I love films—nano-ceramic, metalized and dyed. Of course, those aren’t the only films I follow. I’m also a massive movie fan who still believes in trips to the theater with family and friends. It’s one of my favorite ways to unwind from the day-to-day grind.

Taking it Easy

What’s your go-to snack at the theater?

In a blog titled The Art of Work-Life Balance, XPEL’s director of automotive films Chris West shared: “Work-life balance is something that I struggle with to this day. I know the cliché phrase, ‘Do what you love, and you will never work a day in your life.’ Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anyone to pay me to lay on a beach and sip a margarita, so here we are.”

“My longest stretch without sleep was 38 hours. I was exhausted and burnt out. I didn’t talk to family or friends since I felt terrible telling them I couldn’t see them because of work,” adds West.

Thankfully, my role as editor for WINDOW FILM and PPF magazines feels like anything but work, but pursuing passions outside of the office is still crucial. I find balance on NFL Sundays and through movie viewings. Christopher Nolan’s films are my all-time favorites. From Interstellar to Inception to Tenet, I find Nolan’s storytelling artistic and thought-provoking.

Matthew McConaughey, Interstellar’s lead actor, is my favorite actor. Tom Cruise isn’t far behind, though (Top Gun: Maverick is quite the experience).

Movies of 2022 and 2023

The Batman was my favorite movie of 2022, followed closely by Dune. I was lucky enough to see both in immersive IMAX theaters. I’m a Christopher Nolan mega-fan, but I found Robert Pattinson’s rendition of Batman better than Christian Bale’s. If you’re a fan of Batman, meet the Dark Knight’s “worst nightmare” in the latest wrap of the week.

I’m most excited for the following 2023 releases: John Wick: Chapter 4 (March 24), Oppenheimer (July 21) and Dune: Part Two (November 3).

I love movies so much that I set out to see 100 in 2023. I’m already 15 movies in. Here are my top five so far:

1. About Time
2. Marriage Story
3. The Drop
4. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
5. Dallas Buyers Club

Do you prefer the theater or the couch for your movie experiences? What are your favorite movies? How do you unwind from the world of window film? Sound off in the comments below or reach out to me at ccollier@glass.com.