For my setup 2.35 movies take up my entire screen which is 51" x 120" (2.35 AR). In the front row fast action movies can sometimes be overwhelming. Similar to sitting in the front row at theaters or lower rows at IMAX, it sucks.
Anyway, I have found my second row of seating more comfortable for those types of movies, which is about 15ft or so back. Chick Flicks are usually ok from the front row on 2.35 movies.
For 1.85 AR DVD's I change the lens to "pass through" mode which displays the native image and uses 51" x 94" of my screen. Either row works for that scenario...