By Yensy lopez
To me, one of the best things in life is winding down and watching a movie. You can shut off the world completely for a couple of hours and be taken into a world in which you are an adventurer. Cinema can be a beautiful escape from a chaotic world. As technology began advancing, I think we lost the magic of going out to watch a movie in an actual movie theatre. The smell of popcorn, candy, movie posters, the excitement of walking out of a movie theatre, exploring new ideas and deciphering what you just watched. I think some of that magic has been lost, as we can access movies from anywhere now. There is no need to even leave the comfort of your home. But isn’t that the whole point? Movie theatres are something that communities and individuals should keep alive. The beauty is going to a community space, getting to be around people, not necessarily needing to talk to them, but just existing.
As society changes, we have lost sight of the simple things and have lost some etiquette as well. Watching a movie on a big screen used to be something more special before phones, computers, etc., but now people don’t appreciate it as much as they should. Movie theatre etiquette has been lost. People go on their phones during the film and talk to each other in a disruptive manner. These are basic rules of cinema, but they are being lost. It is kind of absurd to go watch a film on the big screen and be distracted by something else, and it is especially disrespectful to the people around you.
So why else is cinema important? As I stated before, films can introduce you to new worlds, people, experiences, life lessons, an escape, and much more. A film has the power to tell stories, history, and create social change. They have the power to instill empathy and are a universal language, as films get adapted into different languages for all to see and are a way to share cultures around the world. Not all films need to have a message or a moral lesson. Many movies are simply for entertainment, or a laugh, cry, or thrill. But every person experiences a movie differently. There are millions of different messages one can convey, which is what makes it special. The message you receive from a film may be completely different than what another person understood. It is up to the audience to decide what they take away from the film, and whether they will gain anything meaningful or just fun from it. Not everything needs to have a message. Some things are simply meant to be enjoyed.
Lastly, going to the movies is something you can enjoy by yourself. Going out and doing an activity by yourself can be an overwhelming experience because you may be worried about what people may think, or you’re just an overthinker. But what I have learned as I’ve begun to be more comfortable doing things by myself is that no one really cares. You must get out of that mindset and do whatever makes you enjoy life. You don’t need company all the time. In life, the only person who will truly be with you always is yourself, so why not enjoy your own company? Go out and do things that bring joy to your life and never wait for people to have time to do the things you want.
Go do it, go live, and enjoy.
