Why You Should Go To The Movie Theater

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The Nerdwriter is a series of video essays about art, culture, politics, philosophy and more.

[@Krustenkaese92]

honestly, Covid had the opposite effect on me. I was that 'only blockbusters really warrant a big screen' guy before the pandemic, but during lockdown I really started to realize how I took 'events' for granted. Concerts, plays, movies in the theatre. In the two months of 2022 I have seen more movies in the theatre than at home on my TV or computer. No idea how long I'll be able to keep it up and I'm sure I'll fall back at some point to my mindset of 'oh I can watch that at home', but I'll try not to.

[@jvictor3048]

Same here.

[@paolabueso]

Same!

[@mastaw]

Yeah same!

[@D3nn1s]

As a person with a projector at home i can tell you it doesnt matter to me where the big screen is located :D

[@Chris-rg6nm]

Nobody asked you

[@piercekafka]

The theater is not only about enhancing the image and audio experience. But its about the shared experience. The emotional magnification that sharing a scene with others does. Hearing laughing and gasps is thrilling. The focus that a large screen has combined with these other aspects change a movie. A movie is like cake and the theater experience is cake with icing.

[@trixter21992251]

after watching Dune in a theater, I started thinking about concentration during long movies. I couldn't sit through Dune at home. I got distracted and ended up fast forwarding to the good scenes. But when going to the theater for a second time to watch it again, I enjoyed it again. In the theater there are no distractions. We're forced to pay attention. And that gives a boost to the storytelling. That way the story can go deeper, get more complex, and not lose the audience. (To a certain extent, of course) So that's something I think theaters can do for movies, too.

[@samfilmkid]

Agreed. And Dune had, I felt, a great balance of massive, truly massive wide shots of nature and landscapes that reduced the figures to dots juxtaposed with intimate closeups that really immersed you in the psychological motivations of the characters.

[@njester025]

I felt the opposite actually. I had a hard time focusing for the full 2.5 hours. I’m going to be watching it at home soon and look forward to being able to pause, stretch, get more food or drinks.

[@CaughtInTheLoop]

Interesting take. I personally couldn't imagine skipping a single scene in Dune because every second of the movie is important and carefully crafted. Compared to the book, the movie almost rushed through the story and left out some important scenes. However, Dune has also instantly become one of my all-time favorites. So it's hard for me to view it objectively

[@Chris-rg6nm]

Who fast forwards a movie like Dune? Psychos

[@okaykatieokay]

Completely this! I don't know if I'd focused properly all the way through Spencer at home, but in the cinema I was completely transported. I wish I had the chance to see tick, tick... BOOM! and The Power of the Dog in cinemas.

[@dillonberry3469]

Love that Ingrid Bergman close up from Casablanca is the thumbnail. I had the pleasure of seeing it for the first time in a theater. During that scene, when the camera is just holding on her while the song plays, I felt chills. Truly incredible what her performance and that shot conveys before we've even learned the details over their failed relationship

[@RemnantCult]

I will always love movie theaters. Even just watching a small movie at a theater makes it so much better. One of the things I used to do was pick a movie I never heard about and just buy a ticket and see what it was all about. I pray that that doesn't die off. Streaming just doesn't have that magic for me.

[@mirkoruhl9324]

Most of the best part of theaters is the sound. You just can't replicate the same intensity of bass with a computer or cellphone

[@emilymcplugger]

@RemnantSeapunk Did that during my birthday week. Saw “Liquorice Pizza” (what?) and “Belfast” (yay!) Of course sometimes it doesn’t work out or as I call that experience now, having an Ad Astra”.

[@oneniggo]

Well, watching random movies is way easier on streaming sites since you don't run any economic risk. Only thing wasted watching a bad movie at home is your time, not money like in the cinema. That doesn't mean movies can't benefit from a big screen, but part of your argument can be turned against your point.

[@juanazhang]

@@oneniggo their point was that the enjoyed the experience of being in a theatre very much, so they took more opportunities with unknown films. wasn't very much of an argument to begin with, its a personal thing they like doing

[@lukeaudax1420]

I had the exact same experience of being mesmerized by a massive face on the cinema screen when I went to see Dunkirk at the BFI 70MM IMAX in London, last year. It was at the moment just after Kenneth Branagh's character says "I'm staying here, for the French". Nolan cuts away to the train, where the main soldier (played by Fionn Whitehead) wakes up. The light is bright on about 1/4 of his face, and he turns to see the daylight. That tender image, contrasted against all the epic, expansive wides of the rest of the film, touched me so deeply, I was in awe - and that on 520 square-meter screen, projecting 70mm film, you can only imagine how wonderful it was.

[@FongioHELS]

This made me immediately think of the shot toward the beginning of Midsommar when Dani's on the phone with Christian, talking about her sister. She leans into frame and we see this matrix of emotions through her eyes and words... The amount of information and emotion conveyed in that scene is immense and dense and her performance is so raw and upfront and ...in your face

[@jensentung]

Imagine a Nerdwriter video marathon on the big screen.

[@chandranathdas9403]

would go and see thrice or maybe more than that!

[@Levipaulsen]

I know this is just a cheeky comment - but I think the beauty of nerdwriter is 90% of what he imparts could be done in content alone or at the very least via audio.

[@Kerdis]

What are some of your fav Nerdwriter videos? I personally love the Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac, Maus, Heat, and K=Lauryn Hill ones.

[@Levipaulsen]

​@@Kerdis Nerdwriter is very weird in the sense that his consistency is so insanely dialed in. His KZbin videos are literally more well constructed than a lot of stuff coming from Netflix and TV right now. So, I have to give the man credit and say I don't think there is one video I have seen that I didn't find.... top tier. I think Netflix/Mainstream media should literally hire him as a consistency consult.

[@Kerdis]

@@Levipaulsen I couldn’t agree more.

