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Your LiT Traditions.

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 7:09 pm
by PAUL_UK
I was just wondering how many of you guys out there have your own traditions for when you watch LIT. I think that a film like this can affect us on such a level that when we choose to watch it can be a very personal thing.

As for myself; I always try to watch it when I get more than 4-5 days off of work in a row. I wait until the middle of the night (when I first saw LIT), make a huge cup of tea, and sit through the film with no distraction. I never go to bed before the sun is coming up on those nights.

For me this is an odd time of reflection and solitude. I don't tell anybody that im watching it (my wife asleep in our bedroom remains oblivious) but its one of my most personal activities and traditions, a type of self preservation perhaps?

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 9:38 am
by TokyoGirl
I also like to watch it very late at night. In fact I don't think I've ever watched it in the day.

I also watched it the day before going to Japan (both times) and the day after I returned... it's a weird thing, I felt like I needed to be absorbed in it, before I went, to prepare and after I returned to make it last that bit longer.

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 9:49 pm
by Pitman
Yes. I always watch it late at night when I can sleep in the next morning. I like to have the menu running in the background for a while as an appetizer. I usually have something Japanese during the movie like Sake or Sapporo. And sometimes make sushi beforehand too.

I must be up to around 55 viewings now.

I remember my first 10 times I used to get that kick in the stomach at the end. But now, I watch it out of comfort and familiarity. It feels good. It's an event.

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 5:53 pm
by preciouswhile
I almost always watch it in the dark with headphones on and the volume somewhat high. The ambient noise and music are both great in this movie and I feel more immersed.

And I agree that it's more of an emotional event - not a just a simple movie viewing. I usually have to be in that state of tired restlessness that can only happen late at night.

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2012 12:24 pm
by hitori
@pitman - Hah! Since I converted all my dvds to digital for streaming, I'd forgotten how much I liked doing that, specifically with the LIT intro.

Like most I watch it only at night, I have four kids and can't imagine enjoying it during the day. Thankfully my wife enjoys the movie, and doesn't mind my now at least monthly-ritual of watching LIT.

Also, pitman I know what you mean about that kick-in-the-stomach. To me, now and likely with all future views, the look on Bob's face when he gets back into the taxi, and that quick glance into Charlotte's unsteady but hopeful expression leave me feeling a sense of closure that both characters obviously needed (can't you just hear that snare drum kicking in, reminding you everything is going to be ok? The music selection to scene blending in this movie are just wonderful).

Well, now I know what I'm doing tonight! Have a great weekend all :wink:

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 2:58 am
by Bob_san
This is a great topic and I've enjoyed reading everyone's replies!

I always watch it late at night after the family has gone to bed but on a weekend when I don't have to get up early the next day! I often rewind and play over my favorites scenes 2 or 3 times.

Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 10:07 am
by Too Young
I always like watching it very late at night from about 1am onwards.
I watch it alone usually with a nice glass of bourbon. Something about the dark quiet nights really adds to the atmosphere of the the viewing experience.
It's a wonderful.

Also I'm new - let's get some activity going back here as we approach the films 10 year anniversary :D

Posted: Sun Jun 02, 2013 2:08 am
by Bob_san
Too Young wrote: Also I'm new - let's get some activity going back here as we approach the films 10 year anniversary :D
Welcome and yes excellent idea!

Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 5:24 pm
by vlps
it's a very personal movie for me as well. I watch it in the dark, sound loud as well. I've seen it probably around 10 times now. I try to watch it once every few months (first viewing having been in 2012).

watching and watching

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 8:39 am
by Duguesclin
I like that film so much even after more than 10 years and even more that I try not to see it so often I would like to do it. That movie is always with me somehow and I use related music to feel the Tokyos night again and again..I guess that will never stop , I hope...The thing is that I saw it for some years ago and got it from a friend for some months ago..This time I could probably feel it much better...most probably because my age closer to Bob, no doubt...

Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 3:08 am
by samwright8380
I've always watched this film alone. I used to watch it late at night whilst drinking bourbon (this is nearly ten years ago or so). I suppose it would add to the jetlagged feeling. Nowadays I prefer to play it before the sun has fully risen. Usually by the time it finishes the skies are clear but the world hasn't fully gone about it's business. I've had a blu ray player for some time but still play it on hd-dvd.

Re: Your LiT Traditions.

Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2017 10:58 am
by tpl89
Like many of you, I watch it alone and at night...

Re: Your LiT Traditions.

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2018 12:35 pm
by Emma
Similar to others' experiences, I also choose to watch Lost in Translation at night, by myself. Recently, I've decided to listen with big, plush, noise-cancelling headphones. It really adds to the experience, and makes me feel slightly more connected to Charlotte, who wears headphones of her own throughout the film ...

As the film celebrates its fifteenth anniversary this year, I decided to ring in 2018 with it. I started it just after midnight -- in Japan time zone, that is! -- with a comfortable pillow and a chilled glass of Suntory whisky. One of my favorite viewing experiences. :)

Re: Your LiT Traditions.

Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2018 3:30 pm
by redleader74
I haven't watched it in its entirety for a while now. Mostly I'll just watch scenes, or play it in the background like music as I'm doing something else. It's not a long movie (I wish it was even longer) and like a fine whiskey or other spirit, you drink it sparingly so as not to use it all up at once. The last time I watched it from start to finish (and not as background music) was during our first trip to Japan in 2016, on our last night in the Park Hyatt Tokyo, my wife and I ordered room service and watched it over our meal, in our room, against the backdrop of the brilliant and haunting Tokyo evening skyline out our room window.

Re: Your LiT Traditions.

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2018 8:05 pm
by Emma
redleader74 wrote:
Tue Sep 25, 2018 3:30 pm
The last time I watched it from start to finish (and not as background music) was during our first trip to Japan in 2016, on our last night in the Park Hyatt Tokyo, my wife and I ordered room service and watched it over our meal, in our room, against the backdrop of the brilliant and haunting Tokyo evening skyline out our room window.
That sounds absolutely magical.

Re: Your LiT Traditions.

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2018 8:16 pm
by redleader74
Emma wrote:
Fri Sep 28, 2018 8:05 pm
redleader74 wrote:
Tue Sep 25, 2018 3:30 pm
The last time I watched it from start to finish (and not as background music) was during our first trip to Japan in 2016, on our last night in the Park Hyatt Tokyo, my wife and I ordered room service and watched it over our meal, in our room, against the backdrop of the brilliant and haunting Tokyo evening skyline out our room window.
That sounds absolutely magical.
Yes, it was both magical....but also very sad...the same kind of sad in the final scene of the movie or actually, the scene of the night before when Bob & Charlotte are outside of the hotel during the fire alarm, when both realize that the fantasy was about to end and that they would wake up back in their real lives after that awfully beautiful dream.