If you spend movie night scrolling on your phone, it might be time try something new.
Jim Healy, director of programming for UW Cinematheque and contributing programmer for the Wisconsin Film Festival, says watching movies should be an experience.
“More and more, viewers get used to watching movies at home, or on their computer screens, or on their phones,” Healy says. “At Cinematheque, we’re keeping traditions alive as a destination where you go to actually watch something in the cinematic space with the lights off — in a space with other viewers.”
Cinematheque is a curated series of movies sourced from across the globe and throughout cinematic history and screened in Vilas Hall. The program offers students and the public an opportunity to see a variety of movies, from early silent films to new titles right off the festival circuit, in a cinematic setting.
“It’s kind of what the essence of cinema is,” Healy says. “It’s being alone, but it’s also being with other people, you know? You’re in communion.”
Whether you’re watching at home or sitting in a theater, here are Healy’s tips for how to stop scrolling through movies and start enjoying them.
Dust off the DVDs.
Physical media, like DVDs, can be a fun and inexpensive way to collect your favorite movies and branch out into new genres. If you live in a community that has a video-rental store, Healy says browsing the shelves can be a great avenue for finding films that are new to you and trying out movies you may have scrolled past, or not even had access to, on a streaming service.
Catch a local screening.
For a budget-friendly way to watch movies on the big screen, Healy recommends checking out your community film scene. Often held as free events, local film screenings (like the UW’s Cinematheque) can be accessible opportunities to see a range of unique or classic movies and be introduced to a new canon of cinema at no cost.
Create a no-phone zone.
Watching films without distractions and with an open mind can be a game changer, Healy says. Instead of reading a review on online platforms, such as Letterboxd, before watching a movie, he recommends going in cold and taking time to form your own thoughts and opinions. Healy also suggests keeping phones turned off during the movie and waiting until you’ve seen a film in its entirety to post your review online.
Prioritize personal preferences over award winners.
According to Healy, movies that win Oscars aren’t necessarily the best movies. (And he knows his stuff. He watched 452 movies in 2025.) He says it’s important to remember the Academy Awards are used to promote studios and to drive box office and streaming numbers. Although some great movies do win Oscars, Healy encourages viewers to place more value on their own personal preferences and experiences, rather than on award winners.
