What is Movie: Definition and 283 Discussions

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. Y

    Is The Dark Knight Rises the Best Batman Movie Ever?

    I know it's not a sci fi movie and it probably violates the terms of this board, but if any of you get a chance to see this movie it is completely awesome. The best Batman movie I have I ever seen.
  2. A

    Probabilities from movie 21

    This is the problem that a teacher (Kevi Spacey actually) presented the class on the movie 21: You are on a TV show and the announcer asks you to choose 1 from 3 doors. Behind 2 doors there are a goat and behind 1 there is a new car. The guy coose door 1. The announcer go and opens door 3...
  3. S

    Good examples of physics in movie clips?

    I posted this in education. Basically, I teach HS Physics. I want to start using mroe movie clips, especially super hero clips, to teach concepts. Specifically, clips where you can estimate some things and then solve. In my class today we used Spider-man. We estimated his mass, and how...
  4. S

    Good movie clips for teaching concepts?

    So I love the Physics of Superheroes, I use it a lot when I teach. Today I did a lesson on work and energy using scenes from Spider-Man (climbing the wall for Work - > Gravitational PE, swinging from the top of the building for Gravitational PE -> KE) and Spider-Man 2 (stopping the train for KE...
  5. Greg Bernhardt

    Hobbit Movie - Thoughts & Trailer Analysis

    Thoughts on the new Hobbit movie? I've seen a couple trailers. It's hard to get a real sense of what it will be. I suppose that is good. I can't wait for Smaug! I bet he's in the second of the movies though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0k3kHtyoqc
  6. AJKing

    Which Movie Will We Watch Together for Movie Night?

    So the winners of the draw today are: Jurrasic Park Serpico and Ancient Aliens! Vote for the next 24 hours on which you want to watch as a group :). We'll use this thread for any movie talk as well.
  7. AJKing

    What Movie Will We Watch for Physics Forums Movie Night?

    Physics Forums Movie "Night"! Hey everyone! Evo gave me an idea; Selecting a movie, as a group, for all of us to watch during a given week and then dissolving/discussing/commenting on it until the topic's dry. A variable movie club! It might be fun to do once a month or so. If...
  8. K

    Exploring the Human-Tiger Interaction in Two Brothers

    Two Brothers I've seen this movie 2-3 years back. Its absolutely amazing. Because, I love tiger and I've never seen a movie where tigers take such central role. Also the comedy, tragedy and overall human-tiger interaction have won my heart. ^_^ They are just big cats! Aren't they ? How...
  9. B

    Working on a movie and have a question on observer and double slit experiment

    Is it safe to conclude from the double slit experiment that the observer actually affects what is being observed? I ask with regards to a project I'm writing which I wish to be scientifically accurate.
  10. D

    What is the G Force on an Astronaut in a Rocket Accelerating at 26.95m/s/s?

    G Force! (Not the movie :D) Homework Statement A rocket is accelerating from between Mars and Jupiter at 26.95m/s/s. calculate the g force on a 60kg astronaut. Homework Equations T=ma+mg The Attempt at a Solution T = 60x26.95=1617 = 1617/600 = approx 2.7g i would think that g in...
  11. E

    What's your favorit Christmas movie?

    - Christmas with The Cranks - Home Alone 1&2 (just classic!) - Just Friends (not Christmas movie but there's snow, Christmas) - A Christmas Carol (never saw the whole thing)
  12. ezfzx

    Thin Film Interference: The Movie

    I put together this little movie as (hopefully) the first in a series. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjMjWtntm9k" My target audience is a second semester class of physics students that have already had a lectures in basic wave optics. When I give this URL to my students, it's with the...
  13. F

    Lingusitics Book & movie titles in math language

    I figured out the neverending story, catch-22, full metal jacket & others. Check it out: http://rjlipton.wordpress.com/2011/09/29/tweet-m-for-murder/
  14. DaveC426913

    Movie: The Adjustment Bureau - help

    --spoiler-- Saw this film on the plane flying back from Glasgow. The audio would drop out every once in a while for a just a second. Not a big deal, but it did it during a critical dialogue, one that frames the premise of the story, and I missed it. Our main character has been caught, and...
  15. Pengwuino

    Oh so Battleship, the game, is now a movie.

