My husband and I really enjoy going out to the movies and have a nice, cheap theater very close by. We often would invite our sons - in their mid to late 20s - to go with us and the #1 reason given for not wanting to go was 'it isn't getting very good reviews'. Now, I have lots of movies I don't have much interest in seeing and some of those are because it doesn't look good to me. But I'd say most of the movies we attended they didn't want to see were worth 2 hours and 3 bucks to watch. We enjoyed them enough to feel we got our money's worth and we didn't waste our time. And a good number of those I thought my son's might have liked had they given it a chance.

Just in our little microsampling of the world, I think my husband and I, both in our 60s, remember when movies were mostly light entertainment. It was an excuse to get out of the house, maybe stop off for ice cream after. If the movie was good, that was a bonus. If it was great, then wow... we didn't stop talking about it with our friends.

Now, if the hordes of the world - especially as represented by the interwebs - isn't on board with it being a must see film, then there seems to be this attitude that it isn't worth even checking out. I don't know if people just have more things to do and going to a movie isn't what it used to be... or they just can't take the chance they might be bored or dissatisfied for 3 hours... or if they can't take the risk that they might not be on the inside of whatever in crowd they wish to be in on.

For me, I figure any movie (or any other activity) that amused me more than it annoyed me is worth something. I love being amused. I'm even happier to be enlightened, or moved, or transfixed, or challenged. Things don't have to be perfect to do any of those things. We just have to open up our minds and our hearts, let them have half a chance, and then be willing to forgive them for their failings. If you can't forgive them, well... you sigh a little (or maybe grumble or even rant a little) and then move on to the next experience.

My first reaction to THAUJ was more than 50% positive but I can't say how much more. I gave it another viewing and it rose quite a bit. But it wouldn't matter if it was at 65%... I'd still enjoy discussing the things that entertained or delighted or amused or moved me. I look forward to Roheryn's posts and all those similar ones that find what they liked to discuss. Because... I did like it. I could qualify that as 'I liked parts of it' but why bother. It's easier to let go of those parts I'm not fond of and just focus on what I liked. That brings me joy. Focusing on what I didn't like makes me grumbly. I'm a bit of an Eeyore to begin with I don't need to actively work at it! ;-)