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. R

    Physics in Men In Black: Math for Tunnel Scene

    Recently was asked to make a presentation on some math involved in a movie. I chose the Men In Black. The scene I selected was the part where the 2 are in the Queens tunnel and they go on the ceiling of the tunnel and continue to go at an unusual high speed on the ceiling and eventually get down...
  2. H

    Question about the movie Paycheck

    Question about the movie "Paycheck" I was watching this movie last night "paycheck" and got to a point in the movie which made me kinda confused. They said something about building a new type of lens that could basicaly curved around the earth. For example- your on top of Mt. Everest and...
  3. loseyourname

    Is the EVP Movie Based on Real Phenomenon or Just a Hoax?

    You can go here for the factual basis of the phenomenon. Does anyone have any idea how credible any of this is? For that matter, are any of you willing to try the experiments they suggest for yourself?
  4. Q

    Quantum physics movie - What the *$@ are we thinking? And upcoming movie

    Quantum physics movie -- What the *$@! are we thinking? And upcoming movie.. My friend who is learning calculus and physics, and I teach him what I know, works at movie theatre. He told me about a new movie in 2004, called "What the fuc* are we thinking?" It's about quantum physics and...
  5. T

    When and Where Does the Soul Depart from the Body?

    I saw "Ghost in the Shell" recently, it is a Japaneese animation and in it there are two people who are both main characters. Anyway, both have almost no remaining body parts that they were born with, all of it has been replaced with mechanical or robotic parts. But the chacter mentions her...
  6. E

    Time to start a new movie collection, here comes blu-ray

    So does anyone know around when blu-ray will become the new standard for media? Also how much of a difference will the quality be?
  7. wasteofo2

    The Motocycle Diaries (Che Guevara) is a fantastic movie.

    I reccomend that everyone here, regardless of political ideology, go see The Motorcycle Diaries. The movie is about Ernesto "Che" Geuvara and his companion, Alberto Granado, on a motorcycle trip with the goal of exploring South America. The movie shows Ernesto (Che) and Alberto in their...
  8. T

    Have you seen This is Spinal Tap movie?

    Has anyone of you seen "This is Spinal Tap" movie? What do you think? I have seen that movie again for the 4-th time and in my opinnion it is one of the best movies of all times, simply hillarious and yet deep and thought provoking. One sentence says it all --- "It"s such a fine line...
  9. marcus

    Movie of stars orbiting a black hole

    http://www.mpe.mpg.de/ir/GC/images/movie2003.mpg four stars photographed (timelapse over years) doing various type orbits around the million-solar-mass hole at the center of Milky one doing elliptical, one kind of long skinny parabolic, one on what looks like a one-shot hyperbolic...
  10. P

    MOVIE: What the #$*(bleep) do we know

    MOVIE: "What the #$*!(bleep) do we know" Have any of you had the chance to see this film yet? Apparently it is a documentry concerning modern physics, neuroscience, and mysticism. Seems like it might be a really interesting one to get others interested in our ecletic endevours. Here is the...
  11. D

    Help with song/artist name (with movie)

    this is a small video about a minute long where a car drag races with a scooter and in this movie there's a song playing that i want to know the name of but alas i can't find any credit to the artist = \ heres the link...
  12. A

    Weird Movie I Saw in 2004 - Help Remember the Title?

    Ok so I've been trying to think of this movie I saw back in April (around there) 2004 in theaters. It was pretty weird. That's all I remember about it, that it was weird. I'll do my best to remember some scenes, maybe someone will remember and be able to give me the title.. It started out...
  13. Crumbles

    Movie Physics Reviews: Check Out Intuitor.com

    I found a brilliant site that picks out the bad physics portrayed in many movies. It even has ratings like, GP (good physics), XP (physics from an unknown universe), ... http://www.intuitor.com/moviephysics/ Enjoy!
  14. A

    I, Robot Movie Review: Worth the Price!

    I saw I, Robot last night. I haven't yet read the book, so I can't say whether it has much to do with the book or not. But it was definitely better than I expected. Nice action scenes, an okay story, and the robots were done very well. I'd say it was worth my AU$9.
  15. S

    What happened to the characters after the fall of Troy?

    I just saw Troy today, what's a great movie ! I haven't got a chance to read The Iliad yet, what happened after Troy falls, what happen to Paris, Helen and etc...
  16. Ivan Seeking

    Ringworld Movie: Sci Fi Channel Announces Adaptation

    Just announced that the Sci Fi Channel is making a movie based on Niven's Ringworld - one of my all time favorite sci fi books. Yay! I think Jenning's Aztec would make a great miniseries as well. I always expected to see this happen but oh well, at least they finally got around to Ringworld...
  17. K

    See "Awakin Life": A Movie That Will Change Your Perspective

    Has anyone seen awakin life? if not i suggest you see it!
  18. Ivan Seeking

    Who are your favorite movie or TV characters of all time?

