In recent times TV series have been all the rage. People talk about TV series all the time: “Oh I just started a new series!” “I can’t decide what new series to watch,” and so on, and so forth. However, as Netflix and Amazon Prime consume us slowly, the darling, never-to-be-forgotten-but-of-late-forgotten movie has been getting less and less of our attention. TV series may currently be the bee’s knees, but when it comes to this battle, my vote goes to movies.
Undeniably, long TV series provide an opportunity to delve deeply into both characters and storylines. I will not lie—after 10 seasons, when the two lovebirds finally admit their love to each other, your heart overflows with joy and perhaps it even crosses your mind to throw a mock wedding with your childhood stuffed animals because you have become so invested. Additionally, most TV-show episodes run shorter than actual movies, which can provide you with that “quick fix” when you need it. However, that 40-minute episode can quickly lead to a three-hour binge. Is that something you necessarily want?
After completing a series you have dedicated hours and hours to one show. In the same length of time you could have watched several movies, each with different plots and settings, directing and cinematography. It is much easier to diversify what you watch when you watch movies. Additionally, you can still develop the long storyline and recurring characters through a movie series. You don’t have to anxiously await the next season or grieve the cancellation of a show. You can just appreciate a really good movie and know that two hours later it will be all over. So why have two hours when you could have 20?
Movies are much more concise and to the point by nature. If you only have one shot, then it must be your best shot. By its nature a movie must be selective, at least more so than a five-season-long TV series. That isn’t to say that being more selective means that it is necessarily “good.” There are really good TV shows and really bad movies. That being said, TV series tend to drag on and on and anyone who has seen a TV series has also seen its demise. It is a sad, sad time to see a TV show crumble and subsequently end. You would almost rather the plot hadn’t dragged out so long. You’d almost rather it ended on the third season. You probably wish it had just been a quick affair, like a movie or something.
Perhaps the greatest advantage of movies is actually going to the theater, although many people will argue that the greatest thing about TV shows is flopping on the couch and eating chips. But the difference is like going out to eat at a restaurant versus taking out and eating at home. Although food is the same either way, going out to eat is just so much more festive! If anything, in the monotonous routine of life we ought to be more festive. “Hey—do you want to go to the movies?” Whether it is your mom or your no-longer-platonic crush, suddenly it’s a date. I speak for myself, but a big screen and good sound quality are both much much more attractive than my small, cracked iPhone, and even my TV for that matter. Also, there is something so calming about the ritual itself. The quiet, dark movie theater, the anticipation, the hushed whispers, the quiet crunching of popcorn. Two hours later it’s all over and that’s for the best. I came, I saw, and I don’t have to worry about who will get killed off next season.