Introduction:

Movies have been a part of human culture, right since the birth of their art form itself. From the silent black-and-white films of the early years to the present blockbusters loaded with CGI, something, it would seem, has been happening in filmmaking-something, in some esoteric yet inexplicable way, succeeds in drawing to itself the attention of all people, whatever their age or culture. Whether it’s adrenaline in an action-thriller, emotional depth in a great tear-jerking drama, or spine-tingling chills in a horror flick, it keeps the viewer glued through deep resonance.

And now let’s untangle the history of films and trace their way toward influencing the culture and lifestyles that made them so popular as a form of entertainment. Some personal anecdotes and experiences will prove the ability of films to shape not just individuals but even generations.

History of Cinema: From Silent Films to Streaming

Actually, cinematic history is rather interesting. The first cinematic movie adaptations were silent movie adaptations like The Great Train Robbery, (1903), and A Trip to the Moon, (1902), which caused a commotion in the industry at the turn of the century, which was 1900. Motion Picture Roundhay Garden Scene was the first motion picture ever filmed in 1888 but was short and quite unknown then. No synchronisation in the sound in their films, yet visual narration of them had made them go quite berserk with audiences.

I can recall seeing The Great Train Robbery when I was a little kid. Film history class, of course. That’s one of the best mind-openers about how much you can say by saying nothing at all. All that tension and drama could erupt at the hands of actor’s actions and this new-fangled camera work. Movies are basically a visual medium and was then just as they are now.

Talkies” made cinema change in late 1920s onwards. The first talkies came after the coming of The Jazz Singer in 1927, and after that, the cinema industry never once faltered. Hollywood became an international hub for production, and amidst all those studios stood just legendary studios-the kind of studios like Paramount, Warner Bros., and MGM.

The Hollywood Golden Age: Sheen, Bling, and Narration

Loosely defined, the Golden Age of Hollywood is that time period that falls between the late 1920s and the early 1960s. It was a time for gigantic growth and transition within the industry of films. Classic films that we nostalgically talk about today were shot during this period. Movies like Gone with the Wind, Casablanca, and Citizen Kane turn into the feature films which shape cultural moments.

All those films were made with great finesse with Hollywood legends such as Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. These would take the viewer on-a sweeping romance, gritty war dramas to thumping noir mysteries. An evening at the cinema for most cinemagoers is a special occasion. Back in bygone days, dressing up, buying popcorn and watching the latest offering at grand single-screen cinemas.

My grandmother introduced me to the classics during adolescence. I’d say not too excited about Casablanca, and I wouldn’t know myself until later on that movies in black and white, to tell you the truth, were nothing but old news and seemed as if they plod along too slowly.

But tension, romance, and even moral dilemmas were hooked into the story that she was doing. Then it came to me what wonderful tales might be-about totally unshackled from the chains of chronology and technocracy.

Blockbusters: Entertainment for the Masses

The 1970s and the 1980s was a cinema altogether new, giant blockbusters ruled it all. And films like Jaws in 1975, Star Wars in 1977, and E.T. in 1982 remodeled marketing and distribution patterns of motion pictures. They are no more a story being told but an event with their swag of merchandise then sequels and not least fans in every corner of the world.

It was that time that provided cinema as the first-ever production in history, which would be able to march shoulder to shoulder, step in step with art and commerce together. The people started acknowledging Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, besides hundreds of others who went house to house of each society, and the films they produced shape the whole generation of filmmakers.

But now, if I look back to my childhood, then it was really, really much different because watching Star Wars for the first time was just like my whole life changed. And I actually still remember sitting in a full theater, lights going down, then John Williams’ score blasting through the speakers. Here was the excitement of wonder palpable. Still, up to this day, Star Wars remains one of my favorite films from the plot point and as it felt when I was a kid. Pure magic.

But to say anything more profound cultural and sociological implications is nothing short of describing the power of movies, shaping all other stuff.

Movies tend to reflect the times; they probe issues, question mores and speak for those less often given a voice. From feminist drama in Thelma & Louise to race critique brought by Do the Right Thing, films can challenge their audiences to think, bring up conversations, sometimes move audiences to action .

One of my movie experiences where I have ever felt most profoundly is probably watching Schindler’s List (1993).  I am just witnessing, through the movie, Holocaust, which is heart-wrenching; however, that I do realize in myself now that I have a very eye-opening term. By the end of this film, I was convinced that I took it inside my heart so to say, and I was leaving the cinema with strong empathy and renewed sense of understanding about history.

That’s how powerful movies can influence us-they don’t just entertain them; they teach, challenge, and inspire. That has completely, totally changed movies with internet and all these new streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney. All of that-theater houses and renting DVDs to watch a film-all a thing of the past with that; today thousands and thousands of films are right at your fingertips.

This democratization also brought democratized filmmaking. Independent creators can showcase their work on other channels, and audiences never had so many choices as they do today. Of course, streaming services overshadow traditional cinemas but the digital era brought in an era of convenience and accessibility to movie lovers like never before.

It’s during this pandemic that I actually did my streaming work.

Now, I can say all those movies which I used to want to catch at home caught me. Well, with all that time at home, I could catch up on classics that I was always missing out on and find new genres. It was a period in which I first really caught sight of the beauty of international cinema. By Parasite, 2019; I opened myself to all that rich telling outside the Hollywood bubble, please. Emotional Foundation of Films: Why We Go to the Cinema

Movies are an emotional incitement. They may give us causes to laugh, cry, become afraid, get angry, and so many things more. Using these sounds, colors, images, and motions, they allow us to experience truly very vast ranges of emotion in a truly safe manner. This is the emotional connection that brings us into the movie.

Very few film experiences will leave in memory, but these will touch the heart. I still remember when I saw The Lion King returning in 1994. It is just at that time when I was still a child and watched that movie. I was howling at the scene where Simba lost his father, but it taught me much ever since about sorrow, duty, and bravery.

From the day of our first movie-going experience, we have grown up looking for movies that come straight to the heart. Maybe it is the greatest comedy of the end of the miserable week or some drama that hurt so close to the home during the soft time. Movies tend to comfort, challenge, and inspire people all together.

Conclusion: Movies as a Timeless Form of Art and Entertainment

And after all these years, since their emergence, all this was something which people craved. They no doubt put their mark on culture and society; silent films from the early 1900s to the current stream blockbusters-the film industry is growing and thriving and outliving the art of storytelling, emotion provocation, and thought provocation.

Films will always fill up my personal entertainment, inspiration, and comfort. This film will make me experience new worlds, question some of my beliefs, and have memories that I never forget. You can call me a film enthusiast or junkie crazy about movies, but you should agree that films always influence our lives and culture.

But perhaps only in film-thinking of that future, as opposed to that, that is, in wake of this wave that these few years will bring-the cinema of virtual reality and artificial intelligence, for example, or fully interactive storytelling-but in whatever totality of change technology and style may assume-movies will in one respect remain forever the same, which is that they will reflect who we are and what we care about as people.

Well, time to just pop the corn and sit a little bit back into your favorite spot on the couch and prepare yourself for your next cinematic adventure. And, of course, nothing really compares to that cinema magic.