CinemaParadiso.co.uk: Or how I learned to stop worrying about lockdown boredom and love the cinema.
If you’re feeling the Groundhog Day effect (The same day repeating itself over and over) you may want some help in breaking the monotonous mould. To cure the boredom we’ve probably all felt at parts of the Coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic and lockdown, you’ve got to analyse the things that enforce this repetition. If you’ve taken a good hard look at yourself and realise you’ve spent far too long half-watching the newest (and probably average) Netflix or Amazon Prime film, series or sit-com whilst scrolling endless posts on social media, congratulations, you’ve been experiencing lockdown boredom in a most conventional way. Not to fear, CinemaParadiso.co.uk has an idea.
The Boring Streaming Cycle
If we look at the way streaming works, it’s instantaneousness is actually a real problem if you’re not currently watching something you enjoy. We’ve all finished a film or blitzed through a series we’ve thoroughly enjoyed only to feel deflated and uninspired when it comes to what to watch next. If you’ve endlessly trawled the existing catalogue, stopped and started a few ‘it might be surprisingly good’ efforts and just given up you’re in dire need of a cinematic comeback. Us humans have never had so much choice instantly available, it’s not like us, lockdown has proved in many cases that we also don’t like it. It’s too easy, too convenient and doesn’t require the thought, excitement or critique that cinema holds so imperative to audience satisfaction. So here’s some tips we have to cure lockdown boredom with great films and the cinematic experience.
Streaming Boredom, The Alternative
If you’re unfamiliar with our service, it’s pretty similar to the golden age roots of how streaming companies began, we offer a subscription-based service for DVD, Blu-Ray & 4K rentals, stocking over 100,000 titles, which is bigger than Netflix, Amazon and Disney + combined! The way our subscribers choose what to watch is through a ‘list’ feature. Essentially, users research, add and prioritise films in order of what they want to watch. Super-Fast postage guarantees the title will be with you in no time. But… It’s THAT time which is so important for entertainment satisfaction. This is where a nice bit of human psychology comes into play. If something is instantly available (i.e no deliberation, effort or research needed) we tend not to value it very much. Think of it this way, if your preferred football team played every single day, would any match be a big one? Or would they blur into obscurity and pointlessness? The latter seems likely. Another analogy you say!? A cinema works the same way, you pick what to watch, select your seats, buy your snacks and turn up ready for a good time. If you turned up to a cinema and picked a movie on the fly, would you be as excited? So, for films, the effort of deliberation and research put into selecting and prioritising a film has already built some excitement toward experiencing the outcome of this effort. The 1-2 day wait for the title only builds this excitement.
Why The Boredom Cure Works, An Eager Wait
So when the disc comes, you’ll need to watch it as soon as you can to receive your next title. There’s a subtle pressure at play here, not only do most customers sanction a dedicated film night as quick as possible, they/you are also much more likely to concentrate more, therefore enjoying the art of the film in more cognitive detail and staying away from the deadly black mirror mobile and its allure of procrastination. Locking your time in for a dedicated film viewing about a title you CHOSE to seek out and watch is a far more satisfying experience than putting something random on and watching the time pass. We’ve had many customers tell us they were able to use films to break the lockdown boredom, and we think you’d benefit from it too. Here’s 7 ways to prep yourself for reinvigorated entertainment.
1. Subscribe to CinemaParadiso.co.uk, or Buy some DVD's.
Needless to say, streaming services just don’t cut it if you’re looking to make an ‘occasion’ out of watching films. Either purchase a DVD or boxset, or rent them from CinemaParadiso.co.uk. You can take advantage of our free 14 day trial to see if this boredom busting tactic works for you in lockdown 2021.
2. Choose the film carefully.
The first time you do this it’s important you pick the right film. We recommend a film you haven’t seen before but have wanted to see for a while. This will only build the hype and give you more to look forward to. We’d also suggest renting a film that has been reviewed well both by the public and the critics, and preferably something with high tension or excitement. A drama might not be the best genre to try first for this mode of watching.
3. Pick the right film buddy.
Do you pick mate A or mate B? Do the kids get to stay up? Or are they in bed early? These are some choices you need to make and it largely depends on what film you’ve chosen in the first place. Try to pick a friend that has a genuine interest in the same types of films as you. There’s no point watching Akira Kurosawa’s 1950 masterpiece Rashomon with a guy who thought Die Hard: Another Day to Die Hard was the best film since Fast & Furious 5. If you’re still unsure, just pick the friend with the least attachment to their phone.
4. Get the snacks in early, and lots of them!
Right! This ones important, snacks snacks snacks! Remember that anything you buy, your partner will claim half. Also remember that a diligent snack buyer will know they’ll be losses in the days leading up to the film, so perhaps it’s better to overcompensate. Obviously it’s down to your personal preference, but you can never go too wrong with microwavable popcorn.
5. Finish any distracting chores.
Yes! We know. They’re boring and you can’t wait for the fun to begin! But there’s nothing worse than getting into a film and then being triggered by the surprise of a chore you forgot about, sneaking up from the deepest recesses of the mind. Do yourself a favour, send that work email or finish the washing up before the DVD/Blu-Ray player whirs into life.
6. Turn the living room into the cinema!
Everyone can do this to some extent. Whether it’s closing the curtains or dimming the lights, if the room feels like a cinema it’s more likely to get treated as such. We’re not saying you need to run 20 minutes of adverts and a phones-on-silent warning before you enjoy the film, but make sure the space is darkened, everyone is comfortable and the TV is on the right picture and audio settings before you begin. Want to take this to the next level? Invest in a quality sound bar or surround system for multi-dimensional audio. Similarly, invest in a good TV and a Blu-Ray player for a great home cinema replica in your own home. Prices are getting lower all the time, we suggest doing some research if the event method is working well for you.
7. Get those mobile phones on silent!
An on-screen warning might be overkill, but please, please get that phone on silent. You can’t fully immerse yourself with it buzzing every 3.4 seconds. You’ll thank yourself when the end credits roll.
So there we have it! Seems simple right? But how often do you actually watch films this way? Rediscover the joy of watching films in your own home with these few simple tweaks. Please get in touch if you’ve done this and had a better entertainment experience! Happy viewing guys!
