Your preference to watch movies?

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

Are you a theater goer, or a home viewer....

If you go to the theater, do you generally go opening weekend to see a film, or wait until a matinee a few weeks later to avoid annoying people texting!!! Or do you like the dollar theater second run type places?

If you wait until the movie leaves theaters, do you use Netflix streaming, or get the DVDs? Or do you have a cable/on demand service?

[valerief]

1. I like the convenience of viewing from home, but recently I really wanted to see

American Hustle and went to the theater. It was fabulous.

I had to move a few times to get away from some gal's cologne. That's the only thing I don't like about crowds. And nowadays in the back of my mind I think about the possibility of some crazed gunman breaking into the theater and mowing everyone down. I know the odds are against it, but the likelihood is even less at my home.

Oh, and people texting at movies? I've never noticed it. Of course, I don't carry a concealed weapon. I don't carry any weapon (except popcorn) and wouldn't even consider confronting someone in a theater. As with that stinky lady, I just moved. There were plenty of seats.

I love Netflix and use Amazon Prime, too. Sometimes I rent streaming movies. I don't buy many DVDs.

[Little_Wing]

2. Some movies have to be seen on a big (theatre) screen

for maximum appreciation (Malick, for one). There is no reliable internet streaming up here on the mountain, so DVDs are a necessity. Sadly, there have not been that many must see big screen films. Gatsby and Prometheus were art directed to perfection, but today's films seem to overdo the visual cluttere at the expense of plot/dialog. I can't seem to drum up any enthusiasm for The Wolf of Wall Street despite knowing it must be stunning to see.

I so miss revival houses. It's just amazing to see the old black and whites as they were intended.

[JustAnotherGen]

5. Agree on this

I will regret not seeing Avatar on the big screen.

If you didn't see the cameron version of Titanic on the big screen - you miss out.

And a few years back I got to see The Wizard of Oz on the big screen and was blown away at the color.

[TexasBushwhacker]

7. I agree about Wizard of Oz

There is a theater in Houston that opened in 1939. In 1989, they showed 3 films from 1939 at 1939 prices. A quarter for the movie, 10 cents for popcorn and a nickel for a soda. They had Wizard of Oz, Wuthering Heights and Gone With the Wind. I watched the first 2, but skipped GWTW because I had seen it on the big screen before.

[Paladin]

9. I caught "The Maltese Falcon" on the big screen a few years ago.

It was amazing, even though I'd probably seen it a dozen times on TV. Interesting feeling, seeing an old flick in the same manner as your parents.

[Staph]

3. if I can, I watch movies at the theatre.

There is something almost primal about gathering together with a group to hear a story in the dark.

[Locut0s]

4. It depends on the film...

Those that have amazing cinematography and art style, and on the flip side, some of the special fx schlockbusters deserve to be seen on the big screen. Most of the rest can be enjoyed either way.

Although for many it's about the theatre experience as much as the film itself and for those going to a theatre is a must.

You can also now create such a grand experience in your own home that even a lot of the films that deserve a theatre experience are going to look and feel amazing.

Like any hobby people will sink serious money into movies. For $2000 to $4000 or so you can now have a fantastic visual and aural experience at home. That may sound like a lot but when you compare it to other serious hobbies and a life time of theatre tickets it's not really that special.

[sweetloukillbot]

6. I was a die-hard opening night/weekend theater goer for years

But as the smaller theaters closed and everything consolidated into those 40 screen Googolplexes where you have to navigate through crowds and crowds of teens and park a mile away from the actual building, I've taken to streaming and renting much more.
I know I sound like a cranky old man (which I'm probably turning into), but I want to be comfortable at a movie and I don't want to be inconvenienced. I like being able to pause it, and sit in my comfy chair in my living room.
I am missing the big-screen experience though - and my wife and I have decided we're going to try a new, smaller theater that sells alcohol and caters to an older crowd soon. There's a new(ish) arthouse/pub that opened that I want to check out as well, so this year should be the year I head back to the theater.

[TexasBushwhacker]

8. The pub moviehouses are great.

The Alamo Drafthouse started in Austin and has expanded around the country. They serve alcohol, so they don't admit ANYONE under 18 without a parent, and don't admit anyone under 13 to R rated films AT ALL. It's awesome! They are also very strict about their "no talking, no texting" rule. This is one of their "informative" videos they show before the film.

[mandy36974]

10. Your preference to watch movies?

I prefer going to cinemas for my favorite movies and for other movies I prefer to watch online for free.

[uppityperson]

11. Welcome to DU, tell us more about you? Let us get to know you better as you seem to like

movies and so do many of us.