The Road Movie vs Book

From online reviews, many people who read the book liked the movie more than people who didn't read the book. I liked the movie much better than book. I think Cormac McCarthy's writing style is so different that each individual reading the book, gets an entirely different perception. However, I did not listen to the audio book and it might have had a different impact on my view of the book. I like to read with quotation marks and commas. I like to know who is speaking, without reading the dialogue 3 times. But thats just me.

As far as the movie went, I loved it. John Hillcoat did an amazing job in the direction of the film. The tone was clearly set throughout the picture and captured the audience immediately. The movie stands alone. It's a movie with no guarantees, and in every moment you want to know what happens next. I don't know what it would have been like watching the film without reading the book prior to it, but either way it would have captivated me. I for sure, was on the edge of my seat.

Television

Broadcast Television Vs. Satellite Programming

I'm not a big television watcher, especially not broadcast. But when I do watch TV I would say that 30 percent of the time I watch broadcast television and 70 percent of the time I watch programming on satellite television.
I watch broadcast TV for 3 reasons: sports, special events (the Oscars, Emmys), and NBC programming. I always catch football on those lazy Sundays on the couch, and I never miss an NBA game shown on ABC, especially when the playoffs start. I rarely miss the Oscars on TV. I am a big fanatic of movies and ever since I was 10 years old I haven't missed a year, mostly because of the fact it's not like an MTV award show which gets plenty of re-run time. The Academy Awards are on once a year, that's what makes it unique, that's why I never miss it. I prefer NBC over any other channel when I watch my broadcast TV shows (mostly done online). NBC programming is on the top of the charts right now, my favorite shows include, The Office and 30 Rock. I prefer Late Night with Conan rather than the Tonight Show with Conan. I feel like they had to meet certain demographic standards when they moved up a time slot, which in my opinion lost their originality. However, I'll catch the monologue from time to time just get a few laughs, and depending on the night's musical guest, I might stick around for that also.
I would label myself to be an HBO fanatic. When it comes to watching programming on satellite TV, I pay my extra $11.99 a month to watch my favorite shows on HBO and Shotime. On Sunday nights you will absolutely catch me on my couch watch my favorite line up. Depending on the season, the shows I love to watch on HBO are Entourage, True Blood, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Eastbound and Down, and even a new series Bored to Death. Shotime also provides my entertainment for sunday nights with shows like Dexter and Weeds. HBO and Shotime original programming are my definition of real shows. I have never liked sitcoms very much, other than Seinfeld and Fresh Prince, but how many re-runs can a person really watch? I need new shows to follow, the TV shows I watch now, I see art. I see a smart script, good actors, and an overall well produced program.
I totally prefer watching HBO and Shotime rather than broadcast TV. Not only because they also play movies, but I enjoy good television (with no commercial interruption).

My Film Watching Habits

Nothing ignites my movie watching experience more than sitting dead center in a theater with stadium style seating in front of a 53 ft. high, 72 ft. wide IMAX screen with digital surround sound, anticipating a movie-going adventure. For example, the best IMAX experience I've ever had, The Dark Knight. I believe going to a movie theater is the only real way to watch a movie to its full potential. Movies were physically made to be seen in a theater atmosphere with no distractions at all, just you and the big screen. In my early teen years, my theater going habits were quite different. My friends and I would buy one ticket each for one movie, then enjoy the rest of our day doing what we loved, watching movies. It wasn't until we got kicked out of a theater one too many times, when we decided to watch movies normally, one at a time. Now, I try not to waste my money or time on watching what I like to call "garbage movies", or movies that have no meaning whatsoever- other than to take your money. Transformers 2 is a very good example of a "garbage movie", but I spent my 8 bucks and saw it anyway. That's why now every time I go to the movies I have to do some research first, whether its rottentomatoes.com or yahoo movies, I feel as if i need an opinion about the movie, although it will never affect my own opinion in the end. If I could get paid to be a movie critic for the rest of my life, I would absolutely do so.

My film watching habits occur on an everyday basis. I'd say 90% of the time when I turn on the TV, I flip it right to HBO. I try to look for movies that I'm familiar with but haven't seen yet, if nothing comes to interest I watch the Reelz channel for movie reviews and trailers. Although I'm a big fan of HBO and especially its original programming, it's not the only channel i like to watch movies on. IFC, independent film channel, usually captures my attention when scrolling through the guide menu. I always seem to be in the mood for an uplifting, artsy indie flick. I also adore my 90's favorites, even though it might be re-edited for cable TV, if a cult-classic favorite is on, i might just tune in.

I watch movies for the same reason everyone else watches movies, to be entertained. I love a great story with flawless dialogue, and captivating cinematography. A movie with visionary direction, where I could literally be at the edge of my seat for 1 hour straight. Or even a movie I catch on TBS that i've seen over 100 times but still laugh at almost every scene written by a comedic genius. I guess it's safe to say I love watching movies.