[@notsograceful4787]

I think something that should have been mentioned is the price, movie theaters are fricking expensive. Free at home in a couple months vs. 15 bucks and the hassle of getting to the theater + no subtitles most of the time. The community hype and avoidance of spoilers for the most popular movies justifies it. Movies I know will be beautiful on the big screen but I won’t have anyone to talk about with feels less justified even though I’d love to go

[@Echoleon]

100000% agree the way audio is balanced now-a-days i literally cannot understand dialogue sometimes without subtitles

[@tomslazdovskis202]

I keep hearing about movie theather prices and I don't get it. Compare it to other art forms. Music concerts cost way more than CDs. At the cinema you are paying for the expenses of setting up such a great experience that can not be matched by a tv screen. Same as a CD will never replace the experience of hearing the artist on the stage. I think that there is a gap between movie lovers and casual movie watchers who are looking for entertainment only. Same as with music, movies have become ultra accessible so the majority will want a entertasining action movie and less people will be interested in more demanding movies. (Not saying that there is anything wrong with action movies). Obveously cinemas as businesses will meet the demand.

[@AnT508]

@callmecatalyst You just wrote a weird thing. I love it!

[@Veronensis]

Of course I don't know where you're from, but here in the Netherlands you can often get a "mid-week ticket" for the most popular cinema chain. So on Monday through Thursday, you can see a movie for half price. I don't know if they have something similar in your area, but it's worth it to check if price is a factor for you.

[@plica06]

@callmecatalyst Keep takin' those pills buddy.

[@25zvillcb25]

What timing! I saw The Godfather Part I in a Dolby Cinema yesterday. I've seen it multiple times and have always really enjoyed it, but I always found it a bit difficult to keep characters straight and therefore the plot at times could get a bit confusing. That kept me from considering it an all time favorite. And the home setups were always well above average including dedicated home theatre rooms. Watching it in an actual theatre made such a huge difference not only in my ability to enjoy the aesthetics, but literally to understand and enjoy the characters and plot better. Especially in a film where so much of the plot isn't stated, but conveyed through how people act and say things. Boy does it make a difference.

[@bobunitone]

Nice, just watched Apocolypse Now on the big screen for the first time and wow! What a difference from the DVD viewing I had years ago.

[@25zvillcb25]

@@bobunitone Oh that'd be a good one. I unknowingly some director's cut version with extra USO and French scenes. Made it even longer than it normally is, but I liked those scenes and only found out they weren't in the theatrical cut after talking to a friend about the movie. I also got to see Schindler's List in a theatre for the 25th anniversary like this Godfather showing was for the 50th. Really hope AMC does more of these if new movies are getting fewer theatrical releases.

[@martinrenzhofer8241]

This also works with older films. I had always seen Citizen Kane on television. The first time I saw it at the theater was like experiencing an entirely new movie.

[@user-il9ij5wx3n]

Once upon a time in Hollywood was the first Tarantino movie I've ever watched in theater and it was an amazing experience. The tension was immense and the hours went by like nothing. I also felt like the style of the director was so much more obvious on the big screen. It just felt more "like a Tarantino"

[@95gatorsfan]

I’ve probably seen the Godfather a dozen times but watching it on the big screen on Sunday I was able to really understand and appreciate it for the masterpiece that it is. There truly is something about watching a movie in the theatre that you just can’t replicate at home.

[@noaholson9047]

One thing that sucks about watching smaller movies on TV is sometime do you have too many distractions at home why are the theater the only bright thing you can see is the screen Which grabbed your interest more

[@FrederickDunn]

When I was in San Diego, there was the Point Loma theater. It was on Rosecrans. The screen was HUGE, and I believe they ran full frame film, what we called premiere format 70-74mm? Whatever was playing, I went to see it, as old films were revealed on a scale that made them new, as If I'd never really seen them before. That was how I felt we should really experience movies. In another direction entirely, as a child, I watched the Saturday Morning Film Festival. Something about being alone and watching a small TV that brought foreign or independent films in a way that embedded them into my subconscious mind made them deeper somehow. I'm a new subscriber, looking forward to seeing familiar art in an unfamiliar way. Thank you.

[@Vampireprice]

The Green Knight required big screen viewing. The facial expressions were as detailed as the landscapes.

[@justino2602]

Nah fam the sequence of the story was not that interesting. Story has to hook you first

[@janine7384]

Still can't believe The Green Knight got snubbed for the Best Cinematography Oscar.

[@tsartomato]

yeah "big screen" and then you sit so far that the screen is smaller than your smartphone

[@arthousecouch]

Saw it at my local arthouse cinema. You could hear a pin drop in the theater during the closing shots of the movie, which were close ups as well. "“Well done, my knight. Now, off with your head."

[@GhostsOfThings]

This was the first one I thought of. One of two movies I got to see in the last few years in that little lull in the middle of the pandemic where I felt ok going to theatres. An amazing experience.

[@captainbritain7379]

The title made me think Terry Pratchett’s Moving Pictures, but I think this is probably a bit different in tone lol

[@Idefilms]

While he was doing press for Eighth Grade, Bo Burnham had a similar take: he felt that seeing the movie in the cinema forced you to reckon with, and humble yourself before, the lived experience of this thirteen-year-old girl. (Not to mention that the cinema is one of the few spaces that still demands your undivided attention; i.e. "Put away your small screen and watch this big one now.") Beautiful piece as usual, Evan! Unrelated: By sheer coincidence, I watched this on my desktop monitor (which I don't usually do). And boy did Ms. Harris' mannerisms shine through at 3:51. I can't imagine what it would have been like on a big screen!

[@the_kovic]

For that very reason, I wish that Inside gets some sort of wider cinematic late-release. The special freaking deserves it.

