When do you see movies? When do you like to read about them?
Thursday, May 7, 2015 at 10:00PM 
An open question for all readers. We've often expressed disdain for the internet model (prevalent on most well-read movie sites, even the good ones) in which the bulk of conversation about a movie happens BEFORE its release. But what to do about it? We try our best here to talk about movies mostly after they open (with the exception of the YNMS series, Oscar predictions and short news bits) which has surely cost us readers in the anticipatory-madness of current online culture. However one thing we're not good about is knowing when to discuss films. WHEN DO YOU SEE NEW MOVIES? Are you at the movie theater every week? Do you VOD? Do you rent DVDs? Do you just bit torrent everything (naughty-naughty)? Or are you totally beholden to when Netflix decides to stream something if, in fact, they ever get around to streaming it at all? (Netflix, once a godsend for cinephiles, has become something of a curse.)
It used to be so much simpler when there was just one release date but now viewing is so staggered between so many types of services, subscription and pay-per-view models, and so many exclusivity windows that it's hard to even have a DVD column that's anything close to relevant. (It's the chief reason, I believe, why piracy has grown so large and rampant: there are just too many obstacles to audience seeing a movie they want to see when they want to see it). I ask these question because so many movies we've discussed in the past but perhaps in not as much detail as we should have are released each week on DVD. Recent newbies that I've wondered if we should discuss again or in more detail (links go to previous coverage) include: The Last Five Years, Miss Julie, Mr Turner, Selma, Fifty Shades of Grey, Paddington, Mommy, The Boy Next Door, Inherent Vice. And each week brings new titles fitting that same criteria. In the coming weeks Beloved Sisters, Blackhat, Still Alice, American Sniper, and Leviathan among others arrive.
Any thoughts on the problem of staggered viewing and how to unite us all?
Reader Comments (31)
We see a movie in theaters maybe 3 or 4 times a year. Most of our movies are rented from our local library-they have an awesome selection-just saw Gone Girl last night. But with new releases, we often wait a month or two after DVD release because of waiting lists. While, I do like yes, no, maybe so (and am disappointed when it's not nathaniel writing it up) I admire your determination to wait to talk about movies that we can actually watch. Often, once I finally see a movie, I will google thefilmexperience and the title of that movie, so I can go back and read what you thought about it. Keep up the great work, and congrats on Agent Carter getting picked up. When that is released on dvd, I will be sure to google thefilmexperience agent carter to read your thoughts!
I don't read major articles, reviews etc. until after I see the movie. I go to the theatres. The city I live in might get the movie a few weeks to a month or two after its limited or platform release so I always have to scroll back when reading. I think if somebody wants to go back and research or add to the discussion after they see something they can.
I think you should write and post about a movie when you feel you have something important to say or add to the cultural conversation. What I love about TFE is the passion and variety. Timing doesn't matter to me.
I have small kids so rarely see cinematic releases on schedule. I play catch up a few months later. I avoid reading reviews of films I already know I want to see, but often come to this site six months after the fact to read any review / discussion once I have seen it. I appreciate that you rarely if ever have coverage of current films that gets too spoilery.
I agree that a feature that would be great for people like me would be a "slow tracked" opportunity - for particular big/interesting films, have an opportunity six months down the track to revisit it. A new discussion post would mean people like me would start contributing more; and I'd also be interested to hear whether people who DID catch the film during initial run still have the same view about which parts of it are memorable / interesting.
PS exhibit A: I am only just watching Daredevil, and I am going back to read all your episode reviews as I go . . . !
I try to catch new releases in theatres - usually 2 films a month. With others I do video on demand, or netflix. Increasingly I am baffled by the slow releases, "Still Alice" drove me crazy last year. I still buy dvd's of films I have liked a great deal just to have it, or to lend it, and for useful extras.
My suggestion with regards to dvd's is to flag ones that have really good extras, for example good commentaries by a director or cast & crew. No need to do a whole review of the film, just let us know if there is a worthwhile dvd edition.
It's impossible to cover everything, I think it's better to go for certain releases of quality -not quantity. I especially like retrospective looks at current actors & actresses.
I'm one of the lucky ones, because I live in LA so I get all the major and minor releases. I have the MoviePass so I get to see most things, but if I don't get out to see something; once it leaves theaters i'll wait for HBO Go or Netflix. If it doesn't make it to those two platforms I rarely see it. I do look back at past articles once I watch something though. I hate reading reviews before I see something.
I watch movies in theaters almost exclusively, so the reviewing system currently in place works for me. Unfortunately, between work and...well, more work, I can only catch 50 to 100 movies a year where I was able to see easily twice that many in my younger days. That's why TFE is so important for me - it helps me to select what movies are worth seeing with an ever-shrinking time budget.
