Movies at Home: Small Screens Hit the Big Time

Gather the film buffs, your favourite flicks and get cosy on the couch for a movie night at home

Laura Gaskill 27 March 2015

Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers

Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More

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What could be better on a crisp autumn night than curling up on the couch with a soft throw, a bowl of popcorn (or perhaps a glass of wine) and a great movie? Avoid the crowds at the theatre, save a little cash and embrace the simple pleasure of movie night at home. Whether you keep it spontaneous or start a film club complete with movie-themed snacks (blini and vodka for Dr. Zhivago, anyone?), let these ideas inspire your next movie night at home.

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Learn to pick a good movie
If you already have a line-up of films you want to see, great! If not, or if you’ve been disappointed with your latest picks, it’s time to do some research. There are a bunch of great online resources for film reviews – for starters, try SBS Movie Reviews , IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes or Metacritic, a site that compares reviews by top critics. Or, if you have a friend with similar tastes in films, asking for personal recommendations can be a good way to go.

Consider following a theme – or even start a film club
Pretend you’re in film school and watch a batch of movies in the same category. Create a lineup of French or Italian films, for instance, or work your way through the entire Hitchcock catalogue. If you have a group of friends you’d love to connect with more often, a film club can be a low-key way to keep up. It’s less work than a book club, and the potential for food and cocktail pairings with movies can keep the events lively. Just remember to take turns picking!

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Do a little research before choosing a film for kids, too
Simply checking the rating is often not enough to really know whether or not a movie is an appropriate choice for your child. Before choosing a film for kids, check out Common Sense Media, a site run by a not-for-profit company that offers age-based ratings and reviews of movies and TV shows. The reviews cover things like positive role models and messages, and specific language and images to watch out for.

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Get comfy and cosy
Thankfully, movie night does not require a perfectly clean home to be enjoyable (the lights are off anyway), but attending to a few comforts will ensure the best possible experience. Clear off the coffee table and couch, plump the pillows, bring in a blanket for snuggling under and dim the lights.

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If you are hosting a group for movie night and some people must sit on the floor, that’s ok. But do provide plenty of extra cushions and blankets so people can get comfy – and of course, as the host, you should be the one to take a floor seat first.

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Make some simple homemade snacks
Do you have a popcorn maker? If you love popcorn and don’t yet have one, think about getting one of these handy little appliances. Most are reasonably priced, and they allow you to whip-up fresh popcorn that tastes far superior to the microwavable kind. Of course, being at home opens up tons of other snack possibilities, and it can be fun to indulge in a treat that you couldn’t buy in a movie theatre. Why not serve a cheese plate, cocktails (or mocktails) or ice cream sundaes?

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Make sure your screen is positioned properly
Another advantage over the theatre is that no one should have to strain their neck watching a movie at home.

Take a moment to sit in every seat in the movie-watching space, and check that you do not have to twist to the side or look up to get a good view of the screen. If you have to look up to see the screen, either move the TV to a lower position or move the seating farther away.

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Consider a projector
If you don’t have (and don’t particularly want) a big flat-screen TV taking up a wall of your living space, why not think about getting a screen and digital projector instead? The screen can be rolled out of sight when not in use, and any blank wall can be turned into a massive movie-watching surface.

Start a post-movie ritual
There’s something about the end of a movie that can be a bit melancholy-inducing. When the credits roll, instead of hustling everyone out the door (or into bed), take a few minutes to dish on the film afterwards. It can also be helpful to have a ‘unicorn chaser’ ready after dark or dramatic movies. I have a friend whose tradition is to serve coffee and cake after a movie – sounds good to me!

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Keep film notes
Note actors, directors and producers you like, so you can look up their other work when another movie night comes around. A list of films you love is also helpful to refer to when a friend asks you for movie recommendations.

TELL US
Movie theatre or home theatre? Classics or new releases? Popcorn or cocktails? Share your movie-night must-haves in the Comments section. Even better, show us your TV setup!

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