Ask Pappy #14: My Friend Hates Every Blockbuster I Like, Are They Snobby or Am I Basic?

Reader Letter: Dear Pappy, I have a close friend who considers themselves a total film buff, but it’s becoming a real drag because they relentlessly trash every blockbuster I actually enjoy. Whether it’s a high-octane superhero flick or a fun popcorn sequel, they immediately dismiss it as "soulless corporate product" before the credits even roll. It’s reached a point where I’m hesitant to even mention what I watched over the weekend for fear of a lecture on French New Wave or technical cinematography. I want to appreciate the craft of filmmaking, but I also just want to turn my brain off and enjoy the spectacle once in a while. Can a true film lover appreciate both, or is there a line in the sand I’m failing to see?

Kid, let me tell ya something right off the reel, there’s no such thing as “basic” when it comes to loving movies. There’s just what makes your heart thump and your popcorn pop.

Now, I’ve met my fair share of “cinephiles” who act like they’re allergic to fun. You know the type; arms crossed, talking about lens distortion while Spider-Man’s swinging through Queens. They’ll call your favorites “formulaic” like that’s a curse. But here’s the truth: formulas exist because they work. It’s comfort food for the eyes.

You ever eat a home-cooked meal and complain that it’s too familiar? Course not. You just say, “Mmm,” and go back for seconds. Movies work the same way. Not every picture’s meant to reinvent the camera. Some are just meant to make you cheer, laugh, or forget your worries for two hours and there’s nothing lowbrow about that.

Now, your buddy probably means well. Maybe they’ve seen so many films, they forgot how to feel ‘em. Sometimes knowledge clutters the heart. Remind ‘em gently that there’s room for both;  you can admire the frame and enjoy the fireworks.

I’ll let you in on a secret: I’ve watched every “Fast & Furious” movie twice. Once for the review, and once just for the family. Art snobs and popcorn fans ain’t enemies, they’re two halves of the same audience. One keeps the theater talking, the other keeps it alive.

So next time your friend sneers at your love for big-screen spectacle, tell ‘em Pappy said, “Even a superhero movie needs a soul and a good bucket of popcorn.”

Stay kind, stay curious, and don’t spill the butter on your way out.

— Pappy Hull, The Popcorn Philosopher

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