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The Comfort of The Middle Class Film Night

Film // Henry // 13th March 2011

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away when "vidayo" ruled the land the idea of video parties were both novel and risque, well at least to an 13 year old school boy from Leamington Spa. VHS players which could be used and abused until the early hours were scarce and so our only option was to rent (yes rent) a player along with your assortment of chosen "nasties". This could have included standards such as: Rollerball, Dawn of the Dead, The Exorcist,Halloween, Death Race 2000 etc. So to be basic for a minute the idea was: to gather a small group of teenagers with unrestricted access to films deemed suitable for people of 18 years or over. Videos were deliberately chosen for their content which included copious violence, sex, swearing and as a Brucie bonus drug taking (see Scarface). The assembled would attempt to appear unmoved and unaroused. Whilst generally shitting themselves or hiding a crafty stiffy (ladies excluded). Yes indeed this was a rights of passage into the adult world of film. I have a rather warped but fond memory, tinged with discomfort, watching the very black humour of George Romero's undead moronically wandering around a shopping mall. It's irony was fully wasted on me. Instead it frightened the living bejesus out if me. Awesome.

So this is partly why I have always enjoyed watching films in chosen company . Don't get me wrong I like the idea of going to the cinema. However I am of an age where I can no longer tolerate other people and "their ways". This includes braying laughter, talking , breathing and generally being. Instead I prefer to choose my company in the sedate burbs of Semi-Dom . Yes a rather middle class "film night"!

Here you can set the pace by choosing a film to impress your mates with your decerning taste in Korean revenge massacre carnage (see I Saw The Devil). A word to the wise though,choose your film carefully as this can lead to ridicule from your peers. Anything involving Hugh Grant might lead to punishment of death or worse (enforced viewing of Alvin and The Chipmunks- I myself am a veteran of 3 viewings) .Try choosing things that are not too obvious or obscure and perhaps consider if your audience is subtitle friendly (literate). During the viewing expect regular disruption for pit stops to toilet and fridge. Don't be deterred this is no reflection on your choice of film but rather the harsh reality of binge drinking and small bladders. Friends will often talk through what you consider to a masterpiece but don't be disconcerted as you can talk all the way through their choice (middle class English revenge).Post film I 'm not sure I am entirely comfortable with "a dicussion". However general feedback is polite. "Disappointing" means crap and intense can mean "what the fuck was that all about"?

Of course if this is the future of adult film viewing then Cinemas will be entirely dedicated to 3D kids CGI flicks and hopefully with the advent of "legal" downloads and mailorder we will see the back of Blockbuster stores (cretin farms). So sit back take a chug on your tinny and enjoy the film.