A movie enjoyed!

'Cloverfield' being a prime example of my idea, I shall give you not a review, but a written experience of an experience:

I sat next to my friend Sheldon in the auditorium, the one whom tries my patience most of the time we see a movie. He loves talking, bless him. But like the good Bible says, 'There's a time and place for everything.'

He didn't talk too much - the popcorn was a great idea.

Anyhow...The movie began [before I start this, I don't want to spoil the movie for anyone who hasn't seen it yet, so read this blog at your own risk]

My favourite films are called my favourite, because most of the time I've felt caught up in the realism of the story. Obviously Hollywood is far-fetched sometimes, but the human emotions are real. The screams are real. The laughter and music is real. The "Oh no she knows what I did" feelings are all tangeble.

So for Cloverfield specifically, the film-makers were clever in establishing the characters. They weren't just introduced as random heroes for a monster movie - they were mysteriously revealed to be as human as we are. They make screw ups too! And it's there we have that seamless connection. Are you in real life or are you in the movie?

Now that I'd passed through the gates into the fantasy world, the extreme parts of the film began. So well done are the special effects and sounds, that I become terrified and panic-stricken along with the actors. I allowed myself to get scared in the same way people allow themselves to get scared on rollercoasters or skydiving.

Symbolically, the movie also had a constant shadow looming over it, making us aware that there is a bigger picture. There is more. Our minds tried filling up as many of the gaps as possible:

'Did I see a long tail on the monster?'

'Why is THIS happening when the army guy said something else?'

Being inside of time, we humans are never satisfied without closure. Which is why the film-makers of Cloverfield made it very vague to find out what was going on. In fact, so vague that desperation will force you to research more about the film.

And this is where it gets interesting...

There are websites of fictitous companies and fake MySpace profiles of the characters. Cloverfield is linked up by conjured brands from the shows of Alias and Lost [all by JJ Abrams] All of which provide small, but valid clues, thus giving us more pieces of the puzzle, thus getting a better idea of the bigger picture.

Personally I think it's a brilliant setup and it adds quality to film-making.

I really enjoyed that one!

How To Enjoy A Movie

We all enjoy watching movies.

There are very few out there who don't, and even they are influenced in some very indirect way by the movie culture.

I'm not going to give a militant step-by-step guide on how to enjoy a movie, but I will give hints (based on Googleable fact) as to how you as an individual can appreciate your particular taste in movies, just the way the film-makers wanted you to see and experience it.

Still with me? That last paragraph was a tough one - it gets easier from here.


In an hour or so I am about to go and watch 'Cloverfield' by J.J. Abrams, and I think I've been very good by avoiding any and all spoilers that have tempted me. The trailers, the write-ups and the strange (but cool) websites have successfully done the trick by luring me to my local cinema, and so I am looking forward to the cinematic experience that the makers of the film intended for me.

So far I am glad to give them my money.

You see, my parents used to be amateur film-makers - that's how they met. They always had books and magazines lying around when I was a kid, which I would find far more interesting than homework or chores.
I slowly got an understanding as to what actually went into making a film.

It's not as easy as it looks. Sometimes not that fun either.


But it all started with an idea.


Someone's idea.


And they wanted to share that idea.
Sometimes it would only be appreciated by a minority, which is fine, because that's probably what the ideas-person wanted anyway.

Camera operators, soundmen, editors, scriptwriters, composers, actors and directors ALL want to be recognised for what they're good at - what they love doing. The editor can throw in some editing tricks to woo the audience subliminally.
The composers can write a tune that makes you hold your breath.
The actors will vent a feeling on your behalf.

It's more than entertainment - it's an experience.

They WANT you to be entertained.

Besides, you already paid for your ticket, unless you're being dragged unwillingly to a genre of film you don't enjoy.


Film-makers have already tried 3D movies to try and get you as far into their fantasy world as possible. They've developed surround sound now so that it sounds like we're right in the middle of the scene. They've even tried releasing different smells and odours (upon certain cues) so it smells like you're in the movie.

See how desperate they are?

But that doesn't mean dragging your heels. Sometimes you must just enjoy the movie for it's escapeism. Just let yourself go. Laugh when it's funny. Cry when it's sad. Harden those stomach muscles when it's tense.

And don't worry - it's only a movie.

I used to work at a cinema and got to love the way people were entertained or disgusted by certain scenes in certain movies. Some people came just because of the colourless hype, but the wiser ones came to see their favourite actor or their favourite director. They seeked purpose, a sense of fulfilment.

If you're familiar with the director's movies or if you're a fan of the leading actor/actress - then go! What are you waiting for?

If you're seeing a movie with a particular friend who talks during films, rather make plans to see the film another time. Try and make your movie-watching experience as serene as possible, whether it be at home or at the mall.

Be excited by the trailers and the posters. Talk to people who love and hate the film. Talk to people who want to see it and people who don't want to see it.
Then you can make up your own darn mind.

Enjoy your movie.