Movie Fans – My Advice

I don’t want to sound like the be all end all here, because I’m not. I do however have some guidelines on how to remain a sane, happy movie buff without yelling at the screen or throwing things at it.

What is my standing? I have been in love with the movies since I was about 12. My mom used to send us to the double feature at the local theater every weekend to get us out of her hair, and I learned to see everything. I haven’t seen as many movies as some of the critics out there, and I frequently don’t go to first run movies at the multiplex mainly because it’s too expensive for us. I have discovered the wonder of Netflix and I am using that to catch up on some of the things I haven’t seen.

I will be reviewing those newer releases here, but I want to give you some guidelines on how I cope.

I am also going to post my hundred favorite movies here. Not just a list, but actual reviews as well. Hopefully you can learn something.

Here’s the advice.

1. Movies don’t compete.
I know, I know. This is a hard one to get your mind around. Ever since Entertainment Tonight decided it would be fun to post box office returns for the week on the air, people have become obsessed with the monetary end of the business. This is fine if you’re a bean counter, it should make no difference to you one way or the other.

I expect the studios use this strategy to heighten the buzz surrounding a film in its first two weeks of release. My feeling on this is:

• People see what they want.
• Bad movies are bad movies.
• Word of mouth is a killer.

The reason that movies like Terminator: Rise of the Machines have great opening weekends and then the business falls off sharply is that there is a base for these franchises; they will see a Terminator film no matter what’s in it. The base can be large and can make a good opening weekend for a new release. The base, however, spreads the word to the casual movie goer. If that word is “suck” then the casual goers, who might have gone, stay away and any legs the movie may have had get chopped off at the knees. These movies do great on home video, however.

Bottom line is, movies aren’t sports. One does not have to “lose” so that another may “win.”

2. A movie’s budget has no bearing on its quality
Don’t get yourself in the trap of concerning yourself with movie budgets. Some fine films that were originally predicted to tank because they cost too much (i.e., The Wizard of OZ, Cleopatra, Titanic) were all big at the box office and made their production costs back. Also, movie budgets are not made back from ticket sales. It is rentals of a film by the theaters that do that. Tickets sales help, but only marginally.

3. Oscar doesn’t matter
We have been conditioned by this and I make this mental lapse from time to time myself. Most of the first rule can be applied to this one. The bean counters have taken over the Academy Awards too. It’s an extension of the winner/loser mentality. In their defense, AMPAS does pick quality films as the nominees for best picture, so you can use those recommendations when trying to find things to watch.

4. Read critics you trust
I might have stopped some of you right there. Yes, you should read critics. Pick one or two critics you like and read them to get some insight or another opinion on things you are going to watch. Critics are not, as some would have you believe, consumer reporters telling you how to spend your money. They have seen more films than you have (really), and have a handle on how films are constructed. The Website Rotten Tomatoes is very helpful in determining if a movie will meet with your expectations. This goes into my next rule…

5. See everything
Don’t worry about what it’s about, just go to the theater, buy/rent it, or download it. You can learn more about a broader range of films if you step outside of your comfort zone and learn to view everything as it comes out.

6. You’re not a fan if you don’t like…
Insert your own thing here. Goes with number 5. You had to drag me kicking and screaming to see a western when I was a kid, then when I was 14 I discovered John Wayne and Clint Eastwood. Now, I can’t get enough.

7. Movie lists
Any list that doesn’t include movies from 1960 or before is bullshit.

8. Old movies
No such thing. Anything you haven’t seen is a new movie.

9. My only story rule
Every setup must have a payoff, and every payoff must have a setup.

10. Learn everything you can about the art of moviemaking
Just seeing a ton of stuff isn’t enough. Go to the library. My favorite book on this was “The Liveliest Art” by Arthur Knight. It’s old, but still relevant and can get you up to speed quickly. You should be able to find a used copy on Amazon. I did. For a penny + shipping.

11. Have a list
Yes, your top 10, preferably your top 100. Also, try to think what 3 movies you couldn’t live without on a desert island. You can revise your list, since it’s yours.

12. Only you know what you like
In the end, no one can tell you what to like. Stick to your guns and stand firm. If you enjoy “Ishtar” there’s no shame in that. It’s only a movie. We forgive you.

I have set up a movie links page here on csc that one can use to get more information about this topic. This will also include my Top 100 list with links back to reviews of those movies when available.