As I reread this essay, I wonder why I even bothered writing it. It doesn't seem interesting to me, but I thought it would be fascinating to let a person know how one becomes a movie fan/critic. I guess you can be the judge:
My passion for movies is immeasurable. Since the young and undisciplined age of eight, I have been sitting down in front of the television watching them, granted they were B-movie flicks and chop-socky flicks, but movies nonetheless. If you lived in New York City during the late 80s, channel 5 and 11 showed a wide variety of those "budget" movies that you can now buy for under ten bucks in video stores. Some were entertaining, while others left to be desired. They ranged from horny teenage movies i.e. Porky's to hilarious comedies i.e. The Jerk. It wasn't the best choice of movies they could have shown, but at least they were entertaining, which is pretty simple when you have an eight year old mind. Nowadays, it is interesting for me to see how long it takes me to change the channel, when I watch these movies.
The first movie that I saw in the theatre was Police Academy 3 (I can hear the groans already). It wasn't the best possible choice to start out with, but at least I got to know what a bad movie is from the start. Being eight years old, I forgot what I thought of the movie. The only memory I have of the experience was how sticky the floor was and how uncomfortable I was in those rigid seats that the theatre housed. Funny how my memories are not the movie itself, but the place and atmosphere instead. I do remember being attracted to the muscular blond in the movie. I believe her name was Sergeant Deborah Callahan, played by Leslie Easterbrook. I guess I liked the aggressive type back then.
Being a minor, I wasn't able to neither rent movies nor figure what was good to rent, so I had to depend on my brother's choice of movies. I believe at that time I was still interested in TV more than videos. My daily dose of cartoons and kung-fu movies kept me satisfied. Besides, most of the movies he rent I had no interest in and some of them he wouldn't allow me to watch anyway. Does it make sense to show a ten year kid a horror film?
As years past, I hit a vital stage that all teenagers go through, puberty. As you are all aware, changes begin to happen, physically and mentally. My choice of movies also changed as I became one of these sexually-active/curious teenagers. I admit that I was curious about sex (Who isn't?). What was so great about it? Well to make a long story short, I found out very quickly how great it was.
Nudity and action became a prerequisite with most of the movies I watched. At that time, I discovered what the industry called B-movies. B-movies, for those not familiar with the term, are very low budget movies that appease to the more non-intellectual fans of cinema. They were exploitation films that had two requirements: nudity, blood and action. I know what you are saying, that was three not two requirements, but in my crazy mind, blood and action go hand in hand. Names like Roger Corman and Andy Sadaris were imbedded into my head. My favorite critic became Joe Bob Briggs who ended each of his reviews with the three important B's (Beasts, Blood and Breasts). I'm not particularly fond of that period, but it was normal.
During the mid-90's, I began to mature, as I found movies that were more entertaining and intellectually stimulating. I began watching foreign and independent films, and old movies of the 40s and 50s. Mostly disregarded by the general public, I saw movies that the industry doesn't produce anymore like All About Eve, Citizen Kane. Some of the greatest comedies are from that period. Some Like It Hot and Animal Crackers (or any other Marx Brothers movie), in my opinion are the greatest comedies in the history of cinema. I had found a new world that I never have known. Generally speaking, I believe that half of the movie-going population is not aware of the bevy of great films that are out there. Today's films are practically remakes of old movies and foreign films, given a few exceptions.
It is a great time in the film industry, as foreign films and independent films are popular. We now have all sides of the film audience represented. I wonder what the future of cinema will be in twenty or fifty years from now? I can't wait, but until then my moviegoers.......