TA TALKS BACK: THE MAGIC OF SEEING TWILIGHT IN THEATERS
March 31st, 2009
TA fan Kim compares watching the DVD to seeing the Twilight movie in theater:
As many of us have spent the past week watching our DVDs wearing out the first copy that we’d bought, I wonder about some of the ‘magic’ that the movie theaters possess. Does the big screen triumph over the DVD/Blu-ray no matter how much you love a movie? Trekking to different theaters eight times to see ‘Twilight’ trying to get the little fixes we all know we needed, I found something new and special each time. Although I questioned my sanity at times and asked myself, “Why am I doing this? Why am I paying these outrageous prices to see this movie over and over again?” And, I knew it wasn’t as great as the book, but with unknown actors, a small budget, a new studio company, and the BIG novel that could (excuse my Little Engine That Could reference), I felt Catherine Hardwicke did a fair job. Anyway, so I’ve been watching my DVD (only four times so far) and I feel like I’m missing something. Was the movie magic taken away with the extras and other clips I’ve seen on YouTube? I don’t know for sure because what I DO know is that I will continue to love this movie and watch it over and over again. Maybe that’s why we anticipate these movies coming to the big screen. What do you think? Is watching ‘Twilight’ on the big screen different than watching it at home? Do you think this is why we anticipate seeing the other movies this way? As much as I know that the coming movies will not play out exactly as they did as I was reading the books, I CAN NOT WAIT to see them!
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Wow! I don’t think I could have said it better. What ARE you doing inside my head!! LOL!!! There was something different about that huge screen and dark room that brought Twilight to life for all of us. I personally treked to the theaters NINE times. I kept going until it was just right and as luck would have it, the last time, which was about 3 weeks before the DVD came out, I was totally alone in the theater and got my very own screening. I am loving the Blu-ray. This may seem said, ok, it is sad but….I bought a new 46 inch Sony Bravia LDC HDTV and a PS3 soley in anticipation of the Blu-ray coming out!! LOL!!! Can you say OBSESSED!!!! But, like you, I will love this movie and watch it over and over again for many years to come and cannot WAIT to see the other movies, while crossing my fingers they can find someway to bring Breaking Dawn to the big screen.
I was really hoping they’d fix some “minor” issues that were VERY glaring on the big screen. Edward sweating in the HS cafeteria and his warm breath vapors in the meadow scene. Nope. I am still bugged by it on my small screen and I’ve only watched it 1 and a half times on DVD. That said, It is still magical because I love to finally see these characters. I worked out on my elliptical for 1 hour solid today just to get my fix in. I could have done the entire movie but it was starting to hurt. Now what drives me insane are the previews that I can’t fast forward. ARGH!!!!
i do agree there is something different about watching it at home verses in theaters. I’ve only watched on my little computer screen but im wait to watch it with my friends on my 62 inch tv. the first time i watch i want to be with other cause the first time saw in theaters was with my friends, we literally took up 2 whole row. but i will also still love the movie.
I agree. I saw the movie a whopping 15 times…. Obsessed doesn’t even begin to describe me. Funny but everytime I went to see it the movie was packed!!!!
I love the movie, but loved the book more. Since I got the DVD I have only watched it once but I play my favorite parts alot. Looking forward to seeing New Moon!
I agree wholeheartedly with this article. I think, to be truthful, that what makes it seem so much more magical in theaters (besides the huge screen and surround sound) is being surrounded by an audience just as captivated by it as you are. You can hear everyone’s reaction to everything, and i’ve found that this makes a huge difference, not just with Twilight, but with a lot of movies. That’s why I always try to get to the theater to see movies that look interesting to me, even though you pay ridiculously high prices.
OMG!!!! I love all you crazy Twilight people. We all need to think of a better word to use than obsessed, cause it’s worse than that. Saw it 15 times too, alone, each time at the last show of the night. Every time it was better and better. There were only a couple of other people in the theater when I was there, so I had Edward all to myself. My kids even thought I was going to meet some real guy named Edward! And just like you guys, I also bought a 46 in. t.v., the night before the Twilight party. But I can say, that special anticipation to go to the movies is gone. That’s ok, New Moon is coming!!!!
