How do you choose what movie to watch?

June 21, 2009 2:59pm CST
How do you make the decision on what movie to watch? Do you read reviews from professional critics, go on your friends recommendations or are you swayed by an interesting trailer? Personally I read reviews on the net from your average Joe who isn’t paid professionally to review movies as they are more likely to be unbiased with their opinion. If they think a film is pants they will say so.
2 people like this
19 responses
@silvercoin (2101)
• Lithuania
21 Jun 09
I never ask my friends what they think because for some reason we always disagree on which movie to see.I used to read the professional movie reviews, but I don't believe the professional critics anymore.What I trust - movie trailers I watch on youtube.I watch the trailer several times.I find the hidden message in it.It's impossible to hide poor direction and trashy actors.No way.
22 Jun 09
You could use your friends to your advantage as if the say a film is great you would know to stay clear of it, lol. My only trouble with watching trailers is often they show all the best bits and the movie ends up sucking. Many thanks for commenting
@katsmeow1213 (28719)
• United States
21 Jun 09
For us it's usually trailers. I might go by people's reviews... certainly not a critic's review. If I hear that a movie was really good, I'll probably try a bit harder to see it. I don't really go to theaters though, too expensive. Usually I go once or twice a year to theaters, but we watch a lot of movies at home. We'll be watching a couple tonight.
1 person likes this
• Pakistan
21 Jun 09
I go to imdb and check their top movies and I read a few lines of the plot of those movies if i like the plot then I get that movie to watch. Sometimes I watch movies on a freind's recommendations.
21 Jun 09
I often use IMDB as well to see what a movie is about, especially if it is one which hasn't gained much publisity. Quite often I will go to the external reviews page for a film as although there are a lot of links to professional reviews I usually find a few links to reviews from your average reviewer as well.
@amybrezik (2118)
• United States
21 Jun 09
I don't typically listen to professional movie critics. I tend to disagree with them. I usually watch the previews and go to see movies that look interesting to me. Iam more likely to see a movie based on my friends' recommendations rather then ones that critics praise.
21 Jun 09
I agree, I find myself more often disagreeing with professional movie critics and wonder if they actually watched the same movie as I did. Friends is definitely a good way to go as they will know your likes and dislikes. Many thanks for commenting.
@flaredust (728)
• Indonesia
22 Jun 09
I prefer watch movies that ring a bell for me. For example if I got interested to Lord of The Ring, so when the second part of it come out, I will definitely watch it too. It could go the same about the actor, so when I like some actor do their acting, take Nicholas Cage for example, I like it on "Face Off" so I'll like his "Next" movie. Basically I don't mind some critics says, they go their own way, not my way. The biggest influence for me to take a new movie to watch is just its trailer.
22 Jun 09
Sticking to like for like is a good way of doing things especially if you like specific actors. The trouble is when you come across a film which doesn't star someone you instantly recognize. Many thanks for commenting.
@LeavaoDe (349)
• United States
21 Jun 09
When I see a trailer of a movie that I like, I will watch it. I don't like to read reviews because the reviews opinions on what would be a good movie and my opinions are going to be different. I like to make my own decision.
• United States
21 Jun 09
I've had that happen quite a few times where the trailer was the best part of the movie, or the trailers played the movie up to be something it wasn't, such as Marley and Me, the trailers made it look like it would be a funny movie about a dog, sort of like the Beethoven movies. We rented it and let the kids watch it!! Boy were we nuts!
21 Jun 09
I use to choose which movies to watch by the trailers but I got caught out one too many times where the trailer featured all the best bits making it look great but the actual movie was rubbish. Many thanks for commenting.
@bobby_12620 (1099)
• India
22 Jun 09
actually if i am downloading i always read the storyline and reviews and then i download it and my friends also tell me which movie is going good and i also prefer those movies also and i download them and share it with all my friends
22 Jun 09
When I want to decide what film I want to watch I first try to find a trailer for each choice. I then go to IMDB and see what the rating is like. If I think I like what I see from the trailer then I will watch the film, even if the rating is a bit poor on IMDB. The rating normally helps me decide when I am uncertain even after watching the trailer. I try not to read peoples reviews until after the film, I find that often reviews can build a expectation of the film, that can not be delivered. It is very interesting to see what other people thought of the film, but not until after. Well that is how I go about it all, I know everybody else will do different methods.
@orevro (715)
• Philippines
22 Jun 09
Most of the time, i get swayed by the trailers of the movie. before the movie starts, there are trailers of movies which are soon to be out/played, so i try to get updated. If i like the trailer, then i'll be sure to watch it when it's showing in the cinemas. Some movies i just wait for the dvd to come out. But some movies i've watched in the cinemas, i get a little bit disappointed, They're not what i was expecting.. I also try to get my friend's opinions :)
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
22 Jun 09
I am not a big fan of movies, I only watch it once in a while. I do read the reviews of the recent movies then decide if I want to go watch, I mostly like comedy movie, not because I am silly is because I wnat to laugh and spend money to enjoy some good time, I like some love story and horrible movie but I like to think a lot so those sort of movies will make me think aobut it after.
@sumanadep (1228)
• India
22 Jun 09
I check the actors in the movie first. Then I will see the trailers and then the topic of the movie. these are the things I consider before watching the movie...
@shibham (16977)
• India
22 Jun 09
hi there, i usualy watch trailer to enjoy a movie. if i find some intersting in trailer and if there are sufficiant commedy or adventure, then it attracts me. i never go to friends recommendations. thanks,
• India
22 Jun 09
seeing movie is an entertainment i mostly see action movies and magic movies.
@ydliuy (3)
• China
22 Jun 09
I prefer My friends' recommendation, I rarely read reviews from professional critics, 'cause maybe they have different affection form me. In addition, I would pick up the movies form my favorite directors, actors and actresses.
• United States
22 Jun 09
I go by my gut reaction. If the story interests me , then I'll see the film. But if it doesn't , no great review will make me see it.
@snow_one (202)
• United States
22 Jun 09
when i decide what movie to watch it is mainly based off of what others had to say about that movie. i usually wait and let one of my friends go see a new one first and if they liked it i might just give it a shot. or i might just wait and watch it for free, but thats my secret
@kalaga (547)
• United States
22 Jun 09
Hi! i always read review before going to film.that was long before.now a days i am not going to theater and watching movies.they are costing too much for me.so i preferred watching them in the house.
• China
22 Jun 09
before watching any movie,i usually will go to know what the theme is,and then decide if it's worth to watch or not. the way to know the movie is always from my friends,or the internet.
• United States
21 Jun 09
i watch the previews. if the movie looks interesting, i find out what it is about online