"These Days I'd Rather Read a Book"

You ever dread writing a sentence because you know its going to ruffle some feathers? I've been debating on exactly how to approach this for a while now, but I'm just going to go ahead and say it. I'm not a Quentin Tarantino fan. Sure, I liked his first few movies, but I feel like he peaked at Reservoir Dogs and honestly its a struggle for me to get through anything after Jackie Brown. I won't go into all the details, because I'm not looking to tear down anyone who is a fan, but his films just aren't for me.

Not only do I not love his movies, but his opinions rub me wrong often. He's a loud-mouth, and always has been and that's part of his image. But sometimes he says stuff and I just sit back and think, "Who are you?" Then five minutes later he'll say something else and I feel like we share a brain. This particular post is about one of those moments where we think alike.

Recently, Quentin wrote an essay in Sight and Sound where he discussed current films. The quote that stood out to me was:

I loved going to the movies. These days, however, the concept of what is a movie is more inclined to inspire contempt in me than generosity.

I feel this to my core. Sheesh, maybe I should give Quentin a break. I couldn't have worded my feelings about most current films any better. I see a trailer, or watch a film, and I often walk away uninterested and unfulfilled.

But what really sold his opinion was this quote:

.... but nothing that really held me in its grip and swept me away to the magical land of enjoyment that I used to visit regularly and was the reason I loved movies above all other artforms.

These days I’d rather read a book.

Fuck... like seriously. He's not wrong. As my passion for movies has been reduced, I find myself enjoying a good book more than ever. Which led me to question, why do I get so bent out of shape on the weekends about trying to find something to watch when I have plenty of books? Why do I only read before bedtime or on my lunch break?

And so, this weekend, I stopped the struggle. I decided to finally check out the first book in the Murderbot series. Then I read through I Am Legend by Richard Matheson, while also reading The Equalizer by Michael Sloan. And ya know... I had a blast. I didn't worry about finding something better to watch, I didn't get pissed off at some four quadrant storytelling or shitty CGI. I just allowed a world to materialize in my head and life was good. It really made me think that maybe what I need right now is just a break from the television in all non-interactive forms. Maybe it's time to make a dent in these books and learn to love the art of storytelling once again.