus renting a movie is that the movies playing in the theater are new and fresh out.  If a brand new movie is being advertised it is so exciting knowing that you and your friends or boyfriend can make a date to go watch the newest movie that “everyone is dying to see”.   Sure by renting a DVD you are watching a movie in the comfort of your own home, but unless you insist on PDA (public display of affection) then it really should not be a big deal. Truth be known, most people get more excited about going to the movies than they get about taking one to the house.  These are the reasons why I feel that going to the movie theater is something to look more forward to than renting a DVD and not experiencing the fun environment of a theater.

Have you ever met those people who just seem to know everything about every movie that was ever produced?  They just seem to have taken time, sat down, and watched them all.  Well, I’m one of those people.  Of course I have not watched every movie ever made.  That would be impossible.  But, I have seen a lof of them and the trailers for others.  I seem to be able to remember their trailers extraordinarily well.  I spend a large portion of my time watching movies.  If I don’t feel like doing something on a Friday or Saturday, I’ll just go and rent a DVD from Blockbuster (www.blockbuster.com).  Also, I might just plan on going to the movies with a bunch of my friends or my parents.  Being a movie buff, I am very particular about the kind of movies I watch and where I watch them.  I mean, I’m up to watching movies almost any time, but I want to experience the movie in the best way possible.  The best way to experience a motion picture is by going to the movie theater.  Why?  Well, there are several reasons why going to a movie theater is better than renting a DVD:  Movie theaters have a certain atmosphere about them; their effect heightens emotion; and they are made for, in a sense, special occasions. 

First of all, movie theaters have a certain atmosphere about them.  The mood in a movie theater is far from that of one’s own home (where most watch DVDs).  Imagine, for a moment, that you’re attending a movie at a movie theater.  You walk up to the box office, buy your tickets, and walk in the doors.  When you walk in, the smell of popcorn fills your nostrils.  You see the arcade systems all around you.  You walk up to the candy counter and order some Snow Caps, popcorn with extra butter, and a jumbo Coke.  After that, you make your way to the ticket collector.  He takes your ticket, tears it, and gives you back the stub.  When you walk into the theater you try to find the perfect seat.  When you sit down, you wait.  All of a sudden the lights dim and the previews come on in an explosion.  Just thinking about this makes me want to go see a movie.  Watching a DVD at home cannot compare to this.

Secondly, while one is watching a movie in a theater, his or her emotions are going to be heightened as the movie progresses.  A person is likely to feel what the characters of the film are feeling, which causes sympathy for the characters.  Take this for example.  You are watching The Passion of the Christ in a movie theater.  It is the scene where Jesus is being beaten.  The guards have just finished hitting Him with rods.  Then the next thing you know, you hear a Catinine slash him.  This is definately going to effect a person’s reaction to a scene.  It all goes back to the total atmosphere of the theater.

Lastly, going to the movies is more of an occasion than just renting a DVD.  Most of the time, attending a movie is not going to be spontaneous.  It is going to be planned hours or even days ahead.  Couples go to the movies for dates or to get away for a while.  Renting a DVD cannot fulfill this desire nearly as well.

So, this is why I prefer to go to movie theaters over renting DVDs.  I feel like I’ll enjoy a movie ten times better if I go to AmStar (www.amstarcinemas.com) and watch it instead of riding to the video store and renting one.  I would say that I go to the movies about two to three times within a two month span.  Even though I rent DVDs about every other weekend, I still prefer to go to a movie theater.  One should be able to see why.

I live in the big booming metropolis of Anderson, South Carolina. On any given day you can see movie stars and executive producers sitting at a café or shopping at our local Sacs Fifth Avenue.

Oh, if that were only the life that we see here! In the grand scheme of cities, we are not large. We don’t have a Starbucks coffee shop or a Macy’s. We do, however, have the benefit of having two movie theaters to choose from, but they both accomodate to the market of people that live in the surrounding areas. The majority of the movies that are shown here are only the box office hits. We do not get the opportunity to watch many of the movies that make it to the Sundance Festival each year because business people do not think there is an audience here to make it profitable.

I don’t know that I would ever want to be a movie producer (It really boils down to the fact that I don’t think I could handle the job or the hours. I’m a go to bed at ten o’clock kind of girl.). There are hundreds of small time movie producers that make many brilliant movies, but the powers that be do not think the plots are worth selling, so many of the outstanding movies never make it to the silver screen.

I do wish I could change the variety of movies that are shown in our local theaters, however. When you hear about a really good independent film that has come out, the closest place that might have it is Cherrydale Cinemas in Greenville. And even then, they don’t offer a lot of lesser known movies, just the major ticket sellers with one or two small titles among the mix. If Cherrydale doesn’t offer it, you are just out of luck without resorting to a day trip down to Atlanta.

Take a look at the winners of last year’s Sundance Festival. How many of those movies did you even hear about? None? That’s because they were not your run-of-the-mill remake or headlined with lots of famous actors and producers. They are more artistic, unusual and can expand your knowledge and appreciation for cinematic beauty. It’s like a two hour long art gallery that leaves you feeling like you’ve actually experienced something; not mass produced kung-fu and sing along dance sequences.

For the past several years, Anderson city planners have been trying to bring the artistic and eclectic culture that has been a success in Greenville down the highway. In their attempt to bring higher culture to our fine city, maybe someone should think about spreading the culture heightening to our movie theaters. Anderson is going to need more than just some spiffy buildings to have a higher sense of culture.

I was in fifth grade which was right when the movie “The Titanic” came out on video. For some reason I had an obsession with wanting to see this movie; however, my mom thought it would be best if my sister, Michelle and I waited until we got older. Now there’s nothing more than wanting to see something that you can’t see. There had been commercials previewing “The Titanic” for a long time and the day finally came when it was out on video. I thought that everyone else in my class had already seen the movie but me, which is crazy because I was only in the fifth grade! After school, it was time for my mom to pick my sister and I up from school. She shocked us both because she actually bought the movie for us to watch. It was just funny because it went totally went against what she felt and thought but she knew that we wanted to see it. After I watched it, I can remember asking myself what the fuss was all about. It was a good movie but because of it being a true story, it was depressing and I realized what made my mom not want us to watch it in the first place!