Im a manager of of movie theatre out here in Cali. and i must say it does make a difference. After seeing it on the big screen on my own time (and for free too! *sigh* the glories of free movie tickets) i would still pop in from time to time during my shifts (for theatre ‘checks’ of course *wink*) for my favorite scenes or just to get my fix for that day. Now that i have it on DVD i watch it religiously as my bedtime movie or my wakeup routine, but i find myself drifting off… getting my stepson dressed for school or doing around the house chores. Its the feeling of sitting in a squishy movie chair surrounded by those who share your love and passion for the movie that really makes you sit and watch every detail, knowing that if you catch something from the book that they slipped in there, that you can turn to the fangirl stranger next to you and you know that they caught it too.
Stacey, I bought a new TV & PS3 in anticipation of the ‘Twilight’ Blu-ray coming out, too! My TV is a 55″ 1080p/120Hz, but same diff. I loved seeing the movie in the theatre. Have to say, though, I’m really liking having the movie to watch whenever I want. Its amazingly clear and beautiful on the Blu-Ray, (Target Special Edition, BTW), and its sometimes nice to sigh or chuckle without worrying about people around you. There is also something to be said for the ability to give it your undivided attention, without the distractions in a theatre. Being able to rewind your favorite parts brings a bit of a joy, too. I loved the extra features.
Ah sure ! That’s why even though the DVD was to be out in a few days, I still went back one more time to see it in a theater, because the big screen is really something else !
First I think, the size of the screan is crucial. The bigger it is, the more you get ‘into’ the movie. Than, same thing with the sound. It is obviously louder, therefore completes the ‘fullness’ of the experience.
And yes, to be with other unknown people, sharing the experience ! Wow.
But maybe it’s just the very special smell of theater popcorn…
I treated myself to the $1.50 theater showing Twilight right before going to Hot Topic for the DVD release - the place was packed with fans. It was a perfect way to get prepared for the mayhem of waiting in line - also my 21st time seeing the movie.
) I dragged my hubby with me for his first viewing - he wouldn’t see it with me for $10 but since it was $1.50 he thought it was worth seeing. LOL Anyway, now that I have the DVD I watch it constantly. When ever it gets to the part that Edward brings Bella to meet the family my husband makes me stop the DVD so he can come watch with me - it’s his 2nd favorite part next to the Baseball game.
I’ve got to say though the only thing that irritates me about the film was the way they made Edward ’sparkle’. Did they have to add the stupid sound effect to it? In my head while reading the book, I could distinctly imagine hearing piano and violin music - not cheap windchimes! Plus the effect made him look sweaty, not sparkly.
The dvd just doesn’t compare. I’ve watched it (multiple times
on my dvd and it is nice to have it handy, but I was back at the budget theater watching it on the big screen again yesterday. You can just soak it all up so much better that way.
AMEN TO THIS ARTICLE - I FEEL EXACTLY THE SAME WAY! I SAW THIS MOVIE 11+ TIMES IN THE THEATER AND QUESTIONED MY SANITY EACH TIME I PAID $9/TICKET. BUT I HAVE ALREADY WATCHED TOO MANY TIMES TO MENTION ON DVD…I
I have to say, I love my Twilight on DVD. The colors and the feel of the movie is just so much better! I don’t know about you guys, but I thought the theater version was dark and hard to see.
I also have to say I have a very big t.v at home. I bought it when I had the similar experience with Transformers. Loved it in theaters but when I watched it at home on my small screen, it didn’t do much for me. Now I have the big screen and I’m jumping up and down again with excitement every time I watch it.
And it works that way with many movies for me, so probably Twilight as well. I love being able to watch it in the comfort of my own home. Can’t wait till New Moon gets released on DVD.