Film is a term that encompasses motion pictures as individual projects, as well as — in metonymy — the field in general. The origin of the name comes from the fact that photographic film (also called filmstock) has historically been the primary medium for recording and displaying motion pictures. Many other terms exist — motion pictures (or just pictures or "picture"), the silver screen, photoplays, the cinema, picture shows, flicks — and commonly movies.

Films are produced by recording actual people and objects with cameras, or by creating them using animation techniques and/or special effects. They comprise a series of individual frames, but when these images are shown rapidly in succession, the illusion of motion is given to the viewer. Flickering between frames is not seen due to an effect known as persistence of vision — whereby the eye retains a visual image for a fraction of a second after the source has been removed. Also of relevance is what causes the perception of motion; a psychological effect identified as beta movement.

Film is considered by many to be an important art form; films entertain, educate, enlighten and inspire audiences. The visual elements of cinema need no translation, giving the motion picture a universal power of communication. Any film can become a worldwide attraction, especially with the addition of dubbing or subtitles that translate the dialogue. Films are also artifacts created by specific cultures, which reflect those cultures, and, in turn, affect them.

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"New Moon" - playing today[Saturday] 11:00 AM - Westgate SCREEN 6 #movies
silverbirdkenya (Silverbird Kenya) Sat, 02 Jan 2010 06:00:22 -0000
"New Moon" - playing today[Saturday] 11:00 AM - Westgate SCREEN 6 #movies
juss got back from the movies with devanna here at her house for the night!!!1
savanna482 (Savanna Thompson) Sat, 02 Jan 2010 06:00:19 -0000
juss got back from the movies with devanna here at her house for the night!!!1
@deanneFIERCE yea i read dat.... Denzel kno how to die in movies... wut can i say.
KiddKurry (Jonathan Foust) Sat, 02 Jan 2010 06:00:17 -0000
@deanneFIERCE yea i read dat.... Denzel kno how to die in movies... wut can i say.
7 movies me wanna see. A movie a day in a week perhaps? :P
josiefinee (Josephine Tiew) Sat, 02 Jan 2010 06:00:17 -0000
7 movies me wanna see. A movie a day in a week perhaps? :P
Saw 'Sherlock Holmes' today. I liked it a lot. Saw 'District 9' tonight. I thought it was okay. I'd watch SH again, probably not D9. #movies
rshannonsmith (Shannon Smith) Sat, 02 Jan 2010 06:00:13 -0000
Saw 'Sherlock Holmes' today. I liked it a lot. Saw 'District 9' tonight. I thought it was okay. I'd watch SH again, probably not D9. #movies
Cate Blanchett, you are delightful. However, watching you in movies that run three hours strong is tiring. But, it's still worth it.
Patronizing (Jordan Frontiero) Sat, 02 Jan 2010 06:00:10 -0000
Cate Blanchett, you are delightful. However, watching you in movies that run three hours strong is tiring. But, it's still worth it.

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