    Oh... so Battleship, the game, is now a movie. Yes, that's right. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1440129/ TRAILER: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1053203481/ Oh, and yes, it has a $200M budget. So... uhm... Yah.
  16. H

    PC cpu limitation ruining our movie promise

    Hi, I'm new here. My colleague and I are working on a sci-fi movie script. It's almost finished and it's going very well, thanks. At the beginning we made a promise. Although there inevitably has to be some small fantasy elements to any sci-fi story, we promised each other we wouldn't...
  17. M

    Exploring 4D Knot Theory: Reidermeister Moves & Movie Representation

    I need a free description with illustrations on 4D knots theory, especially the 4D generalization of Reidermeister moves and the movie represantation. Where can I find a freely available paper?
  18. H

    8D and 3D Movie Watching Habits

    How often do you watch 8D movies ? or do you watch mostly 3D. How many theatres are there in your locality? My other question is Do 8D theatres need more preparation time to load the movies ( i guess lot of weeks) than 3D(which is instantaneous)? I think 8D theatres need to prepare for...
  19. Pengwuino

    Legion: A Movie You'll Regret Seeing

    God I just saw Legion on Encore and holy hell. This movie was made of stupid. It was then wrapped in stupid, covered in a stupid sauce, and then deep-friend in a vat of stupid. Was this movie even meant to be serious? The movie cost about $26M to make, which could have been far better spent...
  20. Math Jeans

    PhD Comics Movie: Update & Trailer

    In case you were wondering how that's coming along: http://www.phdcomics.com/movie" EDIT: The link has a trailer for the movie, by the way.
  21. Drakkith

    Movie of an Electron - Questions Answered

    The video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPdO-NIUuEo&feature=related shows an electron in motion and I had a few questions about it. 1. Are the "rings" that make it up caused because of interference between the photons and the electron? 2. Is that the reason why the center is...
  22. Z

    Physics Movie Project: Defying Laws of Physics in The Matrix

    I hav a physics movie project and i hav to find how the movie defies the laws of physics using calculations/theories with examples from the scenes. I chose the movie-The Matrix where the guy is dodging the bullets on top of the scene. Anyways, I was wondering what equation/theory I would use...
  23. L

    Understanding how the movie TRON works

    In the movie TRON, was TRON good or bad? and how about CLUE, was CLUE good or bad? If the programming of themselves into a computer was just programming, how come the main character said they were not programs, numerous times, how were they in a computer/ digital world if they were not...
  24. G

    What are some movies with bad physics that I can analyze for my assignment?

    I have an assignment on movie magic in which I have to pick a scene from a movie and analyse the physics (including calculations of physics in movie, description and calculations of correct physics etc.) Problem is, I haven't picked a movie yet :frown: I was going to pick 2 different scenes...
  25. Q

    Monty hall problem in the movie 21

    Hello. I'm Leo and I Know I probably won't be as welcomed here but ever since I found this place after searching up the Monty hall problem in the movie 21, I was extremely interested in this place and wanted to start learning about Logic, Physics, and math. Although I'm still in Grade 8, and in...
  26. wolram

    Waste Time With a Movie: Pick Your Flick!

    to waste an hour or two. http://www.moviespot.ro/1.html
  27. P

    Speed - the bus jump in the movie

    Speed --- the bus jump in the movie! Homework Statement In the movie Speed1, a loaded city bus is rigged with an explosive that will detonate and kill everyone aboard if its speed goes below 50 miles per hour. As the bus is moving, the people on board are informed that a bridge ahead in the...
  28. K

    What makes 'Sunshine' a must-watch movie?

    I saw the movie Sunshine, directed by Danny Boyle in 2007 and I wasn't extremely impressed (mostly due to my ignorance and immaturity) but I watched it today just out of pure fascination of how the movie intertwines fate, science, art, and humanity into one beautiful journey and I absolutely...
  29. Andy Resnick

    Macro Imaging Setup: Homage to "Powers of 10" Movie

    Since my fluorescent source it at the shop for repairs, I took the opportunity to set up a proper macro imaging setup. I saw the "Powers of 10" movie in school, maybe 1st or 2nd grade, and it had a lasting impact on my career choices as a scientist. So, I decided to take a series of images...
  30. B

    Watch 8th Star Trek Movie - Champagne Bottle Impact

    Just watch the 8th star treck movie,and at the beggining a champagne bottle smashes into the side of a newly made neterprise. what I am wondering is,as its in a vacuum would the pressure inside the bottle pop the cork out,or is the cork in tightly enough that it wouldn't pop? (lets say the...
  31. russ_watters

    Public Enemies Movie - Amateurish?

    Anyone seen Johnny Depp's (and Christian Bale's) "Public Enemies" about John Dillinger? It got mostly pretty great reviews, but I'm about halfway through and I'm really having a tough time watching it. It is far too amateurish for my taste. I'm not clear on if it was done on purpose, but...
  32. W

    Examining the Accuracy of a Movie Scene

    This is from a stupid movie, lots of new age nonsense etc. However, please disregard that and judge this segment on its own merits. Is it accurate? I am not being sarcastic or have a hidden agenda. I just want to know!
  33. mcknia07

    Eclipse - The Best Twilight Movie Yet? Review & Discussion

    Ok, so I'm supprised there is not a thread about this one yet. lol Hate to admit it, but this is by far the best movie in quite a while. They just keep getting better and better with every new Twilight movie. How many of you actually watched it, and what were your thoughts about it?
  34. EnumaElish

