On the Screen at 30,000 feet!

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: There was just a big article in the Atlantic Magazine where they asked their writers what their favorite airplane movie was. Here are their answers:

In Her Shoes

Crazy Rich Asians 

The Fifth Element

The Dark Knight Rises

And

“Whatever is on the screen of the passenger beside me.”

I have not seen any of the above movies, but I certainly have seen what’s on the screen beside me. (I am on book tour this very moment, so I am having many of these experiences!)

Okay, so funny. I am always fascinated by what the other people in my row–or across the aisle–are  watching. And it is a dilemma, because if they’ve picked something wonderful, I can’t click over to that because then I have clearly eaveswatched.

If it's something truly awful (hmm…do they show horror movies on planes?) then it weirds me out about who I’m sitting next to.

 (Of course I ALWAYS secretly poll the area for CNN watchers vs. other networks.)

 And one of the most fun things you can do is be on a plane whern there’s a big game–I’m being sincere–I’ve been on planes from Boston to somewhere, or going back to Boston, where there’s a big Celtics or Red Sox or Patriots game, and everyone cheers or groans together. I absolutely love that.

Usually, I just have CNN on, without the sound,  and then work on my book or read.

How about you, Reds and Readers?

HALLIE EPHRON: I’m embarrassed to admit, I usually graze the children’s movies. If there’s a Shrek or a Minions or a Harry Potter, I’m in. So relaxing and indulgent. Honesty, when I look at the “current” movies on offer, there’s never one that tempts me. And usually I’ve already read that day’s newspapers, so there’s nothing about a news program to draw me in.

Though I do remember the time my plane landing at LAX and the airport was in lockdown. EVERYONE on that plane was tuned into CNN so we had some idea what was going on. We sat there for 4 hours before we were cleared to the gate.

LUCY BURDETTE: I’m certain I’ve seen In Her Shoes, but I have no urge to watch it again. I do watch THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA if I see it! (I think there’s a sequel coming?) The only good one I can remember watching that was new to me was PAST LIVES. John insisted I watch it and I loved it! But doesn’t it seem like most people these days are watching something on their own device that they’ve downloaded? It’s hard to eaveswatch on someone else’s iphone. LOL

RHYS BOWEN: I’m with Hallie about watching kids movies on flights. It has to be absolutely non-stressful and not sad. I have seen Crazy Rich Asians which was quite good. But if they have anything with Maggie Smith, Judy Dench, etc I’ll watch it. Or something funny and light. I think I’ve seen the Devil Wears Prada too many times now. Otherwise I tend to watch nature and travel TV programs.  I find it more relaxing to watch a grizzy bear devouring a young ox than humans in a car chase.

Nobody has mentioned this but what if the guy in the next seat is watching porn? Happened to me once. I didn’t dare turn my head in that direction for the whole flight.

DEBORAH CROMBIE: Eaveswatching, Hank! What a great term! And I’ll admit to it. Movies always look more interesting when someone else is watching them. I never watch anything on domestic flights. I'll read, or nap, or work, although I’m not very good at writing on the plane–I’m super paranoid about people reading over my shoulder. This is stupid and I don’t know why it bothers me. 

On international flights I’ll watch something funny–I think on my last trip to London I rewatched the first season of Ted Lasso–or cooking or nature or travel shows. If there’s a good movie, I’d rather watch it at home, and if it’s a bad movie, why bother.

As for the listed movies, we love The Fifth Element and just recently rewatched it. I haven’t seen any of the others.

LUCY: Ps Rhys on porn, I’m sure I’ve told this story but…when I was flying to France all alone the first time ever and so anxious and scared, someone put a stack of porn photos in my train case while I was in the bathroom. I was mortified, and horrified to try explaining this to brand new roommates, ack! I still have PTSD from that… And yes you may laugh at me traveling with a train case:)

HANK: That is HORRIBLE! Or the perfect plot...you might use it?

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: I’m going to use the term ‘eaveswatch’ from now on because I love it, Hank! I will play this game with myself, where I try to guess what the dialogue and plot is on a movie I’m watching someone else watching. I have no proof, but I’m always convinced my script would be superior.

One of the things Virginia and I do when flying is watch a movie together. For some reason, it seems so much more fun and cozy leaning shoulder to shoulder and watching that tiny screen! 

All the quoted films seem like perfectly nice airplane movies, although with all the luxury on display in CRAZY RICH ASIANS, I suspect I’d start to resent my narrow coach seat!

JENN McKINLAY: Hallie, we can be seatmates. I just watched Moana 2 on the way back from Chicago much to the amusement of the Hooligans. I’ll also watch movies I’ve meant to make time for but never did. LA LA LAND was seen on a trip to Hawaii, CRAZY RICH ASIANS on the way to NYC. I managed to cram in three movies on the trip home from Paris and now I can’t remember what any of them were but it felt great to scratch them off the “must watch” list. Oh, and I am absolutely checking out what the people around me are watching and I am judging.

HANK: What about you, Reds and Readers? Are you an eaveswatcher? Or what are your airplane viewing choices?