Have you ever been to a movie in State College and noticed some dorky blonde sitting in the theater with a pen and a notebook?
Or worse, have you ever gone to a movie like Blade II, hoping for a little guy bonding when some annoying girl interrupts your fun simply to ask, "why?"
If you've answered, "yes" to either of these questions, then we've probably met. Let me introduce myself: My name is Jenn Heinold and I am a Collegian movie reviewer. Inevitably after an introduction of such grandeur, there are questions that follow.
Let me take a moment to answer the most popular and nagging questions I am asked.
1. Do I pay for my own movies?
Yes. The theater admission comes right out of my pocket. Maybe it makes me a more credible reviewer.
2. How do I take notes in the dark?
It isn't easy, but I consider it to be an art. The truth is, I do take notes, but they are few. I usually just jot down a word or two if something struck me during the movie, so I remember to include it when I write my review.
3. What's my favorite movie?
This is the question I loathe the most -- I couldn't pick just one. Movies serve so many purposes. I like different kinds of movies at different times.
Tonight, I will go to the theater for the last time as a Collegian movie reviewer. It's been a fun few semesters -- I attended a movie premiere in Los Angeles, I have an impressive collection of movie press kits (which I hear sell quite well in a black market created on Ebay), and I've seen a lot of movies.
Most were mediocre, a few were exceptional and few were so bad I think I'm scarred for life. Truth be told, I loved movies long before I began reviewing them; my passion for them will never die.
I've learned a lot in my four years at Penn State -- I learned from my classes, I've learned from my professors, I've learned from my friends, I've learned from my parents, I've learned from the Collegian, I've learned from fraternity parties and I've learned from movies.
Movies are made for many different reasons. Some make us laugh, some make us cry, some make us think, some simply entertain us for two hours so we can escape from the world.
I've decide to let some of the movies that have affected me speak for themselves.
I've compiled a list of some of my favorite movie lines. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do, and maybe I'll see some of you at The Scorpion King tonight -- I'll be the girl with the notebook.
-- "I'm still looking for that 'Dare to be Great' situation," said by Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) in Say Anything.
-- "The only thing that you have to be by the age of 23 is yourself," said by Troy Dyer (Ethan Hawke) in Reality Bites. (As a jobless 22-year-old, I find this quote most helpful.)
-- "Snap out of it!" said by Loretta Castorini (Cher) in Moonstruck.
-- "Oh yeah, you blend," said by Mona Lisa Vito (Marisa Tomei) in My Cousin Vinny.
-- "Men are shameless, if you're not thinking with your weiner, then your acting directly on its behalf," said by Skylar (Minnie Driver) in Good Will Hunting.
-- "You had me at hello," said by Dorothy (Renée Zellweger) in Jerry Maguire.
-- "Maybe there won't be marriage, maybe there won't be sex, but by God there'll be dancing!" George (Rupert Everett) in My Best Friend's Wedding.
-- "I gave her my heart and she gave me a pen," said by Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) in Say Anything.
-- "You don't know about true loss because that only occurs when you dare to love someone more than you love yourself," said by Sean Maguire (Robin Williams) in Good Will Hunting.
-- "I found out what the secret to life is--friends. Best friends," said by Ninny Threadgoode (Jessica Tandy) in Fried Green Tomatoes.
