Freshman likes film, Samuel L. Jackson

By Kylie Wakefield
Collegian Reporter
September 20, 2006

I’m sitting on my couch, eating my macaroni and cheese dinner, crammed between my sisters and mother, closely examining the television set. I have my favorite piece of clothing on: my slightly-stained, cartoon character T-shirt. I am six years old. Samuel L. Jackson has just finished with his whole “Ezekiel 25:17” speech, and I’m confused out of my mind.

What is this man with the shiny afro even saying? I don’t get it. Suddenly, he and John Travolta lift their guns and shoot “Brad.” I’m thoroughly amazed. How I came to love and obsess over films isn’t surprising, considering my early experience with masterpieces like Pulp Fiction; it’s like I inherited some film-loving gene. My parents thought it was OK I watched R-rated movies like this when I was younger, so that must have been a pre-cursor to my obsession. However, I worried about films like this possibly corrupting me, so I abided by the MPAA rules and only watched Disney movies. But I soon discovered I was different. I needed to stop worrying and let the art take over.

Along with Tarantino’s classic, I was exposed to other disturbingly wonderful films at a young age: seeing David Lynch’s Blue Velvet when I was 12 (I still don’t fully understand it), It at four (I attributed my fear of clowns to this) and The Shining somewhere in between (it’s still the scariest movie of all time).

I grew to appreciate cinema for everything it can accomplish: it has the power to change lives. A moving documentary may challenge your values and even your entire outlook – just look at what Bowling for Columbine did for America. Comedy can cheer you up when you’re feeling down and provide you some one-liners to try on your friends. Who hasn’t used “Whatever I feel like doing, gosh!” or “We’re going streaking!” at least once? Drama can put things into perspective, if the performances are done just right. Stanley Kurbrik’s Dr. Strangelove, for example, changed the way people viewed the Cold War and the use of the atom bomb.

Films not only shake up the way you live, but they are enjoyable to watch. I know there are perfect scenes that cause chills to run up and down my spine, every time I watch them. When the piano part of Derek and the Dominos’ “Layla” plays as the bodies of the dead gangsters are revealed in Goodfellas; in Fight Club when Edward Norton and Helena Bonham Carter stand in front of their ruined city, holding hands, as the Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind” echoes in the background; or when Clementine says goodbye to Joel for the last time in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, time stands still. These scenes haunt me because they are so incredibly good. Like Kevin Spacey articulates in American Beauty, “Sometimes I feel like I’m seeing it all at once, and it’s too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that’s about to burst.” Even though he’s referring to life, a life in films is close enough.

I can’t comprehend how some members of our society can’t sit through a movie or think they are a waste of time. It’s quite understandable if one is talking about a Fast and the Furious-type film, per se, but to hate the entire art is a terrible tragedy.

So much time and effort goes into pleasing the viewer and perfecting every small detail in the film. These writers, directors, actors and crew members make movies that try to influence the lives of the viewer. So go watch a film. Even if the movie, well, stinks to high heavens, at least you had the chance to experience life through the eyes of someone else. It’s quite a journey – stop worrying, stop thinking and just watch. Learn to love the cinema, as I certainly did.

wakefieldk1@lasalle.edu