LESSONS I LEARNED IN

THE DARK.

That title sounds metaphorical. Y’know, “there falls no shadow where there shines no

sun” type stuff. But I assure you I just mean the literal lack of light in movie theatres. Going to a movie is an effective form of taking the cotton balls out of your ears and shoving them into your mouth, as the saying goes. Because you agree to have the light illuminating you turned off, stop talking and devote your attention to the sights and

sounds of a different light - a display you have no power over.

This is what I do; sit back in the dark and learn from the light in front of me.

(And one day someone will sit in their dark and learn from my light.)

Movies teach me endlessly, both about the craft of cinema itself and, more valuably,

about life - in every way imaginable. I am grateful to be a student of the screen (and therefore the world). Every so often I see something up on that screen that allows me to progress personally and brings me closer to being a better me. I’m becoming increasing thankful for these gifts of growth and in the spirit of giving wanted to share some. So here’s a very random sampling of concepts (advice, observations, reminders, declarations, thoughts, perspectives, wisdom, etc) that have helped me see clearer, breathe easier

and be kind when I didn’t know/think/want to be.

SETLIST

1 CAST AWAY

2 MAGNOLIA

3 GOOD WILL HUNTING

4 ALI

5 JEEPERS CREEPERS

6 A SERIOUS MAN

7 NATIONAL ANTHEM

8 PULP FICTION

9 THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP

10 TERRI

11 ANY OTHER WAY: THE JACKIE SHANE STORY

12 a reflective pause with no wrong answers

13 ALMOST FAMOUS

14 THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD

15 MAXXXINE

16 FARGO

17 DAZED AND CONFUSED

18 PETITE MAMAN

19 RAGING BULL

20 FORREST GUMP

21 INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS

22 THE WIZARD OF OZ

23 PHANTOM THREAD

24 THE AVIATOR

25 DAYS OF HAPPINESS

26 THE STING

27 THE STING cont.

28 SOME LIKE IT HOT