As I sit in bed surrounded by a fresh bouquet of roses, piles of squishy pillows, and a glass of wine, I reflect on the reasons I love classic films. Do not get me wrong, I still enjoy watching new movies and have found many that I love to watch over and over. However, in my opinion, the timelessness and beauty of classic films will always overshadow today's films. Here are three of my reasons why:
1) Talent.
- Before the age of computer animation and CGI effects, film directors only had camera shots and lighting with which to make their point. Every interpretation, projection, and effect rested on the actors' portrayal and the director's staging and editing.
2) Simplicity.
- When you think about the plot lines of classic films, they are really very simple. What is My Fair Lady really about? A poor girl wanting to be a lady. Gone With the Wind? A woman not seeing what is right in front of her. Singin' in the Rain? A man going back to his real talent. These are basic ideas portrayed beautifully.
3) Imagination.
- Alfred Hitchcock once said, "There is nothing so frightening as an unopened door." The classic film era appreciated viewers' imagination and allowed them to use it. So many movies today steal the viewers' need to use their minds and imaginations because everything, and I do mean everything, is laid out in front of them.
I love classic films for more reasons than I could possibly explain. As I said, I do appreciate the works of today, but when compared to classic works, they simply cannot hold a candle. Call me what you will, but I will gladly turn on a black and white movie full of pops and static any day.
So grab some popcorn and a bag of m&ms and find some old black and white movie and enjoy a work of art from a finer generation of film.
Fondly,
J.H.
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