[@kevnar]

I once hooked up my tablet to my home theater speakers, and watched an entire action movie on an 8-inch screen with big, house-shaking sound. It was just as exciting. Action movies don't need a big screen. They need a screen big enough to see what's going on. It's the sound, rumbling in your bones that makes it exciting. When you're at the back of the theater, the screen looks as small as a big screen TV anyway. In dramas and comedies, you need to see all the details in the faces, but the dialog and music scores can be enjoyed through a pair of headphones.

[@oddballl9128]

If it's any consolation, the sale of TVs over 55" is on the rise and their size to price ratio is only getting better. Home cinema projector setups are also getting cheaper and more accessible. People aren't just watching films on their phones and tablets.

[@tophers3756]

This is the way

[@theconqueringenigma]

It's definitely not the screen that makes these character films work, it's the theatre itself. Leaving the house, willingly becoming a captive audience, and sitting through the experience uninterrupted, makes us think through what we're seeing.

[@Novicearms]

To me, an ADHD guy, movies are worth seeing in theater simply because it's worth sitting through 2 hours in dark without ever reaching for my phone. Big movie, small movie, it doesn't matter. I just can't do it at home. I would simply watch "walkthrough" narration videos (they're big in China) to finish a movie in 10 minutes. Yes I might lose the full experience of watching a full movie, but I don't particularly value that experience for a bad movie.

[@georgiac91]

Came here to say this. It's so easy to be distracted, or pause to send a txt etc in the middle of a scene. It dilutes the effect, even if you have a big screen at home. I saw Memoria in the cinema last year and there's no way I could have managed that at home, even if it was released on streaming (which it isn't).

[@fifinoirdefer9458]

Do you have any yt channel that do these narration videos ? I don't know what is is and I'm curious what it looks like

[@Albinojackrussel]

See my ADHD is one of the key reasons I don't like going to the cinema. 2 hours in the dark with nothing to do with my hands, and huge noise. And then about 30 min in all I can think about is how I can see every pixel (yes, even in IMAX) and I can hear the woofer rattling (yes even in IMAX), and how cold my legs are (I've taken to bringing big puffy coats to the cinema to use as a blanket but even then), and how my neck feels uncomfortable, and that I can hear the person Infront of me breathing, and how *bored* I am. Being able to pause, to discuss the film, to get up, to grab a cup of tea, being able to shift in my seat, do something with my hands like crochet ect makes films so much more enjoyable. I've also found myself just being a lot less compromising with films. If the latest blade runner can catch and hold my attention even though nothing happens for 90% of the film, then I don't see why I should be going out of my way to force attention on whatever action flick can't hold it. I don't want to have to force my way through films by forcibly removing every possible stimulus. If thats it for you, great, but for me that just leaves me under stimulated and irritable.

[@claudesigma3784]

If you can watch the full movie in a cinema, you don't have ADHD, you're just a dopamine addict.

[@amys3168]

@@Albinojackrussel yes! It’s so difficult for me to go to the movies. I’d rather watch every movie at home and then watch the best on a big screen. But of course, it doesn’t work this way. Though I have been able to catch some rereleases in smaller theaters. Ultimately, it’s just not worth it to me.

[@Mlac93]

I watched Bladerunner 2049 in IMAX, primarily because I knew the cinematography and set design were going to be amazing. What I remember to this day, however, are the wide-shots of K, where his head is near the top of the frame and the soles of his feet are near the bottom. Seeing it on such a large screen, from the seat I was in, he felt so tangibly present. On any other screen I don't know if it would have worked, but in those shots on IMAX, it was like he was standing right there in front of me. Amazing.

[@sshuggi]

Also, sound. I saw Dune in IMAX for the sound even though I could stream it on my 75" TV for the big movie effect. I knew Dennis Villeneuve and Hans Zimmer love making great soundscapes, and I just can't swing that in my living room with a soundbar. As a side note, the channel "Listening In" has made me really appreciate sound and music in movies (and outside of movies for that matter.) I think Nerdwriter fans would appreciate his channel.

[@HerbieChuckNorris]

Omg YES. Harriet Sansom Harris in Licorice Pizza was absolutely one of the most memorable moments in that Film. I couldn't stop laughing but also thinking about how her facial expressions were so captivating. Amazing stuff.

[@californiumblog]

I totally agree. When I saw Spencer in November, watching Kristen Stewart as Diana Spencer have an anxiety attack in that wall to wall theatrical experience, I was right there with her in that anxiety. I think it would have lost all impact on the small screen.

[@arthousecouch]

This film was the first to pop in my head when hearing the thesis of this video. Totally agree.

[@jens2049]

Possibly my favourite movie I saw last year. Kristen Stewart deserves that oscar.

[@sanghamitrade6972]

I'm actually gonna say that my movie theatre experience of Spencer far surpassed that of The Batman.

[@3rdandzen97]

I watched this video when it initially dropped two years ago, and loved the insights. And now, two years later, I keep mentally coming back to it when I’m watching a movie in a theater. The insights were so spot-on, and I am so much more aware of and mindful of these types of closeups, and it adds so much more to the viewing experience. And I came back to this video to share this after having seen Dune: Part II, where this was such an awesome part of the movie, and the big-screen viewing experience. Great stuff, Nerdwriter1, as always! Thank you!

[@packman2321]

I do find myself wondering how quickly we reach the limits of the human eye with big screens. While I was never a particularly frequent cinema goer (I've had some problems in the past holding my head at that sort of upwards angle for 2+ hours before owing to a mild disability), I'd have assumed the extra distance of some cinema seats would counteract the difference in size and graphics. I know for example that this occurs already with the top end of HD TVs since people already sit too far away from them for anyone without better than twenty-twenty vision to actually see everything the screen displays. Of course, I haven't run the maths on this and a cinema experience is certainly better than what my laptop can muster, but for people who can afford it and are very invested in their home set ups, does the cinema still offer an appreciable difference once the limits of the space-screen-body relation are factored in?

