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

By: Maopheus

Maopheus — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 20:03:51 +0000

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.

By: Tony D'Amico

Tony D'Amico — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 18:35:56 +0000

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

By: Owozifa

Owozifa — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 10:02:59 +0000

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.

By: Gil

Gil — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 08:33:56 +0000

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.

By: Loren

Loren — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 00:27:47 +0000

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

By: Trecal

Trecal — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 00:20:03 +0000

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.

By: Trecal

Trecal — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 23:54:30 +0000

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

By: T. Heilman

T. Heilman — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 21:59:23 +0000

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.

By: Johnny

Johnny — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 21:46:54 +0000

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

By: PlanBFromOuterSpace

PlanBFromOuterSpace — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 18:47:08 +0000

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.

By: Indianamcclain

Indianamcclain — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 17:10:13 +0000

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.

By: Scott

Scott — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 12:09:17 +0000

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