Yesterday was my day off from work and the weather had a funk to it. My plan was to act upon a tradition I have not abused in a long time – going to the movies.

I logged onto my computer and checked the movie listings for the Lennox. To my disbelief, I was not interested in seeing a single thing. This was unsettling, not only because it ruined my plans for the day, but also because I love watching movies at the theater.

I am a hopeful film student – a wannabe film maker – so movies are more than just a hobby. It is hard to give all this devotion to the movie industry when the love is unrequited. Yes, the movie industry is killing me by producing crap that I am not interested in seeing.

Let us examine my options. I could’ve gone to see “13 Going On 30,” but I don’t find the unoriginal plot or Jennifer Garner to be very appealing. Besides, no self-respecting male should watch that movie alone – although I’ve done worse.

I could’ve gone to see “The Whole Ten Yards,” a seemingly pointless sequel – except as an attempt to make a few dollars. Or how about the “Passion of Christ?” Or “The Punisher?” Or “Home on the Range?”

I generally like movies about torture, comic movies and cartoons. But I don’t find any of these features appealing.

I think the answer is, no matter how much I love movies and dream of some Hollywood success, I feel that for the past 18 months, movies and the people who make them have really let me down.

I saw “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and I thought it was one of the worst movies I have ever seen, despite the rave reviews. I even spent a considerable amount of time constructing an argument to get my money back.

“Kill Bill Vol. 2” gave me the same feeling as the first – I was not that impressed.

Let us not forget summer is upon us, which means the movie blockbuster season is just around the corner, so everybody get excited about going to see “Spider-Man 2,” “Troy,” “King Arthur” and the new “Harry Potter” flick.

Hopefully, those will be worth at least the price of admission, popcorn and a drink. There is the romantic comedy, “The Terminal,” starring Tom Hanks and Catherine Zeta Jones, and from the people who brought you “Independence Day,” “Godzilla” and “The Patriot” comes the world destruction movie “The Day After Tomorrow” – need I say more?

Will Ferrell stars as a 70s newscaster in the film “Anchorman” and Halle Berry as “Catwoman” in the first film that focuses on the feline supervillain/hero.

There is the animated wonder “Shrek 2” (why?) and “Garfield,” which I will admit for personal reasons I am excited to see my favorite orange cat.

For those who love old school, I think you are going to be furious when you find out that Hollywood (most likely) has ruined films like “The Manchurian Candidate” and “The Stepford Wives,” plus I am still trying to figure out why they remade “Around the World in 80 Days” with Jackie Chan, because the original was pretty lame and the remake cannot be any better.

Am I a movie snob?

Yes, I think I know more than the average bear and I am willing to prove it: I can tell the difference between a popcorn movie and a profound one. While I could simply go to an arthouse theater to watch a so-called better indie flick, I don’t think I’m that pretentious.

So am I right, and is Hollywood killing me, slowly?

I think, at least unintentionally, they are.

No matter how dramatic this may all seem, I really do love movies and couldn’t think of a better way to spend two hours of my time. I have carried this principle most of my life and to make junk movies is to question my existence.

Am I a special case?

Probably, but I am sure there are some of you out there who think the same thing.

Alejandro Ramirez is a junior in film studies. He can be reached for comment at [email protected].