Home is Where The Movies Are

Today I wanna talk to you guys about one of the most important things to the general person. That would be our “home” and the perception we have of what home is. A home isn’t necessarily a physical entity but more so a place where one feels the utmost comfort and satisfaction. A “home” might reassemble a favorite memory from the past or be a moment in time where you feel nothing but pure joy.  The common statement “I felt right at home”, serves as a perfect example of this. For me, and the sake of RI-CONIC, two of my all-time favorite “home” experiences are quite common ones that I used to consistently spent with my dad and brother. Pretty much from the moment of my birth, I would be sitting at my dad’s side watching classic movies. Growing up, one of my dad’s favorite movies was the sensational Star Wars “A New Hope”, the first installment of a soon to be groundbreaking franchise. Naturally by the time I was 10 years old, myself along with my brother who would then be 8, had been exposed to the greatness of Star Wars quite a bit. I remember watching any of the first 6 episodes several times a weekend with both my dad and brother and being able to recite the lines of each movie. IT NEVER GOT OLD. 11 years later, the newest installment of Star Wars came out in “Rogue One” just in time for my dad’s birthday so, naturally, I had to get 3 tickets for his birthday gift. As I was sitting in the theatre with my dad and brother loving all the original character cameos along with going crazy at the last scene (if you’ve seen it you know exactly what I’m talking about), I felt exactly the same as I did almost a decade earlier. I felt at home. To me watching Star Wars is home. They may just appear to be 8 really well made sci-fi action movies about an almost never ending intergalactic struggle for peace, but to me Star Wars is my child hood. It is a rainy Saturday afternoon in 2005 with nothing to do but listen to my dad read the intro to each movie as loud and epic as possible, listen to Yoda drop some poorly worded knowledge, and then watch a great lightsaber battle action sequence in pure awe. Star Wars is something I will always be able to share with my dad and brother and for that, I absolutely cherish it. The impact this movie franchise has left on my life is one I will never forget and because of that, every time it comes on, I will always feel at home when I watch it.

Another “home” for me in life has to do with my love for the game of baseball. I played baseball for about 15 years and have always loved the sport. I’m a very passionate Philadelphia Phillies fan and grew up surrounded by the game itself. Playing, watching, or even just reading about baseball has been an oasis for me. I find the game to be very beautiful, testing, and rewarding. One of my favorite all-time movies, The Field of Dreams, is a perfect depiction of the love for the game.

The film uses baseball as an escape from the negative aspects in the characters lives. For many, this is a reality as well in their lives. When playing the game of baseball, everything else seems to slip away and all that remains is the smell of fresh cut grass and dirt. The crack of a bat and the sound of your team mates constantly screaming absurd nonsense at the opposing dugout. For me, this is my home. Baseball is a paradise where only baseball exists. The mental chess game between opposing teams, baserunner and shortstop, pitcher and batter is intoxicating. Being able to cleat up and only focus on getting in the opposing pitchers head for a few hours served as my perfect escape. The feeling of making a game saving play, game winning hit, or shutting down the other teams offense is something that will never leave me. Walking out onto any baseball field will allow for these feelings to return and for me to reminisce on many good and occasionally bad times. Baseball served as my teacher and friend growing up. I learned how to overcome obstacles both mental and physical. I learned how to grow from my mistakes and watch them turn into success. Most importantly, I watched myself become a man. Baseball made me the person I am today. My life has been perfectly reflected in the sport of baseball, therefor whenever I step onto the field, I remember the path I’ve taken and am able to reflect upon it. Baseball reminds me of who I am, baseball is my home.

Welcome to RI-CONIC

LAAADIESSS AND GENNTLLLEMAN, BOYS AND GIRLS, by reading this you have just launched your vessel of enlightenment into the future of ultimate movie reviewing and culture. Serving as the new central hub of this film reviewing center, RI-CONIC has dispatched its movie research probes into every last corner of the film universe, scanning every single parsec and leaving no film uncharted. No movie title, genre, style, length, or even character will be overlooked. So put on your seat belts, keep all limbs inside the vehicle at all times, grab some snacks, and hold on tightly because RI-CONIC ENGAGED.

          Still reading?? If you haven’t already dropped every single thing you were doing up until this moment along with cancelled all your plans for the next week to make time for some MAGNIFICENT RI-CONIC movie action, I’ll provide you with a little more background about me, Reilly Roan, movie fan extraordinaire. I’m currently studying IT and Physics at THE Rutgers University as a Junior. I live in the beautiful and sunny state of New Jersey in a town called Woodbury NJ, about 10 mins from Philadelphia (YES, I am a MASSIVE Rocky fan). I, probably like most of you, have been watching movies all my life and would like to think I’ve acquired quite a well cultured and tasteful pallet of favorite movies in the past 21 years of my life. To me, a movie is a lot more than just a 2 hour video. It’s an open doorway into which the viewing audience can fully immerse themselves in a new world and experience amazing new things. Movies open brand new doors to the imagination, freeing the mind of the ordinary and give birth to worlds of creativity. I’ve always believed that one can learn a great deal about a person from the movies they like. For example, a few of my all-time favorites would have to be the Star Wars saga, Caddy shack, The Blues Brothers, This is the End, Saving Private Ryan, and The Matrix series. I can also just tell someone straight up that I am a bit of an adrenaline junky who’s always been fascinated by the vast unknown of space with an undying love for humor. This wouldn’t be nearly a fun though. Clearly these movies have a direct correlation with my personal qualities and interests. Just like I’ve done in this introduction, I plan to connect my personal views and emotions to movies and the stories told by them. Being able to emotionally connect with a movie is, in my opinion, one of the greatest every-day experiences a person can have. This experience allows for an mental adventure and imaginative experience unlike many other. This is just a drop in the barrel of what’s to come however. As the weeks go on you will learn a great deal more about me through my movie interests and just what I feel are the best aspects to these best movies and why. Next week you’ll get to take a peek into my vast love for sports through some of the best sports movies ever achieved. SO BEST PUT ON YOUR BELIEVIN PANTS because its gonna get inspirational.

            Overall, I plan on filling your hungry minds with only the greatest scenes, lines, action sequences, comedic genius, and perfectly timed cameos in movie history (in my opinion of course). I will be writing consistently about many different aspects of these movies, mainly, the parts of the movie that, I believe, make them truly better and separate them from the rest of the pack. So please take your time to peruse and leave as much of your own input as you like. The thoughts of the viewer are just as important as mine and will help shed light different ideas and approaches toward the film. SO BASICALLY, JUST LEAVE COMMENTS. Thanks for reading and enjoy.