We weigh in on the old Cinema Vs Streaming debate and ask the question, is it easier to just stay at home?
After recent visits to Showcase Cinema Lux in Coventry and the Odeon Luxe in Birmingham I came across two very different cinema experiences.
At Showcase Cinema, I was settled in with my ticket stub in hand to watch Babylon. That’s when it happened. From start to finish we heard four lads talking, shouting and messing around for the entire duration of the movie.
60 minutes into the movie and we heard a “Shut the F**k Up!” echo from behind us aimed towards the lads, they just laughed and carried on.
As the film continued people started to get up and leave the cinema to never return and some left their seats to go and complain to the front desk. Minutes after this occurred a security guard had to come into the cinema and stand next to the lads until the end of the movie. This was the quietest it had been throughout the entire film and finally, we could get some silence and enjoy the film in peace.
Knowing that I was catching a flight in a few hours I didn’t fancy saying anything (for once) as a black eye on my overseas vlogs probably wouldn’t have been the best look for me.
With this said, the entire movie experience was ruined by these lads talking. Comfy chairs, great cinematic audio and a beautifully crisp cinema screen, none of it mattered as the disruption had left a sour taste on what was overall quite a wonderful movie.
At Odeon Luxe in Birmingham, I had completely the opposite experience of what I had witnessed in Coventry. Inside the cinema screen, there were dividers in-between groups of seats so you couldn’t see people in front or behind you, there was privacy about the viewing experience and the screen was absolutely massive.
I sat down and enjoyed M3GAN with absolutely no talking, no phone screens and no messing around which was absolute bliss. When a cinema viewing is like this it’s an easy win in the cinema vs streaming debate but on the other side, the Coventry showing holds a strong argument for why streaming at home is likely the better (and quieter) option.
At a cinema you get the full works, you get the big screen experience and are fully immersed in the film, but if someone is talking (a high probability if the film is popular) then the movie is ruined and your money has been wasted on a distracting and quite annoying night or day out.
At home, you can sit down and enjoy the latest blockbuster in the comfort of your own home and unless you’ve got a home cinema the experience won’t have the same picture or audio quality but you’ll have total and utter silence, tranquil relaxation and won’t have to take out a mortgage to afford any snacks you have around the house.
When the cinema nachos cost upwards of £10 at some of these locations that’s when staying at home and watching the film suddenly becomes a more exciting prospect after you’ve just paid £10-£15 (UK city prices) for a cinema ticket.
The ease of access to such a range of TV shows and films is endless with streaming services and with the pandemic guiding studios towards hosting some films currently in cinemas on certain streaming services you can even watch some films that are still in the cinema from the comfort of your own home.
With all the Oscars buzz going around at the moment there’s a whole host of Oscar movies just waiting to be seen in cinema but rarely do the general public actually go out and see them because they just wait to see whoever wins and then watch those and those only.
If you’re entirely unsure of which ones to watch on the big screen vs which ones you should stream at home then you can check out this Oscar flowchart which shows exactly which Oscar movie you should watch.
The flowchart works by dissecting various aspects of each Oscar nominee and dependent on your mood and tastes will cater for a film specifically from the choices you make leaving the decision-making completely out of your hands. All you need to worry about is what food you’re going to nibble on during the film and what drink you’re going to sip and let the flowchart do the hard work for you!
Cinema Vs Streaming this Oscar’s Awards Season
This year sees a whole variety of nominations and I feel as though the films can be dwindled down into films that just HAVE to be seen on the big screen no matter what and films that are probably best streamed at home. Some films are just built for the big screen and there’s no experience like it but others are a little more flexible in how they can be viewed.
Let’s take a look at just a few of this year’s nominations as I weigh in on which films should be streamed at home vs which films should be seen on the big screen.
All Quiet on the Western Front – Big Screen
With huge action scenes and a film entirely revolving around the first World War this remake of the 1930 Best Picture Winner just has to be seen on the big screen. Dolby Atmos sound will amplify the battlefield and deliver the perfect immersive experience. No war film can be streamed at home, you have to be right there in the cinema, on the battlefield experiencing it all yourself in full cinematic glory.
Avatar: The Way of Water – Big Screen
If you’re watching Avatar: The Way of Water on a big IMAX screen with your 3D glasses on you’re doing it wrong. The entire movie was shot with IMAX 3D cameras and it’s absolutely how the film must be seen.
The depth of the sequences with IMAX is an absolute sight to behold and the immersion into whats happening on screen is unparalleled. It would be offensive to watch a movie like this at home, James Cameron made the movie for the cinematic experience and he absolutely knocked it out of the park.
Babylon – Streaming
The bad taste of my own experience aside Babylon is a movie that can be seen at home without too much compromise.
The film is an acting-led showcase and with its long run time (and without the novelty of IMAX 3D Avatar-style gimmicks) it just drags on a little in places so watching this at home would be a much better suggestion for this Damien Chazelle masterpiece.
The Banshees of Inisherin – Streaming
Starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, this film set in 1920s Ireland and as far as I’m concerned is probably best off being watched at home. There’s no real huge draw to make you want to go to the cinema to see this one so grab some popcorn, sit at home and enjoy.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Cinema
I thought Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was nothing short of terrible (see my review HERE) but it doesn’t take away the fact that all Marvel films should be seen on the big screen.
Even better I’d go as far as saying you need to watch this film in 4DX for a true immersive cinematic Marvel experience.
Elvis – Streaming
Whilst this beautiful Elvis biopic will have the cinema screen audio pumping to some incredible tracks it’s a film that can easily be enjoyed at home.
Austin Butler drives a groundbreaking performance alongside Tom Hanks and it’s just a joy to behold on a big screen, a small screen and just about any screen.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery – Streaming
There’s a reason this film went straight to a streaming service for a worldwide release. It just isn’t cut out for the big screen and is a farcry from the original Knives Out which was a movie that just had to be watched on the big screen!
Top Gun: Maverick – Cinema
Nothing short of cinematic brilliance this film was made for IMAX theatres as an iconic soundtrack, beautifully captured aerial shots and a sequel that’s just as good as the 1986 original.
Top Gun: Maverick was born to be played on the big screen and if you’re seeing it for the first time at home you are severely missing out!
In Conclusion
When there’s no talking in a cinema, it’s unbeatable and when it comes to cinemas like the Luxe cinemas, the Showcase cinemas, and Everyman cinemas with couches and even beds at some locations offering the utmost in viewing luxury it’s unrivalled but it only takes a bad experience or two to set your mind off towards staying at home in peace and quiet and enjoying a nice film with the family.
For me, I’ll always prefer the cinema experience and will grit my teeth through any noise or just pray that the people around me are respectful enough to keep quiet but I can absolutely see why cinemas are struggling to get bums on seats when the ease of access, affordability and selection of films and shows from home far outweighs many of the cinema offerings today.
