Immediately, the first movie that comes to mind that I feel should be seen on the big screen is the 2016 science fiction film Arrival. Based on the risky and life-threating communication with extraterrestrial life, the film utilizes its unique cinematography and sound effects to invoke an emotional response from its viewers. The main emphasis of the film lies between these two components, making the experience much more powerful seeing the film on the big screen than a TV or device.

The cinematography alone is worth the experience of seeing the movie on the big screen because it immerses you into the story as much as the writing does. From the beginning of the movie up until its final closing note, viewers are trapped into the story line. The movie introduces and concludes with what appears to be flashbacks of an individual's life, but we soon learn that these "flashbacks" are foreshadowing events of what's to come. The way the tinted blue effect of the montage for these "flashbacks" and the camera panning into the blank facial expressions of characters is pieced together, enables viewers to begin to capture the emotional setting of the film. The movie focuses on visuals of gloomy, cloudy skies to consistently keep the mysterious tone throughout the movie. In fact, the tinted, gloomy effect seen throughout the film plays a huge role in illustrating the intensity of what's at stake, the fear instilled between the characters from the unexpected arrival of extraterrestrial life. Seeing this film on a TV or device for the first time, completely changes the experience. On the big screen, we see the clear picture the way directors intend to display it, whereas TV and devices can easily alter the picture seen. Additionally, seeing Arrival on the big screen completely removes viewers from their environment and accelerates their placement into the movie setting because of the nature of the dark room and big screen. The clear, single shots of the film as characters enter the alien's, known as Heptapod's, spacecraft is significant for translating the severity of the situation. The textured, cloudy mist of the room along with the unusual and rare appearance of the Hepatpod's in their entirety allows viewers to immediately experience the fearful status the characters are in, without the interference of surrounding visuals, which would be present if viewing on a TV or device.

The continual use of suspenseful sounds also adds on to the importance of watching Arrival on the big screen for the first time. For example, when viewers are introduced to the chaos going around the world with the arrival of the 12 extraterrestrial space crafts, the feeling that should be conveyed is one of awareness. Viewers should be made aware of the global panic and worry that characters are experiencing. Arrival manages to do this by taking advantage of loud suspenseful music, blaring sirens, and several overlapping breaking news reports in one shot. On the big screen, both moving picture and sound is blended and perfectly balanced for viewers to capture the full experience, however on a TV or device, viewers are often distracted by their surrounding environment. Whether they are sitting in their own home watching the movie, or potentially outdoors, there is room for outside interferences with the movie. From personal experience, I can say that when watching Arrival on a TV, there were quite a few minimal, yet impacting distractions throughout the film. The sound of barking dogs and ringing doorbells, hindered the experience and drew me out of the story and its embrace for moments on end. An equally important sound throughout the film is the low-pitched growl made by the Heptapods. Their growl is significant to the story to establish the disconnect in communication between them and humans. Hearing the eerie, unfamiliar sound spikes an alarming emotional response from viewers when heard through the clear, loudspeakers inside a theatre. On a TV or device, the potential of hearing these growls at a low volume can take away the dramatic experience from the viewer.

The experience of watching Arrival for the first time on the big screen is far better than watching it on a TV or device. With several other individuals alongside each other to experience memorable and emotional moments together and a mixture of suspense that is carried throughout the film, it is a marvelous adventure. I strongly believe that the cinematography and sound effects go hand in hand to make the experience for the viewer much more interactive and involved. This in turn can only be replicated through the big screen.