As far back as I can remember, I have loved movies: My mom occasionally would tell the story about me in a movie theater, watching Peter Pan. In the moment when Peter is telling Wendy to just think happy thoughts, I jumped up onto my seat and launched myself into the air, saying, "I can fly!" Of course, I came down, chin chopped on the seat in front of me. I don't remember any of that, so I must have been pretty little. But not too young to understand the story, not too young to get into the spirit of the story.
When I was a little older, we got a brand new TV for our family room, While I had to promise restraint, the old TV moved into my bedroom, changing my weekend routine for years. Especially Friday nights became filled with classic and sub-B movies, some sporting flying saucers hovering by a visible string. I still remember how much I loved to realize the front of the killer robot's chest was actually an upside down muffin tin. I still love 'bad movies'.
I remember letting my seven-year-old creep downstairs at 2 am to join me in watching a 1930ish horror movie . Why did I break the rules? Because I truly thought he might never be able to see that particular movie otherwise.
But fabulous movies are great, too. I just watched Parasite (again) recently. So many twists and turns--what a ride! Pretty fabulous.
When I am asked "What is your favorite movie?", I generally respond with The Day the Earth Stood Still, you know, the first one: "Klaatu barada nikto" . Yes, I love that movie, was a little disappointed in the remake (mostly because Will Smith's son was so horrible, or maybe his character was so horrible).
I think I love movies so much because they further our tradition of storytelling--adding a layer to stories that instruct, scare, offer analysis or catharsis. Some of my most favored movies are those that explore what it means to be human--Sunshine, Moon, Saving Private Ryan are a few that immediately come to mind. Other movies investigate other worldly experience: E.T., The Haunting, The Fog, The Autopsy of Jane Doe.
Of course, much of our everyday storytelling just entertains--to relay events that are unbelievable or ironic, hilarious, even romantic.
- For all of the above reasons and many more, I love movies. Let me know what you think!