Movies that can only be done justice in the theatre

[jmc]

So I was thinking about this recently in regards to Gravity in that I'm not so sure I want to buy it on DVD simply because I don't believe my humble TV and sound system can do the film justice and replicate the experience I had in the theatre. This in turn got me thinking about my experience when watching the Jurassic Park re-release last year. I saw JP when it came out in 1993 once in the theatre but saw it at various times on TV and video over the next 20 years, yet watching it again in the cinema last year was almost like watching it for the first time. The conclusion I came to was that JP, like Gravity, is a film that is meant to be seen in theatres and is not suited to the small screen. Upon looking at my DVD/Blu Ray collection I couldn't help but feel several films I have just have never felt quite the same at home in spite of how well executed they may be. So the point of discussion here is I'd like to know what films people feel like can only be done justice to on the big screen, maybe eliminate the obvious examples like Star Wars or LOTR, and maybe discuss and compare the viewing experience of a certain film between cinema and home theatre setup.

 

[DA_Champion]

Could it also simply be that thin plots lead to less rematch value?

Avengers was fun the first time around and boring the second time around, I assumed it was because of the plot and not because of the screen size.

*****************

In the near future the median home theatre system will be of higher quality than the median movie theatre.

 

[jmc]

I don't think so. For me something like Inception also loses something when it's not given the cinematic experience. It doesn't really matter how much plot there is or isn't, there's something about the small screen which diminishes films, I'd like to know what others think.

 

[pr0xyt0xin]

I think I agree with Gravity and Inception.

Also Avatar even though I didn't love that movie anyway.

 

[DA_Champion]

I don't think so. For me something like Inception also loses something when it's not given the cinematic experience. It doesn't really matter how much plot there is or isn't, there's something about the small screen which diminishes films, I'd like to know what others think.

Well, I actually did see Inception in the theatres twice, and it was less fun the second time.

I think it's really hard to disentangle generally declining rematch value and the power of awesome visual effects.

But here are some guesses:

Avatar
Independence Day
Pacific Rim
Matrix Reloaded

 

[Schlosser85]

I only saw Gravity on TV, and wasn't impressed.

I thought Avatar was amazing in the theater. I still enjoy it on DVD but its flaws are more glaring, so I do think I was blinded a little by the eye candy and spectacle and immersive 3D thrown up on a huge theater screen.

I saw Inception in the theater, then didn't see it again for 4 years although I really liked it the first time, then finally got a cheap DVD and liked it just as much or maybe even better.

 

[jmc]

Well, I actually did see Inception in the theatres twice, and it was less fun the second time.

I think it's really hard to disentangle generally declining rematch value and the power of awesome visual effects.

It's not just about visual effects. I think you'd be surprised how much the cinematic experience itself plays into certain films. Master and Commander is another film that comes to mind, it's a well made film and yet it never feels as epic as it does in theatre. Films aren't made with the idea of TV screens in mind, they are created with intent of utilizing the cinema screen which is far more immersive, it's a different canvas entirely.

 

[Blitzkrieg Bop]

I will always regret not seeing Inception in theaters.

I've never seen Kubrick's 2001 on the big screen, but I'm sure it's a whole. notha'. level.

 

[Schlosser85]

The Dark Knight felt more epic in the theater, to me.

It's still a good movie on DVD, but I agree with the OP point to an extent.

 

[jmc]

TDK is another one for me too. It feels like a movie that requires a theatre screen to watch it properly.

 

[TheNextNolan22]

The Dark Knight
The Dark Knight Rises
Inception
Gravity
Avatar
The Matrix

Just on the sheer spectacle alone.

 

[jmc]

Dovetail question, has anyone tried to replicate the theatre experience at home with their home set up and if so how does it compare?

 

[Blitzkrieg Bop]

I found that having some sort of sound system besides your TV is a good way to start. When I got my (now broken) sound bar and popped in Inglourious Basterds, I could hear the cows on Monsieur LaPadite's farm for the first time. I've wanted to buy a projector and a screen to play my movies on a wall, but haven't gotten around to it yet.

 

[DA_Champion]

Dovetail question, has anyone tried to replicate the theatre experience at home with their home set up and if so how does it compare?

From speaking to people who know a lot more, the sound and visual systems in movie theatres are actually not that good and it can be easily replicated at home, where easy means a few thousand dollars, lol.

