Every enthusiast has one movie that changed their lives and deepened their love for the art form. But for Matt, two films did it for him.
“The first movie I really remember loving was probably the 2002 Sam Rami Spiderman. The soundtrack to that movie brings me so much nostalgia,” Matt told Bored Panda via Instagram.
“As for what movie sort of launched me into liking all types of film, I think 2006, Bong Joon-ho’s The Host. My dad rented it from Blockbuster, and it was possibly the first foreign film I ever saw and one of the most thrilling monster movies I had ever seen.”
It’s easy for any movie lover to call themselves a connoisseur. So, to set a definition, online user Zalindras shared their criteria with the r/flicks subreddit.
“Watch and discuss films often enough for it to be considered as one of their main hobbies. Have a few favorite directors, actors and genres. Have a sizable collection of films on DVD and/or Blu-Ray. Be able to appreciate films in all languages, from all eras and with all budgets.
Matt believes anyone can be a film buff if they find a story or genre that grabs their attention. But what he believes separates a full-fledged cinephile from the average moviegoer is one who goes deeper and shows more interest in the director.
“I think when you first start watching movies, you seek out only what looks interesting based on the actors and trailers, or maybe it’s adapted from something you already know. But if you watch enough movies, you begin to recognize the names of directors more.”
The Film Memes Instagram page currently has a little over 71,000 followers and counting. For Matt, it’s a passion project that allows him to share his enthusiasm for movies with fellow fanatics.
“I’ve always been captivated by movies. I just love a good story, whether it be in film, theater, books, etc. I think movies happen to be the most immersive and accessible way to experience a good story. I love sharing my enthusiasm about movies with others, hence why I make the memes.”
Certain films make us cry, laugh, and feel scared. Some can even evoke physical reactions, like flinching when a character throws something on the screen. It feels as if we’re part of the action ourselves.
But what is it about movies that draw strong emotional connections? Psychology professor Jeffrey Zacks calls it the “mirror rule.”
“[It] says that it’s a good idea to mimic the visual input that you’re seeing,” Zacks said in an interview with Today. “So if you walk up to somebody and they smile at you, it’s good to smile back.
“If you watch somebody in the theater and there’s a smiling face filling the screen, most of the audience is going to pop a little bit of a smile.”
