The Monday Question: Darkness!

When we visit the cinema we look forward to the experience, sitting in a big room with lots of people experiencing the light of images bigger than life hitting our eyes and together sharing and (hopefully) enjoying the experience with others. When the lights go out you know that you are going to see something you were curious about, looking forward to. Going to the cinema is a special experience. But what if you watch a movie at home? You will agree the experience is very different and it made me wonder about something:

When you watch a movie at home do you turn off the lights?

I realise this is a bit of a weird question, but I was wondering about this last week when I happened to be home alone. Normally there are some lights on in the house, but as I was planning to watch RashΓ΄mon I decided to see if switching off all the lights made the experience different from how I would normally watch movies at home. I must say it did draw me into the movie just that little bit more and gave a slightly more “cinematic” experience. So I can say it made a difference to me even though I realise that most of the times the lights will be on in the future.

When you watch a movie at home do you turn off the lights?

39 thoughts on “The Monday Question: Darkness!

  1. Depends. I’m usually multi-tasking while I watch movies so usually not because I need to see what I’m doing. Did just watch Abraham Lincoln Vampire Slayer with my roomie in the dark though and the dark was nice!

  2. I like turning off the lights, but it depends on the movie. Blockbusters and personal favorites almost always are watched in dark or dim rooms, but comedies and film’s I’m not sure about are watched in the bright light of my lamp. I’m not quite sure why.

    • Hmm, maybe because you don’t know what to expect? I’m pretty sure that once I have a dedicated cinema room the lighting will be something I will pay more attention to. The realisation of that dream is still quite some time away.

  3. I like to have the cinema style experience when I’m at home so if I’m watching a DVD I’ll make sure all the lights are turned out. A lot of people I know like to keep the lights on so it’s good to see lots of other people turn them off too!

  4. Yeah I have to say I’m prone to this Nostra. I gives the home viewing a bit more of an immersive feel. We all want to escape at the end of the day and this certainly helps to tune in more.

  5. I always turn off the lights — even if I’m just watching a TV show. It definitely makes it a more cinematic and immersive experience.

  6. Not always. Sometimes I watch movies during the day and I close the blinds but still some light comes in. When I watch at night I tend to do it with all the lights off but if I’m feeling sleepy I try to leave a tiny light on so I don’t fall asleep hehe.

  7. Depends on the film. Sometimes no but if I’m really excited about it or it’s a horror, I’ll often turn out the lights. Interesting question and range of responses!

  8. I prefer turning the lights all the way off so I can really get absorbed in the film, but usually it doesn’t work out and I have to have some light source on nearby. I guess that’s a trade-off for home viewing…

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