The Two Options

I must first apologize for my abruptness, as I find myself in a somewhat abstract mood. 

Anyway.

I had an interesting discussion today with a fellow classmate of mine about the difference between experiencing a MOVIE and seeing a FILM.

This concept was something that I had been circling for a while, yet had never really nailed what constituted which experience. My classmate raised some very good points about the differences between the two, and it got me to thinking that there really are two ways to go and experience a movie at the theater, at home or wherever you may choose to immerse yourself in the vast and complicated world of cinema.


As the title of the blog states, there are two options when it comes to your movie going experience, so I'll break it down as such. 

Alright so Option One: You're just going to see a movie. Notice how casual this sounds? 

"Hey where you goin, man?" "Oh, I'm just gonna go catch a movie." 

This sort of casual laid-back movie-going experience can usually be attributed to movies like big summer blockbusters, like action movies, comedies, etc.

Basically they're movies that are light on plot and story and focus more on action or spectacle or with comedies, they focus on laughs, gags etc. 

This is something that we all partake in, there's not really any escaping it. Some refer to these movies as their "guilty pleasures".

I mean, you don't have to feel guilty about it. 

It's not like you stole the movie's puppy. 

Well maybe you did. 

But that's not the point. 

Some people call it their guilty pleasures because they're afraid to admit that they like action blockbusters or movies with no real story. 

But they shouldn't be ashamed of this. 

Embrace it!

Movies are a great way to escape.

Just go and sit in a dark theater for a while and turn your brain off.

It can be very liberating. 

And then there's Option Two: So this is when things get a little more intense. 

So now you're not just going to a movie, you're going to see a film.

dun dun  DUN.

Yeah, I told you it was getting intense. 

So when you hear a person say they''re going to see a film, you take what they're saying more seriously, don't you?

This is the kind of movie-going experience that requires your brain to be turned back on in order to be properly enveloped in the story and plot that it weaves before you.

These are the kinds of films that you need to give your attention to. 

These are the dramas of the world.

The westerns.

The quirky little indie films. 

And anything starring the Wayans Brothers.

That last one was a joke. 

Just making sure you're paying attention. 

See, you miss important details when you don't pay attention. 

Just like in films.

Yeah that was a metaphor. 

That's how I roll.

So the point is that the next time you get into a heated debate when your friend claims that his favorite movie is Star Wars: Episode II (hopefully not for its wonderful dialogue).

Wait. 

Don't punch him in the face, 
stop and think about it for a second. 

Just remember that he's referring to his favorite movie, not his favorite film.

He/she loves the big budget action spectacle as well as the intense dramas and indie films. 

He/she can express a love for both, without sounding like he's just some kid who enjoys only explosions and loud noises. 

So no face-punching. 

You're better than that.