How's your film life? Has it changed?
What do you look for in a good movie? Is it music? Narrative?
Are you a collector? A connoisseur? Perhaps theaters only?
Do you think there was a peak era for filmmaking?
How do you see your film life in 10 years?
Join me as we answer these questions and more.
But there is no real outline.
Speak freely and discuss.
I personally, was raised primarily on classical films. Movies such as The Searchers, Judgment at Nuremburg, North by Northwest, etc. During my youth I became transfixed by big blockbusters like Independence day, Armageddon, and Twister. This phase lasted for quite sometime, and likely was the reason I became so infatuated with Aliens 86 during that period of my life.
I'd definitely say I still maintain a healthy appreciation for that style of film, but my tastes have indeed changed over the years. Movies like Blade Runner seemed painfully slow and in some cases weird when I was younger, but I've really latched onto the slow burn narrative.
The overall style and quality of the films I watch has definitely changed as well. For several years, I'd watch just about anything, including low budget horror. The only exceptions were romantic comedies, and modern comedy. The latter of which I simply cannot understand. It all just seems so crude and pointless. Perhaps I'm too stuck in slapstick mode with comedies featuring Peter Sellers or Leslie Nielson, Chris Farley, etc.
But, my tastes have indeed changed significantly over the last year. I'm preferring my entertainment to be more cerebral, such as Blade Runner 2049 and the Hannibal television series along with programs like West World. I still appreciate louder entertainment, but it has to be grossly overdone to get my attention. Very large scale attracts my notice, especially with monsters. So films like Godzilla and Clash of the Titans are a bit of a guilty pleasure for me.
I'm a Blu-ray man specifically now, but I allow room for films where there has not been a transfer from dvd yet. I'm not likely to embrace 4k at this point. I've given up on the theater, as well. The experience has become rather poor in my area, what with the cellphone usage, screaming children and poor maintenance of the equipment.
I do believe I'm slowly transitioning to a mentality where I prefer only the critical films. That is, films that hold and exhibit some larger measure of artistic value or significance. Such as Ben Hur, Alien, 2001, as well as modern classics such as Road To Perdition, Blade Runner 2049, etc. Granted, I will still maintain room for fun experiences, but not to the extent of when I was younger, and would watch anything from the discount bin.