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?
Generally I don't watch because I prefer to read my book, but if there's a good children's film . . . .
ReplyDeleteYes yes, I love that enforced reading time. There is no other pressure or responsibility to do something else…
DeletePerfectly stated, Hank! — Pat S
DeleteThe most classically misjudged inflight film of all time (in my personal experience) occurred on a United flight from Dallas to Frankfurt in the early nineties. In those days it was one film for everyone as the large screen was mounted on the bulkhead. The long-haul flight was full of tired German tourists who did not appreciate the showing of 'Memphis Belle'. Rumbles of disapproval escalated and two German women behind me stood up and complained to the cabin staff. They made the most extraordinary picture as they were large six foot tall identical twins with Valkyrie blonde plaits, wearing fringed turquoise cowgirl outfits and stetsons.
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely fascinating in so many ways! Of course, yes, quite the visual… But what a lesson in culture.
DeleteI watch the flight path…obsessively. I want to know where I am, how fast I’m going, and will I arrive on time, not escape into a fantasy world, my own or someone else’s. But then, again, I am the very opposite of a frequent flier…last flight, September 2023. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteOh, so agree! I am so fascinated by the flight tracker. And I always learn something about geography!
DeleteThe flight tracker is the best part of having a seatback monitor!
DeleteI also love the flight tracker, especially when I flew to Japan and back last year.
DeleteI love the flight tracker! Usually on US--UK flights I have it on the entire way!
DeleteYes to flight tracker!
DeleteI like the flight tracker, too! I don’t think I’ve ever watched a movie from start to finish when I’ve been on a plane; I get distracted by what’s going on around me. I do like to eavesdrop(ha!) and observe people. Mostly, I read, though.
DeleteDebRo
I'm with others on eaveswatching. I never watch a movie because the plane is too noisy for the sound to be satisfying. But my gaze is always drawn away from the book I'm writing or reading to that other screen.
ReplyDeleteOnce I was on a flight with a bunch of New Zealanders and the World Cup of rugby was playing, with the Kiwi team in the finals. It was so fun to hear the cheers and moans rise up from those rows.
Yes, there is a really fun sense of community in that!
DeleteRarely ever fly so there’s that. I read my husband drives. I know I watched more than one movie on the way to Italy, but the only one I remember is The Storied Life of AJ Fikry. I must not have found the kids movies or I would have been all in on those. I just read on the flight back.
ReplyDeleteHa! I rarely watch anything, but I watched AJ Fikry on a plane last year.
Deleteoh, I did not know that was a movie! Is it good?
DeleteHank, you made me smile when I read : ´´ 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.´´
ReplyDeleteHow the person sitting beside you feels if she knows what kind of book you write ? :)
When flying, I prefer reading but I’m always interested in eaves watching.
True true! Xxxx
DeleteOn our way home from Portland in May Steve and I both watched Wicked, finally. It has so many funny parts so when I laughed out loud that I was glad I wasn't sitting next to a stranger and annoying them. Ariana Grande is hilarious, especially her princess-y body language.
ReplyDeleteSteve, a filmmaker, loves movies, and he will start and stop them if he gets bored and go on to another. I flip through the available films--just like at home--and decide to read my book, more often than not. Of the four films you listed, Hank, I have for sure seen two. Not interested in The Dark Knight, and I can't remember if I saw In Her Shoes, too, or just read the book. I think both, but I've slept since then, as they say. Next week when we fly to England I will probably just sleep, since it's an overnight flight.
You should watch Wicked on a bigger screen, with good sound, Karen. It's really gorgeous!
DeleteYes, the smart people sleep on those overnight flights… I can never do that, though :-) Because I am always so excited! I did sleep when I flew MINT With a full body bed. That was great! But I still watched a little bit of movie :-)
DeleteI don't know why but I don't particularly like watching movies at home on TV or on the overhead on airplanes. I sometimes get interested (for a bit) watching what someone is watching on their device.
ReplyDeleteI typically read and sleep on flights.
Rhys and Lucy - that's terrible. Ugh. So sorry!
I rarely watch anything thing on planes because I struggle with the sound, unless it’s something I’ve seen before so I don’t need to hear clearly. I think I’ve watched Bend it Like Beckham a couple of times.
ReplyDeleteoh, I forgot about that movie! What a great one!
DeleteBest airplane movie ever: Where'd You Go Bernadette. I watched it twice, outbound and return flights.
ReplyDeleteI ADORE Bend it Like Beckham! One of my favorite all time films.
DeleteI didn’t know that Where’d you go, Bernadette was made into a movie! I read the book a couple of times, and I loved it!