[@25zvillcb25]

I think that's just resolution though. And for theatres with actual film and projectors I don't think resolution works the same way. But also there's just something different about the way it looks, not just clarity. I'm sure there are people who could give the reasons why which I certainly can't, but it's not solely about distance and resolution.

[@Jorge_Ambruster]

There are more elements like light being bounced instead of light being lit (the latter is what TVs do). Think that our eyes see light bouncing of things in the world, not coming out of elements. That's why looking at the sun or a lamp, that emit light, is bad for our eyes. Your vision is always gonna be worse when looking at a display instead of a theatre screen because in a display you are doing what your eye always suffers from doing, looking at the light source. Also, I don't know what theatre you go to but my father always has neck pain and problems from just sleeping so he can't stand watching a movie from a low seat that forces your eyesight up. So, for my whole childhood I developed the tendency of looking for the best seat for him which is one that puts the exact center of the screen right in front of his eyes in a normal neck position. Even today I keep doing it because that makes the experience better. I hope my advice can help.

[@Skittenmeow]

@@Jorge_Ambruster nice point, hadn't thought about our eyes interpretation of light and distance and emitting vs reflected light. My brother has just bought one of those new Samsung laser projectors, mainly to save on the space taken up by a big tv but also for the image quality. I'm yet to visit for movie night, but I imagine it would be similar to a cinema experience for the eyeballs. And yeah in cinemas I always go for the middle row centre for comfort... mild- moderate spinal disability here as well. The sound in the centre is different too and feels more "realistic" for me, with better voice and dialogue clarity.

[@ccdecker]

I have a projector and a 100" screen in my small living room. I sit about 11ft from the screen. It is a similar field of vision as being in most cinemas - sometimes better, depending on the size of an individual theater's screen and the distance of my individual seat. 1080p and 4k look terrific, cinemas aren't noticeably better.

[@laartwork]

Always a good day when Nerdwriter uploads

[@EForrest88]

I think home projection screen will continue to increase in popularity with so much movie consumption moving into the home - and once you're watching something projected onto an entire wall at home then the cinema looses it's purpose except for "mass viewings"

[@marwanalshafei3862]

I got a massive screen for my home to try to mimic the theater experience as close as I can, and I still can't say that it's anywhere close. The theater experience doesn't just come with the big screen, it also comes with the audience. A massive audience, a big screen, and a movie that everyone is equally excited for makes for an unforgettable experience.

[@MariaVosa]

It so happens I re-watched Casablanca last night and even when it was just on my TV, and even if we had seen it half a dozen times, both my husband and I remarked how utterly amazing Ingrid Bergman's face was in that exact scene that you chose for this video. She does barely nothing at all for several long moments - and it is devastating! That doesn't subtract from you thesis - I'd love to see this on the big screen as well some time.

[@rockstardeath8558]

It's all about the throw ratio; have a big enough screen close enough and it achieves the same effect

[@michaelelliott1212]

I don't watch or even like superhero movies. One the most dramatic moments in cinema's history (at least for me) was seeing Rhett & Scarlett's faces up close on that big screen! Great stuff, Ethan!

[@coboarders]

Considering the cost of around $100 to take my family to a primetime movie, drinks, and snacks/food, why not just buy a nice 60-70" flat screen and good sound system and get every new movie experience at home? Would pay for itself in about 20 movie experiences, or likely less than 6 months. Not to mention the other annoyances and time sucking that goes into the movie theater "experience". The movie theater model never adapted, but simply doubled down on costs to try to fill the margins. It is sad, because I will never forget watching movies like Children of Men, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Back to the Future, and even You've Got Mail on the big screen, but priorities change and the cost/benefit is just no longer there.

[@ccdecker]

No, the question is, why not buy a 100 or 120 inch projector screen and a mid-grade projector? You can get an entire home projector set up for under $2000 - less if you find some sales / buy last year's models. It's the same source coming into a projector or a TV. And why on earth have a big black mirror monopolizing your living room wall when you could have a much bigger screen roll down from your ceiling?

[@coboarders]

@@ccdecker okay I mean that was not really the question, it's just semantics and personal preference in answer to the question.

[@SolarScion]

Maybe eat real food beforehand instead of eating theater concessions trash? It's been normalized, but there's no reason you have to do it.

[@coboarders]

@@SolarScion I am referring to places that have meals with the movies, or even going out to eat prior. Point is the entire production of a movie night can be expensive. Even if I made my family drink water (only available by purchasing a bottle in many places) it would still be a $50-60 movie. Not many movies are worth that when I can rent it at home for $20 advance or wait a few weeks longer to get it for $5.99

[@deathchimp2]

​@@SolarScion There is no value proposition for movie theaters. A single ticket for a single person is more than a month of HBO Max. If you have a family of 4 then that breaks even at 3 movies a year. You're trying to change the math by bringing down the price of food, but that just further dampens the movie experience. If a movie is an event, like a concert, the experience has to be way better. If a movie is just a bigger screen, the value of that over a home TV is decreasing fast. Alamo Drafthouse has the right idea, AMC was only good when we didn't have anything better to do and I have way too much media competing for my time.

[@pattongilbert]

I actually happened to watch this on a big television screen!😄 It definitely made a difference. There was so much depth in her performance and how her face moved. She drew me in immediately.

[@Echoleon]

Tbh i really like the home viewing experience especially for things you're excited about when watching with friends-- I can feel comfortable oohing and ahh-ing and being like "omg that's xyz from earlier!!" without having to worry about bothering other people.

[@cityabsurdia6680]

Having just watched The Worst Person in the World in the cinema, I would definitely say that one needs to be seen in the cinema. It'll still be great at home, but in the cinema you can just lose yourself in it, which is the best

[@nebnatz5688]

Man... Every time I decide to click on one of your videos instead of my usual recommendations (which would be much easier as watching them requires less effort), it is so worth it. Fast food vs home cooked meal.

