The Subtle Art of Watching Movies

Watching a movie at a theatre has become a long lost habit with the corona crisis. Thanks to all the OTT platforms which helped us out and you have all the entertainment available on your mobile phone. I am also making use of the plethora of content on various platforms. I am not a movie buff but during the second lockdown, found a largely unexplored binge-worthy routine.

But you see, I follow a strict procedure (3 prone approach) in shortlisting the films before putting them on my watchlist.

First, the name of the movie - I KNOW! Because the name gives a certain vibe. It gives me a feel whether it is worth watching.

Second, the reviews - OBVIOUSLY, Today when you have so many choices in various languages one has to make sure to get the best of all worlds.

Third, the plot - DON'T JUDGE ME...Cos that's the only way I can ACTUALLY take it to the list. Look, it's just I do not want to be carried away by just a name or the review by a critic who is paid for the job. Isn't that a SMART MOVE?

Now comes WATCHING THE MOVIE part.

YOUTUBE...If I am lucky, I might find the entire movie on youtube. But beware of some people (Believe me that is not the word that actually comes to my mind at first) well, these people upload a totally unrelated video. Now, even if this has happened to you, do not get disheartened as once you go through the Comment section you will come to know many have already fallen prey and it's not your fault.

That is some relief and the search goes on. I might find the movie in parts 1/15, 2/15. That's even better since someone has saved you the pain from going through the entire thing and has given you the summary of the lesson in say around 45 minutes. BLESS THAT SOUL. It is easy to connect the dots as I would have gone through the story in detail.

Many movies wouldn't be available on YouTube or may be for rent. But my ego doesn't let me watch them. It is beyond my understanding why one should take away a cinematic

experience from a larger section of audience DUH!!!.

There are so many other platforms where one can watch movies, legit or not.

Well, I am sure, you have some or the other methods while making the decision of watching movies.

But recently few of my closed ones were baffled and started making fun of me for my well established and foolproof practice.

I started justifying my act. I just want to watch good movies (I am not a movie connoisseur or a student of filmmaking or acting though).

I do not want to waste my time watching so many films (Of course, there is no harm in binge-watching youtube videos or going through the endless social media feeds).

I do not want to watch bad movies (What is a bad movie? One with a name that doesn't give a vibe, the ones critics don't like and the ones plots are not available on wiki)

Had I gone through so many levels of screening, I wouldn't be suitable for a single job on this planet.