I always say “let’s go to the talkies.” People pretty much know what that means.
Makes me think of Billy Joe MacAllister.
Point taken, but I still take some special consideration when I hear the word movie.
When I was a kid, here at the arse end of the world, we said we were “going to the pictures.” But we were also aware that Americans said “going to the movies” and over the last few decades its shifted more to “movies” down here too. But there are still some who say “pictures” and many who say “a film” and a couple of old people who will call them “the flicks” or even “a show”.
I voted “film” becuase that’s what I’d say of the three choices, although in actuality I’m much more likely to say “going to the cinema”. “Movie” is an Americanism I avoid in everyday speech (although I type it all the time here), and I’ve only encountered “pictures” in … pictures and TV.
Watch a film.
Go to the cinema.
Not being pretentious; film is the word most commonly used this side of the pond.
I don’t think I have ever uttered the word “movie” in earnest in my life. Moving pictures were invented some 64 years before I was born so I don’t see the need to differentiate them from stills.
But then I also speak of “going to the pictures”. Maybe I’m older than I think…
The term ‘film’ is used almost universally in the UK.
I voted film, whitch I only just realized is the only term for movies we have in dutch…
Or “fillam” if you’re Irish…
Or ‘fillum’, if you’re in BC. (Small sample, though. There’s a Canadian retiree who owns the lot across from me and comes down for the Summer who says it, and I met a 20- or 30-something Coast Salish filmmaker who said it.)
I say “picture,” because I am culturally 92 years old. “Oh, that was a good picture!”
It’s “fillum” in South Africa, generally, too. I’ve worked pretty hard at not pronouncing it that way.
I generally go to the movies. If it’s an indy or particularly fancy I might call it a film. It’s only a picture if it’s part of a noun phrase like ‘motion picture’ or ‘picture show’.
I believe the terminology is subject to regional influences. Where I grew up:
We are going to see a show tomorrow.
I wonder what’s on at the show.
What did you see at the show this weekend.
When I was in college, I helped manage the AV department. I’d asked a professor about how her class seemed to be not much more than watching a variety of cinematic productions and referred to them as movies. I was genuinely curious - she comes in every couple of days to arrange for something to be shown, and other than that, I didn’t know what she taught.
Her entire demeanor changed - her nose grew about three inches longer, the better to look down it, and she responded “It’s FILLLMMM!”
Oh, sorry. Well, we have the title you requested for next Thursday on VHS or on 16mm. Do you have a preference?
All of the above, depending on context.
“Movie” is a generic long-format visual entertainment medium, anything from Up to Ferris Bueler to Terminator.
“Film” connotes a more thoughtful and serious piece with a purpose beyond entertainment. Think Paths of Glory, Rashomon, or Frost/Nixon.
“Picture” is for production, not so much the final result. I’d still use it for very visual films that really are more like moving pictures, like La Jatte, 2001, or The Seventh Seal.
In that sentence I’d say ‘movie’ but I use the word ‘film’ often as well.
I’d say “going to the cinema”.
Movie.
Surprised no one’s brought up “flick” yet. (unless I missed it when skimming the thread)