I am a big fan of going to the movies, I really enjoy the experience of it, but by no means am I a big fan or expert of movies in any way. I like watching movies, and I usually have an opinion of what I thought of the movie after I watched it, but I have no basic knowledge of what differentiates a good film from an Oscar winning film. Recently, I saw the movie Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse, a movie that I was generally excited for because I really love superhero movies. I saw it on a Sunday afternoon with a friend, someone who really does know a lot about movies so it is fun to go to them together, and after sitting through the movie, I turned to her and said, ‘can I get my two hours back?” She looked at me like I was crazy.

After I found out that she loved it, I learned that the entire country loved it as well, and it even won the Golden Globe for Best Animated Movie. I needed to defend my position. I needed to hold my ground when every person asked “why” and “how” over and over again. I couldn’t help thinking, “I can’t be the only one that doesn’t like this movie,” but from what I heard, I was. I was alone in my opinions, a feeling that I have always been so uncomfortable with. Insecurity of opinions is a mental challenge I have dealt with my whole life; a question I always seem to ask myself is if I am just feeling a certain way because someone else feels that same way.

So know I have to figure out how to dislike a movie everyone likes. I learned three steps. One: Admit that there were good parts, for example, in Spiderman, the animation was incredible. Two: Accept that people will disagree with you and you probably can’t convince them otherwise. Three: Hold your ground. I am not saying don’t let people talk to you, because that is how you get experience in forming and holding opinions, but when you talk about the movie, or anything for that matter, know what you are going to say, keep referring to the point where the actor lost you or the plot just got to crazy for you to follow or believe.

Now you know my struggle and steps to hold my own in any conversation. Now, when your friend defends their favorite movie or their favorite burger restaurant, you don’t have to agree and you know exactly how to respond to their confusion and persuasion.