I’m all in favor of direct participation.
But I still do enjoy an occasional movie. I have zero aptitude for the performing arts myself. Yes, I could read a book, but there’s something to be said for “show, don’t tell” and letting visual imagery, sound and the other arts and crafts involved in movies work their magic. Nonverbal communication is powerful, or can be when it’s well done.
But I’d rather see a movie in a theater, which facilitates full immersion, than be a couch potato viewer surrounded by continuous distractions. Many of the best movies are those that rely on careful world building and character development, and those require a slow build. The necessary attention span is hard to sustain at home.
The streamers are now telling their writers to pick up the pace, dumb down the dialogue and plot, and plan climatic moments within the first few minutes and then at regular intervals. All this is because they are now making movies for multitasking home viewers who aren’t paying attention. It’s a qualitative downward spiral. Good, traditional movies are still made today, but the structural bias of streaming platforms is stacked against them to the point that the good films can be hard to find, simply because the streamers don’t promote them.
That’s why older movies are so much better than so much of what is produced today. (Of course, we also bias that comparison by going to the GOAT lists for older movies.) Theatrical exhibition imposes different parameters and expands options because the audience is committed for the duration.
And by the way, in the six or seven years since I had my Road to Damascus moment, realized that I had a huge blind spot, and reengaged with movies, I have not once seen any disruptive behavior in a theater — not even people on their phones. That’s because I don’t go to the idiot bait movies.
I’m not a snob. Viewing preferences vary. Our tastes change, and I don’t watch what I watched 40 years ago. And I’m glad the flying spandex movies still draw in hordes of young people, because they keep the theaters alive. I’m content to be down at the other end of the hallway with the other adults, everyone zeroed in on a movie we are highly self-selected to see.
* Twelve O’Clock High. Gregory Peck
* Ben Hur. Charlton Heston, Steven Boyd
* Bridges of Toko Ri. William Holden
* Midway. Glen Ford, Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda
* John Wayne (any)
* Last Train from Gun Hill. Kirk Douglas, Anthony Quinn
* The Robe. Richard Burton
* Elmer Gantry. Burt Lancaster
* Star Trek. The original series. DVD
* Goodbye Mr. Chips. Greer Garson, Robert Donat
* Splendor in the Grass. (1961. Elia Kazan) Natalie Wood, Warren Beatty
* Jim Thorpe All American. Burt Lancaster
* Patton. George C. Scott, Karl Malden
* Picnic. William Holden, Kim Novak
* Strategic Air Command. Jimmy Stewart
* All Quiet on the Western Front. (1930)
* The Time Machine. Original. Rod Taylor
* King of Kings. (Original)
* Beckett. Richard Burton
* My Fair Lady. Audrey Hepburn
For starters. Pop em in and stay home for comfort.