A movie, also known as a movie video, motion picture or digital video, is an example of multimedia, the application of images and sound to simulate real-life experiences that convey ideas, emotions, representations, beauty, or environment through the use of images. The term movie has various other synonyms such as picture film, picture tube, movie tape, picture tube movies, computer-generated movie, and computer-animated movie. A movie is usually produced by a director for entertainment purposes and it usually involves some sort of plot, theme or storyline. Although most movies are intended to be serious, there are a growing number of movies targeted at both adult and children audiences.
There are two types of modern-day movie production. The first type of modern movie production includes short, self-contained films (which may not contain recognizable characters) which are known as independent films. The second type of modern movie production includes long sequences of scenes and narration with or without music which is known as narrative filmmaking.
Modern film theory refers to the critical study of popular motion pictures and other multimedia. Film criticism focuses on the analysis, evaluation and judgment of films and other media based upon literary, artistic, cultural and technical merit. There is overlap between film theory and other disciplines such as culture, education, sociology and history. Film theory is used to compare and contrast films and to identify styles, types, genres and other characteristics of a film that distinguish one from the other.
A major area of film study is the process of projection. Movie projection refers to the process by which films are created, developed, and exhibited for the viewing public. Movies are typically presented on a large screen (cinematograph) for the audience to view. The term screening is often applied to describe the process of showing a movie to a group of people for the first time. The term presentation refers to the method by which a movie is prepared and shown to an audience.
Motion picture is the term used to refer to any work made by means of moving objects. The most common mediums used for the creation of motion pictures are film and television. The history of cinema can be traced back to the late nineteenth century. Movies have provided many entertainment options for people worldwide. They can either be viewed in the home (point-and-shoot cinema), or they can be shown in a cinema complex (large-screen cinema).
A film is said to be a “block-buster” when it sells well over the expected number of tickets sold for that particular film. Blockbuster films have a low gross margin, but have a huge number of viewers who keep coming back for more. A movie may also receive multiple award nominations or win several awards at the Oscars. Movie ratings are based on the MPAA ratings and word-of-mouth referrals. There is no standard rating system for movies, as each movie has its own audience and various reactions to it. Movie review websites may provide movie information to interested parties.