Best Viewing of a Film - the First Time or the Repeat?

I think I've mentioned this before, but my husband isn't a big fan of re-watching films, whereas I love it. I sometimes enjoy a film more the second time around because I notice things I didn't appreciate the first time around. Yes, when I re-watch a film I know what's going to happen, but that doesn't stop me cringing at the awkward parts, or laughing at the jokes.

If there's a twist in the plot, it will seem so obvious during the second viewing - how did I not realise when I watched it the first time? I am in awe of film makers that leave several clues along the way, yet are confident that the plot twist is well hidden until they are ready to reveal it - how do they do that? Think of Frozen, or The Sixth Sense, and the subtleties throughout the film.

I appreciate more the level of detail that the film makers have gone to. The set designs in Team America: World Police, made of milk bottle tops and dollar bills amongst many other things I've read about, but which don't appear long enough in the film to even be in focus, never mind noticed by the audience. The many, many hidden gems in Flushed Away - I've seen that film a lot and there are probably still Easter eggs that I've missed. I think my favourite may be the sandwich board made with real (toasted) bread.

A kind internet person has provided this still. My Big Fat Greek Bottom anyone?

Sometimes I appreciate a film more the second time around - perhaps I wasn't in the right frame of mind when I saw it first, or perhaps I the story means more the second time. I remember seeing Brave in the cinema and feeling a little let down by Pixar - now it's a film I love. My sister was adamant that Inside Out was over-rated until she watched it a second time - 'I was wrong. It is lovely', she messaged.

Sometimes there is a comfort in knowing what will happen - it's a cosy blanket, maybe if I've had a bad day, or I'm home alone one evening. I know how I will feel when I watch that film. Sometimes there is a great joy in introducing a friend to a favourite film and seeing their 'first time' reaction, while trying desperately not to laugh ahead of the jokes or give the game away. 

And even though I know that character is going to make the wrong decision, I almost hold my breath and wait for them to do it right this time. Almost. 

Still, there is something magical about watching a really good film unfold in front of you for the very first time. It's not quite the same the second time round. Although 'not quite the same' doesn't mean 'worse', does it? It just means different.

The Best Way to Watch a Film

This is something I've been thinking about recently as I 'return' to film watching. I've spent the best part of a year in a hermit-like state writing my PhD thesis. I had little social life, and found it difficult to concentrate on new story lines (TV or film), so anything I watched was a repeat. I realised it was even longer since I had been to the cinema - almost 2 years in fact. Thankfully, this is now behind me, and I have returned to the joy of film and TV.

My favourite cinema is the Picturehouse cinema where I live - it's in an old theatre, with red velvet curtains in the main screen, and 'Vintage Sundays' where we have watched Rear Window, Some Like It Hot and The Godfather. I love this cinema - I've been a member for years, not because I go to the cinema a lot, but because I want to support it and make sure it survives. It has sofas and tea, serves mulled wine at Christmas and I am gleefully working my way through their 'gourmet popcorn' selection. It's not the best cinema for big epic films, a main argument for visiting the cinema now we no longer have to wait a year for a film to come out in a home format. The screens are relatively small, and they don't always show the blockbuster films that benefit the most from a cinema experience.

Pay full attention to the magic behind the curtain

But I think the cinema experience is more than just surround sound and a big screen. There's something about the shared experience of watching a story unfold. The darkness that draws all our attention to the screen, and the presence of other people prevent any (or at least too much) chatter. It leads to a deeper immersion in the story, and a greater investment in the characters and their emotions. My husband and I decided to try and re-create this at home one time - lights dimmed, phones off, and a rule not to talk (we do like to try and guess the plot sometimes). It wasn't quite the same, and I'm not sure why. Maybe lounging in pjs is too relaxing, leading to less concentration on the film. Maybe it was something to do with the two cats who jumped on us repeatedly....

Our home set-up is lovely. We're lucky enough to have a decent sized TV and surround sound speakers. Watching films here is a joy. But I do still love the cinema experience.