[@johnnychopsocky]

I'm a forever sucker for the 'slow push in towards a face' camera move. Just moving in close, closer, closer still, uncomfortably close as the actor or actress makes their face do all the work and gives you a showcase of twitches, jaw setting, eyes moving. Reminds me, strangely, of the TV show The Shield. It's filmed in the handheld style, but two shots in the finale just took me: both slow pushes into a face. The actor is not speaking, but their face is monologuing up a storm. Their nose and jaw are earning Emmys in this scene, flaring and setting and clenching and sighing. It's utterly magnetic, and impossible to look away from.

[@tb_0653]

I love your work! I always get an adrenaline rush when you post a new work of art. ❤🌻

[@Death4MuhLP]

If someone is interested about this topic (the use of faces on the big screen), it might be interesting to look up Béla Balazs and his work, particularly 'The Visible Man'. His theory on how cinema can bring up deep and hidden emotions through the use of faces on the big screen really fits the tone of this video (besides that, his work is one of if not the first works on film theory). He even goes further and states that landscapes and 'inmate' objects can express these kind of emotions ('Physiogonomy of Things'), which is a concept that was also described by the french theorists (Deluc, Epstein and Dullac to name a few) of the 20s. The french called it 'Photogénie' but it was closely related to Balazs concept of 'Physiogonomy'. Both also described how faces could show such complex and immense action, if used correctly in front of the lens. Anyways, I just found it really awesome that after a hundred years the same concepts and ideas continue to fascinate people about cinema. Great video!

[@FoScoJo]

I thought about this before, screen size, that is, and I tested it out. When I go to a theater, I usually sit in the center seats roughly halfway back. The screen that that position is roughly the exact same as I get at home sitting 6 feet away from my wall mounted 85" 4k TV with surround sound. It is actually a more enjoyable experience. The point is that given the advancements in home theater technology with falling prices, theaters a becoming more and more unnecessary. You can still get the effect of a giant face in glorious detail filling your viewable space or an expansive action scene with booming audio while sitting on your couch. Pants not required.

[@wanderpow]

And Branagh's comment goes back to one of my favourite faces on film in 2021. Judi Dench's scene at the end of Belfast is so beautiful and sad and riveting. Remarkable cinematography.

[@SteelersCardinals1]

I started falling in love with seeing the little movies when we had them at a small theater at my university. Saw 2001, Maria Full of Grace, and the Artist there. Luckily, we have a non-profit theater in Nashville, the Belcourt. Same feeling.

[@jasmintea319]

Can confirm. I watched Tenet in cinema, and the airplane scene and stuff was awesome, but that eye close up in the beginning is what really got me.

[@TheReelDealwithTomKonkle]

As indie filmmaker I can attest that the first time I saw my own movie on the big screen was a powerful experience and like seeing it for the first time (a movie I’d seen 100s of times making it). The nuances of the faces. The spaces. The sound. The entire reaction of the audience to a humorous line or a plot point made me feel everything on a different level.

[@Corkelfinn]

Good observation, and I think a similar comment can be made for a film’s atmosphere. The first A Quiet Place was a very different movie experience in the theater than when I rewatched at home. Turns out the usual chit chatting and popcorn crunching coming to a complete stop during a movie that is all about being quiet as the audience similarly adopts the sense of the actors on screen creates something you couldn’t replicate at home. While I haven’t been to many films where that sort of atmosphere became so apparent, when it does the experience becomes all the better for it. That said I don’t think I will be returning to the theater any time soon. Those rare instance of genuine immersion are so and far between that it has become increasingly difficult to sacrifice the comfort of my own home for the faintest glimpse of movie magic in a theater.

[@emilevangheem6165]

Go to a late screening of a more indie movie

[@jupiterkansas]

There's a reason I have a video projector at home. The experience is similar to a movie theatre. A 120" face from 10 feet away is big enough for what's talked about here. I quit going to the cinema several years ago.

[@christopherswanson5849]

i bought a last minute ticket for an early screening of "licorice pizza" that was center of the very front row, and that performance by Harris felt like the 1984 big brother face staring down at me. it was great

[@jeffscheider]

The restaurant scene in "Pig", watching that chef's face as Cage speaks was my favorite scene of the year. Need to see LP.

[@MrFlick821]

Been a fan of yours for years and just wanted to say thanks for this video. I've been trying to make this exact point to my friends for years. During the pandemic I went out one night with my mom and we saw Minari in an empty theater at 10pm at night. My mom typically watches bad Chinese TV shows and usually passes out in the first 15 minutes every time I take her to the movies. We were both engrossed and just swept up by Minari. I don't think we would've come close to the same experience had we watched that at home.

[@TheKmanKVSC]

Joker is such good mixture. It's a novel covered in a comic book. All the expressions are so strong. Especially the the therapist scene.

[@MrFuegi]

im so incredibly glad you made a video talking about this. and when you - for just the briefest moment - showed Anthony Hopkins' closing scene of The Father, I choked up just thinking of how powerful it felt watching this close up. once again, thank you for your content, please don't ever stop

[@GQGeek81]

