Open Forum Friday: Are Certain Movies Just Better on the Big Screen?

Posted by on September 28th, 2012   Filed under: Open Forum Friday

The IMAX re-release of Raiders of the Lost Ark recently gave many younger viewers a chance to see a classic movie in theatres for the very first time. Also this month, P.T. Anderson’s The Master has provided the opportunity for moviegoers in select cities to see the movie projected in 70 mm, a rare treat in this day and age. Judging by the strong per-screen average of both of these releases, this is something that many cinephiles were willing to go out of their way to experience. On the flip side, however, many movie fans are indifferent to these kinds of special screenings, believing that their own home theatre systems create the ultimate movie watching environment. But are they missing out on something?

The recent 3D trend has tried to create an extra incentive for people to see movies on the big screen (with varying degrees of success). However, I don’t think it’s just big special effects-driven blockbusters that benefit from a theatrical presentation. For example, it was announced today that Magnolia Films will put out Terence Malick’s To the Wonder in the U.S., which means that it will have a small theatrical release followed by a VOD rollout. It seems like a shame to me that many people will not get to experience such a visually stunning film to its fullest extent. Melancholia is another movie that really deserved to play in more theatres. What do you think? Are there certain movies that need to be seen on the big screen in order to be appreciated? How do you choose what movies you will pay to see at the theatre? What are your most memorable theatrical experiences? Give us your thoughts here on Open Forum Friday.



  • One big plus for seeing Raiders on the big screen is the collective gasp of the audience when Belloq eats the fly. And I’m calling it here that that moment shows up on one of your top five lists for the Indy podcast.

  • Owozifa

    I don’t know if it’s better, but it might be butter.

  • La Menthe

    Obvious answer: all movies are better on the big screen.

    Lucky for me, the dad of a friend of mine works in a high-tech company developing projectors for cinemas, and next week we are planning to do a marathon on Indy in the company’s own private cinema. The films that I have seen there that gave me a completely different experience than watching it on a 52′ TV were Blade Runner, 2001 and The Good, The Bad and the Ugly.

  • Gerry

    The best way to see any film, bar none, is on the biggest screen possible.

  • kyri

    I saw R.O.L.A on I-max last week but I can’t really answer the question… I liked it, but you could tell that it was not shot on imax.

    having said that.. I hate that my local imax doen’t show all new releases.. they seem to have a weird selection committee or smthng..

  • Scott

    Definitely. I was awed by DARK KNIGHT RISES on the big screen. V FOR VENDETTA on the big screen wowed me. Wish I could watch THE VERDICT on the big screen!

    Scott
    http://Www.reconditepictures.com

  • Indianamcclain

    I would say yes. I had the chance to see Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade on 70 millimeter earlier this year and it was one of the best movie going experiences I’ve had all year. Certain older films just have a scope that can’t be justified on a tv set.

  • I think that horror and suspense films benefit greatly from being seen on the big screen, because in a film like “Paranormal Activity” or anything with jump scares or things sneaking into frame, you’re more likely to actually be surprised, as you tend to be concentrating on the main action in the scene, like an actor’s face as they’re talking, or somewhere where you THINK something is going to happen. You might not be able to take it all in at once when you’re seeing it on a giant screen, but if you’re watching at home, you probably can. Also, if you’re checking it out at home, you can pause it, rewind, whatever. You don’t get that second chance in a theater.

  • Johnny

    I think so. And thats why I bought my lovely projector.

  • T. Heilman

    Films I had the advantage of seeing on a big screen that were never the same at home include Once Upon a Time in the West, Suspiria, 2001:A Space Odyssey, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, The Wild Bunch and War of the Worlds (1953). Those filmmakers who are able to use the silver screen like a painter uses a canvas are best represented on a big screen. Italian films of the Sixties and Seventies in particular look amazing.

  • Trecal

    Yeah, big screen helps. I bought a 720p projector and a 120″ screen 2 months ago, the wife and I get out the popcorn and watch everything on it (movie wise) the experience kicks ass on a 50 inch tv any day.
    Just watched sunshine last night… the big screen didn’t fix the crappy slasher ending tho :)

  • Trecal

    it all depends on the movie, if it’s something you know you will like (specific director or actor)you see it at the cinema before it gets ruined by internet hype or spoilers.
    Most movies you can wait these days, it’s a small window before you can get it at home and watch it at you leisure on your own big screen. (snow white, Huntsman) However there are exceptions, Paranormal Activity really does work with a crowd so you may need to see at the cinema. A bunch of variables.

  • Loren

    There’s a theater here in MPLS Minnesota called The Uptown. Big screen with balcony seating.

    Got the chance to see the following there
    “The Godfather”
    “Das Boot : Directors Cut”
    “Apocalypse Now : Redux”
    “Rear Window”
    “Alien”

    All were special Anniversary Prints so quality was spot on. Now that I just moved back to Minnesota it will be great to see films on this screen again, plus its newly renovated! With an even bigger screen! Thank you Mark Cuban and Landmark Theaters for preserving The Uptown!

    http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/Minneapolis/UptownTheatre.htm

  • Gil

    Now that I think about it, I do prefer watching some of my Blu-rays on the 60-inch TV in the living room than on the 32-inch TV in my bedroom.

    All joking aside, after watching The Master in 70mm, I’m convinced that it depends on the movie. Tree of Life was great on the big screen and so was Melancholia. The Master shot on 65mm, fuck no. What an ugly film for projection; I should have waited for the Blu-ray.

  • Owozifa

    I’ll say yes, but probably not for the same reasons as many. Though, for one thing if the argument is just about screen size it’s not much of an argument. Am I supposed to be like naaaaah, I’d rather watch this film on my iPhone? Usually given opportunity the average film fan likes the best screen they have.

    For total experience in consideration of the theater, however, I do often choose to stay home. I have weird ideas about it. I didn’t think it was worth it to go see Avengers or Dark Knight Rises at the theater even though I look forward to checking out the Blu-rays, but I’m very happy that I got to see The Descendants at the theater, and caught Beauty and the Beast when it was playing again. For some movies you just kinda want to.

  • Tony D’Amico

    I definitely think the theater is the superior choice for all films, regardless of genre. That might be helped by the fact that I’m blind as hell, and visual stimulation on that scale can’t be matched. I can’t say that anything can compare at home.

    Some of my most memorable theater experience from the last few years are The Grey, Moneyball, Raiders of course a few weeks ago. Moonrise Kingdom is a great example of a film that isn’t special effects driven that was amazing on the big screen, as well as most of Wes Anderson’s films I feel. I watched The Life Aquatic and Royal Tenenbaums at the theater and it was awesome each time

  • Maopheus

    Yeah, Heilman the main reason is because those films are Super Giganto Panavision format, or Vistavision or whatever, 2.35:1 to more than 2.4:1 if I remember correctly, and need a wide enough big screen to screen right. Even on a big HDTV, those movies are letter boxed to a degree, so you waste almost a quarter of the screen’s height. So you end up having to get a really really large screen (either projector or TV) so that the height is reasonable enough. Nice thing about a projector is that you’re limited to a fixed screen size. You’re only limitation is where you can mount the projector and how big a wall or screen you have. I got an Acer projector and I have an open wall space that is perfect for acting as a screen. So far it looks fine to me. I’ve seen a guy’s video on Youtube where he paints the wall with super bright white paint and outlines the edge of the screen with wood wrapped in black felt. Maybe I’ll do that sometime, but right now I have a free screen.