I want to let you in on a secret that I've never told anybody. It's not earth shattering or something you'll remember long after you read it. But if I don't admit it now I'll be continuing to live a lie.
I don't keep up with pop culture. There, I said it. Phew.
I have no idea who most of the people, movies or television programs splashed across the covers of PEOPLE, Entertainment Weekly or Us Weekly are. I don't know one Kardashian from another, and believe it or not I am not personally acquainted with The New Jersey Housewives. (Yes, I've been asked.)
Can they please move to Iowa or somewhere else?
I read blog posts every day about young starlets or upcoming movies that are unfamiliar to me. I'm embarrassed to admit I have no idea what they're talking about. I usually turn to imdb.com for answers.
If I'm asked who my favorite movie star is, I pause and act like I have one who's still alive.
My interest in most movies stopped somewhere in the mid 1960's. Don't get me wrong: I love movies and the art of filmmaking. If a new movie comes along that is well-made, I'll be the first person to purchase a ticket.
But the glitz, glamour and decadence of Hollywood - and the popularity of violence in movies - frequently turns me off.
I think movies should trust the viewer to be smart enough to visualize what happens after the camera stops rolling. A movie doesn't need to show the blood and guts of violence, or what happens after the bedroom door closes.
Of course there are exceptions. "Saving Private Ryan" is one movie that comes to mind. It's accurate depiction of what happened during the Normandy invasion and the landing on Omaha Beach had a responsibility to the soldiers we fought and died during that war. If Stephen Spielberg chose not to show the horrors of war it would have been a disgrace.
For those of you who know me well please skip this paragraph. My Utopia would be spending a week in Hollywood with Robert Osborne and Ben Mankiewicz at the Turner Classic Film Festival, or going on their TCM cruise.
Last Saturday night my husband and I spent a perfect evening together, eating a delicious meal and snuggling up to watch an old movie.
The film was called "Call Northside 777" a 1948 documentary style film noir directed by Henry Hathaway and starring James Stewart, Lee J. Cobb and Richard Conte. Based on a true story about a man who was wrongly accused, Stewart plays the persistent reporter who tries to re-open the case to prove the man's innocence after spending 11 years in jail.
This film is available on Netflix and I recommend watching it. Other film noirs I'd recommend are "Double Indemnity", "The Maltese Falcon", "The Third Man", "The Big Sleep", "Laura", "The Postman Always Rings Twice" (with John Garfield and Lana Turner), and "Strangers on a Train."
No explicit sex or violence, relying only on well-written scripts and superb acting, directing and filming.
So that's my big secret. I hope you understand me a little better now. And if you happen to mention names like Shaillene, Analeigh, Felicity or Chloe (I had to look those up) and I have a blank stare on my face, please don't think I'm being rude. It's simply because I have no idea who you're talking about.
Love!
Oh I would completely go with you on the TCM cruise! TCM is such a great channel and one I enjoy watching with my teen as well as my husband. I also love old movies,and was really excited to get to DVR The Philadelphia Story and The Days of Wine and Roses on the same day! Lol! Love your secret! xo
I'm with you. OMG. I have NO idea who anyone is, LOL!
I love "Gaslight". I don't know if it is "film noir" or not, per se, but I think it "fits". Actually, anything with Cary Grant is a film worth watching (I know you would agree!). "People Will Talk" is a movie way ahead of its time 🙂
Great post!
I don't know who many of the celebrities mentioned on TV are. And I don't watch the K shows. I do try to stay a little current on pop culture but I pretty much live in the past, too.
James Stewart was a hottie when he was young. I like the old movies, too. I am still in love with Nick Charles.
So I grew up watching every old movie I could get my eyes on. My Mom kept trying to throw me outside to play...but I snuck back in to my grandmother's bedroom to watch movies. Someone wanted to know who starred in Jane Eyre and I said Joan Fontaine, of course. You know, Olivia DeHaviland's sister. My friend said. HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT?????
But unfortunately I must confess that all of that only fed my addiction to all things show biz and I know who all those TV people are...that's MY dirty little secret! Great post.
