My Perspective on Films

While speaking with one of my favorite movie experts yesterday, I realized something very important.  This blog came into existence because I wanted to record my journey into a diverse movie world.  Admittedly, my tendency is to gravitate towards a certain genre of films.  Similar to my book reading, I enjoy watching historical pieces, especially those about race, the civil rights movement, slavery, etc.  It is probably for this reason that I've been limited in the types of films I venture to watch.  (The same thing happens with reading books)  That's not to say that I don't enjoy other films, more than if given a choice, you can probably guess which ones I'll watch first.  However, I'm going to make a much better effort to force myself into watching other films now.

In a completely separate conversation with another one of my movie experts, I thought it would be helpful to explain how I watch movies.  When watching a film, I'm not usually impressed by the technical aspects or graphics.  Actors, actresses, directors, producers and all the many others who make movies possible are usually in the background for me as well.

For me, I see movies in a more philosophical way.  I was a Biology and Philosophy major in college, so this likely explains why I view movies in this manner.  The meaning behind the story is what often captures my attention.  Oscar Wilde is noted for saying "life imitates art far more than art imitates life."  Considering the implications of the story presented in a film intrigues me the most.  I'm of the opinion that every film represents something, whether it be a moral value or a complex societal issue.  When watching movies, I'm the person who often takes many mental notes about things I think are being reflected by the various scenes.  After watching a movie, asking me for a quote or for a synopsis of one's acting is likely to result in very little conversation.  However, I'm sure you'll get more of a discussion if you ask me to give a philosophical dissection of how the film connects with existence.

I say all of this to say that my movie reflections will probably follow a different path from the norm (yet another characteristic I am prone to display).  Honestly, to watch a film and just comment on the acting, scriptwriting or production seems like a waste of time.  Of course, I will mention those things from time to time, but I'll probably do more discussing of the social, economical, political, historical or cultural issues I see.  If I haven't said it before, I'm very appreciative that you all are willing to put up with me on this journey.  The insight you, my movie experts, provide is invaluable.  It definitely goes a long way in forcing me to step outside of my way of thinking.

JB