Why I Love Movies

I love movies. I especially love being able to watch movies in my own home. Going to the movies is fun too, but theres always someone who talks at the wrong moment, or a kid who starts crying, or someone has to send a text or an email and that telltale blue glare from their phone draws your attention from the big screen. Watching movies at home eliminates those distractions. You can turn the ringer on your phone to mute, prepare your favorite snack and beverage and sit back and let yourself be transported to another time and another place.

Im not the most physically active guy on the planet. I sit behind a desk for work, and often work 60 or more hours a week. I love to watch action movies where I can imagine Im the hero, doing things I might never do in real life. The latest James Bond flick or superhero movie lets me experience these adventures vicariously. There are even some movies that have such great effects you almost feel like youre actually having the adventure.

While Im a huge action movie fan, my wife really likes the sci fi / fantasy genre. When its her turn to pick the movie, thats often the genre shell select. Shes a big fan of the Star Wars and Star Trek movies, even though she can admit that they are possibly not the best movies ever made. She also enjoys watching her favorite Sci Fi television shows on DVD. Currently, she is anxiously awaiting the Battlestar Galactica television series on DVD. And even though Im not a sci-fi fan, I know it could be worse, she could be into chick flicks!

Lately I seem to have a thing for mafia movies. Weve watched the Godfather series and Casino and Goodfellas so many times even my wife can quote lines. If I say something from one of the movies shes gotten good enough to be able to tell me which movie the quote comes from. And were even getting to the point where weve both got a passable Brooklyn accent.

For my birthday last year, we saved up and bought me a 52 flat screen television and surround sound system. Once we installed all of that, we became the house where all our friends want to watch movies. Thats our typical Friday night, someone provides a movie, we order pizza and beer and settle in to our weekend, all in the comfort of my home.

There are so many fantastic movies to choose from that well never run out of things to watch. And its not just movies. We also really enjoy watching TV series on DVD. The best part about that is not having to wait for your show to resume after hiatus. And lately it seems like the TV executives think a season is comprised of six episodes. Its really annoying. Just after youve fallen into a routine, your show either goes off the air for a few weeks or goes into reruns. Watching the entire series on DVD means having to wait until the series is over, but you get to immerse yourself in the story. We tried watching 24 in 24 hours, but couldnt — it took us more like 72. But we didnt forget what Jack said or did in that time, and it was a much more impactful way to watch that series.

Then there are the classics. I could watch The Shawshank Redemption at least once a month, and Im not the only one. Its the top rated movie of all time according to the Internet Movie Database. Sure there are other forms of entertainment worth pursuing. Its great to get outside. But for me, nothing beats setting up the DVD player with a movie Im looking forward to watching, grabbing a snack and a beverage and my wife, and sitting on the couch, being transported to a different place and time for 2 or 3 hours. I love the movies.