    Knight & Day (Cruise & Diaz) movie question

    I thought the motorbike that the duo ride (in Seville, Spain) was a Ducati although, see below quote. Has anyone recognized the make of the three little cars following them? They looked like toy cars, but I am sure they are expensive sports autos. Found it...
  35. Ivan Seeking

    The Origin of Nightline: 444 Days of America Held Hostage

    I often hear little tidbits about the tv world that I find interesting. This is one that I heard last night that caught me by surprise. Do we have any former Nightline fans? I watched that show for years back when Koppel was the anchor, but I never realized how it got started. It makes sense...
  36. M

    Witness the Shuttle's Final Launch: A Time-Lapse Movie

    Whatever you think of the shuttle as an effective way of getting stuff to orbit it's still a cool piece of engineering. Here is a time-lapse movie of it's last day at work. http://www.airspacemag.com/multimedia/videos/Go-For-Launch.html ps. sorry you have to watch a 20sec ad first...
  37. D

    Probability question from the movie 21

    It has been over a year since I saw the movie, so I apologize if I'm not descriptive enough. If you have seen the movie, then you know that scene where Kevin Spacey says there are 3 doors, and the main character picks one, then the other is eliminated, and so the main character increases his...
  38. A

    MATLAB Integrating Time in 3D Plot Movie

    I managed to make a movie which displays my research results as a 3Dplot which varies over time. Now I would like to ad the actual time in my movie. Say I have data from 12:00 until 14:00, can I make some kind of counter so I can see what time it is in the movie? Hope someone can help me out...
  39. D

    Favorite Sci-Fi television or movie?

    My vote: Farscape! I haven't bought a movie in 6 years, but I just bought all 4 seasons of Farscape a couple months ago. It's the best.
  40. M

    Exploring Physics in a Movie Scene: Analyzing Momentum and Injury

    Hello, I am currently working on analyzing the physics in a movie for a project. The scene in particular that I am reviewing includes two characters (one holding the other) that smash through a series of walls and windows without getting hurt or losing speed/momentum. Can anyone tell me...
  41. C

    Just watched the movie THE FOURTH KIND is there any truth to it?

    some alien in the movie says there GOD and they kidnap children is any of this places, footages or videos you think is real?
  42. C

    Forming a Mental Image in Physics: Picture or Movie?

    hey, When people say you should form a mental image when doing physics, does that mean forming a picture(snapshot)in your head or an actual movie of what's happening in your head?
  43. M

    Accuracy of the exploding asteroids in The Empire Strikes Back movie

    http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/2489/asteroidtiming.jpg Here is a scene of a star destroyer firing on an asteroid. The entire explosion takes about 10 frames of video -- less than a third of a second. It's widely believed that the asteroid in question is about 40 meters in diameter and...
  44. turbo

    Should you watch this movie? (or run away)

    My wife and I have a neighbor who seems to buy DVDs at whim, as does his wife. We have borrowed movies from them, only to find that many (most!?) are not worth watching. They have "chick flicks", "sci fi", and other "drive-in" fare in spades. but it is rare that we can borrow a movie from them...
  45. R

    You know why there is so much swearing going on in movie theaters.

    It's because they make people silence their beepers.
  46. J

    Sherlock Holmes Movie Night: Mystery & Notes!

    My wife informs me that next weekend I want to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie with her. She likes murder mysteries in general and she especially likes the Sherlock Holmes series with Jeremy Brett. I don't mind seeing all those dead bodies on the TV, but I wish she wouldn't take notes while...
  47. A

    Bad Movie Physics : How do I prove this wrong?

    At 1:19 in that video, the actor throws the ball agaisnt the backboard. As the ball bounces backwards, the actor "flies up" from the free throw line and dunks the ball. I know this is impossible, but I need the formulas that would prove this to be impossible. I'm utterly lost and can't...
  48. R

    Forum Game - What's that movie?

    Forum Game -- What's that movie? Similar to the landmark game. First to correctly identify the movie posts a new pic for a new movie. You are then responsible for giving clues (after a couple of days or so if its really a stumper), and deciding the next winner. Here's an easy one to start:
  49. J

    Moon Movie IMDB Goofs: Debunked Claims & Interesting Coincidences

    Anyone around here with imdb account? I thought I would not create an account merely for this one thing, so instead I came complaining here to physicsforums (because I have account here already! :tongue:) Anyway, somebody should put some comments to the moon goofs feedback...
  50. G

    Have you seen The Man from Earth?

    What's that movie called?? There's a movie name I just can't remember. :cry: It was about a guy who has to leave his friends because he doesn't age. His like a thousands of years old and he says he was Jesus and stuff. Most of the movie took place in a living room, but it was really good...
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