Movies Definition and 134 Threads

A film, also called a movie, motion picture or moving picture, is a work of visual art used to simulate experiences that communicate ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere through the use of moving images. These images are generally accompanied by sound, and more rarely, other sensory stimulations. The word "cinema", short for cinematography, is often used to refer to filmmaking and the film industry, and to the art form that is the result of it.
The moving images of a film are created by photographing actual scenes with a motion-picture camera, by photographing drawings or miniature models using traditional animation techniques, by means of CGI and computer animation, or by a combination of some or all of these techniques, and other visual effects.
Traditionally, films were recorded onto celluloid film stock through a photochemical process and then shown through a movie projector onto a large screen. Contemporary films are often fully digital through the entire process of production, distribution, and exhibition, while films recorded in a photochemical form traditionally included an analogous optical soundtrack (a graphic recording of the spoken words, music and other sounds that accompany the images which runs along a portion of the film exclusively reserved for it, and is not projected).
Films are cultural artifacts created by specific cultures. They reflect those cultures, and, in turn, affect them. Film is considered to be an important art form, a source of popular entertainment, and a powerful medium for educating—or indoctrinating—citizens. The visual basis of film gives it a universal power of communication. Some films have become popular worldwide attractions through the use of dubbing or subtitles to translate the dialog into other languages.
The individual images that make up a film are called frames. In the projection of traditional celluloid films, a rotating shutter causes intervals of darkness as each frame, in turn, is moved into position to be projected, but the viewer does not notice the interruptions because of an effect known as persistence of vision, whereby the eye retains a visual image for a fraction of a second after its source disappears. The perception of motion is partly due to a psychological effect called the phi phenomenon.
The name "film" originates from the fact that photographic film (also called film stock) has historically been the medium for recording and displaying motion pictures. Many other terms exist for an individual motion-picture, including picture, picture show, moving picture, photoplay, and flick. The most common term in the United States is movie, while in Europe film is preferred. Common terms for the field in general include the big screen, the silver screen, the movies, and cinema; the last of these is commonly used, as an overarching term, in scholarly texts and critical essays. In early years, the word sheet was sometimes used instead of screen. 'Film' in general is not a good term to refer to a long standard commercial video production since it’s ambiguous in general and therefore requires context for correct interpretation.

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  1. Cyrus

    Are These the Movies We've Been Waiting For?

    Here are some good movies you should go see while they are out. They were good, FINALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLY! LONG OVERDUE. Blood Diamond Good Shepherd Apocalypto Rocky Balboa You will get your moneys worth from these movies, I promise. I felt cheated for the CRAP hollywood has...
  2. Loren Booda

    Harken back to relate the most twisted parodies in song, movies,. .

    Harken back to relate the most twisted parodies in song, movies, literature, or other comedy that you have ever witnessed.
  3. M

    There's this issue of downloading mp3s and movies from P2Ps

    There's this issue of downloading mp3s and movies from P2Ps, I don't do it as I believe is illegal, but then I read occasionally that is not illegal. Just wanting to know what do you think, though even if it's legal, I find that morally is not correct as you are clearly damaging the persons who...
  4. Ivan Seeking

    The Quiet Earth" & "The Far Side of the Moon": Movie Reviews

    I've been scouring the video store lately due to travel. The Quiet Earth: I absolutely loved this movie. I think it's one of the best sci-fi films that I've seen in many years. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089869/ The Far Side of the Moon: [French Canadian] I hate having to read a movie...
  5. fargoth

    How Have Animated Movies Evolved with Human Themes?

    a nice animation movie... http://threeleggedlegs.com/humans/
  6. wolram

    The Reality of Terminal Ballistics: Is it Really Like the Movies?

