FRIEND
What do you mean you don't like movies?
ME
Don't really like 'em. They're... not really... my thing.
FRIEND
You can't dislike all movies.
ME
I've liked some movies before, but generally I don't want to watch a movie.
FRIEND
But you like TV? TV is the same as movies but not as good.
ME
That's not really accurate... Let's just forget about it.
FRIEND
No. You have to explain this to me.
ME
It's just not really a form of storytelling that appeals to me.
FRIEND
I mean, some movies are bad, but you can't tell me you didn't like Gone With the Wind/The Godfather/Shawshank Redemption/Lord of the Rings/The Dark Knight/Inception!!
ME
I didn't see those movies...
FRIEND
You DIDN'T SEE the best movie of the year/our generation/all time?!
ME
No... because I don't like movies?
FRIEND(?)
How can you say you don't like movies when you haven't seen Citizen Kane/Aliens/Schindler's List/Iron Man/Avatar?!!
ME
Don't really like 'em. They're... not really... my thing.
FRIEND
You can't dislike all movies.
ME
I've liked some movies before, but generally I don't want to watch a movie.
FRIEND
But you like TV? TV is the same as movies but not as good.
ME
That's not really accurate... Let's just forget about it.
FRIEND
No. You have to explain this to me.
ME
It's just not really a form of storytelling that appeals to me.
FRIEND
I mean, some movies are bad, but you can't tell me you didn't like Gone With the Wind/The Godfather/Shawshank Redemption/Lord of the Rings/The Dark Knight/Inception!!
ME
I didn't see those movies...
FRIEND
You DIDN'T SEE the best movie of the year/our generation/all time?!
ME
No... because I don't like movies?
FRIEND(?)
How can you say you don't like movies when you haven't seen Citizen Kane/Aliens/Schindler's List/Iron Man/Avatar?!!
Then they all look at me with the same expression - a mix of contempt and pity. Disappointment. "I thought I knew you," their eyes say.
Someone actually once said, "This makes me lose respect for you."
Look, here's what it is. I prefer a form of storytelling that can explore greater depths of character. Features don't have the time for it. But besides my personal preference in the types of stories I want to see, think about this:
Most movies are trash - just like most of what's on television is trash and most books are trash. The thing about movies is that it is way more difficult to sift through the rubbish to find the good. It's harder to walk out of a movie than it is to change the channel or put down a book. It just is. What books and television offer me is a much greater potential for hours of enjoyment. A TV series or a novel or a feature film is equally likely to be terrible, but if you find a good television show you've found 13, 22, maybe even 100 hours of fun.
Even the best movie can only promise you 2-3 hours' amusement.
Sorry, Eddie.
Someone actually once said, "This makes me lose respect for you."
Look, here's what it is. I prefer a form of storytelling that can explore greater depths of character. Features don't have the time for it. But besides my personal preference in the types of stories I want to see, think about this:
Most movies are trash - just like most of what's on television is trash and most books are trash. The thing about movies is that it is way more difficult to sift through the rubbish to find the good. It's harder to walk out of a movie than it is to change the channel or put down a book. It just is. What books and television offer me is a much greater potential for hours of enjoyment. A TV series or a novel or a feature film is equally likely to be terrible, but if you find a good television show you've found 13, 22, maybe even 100 hours of fun.
Even the best movie can only promise you 2-3 hours' amusement.
Sorry, Eddie.
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