Most people don't realise that sound quality is of comparable importance to visual quality. That's why a $1,000 TV sold at Best Buy or JB Hi Fi in your case will typically come with a $20 sound system. In reality, human hearing covers the range from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz (a factor of a thousand), whereas human seeing covers the wavelength range from 360 nanometers to 760 nanometers (a factor of 2), which means the dynamic range is ~500x smaller. We do however have higher resolution with our eyes, the human eye operates surprisingly close to the quantum limit.

Too much science?

OK, a good modern screen with a good modern sound system, seating, and the lights turnoff should fairly replicate or even exceed most movie theatres, with the possible exception of 3D that I have not looked into.

 

[green]

If you get the chance to see JAWS in a cinema do it.
Whole different experience.

 

[jonathancrane]

Same with Blue Velvet.

Lynch's images are far more potent on a large screen.

 

[jmc]

From speaking to people who know a lot more, the sound and visual systems in movie theatres are actually not that good and it can be easily replicated at home, where easy means a few thousand dollars, lol.

Most people don't realise that sound quality is of comparable importance to visual quality. That's why a $1,000 TV sold at Best Buy or JB Hi Fi in your case will typically come with a $20 sound system. In reality, human hearing covers the range from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz (a factor of a thousand), whereas human seeing covers the wavelength range from 360 nanometers to 760 nanometers (a factor of 2), which means the dynamic range is ~500x smaller. We do however have higher resolution with our eyes, the human eye operates surprisingly close to the quantum limit.

Too much science?

OK, a good modern screen with a good modern sound system, seating, and the lights turnoff should fairly replicate or even exceed most movie theatres, with the possible exception of 3D that I have not looked into.

That's debatable.

 

[Quasimod0]

I had the same experience with Jurassic park as you, jmc. Loved seeing it In theaters.
I, gonna say
The avengers
Avatar
Pirates of the the Caribbean
Basically just big films like that, that have a huge scope and greatly benefit from the big screen.

 

[jmc]

Another dovetail, what films do people wish they could see in the theatre that they either missed or weren't old enough to have seen in the theatre?

 

[Soapy]

Even though I can't point to any specific reason why, I would say Star Wars. Watching Star Wars at home is great, but watching in a theater is completely different experience. At least for me.

 

[galmorzu]

I agree with pretty much every post in this thread so far (and so happy to see others also think Pacific Rim was a great theater experience!), but I need to add a personal favorite of mine.

Jurassic Park

I've seen this movie so many times over the years, and when the re-released it in 3D this past year, I went to see it out of principle because to date, it's the movie I've seen more times than anything else.

And wow, IMAX 3D, it reminded me WHY I saw it so many times. The music, the deep rumble of foot steps, and that freaking T-Rex ROAR shaking me to the bones!

For a movie that's become somehow "eh, seen it" on home video, I seriously felt like a wide-eyed kid again in the theater.

 

[flickchick85]

The original Star Wars movies. It's funny, because I grew up with them on the tiny TV screen and totally loved them that way, but then, when they were re-released theatrically (well the Special Editions, anyway), it was like experiencing them for the first time. I was blown away. I can only imagine what it would have been like to actually see them for the first time that way. I definitely feel like I missed out.

 

[Octoberist]

The Dark Knight felt more epic in the theater, to me.

It's still a good movie on DVD, but I agree with the OP point to an extent.

It's just the reactions to The Joker is something that you can never relive. The vibe of the audience in the theater was infectious and just made the movie more magical.

 

[Warhammer]

Gravity was definitely a theater experience. There's no way you can recapture that movie magic just watching it at home even if you have a huge 3D TV and glasses. Avatar fits that as well because once you don't have 3D, you realize how flawed of a film it is and how much it's initial critical reception rode on it's technical breakthrough.

As far as films without 3D, sure the theater is the ultimate way to view a film, but that doesn't mean they aren't done any justice. Honestly, you always enjoy the film more the first time you view it regardless of if it's in a theater or at home.

 

[weezerspider]

Gravity for sure. I'm sure its still entertaining at home, but certainly a small fraction of the 3D IMAX experience. Jurassic Park is a pretty good example, too. That said, ALL films that were originally released theatrically, were MEANT to be seen on the big screen. I never would have thought watching The Godfather on the big screen would have been that big of deal, but holy ****, it was amazing. There's something powerful about the cinema. It helps you escape more so than just sitting at your home.