Movie Optimism: The Gift And The Curse
It might be a sickness, but I'm not sure
Movie Optimism is a hard thing to have. It’s even harder to explain to someone that doesn’t love movies the way that I do. Someone that doesn’t fully immerse themselves in the experience will never understand. I believe that its either something that you have or you don’t, it’s in your DNA. Movie Optimism will make you see a trailer that excites and make you need to see that movie instantly and pray that it doesn’t let you down. However, far too many times, it does.
I vividly remember the feeling I got walking out of The Dark Knight midnight showing in 2008. I remember marveling at Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker and thinking that his untimely death robbed us all of great future performances. I remember thinking about how Aaron Eckhart is underrated, and maybe this role would springboard his career to new heights. I remember being stunned at the ending and how Batman gave up his reputation for the greater good. I got goosebumps when Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman) uttered the last words of the film.
That was the highest of movie highs, and that is what I want to feel after seeing a good movie. It’s my white whale, my one-armed man, my buried treasure. I am always chasing that movie high, and I will never stop. I love to be the guy that recommends an obscure movie and people end up liking it.
I also vividly remember the feeling I got walking out of The Dark Knight Rises midnight showing in 2012. I was disgusted by the utter craptatude of the movie and wondered how it was possible that they got so much wrong. Bane is supposed to be bigger than Batman! Why did they cast Tom Hardy? Between Batman’s extra gravel in his voice and Bane’s mumbling I had a really hard time trying to understand what was being said. Blake’s name is Robin? Come on. <iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/RFDXes97gboYg" width="480" height="392" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/angeles-bachcaps-bearfighting-RFDXes97gboYg">via GIPHY</a></p>
That was way down there with the movie lows. Then I was just mad the next day because I sacrificed sleep for that garbage. Unfortunately, it seems that you can’t have the movie highs without the movie lows. The movie watching experience is completely amplified by going to the theater. Bad movies don’t offend me nearly as much at home. I’ll still finish a bad movie but I tend to do it in 2 or 3 parts because I need a break and have to mentally prepare myself for the rest of it. In the theater you don’t have that option and the terribleness of the movie just keeps hitting you in the face for 2 hours. And there is no escape, the bad movie has you in its clutches and will not let go. But I feel that you need to experience crappy movies every now and then because it makes you appreciate the good ones that much more. It keeps you honest.
I remember being disappointed by that Batman movie. I also remember being disappointed by another Batman movie in 1995. And again in 1997, and I can’t forget about another time in 2016. I think I’m sensing a pattern here. But guess what? The Batman is coming out in 2022 and there’s a chance that it won’t be any good, but I’m still going to go see it. I was mad that they casted Robert Pattinson as Batman instead of Nicholas Hoult. I’m still going to see it. That right there is what happens when you have Movie Optimism. You can’t help yourself because you believe they will get it right this time even though there’s no reason to believe it.
I loved X-Men: First Class and X-Men: Days Of Future Past. X-Men: Apocalypse was a flaming train wreck. Then I saw the trailer for X-Men: Dark Phoenix and I debated if I was going to see it in the theater. I knew it was going to suck. I couldn’t help it. I went to matinee on my day off and I’ve hated myself ever since. It was horrible.
If you have identified with the feelings I’ve laid out before you, then you have Movie Optimism like I do. At the heart of the matter you just want to see a good movie and be captivated by it, which is not a bad thing. Never give up, keep searching, keep recommending. There will always be a friend or coworker that you can steer in the right direction. And just for the record I have a hard time understanding Tom Hardy in almost every movie I’ve seen him in. Mumbler!
About the Creator
Keep reading
More stories from Chris Price and writers in Geeks and other communities.
Why Scott Pilgrim vs The World Is The Best Comic Book Movie Ever Made.
What's that you say? You haven't seen it? Judging from the fact that it only made $47 million worldwide, you are not alone. I didn't see it in the theaters either. Since it bombed in 2010, this movie has grown to comic cult status, with nerds everywhere (myself included) trying to get people to pay attention to it. These are reasons why Scott Pilgrim vs The World is the best comic book movie ever made. Enjoy.
By Chris Price5 years ago in Geeks
Silver Screen Magic with Mae West
American actress and singer Mae West became a popular film actress during the Great Depression. She started entertaining in vaudeville, then performed on Broadway, and finally went to Hollywood. She signed up with Paramount Pictures and made her debut in the 1932 film “Night After Night.” She also starred in musicals, comedies, and crime dramas. The American Film Institute named her one of the best classic Hollywood actresses.
