What’s more satisfying than seeing a hot mug of chocolate, sizzling with a sweet aroma, and small chunks of marshmallows sitting like icebergs on top of it? The sweet smell of butter wafts from a paper bag softened by the creamy moisture inside, sitting eagerly next to the mug. A big TV screen broadcasting a favorite movie drags friends and families who seem eager to joke, to gather and watch until their hearts throb and eyes are soaked. A warm blanket kills the coldness in the air, and the fireplace’s heat roars and quivers softly. The hushed silence of people fills the room, the TV only speaking, and a snoring dad seems to have surrendered to a dream.
People have a variety of viewpoints on how they enjoy watching movies. Whether it’s going to the theater or sitting with someone they love, it’s true to the heart that movies bring people together, perhaps even giving strength to their relationships. While some watch alone, quietly absorbing every piece with hooking admiration, others go on a night out. Some people turn on the TV screen at midnight, half-surrendering to sleep, while others intently watch with hooked eyes.
“When [a] movie starts at my home, everybody seems happy and laughing. Popcorn and pizza are always there, and my mom sometimes brings treats, like cookies. It’s always fun to sit together and make the moment enjoyable,” Parneet Chahal, a senior, said.
Small moments like these bring memorable flashbacks in the future. Family members and friends fill our hearts, healing holes of stress and unwanted tension.
“Movies can sometimes make you laugh, or if you are having a bad day, you can forget about everything and just relax and watch,” Chahal said. “These types of movies really help me relax and get hooked. I really like watching comedies and light-hearted [movies], but [I] also like watching something which can relate to real life.”
Like how the wand chooses the wizard, the type of genre plays a significant role in shaping emotions and the attraction of movie viewers. For example, if someone is uncomfortable watching horror movies because they are fearful of the content, they might choose to spend time away from the rest of their family. While others, who like horror movies, would naturally be inclined to watch them, even at night. The type of genre influences movie choice and preferences.
“I like both comedy and romance. But, I think it mostly depends on the time of the day,” junior Ben Haas said. “‘[The Perks of Being a] Wallflower’ is one of my favorites. This movie is enhanced with rich romance, [as it depicts a struggling high school boy who changes his life story as he finds true love.] Since I have Disney+ as well, I also really like watching anything that comes out, like any season or movie series.”
Platforms like Disney+, Netflix, and YouTube contribute significantly to the viewers’ watching rate. While most are currently watching the new season two of “Percy Jackson” on Disney+, others are watching the new release of “Stranger Things” season five on Netflix. Others simply choose different pathways.
“We have this platform, a subscription from Canada, in which we watch literally everything, from the new arrivals to the oldest movies. It’s so cool that we get to see movies [that] aren’t even available on other platforms, such as ‘Zootopia 2’,” Anshdeep Thind, a senior, said.
A new arrival or an old movie can be at the touch of your fingertips, but what’s even more interesting is the idea of watching it with loved ones. It’s true that some simply love classical videography, while others like modern movies more.
“I think I would definitely watch older movies if they are from Bollywood. Though I would never watch horror versions in both the classical or new arrivals,” Thind said. “I love looking at new things, even though it’s a horror movie. If my family chooses to watch it, I will still stay there out of curiosity.”
While some people are brave or curious enough to watch a movie they dislike, others choose to ignore it completely. The plot, setting, characters, and music are the main hooks used to grab the viewer’s attention.
“The plot usually hooks me, because a movie could have good music and a good setting too. But if the plot isn’t interesting enough, it would get boring really fast,” Chahal said.
It’s true that without a good plot, a movie seems dull, with only loud music drumming through the ears. Books made into movies, on the other hand, describe a different story. With the plot being the same as the books, if the characters blow the viewer’s mind away through their beauty and the ending turns out more unique, many people would want to view the masterpiece. For example, in “The Book Thief,” the main character is depicted as living a long life after surviving war and bombing. But in the movie, the main character is shown reuniting with her best friend at the end of the war, and the emotions she feels are filled with joy.
This demonstrates a perspective of plot change, since the main character was shown as living a longer life in the book at the end; the movie portrayed it as a moment for the main character to be joyous and surprised. The viewers experience a more uplifting ending in the movie because the scene at the end left them with a more hopeful mood, in comparison to the readers.
“In [my] English class, one of the movies that we watched was ‘Into the Wild’, and that made me look at the book in a different type of way. Imagining the characters in your brain might be different from how the movies [portray them]. And, although [there are] a lot of things that are missing from the book, it’s still really good to watch, because it gives you a visual representation of what other people think,” Thind said.
The way movies are depicted can also influence people’s outlook and attraction. From huge screens at the theater to the small screens of phones, the format influences the way people watch movies. Recommendations from peers, friends, and family members also help choose the best movies in advance.
“I like recommendations, because I can see what people like, which helps me learn more about the movie. But I don’t really like movie reviews. They’re critics that don’t understand the topic. Mostly, recommendations help me choose a movie based off of a theme or a book. I trust friends and family on that,” Kristina Karami, a senior, said.
With either a dazzling hot cup of chocolate or a drink of your choice, everyone has different opinions on how they enjoy watching movies. Enjoying big screens or screens of your hand’s size, classical insights or modern versions, the types of traditions and family time all contribute in different ways to make the movie time more memorable.
