A love affair with cinema is simply a romantic term used in an attempt to dissuade you from thinking that I am a movie geek. Alas, the more I write (and hopefully you will in fact continue to read what I write - come on, you're already here) you will discover my geekiness no matter what spin I put on it, I can't hide what I am. If I wanted to do that, there would be far more productive ways than blogging about it.
I feel I must insert a disclaimer here if we are to continue this journey, so here it is (and yes, I will be using CAPS because yes, I am yelling this):
I DO NOT WISH TO BE IN THE PICTURES! I AM NOT AN ASPIRING ACTRESS / inspiring person maybe/ BUT NOT AN ACTRESS! (although my Academy Award acceptance speech would be mega).
I would not rule out a career in the biz, I just don't want to be in front of the camera - my passion is behind the scenes. Bugger, another disclaimer:
I DO NOT WISH TO BE A DIRECTOR!! I DON'T MAKE MOVIES, I APPRECIATE THEM!
Disclaimers and shouting out of the way, my passion stems from watching movies. Yes, I watch several in the comfort of my own home, but I LOVE (sorry more caps, but that was purely for emphatic purposes, not shouting) going to the movies, sitting in the theatre, popcorn in hand. To me, the experience of being in a theatre is part of movie magic. I don't even need people to go with me. Over the past few years I have learned that I relegated many a good film to the tv screen because I was too afraid to go to the movies myself. Let me tell you, the day I decided to go and watch a movie on my own, it was exhilarating. I felt liked I'd burned my bra, broke the glass ceiling, put my face on a Rosie the Riveter poster. No, I am not equating this small action with feminist movements of the past, but I was liberated. As a single girl, I was able to go out by myself and watch a movie without caring what the canoodling couple behind me thought. And while the guy was too busy trying the "yawn + cop a feel" move to enjoy the film, I basked in it. Why do we need to go with people? You shouldn't be talking in a theatre anyways (and Lord help you if I hear your phone go off). And so I urge you to all try this.
I love the escapism that film allows us to experience. We all want breaks from our lives and what better way than a two hour journey anywhere in the world we want to go? And with anyone. I detest the school of thought that spouts off "That is so unrealistic! That would never happen in real life" - well sir/madam I am not watching Jurassic Park for the reality factor - I save that for delightful gems like Cake Boss. I also can't be bothered with the naysayers (what a great word) who dismiss a film due to historical inaccuracies. I remember someone saying to me that the Keira Knightly version of King Arthur was inaccurate - well jolly good observation - it is in fact a film based on a myth that has been retold/reshaped/rewritten millions of times over the years. Now I know what you're thinking (at least those of you who know me outside of the blogging world) "Hold the bus here, aren't you a history teacher?" Well yes, I am. I'm not saying I'm an advocate for grossly inaccurate artistic licences that try to pass themselves off as history. I am however in favour of artistic licence used to enhance a story and engage an audience. We are in a technological age - if I am to be a successful teacher than I must move with the times and as such, cinema will always have a place in my classroom, not only as a story teller, but also as a window into social history. For example, one only has to look at westerns from the 1950s and 1960s to discover how America perceived its national identity. (That's your homework - discover American's national identity through 1950s and 1960s westerns - I will accept it in comment form).
This is getting way long - if this were my acceptance speech, the music would have started playing long ago, and the girls in the beautiful gowns would be motioning to me to park my keester in the audience so that the show can go on.
Ok so now on to the point of this post, as well as this blog as a whole. I have set myself a challenge. Starting with this past year, I am going to watch every best picture nominee, rate it, review it, post about it, and then decide who I would christen Best Picture. The reason that sparked this is because I think it is an absolute farce that we now allow 10 movies to be nominated. The academy is trying to keep it's finger in everybody's pies instead of focussing on the BEST picture. We shouldn't feel the need to nominate an animated film just because someone thinks animated films should be included (FYI: I loved Toy Story 3 but you will read more about that later because it was one of TEN movies nominated). Yes I agree that the academy sometimes favours biopics over other more mainstream pictures, but I strongly believe that films should be considered based on their own merit and not to please everyone.
So that is my task, purely personal, an outlet for the thoughts constantly running through my brain, perhaps even an experiment in self preservation (because isn't that what blogging is all about?). I encourage you to comment on the films, to agree, disagree, sit on the fence - whatever you think, I want to hear it. Also, if you think a film has been left out, hard to do with TEN nominees - this is a real bone of contention for me - please share.
Would you believe I had writers' block before I started this entry? That's all from me for now, but watch this space as I watch the movies...
Laura
