Other factors affecting movie viewing

[The Flayed One]

There are basic factors that I believe everyone holds as standard in judging a movie. Acting, plot, effects, story, acting, originality & sound. If were talking about horror movies, some would throw in gore/blood. I'm curious, though, as to what other factors affect how much we like movies.

For me, things like hype, how much I know about a movie, my own personal mood when viewing, my surroundings & even the time of day all affect how I'll feel about a movie when it's over.

For example, I usually enjoy movies a lot more if I know nothing about them when I watch them (some prefer to call this 'the virgin experience.) My prefered viewing time is from 2am-5am, especially for horror movies. I prefer viewing alone and with just enough drinks in me to relax a bit.

I tend to enjoy slasher movies more when I'm in a bad mood.

What are your guys' viewing nuances and how do they affect your experience?

[urgeok]

if i'm in a bad mood i want a comedy. no exceptions.
i dont like being in a bad mood .. i will not stay in one for a few minutes at a time.

if things are going extremely well for me - i can watch something like shindlers list. i need a good emotional support before seeing a film like that.

mystic river affected me for 3 days after i saw it.

factors that are important to me as far as the film goes :

#1 quality of the acting
#2 editing
#3 sound


what influences me re. viewing a film :

- expectations (this is usually a bad thing)
- how tired i am
- how comfortable the chair is.


i HATE stopping a movie .. I will avoid it at all costs.

[alkytrio666]

It's gotta have flow. Good, smooth flow.

99.9% of the time I'll have a cup of hot peppermint tea.

I'm not too picky.

I'd agree with you on the "Virgin Experience".

[filmmaker2]

I have a weird peculiarity with some movies...sometimes, if I think I will like a movie, I will avoid seeing it for months or even longer. Then when the "right moment" comes I will see it. I think it's like saving a well-reviewed bottle of wine for a good occasion...

[filmmaker2]

After thinking about it for a bit, I want to add to that. I think that I sometimes wait to see certain films because I believe that if I see certain films in a bad mood, it will ruin the experience. You only get one "first time" watching a movie. I think we like to be kind of comfy when we see something we're looking forward to.

One thing i totally do not like is cell phones ringing in theatres. I am also annoyed by people even pulling their cell phones out and sending emails and stuff before the movie starts...when I see that little thing flip open to reveal the lighted screen, I want to shout, "Jeez, give it a rest already!" I'm an old fuddy-duddy i think!

[The Flayed One]

Originally posted by urgeok
i HATE stopping a movie .. I will avoid it at all costs.


I agree with that. I always make sure I go to the restroom before I start the movie. My preferred viewing time comes into play here, too, as I'm sure no one will come visiting or call during those hours.

[Posher778]

I enjoy slower paced movies at night, or just after dark, or a rainy day. And faster paced movies at any time.

[PR3SSUR3]

Having breaks in a movie does dilute the whole experience rather a lot, and can completely ruin immersive films like BWP, Open Water and You've Got Mail.

These are films far better off viewed in the home though rather than with the destracting public... just ensure to have a piss and make a cup of tea right before you press "play".



:D

[thepsychicfetus]

When watching at home (or other peoples houses):

1. Good sound system (5.1 or better)
2. Decent sized TV
3. No talking during movies!!
4. DVD/VHS


Things that tend to piss me off:

1. When people talk really loud during a movie
2. People that clap at the end of movie

[kung-fu-jesus]

i gotta say i like a film better when i have no idea about it, or expectations. i preffer to watch a movie alone or with girlfriend( unless its a comedy, the groups are ok). DON'T LIKE INTURUPTIONS, gotta have a drink, dont really like to eat while watching a movie. time of day dosnt matter. make out sessions aare reserved for 2nd or 3rd time viewing or if the movie just really starts to suck. hate going to a packed theater opening night, id preffer to go 2nd day at like 10:30-11:30 am( no one is there at that time). have done some late-nite screenings( 3:00 am) and it was great. my mood dosnt really affect my interpretation of a film( i just shut off all distractions and settle into the film, no matter what genera).

[urgeok]

i was at a movie on the weekend with my family (the shaggy dog)
had it been something i was really interested in i would have gone apeshit.

there were a bunch of little kids in front of us...4 in front of us and a couple on the end of the right side of the theatre..
this one STUPID girl kept coming over for popcorn, standing in front of me talking loudly.
after the 4th time i said 'do you mind' which she was too noisy to hear .. so i stomped my size 13 foot hard on the floor beside her .. and she said sorry and ran back to her seat.

that worked well because she only did it too more times after that ..

stupid fucking kids need parental supervision in theatres.

[Despare]

My mood affects and so does being comfortable. I really like our Imagine theatre out here because you can buy a whiskey sour, sink into your seat, and let the film begin.

[urgeok]

i cant drink anything alcoholic and watch a movie ..

if i drink .. and i'm not on my feet ,,, i fall asleep..

[Despare]

Even with theatre sound? Wow, you go OUT don't you?

