Film: this is the word us cinemaddicts use for what everyone else calls movies, or what my grandparents still call picture shows. To most people, a movie is merely a long display of a story as told by actors they love. To me, movies come a little different. For you to understand where I’m coming from, let’s go all the way back to last year.

Somewhere in the midst of my freshman year, something struck me, something that compelled me to love movies. I don’t mean love movies like every 14-year-old girl loves Titanic—I mean a passion for the art. My love for film came to a point where I learned so much about the movie industry that I even freaked myself out sometimes. Every week it seems I have a “Why on earth do I know that?” moment, and I try to think about something a little more normal. But, the climax of my movie addiction came to a tremendous height over this summer. To put it short and sweet, I watched one movie every day this summer.

Before you stop believing me and turn the page, know that I am as ashamed of it as you are. I know, usually people’s deep dark secrets are serious, but mine is that I watch too many movies. Now the question in your head is “How did this kid find that many movies to watch?” The simple answer to this question is as follows: I was simply dared by my cousin to watch every movie ever nominated for Best Picture.

Right now all of you are doing the math in your head for how many movies that is. I KNOW! It’s TOO many. But before you call me crazy, just note that there’s an upside to this madness, and you can all blame this on my cousin (Thanks Jim!). The beauty behind this beast is that film, to me, is the greatest learning resource out there.

I can’t even begin to tell you how much I’ve learned just from the movies I’ve watched. I’ve not just learned which movies are bad, I’ve learned why movies are bad. I’ve learned how to tell good acting from bad acting. I’ve learned the different kinds of camera shots, and the different jobs that are on a movie set. I’ve learned what dialogue makes good screen conversation and what doesn’t.  I’ve especially learned a lot of history and information from many of the movies I’ve watched (kudos to Kevin Costner on that one).

For those reasons and so many more, I’ve found a light at the end of my sad, sad tunnel; I’ve been given hope that this whole thing isn’t a colossal waste of time.

So, what point am I trying to make of this? Simple. Many schools around the North Shore offer film classes that teach the kinds of things I am learning on my own. GBN is not one of them. All of these things that I’ve been forced to figure out through time and patience could easily be taught by one of the great teachers at the great school of GBN (heck, even I could teach the class by now).

I was dumbfounded when I learned GBN didn’t offer a film class, even when GBS does (as does New Trier). So the point of this article is to get the word out there that GBN could stop the motives of sad souls like me, and start an easy beginner film class for next year or next semester even. If that deed could be done, then the species of cinemaddicts at GBN would all be pleased.

Okay, now that my point has been made, I can finally answer the question that’s been on all of your minds this whole article, “How far along are you in your movie watching?” Well folks, for your information, I have officially seen every best picture nominee since 1987, and even somehow maintained a social and active life! Surprising, eh?

And if you don’t believe me, I am accepting any challengers that think they can stump me (try me, I dare you). Feel free do the math. I’ve done it as well, it’s not pretty. But even after seeing all of those movies, I can’t believe how much I still love movies and how much I’ve learned. Now GBN, please, make a film class for me. My parents are getting worried.