Here in the UK there's a cinema chain that offers a monthly package where you pay close to £20 and can see as many movies as you like. It really is as good as it sounds. ;) So I'm at the cinema pretty much every week.
Being a chain, though, they often don't have indies, so I try to catch them on Netflix (finally watched What Maisie Knew last night). I'd love to be able to support local movie theatres or indie ones, but unfortunately it's just not on the budget right now.
I probably go to the cinema about twice a month, and I’m either led by big films that I’ll see with my boyfriend (Avengers Assemble, Interstellar, etc.), or, if I’m planning a cinema trip solo it will be to see a film that I know will be gone in a couple of weeks. Film festivals are restrictive due to the pricing, and often if there’s something I want to see I’ll wait until it’s on Netflix or a similar on-demand format. I can understand why pirating films has seen such an increase given the glacial pacing of release dates. Films that never received a cinematic release in the UK the past few years include The Spectacular Now, The One I Love, Passion, Beyond The Lights, Blue Caprice and Snowpiercer. Foreign films like Tom At The Farm, Eastern Boys, The Missing Picture, I Wish, Norte: The End of History had long periods between premiering at festivals and reaching UK cinemas, often for only a week at a few cinemas in London. Much as I’d like to say I’m not influenced by this sort of thing, the desire to be ‘part of a conversation’ around new and buzzy films as they premiere informs what I want to watch next, now, this instant.
That’s why this site is so refreshing and, honestly, I think it has a pretty great balance of covering new films and revisiting both classics and considering new-ish films with a bit of distance. That’s one of the things you don’t really see anywhere else, and I love about The Film Experience. Maybe if it was united under a common theme like the films that sort of fell between the cracks of the 2014 Oscars? Re-visiting actors/directors filmographies seems to be popular, and I’m a nut for that sort of comprehensiveness. Sorry, this isn’t much of a suggestion, just reeling off stuff I like about this site, but it’s such a haven from so much other film coverage online.
Rarely make it to the theater anymore, so most of my viewings are when they come out on iTunes/VOD. I only go to the cinema when it's a big event film or special effects blockbuster at this point (Gravity, 12 Years a Slave, Interstellar, Hunger Games) - which is kind of sad?
If the TFE has an article up on a movie, I tend to skim over it in case there is a spoiler (and never read the comments out of fear). I don't think it's a big deal to talk about the movie when it comes out, or before, as long as there isn't any big spoiler. Maybe revisiting it when it comes out on DVD/VOD etc. is a good idea though since it's more widely accessible and cheaper.
I only hit the theater on odd weekends when something new has opened that I want to see (Mad Max will be a destination trip, for example.).
I also tend to purchase DVDs rather than stream due to problems with streaming out here in the sticks. I still can't get Amazon to work properly.
I don't really care when a film is discussed. I'll archive the information for later when I finally get around to seeing it.
If I am travelling for work, I will catch up on the latest releases that haven't opened at home yet.
I try to make it to theater to see movies around twice a month (more during Oscar season), but honestly, it doesn't always happen because life gets in the way. (I'm hoping to finally see Ex Machina this weekend after having to put off plans a couple of times, for instance.). I still have a three-disc rental plan from Netflix, as well as a streaming plan (I also have a one-disc plan from Facets for hard-to-find discs).
Of the movies you listed, I only saw Still Alice in the the theater, but I rented Mommy last weekend, and I currently have Selma and The Last Five Years at home. I know Leviathan and Inherent Vice are coming up in my queue once Netflix has them available for rent. I did scroll back last weekend through all the coverage of Mommy once I watched the movie and appreciated having it.
I really appreciate the links on the side of the page to new releases on DVD. Those are very convenient, and I use them all the time. I would welcome the opportunity for new discussions on DVD releases just because I so often end up seeing films on DVD.
Like most commenters, I don't read about a movie until after I've seen it.
The movies I want to see typically don't come around to where I live, so I usually do the Netflix DVD thing as it is the cheapest option and they usually have everything I'm looking for.
When I'm done watching the movie, I'll check out the reviews and the usual websites, this being one of them, to see what others I respect feel about it. So timing doesn't matter, but I do think you should try to write about all the films you assign a grade to. Sometimes you assign a grade to a film without a proper write-up, and those are often the ones I'd love to hear your thoughts on. There are other times when you maybe missed a film in theaters and then only briefly acknowledge that you watched it on DVD after the fact, and again I'd love to read a full write-up of your thoughts.
But then again, there's only so much time, and I regularly read the site and enjoy what's posted here anyway, so don't stress about it too much!