I love noir, (Maltese Falcon, Double Indemnity, Third Man), but I haven't seen that Cal Northside 777. Thanks for the review.
Thats cool, Pop Culture is overrated. Finding the beauty and joy in our lives is much more fun and far more rewarding than following Pop Culture
I am very much immersed in pop culture - I always have been - but I also appreciate the simple and comfortable experience of watching old movies.
I'm with you, though - I won't see any movie that is violent anymore. I am drawn to independent, chatty films that are filled with characters, not explosions. And those aren't easy to find!
I don't like or keep up with the Kardashains. I do like edgy movies--especially indie coming of age ones that take place in NY basically I think because I get them.
That said I worship Cary Grant!
Ha ha! As someone who wrote for Entertainment Weekly for more than 15 years, I LOVE pop culture! We can educate each other 🙂
I guess in my early 40s before we read everything online, I subscribed to Us. After reading a year of the same thing about the same people week after week, that cured my celebrity pop culture. I do have my finger somewhat near a pop culture pulse, but I don't live and die with it. My husband and mother LOVE old movies. My husband jokes that he could like in a 1940s movie back lot. Your secret is safe with me.
Hey -- I just noticed the TV clips in your sidebar. Too cool. My sister, the CPA, got all those super saver genetics. I'm not strong on noticing details, as you can tell I just noticed this clips.:)
My son is a film buff, he loves all the movies you mentioned, I am going to write them down and watch all the ones I haven't seen. Today's culture is not interesting enough to keep up with for the most part
I love this post, Cathy! I must admit, having two 21year old daughters it's hard not to know about pop culture. Although, I do love when my mom comes for a visit and we stay up late and watch old movies like, Gilda.
I don't keep up with most of the new pop stuff either. Unless it's something my grandkids are into. I know all about Snapchat and Vine and the latest tween heart throbs!
Ha! Love it Cathy! I am mostly out to lunch on all of this stuff too! Years ago someone criticized me for not knowing the "news" because I didn't follow People Magazine stories. Really? I am mostly TV-illiterate too.Where we differ is I love action movies--I hear what you are saying? But for whatever reason I like them all. Great post!
I do not keep up either. Pop culture has no value. I love Cary Grant movies adore the old Doris Day Rock Hudson era. I never go to a violent movies. Most new movies I skip. I want to watch all the old Irene Dunn one by one. That was acting!
Oh I always loved film noir too. All that shady lighting and big hats! Those were movies!
My musical taste is stuck in the 1970s. I didn't know who Pharrell was until he showed up at the Grammy's in that weird hat. And even on The Voice (where he is a wonderful coach), my favorite songs are the old ones. Though last week someone sang a Joni Mitchell song and no one had heard of her!
I am very much into pop culture, not always happy about a lot of it but I do need to keep up. That said one of my most favorite things to do is to snuggle up with my husband and some snacks and watch a classic. They are all new to my husband and I am thrilled that he is finally so into them.
Robert Osborne and a cruise, oh my!
Love this! And I am with you. I prefer the older movies. Less special effects and more raw talent.
That's funny. I kind of figured that from some of the responses I've gotten from you when doing movie reviews. 😀 I'm the opposite; I know very little about the stars from days gone by. Well, except for the biggies that EVERYone knows.
That's one of the wonderful, magical things about movies — there's one for every taste... and era.
I have always been pop culture illiterate - even before they called it pop culture. I have no idea who is who even when I love their movies or their songs or their performances.... Frustrating to feel out of the loop but there you have - another thing we share!
I've seen most of those movies with my dad many, many years ago. That was our thing watching old movies together on Saturday. I didn't care what the movie was as long as I got to sit beside dad and watch it. Many, many great memories!
"Laura". I have worn out 2 dvd's watching that movie over and over again. She's one of my favorites. You'd probably love her in "Leave Her to Heaven" and "The Ghost and Mrs Muir". (I've had to replace those, too.)
"Strangers on a Train" had me on the edge of my seat. That merry-go-round scene was well worth the wait. Of course, anything by Alfred Hitchcock, is worth watching.
They just don't make movies like that anymore. Gotta love the classics.
Thanks for sharing...