Photo: The Tree of Life movie poster, from it's Wikipedia site. (See this film. Roger Ebert, in this year's Sight & Sound poll, said it's one of the ten best ever made, world-wide.)
I must be a movie lover (technically called a cinephile) because:
1. I sit through the credits. I love to know who the cinematographer, director, and supporting actors are, and sometimes it's necessary to just let the whole movie sink in after it ends. I was like this after the movie Lincoln recently.
2. I do sometimes compare people to movie characters. Actually, I do that all the time. The real people hardly ever compare, even if the movie character was "bad." I realize this is antisocial of me.
3. I get giddy about upcoming movies by directors I like, such as a new Spielberg film. I'm enough of a cinephile to get excited by the new Ed Zwick, Peter Weir, David Fincher, Terrence Malick, or Ridley Scott film, amongst the names of great directors that most non-fans don't know.
4. I do relish intelligent film discussions, but not intelligent film competition, because when proving a point about a film, I definitely become obnoxious--and so does the person I'm talking with. For example, when discussing a film, I actually use the word "film," not "movie." Sounds elitist, I know, but the fact is that Schindler's List was a film, and Hangover was a movie. Just because the point is obnoxious, that doesn't make it untrue.
5. I understand the demographics, too--which is why I won't go see films geared towards demos I don't want to see movies with. I mean that in the kindest of all possible ways.
6. I definitely judge people by their favorite movies. If your favorite film is one of the Hangovers, or one of the Saws (as good as the first one of each series was), and if you've never even seen (or heard of) 2001 or Schindler's List, then I'm out.
7. I really appreciate movie memorabilia, but such things will just clutter up the house. Or maybe I just don't decorate well. Of course, should the actual real prop come my way, I'm all over it. Who wouldn't want to have one of the rings actually used in the LOTR films?!?
8. I complain about continuity issues and product placements all the time. (But only after the movie, of course. Belanger's rule #1 of seeing films at a theatre: You will not talk during the film.) Drives people nuts.
9. I don't remember dates or important things by films. I'm a guy; I remember such things based on who I'm dating at the time.
10. I haven't made out in theaters since I was a teenager. Call me unromantic or lacking in spontaneity, but I'm not spending $11.50 per ticket just to miss most of the movie. Hell, if I want to make out with a woman in the dark, I'll just invite her over after I've stopped paying the electric bill for a few months.
I've been called a movie snob on occasion because I will not tolerate talking during a film. I don't even like to talk during coming attractions. As soon as the lights dim I want quiet. For most people it's proves to be too difficult a task.
ReplyDeleteI am also very particular about which movie theater I will attend and what time of the day. If I am seeing a movie with a teenage demographic (like Twilight) I will stay away from any late night or weekend showings. And I'm glad to see Twilight isn't on your list of movies you'll judge people for watching (because then one of those obnoxious film debates would ensue!)
I will however judge anyone who enjoys The Hangover, Bridesmaids, Knocked Up, or any movie directed/written by Judd Apatow. Those movies are just irritating!
Yes there is a distinction between movies and films and/or motion pictures. I can appreciate both immensely, but I will not tolerate mindless popcorn flicks like Transformers.
Sitting through the credits is almost mandatory with me (unless I truly need to make a run for the facility) since I appreciate all of those who were involved in production. I've always wanted the job of creating fonts and typing out the credit list.
You really do need to visit Hollywood one day. You can attend studio tours (Warner Bros, Universal) where you see actual film memorabilia and back lots and learn all about movie making. It's so awesome!
I actually like coming attractions, too. But I hate it when they turn out to be the best parts of the movie, and then the movie sucks!
ReplyDeleteI like sitting through the credits of a good film to let it digest, if you will. A surefire sign that I didn't like the film I just watched is when I get up to go right after it ends.
There's a place for good stupid films, like The Hangover. I just don't spend $11.50 for films like that. I wait for them to come to cable. I try to see films on the big screen that I think must be seen on the big screen to appreciate. Prometheus was a good example of that. I have the DVD for that now (somewhere), and so I'll watch it on the small screen now, but that was a must on the big screen first. And while I've watched films like that, and the American Pie films, etc., I have to admit that if movies like that are someone's favorite, then that says something about their maturity level.
Ewwwwwwwwwwww!!!!
Hey, old friend - thanks for reaching out, I've been a world class hermit, lately. I really liked this post - as a matter of fact the whole reason my husband and I even got serious was because "Blade Runner" was among our Top 3 movies of all time.
ReplyDeleteLove Ridley Scott. To your Schindler's List, my pick is Saving Private Ryan because it was one of the last "films" I saw with my dad before his stroke. We got stinkin' drunk after that.
But I'm waiting until the boys are old enough to stomach "The Killing Fields," which was probably one of the most potent-life-changing stories I've even watched on film.
Promise I'll come back more often - good night!
Blade Runner and Saving Private Ryan are two of my favorite films as well. I literally dropped my jaw when Saving Private Ryan lost to Shakespeare in Love for best picture. Remember the look on Harrison Ford's face when he announced it? I'll bet my salary that Ford--a notorious recluse--agreed to give away the award for Best Film because he was sure Spielberg--a great friend of his--would win it. And I liked Shakespeare in Love a lot, too, especially because of Geoffrey Rush's and Dame Judi Dench's performances, but history has already shown that it winning Best Picture was one of the biggest gaffes ever.
DeleteAnd I remember very, very vividly the last ballgame at Fenway my father saw with me before he died. You always remember those. Sorry for your loss.
And it's good to see you again, too!
While that is one of the biggest Oscar upsets in history, I'd also like to add Crash beating out Brokeback Mountain for Best Picture in 2006. Even the look on Jack Nicholson's face as he announced the winner was of pure disbelief. Not only is Brokeback Mountain one of my favorite films, but I absolutely loathe the movie Crash. While both films dealt with the issue of intolerance, one was subtle and beautifully directed while the other was manipulative and tried to beat you over the head with it's message. Just had to get that off my chest! I'm clearly still not over it.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Ridley Scott film remains Alien.
Crash wasn't that bad, though it was very heavy-handed. Still worked for me, though. Brokeback Mountain was heavy-handed, too, in its own way. Overall, a mediocre year for great, obvious Oscar-worthy Best Picture nods.
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