I think some of this has been driven by improved TV technology (and size!) and Imax (and similar premium screens). At one point, even with a VIP membership, I was standing in line for hours to watch all the big movies each year on a full-size Imax screen. When they filmed part of the movie in 70mm, this was a really impressive experience. Meanwhile, many regular theaters seemed to fall behind what I'd get in a living room experience in terms of screen brightness and HDR. Not everyone can afford a nice big screen TV and surround sound at home, but prices continue to plummet and its clear theaters are feeling the competition. The cost to visit the theater with online ticket "convenience fees" and criminally priced concessions continues to rise. They now try and entice us with restaurant-style food and fancy reclining seats since it's harder to improve the quality of what we see on screen. Movies also come to the small screen faster than ever, especially if you're willing to pay for the early preview. I can't imagine going out of my way to watch most movies anywhere but my living room these days, and that started well before Covid. I'd do it to hang out with friends, or a date or something, but aside from that, why? I can buy that if I watched Harris's performance on my phone, I might miss some of the subtle nuances of her facial expressions, but watching your YT video on my 65" TV gives her an apparent face size many times larger than if I were standing in the scene. Just how big does her face need to be for me to see the corner of her eyes tighten or her jaw set? It also feels immensely spoiled and frivolous that in an era of cheap giant TV's with 4K, HDR, Dolby Atmos, WCG, 4:4:4 chroma, 120hz and so on, we're complaining this still isn't "good enough" to capture the film maker's intention. The quality you can get in your living room is above and beyond anything the first 100 years of cinema was able to produce on any screen.

[@joegamer6914]

the picture and sound quality of high end home screens and speakers are better than the average cinema but theres still something different about being in the cinema. the space is really big, the screen fills your entire vision, and the sound is louder, its still a different experience and it changes the way you watch the movie. and thats just the average cinema, a nicer cinema like a digital imax or especially a large format film projection is most definitely better than watching at home

[@SzymonAdamus]

The „head effect” works on almost every screen. It’s the inherent condition of a human brain. The object we see and keep our attention gets more focus. Literally and metaphorically. You don’t see all the shelves, books, dishes and furniture around the tv when you watch a great movie or tv show. You see only the picture. Of course in the age of additional screens, phones, tablets etc. it’s harder to keep attention only on one picture. But if the performance is good the effect works just as good at home as in cinema. Great performance always prevails.

[@84paratize]

That wasn't exactly his point, though. He was saying that we need larger screens in order to see all the details of the face that we can't see on smaller ones.

[@SzymonAdamus]

@@84paratize Yes, and I am saying that the screen size (to some extent) is not the most important in this aspect. Of course, if you watch a movie on a smartwatch, you will miss some details. But if you do it on a 55-inch or larger UHD TV or even on a cellphone that you hold close to your face and focus solely on it, the effect is the same. Screens, even smaller ones, today have huge resolutions. Movies in streaming services are of excellent quality (not to mention Blu-ray). And our brains take care of "muting" other elements. Let you focus solely on the screen and all the details. Even on a smaller screen. What makes this effect more distinct in the cinema is the lack of lights, empty space around the screen and, above all, no distractions. Phones, other household members, noises, the possibility of pausing the film. These are the elements that pull us out of the immersion and make us miss some detail (technical) and nuance (in performance). Not the screen size or the resolution which nowadays are excellent in other than cinema mediums. Try watching a high bitrate and resolution, highly emotional movie at home with the lights off, your cell phone turned off, and without any interruptions. The effect is exactly the same as in the cinema, regardless of the smaller screen size.

[@JosephDavies]

@@SzymonAdamus Exactly. The screen size issue is a red herring, really. That's just basic trigonometry. The surroundings are the key element as long as the effective field of view is the same regardless of physical size.

[@docpepperclassic]

There’s also a lot to be said for how much the movie experience can be changed/improved by seeing it with other people in a theater. For example, one of my favorite film experiences was seeing “Searching” in a half-empty theater. Searching is perhaps the least cinematic film possible and would be wholly undeserving of a theatrical release by today’s standards. But there’s a reveal that happens about an hour into the film that’s so well done that *everyone audibly gasped at once* A bunch of these little, personal gasps you’d barely register in isolation. But, collectively, the sound was audible to everyone there. The sound of this movie *literally taking the audience’s breath away* will always stick with me and change how I see this movie. I don’t know how I would remember this film’s reveal if I were alone the first time I saw it. But, thanks to the movie theater, that’s something I’ll never have to know.

[@janedoe3043]

Except they are literally selling Wallpaper TVs RN. In 20 years everyone with moderate sums of money will have an entire movie theater in their house. Hell some of the poorest people I know already have screens close to 70 inches and sit in a ratio that makes them theaters. I will say that there is also something to not seeing everything on a screen because the picture is so big you can't focus on everything at once. It makes viewing more mysterious and active. It makes repeat viewings more rewarding. I do miss movie theaters, but I don't think I'll ever go back to one if it's not because a date wants to

[@tatyart11]

Evan, I knew where you were going on the first 10 seconds - big faces. As a Production Designer, the movie theater has always been the place where all the hard work pays off. And your channel has been my favorite content in all of the internet since I saw your first essay. Big fan. Bravo.

[@jeffbecket2311]

The intimacy of a close shot portrayed on the scale of a cinema screen is reminiscent to a person standing close to you. It fills your entire vision, that's the primary necessity of such a big size, to really perceive the emotions of the moment, it feels you're there for real. Maybe this can be substituted by a VR headset as it fills completely your vision and really immerses you into it, but I haven't Tryed yet. Anybody with a VR?

[@djzipster147]

I saw Liquorice Pizza on the big screen and I completely agree. That scene made me crack up and the detail of her face was essential to the joke landing.

[@cheesybirdmess7349]

Same. She stole the show it was hilarious

[@heyfinger]

Great as always Evan. And yeah, I miss going to the movies for small releases or film festivals. You can't beat that feeling of watching small details on big ass screens.

[@Jason_Dynamite]

That's why I've installed my own movie theater at home, to have the chance to watch very well made movie on a big screen without any disagreement around. And it's very worth it !!

[@lhl2500]

Joke's on you. I'm watching this (and all other content) on my 92" projection screen, and I'm planing on upgrading to 100-110". I still plan on going to the movies for some films, but a home cinema with a ginormous picture and 11 channel surround sound, and on top of that, the ability to pause for a bathroom break or making more popcorn?!? It's really compelling to stay at home.

