By Ben Reiser, Wisconsin Film Festival Coordinator and UW Cinematheque Programmer

(POTENTIAL SPOILERS BELOW)

Movies I saw in a theater more than once and what I learned the second time:

Mad Max: Fury Road - The second time through I adjusted my expectations and knew to follow Furiosa’s journey as the primary protagonist, and also knew not to expect Tom Hardy’s performance to be verbal as well as physical. I loved it the first time through, but appreciated it even more the second time due to those two factors.

Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens - I focused on and prepared myself for the act III change in tone and was able to greater appreciate the things that happen after one character’s shocking death. I also learned that seeing a rectangular film in an IMAX dome is not a good idea, at all.

Jurassic World - Sitting in the front row at an ultrascreen theater, even with the motorized recliner in full recline, is not a good idea, at all.

Movies I found interesting enough to watch a second time, but this time at home:

Kingsman: The Secret Service
It Follows
The D Train
Heaven Knows What
Tangerine

Movies I missed in a theater but am glad I caught up with at home:

The Visit
Steve Jobs
Manson Family Vacation
Project Almanac

Movies I really wish I’d skipped:

Ex Machina
Terminator: Genisys
Entourage
Chi-Raq

Older movies I saw for the first time this year that blew my mind:

Brighton Rock
The Saragossa Manuscript
About Elly
Senso
The Underworld Story
Zulu
Sea Fury
Angst
The Apu Trilogy