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There is no doubt that nothing beats the feeling you get when you watch a movie in a high-quality theatre on the big screen. But watching movies in the cinema is not always the best option, whether your local theatre is closed or you don’t want to see new movies now playing in theatres.
Even if you are the most dedicated movie fan, sometimes all you want to do is to invite a few friends over (or snuggle up on the chair by yourself), make some popcorn and enjoy a great movie night from the comfort of your home. Aside from a big-screen TV and a decent couch, there are some things that can make your movie nights memorable. Without any further delay, here are six strategies you can use to make the most of your at-home movie-viewing experience.
Start With The Location
A fun movie night starts with a perfect seating location where you are going to watch the flicks. Most individuals opt for a traditional TV set up in their living rooms. Although this is the most common place to place a TV when it comes to creating an ideal cinema setting, it might not be the best idea.
You can use any spare room like a basement, a storage room, an attic, or simply choose a cosy nook in a large room as a dedicated spot for watching movies.
Bring all the equipment you have, together with tasty snacks, plush chairs with lots of pillows and blankets to keep each person comfortable throughout the film, and you are ready to go!
Pick The Movie
Although this might seem almost too obvious, your movie-viewing experience can be ruined if you choose a bad movie. Of course, if you decide to watch a movie by yourself, you can choose any movie you like – good or bad, it doesn’t really matter, as you are the only one who will face the consequences. However, when you are watching a movie with others, things get a little more complicated, whether it is your family members or close friends.
Keeping this in mind, it is better that you pick the movie that you and other people may like. First, make sure the movie is age and audience-appropriate. If you are planning to watch the film with children or older family members, you should be careful with the content. In this case, family movies are your safest bet.
Also, choose a genre that you are sure other viewers will like. If you are not sure what to pick, consider going with a popular category like comedy, action or adventure, especially if you have a diverse group of individuals.
Consider Downloading In Advance
It is true that nowadays we have lots of online streaming services with an immense amount of films for every taste. Thus, it’s only natural that you might want to stream the movie you are planning to watch. While this may be easier in many cases, it can also have one important disadvantage. If your internet connection is not stable, the film could end up buffering, interrupting your movie night and worsening the overall experience.
Downloading the flick in advance can prevent chances of constant loading and save your evening, especially when you are inviting people over. Sure, it might take up some space on your device, but at least it will load without any problem.
Adjust The Lighting
When you go to the cinema, what is the first thing they do before the movie starts? Right, they dim the lights. However, ambient lighting that is too bright can blur the image on your TV or projector, while too little light might strain your eyes.
Therefore, try to find a suitable accent light and position it so that it does not glare off the TV. If necessary, install draperies or curtains that will help to block light from windows or other rooms, creating more depth and helping you delve into the movie.
Place Your Speakers Correctly
When it comes to movie watching, the true cinema experience is amplified when you actually “feel” the action on the screen. It’s not in vain that producers create films with surround sound in mind so that you can hear everything that happens and have an immersive experience, even in the background.
To hear these sounds, the speakers in your home should be properly positioned. Obviously, positioning the speakers facing the wall won’t do any good, but at the same time, you also don’t want them pointing straight to your head. Thus, set the sub, centre and main channels in front of you while the surround speakers need to be behind you. To get the best sound, try to play with the angles you place them at. Only by experimenting you will identify the perfect spot in the room.
