Ryan McNeil
There was a funny little back-and-forth that took place on Thursday morning.
As I’ve been doing all year, I posted a picture of the book I was about to read on Instagram. This time around, the photo prompt more than one of my movie-loving friends to ask me if I was getting all these books read in 2015 in lieu of watching film. The funny thing is that I’m not. I seldom read at home – it’s just never found its way into my routine. Likewise, I’ve never thought to myself “Well I could go out and watch “x”, but if I stay in I can finish that book”.
So, no – my increase in books read is not contributing to a decrease in the amount of films I watch.
But…
Overall, the amount of films I watch this year is down. Looking at what my tally was this time last year, I’m about forty titles off the pace. So in a way, the answer to my friends’ question is “yes – I’m reading more and watching less”…but one has little to do with the other.
I can say that part of it comes down to spending more time on music, baseball, and television. Spend your week nights watching a show on Netflix? There’s three-to-five movies you could have watched. Go to a concert on a Saturday night? That’s two more. Watch your favorite baseball team become one of the best in the league and challenge for a playoff spot? At least three movies a week off your tally.
But the weird thing is, I don’t feel as though I’m falling behind. Going back to the book conversation – I don’t feel like I’m reading more, watching less. While it feels as though I’m going to the cinema less, even that isn’t true, because my screening tally is up over last year. So it’s not that either.
I guess if I looked at 2015, with almost two-thirds of it gone, I’d say that I am watching less, but I’m not missing out. I’m still keeping up with new releases, still getting to my blindspots, and still consuming a healthy dose of classics. I’m just filling in the space between with other activities that are keeping me off my couch. Maybe there’s something to be said for that…
Watch less; Do more.
Here’s the week at hand…
Screenings
IRRATIONAL MAN – This was going to be fodder for the next Matineecast, but that doesn’t seem to be coming together. Look for a review tomorrow.
Streaming/Blu-Rays/DVD’s I’ve Never Seen
THE LAST STARFIGHTER – I was told that I needed to watch this to fully appreciate reading Ernest Cline’s Armada this week. That wasn’t entirely true, but this was a fun enough watch.
THE ARMSTRONG LIE – When I posted the trailer for THE PROGRAM this week, I realized that I still hadn’t caught up with this doc. A really great watch, especially in the way it underlines the lives Lance affected in the name of his legacy.
GOLD DIGGERS OF 1935 – There are some shots in this movie that are absolutely staggering in their execution.
Streaming/Blu-Rays/DVD’s I’ve Seen Before
IRON MAN 3 – Figured I would finish out the trilogy after watching parts 1 & 2 last week
DESPICABLE ME 2 – I was at my folks on Sunday when a McDonald’s ad came on and my mom asked me “Ryan, what’s a Minion?” 90 minutes later, she was in love.
INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS – Where is his scrotum?
First-Timers: Cria Cuervos, Red Desert, and later tonight, Hiroshima Mon Amour.
Re-Watches: Charlie St. Cloud, Frantic, and Ewoks: The Battle for Endor.
Finally caught up with some big ones these week!
First time:
The Delinquent
Antiviral
Interstellar – liked it a lot, but not as much as I’d hoped. Listened to your podcast on it as well.
Cloud Atlas – same here, and it was funny because on both shows Sunrise comes up, and Univarn came out to give you feedback.
And I re-watched:
Junior
Finally got to The Theory of Everything, which I was underwhelmed by. Also saw Stretch, Extraterrestrial, and Hot Tub Time Machine 2. None of these blew my socks off. Don’t think I rewatched anything.
As a follower of your goodreads I’m impressed with the quantity of books you get through. You must be a fast reader.
“spending more time on music, baseball, and television”. Found any new/old music this year worth recommending?