It is difficult to say in precise terms how and when I became addicted to film. Perhaps it was the opening sequence of The Lion King that did it. I picture myself as a young man of three, enthralled by the vivid colors of a rising sun, and seemingly hypnotized by the powerful – and dangerously catchy – film score reverberating in my young ears. Of course, the 13 times I saw the film in theaters must have also contributed to my burgeoning addiction. Another possible explanation for my love of film lies in Anthony Hopkins’ flawless performance in Silence of the Lambs. His unparalleled ability to replicate the behavior of an insane, yet brilliant, cannibalistic psychiatrist surely helped spark my insatiable interest in film. And maybe – just maybe – it was the first time I cried laughing while watching the dynamic duo of Chris Farley and David Spade in Tommy Boy. I can’t say for sure, but regardless of what originally drove me to the medium, I am now a bona fide film addict.
When it comes to my film preferences, as a proud Bostonian I’m a sucker for films that center around Boston, and which of course offer a healthy dose of the thick Boston accent. For this reason, among others, Good Will Hunting remains my favorite film. Besides this “Bahston” pull, when I’m looking to watch a film on Netflix, or stuff my face with buttered popcorn at the nearest multiplex, I find myself drawn primarily to two seemingly opposite genres: dramas and comedies. (As cliché and obvious as it might sound, I crave compelling stories and strong acting.) What I enjoy from dramatic films isn’t so much the subject matter per se, but how the story at hand is represented and brought to life on the screen. On the other hand, I absolutely love comedies because I love to laugh. From Mel Brooks’ History of the World, Part I to Pixar’s Inside Out, I enjoy just about anything that puts me in a good mood.
Ultimately, I still don’t know how I became addicted to film. But my hope is that by exploring films with my colleagues at the Princeton Buffer I will continue to expand upon this love, and more importantly, to share my passion and enthusiasm with others.