I don't go to the cinema as much as I'd like. I generally lack the time these days, and I really miss the Uptown. But the past few times I've been, the event itself has been so memorable, so inspiring, I couldn't help but feel a need to see everything on the big screen, in a mass group environment. To perhaps give up on DVD (or Bluray or HD-DVD or laserdisc or VCD or EVD or cerebral uploadable films).

My mind first started to wander after the double whammy of Flashpoint and Sukiyaki Western Django at TIFF. Both where awe inspiring films. Don't laugh at me, they really were. I had dreams about Flashpoint that first night. But part of what made that first experience so memorable, and so enjoyable, was the act of seeing the film in that environment. Sukiyaki Western Django ranks amoung one of my top movie going experiences of my life. Seeing Beowulf in 3-D on the Imax and Bladerunner:Final Cut within the span of a week had only solified my belief. I was almost ready to start selling off my collection.

And then I popped in Ju-rei. A typical, low budget J-horror film that uses almost every horror cliche known to modern Japanese cinema, but presents it in an interesting way. Its narrative device was the only thing that saved this from being dreck. That, and my viewing experience. I was home in the middle of the day, sick, alone. I was sprawled out on the futon. I grabbed Ju-rei completely at random. I'd already watched Black House and My Heart is that Eternal Rose. I wasn't really bother what I was about to put in. I was probably slightly delusional. And then it started. Completely shot on video. It looks like crap, but is filled with enough long, haunting shots that it still remains appeasing to the eye. If you watch this on a large screen, it would be aweful. This, like many J-horror films, was meant to be seen on your TV. Visitor Q is one of my favourite movies of all time, but I'm not even sure how that would play out in a theatre. Somethings are better left on the small screen, and some on the big.

I don't think I ever would want to see Beowulf again unless it was in 3-D and on Imax. And I will stand by that.