Movies, along with television and music videos, are among the most powerful opinion shapers and trend setters in contemporary society. For the last one hundred years, they have help to frame the collect cultural mind set.

From comedies and romantic love storeis to documentaries and drama, movies have become a fundamental means of communication in the modern era. For many movies have become the new reality. For better or worse, in many instances this false reality has been seen to leech into the real word, changing view and ways of life.

Movies have been a part of the global landscape since the last two decades of the 19th century.  From silent films, the early talkies, those grand old  cliffhangers or serialized films, to today's major mega buck blockbusters,  motion pictures have played  a significant role in molding our common popular culture and our view of our global rights.  People around the world know about Hollywood, and a growing number are familiar with Bollywood, even if they are not familiar with Indian film making. Hindi movies are claiming a growing market share. As the technology has improved, the impact has grown exponentially.

Today, rather than going to the movie theatre, you can easily watch movie trailers and movies online, and the best movies as well as some of the worst are available on DVD. Amazon, one of the worlds leading providers of movies and DVDs, has a huge selection of films for the whole family. You can choose from their vast selection of new and old films in their library and have them delivered to your door. Amazon also has movies to download if you don't want to wait for delivery. By selecting the On Demand options and you can watch movies online.

So you want to be a movie maker?

Today's technology provides many who aspire to be in the movie business a means to realize their dream with a reasonable amount of financial outlay on their part. Of course, there are some things about movie making that are hard and fast, for example a good script and good actors (known or unknown) are a prerequisite to making a good movie, and just as in real estate, location - location - location is fundamental. But with all that said, if you have a few dollars to spare, you may be in line to become the next Francis Ford Coppala.

However, don't get the idea that inexpensive means cheap. Movie making doesn't come cheap even if everyone involved in the production works for free. There are still many things that require cash. But, if you have a credit card or two that you can max out, you may be director/producer material. So, if you're considering becoming a movie maker, you may want to check out the page: SoYouWanna Make a low-budget movie? They have most of the information you need to get started.

Film festivals such as Cannes, Sundance and others have also carved a place for themselves in our collective mind and even movie critics such as Roger Ebert are well known. The judgement of movie critics is often used as a guide to select movies. Their guidance can be invaluable when searching for the best movies from the set of current movies or wading through those that are advertised as hot movies. So . . .

How do you become a movie critic?

We read articles written by movie critics and we see them on television telling us what is or isn't worth seeing all the time, but, how do these people become critics? What makes their opinion of a movie or TV program any more valid then yours or mine?

Well, I can't tell you how to become a Roger Ebert, but if you don't mind starting out small (and unpaid) check out Reel Reviews website. You can submit a 400 word review, and if they accept it, you will be published on their website as one of their reviews.

If you don't feel up to writing your own reviews, but you would like to see what average viewers are saying about that movie you are thinking of seeing, then check out their reviews section.