Naomi Girson | opinions editor

David Lynch, late director of “Twin Peaks” and “Mulholland Drive” (among other films) insisted on watching films the way “they were intended.”

“If you’re playing the movie on a telephone, you will never in a trillion years experience the film,” Lynch said on a bonus feature of “Inland Empire,” a film he directed.

Now, as much as I respect Lynch and understand the core of his idea, I’m sure he had DVDs for every movie under the sun, and a lovely big screen to watch them all on.

As a self-proclaimed cinephile that has been honing my craft over the last several years, I believe I am adequately qualified to give my personal run down of the correct medium on which to watch movies.

I have watched almost 200 (197 to be exact) movies this year, in one aspect ratio or another, but not all viewing experience can be deemed equal:

0/197 movies viewed on the telephone

As Lynch said, it really is terrible. This year I have yet to fall into the trap of watching a precious movie on my phone.

Interfaces like streaming services weren’t created with original intended use on a phone anyway, so put down the telephone and pop in a reel.

8/197 movies viewed at the movie theatre

I love the movie theatre. It really is movie watching in the purest form.

If you can make it to the theatre, if the movie you want to watch happens to be playing, sure, why not head to the cinema.

I’ve never had a bad time at the movies, and it seems to be the one place where the “no phones” rule is still respected. Some movies were made for the theatre, but let’s have a little leniency when we are charging $12.99 for tickets.

46/197 movies viewed on the television

Now, I get the distinct luxury of watching movies on my parents’ 50-inch flat screen that decorates our living room whenever I please, as long as my mom isn’t binge-watching a medical show.  

I find the television to be somewhat more enjoyable than a traditional theatre experience, with the freedom I am given in my own home. I can pause for bathroom breaks, eat whatever snacks I want and cozy up on the couch with my cat. I find it appropriate to watch any quality film on the TV, it’s practically a theatre if you treat it like one.

143/197 viewed on the laptop

I gotta be honest, this is my main medium of movie watching. It really is so convenient. My laptop is fast to log into, I almost always have it near me, and all my streaming services are already bookmarked in Chrome.

Sometimes, for movies with a certain reputation, they deserve my undivided attention. Lights off, in bed, no distractions, the epitome of a private screening. But for other, less serious movies, I can do my laundry, clean my room, bake cookies and still be watching at the same time. My laptop is mobile, it’s light, it’s incredibly convenient and it’s even open on holidays. Maybe I’m not as much of a purist as Lynch, but then again, on my laptop screen “Blue Velvet” looked pretty good.

Naomi Girson can be reached at girsonn@duq.edu