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.