Why do people buy DVD's & what do they do with them?

Question

I have a handful of DVD's that I got for free, but I never watch them. In 2006 I watched about 140 movies, mostly from Netflix rentals, each once. And I watched only one of the DVD's I own, on Halloween. One I haven't watched in at least two years. Do people really pick out a few movies and watch them again and again instead of reading, TV, new movies, cinema, &c.? Aren't you selling yourself short by not expanding your horizons?

I usually only read books once, but I do buy them because I read them slowly, take notes, and write about them afterwards. I stopped following music and just listen to the radio for a few minutes every day because I became frightened of the RIAA. I used to make my own CD's and then throw them out after a few months when new songs came out. I can't imagine any reason I'd buy a CD. I don't like any music that much.

Answer 1

I own over 2000 dvds. I have watched most of them more than once. I rarely buy new, usually finding the movies I want at pawn shops or on used racks at stores for under $10 and often under $5. I do not subscribe to Netflix.
Why? Because I like to be able to watch what I want when I want, and not have to wait for my next one to arrive in the mail. Because I like to be able to loan movies to friends. Because I like to bring movies over to friends' homes so that groups of us can watch great movies that some of the group hasn't seen together. Because a great film that you really enjoy can be entertaining and enjoyable again and again. I used to have an extensive VHS collection before dvd came along. I switched because of two reasons: 1) durability of the medium, and 2) bonus features.
Many of these reasons are the same as why I have an extensive book collection (I'd use the library, but thanks to a near-illiterate majority constantly voting down the library's funding, they're almost never open, and never when I can go).
I try to catch most of the films I'm interested in at the theater. I like the big-screen experience, especially if the screen is very large and there is a good sound system. I was lucky enough to be able to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the theater in Downtown Disney at Disneyland on opening day, and that was a really cool experience. Also, I love sneak previews, with only the most enthusiatic fans in attendance. It makes for a great experience.
Am I selling myself short by not expanding my horizons? That implies that by having dvds I am not expanding my horizons, which I would disagree with. I've watched more movies and read more books than almost everyone I know, and have used my own collection to expand _their_ horizons, so I would say that no, I am definitely not selling myself short nor limiting my horizons. The ones I think sell themselves short are the ones who limit themselves to lowest-common-denominator tv programming instead of seeking out better entertainment. Very few programs out there are actually worth watching. The ones that are, I don't watch when they first show on TV. I wait, and buy the whole season on dvd, then watch as many episodes as I want in one sitting, with the options to use the restroom when I need to, rewind to see something I didn't quite catch, or choose which episode of an old favorite to re-watch. (Ever watch re-runs on TV? I'd rather have control over which episode. Otherwise I end up with what happened to me with original series Star Trek -- every time I'd turn it on it was either The Empath or Plato's Stepchildren. No thanks.)

Answer 2

There are lots of reasons to buy DVDs. The first one you guessed--people like to watch movies multiple times. I can't tell you how many times I've seen Star Wars or Empire Strikes Back. Great movies are ones you can watch multiple times and each time you see something new, something interesting. And, people often relate to movies differently at different stages of life. These are the same reasons we might re-read a book.

Plus, people who make movies will often dissect the film, analyzing the lighting, the dialog, the performance, etc.

As far as "selling yourself short," that's a matter of perspective. The people who watch movies multiple times don't consider it a waste. I personally prefer quality over quantity. I'd rather rewatch Casablanca than spend that same time watching an awful but current movie.

Answer 3

As a response, let me ask you a related question. Do you own any music (in any form - mp3, cds, etc.)? Do you listen to the same song more than once, and do you still enjoy that song when you return to it?

Do you read the same novel a second time? And when you do, do you get something new out of it you didn't get the first time?

Same is true of cinema - true art touches us repeatedly, and repeated enjoyment brings new aspects of the art and ourselves to light.

This isn't the same as 'not expanding your horizons' - rather, it's digging deeper into a work of art that has more to offer than our finite appreciation can digest in one sitting.

Best to you.

Answer 4

lol. thats funny. yeh, ppl really buy dvds n watch em over n over...they gotta get their monies worth. yeh, sum would rather watch it on tv, have actors play them out in a hour or two than sit down n enjoy reading a book for a day or even just a few hours. How would i know? I'm one of them, i have like a small collection of movies, i act, n i only read when neccessary....for school n script. ;) keep it up tho. we need more ppl like u in this world!!! Americans r becoming lazier n lazier. i need to learn from u. ppl r just different. u gotta learn that. have a good day!!!

Answer 5

Well, if you loved a movie and you wanna watch in the near future buying a DVD is better than renting them.

Answer 6

It's bad

Answer 7

Well, I think it's just nice to be sble to have them, so if you have a party or someone you know wants to watch it they can chill with you... At least that's what I think! Hope I helped!

Answer 8

Yes, but when it is very late at night and reruns dominate the airwaves, then DVD's are an alternative...

Answer 9

I personally purchase movies that I enjoy. I rent and watch movies on TV all the time. Nothing, however, beats the comfort of a good movie that can evoke emotion, be it laughter, tears, etc. Some people enjoy being in comfort zones, and movies can provide that.

Answer 10

The buy them because they really like the movie and expect to watch it again.
They love movies.
Or they are gifts.
mostly they just sit on the shelf unless you have children that watch a lot of movies