[urgeok]

Originally posted by Despare
Even with theatre sound? Wow, you go OUT don't you?

yeah .. well...rarely now ..

but even when i did .. as long as i'm on my feet i'm good (dancin', whatever)

if i just sit and stare at a sccreen after a couple .. i'm done.
(or if i have to sit and listen to someone drone on)

[newb]

Originally posted by Despare
Even with theatre sound? Wow, you go OUT don't you?

He's old.

Mood is a big factor in movie watching,if i'm feeling smart i want a good political thriller,if i'm a bit melancholy, give me a comedy to brighten my spirits.I can watch horror during any mood.

Lighting helps as well.Pull down the big screen,turn on the surround sound and turn the lights down low.Sometimes the wife wants to read during a movie she may have no interest in......i have to put her over my knee and give her a right good spanking.

[The Flayed One]

One of my biggest peeves is if I'm hanging out with some friends and drinking, and all of the sudden, they decide I just HAVE to see this one movie they have. They put it in and turn the lights off...I'm usually out within 20 mins.

I like to drink and watch movies, but there's a certain point (which I've almost always reached if I'm partying it up with buds) that they'll put me out like a light.

[Despare]

Is everybody able to quickly "shut off" their brains to enjoy a good dumb movie? Can you go into something like Doom or Resident Evil and turn off your critical mind and enjoy a good action flick or do you have to be in the mood for that type of movie? I like a LOT of different movies and their order from best down does change depending on my mood but if I like a movie I like it no matter what mood I'm in... my mood just changes how much I like it. I hope I described that well enough.

[urgeok]

i think i mentioned before .. it still matters how well it was done.
i cant shut my brain completely off .. it has to appeal to me somehow (it's funny, the gore is outstanding, theres some action thats unique and really well done)

i cant sit and watch some poorly written stupid shit without wanting my time and money back if there is no redeeming qualities.

action movies still have to be paced well, have some standard for the performances, be smart in some respect.

there has to be a sense of style ... origionality.

example : The Abyss. outstanding action scenes .. well paced... breathtaking sequences.

Doom : there wasnt anything there that i havent seen before.
actually i liked the 'asshole guy' who :

***************SPOILER ***************************



bought it in the bathroom .. he had an insane smile and a good delivery .. i'd like to see him in something where he could let loose. that was the closest thing that movie had to a redeeming quality (and i liked the 1st person shooter sequence - for nostalgia sake)

otherwise it was just dull - pointless action isnt very stimulating.

another example .. RE2
it wasnt funny, or interesting or origional in any way.
the action sequences were an insult to the intelligence ...
it rubbed our faces in how bad it was.

(at least thats how i felt watching it)


BUT ..

i can turn my brain off to appreciate something that looks amazing.

i was one of the only people who actually enjoyed the 1st star trek movie because it just looked so gorgeous ...(the journey into the deadly space cloud/star/satellite thingy

[Despare]

See for me RE 2 gave me exactly what I wanted... the Nemesis. I liked it because honestly I'm an RE fanboy and that's it. Doom... well the mindless action was alright but I liked the Rock in his role and Urban's pretty good, and of course the videogame aspect (1st person part) appealed to me. I need something to enjoy a film too, House of the Dead didn't do a THING for me and either did MK Annihilation even though I liked both games. Anyway, videogame movies aside I try to find something good in a movie and yes there are PLENTY of times where I can't do that but at least I'm happy that I can enjoy a simple action flick as much as a brainbending indie or a wonderfuly done art piece. What about bad movies which are "so bad they're good"? I'm sure there a few you like and I know there are some I enjoy. What makes those movies good BECAUSE they're bad for you?

[urgeok]

Originally posted by Despare
What about bad movies which are "so bad they're good"? I'm sure there a few you like and I know there are some I enjoy. What makes those movies good BECAUSE they're bad for you?

its funny - but there seem to be less of these now ..
there was a time though when incompetance was funny..

there's a movie called Yor - Caveman of the Future (or something like that) which is a freaking scream ..

i think since home video - incompetance isnt that funny because it's due to a non existant budget - some backyard piece of shit made by a bunch of friends thats gets sold to video... because people will rent anything ..

thats just not as funny as a movie with terrible dialogue that should have known better.

i think the last - it's so bad its good' movie for me was Battlefield earth. at first it was a huge piss off because in the ads it looked awsome (and i had read the book) but by the time these mountain men were flying complex spacecraft after 30 minute lessons .. i was thinking it was pretty funny ..

[Despare]

I think there's something with me, where if I see a good concept excecuted horribly wrong I can still watch the film. Chopping Mall was a HORRIBLE movie and yet it watchable and funny while Island of the Dead is simply a bad movie and it wouldn't be cheap to get me to watch it again. I love how film, like art, is so subjective.

[Steve_Hutchison]

I think the most important thing for a horror movie is its overall atmophere. A good ambiance is one of the toughest things to achieve and it's something we see less these days.

[lionels_mother]

For me, if it's something I'm actually interested in, I have to watch it alone. There's nothing worse than my girlfriend in my ear "who's that?" or "I thought he was dead!"
or narrating "here, the zombies are going to get into that mall, aren't they? huh? Linzi? aren't they? huh?"

or the worst, once she realises what the ending's going to be "shit! Bruce Willis is a ghost, isn't he?!"