By Rasma Raisters10 days ago in Geeks
Vitaly Zdorovetskiy
In the early days of YouTube, when viral content felt spontaneous and unfiltered, a handful of creators stood out by pushing boundaries most people wouldn’t dare to approach. One of the most recognizable names from that era is Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, widely known simply as Vitaly. His journey through internet fame reflects both the power of digital platforms and the consequences that can follow when attention becomes the ultimate currency. From Immigrant Roots to Internet Recognition Vitaly Zdorovetskiy was born in Russia and later immigrated to the United States, where he spent his formative years adjusting to a new culture and environment. Like many young people navigating identity and ambition, he gravitated toward entertainment and performance. However, instead of following traditional routes, Vitaly found his stage online. YouTube, still evolving in the early 2010s, offered creators freedom with few rules and limitless reach. Vitaly saw an opportunity not just to entertain, but to shock, surprise, and provoke reactions. This approach quickly distinguished him from creators focused on skits or commentary. The Prank Era and Viral Explosion Vitaly rose to prominence through public prank videos that leaned heavily on shock value. These weren’t simple jokes meant to amuse passersby; they were elaborate stunts designed to elicit strong emotional responses. His videos spread rapidly across social media, earning millions of views and placing his channel among the fastest-growing at the time. For many viewers, Vitaly represented a fearless, rule-breaking personality who lived without hesitation. For others, his content crossed ethical and legal lines. That tension—between admiration and criticism—became a defining feature of his public image. Despite the controversy, there was no denying the influence Vitaly Zdorovetskiy had on online content culture. His success helped popularize extreme prank videos and inspired countless creators to chase virality at any cost. Fame, Pressure, and Public Scrutiny As Vitaly’s audience grew, so did scrutiny. Viral fame often magnifies both success and mistakes, and Vitaly experienced that amplification firsthand. Several of his stunts attracted attention from law enforcement, leading to arrests and legal consequences that were widely reported. These moments marked a shift in how audiences viewed him. What once felt like rebellious fun began to raise questions about responsibility, influence, and accountability. The same platforms that fueled his rise now served as public records of his missteps. The story of Vitaly highlights a critical reality of digital fame: visibility comes with permanence. Every action, especially those captured on camera, becomes part of a lasting narrative that audiences revisit and reassess over time. Attempts at Reinvention Like many creators who achieve rapid fame, Vitaly eventually faced the challenge of evolution. The internet moves quickly, and audiences mature. Content that once felt exciting can grow repetitive or uncomfortable as social norms shift. Vitaly Zdorovetskiy explored different formats over time, including lifestyle content and motivational themes. These changes suggested an awareness that long-term relevance requires more than shock value. However, transitioning away from a persona built on extremes is never simple. Audience expectations can become a trap, forcing creators to choose between growth and consistency. Vitaly’s attempts to reshape his image reflect a broader struggle faced by many early internet personalities trying to redefine themselves in a more regulated and socially conscious digital space. The Cultural Impact of Vitaly Whether viewed positively or critically, Vitaly’s influence on online entertainment is undeniable. He helped define an era where virality often outweighed caution, and where creators tested the limits of what platforms would allow. His career sparked conversations about ethics in content creation, the responsibilities of influencers, and the psychological toll of constant attention. In many ways, Vitaly Zdorovetskiy became a case study for both aspiring creators and platform regulators. Today’s content guidelines, stricter moderation, and evolving audience standards owe something to the lessons learned during the early viral years—lessons shaped in part by figures like Vitaly. Lessons from a Viral Career The story of Vitaly is not just about pranks or controversy. It is about ambition, risk, and the complex relationship between creators and their audiences. His rise demonstrates how authenticity and boldness can capture attention, while his challenges reveal the costs of sustaining fame without boundaries. For emerging creators, Vitaly’s journey offers important insights: virality is powerful, but longevity requires adaptability, self-awareness, and respect for the impact content can have on others. Where Vitaly Stands Today As the internet continues to evolve, so does the perception of figures like Vitaly. He remains a recognizable name, particularly among audiences who witnessed the early YouTube boom. While his presence may not dominate the platform as it once did, his legacy remains part of internet history. Vitaly Zdorovetskiy’s story serves as a reminder that online fame is rarely linear. It is shaped by timing, choices, and the unpredictable reactions of millions of viewers. In that sense, Vitaly’s journey mirrors the internet itself—fast, chaotic, influential, and always changing. Final Thoughts The rise of Vitaly underscores both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with digital platforms. His career invites reflection on how far creators should go for attention and what sustainable creativity truly looks like. In an era where viral moments can define a lifetime, Vitaly’s story remains relevant—not as a blueprint to follow, but as an experience to learn from.
By Saboor Brohi 7 days ago in Geeks
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.