[@ccdecker]

As a 100"er myself, I agree.

[@RetroEste]

It felt so rewarding seeing Titane in a theater. Just seeing the performances and their emotions was something that made feel so immersed to the screen.

[@thecinematicmind]

I agree. Very personal film it was.

[@stantwitter1016]

This is how I felt when I watched La La Land back then, especially in that scene where Emma Stone as Mia Dolan did an audition and showed an incredible subtle performance that can only be appreciated on Big Screen

[@KurticeYZ]

I still got the feeling, I was pretty captivated by the face scene, but I understand it'd be more impactful on a big screen 👍

[@spurs_7798]

You get so captivated because the video talks about this topic and shows this scene as an example.

[@KurticeYZ]

@@spurs_7798 no I thought she was angry, it was intense, but then it went the other way, it's a great example of how captivating a good speaker can be

[@dividedstatesofamerica2520]

@@KurticeYZ No impact on me whatsoever.

[@TheArborTree]

this video is so awesome. I had been waiting for months for Licorice Pizza to come out but because of reasons I didn't get to watch it until January. I called my friend who had seen it and asked him his impression. And the very scene at the heart of this video is the one that left the biggest impression on him - what he called "uncomfortable, unnecessary closeups." Awesome synchro!

[@sinagilayafarm]

When I watched a movie at big screen then rewatched it at tv. The tv version always lacks something that I can't pin point at. On your video, I now understand. It's the faces, the tiny details that will be faded on small screens. Thank you for this enlightenment!

[@joeldeakin2003]

My local cinema is the oldest purpose built one in the country and they play all kinds of films that aren't shown in most big franchise cinema chains. After starting film school in September and not really having a chance to go to the cinema as often before moving here, I have now started to watch a whole variety of movies that I would have not seen yet or in the big screen had COVID completely demolished the industry. We are only in February and I think I have watched more movies this year than any other year of my life.

[@ReynaSingh]

Always a nice surprise to see a nerd writer video in my feed

[@arthousecouch]

Theaters help me with maintaining focus and being absorbed by the film. It's also fun to watch films with people (even if they are mostly strangers) after months/years of on and off quarantines. When I watch Dune at home, I'm folding laundry and checking my phone. When I watch Dune in a Dolby Cinema or IMAX, I'm on Arrakis.

[@MrStronglime]

I have a big ass 4K screen and if I need to perceive it to be bigger I just move closer. Also the people who say they can't focus on a 2h+ movie if not in a cinema... That's your problem which eludes from movies, work on it, turn off the phone and enjoy the thing. You also get the added benefit at home of stopping it when you want to take a piss. Truly remarkable.

[@gummywormjim850]

I just wanted to say thank you for the inspiration and influence over the years. I just put out my first video essay and your influence on my writing and speech is pretty undeniable. I hope one day I can make the kind of art you do. Thanks for being so amazing! ♥️

[@BariumCobaltNitrog3n]

This. Is why I have a 42" monitor on my desk. A long time ago I discovered a method for attaining the same proportional view of any screen and this screen is the same relative size as if I was sitting just forward of a center floor seat in a theater. Faces on the screen; Humphrey, Lauren, Elizabeth, Liza, and so many others

[@ronnierockit4468]

Thank you for telling me Harriet Samson Harris' name. Her lip twitches were next level, and seeing it in the theater made all the difference.

[@ALZulas]

The pandemic helped me realize that I never want to go back to the movie theater for any reason. I'm only sad that I have to wait for movies to hit the "small screen" (with a big enough TV or a projector, nothing is small screen). I've always felt like seeing a movie with friends is to not actually spend any time with them. And I'm allergic to corn, so I can't eat movie theater popcorn. So I have little reason to go to movie theaters anymore.

[@bgezal]

I've never seen The Good, the Bad and the Ugly on a big screen, yet it is a movie I remember well because of the closeup of faces. I don't think you need a screen so big you need to turn your head to see both ears of the actors. Just characters you care about.

[@MakiPcr]

I don't remember who said it, possibly James Gunn, but one filmmaker pointed out that most people will never see classics like Citizen Kane, Space Odyssey 2001 or Casablanca in a big screen, and yet they remain classics. From personal experience I can add that many of those smaller indie films never make it to theaters in my country, so I never had the chance to begin with. I don't think this is such a terrible thing

[@TheCanvasArtHistory]

I used to only make videos on art history, but you inspired me to expand and analyze movie as well. Thank you for being an inspiration as always!

[@BlackBirdNL]

I watch movies at home on a 4k 65inch OLED screen. That also works.

[@CalebPerez]

65” OLED at a good viewing distance plus surround sound and subs is legitimately as good as most theaters. Once I run the ceiling speakers for Atmos I’ll only need theaters to avoid spoilers.

[@arthousecouch]

My favorite thing about this trend so far, that it is successfully keeping people who don't like movie theaters out of the movie theaters. At least where I live, There is a notable difference in the amount of talkers and obnoxious disrespectful people being absent in comparison to the years previously. It makes the theater watching a lot more enjoyable.

[@Paratet]

Reminds me of seeing Inglorious Basterds in theater and during the climax of the opening scene, watching Hans Landa's expression go from warm affability to expressionless and cold. It's one of my favorite movie scenes for that very reason.

[@mael1515]

True! That is why I never regretted getting a 4k projector and screen at home. Win win win, if i could screen the latest indie movies on release dates at prices close to a movie ticket.

[@samuelraji8343]

Memories of Murder, The Seventh Seal, and Sunset Boulevard are movies I knew were great as I watched them but they became personal favorites because of their ending scenes. I realized as I watched the video that faces occupied most of the screen during that scenes. Your videos are insightful is a way most people and KZbinrs wish they were.

[@tony198333]

I really hope he has a Q&A soon before his book is released to give us the story behind it and how he's been in the past few years since his last Q&A.

