My wife and I have been experimenting with movie night formats.

With all the investments I have made in media and equipment, it is a lot more fun to share with friends and get the kudos, than to just sit and watch alone. Seems like a waste.

But here's the rub: we can't decide on a successful format.

- My wife thinks of it as a dinner party, and oh by the way - watch a movie. It's a big production. Last time, our friends came, they took over the kitchen and cooked a full meal. By the time we got to the movie, we were all stuffed and sleepy.
- I think of it as: "hey, come over and bring pop corn or pizza, watch a movie and get out!" But then I always hold people around for a couple more hours spinning music videos, movie trailers, family photos and videos stored on my HTPC.

Both formats wind up with folks leaving the house well past midnight, stuffed, tired and maybe not so in the mood to do it again ... but they love the big screen and my sound!!!

So, I ask for any other ideas out there - how do you run movie nights, if you do them at all? If you don't, of course there is no need to post, unless you have an interesting story as to why you stopped.

I like it ... simple food and 11PM cutoff. Already it is an improvement.

Quoting Ken Cole:

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We have movie night every Saturday at our house.  Depending on schedules, we get anywhere from 5-20 attendees, plus our own household. 

Wow!
But how do you accommodate 20+? Do you have a small movie theater at home, or do you project on a big screen in the backyard? </envy>

Quoting mediadogg:

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My wife thinks of it as a dinner party, and oh by the way - watch a movie. It's a big production. Last time, our friends came, they took over the kitchen and cooked a full meal. By the time we got to the movie, we were all stuffed and sleepy.

I hear you on that. My wife turns it from "Pop by for a movie" to "have a meal, and chat. We can watch a movie if you insist, but please don't show our friends anything too freaky or they won't talk to us again."

The compromise for us I think will be themed nights.
e.g.
Luchador (Mexican wrestling) movie night with burritos
Japanese night with sushi

I'd like to have a black & white night (clothing is easy, food is a little harder).

Quoting W0m6at:

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I'd like to have a black & white night (clothing is easy, food is a little harder).

You could always just serve cold milk and Oreo cookies. 

Quoting ateo357:

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Quoting Kathy:

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Quoting W0m6at:

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I'd like to have a black & white night (clothing is easy, food is a little harder).

You could always just serve cold milk and Oreo cookies. 

White Russians & caviar

Chocolate & vanilla ice cream!

Whoa nellie!