A Reel Birthday

This week marks Reel Speak’s 14^th anniversary. 

 

It was the winter of 2010. Running in theatres at the time were the Denzel Washington-led THE BOOK OF ELI, and the horror flop THE WOLFMAN. 3D was all over the place ruining the theatre experience, and streaming was something we did in the bathroom. The eventual box office champion would be TOY STORY 3, and the eventual Best Picture winner would be Tom Hooper’s THE KING’S SPEECH. 

 

It was during this time where there was an idea; to share my love and passion for film. It was a passion that began in the summer of 1977, when this young padawan saw STAR WARS for the first time. Since that day over 40 years ago, nothing has brought the light to my eyes like the light of the big screen. It’s a love that had to be shared, so Reel Speak was founded. The first review was posted on February 24^th, 2010: Martin Scorsese’s SHUTTER ISLAND. Since then, over a thousand blogs have been posted: reviews, previews, opinions, Top 10 lists and Oscar picks. 

 

Every year, to celebrate Reel Speak’s birthday, this Blogger looks back on the top reasons why I fell in love with cinema in the first place. This was always a way to share, and to perhaps inspire others to look back and remember what they love about the movies too, and here in Year 14, it has reminded this Blogger that there is always magic to be found when the lights dim and the screen lights up. 

 

Why do I love the movies? Let us count the ways: 

 

20. Because the trick is not minding that it hurts. 

19. Because if they catch you, they will kill you. But first, they must catch you. 

18. Because a Jaguar Shark ate my best friend. 

17. Because all it takes is a little bit of pixie dust. 

16. Because of John Williams.

15. Because I have been, and always shall be your friend. 

14. Because what we do in life echoes in eternity. 

13. Because Red October was hunted.

12. Because the only Virtue is Vengeance. A Vendetta. 

11. Because Crom laughs at your four winds! 

10. Because it’s a wonderful night for Oscar.

9. Because they made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.

8. Because “I love you”, and “I know”.

7. Because if someone asks me if I’m a god, I say yes.

6. Because I will drink your milkshake.

5. Because every man dies, not every man really lives. 

4. Because they needed a bigger boat.

3. Because there had to be snakes.

2. Because the Fellowship will not fail. 

1. Because the Force will be with you, always.