Movies in Today's World

[Odovacar's Ghost]

I am one who has owned a cell phone for a few years. I first got one in Japan. In Japan it was a status symbol, in a way, to own a nice car. I posted in a forum or two about having a cell phone, that included GPS and a camera (along with internet, email, and text messaging). I was ridiculed for owning something like this.

Now you see these cell phones everywhere.

On the topic about watching a movie, the the theatres. I rarely go see one, nowadays. When I watch a good movie, I expect quiet. No cell phones, no little brats kicking the back of my seat, no talking, no getting up in the middle of the movie and obstructing my view. Typically, I will get so focused in the film, that I'll get lost in it.

So, this is why, I'd rather spend $13-$20 on a DVD to watch the movie at home. Where I have my 27" TV and my 5.1 speaker setup. I highly enjoy watching movies at home.

 

[InzeladunMaster]

Let's Stay At Home and Watch It on the Telly

It is sad that TV has become so predominant. Everyone should just stay home; going out is annoying. Sometimes I just want to go out and see a movie - away from my home, away from things that have to be done around the house, away from the day-to-day business of "home" - but that is becoming increasingly difficult because of public rudeness.

It is easier to just stay home. Perhaps people have just forgotten how to respect others or how to be polite because they stay home too much. Now they bring their phones with them so they can keep talking and talking and talking on it, just like they might do at home.

I don't exactly know where I am going with this or how to really express it, but... something is just wrong. It is as though the world is forcing individuals to be increasingly insular. "Let's stay at home and watch it on the TV..."

 

[Odovacar's Ghost]

With a small bit of time and money, you could enjoy home movies. Like this guy:

http://theater.stevejenkins.com/gallery/complete/

Not sure if I posted above or not, but I leave my cell phone in the car when I do watch a movie.

 

[Grimhelm]

The more insular our culture becomes and the more narrow our media becomes, the easier we are as a people to control. I don't necessarily know if this is being done on purpose, but I believe that this is happening.

When information is disseminated to us through a single source, such as television, we all begin acting in accordance with this singular source. When we are encouraged to stay at home and not interact with our fellows, this leads to a stagnation of thinking.

It is not hard to see around us. The proof is everywhere. Stupidity and ignorance abounds. We are even proud of it. We are taught to be proud of it! And the teacher sits on our shelves and is watched hungrily...

 

[chachi]

I too would rather watch a movie at home. I have created a happy home and I like to spend my time in it. My home theater is nothing more than a TV and DVD player, but given the distractions that entail a trip to a movie theater, it is a more enjoyable experience at home. For me, the flexibility to watch the movie that I want, when I want, and bring along any diversions or snacks that I want makes theaters seem silly in comparison. My bare bones Netflix account costs less per month than one trip to the theater, and I have much more control over my entertainment. But I also have a growing dislike for big budget movies with effects that you 'must see' in the theater.

I have never seen movies as a social outlet. Even before cell phones and the general rudeness that pervades our culture, I never talked to people at the theater or engaged with them at all. If I am feeling social, I will arrange for a dinner with friends, either out or at home, go see a live performance, either musically, a play, or even sports, or play games like RPGs, board games, cards or Odovacar's favorite, pool. All of those are much more socially engaging for me than movies.

But cell phones are a pain in the butt with many of those too! I believe that our culture does encourage a brashness or rudeness, and it doesn't stop with cell phones. I make it a point to hold doors open for strangers and to greet them as often as I can, but rarely see others engaging in these basics of courtesy.

 

[chachi]

Sometimes serendipity strikes. I was browsing the shelves at work today and I came across Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of the American Community by Robert Putnam. I browsed through it over dinner and found an interesting tidbit in a section discussing television’s negative effect on civic engagement. According to a 1968 study by social psychologist Rolf Meyersohn, most social activities are positively correlated, including going to the movies. In other words, people who go the theater more often are more likely to participate in other social events and attend more public gatherings. Television has just the opposite effect, inhibiting participation in activities outside the home.

This study is very old. Does it still ring true?

 

[Grimhelm]

Sometimes serendipity strikes. I was browsing the shelves at work today and I came across Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of the American Community by Robert Putnam. I browsed through it over dinner and found an interesting tidbit in a section discussing television’s negative effect on civic engagement. According to a 1968 study by social psychologist Rolf Meyersohn, most social activities are positively correlated, including going to the movies. In other words, people who go the theater more often are more likely to participate in other social events and attend more public gatherings. Television has just the opposite effect, inhibiting participation in activities outside the home.

This study is very old. Does it still ring true?

Well, since this is paralleling what I wrote, I would say, yes, it rings true.

 

[InzeladunMaster]

I too would rather watch a movie at home. I have created a happy home and I like to spend my time in it.

I have a happy home, too - and I tend to spend too much time in it, I think. It is a comfort zone, that is for sure.

I make it a point to hold doors open for strangers and to greet them as often as I can, but rarely see others engaging in these basics of courtesy.

I do that too. I take a walk with my family every morning, and Amanda found it strange at first that I would say "Good Morning" to people as they rode past on bikes, got their morning paper, or were out on their own walks. Now the whole family says "Good Morning" to people. The older people seem to delight in our greetings and have a quick and pleasant response, the younger people look mystified and sometimes stumble for a response.

 

[Grimhelm]

I wonder if Americans have been this way before television, though. Something tells me that our culture has always tended toward reclusiveness. We have manifestos on self reliance, songs of the open road, and Walden, an entire book devoted to the merits of hermitage! I know that this is in contrast to Europe. Saying hello is a common thing there. So is going out with friends regularly, to pubs or other social functions. In a society that puts so much emphasis on individuality, freedoms of the individual and individual rights, I can only think that we have been this way for a very long time.

Just a thought...

 

[InzeladunMaster]

Good point.

I wonder if it goes in generational cycles, as one generation rebels against the former...

America and Americans do tend to have a "Leave Me Alone" attitude - just look at societal responses to mass immigrations.