DeleteDebRo
oh, I had no idea that was a movie!
DeleteA caveat: I haven't flown very much at all in recent years, so my experience is limited,
ReplyDeleteEaveswatching is such a perfect term! I always read, so just have the flight tracker on my own screen. I do tend to glance at my neighbors screens to see what they're looking at. I remember watching bits of an action movie (across the aisle and a row in front of me) and trying to figure out if the church featured in the action movie was Trinity Wall Street (I looked it up and it was) On one flight recently, the flight attendant told us we were on the honor system during the prep for final descent.(can they even do that?) The guy across the aisle NEVER put his computer away. I felt kind of offended, but didn't snitch him off--what would be the point?
Someday we will learn the truth about what matters electronically… Who knows.
DeleteWishing a sweet and healthy new year to all who celebrate. Shana Tova! Happy Rosh Hashana!
ReplyDeleteI read on most flights although I may peek at the screens around me. Irwin, if he is flying with me, will choose a movie and read a bit, too. I like the flight path information and if that is available, I will keep tuned to it while I read.
THE FIFTH ELEMENT is Bruce Willis at his clever best! Watch it with Jonathan, Hank.
And to you, Judy! My daughter-in-law took Ida Rose to a child-friendly service this morning, her first.
DeleteShana Tova, Judy! — Pat S
DeleteAnd to you! I will see him today for the first time in two weeks!
DeleteMy airplane eaveswatch - love that new word - is looking at someone's movie without sound and guessing who the bad guy / the twist that reveals him or her is. And since most movies wrap it all up with the villain being hauled off, or killed with great drama, I can check my success. About 85% over 25 years, I think!
ReplyDeleteYou just made me laugh out loud! That is fabulous!
DeleteI take only the cheap flights that do not offer movies but do offer seating deigned for a person one-fourth my size. Even if they offered films, I would not watch because, at 30,000 feet, my eyes would be glued out the window, checking if there were gremlins out on the wing.
ReplyDeletePaula B here ~ OMG, Jerry! I saw that episode and EVERY time I’m on a plane I see the gremlin about to land on the wing and always on my side of the plane.
DeleteYes yes yes, twilight zone ruined it for all of us :-)
DeleteFor some reason, I have never been able to get into watching movies when flying. On long flights, I like watching the little airplane move along, but otherwise give me a book and leave me alone. Well, give me food and drink, of course, but otherwise let me read. And Hank, I love eaveswatch! You may have coined a new word for Merriam-Webster to consider! -- Victoria
ReplyDeleteoh, wouldn’t that be fun??
DeleteHANK: I'm definitely an "eaveswatcher". I love this term!
ReplyDeleteQuestion for all of the Jungle Reds and JRW readers: If you were watching people communicating in SIGN LANGUAGE, then could you guess what they were talking about even though you may not know ASL or whatever the sign language is in the country you are visiting?
Airplane Movies: Unfortunately there have been Many plane trips where None of the movies had captions. However, I recall flying back to the USA from London on Virgin airlines and each seat had a screen in front of the seat. I could choose which movie I wanted to see. I was very happy to see there were several foreign language movies and I tried several until I found a foreign film with English subtitles. I got to watch VOLVER, a Pedro Almodavar (Spanish) movie again with English subtitles. I had just watched it at a movie theater near Jermyn Street in London.
I always watch the signer at live events, and it seems to me that there are a lot of inside jokes and improvisation. I absolutely love it. And yes, I always try to figure it out.
DeleteHow Meta is this? I am getting ready to takeoff right now! See you when I arrive in Boston !
ReplyDeleteWhen my family was flying to NYC in 1970, the movie that was shown to the entire plane was The Out of Towners. It was the worst possible movie to show tourists arriving in New York because it’s about all the bad things that could possibly happen to tourists in New York City!
ReplyDeleteI usually read on the plane, but also download a couple of episodes of a TV series or a movie if I want to do something different. I’ve always loved the time in the airport and on the plane as guilt free reading time. But I have also eaveswatched other people’s videos! Unfortunately my distance vision has declined in the last year so I can’t tell what’s happening as well as I used to! — Pat S
If I see someone reading a book when I’m out in public, I always try to see the title. If it’s something I find interesting, I sometimes ask the person how they like it and maybe we’ll have a nice little chat about the book. (Or they think I’m a nosy person and ignore me!) I wonder if it would be taken badly to ask the person watching a video on a plane what they were watching, how they liked it, etc. Or do we go back to “don’t bother me”? — Pat S
ReplyDelete