I spent years waiting for my television to break. No such luck.

Yes, I hoped it would break so I could replace it with a 3-D TV.

As you may know, after months of watching 3-D movies on my virtual reality headset, I purchased a system far better than a 3-D TV. My new 3-D movie projection system is enabling me to watch big screen 3-D movies at home anytime.

My projection system is comprised of a 3-D projector, 3-D Blu-ray DVD player, 100-inch screen, and 3-D glasses. The screen is mounted above the living room drapes, and the projector and DVD player are 17 feet away on the piano bench. To watch the movies, I either sit on a chair adjacent to the piano bench, or I stretch out on the sofa against the living room wall.

My goal is to watch the 3-D movies that I missed, and that I really wanted to see, as well as those I saw and enjoyed in the theater. To that end, I have so far collected and watched 23 3-D movies, on both virtual reality and projector formats.

What will watching all these 3-D movies give me? Besides the enjoyment of the movies, I would like to rate and review the 3-D movies I have seen. My ratings are based on how well the movie held my interest throughout, and for the 3-D effects.

Here are my preliminary ratings, after one screening, for the films I have seen. My ratings may change as I watch the movies over again for the second time.

Great Throughout — Big Hero 6, Hugo, Avatar, Polar Express, Tangled, Zootopia, Thunder and the House of Magic, A Turtle’s Tale (1&2)

Good Throughout — Planes, Bolt, and Frozen

Great or Good Beginning – Weaker Middle & Ending: Kubo, Wreck-It Ralph, Boxtrolls, Paranorman, Coraline, Up, Inside Out, Brave, How to Train Your Dragon (1&2), Kung-Fu Panda

Great 3-D Effects — Big Hero 6, Thunder and the House of Magic, A Turtle’s Tale (1&2), Planes, Avatar, Bolt, How to Train Your Dragon (1&2)

I don’t know about you, but when I watch a movie or a TV show, for the second or even the third time, I get much more out of it. I look forward to watching my 3-D movies over again. Who knows what insights I will glean?

Hey, you don’t have to be rich to enjoy your home theatre. My cost for the entire projection system was less than $600 – about one-third of the price of the least expensive 3-D TV.   And, if you don’t like 3-D, regular 2-D movies look great, too.

Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertzebsen@gmail.com