Probably should skip this one...getting a little serious

I realized while watching 50/50 tonight that perhaps I need movies. 

It's no shocker, really.  I tend to use movie references more than real-life ones, and have actually seen 97% of all* theater-bound films in the last five years.  Is that bad?

The thing is, I fail at emotions.  Ask Teh Geek, ask my disciple.  They'll agree with me on this one.  Whatever emotions DO surface, are usually the most inappropriate ones for each situation.  Or dramatic overreactions that I cannot control.  Also, I am the worst crier ever, but more on that another day. 

As I was watching tonight's story play out, it suddenly hit me: movies teach me (and presumably people like me) about all this emotional mumbo-jumbo.  It's like training for real life, but in 90-120 minute installments.  Each one encompasses a longer span of time, fast-forwarding through a series of situations or events, and you see the protagonist and his merry men act through life, demonstrating how to respond according to each situation.  They cry.  The music swells, you cry.  They smile, you dry your eyes and smile too.  Logically, you should not be responding alongside them, as you shouldn't be so deeply emotionally invested in their lives.  You've only been a part for an hour, after all.

Meh.  Enough of this crap.  Movie was decent, albeit predictable.  I think that's what I say after every single show I see.  Still fits, I suppose.  Wonder if I passed tonight's "class."


*this statistic is totally made up on the spot, but I'd be willing to bet that it's pretty damn close to reality.  Seriously, I've seen nearly everything.  Even The Creature, which has gone down in history as one of the lowest-grossing theatrical releases of all time.