    I all ways thought films dramatized the act of some one being shot, like they fly backwards or jump in the air, but according to this it is true. http://www.bobtuley.com/terminal.htm
  7. P

    Help with Burning DVD Movies Decrypted by DVD Decrypter

    I have decrypted several dvd movies and put them onto my HD using DVD Decrypter, but I'm not quite sure how to burn them. If someone could give links to a site, and perhaps some instructions,that'd be great.
  8. R

    I am opposed to scary movies about vampires

    It's not my fault that I'm not going to be able to sleep at all, this weekend. I blame the television for making me watch From dusk to dawn at 3 A.M. Maybe I should lawsuit something.
  9. E

    Burning DVD Movies with Windvd - Issues & Alternatives

    Yesterday I burnt a movie to a dvd using windvd, so last night I went to watch it downstairs in the dvd player, it turned out to be very choppy and a result of the choppiness there was a delay in the sound. I have a P4 with 512mb RAM in a new laptop. Whats the problem? Anyone else use windvd...
  10. marcus

    Bojowald with movies (Loop Cosmology paper)

    today Martin Bojowald posted a paper on Loop Quantum Cosmology http://arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/0601085 it is over 100 pages long and has movies to illustrate more info on the "Rovelli's program" REFERENCE LINK THREAD here: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?p=888994#post888994 the...
  11. Ivan Seeking

    What Makes Certain Movies Worth Re-watching?

    While we're on a movie kick, what movies have you watched the most times, and what made you want to watch them more than once? I knew of people in LA who had seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show hundreds of times. I never saw it until last year. My opinion: :eek: Wizard of Oz: When I was a...
  12. Bystander

    What makes The Matrix a classic sci-fi film?

    Worst of "The Best Movies" What movies have you invested time or money to see, and wished you'd stayed home to clean the litterbox, tuned into reruns of Bert Parks and Miss America, gone to a baseball game, watched golf, or anything else? Paid perfectly good money to see in a theatre: 2001...
  13. D

    Is Math the Secret Ingredient in Your Favorite Movies?

    This thread was split off a thread in Gen Math.. Interesting discussion... but it aint math! Integral Well, I don't care much for you're taste in films.
  14. Lisa!

    Exploring Historical Movies: A Man for All Seasons & Beyond

    Is it possible to review some of movies which concerns a particular period of history? I mean we can discuss art and history at the same time. Talking about the movie itself and the historical facts. And how much the movie was successful in telling the facts! I think "A man for all seasons"...
  15. J

    Star Wars Movies: Order vs. Experience

    The Star Wars movies trilogies, both of them. It all began with Star Wars, then The Empire Strikes Back, then Return Of The Jedi, then The Phantom Menace, then Attack Of The Clones, then Revenge Of The Sith (the only one I saw of the six, and it was pretty cool). The movies above are listed...
  16. JamesU

    Terrible Movies We've Seen: Sahra, The Grudge, The Ring

    the good movies thread gave me some inspiration, and I want to know what awful, terrible movies people have seen (so I can watch them :biggrin: ) I'll start: the grudge the ring sahara (it was okay ) I already know about attack of the killer tomatoes.
  17. P

    Poll: Do you go to the movies alone?

    I don't usually. and that option should say 'I don't want to' and it should say 'won't let me be alone' I really can't spell today, sheesh !
  18. P

    Converting Movies to PSP Format: Questions & Answers

    OK, trying to convert movies that I already own to the PSP format. As a note, all the movies I own are backed up on my computer, in an .avi format, and are all compressed down using autogk. Two Questions: 1. Can I take those .avi files that I have and use those to convert to the PSP...
  19. O

    Which movies and TV shows have the best representation of science and math?

    Id like to compile a list of good science/physics/mathematics/ or "movies that make you think" type films. Please add to my small list: the arrival independence day k-pax the bbc space series with sam neil event horizon a beautiful mind supernova
  20. C

    Matrix Movies: Unpacking the Theme, Story, and Idea

    I've never understood most of the English movies. Matrix lies in the top ten(The Sixth Sense leads it) of my ununderstandable movies. Can anyone explain to me the theme and story and idea of the Matrix movies?
  21. F

    Math and Science Movies and TV Shows

    After the horrible "Numb3rs" I would like to get a consensus on shows and movies with science and if anybody here liked them. Infinity-starring mathew broderick. about richard feynman Pi-Indie film about chaos theory A Beautiful Mind-starring russel crowe. about john nash and game...
  22. M

    What are some of your favorite movies of all time?

