Bookworm

Entertainment vs. Autopilot

Why does my generation have such horrible taste in movies?

Recently two great movies, based on great books, were in the local movie theater near my hometown. "The Kite Runner" and "Atonement" both opened on the same night. I was very excited, because the movies are based on two books I've read in the past year and really enjoyed. I decided to go see "The Kite Runner" first because I had been waiting for that movie for a long time. I went to the 8 p.m. showing on the opening Friday night. Guess how many other people were there?

When my friend and I arrived (late, after choosing candy and navigating the bathroom lines) and expected it to be packed. When we got there, there were exactly two other people in the whole theater.

A few minutes later, four people shuffled in. Everyone in the theater was 60 years or older except for us. Then, just as the movie started, four very loud and obnoxious teenagers stormed in, talking loudly about how stupid the movie was going to be.

I don't understand why the audience for "The Kite Runner" looked like that, and meanwhile the line for "The Bucket List" was snaking around the ticket counter. I mean, I'm not dissing "The Bucket List." It has two very talented actors. But honestly, I can't understand why so many people were eager to see "The Bucket List" when they could have chosen "The Kite Runner." Or even worse, they chose "P.S. I Love You" over "Atonement." "P.S. I Love You" is also based on a book, and while I have to admit I only read the first few chapters and that it was at least a few years ago, it was nowhere near as well-written or perceptive as "Atonement."

Now, the crowd for "Atonement" did turn out to be significantly larger than the audience for "The Kite Runner." But I have a feeling this had more to do with the attractive stars of the movie (Keira Knightley and James McAvoy) than with the fact that it's based on a great book.

When I complained about the skimpy audiences in both movies to my boyfriend, he told me, "People don't want to think when they go to the movies." If this is true, it's very sad. Are people really that burned out that they would rather sit and watch something completely mindless so they don't have to use their brains than to be provoked and inspired?

I'm not saying that these are the two greatest movies of all time or anything. And sometimes I like to watch a silly movie just like everyone else. "Dumb & Dumber" is still one of my favorite things to watch when I'm feeling down. But I wish people would branch out a little bit and try something new. They might be surprised at what they learn.