I have to have a snack when watching movies at the cinema, as a smoker I need to have something to do with my hands for 2 hours. ;)

[sinistar]

The audience annoyance factor:

Is there some idiot sitting near me with plastic wrapped candy and they're SLOOOOOOOWLY opening it thinking they're been more quiet that way? I want to strangle them listening to that plastic crackle.

That affects my movie experience.

bastards. (annoyed just thinking of it)

[The_Return]

Sinistar, I had a good laugh looking at your avatar just after reading that post:p


Anyway, I find comfort and expectations pretty much do it for me. If Im comfy and not expecting much, chances are Ill enjoy it. If Im pissed off, or I have a a pre-concieved notion that I wont like it...I probaly wont.

[ADOM]

MIndless action I definately have to be in the mood for the past few years. If I am in the middle of something work or family related and trying to relax, a movie like that is rarely engaging enough to get my mind off things for a couple of hours.

I like a big audience with a good comedy or "feel good movie". I don't mind cheering or clapping if done sparingly.

I do NOT enjoy sneak previews when the press is present and sitting next to me. These guys are at work and don't care how much they enjoy the movie. They just want to take notes and remember how to insult the flick in tomorrow's paper.

Kids belong in kids movies. I would expect trouble at THE SHAGGY DOG, but when I see a 3 year old sitting with mom and dad and SAW 2 I want to call DCF.

At home, I like to watch movies my wife won't enjoy when she is not around. I like her to enjoy her chick flicks in the same way. If either of us sees a movie of our selected genres so good we feel the other will like it, chances are we won't mind sitting through it again. Comedies, mysteries, thrillers, are for couples. Anything with Jennifer Aniston is all hers.

I don't mind pausing a flick to pee or get something to drink or let the dog out. It's better than being distracted by the feeling I need to pee or the dog needs to go out or being thirsty, but phone calls and people at the door will be ignored.

[urgeok]

Originally posted by ADOM

Kids belong in kids movies. I would expect trouble at THE SHAGGY DOG, but when I see a 3 year old sitting with mom and dad and SAW 2 I want to call DCF.




of course kids belong in kids movies ... but they also have to behave. they arent at chucky cheese .. they're watching a film .. stationary.



re. little kids at innapropriate films .. i also find that distressing. i cant enjoy my film knowing some kid is being abused that way because some thoughtless asshole didnt bother with a babysitter.

i sat through spiderman the 1st time beside some trailor trash family who brought tiny children - one of whom screamed in terror throughout the entire film. inconsiderate assholes on every level.

[Zero]

for me personally the film has to be 'engaging' or i totally shut off and start counting the ceiling tiles in the roof of the theater- or the lights or curtain rings, or whatever (honestly, i really do - it annoys my friends to no end as i'm craning my head backwards to get an accurate count)

i think the key to engaging is the characters in the film. if i 'like' them or at least 'believe' them, then i'm willing to go just about anywhere - but if i find them unbelievable, i'm counting tiles. also, i hate when films violate their own logic - i.e., when everyone says - "oh they way to kill Freddy is to do this" then they do it and it doesn't work (but not for any good reason, just because they don't want to end it that easily). this is why i find most 'timetravel' movies really annoying - they almost always abandon the premise and, as we'd say in the states, 'punt'.

(i'd also say i find this problem at work in some of carpenter's films, where he seems to give up on a premise and just find a resolution)

[filmmaker2]

Originally posted by urgeok


i was one of the only people who actually enjoyed the 1st star trek movie because it just looked so gorgeous ...(the journey into the deadly space cloud/star/satellite thingy


I also liked the first Star Trek movie, quite a bit--both the original theatrical version and the new version. The cloud is very pretty, and the huge Enterprise set is soooooooooooo expensive and nice to look at. (The movie takes place pretty much completely on this set, and it was a big-ass expensive movie, so they put quite a bit of cash into it.) The "feel" of the movie is also interesting--it has a strangely comfortable and welcoming atmosphere to me.

Most people don't like it though. In fact, many serious Star Trek fans, the type you might expect to like it because it's Star Trek, don't.

[ADOM]

Originally posted by filmmaker2
I also liked the first Star Trek movie, quite a bit--both the original theatrical version and the new version. The cloud is very pretty, and the huge Enterprise set is soooooooooooo expensive and nice to look at. (The movie takes place pretty much completely on this set, and it was a big-ass expensive movie, so they put quite a bit of cash into it.) The "feel" of the movie is also interesting--it has a strangely comfortable and welcoming atmosphere to me.

Most people don't like it though. In fact, many serious Star Trek fans, the type you might expect to like it because it's Star Trek, don't.
I hated it as a kid because I was expecting a lot more action, a'la Star Wars. Having matured a bit I enjoy it much more now.

urgeok, I didn't mean to say that kid was behaving properly, but at a kid's movie at least you have the forewarning that there will likely be some crying or talking or something before buying your ticket. Hearing a crying baby during a horror flick is more than distracting, it's sad and a little disturbing.