Ask Pappy #9: Don’t waste your favorites on the previews, wait for the feature presentation.

Reader Letter:

I’m dating someone who’s never seen Star Wars, The Godfather, or Lord of the Rings. Should I show them right away, or save the good stuff in case this doesn’t last? — @PopcornLover84

Careful now, kid. That’s sacred ground you’re walking on.

Showing someone your favorite movie ain’t just sharing a film — it’s handing over a piece of your soul in surround sound. It’s not like saying, “Here’s a movie I like.” It’s saying, “Here’s how I see the world.” That’s risky business.

Now, I’ve seen a lotta folks make the mistake of turning date night into a cinematic confession booth. They cue up The Godfather or Fellowship of the Ring like it’s a compatibility test. But lemme tell you — if they yawn during the Council of Elrond, it’s gonna hurt worse than any breakup.

So my advice? Don’t blow the classics on the first act. Relationships, like trilogies, need pacing. Start small — maybe something light, something fun, something that doesn’t make you question the foundation of the romance if they say, “Eh, it was okay.”

Save the big ones for when you’ve seen each other with bedhead and bad moods. Once they’ve earned the good stuff, that’s when you break out the sacred reels.

Because if they fall asleep halfway through The Godfather and you’re already in love, you’ll just tuck ‘em in and think, “Eh, Michael can finish his business without her.” But if they get it — if their eyes light up in that quiet, reverent way — then you’ll know you’ve found someone who speaks your cinematic language.

Love’s a lot like movies, kid. You don’t start with the finale. You build to it.

Stay kind, stay curious, and don’t spill the butter on your way out.— Pappy Hull, The Popcorn Philosopher