Movies

For most of my adult life, I have been teased about my movie-going habits. I've always loved going to the movies. There's just nothing better than seeing something on a huge screen, with speakers set at the optimal level and surrounded by people who have to (are supposed to) shut up for two hours. I love seeing something on the opening weekend and cheering or laughing out loud with the rest of the audience. I love mindlessly munching on popcorn and/or candy while lost in another world. I love sitting in the theater before the show starts and chatting with my friends. I love seeing a movie more than once, picking up lines and images that I missed the first time (or the first four times).

I consider going to the movies as one of my hobbies.

Now, as far as hobbies go, I don't see much of a problem with this one. It's cheaper than skiing. It's more outgoing than reading. It's more relaxing than hiking. Not that it's my only hobby. I love reading and I love hiking, and I have more hobbies as well. (Though skiing isn't one of them. Mostly because I hate winter and spending money to play in snow isn't going to make me happy. I'd much rather spend the day watching someone else's problems, and knowing that they will be resolved before the show is over. Two hours of buildup to a happy ending. Just what my brain needs.)

As for the types of movies I like, I'm pretty flexible. Romantic comedies, drama, action, sci-fi. I love scary-intense movies, but I'm not into horror. I also don't care for the artsy, preachy, that's-the-way-real-life-goes movies. Blech. I watch movies to escape life, not to be reminded about how horrible it can be.

My passion for going to the theater has made such an impression on certain people of my acquaintance that I couldn't convince them that I wasn't going as much as I used to. Last year, I don't think I saw anything between Harry Potter and New Moon. (That's July to November, for those that don't follow these things.) Did that lessen the sarcastic remarks from my brothers? Of course not. They didn't believe me.

So, I've decided to give up convincing them that I don't go to movies much anymore and just start going again. New Moon came out in November, which I saw several times. Since then, I've seen Sherlock Holmes (more than once), When in Rome, Leap Year (more than once) and Avatar.

Ahhhh... It's nice to be back.