"Some of my favorite movies that really made me fall in love with cinema, for the most part, I saw on my TV playing on different channels, or on a DVD or VHS. My experience of those films was no less from watching it at home." — director Kate Dolan, in an exclusive interview with EW. SOULM8TE hits digital Aug. 1. What's a movie that hit just as hard for you at home as it would have in theaters?
The Shining. Sat on my own in my student accom bedroom, watching it during a thunderstorm. Being able to hide my head under my blanket was incredibly useful. It stuck with me, for the past 2+ decades on my own film journey
More than I count! My favorite movies are all ones I've only ever seen on DVD or VHS, with one exception: What's Up, Doc?, Wit (made for TV I think!), Cold Comfort Farm, and The More the Merrier. (TMTM I finally saw in theaters after I'd watched it 40 times on a small screen. It was great both ways!)
For me, Memento. It was one of the films that made me fall in love with screenwriting. It showed me that a story can be emotionally engaging while asking the audience to actively participate in putting the pieces together.
For me, it was Close Encounters of the Third Kind. I first saw it as a kid, and it completely changed the way I looked at movies. It wasn't just the UFOs—it was the atmosphere, the music, the sense of wonder, and the feeling that something extraordinary could be just beyond what we understand. I've watched it countless times, and it still inspires me as a filmmaker today.
The movies that continue to "hit hatd" for me, regardless of the viewing medium, are the ones by my favorite filmmakers: Michelangelo Antonioni , Claude Chabrol, Eric Rohmer, Ingmar Bergman, Geoeges Franju, David Lynch, Roberto Rosellini, Jacques Rivette, Shogei Imamura, Kenji Mizogucji and Lars von Trier. It is easy to forget that these filmmakers were first and foremost strong, humanist storytellers who moved audiences by presenting unique, articulate characters. A Renaissance in cinema -- especially in commercial, entertainment cinema-- is possible only if we return to this core attitude and principle of moving audiences at a deep, fundamental level.
For me, it was The Sixth Sense. I first watched it at home, and the atmosphere, the suspense, and that ending were just as unforgettable as I imagine they would have been in a theater. A great movie can have the same impact no matter where you watch it.
The first time I saw a Fulci film was a VHS copy of Zombi 2 that I bought for $4.99 when I was an undergrad. It was an incredible experience to see it at home on a small TV in the darkness of my room. It introduced me to Italian horror, and seeing it at home was just as impactful as seeing it in the theater, which I've now done multiple times. 🧟♂️🧟♀️
I know it's not looked upon with alot of love (and now I see why 🤣) but as an early teens baby horror lover with friends watching and investigating the VHS of "Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2' finding the hidden faces we missed on first watch really creeped us out. Certainly played a part in my obsession with hidden details in film and how I hide things in my own set/prop design today! That and The Ring. Something about the physical media in both just pull you into the film.
Watched The Exorcist on a tiny TV in the attic bedroom of a friend in a cottage in Devon, we were 14 at the time (this was 1990s) and in the middle of nowhere in the UK countryside - their cottage overlooked a church graveyard. We had mugs of tea and chocolate biccies, and were in sleeping bags and it was raining outside and we had candles on and a small lantern light. We were terrified and fascinated. It felt exciting and dangerous to watch like we weren't really old enough. The small TV crackled a bit which added to the vibe. A truly lifelong memory. Cannot watch the Exorcist to this day. Gave me nightmares for weeks!
Sleepy Hollow. I think it’s Tim Burton’s style and mood. It keeps its cinematic feel regardless.