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Christopher Nolan and Sofia Coppola Urge Fans To Watch Films in Cinemas, Not On Netflix (theguardian.com)

Posted by msmash on from the where-to-watch-a-movie dept.

Christopher Nolan and Sofia Coppola have urged audiences to see their films in the cinema at a time when the movie industry is reckoning with the growing popularity of video on demand and streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon. From a report: Presenting their forthcoming films at CinemaCon, the annual convention organised by the National Association of Theatre Owners, the directors said that they hoped fans opted to watch them at movie theatres, where they were "meant to be seen." Nolan made his comments during a presentation of his second world war drama Dunkirk, at which he previewed footage from the film. "This is a story that needs to carry you through the suspenseful situation, and make you feel like you are there, and the only way to do that is through theatrical distribution," Nolan told the audience. "I am depending and relying on all of you to try to present this film in the best way possible." Coppola echoed Nolan's comments during a Focus Features presentation for The Beguiled, a remake of the Clint Eastwood civil war drama starring Colin Farrell and Nicole Kidman.

4 of 360 comments (clear)

  1. Going To The Cinema Is Great But... by dryriver · · Score: 4, Interesting

    ... different people have different preferences. One person may love to see Nolan's "Dunkirk" on a huge cinema screen, where the experience is probably quite overpowering. Another may prefer to pop the Dunkirk Bluray into his living room Bluray player and experience the film on a smaller screen in the comfort of his home. Also, some people - like working adults with children - simply don't have the time for a 3+ hour trip to the local multiplex. I used to love going to the cinema when I was 13 - 25 years old. I wanted to watch everything on the big screen. These days I like watching Bluray's or streaming movies at home - some even on a laptop screen with headphones on. The films still work. After the first 3 minutes, you forget what kind of screen you are watching on. You cannot expect everybody, in this day and age, to prefer cinema over home viewing options.

    --
    Why did the chicken cross the road? Because Elon Musk put an AI chip in its head.
    1. Re:Going To The Cinema Is Great But... by OneHundredAndTen · · Score: 4, Interesting

      ... different people have different preferences. One person may love to see Nolan's "Dunkirk" on a huge cinema screen, where the experience is probably quite overpowering.

      I don't think that the experience is that overpowering, relatively speaking. The power of the big screen made sense decades ago, when at home you had a 23' screen with a modest resolution. These days, Saving Private Ryan is overpowering at the theater, and also at home, on a 60' screen. You can get an experience at home almost as overpowering as that at the theater. A huge screen and a very loud sound are not worth the price of admission any more.

  2. Reconfigure the Theaters by turp182 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I take my kids to movies in theaters and we always do 3D which is fun.

    Otherwise, they need to update the configuration of theaters to enhance the experience.

    I suggest they use the Oatmeal's suggestions:
    http://theoatmeal.com/comics/m...

    "Into the Dome Motherfucker!"

    --
    BlameBillCosby.com
  3. Erm... by RJFerret · · Score: 3, Interesting

    ...then remove ads at theaters, I'm not paying to watch ads.

    ...then lower the volume at theaters, I'm not paying to have my hearing damaged or remember to bring earplugs and their discomfort.

    ...then offer a pause button, I'm not paying to miss parts because of assorted reasons.

    ...then bring the theater closer to me, I'm not paying gas and an additional hour of time round trip to travel there.

    ...then create a new story, I'm not paying for another version of the seven basic plots I've already seen.

    Note, I already only attend matinées at reduced rates, so consider that in terms of what I'm willing to pay already.

    (I've thankfully not been bothered by other rude patrons, and find films often enhanced by shared reactions, but for many people you'd have to eliminate the audience too.)

    Music has changed to reduce the deeper tones not resolved in tiny earbud headphones, as fewer listen via speakers nowadays, perhaps movies should likewise adapt to how they are consumed?