Being brother and sister, my two littlest ones can never agree on what to see at the movie theater.  Today – on Black Friday of all days – was no exception.

After drawing first blood, my son won out.  We saw “Rise of the Guardians”.

It was a good choice.

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Once and only once, Papa here won out.

Well, the two kids actually had no choice.  We saw “Captain America”.

But the first movie I truly recall seeing – at a drive-in with my folks – was “War of the Worlds”.  I still love it.

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But “back then”, a movie was a movie.

But before “back then”, a movie was truly magical.  The director and cinematographer worked together to bring you into their minds.

You had to use your imagination and senses to enter it.

Plus costume design.  Makeup.  And “special effects”…primitive by today’s CGI mania standards yet so wonderful.

“Wizard of Oz” is likely the best of the best.  Shot in 1938.  Entirely on SETS.  It sits at the top of my (humble) list.

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Regardless, a movie is to entertain.

Pure and simple.

I don’t look for special subliminal meanings or hidden messages.

(I also don’t appreciate paying seven bucks for a bag of popcorn imported from China.)

While the theater wasn’t crowded (perhaps due to the seven buck bags of crappy popcorn from China…with fake butter) for our showing, there was a very cheerful round of applause at the end of the movie.

From children, parents and grandparents alike.

I guess they were entertained.

We were.

(ps If my oldest daughter were there, she’d be balling her eyes out.)