Movies that lose their impact when not watched at a movie theater?
#26
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Re: Movies that lose their impact when not watched at a movie theater?
From what I can find, home video sales of Titanic were actually better than expected:
http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9809/01/titanic.sale/
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...-76460482.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/201604.stm
The DVD of it, released in 1999, sold 1 million copies, despite only 5% of households having a DVD player:
http://variety.com/1999/film/news/ti...rd-1117750778/
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/...editions_x.htm
So you may think it doesn't hold up at home, but it certainly didn't "tank" on home video.
http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9809/01/titanic.sale/
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...-76460482.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/201604.stm
The DVD of it, released in 1999, sold 1 million copies, despite only 5% of households having a DVD player:
http://variety.com/1999/film/news/ti...rd-1117750778/
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/...editions_x.htm
So you may think it doesn't hold up at home, but it certainly didn't "tank" on home video.
#27
DVD Talk God
#28
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Movies that lose their impact when not watched at a movie theater?
I agree with Titanic although I still think it is a very good movie.
I saw it opening night in the very first stadium-style theatre in the Vancouver area. Expectations were modest as the movie should have opened up in the summer of 1997 but production delays pushed it back to December 1997 - never a good sign as that usually signifies it tested badly with audiences.
Seeing it on the big screen that first time blew me away and kept me thinking about it days after.
When you say that now, people roll their eyes and shake their head. But seeing the film before all the hype and before Celine Dion, it was quite an experience.
I saw it a few years ago in a theatre for the 3D version and while it was still good, it just didn't have the same impact as that first time where I didn't have any expectations.
I saw it opening night in the very first stadium-style theatre in the Vancouver area. Expectations were modest as the movie should have opened up in the summer of 1997 but production delays pushed it back to December 1997 - never a good sign as that usually signifies it tested badly with audiences.
Seeing it on the big screen that first time blew me away and kept me thinking about it days after.
When you say that now, people roll their eyes and shake their head. But seeing the film before all the hype and before Celine Dion, it was quite an experience.
I saw it a few years ago in a theatre for the 3D version and while it was still good, it just didn't have the same impact as that first time where I didn't have any expectations.
#29
DVD Talk Reviewer & TOAT Winner
Re: Movies that lose their impact when not watched at a movie theater?
Probably Rocky Horror Picture Show, which I've ONLY seen at home. I think I'd go nuts if you were EXPECTED to talk and do stuff during the movie!
#30
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Re: Movies that lose their impact when not watched at a movie theater?
I loved The Abyss when I saw it in a theater on it's opening weekend. I told a lot of people how great it was and when it eventually came out on VHS (in fullscreen, back when most TVs were 27" or smaller) I was surprised how few of them liked it. Most of them didn't even make it to the end. I rented it and found it to be pretty tedious myself. I haven't seen it since. I should probably watch it on a modern HDTV and see how it is.
There is some perspective to keep in mind here -- and my view may be biased -- from a rental store's perspective the thing clogged up shelves and did not turn. That could be because the "true" fans bought it right away. The casual renters didn't become fans. We sold unrented copies as used, marked them down quickly, and still couldn't get rid of them.
#33
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Movies that lose their impact when not watched at a movie theater?
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...-76460482.html
Rental activity was also active, with most of the 4,000 U.S. Blockbuster stores guaranteeing "Titanic" to be available for rent or the rental is free - the company's most aggressive guarantee to date, according to Wilson.
I think your personal experience may be anecdotal, and might've been specific to that store, which could've been affected by the specific number of copies ordered and the specific demographics around the store. In general, Titanic did well on home video, based on the evidence I can find.
#34
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Re: Movies that lose their impact when not watched at a movie theater?
I've watched Gravity on a 60" screen and, at least for me, it didn't lose any of its impact. It probably helped that I used headphones for the audio, since a don't have a real home theatre setup anymore.
Now, on a 10" tablet or computer screen? Yeah... no chance it has the same impact.
Now, on a 10" tablet or computer screen? Yeah... no chance it has the same impact.
#36
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Movies that lose their impact when not watched at a movie theater?
There is some perspective to keep in mind here -- and my view may be biased -- from a rental store's perspective the thing clogged up shelves and did not turn. That could be because the "true" fans bought it right away. The casual renters didn't become fans. We sold unrented copies as used, marked them down quickly, and still couldn't get rid of them.
#37
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Movies that lose their impact when not watched at a movie theater?
I haven't watched Gravity at home yet but I can see how that would be the case. I rarely bother with 3D or IMAX but i made sure to see Gravity that way and I wasn't disappointed.
For some reason one movie that comes to mind for this thread is Cast Away. It might be my favorite Tom Hanks movie, and I remember feeling the isolation of his character more in the theater.
For some reason one movie that comes to mind for this thread is Cast Away. It might be my favorite Tom Hanks movie, and I remember feeling the isolation of his character more in the theater.
#38
Member
Re: Movies that lose their impact when not watched at a movie theater?
Agree about most comedies.
I saw Dodgeball the week it came out and laughed my ass off until tears. Loved it so much that I bought the DVD the week it came out. Really didn't have the same kind of impact watching it at home.
Same with American Pie. Once you see a comedy once and the shock factor wears off, it's not funny the 2nd time around.
I saw Dodgeball the week it came out and laughed my ass off until tears. Loved it so much that I bought the DVD the week it came out. Really didn't have the same kind of impact watching it at home.
Same with American Pie. Once you see a comedy once and the shock factor wears off, it's not funny the 2nd time around.
#40
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Re: Movies that lose their impact when not watched at a movie theater?
Yeah, I remember when this was released. It was a really huge deal. And it was released at sell-thru pricing. Still unusual in the VHS era. So most people just bought a copy, especially since this was a movie that drew a lot of repeat business. I do remember seeing a lot of rental copies in stock and wondering who they were aimed at. Almost everyone saw it in the theater & either loved it and wanted to own it or hated it and never wanted to see it again.