Movie Buff
Insider Info
Movie buffs are people who know every line of Back to the Future. They
know who did the cinematography for the Wizard of Oz. They know who played
who in what version and spend hours talking about the Rocky series.
Most self-identified movie buffs have a different idea of what elements
earn them this title. Some say real movie buffs are the people who watch only
the classic, critically acclaimed movies. Others believe it's a matter of
quantity: they argue real movie buffs watch several movies a week.
However, most people who call themselves movie buffs say it's not what
you watch, or how many you watch, it's how you watch the movie.
"In other words, movie buffs watch movies with a critical eye. They're
not necessarily negative about what they are seeing, but they analyze the
movies they watch," says movie buff Roger Davidson.
According to Jennie Koolen, a film studies student in New Zealand, analyzing
a movie may involve thinking about any of the following things:
- Did you like the movie? Was it entertaining? What did you like or dislike
about it?
- Were the characters believable? Did you identify with them? Was the acting
well done?
- Was the plot well focused? Could you follow the story?
- Did the movie have a message? Did it make you think about the world or
people in a different way?
- Was the movie like any other movie you've seen before?
- Was the cinematography -- the use of the cameras, lighting, scenery --
effective? Did it add to the story?
Movie fan Darren Companion says a real movie buff is someone who has analyzed
enough movies to recognize contrasts and similarities among different directors'
work.
"I think a serious movie fan is able to compare elements from different
movies and see where one director has learned from another, has been influenced
by another's style," he says.
Most movie buffs also have a favorite genre of movie. In other words, they
might prefer comedy, drama, action adventure, science fiction or horror films.
Diehard movie buffs say this is a good activity for people who enjoy creativity
and a bit of escape.
Movie watching is a recreation open to almost everyone. Most movie theatres
are wheelchair accessible and more and more movies are close captioned for
people who are hearing impaired.
For a dedicated theater movie buff, this recreation can be expensive. The
cost of a movie theater ticket range can be high -- and that's before popcorn!
However, some smaller theatres show slightly older movies or old classic movies
on the big screen for discount prices.
If you don't mind watching movies on the little screen, many movies buffs
watch movies online or through services like Netflix. Although the picture
may not be as spectacular as the big screen, you and all your friends can
probably watch two movies and buy some popcorn for the cost of one regular
movie theater ticket.
There are a number of options for movie buffs who want to make their hobby
a full-time career. Working as a movie critic may be a natural extension of
interest for a movie buff. Movie critics watch movies and are paid to provide
explanations and critiques of them, either on radio, television, or in a newspaper
or magazine article.
Acting might be the perfect calling for the extroverted movie buff. Watching
talented performers at work is good training for actors, so if you're a movie
buff, you may already have a head start on preparing for this career.
The movie theater has been the training ground for many great directors.
Learning about a director's style and technique by watching their movies is
a good way for a movie buff to get on the road to a career as a director.
For movie buffs who are looking for part-time employment related to this
recreation, working as a clerk or an attendant at a video store or movie theater
is a great way to get paid while enjoying your favored hobby.
Getting Started
If the sign of a true movie buff is someone who watches movies with a critical
eye, then experts say the best way to reach "movie-buffdom" is to spend time
really thinking about the movies you watch.
"If you liked the movie, analyze what aspects of the movie you enjoyed.
What didn't you like? How is this movie like or different from other movies
you have seen? Imagine what the director's goal might have been," suggests
Koolen.
Talking about movies with other people who have seen them is one way to
develop a critical eye. Movie enthusiasts say talking about the movie will
give you the opportunity to think through your thoughts on it, to be more
clear about your likes and criticisms.
If you're looking for movie discussions, there are tons of newsgroups on
the Net devoted to movies. Some are general movie newsgroups and others are
much more specific. The titles will tell you where the interest of each newsgroup
lies.
Reading or listening to the reviews of professional movie critics are also
a good way to find out what other people think of movies. Since they're trained
movie buffs, their reviews might give you an idea of the kinds of things you
might want to look for in a movie.
"You don't have to agree with the critics, of course. Some movie buffs
go to see a movie just if a particular critic hated it, because they always
disagree with that critic. Their [the movie critic's] opinions might just
get you thinking," says Koolen.
Most local newspapers have a regular column with movie reviews written
by professional movie critics.
Second only to movie theatres, the Internet is a movie buff's paradise.
There are tons of sites dedicated to the silver screen on the Internet, and
quite a few destinations designed just to help you navigate these movie sites.
Links
MovieFone
Browse the latest movie information by film or by theater, and
find out background information on the movie and where and when it's playing
Internet Movie Database
The trivia buff's movie site, with details on over 10,000 movies,
actors, actresses and directors
Box Office Magazine
Offers weekly reports of movies news, information on new movies
being made and a comprehensive listing of film and video reviews
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