Why Movies and Private Home Cinema Matter Emotionally

My most recent newsletter article discussed the reality of movie theaters closing. Every time I see such news, it breaks my heart. In this article, I wanted to share why I think film, movie theaters, and private home cinemas are so important to all of us.

"Movies"

I saw DAWN OF THE DEAD (1978) with my friend, Steve, at the "isle down the middle" (??) Marianna Twin Theater. The film was mind-blowing. George A. Romero's vision, script, and directing, combined with Tom Savini's special (practical) makeup effects, were completely surreal. On our drive back to the small town we lived in, the only conversation - when we could speak - was about what we'd just seen. The film so affected us that the very next night, we went back to the same "isle down the middle" theater and watched it again...at the 7 PM and the 9:30 PM shows!

Steve was one of the greatest friends in my life. He was my best man at my first wedding. Life goes on and friends move away. Over the past few decades, I've only seen Steve twice. But, when I watch DOTD in my private theater, any time I want to, I can vividly remember that first night we saw it and how we shared that experience.

I believe with all my heart that when you hear some song when you watch some movie, your mind takes you back to some memory - sometimes sad/bad, but hopefully more times than not, good.

As hard as it is to believe, mostly because there are no cinephiles where I live, I used to believe that no one else felt like this about movies as I did. Thanks to the internet (and somewhat recently, Letterboxd ), I discovered there are hordes of us out there. The recent 6-part documentary, THE POWER OF FILM, helped me further understand why film has had such an impact on my life.

Question: Take a moment and think...who is that family member or friend who is always using movie quotes in their day-to-day conversations?

For me, it's an easy question - because the instant answer is my friend, Dustin. Recently, I saw him and it was raining pretty heavily. He had an umbrella in his hand and without saying a word to me, bent over a little and started opening/closing the umbrella quickly while fast walking forward and cluck-cluck-clucking, looking at me with this huge grin the entire time. I said, "Come on, Dr. Jones, let's go."

Here's another example: My wife & I are flicking through the channels and see Steve Martin's THE JERK. We pause. Look at each other silently. Lovingly big grin at each other with a slight watering of the eyes. [This was the film we saw on our first date.]

"The Emotional Connection"

Let me share some reasons why movies have such an emotional connection with us...

1. Storytelling Power: Movies are essentially moving stories, and stories have been a way for humans to connect and share emotions for millennia (I've actually got a forthcoming newsletter with more about this). By following characters and their journeys, we get invested in their struggles and triumphs, leading us to feel alongside them.
2. Empathy Machine: Movies can trigger our empathy. Through acting, visuals, and music, they create a world where we can see things from another person's perspective and understand their emotions. This allows us to feel happy for a character's success or heartbroken by their loss (like in SCHINDLER'S LIST - part of my 20 Favorite Movies of All Time).
3. Mirror Neurons: Science suggests mirror neurons, which fire when we observe actions, may play a role in our emotional response to movies. Seeing a character cry might activate these neurons, leading us to feel sadness ourselves.
4. Sensory Immersion: The big screen and surround sound create an immersive "you are there" experience (AVATAR in 3D IMAX comes to mind). We feel like we're part of the action, which intensifies our emotional response to what's happening on screen.
5. Emotional Release: Movies can provide a safe space to experience a wide range of emotions. Whether laughing hysterically at a comedy (ROGER RABBIT comes to mind) or crying during a drama (THE FAULT IN OUR STARS really did me in), movies allow us to purge emotions healthily.
6. Time Travel: As discussed at the beginning of this post, films can take us back in time - whether the film is from years past that we've viewed, or if the film is a period piece from some point during our lifetime.
7. Our Mental Health: Per Daisy Fancourt, Andrew Steptoe, and Dorina Cadar, “When we engage in cultural activities such as the cinema, our brains are presented with complex, intense, emotional and novel experiences to process, which puts demands on our emotional-cognitive functioning. Not only can this impact mental health, with studies suggesting cultural experiences can reduce depression and loneliness, but it can also help in boosting creativity, memory and slowing overall cognitive decline.”

"How Does Private Home Cinema Fit In?"

Many of our favorite films will not ever again be seen on a large screen with a crowd (except for the rare occasions happening more recently due to the writer's strike). The cherished films of your life can still be shared with family & friends within your PLF (Premium Large Format) personal home theater space. With the added benefit of current technology, these films can be viewed with better picture quality and superior sound reproduction than how you experienced it at a theatre. You, and those you watch these films with, can create new memories - together. I can attest to this truth from personal experience with my children, grandchildren, and my friends.

I watched THE OFFER on Paramount+ and really enjoyed it. There was one scene in particular that deeply struck me. Albert Ruddy (the main character in the series), after watching a film in a movie theater, emotionally shared his love for film and the theatre. I end this with that scene...

What movie stands out for you as one of your fondest memories and why?

?Friends. Family. Movies. Memories. ???????

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