How do you choose the films you watch?
September 26th 2006 21:54
How do you choose the films that you watch? And why do you watch what you watch? Is it escapsim, entertainment, suspense....
Are there certain types of films that you avoid or hate and if so, why? Do you have a pattern or is your decision random? For myself, I know I work out what kind of mood I’m in and then find a film that suits it.
I chose my blog topic Movies and the Meaning of Life as I love films and writing and combining the two is am alluring blend. Those are two of my main passions in life as well as music. As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, I recently discovered and devoured a gem of a book called Movies and the Meaning of Life by Kimberley Blessing and Paul Tudico. I would definitely recommend this book if you are questioning what it’s all about, life that is. It’s a compilation of essays written by various writers with qualifications ranging from philosophy to theology. It is dedicated to showing how a wide variety of films such as American Beauty, Groundhog Day and The Truman Show have tackled the eternal question of ‘what’s it all about’. It even uses less obvious philosophical blockbuster films such as Spiderman and Minority Report to examine the question and relationship.
I am intrigued by the relationship between films and life. Films give me the chance to pass through a portal into another world that I wouldn't normally have access to. If a film tells me something about life, I'm intrigued. The more a film makes me think, the better. The longer the character/s stay with me tends to mean how much of an impact the film has had on me. When I saw the German film Head On, I was so affected and involved that for the rest of the weekend, I felt as though I could have a conversation with the two main characters. That might sound extreme but to me, it meant that the film had worked and I relished that feeling.
How does it work for you? As I said, I’m intrigued....
Are there certain types of films that you avoid or hate and if so, why? Do you have a pattern or is your decision random? For myself, I know I work out what kind of mood I’m in and then find a film that suits it.
I chose my blog topic Movies and the Meaning of Life as I love films and writing and combining the two is am alluring blend. Those are two of my main passions in life as well as music. As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, I recently discovered and devoured a gem of a book called Movies and the Meaning of Life by Kimberley Blessing and Paul Tudico. I would definitely recommend this book if you are questioning what it’s all about, life that is. It’s a compilation of essays written by various writers with qualifications ranging from philosophy to theology. It is dedicated to showing how a wide variety of films such as American Beauty, Groundhog Day and The Truman Show have tackled the eternal question of ‘what’s it all about’. It even uses less obvious philosophical blockbuster films such as Spiderman and Minority Report to examine the question and relationship.
I am intrigued by the relationship between films and life. Films give me the chance to pass through a portal into another world that I wouldn't normally have access to. If a film tells me something about life, I'm intrigued. The more a film makes me think, the better. The longer the character/s stay with me tends to mean how much of an impact the film has had on me. When I saw the German film Head On, I was so affected and involved that for the rest of the weekend, I felt as though I could have a conversation with the two main characters. That might sound extreme but to me, it meant that the film had worked and I relished that feeling.
How does it work for you? As I said, I’m intrigued....
| 85 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by Homer Joyce
Cinema:
I’ve been disappointed by cinema so many times (due to the hype that surrounds certain films that are absolute rubbish) that I’m now very discerning as to what I will make the effort to go and see (rather than wait until it comes out on DVD. At least then, if I don’t like it, I can just push ‘stop’ and not have to drive all the way home).
That being written, there are some films I have watched on DVD, and wish I had seen them at the cinema.
To go to the cinema and see a film, one or all of the following have to exist: (1) The film has to appeal to me personally. (2) A credible critic has to recommend it. (3) A credible friend has to recommend it. (4) I take a risk and am surprised.
The next film I am going to see based on personal choice is Perfume (based on Suskind’s novel).
The last film I saw at the cinema that I enjoyed because a credible critic recommended it was Dead Man Walking.
I can’t remember ever having been to the cinema, and enjoying a film based on a credible friend’s recommendation. (I have, however, seen many on DVD/VHS).
The best two films I have seen at the cinema via risk-taking (where I knew nothing about the films whatsoever) were Silence of the Lambs and Pulp Fiction.
DVD/VHS
I’ll certainly take a credible friend’s recommendation and hire a DVD/VHS. I’ve seen some great films due to such recommendations.
But in terms of choice, I’ll just spend hours in the Video Shops reading the covers … and then make my choices based mainly on whether the genre, plot, actors, or director appeals.
My favourite films are the ones I’m prepared to watch over and over again, and buy a copy of. A few of these include:
Taxi Driver/King of Comedy/Raging Bull/Cape Fear
Barton Fink
Enemy of the State
7
Pyscho
Love Serenade
Citizen X
Blue Velvet
Bad Boy Bubby
Secrets & Lies
TV
I don’t like the interruptions in films on commercial TV, so when it comes to watching films on TV, I like the ABC or SBS.
There are so many great B&W films that have been on the ABC, and so many great foreign films that have been on SBS, I’ll generally give most a go (unless it’s one of those atrocious British smut comedies like Carry On [making trash films… ].
The ones I remember most enjoying were:
(1) A Day in the Sun (Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Tayloy, Shelly Winters)
(2) Car of My Desire (some obscure German film that was so out-there).
(3) Three Colours Trilogy (Red, White & Blue) by Krystof Kieslowski
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
When it comes to films, this is what hits me:
1) Something I've been looking forward to, or especially want to see, because I know, or heard it was good.
2) Something someone else told me was good.
3) Gratuitous violence, nudity/sex and ridiculous comedy.
4) Gratuitous nudity/sex
5) Ridiculous comedy
6) Gratuitous violence
7) All other film
Luckily, I usually only watch movies that I expect to be excellent...
Comment by Homer Joyce
You are one sick pup. That might explain why I like your posts ...
Gratuitously yours,
Homer
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
That's a very concise and interesting answer. I know what you mean about being disappointed with media hype around certain films at the cinema. I tend to move the opposite way and rarely see those films. I also value the opinion of a credible friend/person's recommendation.
You listed a few films that I also think highly of: Secrets and Lies, Taxidriver, Blue Velvet and Bad Boy Bubby.
The adverts on telly also really annoy me, they are disruptive, so I don't tend to watch films that way. I have the World Movies channel at home and that is a gem.
I've just started reading Perfume and I think that will be a film I'll look forward to seeing.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I like your list. There seems to be a common thread in your requirements... gratuitous sex and violence and ridiculous comedy... I'm sure there are quite a few films out there that fit those categories.
Enjoy those films,
Tracy
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
After all, a lot of excellent movies draw on our innate fascination with sex and violence to entice us into the film...
How's perfume? Wow, I'd like to read it again, but I don't want to sully that first experience...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Perfume is addictive...I would love to read it all in one go, but life keeps getting in the way....
Comment by Scarlett
Dessert
In that instance, I'd much prefer a light-hearted comedy or just something that I can sit through and have a good laugh.
Comment by Anonymous
I know what you mean, as much as I love a film that gets me thinking, there are times when all I want to do is put my feet up and watch a funny film/program especially after a long day. Sometimes we just have to switch our brains off and have a rest. To me, that's one of the beauties of films/books/telly, how we have so much choice.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life