For as long as I can remember I've gone to the movies. I remember one summer, my grandmother took me to the AMC theater in Dartmouth every Tuesday afternoon because the tickets were half the price that day. I remember the excitement seven-year-old Alyson felt when she saw her first 3D movie, "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl." If I looked hard enough, I could probably find the pink Lavagirl 3D glasses hidden somewhere in my room.

Throughout my middle school years, I don't remember going to the movies much (except to see the Hunger Games or the latest Twilight movie). That was around the time I would spend countless Friday nights either reading Percy Jackson for the hundredth time, or FaceTiming one of my friends. It wasn't until high school that I fell in love with going to the movies again. I made some new friends and one activity we all wanted to do was go see a movie at our local flagship. It was also around the time Marvel really started to blow up and it felt like we were going to the movies every other month to catch to latest superhero flick.

As much as I love going to the movies and will continue to do so, especially for every Marvel or book-to-movie adaptation, lately I'm becoming more a fan of staying home and watching movies.

While there are a few draw backs to watching movies at home, like not having delicious movie theater popcorn, getting to watch movies on a giant screen and getting to experience the movie with a crowd of people, the practical side of me just can't ignore the benefits of watching movies from my own home.

First of all, watching at home is less expensive. Tickets to get in the theater usually coast me at least $11 (nine when I go to Providence Place, thank you student discount!). Not to mention the snacks are way over priced, it's usually another $10 if I want popcorn and a drink. At home, I can rent a movie for $3. Even better, I can even find a movie on Netflix and watch if for free. Also, I can eat any snacks I want (assuming I remembered to go grocery shopping) instead of being bound to the pricy snacks that the theater sells. Even though nothing can really replace movie theater popcorn, making popcorn in a pot at home is pretty good too. Plus it's healthier (at least according to my mom).

I think the biggest pro to watching movies at home (besides shamelessly wearing pajamas) is the fact that I don't have to deal with any annoying people. Nothing is more distracting than someone deciding to take out their brighter than the sun cell phone, or talk during the movie. I remember going to see "Iron Man 3" with my dad and there was a group of middle school boys who talked and made inappropriate jokes through 80% of the movie. At home, I don't have to put up with that.

I'm not saying seeing a movie in a crowded theater will automatically ruin the experience. In fact, one of my favorite memories is seeing "Love Simon" in theaters. I loved being able to laugh, cry and cheer with dozens of other people while watching the film. Though it is easier to make snarky comments with my friends when we watch movies at home.

I'll never stop going to the movies. Both methods have their value. It's just that over the years I've grown to appreciate streaming movies at home more and more, and will most likely do so more often.