| Something about Edwin Hopkins
While my parents, who started taking me to movies as early as five or
six, love dramas and especially westerns, I grew to love science
fiction. Every time my dad saw that there was a sci-fi movie coming on
TV, he'd call me downstairs. And I would hit the steps at warp speed.
My mother took me to see all five original Planet of the Ape
motion pictures, The Poseidon Adventure (a remake is currently in the
works) The Towering Inferno and many others I can't remember and too
numerous to list.
As a teenager, I was allowed to go downtown Philadelphia alone to
see what I wanted. I would go at least weekly just as I do now. During
this time I developed aspirations toward nearly every movie profession.
I shuttled between wanting to be a director, writer, cinematographer,
costume designer, production designer, musical composer. I simply
couldn't make up my mind, I did know that my interest in film was going
beyond just mere entertainment.
I had decided to concentrate on writing, but I had a severe lazy
streak which I still get occasionally. At one point, in fact, I stopped
writing completely. That is until 5 years ago when I read the first
novel of a franchise which has become a phenomenon. Harry Potter and the
Sorcerer's Stone. J.K. Rowling reignited a creative spark in me I had
never experienced before and suddenly my desire to write and put down my
ideas on paper practically became an obsession.
Along with "Harry", I try to read as many reviews as possible. I
learn so much from legendary critics like Roger Ebert and Kennth Turan.
The insight they offer is fascinating, yet down to earth so that the
average Joe on the street can make a sound decision whether to see a
film or not.
Hollywood movies will always be part of my life. After years of
attending them, I don't see myself ever giving them up unless I go blind
and deaf (God forbid). I'll always patronize movie theaters, promoting
the big screen experience as opposed to the TV screen.
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