Which is better, movies or books? That's an age-old question that can never truly be answered because it's based on preference. For me, I'm more of a movie buff than an avid reader. Movies engage me more and they are my favorite way to escape the world.
Movie Makin' Magic
Books and movies each have different aspects that appeal to different people. For me, movies are more appealing because of everything movie creators can do, especially in our technology-centered world. Today, the effects used to create films is literally a form of magic. It's insane how much work a movie is when you really stop and think about it.
It takes years to make a decent looking film and while it costs a fortune to see them, it's also a lot of fun and kind of worth it. Movies can take anything and bring it to life and IMAX 3D only reinforces that.
If you go a bit back, you could tell things were fake in a movie. Sometimes it was cheesy but other times it was fantastic for the time. CGI has allowed us to take that even further, and today movies create entirely different worlds with the ease of a computer to do it.
However, it's not just about the effects, even if that is a big part, it's the experience as a whole. For me, I can't focus on anything but the movie when I'm in a theater. Between the acting, the sounds, quick scene changes, the emotional scenes and of course, the music, there's a lot to focus on when watching a film, especially if you're looking for the little details. Pay close attention or you'll miss something crucial for the end.
"I mean, the whole idea of movies was it was special to go to see — you went to a movie theater to see something that was magical and amazing, in a very special location." --Bob Balaban; Author
The big screen, the comfy seats, the incredible sound, and of course, the amazing film projection ... there is nothing like a movie theater experience, just make sure you eat before going to the theater!
Reading is Power
While movies are great, you only get two, maybe three hours to produce a good story. This is why there is a large amount of bad movies out there. Not every movie can be a bestseller — just like books.
Books have the ability to go anywhere, especially in their new digital form, which makes them great for traveling long distances. I read every morning thanks to my new job, and I love it. It's fun being able to visualize what you're reading in your head. It's a form of creativity, especially when a book is well written.
Since there's nothing visually going on, it's hard for me to keep an interest when I read; I'm a visual person, so I'm sucked in more by stunning images. As a result of me being a visual person, I stopped reading for a long time. Reading also had a tendency to make me tired which always bothered me; I guess there's a reason people read before bed!
“Books and doors are the same thing. You open them, and you go through into another world.” — Jeanette Winterson
Books are great if the author can write — they depend on descriptions and talented writers. Books are black and white movies, if they are done right.
Books are also unlimited in what can happen, which allows readers to focus more on characters and character relationships. Movies do that, but they can only do so much when they're actually on a set time schedule.
Overall, both have pros and cons, I don't like reading as much as I like watching movies because I get into movies more; I can connect more with people I see rather than people I read about. Like a current events story in the paper. Movies are quick, don't take much focus and perfect for unwinding to.
So tell me, which do you prefer, movies or books?
