I'll Never Let Go Jack

For whatever reason, today I had the oddest craving to watch Titanic. Despite the fact that I had hours of studying for my senior seminar mid-term ahead of me, I felt the need to rush home and plop myself on the couch to watch the three hour movie of the doomed ocean liner. And I do have to say that I was glad I did.

In the nerdiest of ways, I sat on my wonderful 'sex couch' that was probably made in the early '60's, and analyzed every scene. I was fascinated by the filming and the technology of the scenes, especially knowing that it was made in 1997. The way James Cameron set up the story line to tell this tale pieced together so nicely. No wonder it earned Best Picture that year.

I loved the scenes that narrated the sinking, the way Cameron merged the music with the flowing water, with the emotions of the characters. He brought fear to me when the dishes fell from the shelves in a  slow motion sequence, he gave me a sense of calm when the band played their final song, and he brought tears to my eyes as Rose struggled to let go.

What I love about this movie is that it is the definition of my childhood. I remember going to see the movie, months after it came out, and the theater was still packed. (Note, this may have been because movie theaters were still cheap in 1997, and it was a good way to pass time on a Friday night.) I purchased the soundtrack, and spent every afternoon in my basement figuring out exactly what was on screen in time to the composition. I knew every line, I mimicked the dresses Rose wore by picking things from my own wardrobe. I even had the posters of Leonardo DiCaprio decorating my walls (although, if I had room on my walls now they would still be there, he is a hottie.) I was the ultimate fan.

But when that craving comes around (and thank God my roommate has it on DVD) I can watch it with the knowledge I gained as a child, and use my newfound knowledge of cinematography to give myself a whole new experience. 

Ok, I admit it, I'm a movie nerd, but I'm ok with it.

And I'm also ok with the fact that I cried at the end. No big deal.

PeAcE!

~ Gaga