As
a kid I can remember Sundays when as a family--we very seldom did
anything as a family--my parents, brother and I would go to the Loew's Paradise Theatre on the Grand Concourse and afterwards either to Krum's for ice cream or to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. As a teenager I
would cut my last class so I could get to the movies and still be home
in time for dinner. In those days going to the movies consisted of
seeing 2 films plus a cartoon, a newsreel and coming attractions so we
were talking about a 3 hour plus time span. Very seldom did a movie run
more than 90-100 minutes and those that were classified as 'B' films
were less than 90 minutes.

I
don't remember a time when movies weren't a part of my life which means
I have been seeing them for 65+ years. Just as reading and theatre
going were an escape for me as a kid, teenager and young adult so were
movies. I have, literally, seen thousands of movies, in allprobability
every film that is considered a classic from the 1930s on. I have seen
many films more than once and quite a few over a dozen times.

Without
going into details I had some of my first sexual experiences in, or
starting at, movies and I am not talking porn theatres but local
neighborhood movie houses--that's another blog!!!  :O)

I
will NOT go into a movie if it has already started and I prefer getting
to the theatre at least 15 minutes early. I like an aisle seat (in the
back if I am alone--some of you know what I am talking about! LOL)
Before I made my New Year's resolution in 2007 I would always buy a
popcorn and a diet soda but haven't for the last 2 and 1/2 years. Five
minutes before the film starts I'll make a 'pit stop'.

I
have a wide taste in films though I admit to not really liking sci-fi
or films that are violent. I prefer dramas over comedies and being an
easy crier (at least when watching films) I consider the former good if
they can wring a tear or two from me. Tragedy based around families or
fathers expressing love for their children can send me over the edge.

I
find it impossible to make a list of the best films I have seen even if
broken down into 10 best musicals, 10 best comedies, 10 best dramas, 10
best mysteries, etc. I even agonize making a least of best 100 movies I
have seen. LOL

I'm
a BIG movie star fan--well, at least of the actresses, and those from
the 'old' days back in the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s when, like Norma
Desmond (Gloria Swanson) says, "They had faces." I have seen all of, or
at least most of, the films with Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Barbara Stanwyck, Judy Holiday, Susan Hayward, Doris Day, Ida Lupino, Vivian Leigh, Rita Hayworth,
Lana Turner, Ava Gardner and Jennifer Jones, just to mention a few. For
whatever reason the male stars, as actors, weren't that very
interesting to me with the exception of Gene Kelly, Brando, Newman and
Olivier.

My choice of the best film performance ever is Charlize Theron in "Monster" as Aileen Wuornos.

Back in those old days the neighborhood
theatres would show pictures on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and then
change them on Wednesdays. Now most theatres show their pictures Friday
to Thursday so, with very few exceptions, you will find me going to a
matinee on Friday to see a new opening of a film. Once in awhile I will
also go on Tuesdays but that is mainly when Dolores comes to clean and
I want to get out of her way.

I
believe a film that is made for theatres should be seen in a theatre,
not on a TV screen even if it is 50-60 inches. The only time I think a
theatrical released film should be seen on DVD or cable is 1) if you
missed it in the theatre or 2) you liked it so much you want to see it
again. Seeing 'Gone With The Wind" or "Australia" on a 50" screen is
nothing like seeing it on a big theatre screen. There is also something
about being in the dark theatre with a bunch of strangers laughing,
being scared, trying to hide tears streaming down cheeks, sharing
feelings, that add to a movie going experience that is not the same as
seeing it at home.

Complaints about noisy people, cell phones going off, sticky floors, high concession stand prices, etc., are exceptions to the rule--well, maybe not the high concession stand prices.

There is something to be said for the ritual of young people going to the movie on a date--it's worked for quite a few decades!!!