by TheMadDreamer

Created on: May 11, 2008   Last Updated: May 16, 2008

Is it better to watch movies in the cinema or at home? This argument can be won with a few very simple words; 'the suspension of disbelief'.

A phrase originally coined by Samuel Taylor Coleridge this notion refers to the audiences ability to relate to a piece of art, whether it be a story, a poem, or a movie. The theory goes, that if an audience member is willing to 'suspend their disbelief' they can properly relate to the piece of art. If we apply this concept to the context of movie watching it comes down to whether, when you're placed in front of a movie, you are willing to put aside your cynicism ('suspend your disbelief') and engage with its story. The problem is, is that it is not always necessarily the audiences fault when they cannot fully give themselves over to the film. Sometimes environmental factors or emotional issues will prevent them from engaging with the story. Such as the environmental factors associated with watching a DVD at home, the noise of a washing machine for example. I know some people will understand what I'm talking about, how many times have you had to pause a DVD for some reason or another and come back to it later? Sometimes the cinema is just a better place. But let me explain why, in fact, the cinema will ALWAYS be a better place to watch a film. It comes down to a case of distractions, distractions which will always be at home but almost never at the cinema. Making the cinema a much more likely place for you to 'suspend your disbelief' and hence fully engage with a story, and hence experience a film to its fullest. These distractions can be divided into three categories; environment, people and emotion.

ENVIRONMENT

At home: You will get a number of distractions, both audible and visual. Everything from heating pipes to the telephone ringing. Even if you turn the volume up, various clicks and beeps will still be heard over the film itself (it's just one of the pitfalls of watching a film in a house with central heating, air conditioning etc.). Visual distractions are as big a problem though, sitting even a few feet away from the TV you will notice objects standing on top of the television, the newspaper in front you, etc. Lighting is always going to be the major defining factor between home and cinema. At home, you can see everything around you, thus everything is a distraction from the film.

At the cinema: Film is shot in a size format known as an aspect ratio. It's not a equal sided square, it is a slim rectangle that has been

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