    I know there is a similar topic already up, but this one is slightly different. What are your FAVORITE movies of ALL TIME? They can be from any category or any genre. Mine: Action: The Mummy Returns Fantasy: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Philisophical: A Beautiful Mind...
  23. Gokul43201

    What Makes Drug Movies So Compelling?

    Watched any good movies lately, that you would definitely recommend ? I haven't watched any movies in a while now, mostly because I haven't heard of there being that many good ones. I did watch one movie (dvd) this weekend - L'auberge Espagnole (2002) - I quite enjoyed it. :approve: Time...
  24. C

    In movies like X-men there are mutants. but not in real life

    In movies like X-men there are mutants. but in real life, is there any mutant like those ? Please name some of them. Thanks.
  25. D

    Does Hollywood get the math right in movies like Good Will Hunting and Futurama?

    Hey, I was watching Good Will Hunting today to motivate me for my oncoming exams. In movies like these there are usually some scenes of chalkboards filled with math or what have you and I've always wandered if they made sense or if the maths was legit. Check out this screep cap...
  26. Q

    Bollywood Movies: Thoughts and Experiences

    Do you watch 'Bollywood' films? Do you think they're a rip-off? Or are they great for comedy value :smile: (whether intentionally or not :wink: ) ? If you've watched one, you've seen them all? :surprise:
  27. jimmy p

    Do Movies Influence Our Expectations of Reality?

    Things You Learn From the Movies (or at least i have anyway!) 1. Large, loft-style apartments in New York City are well within the price range of most people--whether they are employed or not. 2. At least one of a pair of identical twins is born evil. 3. Should you decide to defuse a...
  28. Moni

    What's Your All-Time Favorite Movie?

    Movie ? I know more or less you all watch TV and go to cinema halls for good Movie shows! Now what you have to tell us the name of the movies you liked! It’s not year dependent. You can give a list or at least mention only one name you liked most in your life you passed so far!
  29. Monique

    Must-See Bollywood Movies: Comedy, Romance, Action, Suspense

    Which bollywood movies are really good and thus are must-sees? Comedy/romance/action/suspense. I found a Dutch site, which sells them at a sharp price so I'll order a couple.
  30. E

    What makes Clint Eastwood the ultimate one-man army in The Unforgiven?

    [SOLVED] One-Man Army Movies What is your favorite one-man army movie? I think mine would have to be Rambo: First Blood Part II. You know, the one where he invades a POW/MIA, post-war, Vietnamese concentration camp sporting a red bandana and single-handedly firing a two-man bazooka...
  31. Kerrie

    Explore the Wonders of Pacific Island Movies

    Has anyone ever experienced one of these movies? I just watched "Coral Reef" and was entranced by the beautiful film footage of the pacific islands...
  32. E

    What movies have brought you to tears?

    [SOLVED] Movies That Made You Cry Have you ever been so emotionally moved by watching a movie that you actually cried? I remember when I was five years old, I was watching the movie Snoopy Come Home, and it made me so sad when I thought that Charlie Brown would never see Snoopy again, that I...
  33. D

    What do you guys think of the above mentioned screen movies?

    What do you guys think? This is the year for sequels... X-men2, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Terminator 3, Matrix: Reloaded. Wat do you guys think of the above mentioned screen movies?
  34. Another God

    Philosophical Underpinning of Movies

    It seems like any decent movie these days really needs to have a particular metaphysical, epistemological, or at least social philosophy behind it. (either that or a bunch of 'teenagers' having sex, drinking beer, and going 'Dude' a lot...) The Matrix, 13th floor, eXistenz are my first 3...
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