Before I left my comfortable office job to become a starving artist I visited the movie theatre an average of four times a month, a habit that was easy to break out of once I realized how quicky those double-digit ticket prices add up. Having also ridded myself of Netflix and Hulu Plus accounts, at one time I relied most upon Red Box DVD rentals, though I've recently gotten back into somewhat regular movie going, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I will seek out those bootleg film websites whenever the mood hits me.
As for discussing and reading about new releases, I believe that once the film opens it's fair game for conversation. I certainly don't want to hear about a film ad nauseam months and months ahead of its opening, as there's really no value in that for me.
I like reading coverage of films as they open (even if I might not get around to them for a while; my moviegoing habits have become less regular since moving to NYC and the higher ticket prices and overwhelming assortment of options living there comes with), but kind of detest on-the-ground reporting from film festivals. More and more, the people who go seem like an exclusive club that talk amongst themselves, loudly, where everyone else can hear about the latest thing that by the time we all get to see, they're bored and done with. A simple "this one lives up to the hype" or "don't waste your time" is fine, but anything more feels like a tease, especially when the film may never be available to see (I'm still trying to figure out how I can legally see Bwakaw, which you raved about a few years back).
I have Netflix streaming and still buy DVDs/Blu-Rays of films I really love, and will use VOD when I have to. The thing is: Nothing compares to seeing a movie IN A THEATER, and I kind of hate movies that skip that step, so I will sometimes stage my own little protest and find.... other methods of watching films that don't open theatrically.
I think it would make more sense to post it when you see it, but to start off with a summary of general thoughts. I scan reviews of films before they're out to see if I want to go. (For instance, I was excited about the Witherspoon/Vergara movie but it was at 8% yesterday on RT - maybe wait for video or avoid completely.) I'm a big fan of clearly marked spoiler sections and often look up the review after seeing it to see whether or not I agree. I don't think there's any way to win on timing - most cities won't have them when you get them in NY/LA anyway. I like reading a bit on what excites the critics and why without ruining any surprises.
If I really want to see a film before the internet explodes with comments and criticism, I see it in a theater. But that usually means driving an hour, and the release is STILL a month or so later than NYC and LA. TFE team and other film bloggers always see movies before most of us (with critic screenings, DVD screeners, special downloads, etc.), so you should write what you want to write about. I jot down titles I'd like to see based on some of your reviews.
However, if you're looking for conversation and comments on a specific new release from folks abroad or in places other than LA and NYC, then wait a month. But then, it's sort of old news.
I think this blog is perfect as it is. And usually, the comments are interesting and thoughtful unlike many other film sites. For clues on how most of us take in movies, the comments posted on "what did you watch this weekend" is a good start. I find it interesting how some folks find random stuff on Netflix, or binge-watch all of Kimmy Schmidt, or catch up on TV episodes. Or attend a small film festival in their area. Or, read a book...
(Netflix, once a godsend for cinephiles, has become something of a curse.)
Oh, Nathaniel, you speak my heart.
I used to really religiously see a movie in the theater at least once a month. Low for a cinephile, but a real treat for me and it worked with my schedule. Now that I'm married and working around Professor Spouse's rather grueling schedule, I see far fewer movies in the theater, to my great frustration. So maddening to marry a cinephile and go to the movies so rarely!
Our non-theater viewing is On Demand, or Netflix. We decide on the movie and figure out how to see it.
I'll see big movies in theaters right away because the conversation about them happens so fast I don't want to be left out! I still hold on to the Netflix DVD service because the library is so much more expansive than streaming, but there are still weird gaps.
In anticipation of Fury Road I wanted to catch up on the rest of George Miller's series, and found that Netflix had the original and Thunderdome available on DVD but not the Road Warrior! Bizarre. I ended up finding the Road Warrior in a....VIDEO STORE! Would you believe it?!
I'm a mix of everything. I like reading about movies as they come out or at festivals so I know what to keep an eye on, but then I'll usually go back once I've seen something in order to really dive in. That being said, I rarely read anything anymore about Hollywood mega franchises because I don't really care unless they're from people I really like (so, The Film Experience for one).
I read about movies constantly, but make it to theaters less and less. I'm far better at getting to DVD and VOD stuff right away.
Great topic! I generally will seek out interesting indie movies and/or oscar contenders in theatres as well as a couple comedies sprinkled here and there. Probably just once every two-three weeks on average. If I don't see it in theatres though... honestly, I probably won't see it. Typically because if it was getting good reviews (especially from this site!) I would have made sure I saw it in its theatrical run. (The exception being my effort to brush up on classic directors like Ingmar Bergman etc. which you generally CANT see in theatres.)
