The Likeable and the Good

I’m writing today about an issue that deeply touches my reading audience:
Movies.

At a number of different times in my life I have been asked what my favorite movie is. I usually respond with a 30 minute monologue about films and filmmakers; much to the dismay of the person who was really only asking to make small talk.

The most difficult thing when discussing movies (or any art form, for that matter) is to keep the objective separate from the subjective. You may ask, “What the heck does that mean?” Well, if you’d be patient I’ll tell you!

An objective comment is a fact; it is something that is true no matter what the individual may think. A subjective comment is an opinion; it is subject to the individual and changes from person to person.

So here are some practical examples:

OBJECTIVE
The fire is warm.
SUBJECTIVE
I like a warm fire.

OBJECTIVE
The sky is blue.
SUBJECTIVE
The sky looks pretty.

OBJECTIVE
You smell like a baboon’s hindquarters.
SUBJECTIVE
You smell good.

As you can see subjective opinions do not always have to be grounded in truth, but objective facts usually answer to some law of science or nature. You may ask, “What the heck does that have to do with movies?” Man, do your questions get annoying.

One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone tells me they’ve just seen a new movie and when I ask them how it was, they tell me, “I liked it.” That tells me little or nothing about the movie. I liked it tells me about you but I wasn’t asking about you I was asking about the movie. When speaking about movies (and as a general practice) we need to be more selective in the language we choose. We need to differentiate between the good (objective) and likable (subjective). Obsoive:

OBJECTIVE
"The Sixth Sense" used excellent story telling techniques to disguise the true nature of its main character.
SUBJECTIVE
I liked "The Sixth Sense".

OBJECTIVE
"Cast Away" is a stirring tale about the nature of mankind and his capacity to persevere.
SUBJECTIVE
"Cast Away" is a boring movie.

OBJECTIVE
"Gone With The Wind" is an epic period piece set against the back drop of the American Civil War.
SUBJECTIVE
"Gone With The Wind" is an enjoyable film.

Once again you can see that subjective opinions are not always grounded in truth. But the objective facts can not be argued against…not unless the person wants to look like a fool. Personally I don’t like (subjective) "Dr. Zhivago" but I have to concede that it is (objective) a well made movie. On the other hand I happen to really like (subjective) "Ernest Goes to Camp" although I do have to admit that it is (objective) pretty dumb. Now you may ask, “What the heck does that have to do with me?” Alright, this is the last time I’m going answer you!

I want you, the readers, to tell me what you think are the top three best movies you’ve seen. Not necessarily you favorite (subjective) three, but what are the best made (objective) movies you can think of. Try to remember things like acting, special effects, story telling, direction, cinematography, costumes, score, timing and delivery, originality, and overall message. All or some of these things must work together to make a good movie. Make your list and post it as a comment to this blog and we’ll see what movies take the “Meatballs and Ravioli Oscar.”