Marcus Asay is the founder and chair of World Workforce International, a federation of unions across the globe. Marcus Asay also has been involved in several startup companies including, most recently, MovieBaby, a streaming service that focuses on uplifting, family-friendly content.
Movies can have a physiological effect on their viewers. Psychologist Birgit Wolf has argued that because movies approach us emotionally as opposed to intellectually, they can allow us to be fully present with the emotions elicited by the films without suppressing those emotions. This emotional release may have therapeutic effects.
Comedies can be especially healthy to watch because laughter lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, and boosts the immune system. Blood vessels have been shown to dilate by up to 22 percent for people who are watching comedies. Going to see a funny film might also be useful for someone who is anxious about a certain problem. The film can provide some distance and clarity and might offer a chance for a fresh perspective.
There is also some evidence that imaginative movies can improve creativity in small children. After a group of kids watched clips from a fantasy movie, they scored higher on creativity tests than kids who watched something else.
Marcus Asay 