Most people have a philosophy about something.

Maybe they feel like The Beatles will forever be better than The Rolling Stones. Maybe they feel like college football is better than pro football. Or perhaps there are even those who love Ford automobiles more than a Chevy.

Whatever it might be, there are reasons and histories behind these philosophies.

Personally, I have a philosophy when it comes to watching a movie while it is still out in theaters.

It should first be said that I am a huge fan of film. I love watching movies, dissecting movies and even discussing their impact on the world at large.

Film, to me, is the perfect media. You get a story in a couple of hours, you don’t have to keep watching over and over again and you don’t have to feel like a fool if you react a little differently than the rest of the audience to a scene.

But there is a method to my madness when it comes to watching films, especially ridiculously anticipated films that attract the whole world to the darkened theater at once.

First: I very rarely watch a film the day it comes out. I simply can’t stand waiting in line, nervously listening to everyone who orders a ticket and wondering if they are going to get the great seat before me.

I don’t like battling the crowds, sitting next to 35 children whose parents thought it wise to attend a 10:30 p.m. screening of “Iron Man” and realizing that I am going to have to watch the whole thing again just to see what I missed while Little Billy needed to go pee-pee within 45 minutes (Thank you very much 72-ounce sodas).

So, rather than try any of that, I wait at least one week and usually three to see a film. It typically works for me and, unless the film leaves in two weeks, I get to see what I want in an empty theater. And if a film leaves in two weeks, it was probably not worth seeing in the first place.

(Note: This did not apply to “Star Wars,” “Lord of the Rings” or my wife wanting to see all the Harry Potter films.)

Second: I have to get there well before the previews. I hate getting that front row seat, so I am willing to wait in line like a goober in order to nab the best seats in the house. I don’t need popcorn or the aforementioned ginormo-soda. All I need is to see the film I came to see without having to look around giant-haired Beth or that guy who likes to lean against you for no reason.

(Second note: There are two ways to make this a success. Buy candy and soda at a store before you go and smuggle it in. And make a jerk of yourself so that no one will want to sit near you.)

Third (and finally): Stay through to the end of the credits. The reason I hate big drinks is you might miss the credits due to urination. I don’t stay because I love knowing the assistant to the assistant producer. I stay to see if something fun was added. Those who didn’t do this missed the “Iron Man” ender and it has happened to me too often to leave it off my philosophy.

And that’s it. I will be happy to talk about “The Dark Knight” in due time. Sometime like Aug. 7.