Prefer to Watch Movies at Home or the Theatre

[IronWolf]

So this was on CNN today.

Which do EnWorlders prefer? Watching a movie at home or in the theatre? I am talking the usual preference - major releases like Matrix, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars shouldn't factor in too much.

 

[Lhorgrim]

I voted theatre.

I prefer the big sound and big image of the theatre, even if the crowds can be a little annoying.

I don't have a big screen or surround sound at home.

 

[Tarrasque Wrangler]

With my big screen TV and progressive scan DVD player, I'm increasingly becoming a stay-at-home kinda guy. Movies are coming out so quickly to DVD that waiting's almost a non-issue now. I go see the big budget epics at the theater, but mostly that's because those are movies I can't wait for. If I had a commercial DVD or some kind of pay-per-view option for a new movie while it was still playing in theaters, I'd rather stay home and watch it and not have to deal with lines and jerks behind me.

 

[Dark Jezter]

I voted theater. I just plain like going to movies.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

I had to vote other. I'm not too impressed with my personal entertainment pieces, and the speakers on my tv are starting to not function at full effeciency. I had to attach an old set of PC speakers to the audio out to avoid this problem. :\ I'm not too thrilled with the theatre either. Too many disrepful people just go to have their definition of 'fun at the movies', which most often is distrating to those that actually want to get total enjoyment/fulfillment from the experience.

I'm jaded.

 

[reveal]

I used to be a theater guy but after having a kid I'm more of a home movie guy. We now makes plans for what movies are worth actually getting a babysitter and seeing in the theater. SW:Ep3 was one of those movies. Batman Begins will be that movie next weekend.

 

[IronWolf]

I'm in the at home category. As reveal said, having a child at home really makes you decide what movies are worth getting a sitter for. Currently we have a cheap home theatre-in-a-box system and a smallish TV for now, but it does well enough. Plus the comfort of home makes it nice. I mentioned in another post, I hope to have the funds for a larger TV to make home viewing even more enjoyable.

The downsides of the theatre to me is getting to be the cost to go see one in a theatre. They just seem so expensive and that's coming from someone that lives in the Midwest! There's alwas the cleanliness factor...

 

[Crothian]

Depends on the movie. The big summer blockbusters are great on the big screen, but a good comedy I perfer on the small screen.

 

[ShrinkyLink]

Home.

Perhaps when audiences learn to keep their mouths shut/not talk on cellphones/bath, I'll return to the theatre.

 

[Wombat]

Depends on the movie, my mood, and the cost.

Now, for example, I would never wish to see Lawrence of Arabia again except on a big screen. You need the theatre sized screen just to get the entire impact of the film.

On the other hand there is My Dinner with Andre -- doesn't matter if it is on a small screen at all and, in some ways, is preferable there.

There are also many films that I wish I could see on the big screen again, but I know I will never have that chance, or there is at least very little chance. But I would rather see than not see the film, so I will gleefully opt for small screen.

And others that I regret seeing altogether...

So for me there is no simple answer to the poll.