The Best Ways to Enjoy those Classic Yesteryear Movies Today
Are ready to snuggle up on the couch for a cozy movie night? While most people tend to restrict their movie browsing to the 'new release' section at their local movie rental store, it pays to check out the classics aisle. It makes perfect sense, if you think about it: classics are movies that have proven their mettle. They have survived the test of time with flying colors. True movie classics will be as good today as they were twenty years ago. If you are a classic movie newbie, here are a few tips for finding and enjoying the best movie classics.
1. Seek recommendations from the experts. One of the easiest ways to find good movie classics awaits you at the shelves of your local bookstore. For instant movie recommendations, seek help from the experts. Check out popular movies guides such as Roger Ebert's movie guide or The Video hound Guide to movies. These movie almanacs are compiled by film critics and are usually updated yearly. They are fun to read, accessible, and best of all, pretty darn reliable. Chances are, a four-star classic will not let you down.
2. Check out the movie classics you may have inadvertently missed. All of us can probably relate to this scenario: you are talking with friends, and a movie title—a classic—comes up in the conversation. You mention you've never seen such-and-such movie, and you notice a lot of raised eyebrows. "You've never seen ____!" you've probably heard your friends exclaim, leaving you feeling slightly embarrassed and ashamed that you missed the pop culture moment. This situation is easily remedied. Simply make a note of all the classic movies you've always meant to see, but somehow never got around to it. Whether it's The Wizard of Oz or the first Star Wars trilogy, now's your chance to fill in your gap in movie classic knowledge.
3. When in doubt, go genre diving. What's genre diving, you ask? Good question. A genre is simply a category of film. Are you into mysteries, tearjerker dramas, Westerns, or romances? Whatever you like, chances are you can find a classic film of that genre that you've never seen. And chances are that you've been missing out. If you're ever in doubt about what to watch, simply choose a movie from your favorite film genre.
4. Find the newest edition. Once you've settled on a movie classic, try to find the newest edition of the film for your classic movie night. There's nothing worse than watching a bad transfer of an old black and white movie. The sound may be off, the film scratchy, and the captions unreadable (if a foreign movie). Finding the most up-to-date release of a classic film is the safest way to avoid these problems. Also, finding the most current release version of a classic movie allows you access to several special features that may not be available on other versions. The Criterion Collection, for instance, is a series of classic films that have been re-mastered for quality, and supplemented with often fascinating special features about the film. These may include featurettes, special commentaries, and film essays. In short, viewing the most current release of a classic film will almost always reward you.
5. Watch the film with someone who will enjoy it. Classic films are even more enjoyable when you watch them with someone else. Classic movies are classics, after all, because they hold a special place in our collective unconscious. The experience of watching a classic film will be more rewarding if you have someone to discuss it with. The film can serve as a touchstone between you and other individuals. Also, watching a classic film with a younger child can also be extraordinarily enjoyable. Introducing a young child to The Wizard of Oz or any other classic can be a wonderful and special moment that the two of you will cherish.
6. Choose actors you like. If still find yourself perplexed about what to watch, simply pick movies that star actors you're interested in. Maybe you've never seen a James Cagney film, but have seen enough impersonations of him to think you might like him. Whatever the case, movies with classic movie stars are generally a safe bet.