[@pratchrp]

It’s always a good day when Nerdwriter uploads

[@TheFinnGamer]

That's why I me and my roommate converted one room into a home cinema, it's not as big as a chain theatre, but still good enough and we watch a movie almost every day.

[@Memo2Self]

It's not related to faces, but the city where I live has only one "art" theatre, and I saw "Drive My Car" there, with a pretty full audience. It's no spoiler to tell you all that the last five minutes of this movie are almost totally silent, and my audience was too. We were almost holding our collective breaths, transfixed. As great as the movie is (and it was the best I saw this past year), no one will get that same communal effect watching it at home. So it's not just "see it on the Big Screen," it's "see it with a CROWD" that I feel is so vitally important to motion pictures.

[@danielharmon15]

Me watching a video 10 inches from my face on laptop can see more than me in the back of a theater

[@Smusie]

I agree! That's what I've been thinking since "Bad Times at the El Royale" (Jeff Bridges dementia part) and later in "Joker". I LOVE it when the movie gives the actors time to show and feel all of their emotions as a progress. Way too often I see instant emotions following one incident, rather than a progression of different feelings resulting in one overwhelming emotion.

[@splendorintherain]

I recently saw Drive My Car and how I would have loved to see it on the big screen. The performances, story and absolute heart of that film

[@ishaanmanocha31]

I first saw Casablanca about 10 years ago on my 15" laptop and at that close up I didn't just skip a beat but 30. Casablanca remains one of my fav movies and just before the pandemic hit, a theatre near my residence at that time had a viewing of Casablanca. Never have I bought a movie ticket so fast. And that scene on big screen was a killer. Now they are showing The Godfather on its 50th anniversary but sadly not in my town. I would have spent 3x the normal price for it. Apart from this I wish I get an opportunity to watch The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and LOTR extended in theatres someday

[@dylangregory249]

Honestly I picked all that up on my phone. Her performance still holds up. I don't know why he seems to think we either have bad eyesight or hold our phones super far away. I love the cinema but I don't think its performance that gets lost. Its the communal nature of movie going that is special

[@aditimishra43]

What a lovely idea! Last week I went to a theater after 3 years of consuming overwhelming amount of content on my laptop- it was refreshing, more impactful and lingering in my memory.

[@OctaviusGeorge]

VR is my miracle device, I watch most of my films using my quest with high-fidelity IEMs, and the experience is breathtaking.

[@flcon16]

I see a lot of movies in the theater, and the last movie I saw multiple times on the big screen was Eighth Grade. From the first seconds of actual webcam footage blown up to cinema scale, there was something really compelling about it on the big screen. The video normally only seen on a laptop or phone blown up so large was almost an abstraction. The party felt overwhelming. The mall cafeteria felt isolating. The car scene felt inescapable. Unpausable. The graduation confrontation where she can't hold eye contact felt like she was looking a mile off into an abyss. The campfire felt like you were on another planet where only these two people existed. If you're talking about 'big movies' and 'small movies,' I think everyone would call Eighth Grade a 'small movie' but the gigantic lens of cinema makes it feel like staring at the details of a tiny insect through a macro lens.

[@cainfft008]

The brief nod to Portrait of a Lady on Fire at 6:10 sent me on a mission to find Lessons from the Screenplay's great video on the film (in case anyone else was curious).

[@MartinThmpsn]

Personally, I’m done with the movie theatre. Last time I went to one I paid $30 for ONE ticket and the guy seated in the row ahead of me was on his phone almost the entire time. It doesn’t really even matter if I say what movie it was for, because no amount of big faces or big explosions would make me tolerate spending THAT much and having the experience be ruined by another inconsiderate moviegoer. I can buy the entire movie for less than that ONE ticket, or even better rent it, and not have to deal with distractions like that. Sign me up.

[@jens2049]

Yeah that really sucks

[@somat111]

Yeah, those sort of people killed cinemas for me as well, along with the people that can't shut up for 5 mins!

[@RoxyStellar]

don't suppose you ever considered moving to a different seat

[@MartinThmpsn]

@@RoxyStellar it was the kind of place with assigned seats. And also quite full. And sitting somewhere else doesn’t solve $30 PER TICKET.

[@michaelmoraga2926]

@@somat111 Agreed, phone addiction and the decreasing attention span has ruined the cinema experience (as well as the concert experience and even face-to-face socializing... !). I feel sorry for society these days.

[@5amyak]

We must not forget how fast home entertainment appliances are improving. 60-inch TV's along with sound bars and what not are only going to get better and cheaper. For me community viewing is the major difference. My emotions magnify when I sense that others are feeling the same way.

[@modernoverman]

I saw Lamb in the theater last fall and man that was great.

[@marcinniesuchowski4501]

I is more than that for me, but it all comes to the focus. Firstly i go to a place dedicated for seeing movies. I don't play with my dog there, have a family dinner, pay taxes or chit-chat with friends about the old times. This is the same reason why i get annoyed when others don't treat it the same way. Secondly large bright frame in the darkness helps with keeping attention, but the sound or silence in a scene is a thing that draws me. It gives those big faces emotional texture, brings out the humanity. In many action movies it is harder for such focus as too much audiovisual information is delivered through time and tonal changes are too evident. At the same time such moments may be the most memorable in them or rather dialogue parts emphasized by a closup. This goes for Terminator's "I'll be back" or Gandalf's "A Wizard Is Never Late..." or "You shall not pass" (ends with closup) or Vader's "I am your father" and Luke's reaction to it.

[@SteelersCardinals1]

I agree with you about Harriet Sansom Harris. Very memorable and funny scene that I'm glad to have seen in the theater.

[@moviemazlow]

Great video, there's a sense of immersion and engagement with a film that you simply can't get when you watch on your phone or computer.