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I’ve enjoyed film since my youth. I’ve loved the magic and the power of the motion picture. I love how some movies can pick you up on a sad day. How other films can make you excited, get you to think or just plain old entertain you. Some can even infuriate and confound you. The best films can do it all–What an experience!
What is even more amazing is that films will continue to have meaning throughout your life. My boyish wonder when seeing Star Wars, and the fear I felt during Jaws is still with me when I see these classics. I also remember the lunacy of Animal House,at that age, getting glimpses of topless women
never hurt either.
Films are our companions along the journey of life. You may have enjoyed one as a child and later come to
appreciate it’s meaning as an adult. You may relate more to certain characters you never thought possible as you age and experience more on this planet. Older films may speak clearer to you than current films at a certain time of your life. Casablanca came out the year my parents were born and is still as relevant and entertaining as ever.
In a single word I’d have to say that film is “Possibility.” It is but a blank screen until colored by
characters, plot, and a myriad of universal emotions. It is our fun-house, our conscience, our future, and a window to our past. It is a friend that never stops giving– even when we’ve all but given up.
Some say we are the writers and directors of our own lives. I agree but would also add, ”Sometimes a man can learn more from other men’s dreams than he can from his own.” When I get wrapped up in my own life, I find this to be both true and immensely helpful.
By the way I got that quote from a movie I watch every October. The late and great Jason Robards spoke it. Can you name the movie?
It is one of my many Fall companions.
What films have taken you through your life?
I can’t wait to find out!
5 Responses
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I know it is silly, but I owe my relationship with my boyfriend to Star Wars, and Evil Dead. His friends invited me over to a party for the Star Wars DVD release, and we hit it off. Evil Dead the musical was one of our first dates. Whenever I see these movies I am reminded of when we got together.
Wynne,
That is awesome. That article was worth writing to just to hear that story-:) Great Stuff!!
Darren D
Hey Darren,
1) Something Wicked This way comes
2)I have great memories of New York’s WPIX on Sunday mornings. At 11AM the Abbott and Costello movie came on, lots of laughing at the same jokes, The Andrews Sisters, Lon Chaney, musical numbers,etc. Good Ialian food can be smelled floating in from the kitchen, braking a piece of Italian bread and dipping it into the simmering pot of what we called “gravy,” but it was not brown and it did not go on turkey…a great memory of being a young boy.
Nice Joe-You got the quote-!! Love that movie-:) I also remember watching the Abbot and Costello movies on WPIX and you really brought the memory home with the smell of Italian Food and I would love dipping that Italian bread-:)
My friends(the ones who aren’t italian) kid me to this day because of my use of the word Gravy-:)
Hi Darren,
Some of my favorites are “Gone with the Wind”, “The Wizard of Oz”, and “The Way We Were”.
thanks for your insight!
Marlene