Sadly enough, while I love movies, whether I like it or not, my habits for the most part end up as - movies in the theatre and hulu/netflix shows at home.
Also - sadly enough, the spring and summer tend not to have movies in theatres that I am interested in. (Case in point - AMC gift cards in my wallet since my birthday in March.) I wholeheartedly agree with Nathaniel's issue with studio release dates. Studios --- Give us good movies in the spring/summer!!! Don't just wait until the end of the year!!!
With reviews, I'll always read festival coverage - either because I'm at the fest and want to compare notes, or (more often the case) because I'm on the hunt for movies to check out later. I usually see new releases a week or two after they come out, and will check out reviews (including here at TFE) at that point. Unfortunately, by then the comments threads are always dead, so there's not much discussion to be had, and therefore no real point in posting anything. I would definitely like follow up posts, especially with platform releases since those tend to reach people in waves.
Most of the time, what will drive me to see a movie (in any platform) is the talent involved, then if I don't know the talent, the subject-matter, then finally, I can be influenced by movies that received a lot of acclaim/festival awards or were divisive for some reason. In the last 10 or 15 years, whether a movie won an Oscar is irrelevant (that award has lost its credibility to me and the same goes for critic awards). I would say it's pretty much 50/50 the percentage of movies I see in the theater or in my laptop. I hardly ever read about the plot points of a movie before I see them and only scan reviews ( I do check the tomatometer and metacritic every week, just out of curiosity to see whether a certain movie was embraced by critics or not). I usually gravitate towards talent/movies with something new to say, or a new way to show something old.
I live in Houston, so the only movies worth seeing don't come out until late December through February, and the foreign films come out about a year or more after I read the festival reviews. By that point, I mostly skip them and buy the blu-rays for the ones that look good and watch the iffy ones on Netflix. Wild Tales, for example, just wrapped up its ONE WEEK playing at ONE THEATRE here. (Actually, it was more than one week, but only one showing a day the second.) So I will just buy it as soon as it comes out, since that's cheaper than seeing it in the theatre anyway if you want popcorn, candy and a drink. (I drop almost $40 every time I see a movie!)
I'm so tired of all the real movies coming out at the same time of year. How does anyone think this is a good idea? Still Alice didn't play here until after the Oscars, and after nearly a year of hearing it wasn't very good, I couldn't be bothered to go see it and I still haven't. It's on my Netflix list; we'll see how long it takes to get to it.
I try to see all the Oscar contenders in the winter leading up to the awards (be it in theatres or online), and then catch up with the rest of that year's releases on DVD or VOD during the dearth of good films from March to May.
1. I see independent, foreign, and auteur-driven studio films in theaters, as close to release dates as possible. I don't read reviews (or watch trailers or listen to podcasts) until after I see movies. I like to form my own opinions, free of what reviewers have decided or PR people want me to believe.
2. If I see a blockbuster film in the theater (big dumb action movies or big dumb comedies) I usually wait a week or two until the crowds thin. I sometimes read reviews beforehand to get a sense of is it any good? Or will I just feel like I've wasted my $15 and two hours of my life?
3. I see an average of one film in the theaters a week. (Fewer right after the Oscars, more as the awards business heats up.)
4. I use Netflix, iTunes and sometimes Amazon to catch up on things I've missed. (I get disks from Netflix, not just streaming content.)
I'm somewhat of a collector so the bulk of my movie-watching is done on home video (I do A LOT of blind-buying), but I'll occasionally checked out a VOD release if it's something I really want to see and isn't playing near me. I'm getting better at actually going to the movies, but again, a lot of what I want to see isn't playing near me and I'm against pirating so that sometimes means waiting a loooooooong time. Netflix is cool because it's cheap but I mainly use it to watch the shows and other random selections that I came across. It's handy but i could never rely on streaming as my main method of movie watching because titles get removed from services and I just like actually having a physical copy of a movie.
As for reading about movies, I'll basically take what I can get. The internet has made me so used to spoiling things for myself that I don't even care about waiting to see the movie, if someone that I admire/trust is talking about a movie I want to see I'm most likely going to read the article the minute I come across it. The few times I've actually tried to avoid spoilers I end up coming across them anyway.
I see about 20 movies a year at the cinema release. These are usually those I want to see now and those that will be best on a big screen.
I like to read about the released movie in a non-spoiler review as soon as possible. If I am thinking about a movie I have seen, then I might seek out more reviews or commentary.
I also read short trailer reviews but don't seek them out.
Smaller movies or those I have only some interest in, I wait for cable TV release. I used to watch more DVDs but both the extras and the DVD rental shops have gone away.
I am happy with this site's timing of movie reporting.