From a very young age, I knew that the movies were special. When my parents would gather my sister and I up to take us to see the latest Disney movie, my excitement would soar. This event would take place just enough times for me to never take it for granted. It was a place I knew that magic occurred. My very first encounter with the theater was to see a film called Beauty and the Beast. You may know of it. I was terrified. But enchanted. To see pictures moving, colors swirling, all the while being surrounded by the sounds of it all is a magnificent amount for a child's senses to take in. I was actually watching my storybooks come to life. Pictures. In motion. Every time my parents granted us this gift, I found myself enamored with it all. The Cave of Wonders had a profound effect on me. For weeks, I believed the ground would rumble at any moment due to my disturbing it's slumber. Or that lions could talk and sing.
As I grew older, I became caught up in other pursuits and discoveries. For one thing, I noticed how cute boys could be. Dance class and friends became my focus. With the releases of She's All That and I Know What you Did Last Summer, films became simply social events. It was not until around the age of 13 that a man named Cary Grant would reintroduce to me what I had once held so dear. Until then, I had hated black & white movies. I thought anything before I was born to be boring and irrelevant. But one night, I came across a film called "My Favorite Wife" starring Cary Grant and Irene Dunne. I'll never forget it. The chemistry and plot was some of the best I had ever seen up to that point. Old movies really could be that good?! Due to my growing crush and admiration for his work, I began to watch any Cary Grant film I could get my hands on. It was through this, my passion for film truly developed. I began to watch classic after classic. My knowledge of the subject increased. I began to study it as if it were a school subject. In 8th grade, my father bought be an AFI Desktop reference and my life was changed. That may sound silly, but when you love an art form this much, THAT'S A HUGE DEAL.
The Godfather. All the President's Men. Breakfast at Tiffany's.Throughout high school I explored film after film, until they began to truly connect with where I was.You remember what was going in your life when you watched a certain movie. I can tell you all about the year I watched Ordinary People. Film has the power to do that. To transport you to a place you never thought you would be. To places you've always wanted to explore. They can make you love the characters and despise another. They can make you cry your eyes out or jump for joy. Film is truly a gift, in my opinion. It brings people together. It causes controversy. It inspires. It can make us painfully aware of what is at stake in our reality. It can change our lives.
You may be wondering why I've titled this blog "Barefoot at the Cinema." No, I certainly do not recommend going barefoot at the actual cinema. Popcorn, peanut shells and Lord knows what else will get stuck between your toes, I promise you. Just don't. My reasons are simple. When I am barefoot, I feel free. Shoes are restricting. I adore walking anywhere barefoot, especially in the grass. It's strange, but I feel a little more connected to myself when I do it. Like I could run off any minute to frolic in a field wildflowers. Or stick my toes in the sand at a beach while the ocean runs over my feet. You know the feeling. Peace. Relaxation. Wonder. Well, I also get the same feelings when I am at the cinema (or movie theater, whatever you want to call it.) There is something about the movies that bring me a feeling of freedom. A connection to myself. My imagination taps into what I am about to view and I am carried away in an adventure. I am enchanted by the magic of the movies. My hope is that maybe this blog will help you to be enchanted too. My plan is to call it like I saw it. You don't have to agree. But I hope it helps to spark conversation or at least help you decide what you want to see this weekend. But let's be serious, I can't write about every new movie out there. It's too dang expensive. Unless you want to pay me... :)
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