Like the pirates of the Caribbean, the curse of the cinephile is that they have a longing that can never be quenched. No matter how many great pieces of cinema one consumes, there will always be hundreds of other ‘classics’ that are just waiting to be sought out and enjoyed. The world of film is an embarrassment of riches for those that choose to embrace it, and if you are currently reading this then you most likely fall into that category.
Unfortunately for every passionate conversation we cinephiles engage in, there is the moment when we sheepishly admit (or worse lie) about having seen a famous film. This survey at /Film shows the murderer’s row of movies people lie about watching, expectedly The Godfather and other seminal make an appearance. This survey clearly shows that we are all human, which means that 1.) there are only so many hours in the day, so one has to pick what they watch which inevitably leads to many other films falling through the cracks and 2.) at some point or another everyone will have to come to grips with the gaps in their filmic knowledge. We can either lie about our cinematic pasts and continue to perpetuate our shame, or we can carve out the time to rectify our past mistakes.
That is the ultimate goal of this column, repenting for my past cinema sins and finally filling in some glaring gaps in my viewing history. I also hope to encourage fellow enthusiasts to stand up and embrace the fact that they haven’t seen everything there is to be seen, and there is no shame in that. I hope it’s evident by the tone that this column will be looser than a traditional review. My hope is to foster a more personal arena for discussion with this feature. After the first column I will be looking to my twitter feed for suggestions on what film to watch next. I also hope to engage fellow critics in conversation about films they have seen numerous time, perhaps my fresh eyes will provoke some interesting discourse.
In order to truly foster a transparent tone, allow me to get incredibly personal for a moment. Movies are my passion; this is a fact that is readily evident by my proclivity to devote so much time to writing about them. While my mother played a large role in my love of film, my father was my cinematic comrade. He was an endlessly hilarious, warm and brilliant human being. He showed me Animal House and Caddyshack when I was far too young, and showed me how to open myself up to all cinematic possibilities.
I lost him 2009 when I was sixteen to colon cancer. Together with my mother we watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding as he withered away in his hospital room. Not wanting that to be his final film, I chose a personal favorite of ours, Young Frankenstein to be the second and final film of the night. As we sat in that room holding hands, cinema showed its incredible power. It didn’t matter that I desperately clung to the frail skin and bone that constituted my father’s hand and that he could die at any hour because Young Frankenstein had all of us laughing through our endless stream of tears.
At my family’s darkest hour movies were there for me. One of my greatest regrets is that there are so many films I never got to experience with my father. My hope is that this column will not only amend the numerous titles I have overlooked in the past, but also help cultivate the utter love of cinema that my father imparted in me. So come and join me this summer by conquering your fears, admitting that there are some films you haven’t seen, and watching some great cinema.
One thought on “An Introduction Into the Summer of Nick”
This is a really fun feature. My one request would be that you give the title of the next film in each column, that way we can play along with you.
Also, a very touching story about your dad. He clearly meant the world to you. I hope watching YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN with him is something you never forget.