Movies, movies everywhere…

   Ask anyone who knows me, and I am like so far behind in watching movies.  I enjoy them; it’s just been for years anything that wasn’t animated never made it to my DVD player or (gasp) VHS — that’s how far behind I am.

Anyway, I recently bought my redemption from my local library (translated: paid my fines) and started borrowing movies again.  Free — the best price!  I’ve decided to make an effort to “catch up” not only in the area of “good” movies, but also see movies that I “know” but never have watched.  So much of our cultural knowledge — symbol, phrases, etc. — come from the movies.  Even history … OK, I know it’s not always totally accurate, but who knew “Seven Years in Tibet” was a true story?  Not me …

Anyway, this morning, I actually watched “Easy Rider” in its entirety.  Wow.  On so many levels, this was a ground breaking movie … from the actors who now are all in their late sixties and early seventies (can you believe Dennis Hopper is 72!), to being the first movie to really reflect “current” cultural happenings, to the cinematography on a shoestring … anyway.  Plus, it was a great motorcycle, road trip, best friends living life kind of movie (in parts, OK?)  And, the song from the Byrds, “I’m not a follower…” classic.  Plus music from Hendrix, Dylan, etc.  Movie magic, I tell ya!

Jack Nicholson has the best line in the movie.  Hopper’s character, Billy, is talking about how people are afraid of “them” (long-haired hippies).  Nicholson’s character, George, says, “They’re not afraid of you.  They are afraid of what you represent.”  He goes on to talk about how people “talk” about freedom all the time.  But when they see someone actually living free, they get scared — and dangerous.  This whole scenario plays itself out later in the scene when George is beat to death by some backwoods, racist rednecks, full of fear and hatred.

Wow.  Even in 1969, people lived lives full of talk and void of action… it’s not a modern problem? (I say sarcastically as I sit in front of the television WATCHING movies …)

So anyway, here’s to my newest “educational endeavors.”  Pass the popcorn, and stay out of the way of the screen …

~ by lostgirlfound on February 7, 2008.