As I have mentioned on other blog sites my favorite movie genre is science fiction. My like for science fiction films is followed next by horror/monster, historical dramas, comedy, adventure, suspense/thriller and then all the remaining genres. Of course these classifications are kind of subjective and films come in many combinations of these classifications.

Science Fiction provides the best context to explore new universes (universe meaning the reality created by the storyteller). The ability to build worlds with unique characters and unique characteristics in a science fiction story are unmatched by any other genre. Real scientific theories can be tested or modeled in the reality created by science fiction stories. The imagination can run wild in science fiction films (especially if fantasy is added which in a sense it always is in a universe beyond present abilities or reality).

Many people feel that the like of science fiction is juvenile. I don’t think so. It is true that young people on average enjoy science fiction films the most, but it does not mean that they are only for kids.

I think people who are into technology, and science, or are dreamers, or have active and youthful imaginations are lovers of science fiction movies. These people are usually very bright and knowledgeable. Many are scientist, philosophers or engineers and many are ’average Joes’. If you ask many scientist or engineers where did they get their inspiration to pursue studies in science or engineering many will say from science fiction films.

I am not tooting my own horn here. Being bright and knowledgeable is not synonymous with wealth, beauty or in other ways successful as defined by the subjective yardstick used by the world today. However I can almost guarantee you that most of the people who are into science fiction movies are pretty smart and unique in a number of ways.

I like other genres of films but I am not that driven to see them in a theater. I would rather wait until they come out on DVD or are broadcast on television. To go to the theater the movie in most cases must give me something that may be better if seen on a large screen.

Science fiction, fantasy, historical dramas or dramas within a historically accurate setting, and adventure lend themselves to the large format of the Cinema screen. Something is lost if you see these types of films on a smaller format.

Of course the modern home entertainment center with its high quality sound system and large screen HDTV’s are beginning to make the need to go to the theater to get the full impact even of the science fiction movie obsolete.

For me to go to the theater for genre of films not specifically mentioned here they usually must have elements in them that will be altered or deleted if shown on regular broadcast television. The cinematography, sweeping shots or sound must be so important that a person would be missing something if the movie is not seen in a theater or things like language, nudity, or gore will be deleted or changed to such a degree that the original vision of the director would be significantly changed.

Nowadays with cable/satellite television, videotape, and DVD it is possible to see a movie as intended by a director without a trip to the movie theater. Combine this fact with the modern home entertainment center and there are even fewer reasons to go to the theater for a movie that does not have some feature that the large screen and superior sound system of a movie house will enhance.