My coworker and I had this discussion. I would like your thoughts. Is watching a horror film in a movie theater make the movie more effective and scarier than watching a horror film at home on TV?
I haven't seen many horror movies in a theater but in my experience I believe the scares are more effective than watching a horror movie on TV at home. The dark theater and big screen makes the movie more emersive.
What is your view?
Theater, for sure! I watched The Texas Chain Saw Massacre on TV (or video) quite a few times before finally seeing it on the big screen years ago. It's really brutal when Leatherface is literally larger than life! Franklin's death come across especially gruesome, even though it's really not all that explicit.
Old enough to have seen Jaws in the theater when it first came out. Then dozens of times on TV -- then again on the big screen years later. No comparison. At the most recent big screen experience, the audience had several younger folks who apparently hadn't seen it before. Alex Kintner's death and Ben Gardner's surprise appearance where just as effective as when I saw them in the theater in 1975!
Theatre goers can be obnoxious and distracting. When I saw DePalma's "Carrie" back in the '70s,
two excitable women in the audience totally spoiled its shock ending for everyone. I've never
forgotten that and prefer to watch scary movies in seclusion.
My choice is theater. That way I can continue the time honoured tradition of flinging empty popcorn boxes from the balcony on those down below.
;)
I honestly prefer to watch any movie in the theater, but life usually gets in the way and I'm forced to watch at home. I don't know if it's the dark theater, the ambiance or the better popcorn, but I always enjoy movies more on the big screen.
I saw the original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre as a 15 year old in a seedy downtown cinema. Yeah that was eye opener. chain_saw
Quote from: Dr.Cyclops on November 24, 2023, 04:50:17 AMI saw the original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre as a 15 year old in a seedy downtown cinema.
At The Roxy?
I too saw the
Texas Chainsaw Massacre at the downmarket Center Cinema on Clarence Street in downtown London with a couple of my buddies when we were about 21-22 years old. We actually met Claire the massive bouncer from our favourite dive bar exiting the previous showing (with his tiny girlfriend) but we certainly didn't know what to expect. One of my buddies later admitted that he was tempted to walk out of the theatre when the fellow was poking the girl he had captive in the burlap bag with a stick.
What I found really amusing though was the aftermath of the movie. My two buddies were sharing an apartment in a tenement and doing odd jobs for people to earn money. They accordingly had spades, rakes and other normally non-threatening tools piled by the door. I'd gone in with them to pick up something in their apartment and I noticed how studiously they both avoided looking at the would be implements of mayhem and massacre. "Bon nuit" I thought. "Sleep well you two!"
;D
I guess, for me, it really depends on the movie. The big screen and surround sound of the theater all add to the experience, but some movies I like to watch at home. Obnoxious moviegoers are also an issue. Many times I've had the movie or experience ruined...mostly by younger kids and teens. At least at home I can be surrounded by all my monster stuff while watching in peace.
If the theater is practically empty I prefer the big screen. Crowds and people ruin films for me.
Quote from: Doh! on November 16, 2023, 02:29:22 AMTheater, for sure! I watched The Texas Chain Saw Massacre on TV (or video) quite a few times before finally seeing it on the big screen years ago. It's really brutal when Leatherface is literally larger than life! Franklin's death come across especially gruesome, even though it's really not all that explicit.
Old enough to have seen Jaws in the theater when it first came out. Then dozens of times on TV -- then again on the big screen years later. No comparison. At https://bizzo-casino.co.com/ the most recent big screen experience, the audience had several younger folks who apparently hadn't seen it before. Alex Kintner's death and Ben Gardner's surprise appearance where just as effective as when I saw them in the theater in 1975!
Watching classics like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre or Jaws on the big screen truly transforms the experience, making the suspense and horror even more palpable. Leatherface's presence feels overwhelming in a theater, while Franklin's death becomes chillingly impactful despite its lack of explicit gore. Similarly, Jaws thrives in a theatrical setting, with iconic moments like Alex Kintner's attack and Ben Gardner's jump scare eliciting genuine reactions even decades later. Experiencing these films with a fresh audience underscores their timeless ability to captivate and terrify.
The big screen is great, but usually not worth the hassle of crowds and high prices. Hard to beat a good Blu-ray in the privacy of your own home.
I love watching at home, but for movies like the new Nosferatu I prefer seeing it first in a crowded Theater. Safety in numbers. :)
I enjoyed it because we went to a 21+ theater and every single person there was silent and engrossed the entire time. That feeling we all shared, the vibes, were indescribable.