Top Five reasons you've matured (or become a movie snob)

The top Five reasons you know you have matured in your movie tastes:

5. CGI isn't all that its cracked up to be.

Terminator 2 blew me away. The way that liquid metal flowed and moved on screen was amazing and incredible to watch. It appeared seamless. Over the last 17 -18 years, there remains a careful balance between just right and too much. Take "I am Legend" for instance. They ruined this movie with CGI. The "dark seekers" resembled knock-offs from the Brendan Frasier mummy franchise. Take me back to "28 Days Later" or even "Fright Night" (honest, there were places that I covered my eyes in that movie) I'd much rather watch the Last Man on Earth that revisit this debacle.

4. Black and White isn't archaic

You know, photographers sometimes love black and white more so than color. The reason? Compositon and Clarity. I used to think these were meant for the midnite movie marathon where nobody saw them. Then I watched "Young Frankenstein" years ago. I know, this was a parody and was made in the 70's, but it gave me my first experience where I forgot about color and just enjoyed the story and ACTING. The black and white sometimes pulls out character reactions than thier colorful counterparts. This lead to other experiences such as Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, The Apartment and more to come

3. Not all movies must have happy endings

Hey, not every movie gets the main character back to Kansas. Hollywood liked to make you think so, but truth hurts (box office draws) Go beyond the in-the-box thinking and enjoy movies like Spartacus, Braveheart, Gladiator, even Blade Runner (the latest director release) and you find more to contemplate then those neat and tidy cookie cutter endings. Take a step back and give thought to the greater good beyond a character's death or a "murky, you decide the ending"" to a film..

2. Less is more

It took me a while to grow and understand this concept. This really is the crux of my blog. In my early movie days, if it didn't show it, it didn't matter. Action, Gore, Visual Stimuli..... I then saw a movie that gave me perspective. I watched Psycho when I was around 15. I was never more scared then when they finally show Norman's mother. (of course the shower scene is iconic in its own right). Waiting that long just built the tension. This lead to other curiosities of Hitchcock, I suggest you do the same

1. Lowering expectations can be a good thing (for the movies)

I recently went to see National Treasure 2. Yes, I know some of you will chastise me for this, BUT, I enjoyed it for what it was. A unrealistic but fun treasure hunt! That's all it is.... Nothing more, nothing less. I knew this walking in the theatre and you know what? I loved it all the more. I didn't expect top notch acting (although Voight is always great) and breakthrough screenplay (definite holes in this plot), but it did give me that Saturday afternoon popcorn fun that I sometimes want.