    While trying to think of my favorite star of all time, this question naturally followed. When I can think of an answer for this one I will chime in. The first that come to mind are characters such as R2D2 and Darth Vador, Jaws, God in [Oh God], Hal [2001], Kahn, but that's only because I'm...
  19. T

    Who was the best, bar none , movie star of the 20th century?

    This really is a hard choice for me, as there were several, but considering fan appreciation, money making, and quantity of movies made, I would pick JOHN WAYNE.
  20. Monique

    The Hilarious Movie: Europe's Late Release and Controversy

    The movie came out in Europe a few weeks ago (I know, really late) and I watched it yesterday and it was SOO FUNNY! That character of the shortterm memory fish was just so funny :) But wasn't there some kind controversy about the movie which I missed?
  21. Ivan Seeking

    All-Time Fave Movie Scene: "Metropolis" by Fritz Lang

    What is your all time favorite movie scene? I happened to think of this when thinking about the songs thread. At least several of my all time favorite movie scenes were in Metropolis by Fritz Lang; and "reconstructed" by Georgio Moroder. One is where the evil robot "Hell" seduces the...
  22. T

    Someone Had Too Much Time: Enjoy a Star Wars Movie in ASCII!

    ..someone had too much time on their hands. Hit start Go to command prompt Type in: Telnet towel.blinkenlights.nl Enjoy! EDIT: If you're paranoid. It's just a full Star Wars movie in ASCII.
  23. M

    Exploring Movie Science: Accuracy and Discussion

    This thread has two purposes: 1) Can anyone tell me of a site (or sites) that deal with the accuracy of the science in modern movies? 2) If anyone would like to discuss, take apart, or ask questions about the science of any movie, they may do that here. As always, any and all...
  24. phoenixthoth

    Top 3 Movie Characters to Date

    top three list. if you could date any movie character (not the actor or actress playing them but the character), who would it be? here's my list: 1. marla singer from fight club because she's fun in bed and because she has the balls to be herself. 2. katherine from english patient for her...
  25. brum

    Movie: A Beautiful Mind (the story of genius John Nash)

    i just saw this movie last night for the first time and thought it was pretty good. have you guys seen it? did you like it? http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/nash/ (click on the link that says EXPLANATION) i found that to be pretty interesting, and has sparked my interest in game theory...
  26. A

    Your favorite little known movie

    My wife and I own a small video store and there are several movies that are less than popular, but are still great films. What are some of your favorite movies that aren't that well known? I have a few examples: "Lady in White." It's a great little ghost story set back in the late...
  27. M

    Which Is the Best Movie Among Spiderman, Daredevil, and The Hulk?

    what do you think is the best movie of these three movies: 1.spider man. 2.daredevil 3.the HULK for me i think the hulk was the most butifull intersting movie in them all
  28. N

    What Was the Best Movie of 2002 According to Critics and Box Office Numbers?

    These movies made the most money and got some of the best reviews of 2002. Which was your favorite?
  29. K

    News Uday and Quasay movie or photos

    Why the movie or photos are not presented yet (about 40hours after the action)? Do you believe that the movie or photos are not modified now? I don´t believe it and many people also. Perfect propagandistic material is in fact lost. Too late... Why?
  30. Ivan Seeking

    What is the best Sci-Fi ever: TV, Movie, and Book

    Also, what if any had the most impact on you? I think the new Outer Limits is [was?] the best Sci-Fi ever on TV. The writing is fresh and often quite excellent. The entire series then comes together as a single theme. IMO, absolutely the best! Childhood's End by A. Clark changed my...
  31. E

    The Matrix is NOT a Christian Movie

    With the sequel to the Matrix coming out soon, I am reminded of what happened after the first movie came out. About a million people with too much time on their hands decided to make websites paralleling the lives of Jesus and Neo. I just want to say that anyone who has ever actually studied...
  32. E

    Seen Waking Life? What Did You Think?

    Anybody ever seen the movie "waking life"? Any thoughts?
  33. Ploegman

    K-PAX: A Scientific Analysis of Interstellar Travel and the Speed of Light

    I have recently seen the movie K-PAX staring Kevin Spacey. In it he is supposedly from the planet K-PAX and goes onto explain how it is a few thousand lightyears away. The doctor questioning him wants to know how he got here and he said he harnessed his energy onto a beam of light or...
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