Movie Buff

I come from a movie watching, theater going, family. It’s what we do, every Thanksgiving day, every Christmas day, and almost every weekend. That tradition of going to the movie theater to see the shows never stopped once I moved out and away. I still love going to a big theater with an anxious crowd, of piling into seats, mentally checking a yes/no box of whether I’m going to see each previewed movie, and then at last seeing the curtain rise and the opening credits rolling.

I love movie scores. I love movie themes. I love when movies teach me and inspire me. I love when they make me cry.

With that said I think I’ve developed somewhat of a problem. You see, I’ve developed a certain taste in movies and I have pretty strong opinions about some of them. The ones that have made my favorites list have become somewhat sacred to me and I find that I’m very protective of them. So much so, in fact, that I’ve realized I can’t talk about those movies with just anyone. I get too frustrated when they don’t understand or don’t feel the way I do about them. My blood begins to boil and my face gets red and I have to walk away before I say something like “You’re an idiot for not liking this movie.”

I love Cast Away because Tom Hanks doesn’t speak. Because he finds a friend in Wilson. Because his friends celebrate his coming back to life at the end when he was alive the entire time, more alive than they ever were. 

I love Dead Poet’s Society because I want to Carpe Diem

I love The Village, not because it was ever supposed to be a horror movie but because the dialogue between the Elders is so beautiful. And that score. Oh man....it’s beautiful, and haunting. 

I love Inception because the plot was so refreshingly new, the acting awesome, the idea so close to being reality, and the music. Have you ever noticed how the swelling never stops? I love it because the top keeps spinning and I don't need to know if it ever falls.

I love Meet Joe Back because Brad Pitt is a hunk. The house on the set is my dream, the music they dance to at the end is exactly what I want at my own wedding, and the music. Oh the music! 

I love Casino Royal because it was the first James Bond movie that was believable. I love the emotion ...and the cars... and the man. 

I love Star Trek because who hasn’t dreamed about flying at warp speed?

I love The Adjustment Bureau because Matt Damon is my celebrity crush and the concept of the movie was new and exciting.

I love The Avengers because amid the action the writers included humor, real humor, that kept me laughing.

I love The Great Escape because it’s a classic that I watched with my dad when I was little.

I love The Family Stone because in so many ways it resembles my family- our quirks, our trials, our holidays together. 

I love The Holiday because of the character Kate Winslet plays. Her heartache is something almost every girl has experienced.

I love Seven Pounds because it’s all about sacrifice.

I love The Count of Monte Cristo because when the Count comes out of the shadows before the last fight scene my heart drops. Because in our darkest hour we can find hope.

I love Life As We Know It because of the chemistry between the actors and the idea that raising children is the most important. 

I love Pitch Perfect because of the witty humor. First movie I ever watched four days in a row. 

I love You’ve Got Mail well because, how could you not love You’ve Got Mail?

I love Stranger than Fiction because I actually love the character Will Farrell plays for once in my life. Nothing like the crude stuff he usually does. This is his “Truman Show” role, the one where he’s serious. And I love Emma Thompson oh so much. 

I love Life of Pi because it’s just stunning to watch. Every frame a masterpiece. And I’ve started calling my dog Richard Parker. 

I love It’s a Wonderful Life because it gets you into the Christmas season faster than anything else.

I love In the Heat of the Night because Sidney Poitier broker through barriers. A lot of them. 

And I love Les Miserables and let me tell you why. No, it wasn’t perfect and yes, some of the actors weren’t as strong as others perhaps. But Les Miserables is about love and repentance and sacrifice. The music is inspired. The themes heart wrenching but beautiful. To love another person truly is to see the face of God. I don’t care what people may say, they did the best they could, and I believe their best was absolutely magnificent.

So who wants to go to the movies with me this weekend?