Movies you like to watch people watch

Cafe Society
1

It occured to me this past weekend when I was watching Big Business for probably the 20th time that I was enjoying watching my sister watch it. Like me, my wife had seen it many times, and my brother-in-law was falling asleep. But my sister was loving it — laughing out loud and slapping her knees at what I thought were just the right moments.

Before long, I was anticipating her. I knew what was coming, and I could turn to her in time to see the full glory of her reactions. I had as much fun laughing at her as I did laughing at the movie the first time I saw it.

I think next time they come over, I think I’ll pop in Saving Private Ryan and watch my brother-in-law watch it. Especially the landing scene.

2

I also enjoy watching people watch movies I think are briljant. But it really annoys me if these people then proceed to fall asleep (dad!) or start going to the kitchen, bedroom, etc (mom!) or let themselves get distracted from the movie in any other way.

3

There is no greater pleasure than watching someone experience This is Spiňal Tap for the first time.

Actually, there are a lot of greater pleasures.

4

Poltergeist. (And yes,** football**, I too find it upsetting when people aren’t as riveted as I want them to be!)

5

One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest

Chief talks

6

Thought of another one. Carrie. The ending.

7

Iron Man. Specifically, the hostages scene. It was a trip watching my roommate’s reaction to that.

8

If we’re talking about surprise endings, then add The Red Violin to my short list. But it would only appeal to a limited crowd.

9

Having seen Arachnophobia more times than I care to count, I had a great time watching my wife and oldest daughter watch it recently for their first time. My wife was literally watching through a blanket for long stretches of the movie.

10

Porn.

Ok seriously, I usually get a kick out of watching my 3 year old watch anything.

11

Monty Python and the Holy Grail, if it’s the first time the person has seen it.

The Black Knight is the one that gets 'em every time. My grandmother, who is hard of hearing and had trouble following the accents in the first few scenes, whooped with laughter as the limbs started flying.

12

I took a copy of The Exorcist to a friends house. He was 25 years old and BIG in that football-player kind of way.

The scene where Regan McNeal scurries down the stairs upside-down freaked the poor guy out. He literally jumped behind his couch before the scene was over.

13

That’s a great scene. It was added in the re-release, and didn’t appear in the original.

14

The twist in Primal Fear.

15

For me it’s the squirmers- Eraserhead, Un Chien Andalou, Forbidden Zone, Gummo, Meet the Feebles, 2-girls-1…nah, I’m not even that sick; but the other five yeah. Usually they never make it to the end of the movie, but it’s entertaining while it lasts.

16

Bad Santa. To see them horrified and laughing at the same time.

17

From Dusk Til Dawn. It probably wouldn’t work anymore since everyone knows it now, but when the whole genre of the movie shifts in the MIDDLE of the film…So many of my friends had that open-mouthed “Whaaaaa?” face happening. I took pictures.

18

The Dark Crystal - wonderful, timeless fantasy story.

Vanity Fair (the Reese Witherspoon version) - because it’s beautiful.

19

Nothing will top my Mom walking into the room many years ago when my brothers and I were watching An American Werewolf In London. The timing was impeccable.

“What in the world are you boys watching? Why is that man naked? Awwww…a deer!
…
…
…
AAAAAAUUUUUUUGH!!!”

20

If I can’t think of a movie, can I submit the Dr. Who episode, Blink? It’s suspense-driven and is a completely different experience if you don’t know the ending. And since it’s Dr. Who, you just don’t know how hight the body count might go. You just don’t know.