The Cinematic Experience

The Cinematic Experience

Home theatre systems are growing in popularity, but there are somethings it cannot replace

Could it be the whining children, the ringing cell phones or the annoying people whispering during the movie? If these reasons have you resorting to renting a dvd instead of heading to the cinemas, you are not alone.

At one time, going out to the movies was an event that was fun and enjoyable. However, times have changed with the dawn of home cinema. The advantages of having a home cinema have become irresistible such that the option of watching movies at the cinema has been abandoned for reasons which are not very difficult to see.

For one, the price of a movie ticket has sky-rocketed and is constantly going up – it is like the price of gas. If you calculate, you will find that it will cost you more than $40 for a family of five to see a movie just once.

Unquestionably, food is an important part of movie watching. Here, you will also be shelling out another $5- $10 for just simple popcorn and drink. At home you can have any snacks you like and drink whatever you want. More importantly, the prices at home are neither inflated nor taxed.

At the movie theater the floor is nothing but litter with sticky soda pop residue, popcorn, and who knows there might be a sticky bubble gum or worst, nose dirt sticking on the very chair you are about to sit on.

Comfort is key but unfortunately, at the cinema it an entirely different story. "Not only are most seats small and cramp, it is so irritating that I'm itching half the time," Sheryl Lim, self-professed movie-junkie complains.

At home on the other hand, comfort is the order of the day. You can use your favorite chair or an overstuffed leather recliner and relax and watch the movie in peace. Rubbing elbows with your neighbors is not an issue either.

Moreover, cell phones have acquired a nuisance value at places like movie theaters. DespitE countless reminders, there will still be someone yacking away on the phone. If you are unlucky, the ringing of a hand phone will distract you at a critical part of the movie.

Mrs Lily Ang, a frequent movie-goer laments that there has never been an occasion in the cinema where a phone has not rung. "It's really frustrating sometimes. What's worst, those people don't really care who they disturb."

Given, there are many benefits and reliefs from watching movies in the comfort of one's own home. However, many argue that a movie has to be watched in the theater in order to enjoy the 'full cinematic experience'.

There's just something magical about a movie theater. Once the trailers stop and the lights dim, the collective masses of movie-goers stop talking, rush to their seats, and cast their eyes upon the giant screen in anticipation. Then, when a stream of projector light hits the screen's silver surface, everyone in the theater is transported to another world.

“Watching movies at home are a far cry from catching a movie in the cinema” reveals Royston Tan, a 26 year-old Marketing Manager.

Fact is, the use of sound in a theater plays a crucial role. Surround sound heightens the experience.

Yes, many would argue that you can get surround sound at home too but clearly, the ambiance and 'feel' is incomparable. Those sound effects help take the movie-goer deeper into the movie's world, for it surrounds them in every direction.

Finally, movie theaters are constantly evolving. Whether it's 3-D, digital film, or IMAX, movie theaters keep up with the times and offer the latest and greatest entertainment technology.

“Just take 3-D movies for instance, the effects are so cool, everything feels so real and those glasses and bizzare” Victoria Lynn Tan, a secondary school student gushes.

Despite the advantages of watching movies at home and at the cinema respectively, many people forget that the movie itself plays a huge part in the whole 'movie experience'.

“Action or drama-packed movies like Titanic or Avatar will be better appreciated at the cinema because of the sound quality and atmosphere that the cinema provides” Singapore Polytechnic film student Dannel George comments. “Somehow, when you watch it at home, it loses it's 'feel' and 'power'.”

“Chick flicks don't need to be watched in the cinema because they just don't have that cinematic element in them” Mary Chia , a final year film student at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

Can you get the full flavor of Milk or (500) Days of Summer at home? Probably. G.I. Joe? Probably not.

So next time, when you are deciding where to watch your movie, think of it is nature and genre first then decide in order to maximize your movie experience.