You're never too old to quit blowing smoke. A Big Thrill For Movie Fans ERICA MEYER RAUZIN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS °night I did something I al- ror is a matter of taste and self- most never do. I watched a preservation. I'm too impression- "thriller" movie. Why? able. Well, I watched because I can't sleep with those dread- my dad was watching and be- ful images in my mind. I can't cause I really like Sean Connery. shake them off, so I try not to take I watched because rm at my folks' them in. If I give them house house for a few days, away from room in my brain, they might home and kids, away from ex- crowd out something I'd rather cluding from view anything I don't keep. want my children to stumble into Life in the big city is scary seeing. I watched because it was enough. The evening news has there and seemed like it might be plenty of crime for anyone inter- fun at the time. ested in the subject. We have to This thriller made me nervous be wary, to protect ourselves from and hyper. I don't think Ill watch muggers in the street and nuts in another one for a long time, even parking garages as a matter of though this one was well done for fact. We don't have to invite them what it was. The movie had a into our lives as a matter of fic- great cast, a stylish look, a glam- tion. orous location, a well-written script, fine acting, and lots of fast action. But in the story, one little girl was killed and another was kid- napped by a man who held a knife to her throat. Sorry, movie fans, As a lifelong journalist, I am but I just can't take it. unalterably opposed to censor- The thriller got good reviews ship. As an arts supporter for two and many people purchased tick- decades, I feel that in this coun- ets to see it. The violence wasn't try we should let the marketplace gratuitous to the tale. The crime of public purchase and the phil- scenes were no more bloody than anthropic, governmental and apparently necessary to tell the civic support of all the arts (cut- story. ting-edge, classic, minority, folk I'm not sure the story was and more) proceed in their com- worth telling,- but that decision bined evolutionary way. wasn't up to me. In the great I hope that through this tossed salad of available enter- process, in the long run, good art tainment, all I have to do is select will survive and triumph. Yet, I something else. Voila, no problem. also wish our collective market- The first year I worked in jour- place choices were wiser; I wish nalism, 1972, I made my living as our taste was better. a critic, reviewing television shows Why can't we chose serenity and an occasional movie. I used instead of craziness; beauty in- to be able to watch anything with- stead of ugliness; life instead of out being personally affected be- death? Our society is trauma- yond a shiver or a few sentimental tized by violence, so why do we tears. create art that celebrates it? I only cared if the picture I was My mother was wiser than I covering was done well for what was tonight, as she usually is. it was; if it was good art. I loved When it became clear that the the movies. videotaped movie we had rented I still love the movies, but my was heading toward terror and taste has changed. rm much more brutality, she went into the bed- picky. I take everything person- room and watched a sitcom and ally. What the characters say, the last couple of irmings of game what the story depicts, all has im- four of the World Series. Conse- pact upon me. That's why I shy quently, she is in a better mood away from stories with violence, than I am; and she will get a bet- gore, horrific images, and nasty ter night's sleep. surprises. The marketplace of ideas is a I'm too sensitized, perhaps by great teacher. We learn from it, age, or by 12 years of parenthood, even after we turn it off. or by 15 years of religious study. The longer I lie tonight, wide- I don't think my aversion to vio- eyed, punching the limp pillow lent or scary movies is a religious wadded under my neck, unwit- decision, though obviously the life tingly replaying the frightening I lead as a modem observant Jew scenes I chose to witness and try- shapes my choices of what enter- ing to settle myself, the more I tains me, and what does not. learn. The wiser I become. The Avoiding movies and TV shows better I hope my choices are the filled with violence, suspense, hor- next time I am far from home. I'm much more picky. V American Heart Association WERE FIGHTING FOR \rOUR ‘EIFE • •STRICTLY GOURMET. •STRICTLY KOSHER •STRICTLY OUTSTANDING I SHIVA TRAYS Local & Nationwide Delivery FREE DELIVERY Throughout most of Oakland County 810-539-3838 800-477-5374 Heartfelt wishes sent with delicious gift baskets from . . . 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