Josh and I periodically like to host a movie night at one of our apartments and invite other educated film people.  Afterwards, we’ll discuss the film.  It makes for an enjoyable night, plus it’s a great way to further increase our film knowledge and refine our craft.

Sometimes we’ll watch a new release and other times we will watch older films.  I feel it is imortant to get a fresh take on a film that you might have seen many times.  Everyone has a slightly different viewpoint and hearing them can cause you to discover new insights.  I want to be able to suck every last drop of juice out of rich films such as Jaws, Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, etc… and sometimes the only way to do that is to get someone else’s take.

And don’t forget about the other end of the spectrum.  It is important to watch BAD films as well – though I would do this less frequently.  Josh and I like to watch at least one crappy film a month.  One can learn what NOT to do.  But, just like the FBI studies REAL money in order to spot counterfeit money, I find it more important to study great films more than bad films.

Have you considered hosting a movie night?  It’s much more fun and much less effort than a book club, in my humble opinion.  What movies would you screen?