Happy Halloween, Movie Lovers!

I don't go out to the movies very often anymore mostly due to time constraints. But there was a point in my life where I was going to the cinema almost every week.

At one point, I dated a lady who was also a movie fan. In addition to being quite well-read, she had lived in Los Angeles for a while. It's hard to live in L.A. and not pick up some affinity for the movie industry.

We saw lots of films together, and most of the time, we both liked them. Our tastes were reasonably similar. She didn't share my excitement for escapist, high-testosterone action films, but she would go along and be a good sport, and we'd usually have a nice time.

My friend had a passion for quirky artistic films. She was always trying to get people to watch these offbeat productions even though they're the kind of film that most people wouldn't like. 

Inevitably, she wanted me to watch her favorites. From time to time, we would rent one - this was in the era when you would go to a brick and mortar store and rent films on VHS. Unfortunately, these evenings didn't always work out well. 

If after watching one of her favorite films movies I didn't share her enthusiasm, she would get upset with me. Not "get out, I never want to see you again" upset, but upset enough not to be able to contain her disappointment.

At the time, I found this reaction to be rather perplexing. So what if we didn't like all of the same movies? We enjoyed watching lots of films together. Wasn't that enough? Everyone has their own unique tastes and preferences. I don't expect my friends to like everything that I like, and vice versa. Most of my friends don't listen to Classical music; that doesn't mean that I think less of our friendship.

I could have fibbed and pretended that I liked the movies. I just couldn't bring myself to be disingenuous. What's the point of perpetuating a lie? Luckily, these clashes didn't happen often.

I do remember a couple of times where the reverse occurred. I loved the movie, but she hated it. This didn't upset me, of course. It was kind of fun to argue about it over dinner.

One chilly Friday evening, we rented "Romeo Is Bleeding," starring the ultra sexy Lena Olin and one of my favorite actors of all time, Gary Oldman. I wouldn't blame anyone for disliking this film. It is admittedly bizarre. It has its fair share of brutal violence. It goes to very dark places emotionally, situations that can shock you into looking at your own life differently. I have met only a handful of people over the years who appreciate this film, but they feel strongly about it as I do. 

As the credits rolled on "Romeo," my friend asked me what I thought. "That is like the best film that I have ever seen!" I gasped. She looked at me in shock. "You're kidding!"

The other time we disagreed to a similar degree was when we went to see "The Crow," directed by Alex Proyas and staring the late Brandon Lee. I found this film so amazing, I had to watch it three times. My friend hated it, of course. HATED it! Yes, that led to an interesting conversation over dinner.

So, why after all these years am I thinking about these movies again? Partly, because I still hold them in high regard. But mostly because "The Crow" takes place on Devil's Night! Woo hoo!

So, have a Happy Halloween! And make it a point to get out and see some movies this holiday season. There's nothing quite like the magic of the silver screen.

Copyright © 2016 Daniel R. South 

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