When my love of movies was relatively fresh, I used to watch a lot more films than I do now. I’m sure that in addition to simply wanting to be entertained, another reason I’ve seen as many films as I have over the years includes a general curiosity and desire to learn about those who live the kind of lives my growing mind could only imagine.

In all the years of being an avid consumer of great films and TV shows (the ones that called to me – because there’s certainly plenty I’m yet to see), I eventually got to a place where I realised that I’d exposed myself to a plethora of stories about the many aspects of the human experience that I’d been curious about, including many that I had no idea I’d want to know. I did this by being open to seeing easy-to-watch films/programmes that did little more than distract/entertain me and others that had me, laughing, crying and thinking deeply.

At this point, I can honestly say that the stories in all the films and TV shows I’ve seen have helped get me to where I am today, and in ways I could not have foreseen. They’ve contributed to making me the thoughtful, understanding and empathetic person that twelve-year-old me somehow knew I wanted to be. Because at that age, I remember deciding that one of my goals in life would be to try and understand people.

Of course, psychology, meaningful conversation and a commitment to empathy are some of the key ways to get to understanding others. Nevertheless, Little did I know that years later, I would feel as though I understand many aspects of the human condition, thanks in no small part to all the rich stories I’ve seen in the films and TV shows I’ve had the privilege of being exposed to.

I’m not writing this because I’m going to stop watching movies or writing about them. But because these days, even though I remain eternally curious about the human, that curiosity is now predominantly seen in my interactions with people I encounter in real life. And not because I believe that film has taught me all that it has to teach, but rather that at least in this new-ish phase, films/stories that are fun, lighthearted and entertaining are far more appealing than those where the protagonists suffer in hard-to-watch ways.

In case anyone had been wondering why I haven’t yet reviewed/watched Killers of the Flower Moon (2023), Origin (2023), The Zone of Interest (2023) or any other seemingly emotionally taxing films, this is why. I may eventually get to these movies but until then, their trailers are enough. And thank goodness for The Fall Guy, (2024) Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), Beverley Hills Cop – Axel F (2024), and so on.

How have your movie-watching habits evolved over the years? Are there genres you used to love but now can’t get into?

I may change the title of this post later, but for now, I can think of nothing else.

Happy Film Loving,

G