Movies with the Family

By: Jaime Alemán February 3, 2021

As a growing adult and uncle, growing concerns about the “effects” of watching television have become an issue more relevant to me. As I observe my nephew watching cartoons and movies, I notice the effects it can have on his developing brain. The positive effects are noticeable just as much as the negative effects. The positive effects include vocabulary and broad concepts, while the negative effects range from bullying and stereotypes. Teenagers seem to have a little different circumstance with watching television because they are slightly more developed, but they also tend to have an interaction with the television that definitely effects different aspects of their lives. Adults can feel confident about recognizing bad effects from watching television, or even try to avoid television, but also end up effected by the screen (tv, movie, or phone), both good and bad. Observing my family of mixed ages, mostly girls, interact with each other and the tv is a spectacle, because we are a family that always gives voice to our opinions. A normal Sunday afternoon, closer to evening, we usually all sit in the living room to watch a movie. We all vote on the movie after each person shows a trailer of what they want us to watch together. Because some are in elementary, no rated-R movies are allowed. Some days there are exceptions, like when the kids are swimming is one example of when the movie will be rated-R. The mix of ages is what makes the evening more interesting. As the movie begins, the behavior is usually the same always. It starts with every one paying attention and focused on the beginning to be able to form an opinion about the movie. Based on the first few minutes, I note the interest level of everyone. Mostly, the majority shout out a general evaluation about the movie. Something about if it is going to be good or an idea about it being sad makes the older sisters want to get more engaged with the movie, because they love to cry during a movie. For them, it is a sort of therapy. When the interest level is high, this can make them behave like school-girls because the chatter is notable. The boys in the room act more serious until something is funny. The boys enjoy comedy and a comedy movie makes us want to interact more with each other or bring up a funny story of the past. Some tell others close to them about an actor or actress they seen on another movie. Some like to tell the whole group. Others will agree, or sometimes challenge the validity of the movie the actor was in. Someone always pulls out the phone to look on IMDB (Internet Movie Database) or Google to prove them right or wrong. After this, the typical list of other movies that actor was in, or the other movie the director made and about how good said movie is. The comparison of the other movies is typical in my family. Furthermore, interaction with the television can involve betting on these discrepancies because everyone believes themselves as a “Siskel & Ebert” (past duo movie critics) that know the facts about all movies. Sometimes things get so serious that the movie or channel gets switched over to YouTube to see if the fact is true. Once, two sisters argued and bet against each other over Salma Hayek, the Mexican actress, who acted in Quentin Tarantino’s “From Dusk til Dawn”. The bet needed to be settled right then and there. One sister said the

actress in “From Dusk til Dawn” was Jennifer Lopez and the other sister said that it was Salma Hayek. A hundred-dollar bill was laid on the line and the tension was seriousness and thick. Obviously, the correct sister took both bills and flaunted her winnings with a dance in the middle of the living room. The interaction with the two actresses was interesting because we continue to laugh at this drama, but we all learned and created a terrific memory. During the middle of a Sunday evening movie with the family, most are either very interested and guessing what is about to happen, or half asleep. The ones still involved continue to discuss possible endings and what they want to happen. Discussion can get to the point of pushing pause and allowing each person a chance to say what they think will happen. We all learn something from our guesses because most guesses are reasonable and entertaining. We also let the younger kids express their ideas about the movie. Over the years, we all become more knowledgeable and watching television as a group does have its benefits. The debates over actors, directors, and what they acted in or directed, tend to evolve over the years. When I was one of the kids in the room, I remember not knowing much about the directors, or who won an award or the Oscar, but now I do know and enjoy discussing and sharing what I know with my nephew or niece. I enjoy sharing my familiarity with movies, especially the Marvel or DC movies or “Star Wars”, because we all enjoy passing on what we like or want them to learn about a movie. Also, explaining to them what the “force” from “Star Wars” really means to me is exciting and meaningful. The purpose will always be to help guide them to understand what the movie wants to express. Analyzing a book in class is not always fun to most kids, but analyzing a movie and making it fun, helps teach them that analyzing a book is similar and can also be fun. Shaping a younger generation to critique a movie allows them to absorb and examine what they see on television or their phones. Media literacy is important because it can lead to viewing the world in a positive way and avoid negative effects from television. There will be negative effects from watching movies on tv or at the movies, but the interaction and positive discussion can help steer younger kids toward a more favorable outlook about the effects from television.