Loving Film With an Open Heart

I have a dilemma. I profess to love movies. Many interests in my life have come and gone with varying degrees of passion, but my love of film has never wavered. It crept into my heart at an early age and remains strong to this day. But I have this little problem....

Richard Haydn - one of my favorite cinematic snobs - am I like him?

When it comes to creativity and movies, I've always considered myself to be democratic. I figure that a lot of people went through a lot of trouble to create something, so, even if I don't like it, I should respect it. If there is one thing I never wanted to be, it's a "movie snob." Now, if you, dear reader, are one, please, please forgive me. I utterly respect your right to cinema snobbishness. Here I want to address what I consider to be my own insidious snobbishness. Somehow it has crept into my heart and I want to perform an exorcism now!

Movie Snobbishness - GET OUT!!!!!!!

Since I started blogging about classic film, I find myself going to the movies less and less. Instead, I am immersed in TCM and DVDs. Consequently, I am rather clueless about the current shows at the multiplex. Worse, I find myself turning my nose up at the latest offerings without having seen them. Unforgivable.

Now, I will probably never be someone who loves "The Hunger Games" or the "Twilight" series. But, millions do love them and isn't that what the movie-going experience is all about? As a movie-lover, shouldn't I be glad that so many are finding enjoyment and excitement and entertainment in the medium I love? 

This feeling of oncoming snobbishness really hit home last year, the year of "Midnight in Paris," "Hugo," and "The Artist." These three films lured me to the theater and I must admit I was so happy to see these wonderful films with an audience. I had forgotten what a pleasurable experience it is to share a laugh, a gasp and a sigh. Since so many people I knew had seen these films, I was thrilled to be able to discuss them. But they didn't get all the cinematic historical references in "Hugo" and "The Artist" and I found myself taking a smug and superior tone and acting a bit like this guy behind Woody Allen:

Okay, I wasn't quite that bad, but I realize that if I don't make some changes, I might be in danger of joining the ranks of the movie snobs.


So, like Charles Foster Kane, I think I need to set forth a "Declaration of Principles" (movie-snob-wise, that is):

1. Don't knock it before you've seen it.

2. Get off of your butt and go to the movies at least once a month. There are great artists out there that you are missing.

3. Just because it's popular doesn't mean it's bad.

4. Understand that even if you don't like it, someone else might and that the love of film keeps the medium alive.

5. It's all about the joy and the entertainment, so stop turning your nose up!

6. Interest in the current is a road to appreciation of the past (look at the interest in silent films sparked by "The Artist").
7. When someone is enthusiastic about a film, LISTEN to them; listen for the excitement and the pleasure in their voice, rather than trying to figure out if you are going to give it a thumbs up or down.
8. Not every movie has to be a classic.
9. Don't forget that movies are supposed to be fun, so have fun!

I'm determined to give it a try. This is not to say that I could ever abandon Chaplin, Keaton, Cary Grant, Cagney or Garbo, but I don't want to be entombed in the past. The great thing about the classics is that they will always be there. No matter how unsure life is, you can count on them. That will never change. And I am nothing if not loyal to my old, true friends.

The ecstasy of movies - now and forever.