We have a problem choosing (which Art leaves for me to do) and watching our Netflix movies. However, I do often choose movies for him that I think he'll like. State of Play was a movie I chose for him. This is where the problem comes in.I can't stand suspense. I like a guarantee of a happy ending or at least a probable happy ending.
Art is very kind about watching some of my movies with me unless it becomes too girly. Then he'll take long breaks or fall asleep. Watching these tense movies with him stresses me out at times, but I've come up with a solution.
We were watching State of Play with Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams and Ben Affleck. Half way into it, I was getting really agitated so I jumped onto my computer and read the synopsis with the spoiler. Yae! Now that I knew what was going to happen, I could watch the rest of the movie calmly with him. I could even explain some things at the end that he missed. It was a good movie. We both enjoyed it.
Now then... I'll bet you're wondering if I cheat and read the endings of books. I'm not telling.
I like them both. As long as the suspense doesn't involve gorey stuff I like to watch it.
ReplyDeleteI confess. I sometimes read the endings of books first:)
I can't stand suspense, either, and that's why I've never enjoyed watching close basketball, etc., games. Your solution is clever, I must say. I understand completely how you could then relax and watch the rest of the movie.
ReplyDeleteI've been known to do that too!
ReplyDeleteSometimes when Hubby is watching a movie that only interests me a bit, I'll open up my laptop and read some blogs. With most movies I can keep up with the plot just halfway paying attention.
That's a great solution, Kay! I enjoy suspense myself, but I know what you mean about getting all worked up over things. Somehow I don't let movies and things that don't matter that much get to me. Your solution is one I just might use now and then, though.
ReplyDeleteYes, oh yes, And too, I do sometimes flip to the end of a book to find out if the good guy lived. :)
ReplyDeleteI've only once cheated and read the end of a book. It was The Help by Kathryn Stockett, and I was getting so involved with the characters and so convinced that something unhappy was going to happen; I knew I couldn't enjoy the book unless I knew that the principle character was going to be okay, so I peeped.
ReplyDeleteI watch very few movies these days, but I do like the suspenseful ones. I'll remember this when one of the them has me sitting on the edge of my chair! Hope you have a great day!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
yes, I hate suspense, too, whereas hubby loves it. He scolds me when I tell him who won a game.
ReplyDeleteI must confess to Kay --
ReplyDeleteI hate suspense so much, that when the TV show "Lassie" started having one episode continue to the next week, I stopped watching "Lassie."
DrumMajor
Kay, I think your mother will love the Letter from Japan I posted on my blog today. Very touching and if it does not move you to tears, then you have a hard heart...
ReplyDeleteVery good idea. I do not like suspense and am sure I've missed a lot of good things. You may have the solution for us non suspense people.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on this one -- I hate suspense, but don't mind a surprise ending!
ReplyDeleteI won't watch scary movies-for me that's not entertainment. Glad you found a solution so you're both happy. lol!
ReplyDeleteKay I'm exactly like you! I only watch movies with happy endings generally and don't enjoy the suspenseful movies M and K like. I found Avatar quite exhausting for example.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely couple you are:-) I think your solution to the suspense movies is the right one.
ReplyDeleteNo gore???!!!
ReplyDeletezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Wait, weren't you a teacher? Is there no sense of fair play within the framework of artistic appreciation? Aren't you at least ASHAMED to admit that you peek? or do you feel that the moment you shell out the entrance fee you are entitled to review it in any order you please?
They should make movies (and books) just like they do those stupid, IRRITATING puos (prohibited user operations) on the dvds that don't let you start the movie right away, you have to go through their irritating commercials and previews etc... so that you CAN'T view the last pages without first reading everything in front. In fact, did you know that the guy who cracked the code on how to read dvds in the first place (and therefore opened the whole can of worms on digital copyright because it then allowed anyone with a computer to copy a dvd now that the code could be read by any computer with a dvd reader), did so because he was so irritated with the puos that he went and cracked the code so that he could then re-burn his dvd without the puos and jump straight to the movie?
Dammit, if men were meant to fly they'd have wings.
walt
PS: when they asked if I wanted to know the sex of my kids after the ultrasounds I said NO. No peeking. Batchi.
Hmmm, read your post again and feel I have to recant some of my rant. You MAY be a peeker, so I should probably say that you MIGHT peek and therefore have ALLEGEDLY gained knowledge out of an ordained or artistically sanctioned order.
ReplyDeleteok, rant is pau.
walt
oh... sorry, dictionary:
pau = done, finished.
batchi = bad luck, but usually within the context of, and in association with, an act of hubris.
Oh no, if I know the ending, it is all over for me. It would drive me nuts but I can see where it is your perfect solution. So glad you stumbled on what works for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way with some suspense. I couldn't watch The Sixth Sense until I knew the ending first. Ha! But, I feel differently about books. I don't want to know the ending there.
ReplyDeleteCuz Walt: Ashamed of peeking? Nah... Not at all. I'm sure the authors or directors would not want me to suffer from excessive stress. Without the stress, I can concentrate on the artistic merits of the film.
ReplyDeleteOh how funny. You sound a bit like my husband. He loves movies like this, but he begins wringing his hands and getting quite anxious also. I don't think he'd want to know the ending though.
ReplyDeleteHahahahaha, ok ok ok. You can peek. Really.
ReplyDeleteWhat did my teachers used to say when I peaked or took a shortcut? Something like...
"You'll only short change yourself in the end."
hmmm.
But, I'll keep your solution in mind the next time I'm watching a TOO suspenseful movie, like High School Musical 3.
walt
PS: You forgot to mention the other solution for watching TOO suspenseful movies: watching them from between your fingers with your hand held up in front of your face. Works for my daughter.
Walt: Ummmm... Walt, I know that watching from the fingers trick. I already use that one a lot. And I've never seen High School Musical 3 or 2 or 1. You must be watching with Aja.
ReplyDeleteThat's the best excuse for reading ahead I've ever heard!
ReplyDeleteI like your pragmatism. :)
Walt is fun(ny). :)
ReplyDeleteI guess that I don't like suspense to much either, although I like suspenseful movies. When I read books I have my own method that I used many times (before audible and Kindle). I read the first chapter (so I know who the main characters are), then I read the last chapter (for obvious reasons) and then I thoroughly enjoyed the middle, lol.
ReplyDeleteWe are alike on this so I think I know the answer to whether or not you read the back of the book -- only if the plot gets too intense and it seems the heroes have no way out.
ReplyDeleteI know you cheat and look at the end of a book. You spilled the beans in a comment about your Kindle, that it was harder to flip to the back of the book.
ReplyDeleteI often want to, but then I don't really want to and I usually manage to resist.