Comments on: Edmund Burke at the Movies

By: glisteny

glisteny — Wed, 10 May 2006 04:29:37 +0000

I disagree with your current feelings toward Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I still love everything about that movie, especially the music.

By: JimG

JimG — Tue, 09 May 2006 04:34:43 +0000

And sometimes it’s where we are (physically and psychically) that makes the difference. Back in 1975 me and another American took a South African, an Austrian and a German to a rented remote farmhouse in Wales for Christmas. And lo and behold, when we turned on the TV while we were making Christmas dinner: The Wizard of OZ, a movie that the German and Austrian had never seen. It has always been a great movie ever since.

By: Synova

Synova — Tue, 09 May 2006 03:22:11 +0000

Movies are much less scary at home on television than in the theater, at least my kids never hide behind the couch at home even for the very same movie.

Some movies, obviously, take better advantage of the big screen and THX than others (I’m glad to have seen “Hero” in the theater, for example) but re-watchability has to be a story issue, doesn’t it? Not that “good” stories stay good or “bad” stories don’t hold up, but certain sorts of stories don’t rely on the unknown to pull the audience through to the end.

Sometimes the movie can be ruined if while you’re walking into the theater you overhear someone walking out say what happens, like knowing the end of the book. Other stories, just by the way they are told, are entertaining every single time, even when you know them nearly by heart. Say… The Princess Bride. Just like some books (Lois Bujold is my favorite example of an author I can re-read over and over.)

For those of you who have children available so you’ve got an excuse to watch kid movies… a real surprise, if you haven’t watched it, is “The Emperor’s New Groove.” Seriously.

By: Attmay

Attmay — Mon, 08 May 2006 19:33:47 +0000

After seeing movies in historic movie palaces and other fine venues, I can barely watch movies at home anymore. I think the presentation of the film is an important factor as well. It won't make a bad film good (I utterly LOATHED Super Troopers after I saw it in theaters), but consider a film such as Lawrence of Arabia, specifically the scene in which Lawrence sees a small figure in the desert. I saw the film in 70mm twice, and the shot just doesn't play as well on TV. A poor presentation may cause a film to fall flat with a viewer who, under other circumstances, might have enjoyed it more.

By: Michael Thornton

Michael Thornton — Mon, 08 May 2006 17:47:32 +0000

I think the reason we find some movies are good at the theater and not as good at home is that some are just not stayers. For some unknown reason we can watch certain films and the 40 foot scren and those we are with in the theater share something. But then at home it is not the same. Case in point was when I seen Edge of 17 I had to have it and when I got a copy it just did not have the effect at home on tv like in the theater. But I can still watch The Searchers time and time again cause it has what it takes

By: ThatGayConservative

ThatGayConservative — Mon, 08 May 2006 09:44:16 +0000

Try reading Super Troopers.
It was a book required for one of my brother’s leadership classes at The Citadel.

By: Melanie

Melanie — Sun, 07 May 2006 23:20:34 +0000

Saw Exorcism of Emily Rose, at night, in the theater, with a ridiculous number of screaming teenagers, and was scared out of my mind. Couldn’t walk into my closet without first turning on the light for weeks. Watched it again (as I’m a glutton for punishment) yesterday, during the day, in my own living room. And by golly! I wasn’t skeeeeerrrrred!!! Funny how those outside influences affect us. Very good post and analogy.