Movies

Moviegoers – like movies – are varied. Some folks are avid moviegoers and want to be first seeing the newest flicks; many others rarely take in a movie.
My dad was in the latter category. For one thing, he thought spending money on movies was somewhat wasteful. His other reason was that he didn’t want to hear bad words or off-color language. Of course, to him, pregnant was a word that shouldn’t be spoken in mixed company or at the dinner table, so, as you might imagine, there weren’t many movies that would have suited him.
I want to feel emotions at movies. Preferences are the tear-jerkers, heart-warmers and also the slapstick comedies that make me laugh ‘til I cry.
Let someone else have the shows of fright and horror. I don’t want to be scared stiff at movies; there’s enough of that just driving out on I-26. Science fiction isn’t high on my list either.
For the tear-jerkers, “Rudy” and “Brian’s Song” are among the best. Sure, those are old ones but they are two worth seeing over and over. “Karate Kid” and “E.T.” were among those I would call heart-warmers.
For slapstick and laughter, some of the best are “Naked Gun” and its successors; “There’s Something About Mary”; and “The Full Monty.”
Occasionally a movie comes along that is a comedy with a serious message, like “The Bucket List,” a more recent release than those already mentioned. The Dawg and I went to see that one and we agreed that it brought laughter and tears. Jack Nicholson had one of the funniest lines ever in that show.
Two that don’t fit into particular categories but are all-time favorites are “The Sound of Music” and “The Passion of the Christ.” Those are in categories by themselves. And who didn’t like “Mary Poppins” - just a joyous “feel good” film.
And then there was the Robert Redford movie “The Candidate.” To me, this is a film truly memorable for its final few minutes. Throughout the movie, Redford portrays a man running for high office - shaking hands, discussing issues, answering questions, doing everything candidates do to win elections. We all are familiar with such a character. He throws himself into the campaign. Then, at the end, he wins, and as his supporters celebrate in the hotel, he sits alone on the bed in his room, seemingly perplexed, and asks to no one in particular: “What do I do now?”
Now that’s a phrase that has been uttered by more than one newly-elected official. I guarantee it.

Sherry Shealy Martschink