Clarisse Loughrey, the chief film critic of The Independent, told us her essentials for watching movies at home.
Image: Jovan Vasiljević, Unsplash
As much as a night out at the cinema can be a fun way to watch a movie, there’s something so much more special about relaxing at home and putting on your favourite film. You can cosy up in your pyjamas as you sprawl across the couch or your bed, with your favourite snacks and drinks in hand! The comfort of having your own space is unbeatable. In fact, the popularity of streaming platforms now means you have a wide selection of movies and shows at the click of a button!
Few take the movie-watching process more seriously than Clarisse Loughrey, the chief film critic for The Independent. She co-hosts Fade to Black- a weekly film culture podcast which dives into the latest movie news, hot takes and offers listeners a glimpse into exclusive interviews from the brightest stars of cinema. She has extensively worked with the BBC and made guest appearances on Radio 4, Radio 3, BBC 4, and Radio 1’s Screen Time podcast. She contributed to The Essay by analysing film in the Weimar Republic. She reviewed various movies such as Of Fish and Foe, Horrible Histories: The Movie, and The Current War, among others, on Radio 5.
Clarisse spoke to us about her highlights of watching movies at home.
How is the experience of watching a movie at home different from watching it in a theatre?
To me, it’s the difference between prayer and a religious service. At home, you can reflect on things quietly by yourself, you can have a conversation with the screen and project some of your thoughts and hopes on there. But cinema is a community, and when you experience a film together, you start to understand each other better.
What are your essentials for watching movies at home?
I live in a very small studio flat, so I don’t have much control over the set-up! But I will usually make a hot drink and grab a blanket if I’m going to watch a film. The key for me is to feel safe and comfortable.
What kinds of movies do you watch at home, and why?
All kinds, really! I’m autistic, so there are certain films I watch on repeat as a form of self-regulation (currently, Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein). But, outside of that, I will either catch up on a recent release I missed out on or something older. I like to vary it!
What is the biggest misconception about watching movies at home?
Owning a big screen and a great sound system makes the experience equal to going to the cinema. It’s ultimately a social activity, and while there are many accessibility issues to consider that can make it harder or even impossible to go to the cinema, that doesn’t negate the fact that you can only truly benefit from the full experience at the cinema.
What is your favourite part about watching movies at home?
I never have to worry about someone talking or using their phone while I’m trying to enjoy the film!
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