James Kirkpatrick's Not-So-Random Keyboard Strokes - Must See? Or simply Netflix Worthy?

Location: Blogs PaleBlueScot Miscellany
Posted by: James	1/25/2008 12:56 PM
As much as I love seeing movies at the theatre, being a parent puts a serious cramp in the frequency in which one can actually get to a theatre. This isn’t a huge issue since I enjoy seeing a movie on my good ol’ 57-inch high def television, but there are certain movies where I really would like to get out to see. For me, movies since Ally was born fell into two categories. Must see in theatre This is the rarest category now. Even though I have an affinity for independent and foreign films, I tend to not place those films in this category. The main criteria for this category are “Will this be a visual and aural treat?” where the experience of seeing it on a massive screen is simply irreproducible at home on a TV. This means certain summer/winter blockbusters, while brain dead in terms of plot and dialogue, is perfect for the movie theatre experience. You’re “shocked and awed” at the special effects and the thundering sound, allowing you to turn your brain off and simply enjoy the spectacle. Another subset of movies I like to see are ones that qualify with the aforementioned criteria but also mean a little bit more to me. Whether it’s a book series I love (Harry Potter) or a trilogy event (Lord of the Rings) or simply a great movie (all the Bourne Identity films), I really like to see these in the theatre. When the new Indiana Jones movie comes out, I’ll be there. It will be the same with the new Batman (although it will be somewhat spooky to see a dead Heath Ledger play an extremely scary looking Joker). Wait for DVD The next category is where a lion’s share of my movie watching experience falls in. Usually I will read reviews of upcoming movies and place that title in my Netflix Queue. Out of sight and out of mind until it becomes available for rental. The great thing is Netflix, unlike Blockbuster, sends you the Director’s Cut (or unrated) version if there are multiple versions available. Widescreen is always the default option. Why ANYONE nowadays would watch a movie in “pan and scan” format is beyond me. Since Katie was born, there’s an additional lower category created since our free time is even less. Now there are movies that I don’t even get to see once they’re out for a few months. At this point, they sometimes fall into the new ‘Wait for HBO’ category. Not all movies appear on this channel but every once in a while I’ll see one out there that has been languishing in my Netflix Queue forever. Once I’ve recorded and watched it, I can then take it off my Netflix list. This is happening now more than I’d like but at least I have that double backup option. All in all, I’ll gladly trade seeing a movie when it first comes out in exchange for the two healthy and happy girls that I have now. With technology moving in the direction where most movies we see will be downloaded into our home anyway, my rankings above will be obsolete in a few years anyway.

Permalink \| Trackback

Comments (14) Add Comment

Re: Must See? Or simply Netflix Worthy?	By Jason's Mom on 1/25/2008 2:57 PM
Jack Nicholson has apparently said something about playing the Joker -- that the character is so deranged it can really affect the actor. Now, a trivia question for all of you younger-than-springtime types: Who played the Joker on the TV Batman series?

Re: Must See? Or simply Netflix Worthy?	By Erich on 1/25/2008 4:04 PM
Caesar Romero - and he refused to shave his mustache for the role so they colored it red!

Re: Must See? Or simply Netflix Worthy?

By The General on 1/26/2008 12:51 PM

Right on, E. Cesar Romero. And J-Mom, I think Mr. Nicholson was quite deranged well before he played The Joker. Good posting, James. I remember when my James was little, movies for me were animated, or animated. I don't think I saw real people on screen for five or six years. My dilemma now, since I do mostly contract work (solo) far from home, is is a movie good enough to go to a theater by myself? I couldn't be more straight-laced or boring, but every time I go to a movie by myself, I wonder if people are looking at me and thinking "pervert" and/or "loser". Am I nuts? Do you guys see people going to movies solo?

Re: Must See? Or simply Netflix Worthy?	By James on 1/27/2008 9:09 AM
General, I might be in the minority on this one but I don't mind going to a movie solo. Maybe it's because I'm an only child but it never bothered me as much as others.

Re: Must See? Or simply Netflix Worthy?	By Syl on 1/27/2008 3:14 PM
I have gone to movies solo - why not? (I'm not a only child.) I remember one of my friends saying she wouldn't ever go alone, though. But that seemed odd when she said it and too dependent for me, I'd go anyway.

Re: Must See? Or simply Netflix Worthy?	By Ian on 1/28/2008 10:44 AM
I've gone to the movies solo. It's the type of activity you can attend solo without needing to converse or connect with anyone else. I'm not a movie person, so I only think it's worth going to the movies if it's something to the level of "Grease" or "The Fugitive." Most times, I think it's worth waiting to see it at home- And the food at home is much less expensive, and better!

Re: Must See? Or simply Netflix Worthy?

By Muuurph on 1/28/2008 11:23 AM

Most of the stuff I see is still animated. Although I tend not to watch with the kids so much anymore at home. I'd say the last 10 times I've been to a movie theater it's been for kid's movies. Enchanted was the last one we saw-chick flick as it turns out (perfect for Ally). Actually am waaay behind on movie watching. I can't remember the last newly released movie I saw. It may have been the last LOTR (how scary is that?). General: Going to the movies solo is a great way to pass the night when you're traveling. Once I got over eating in a restaurant by myself, the movies were no big deal.

Re: Must See? Or simply Netflix Worthy?	By Erich on 1/28/2008 5:53 PM
I just signed up for Netflix and the first movie we got had a giant crack halfway across the disc. Good 1st impression Netflix!

Re: Must See? Or simply Netflix Worthy?	By James on 1/28/2008 9:08 PM
The Rhode Island distribution center for Netflix must be mobbed up. Then again, what ISN'T mobbed up in your "state"? ;)

Re: Must See? Or simply Netflix Worthy?	By Erich on 1/29/2008 11:20 AM
You betta take dat back 'fore I send Vinny "Pots n' Pans" Delvecchio an Eddie "Spaghetti" Lombardi ova thea ta bust ya head!

Re: Must See? Or simply Netflix Worthy?	By Syl on 1/31/2008 11:15 AM
Shouldn't we blame the postalperson? Hmmmm?

Re: Must See? Or simply Netflix Worthy?

By Donna on 1/31/2008 6:36 PM

I don't mind going to a movie solo and I had girlfriends that felt wierd about going solo. I don't give a crap what people think, I just do what feels comfortable. But I have to admit, I am one of the 'pan and scan' viewers. Yeah. I know. Total dork. I just have a hard time getting use to the wide screen view having a distinct top and bottom line. Call me old fashioned but I like the movie to take up the whole viewing section of my screen.

Re: Must See? Or simply Netflix Worthy?	By James on 1/31/2008 9:19 PM
Donna, that's where the new TVs will eliminate that view. Since they're all in widescreen ratio, the bars on top are gone. Then, if you watch pan and scan on those TVs, the bars will be on the sides AND you get half the picture the director intended you to see.

Re: Must See? Or simply Netflix Worthy?	By Donna on 2/1/2008 9:32 PM
So James, is this what you are buying me for my birthday this year?

Your name:
Title:
Comment:

Add Comment Cancel