so I’ve had a lot of time lately, being unemployed and all, and I’ve spent a lot of that time on the Internet searching for lists of the Best Movies of certain genres (namely horror and romantic comedies).. What I’ve realized (and found infuriating, by the way) was that many of the so-called “best movies” are films from way long ago.
Old Movie poster (I think it was an adult movie, oops)
Poster of a more recent (and GOOD) movie!
It really annoys me because the unappreciative lout in me hates watching old grainy black and white films and I’m really just looking for cheesy sugar fluff flicks to numb my brain a bit (from the harsh realities of unemployment)..
Also, I can’t comprehend how, with the advances in technology allowing for modern mind-blowing graphics and effects, the older films with their unrealistic effects and tinny music can actually be seen as better than modern movies!
Of course, there are timeless classics like Roman Holiday, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, E.T., Nightmare on Elm Street etc And I can see the argument for strong plot/storyline holding out against special effects and all.. But all these things kept constant, I think modern films definitely surpass the flicks from older days..
What annoys me, though, is how some sites/lists just toss in random old movies from YORE that no one has really heard of (or at least, me..) and go on and on about how good it is. It struck me that a lot of Gen X-ers (and Baby Boomers) see old things as good or better than modern things..
Take my parents, for example. They hate all the current popstars and films and insist that those they had watched previously (years, even decades, ago) were better.
I don’t think that actually is an indicator of the quality of popstars/films/anything else past and present. I believe that it’s because of their youth when they viewed/enjoyed those things. They were less cynical than they are now, plus those things make them feel young again. It’s something they can connect to.
Watching television and seeing commercials for the albums of new singers or trailers for new movies that they cannot understand the concepts of makes the people of that same generation feel old. They aren’t able to connect with what they see or they might not want to connect with what they deem to be things their children agree with. It isn’t a feeling that makes them comfortable and so they hang on to the stuff from when they were younger.
So the same reason that makes an old film seem “good” to a Gen X-er (not sure if i’m using the right generation here) is probably the same reason they find Mom’s cooking better than any other. It brings back memories of younger, happier and carefree days. It makes them remember when they had lots of hope in their life. And perhaps, by reliving those memories, they can find hope in their existing lives.
In fact, I’m pretty sure I’ll be pining for my mom’s cooking when I’m 40 (oh the horror!) or wanting to watch Final Destination over and over again, the same way my dad watches Grease to relive his youth. And I’m looking forward to it!
Some old things are good. In fact, many are.
What about you? Do you like the old things better? Imagine if you like old things now… Are you going to pine for them when you’re 20 years older? How old are the things you like going to be then!? Hmmm..
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