The Power of Film

I know it's been quite a time since I've written a true opinion piece, and while this isn't necessarily that style of an article where I talk about one topic, I want to take time to talk to you all about the power of filmmaking and it's impact on the world. Since I've gotten into this endeavor of being a critic of movies and television I've had friends and family ask me what exactly makes me enjoy them as much as I do to be able to watch it for hours and days on end. Until recently, I didn't truly have an explanation as to what makes these areas so impactful and enjoyable to me, but now I think I finally have a way to explain this to the world. Today, I'm going to take time to just talk about why film has become such an important influence in my life and the lives of so many people.

It's no secret that the world young people have been born into is a depressing and terrifying place. We face talk of government corruption and war across the world. Children are growing up facing more and more risks than we've ever seen in the world. For myself, growing up in the early 2000s, I found myself living in a post 9/11 world where everything the United States knew was changing. For many people, they have emotions bottled up inside and felt like they were living a life that was only more and more disappointing as they trudged through the days. Throughout all the terrible things that happen throughout our lives and the darker world surrounding us, we find these ways to escape and become a part of something else. Film and television have been a mean for me to slip away from the stress and terror of the world I know. Now I'm sure some people don't believe that film can truly be a coping mechanism in the world for people, but I point to the vast variety of films that are out there in the world. When a film like Love, Simon is released into the world, it's a beacon of hope for people to find themselves in and a means to realize that there are acceptance and happiness out there for them. They're allowed to escape and become a part of a better world, even if it's just for a time.

Outside of being an escape from reality, film has a power and capability to recognize the best of who we can be as people and what we can strive to become. Whether it be through fictional films about becoming a better person or battling the odds, or films like the upcoming documentary of Mister Rogers: Won't You Be My Neighbor; film has the power to show what we can become. Film isn't all action movies and superhero stories, and while those are most definitely great on their own; there are true human stories that reach into the hearts and minds of us as people. Sometimes when we are living our daily lives and experiencing greatness, we often let it go by without recognizing how truly important these people and moments of greatness and kindness are.

Returning to the idea of escape like I stated previously, I think film's most amazing capability is to allow the mind of the viewer to stretch their imagination and feel free of the constraints of our reality. Allow yourself to take a moment to think back when you were a child. I'm sure you had characters and stories you loved that you wished could come together in unexpected and joyous ways. Now I point to none other than the recently released Ready Player One. This is a film that created a world of possibilities and the capability to be anything we want to be. This is a truth for film all encompassing. We can believe that we are a part of these new worlds and take time to just be. Some of my greatest moments in my life have come in a theater, experience the magic of the silver screen.

I'm sure there are those out there that are reading this saying, "It's really not that deep John," and to those I say, I understand. Not everything in the world is going to feel the same way to everyone else. But, for a large majority of people, film has become an outlet and a means to see a better world. Whether it be through touching the human spirit, providing an escape from a terrifying reality, or showing what we can become; film has become an important part of the lives of so many people. I know it sure has changed mine for the better. Thank you all for reading, and we'll return to our normally planned schedule tomorrow! Keep watching my fellow theater friends!