looking to buy a first camera, can anyone give me any recommendations?

Get a good one.

That depends on a LOT of things. Most of all your price range. It also depends a lot on your motivation and dedication. If movies are what you know you want to make, then get a good (not very high end, but good) camera so that you can actually use it with good results. If you just want to try the experience of film making, any camcorder with a firewire port will work. I got my first JVC at a pawn shop for 300 ca (priced new at 1,100 us thank you very much), and I didn't learn much about camera technology but I did learn tons on camera technique.

If you go into detail, you're apt to get a detailed response.

Well like they said you want to research something good within your price range. They said you can't learn technology but of course you can:

Get something with manual features, a focus ring, shutter speed control, exposure control, whatever you can get. A Mic port is almost essential as well.

Look up reviews on actual camera sites, not something like Cnet or Consumer Reports. Consumer reviews will give you which is clearest and which is easiest- not much else.

Finally, either stick with your price range or save up some money. I really don't think if your starting out you need to spend 2500 dollars on a prosumer camcorder but if you can, shell out the money for something from the 800-1000 range with 3-CCDs and maybe even HD.

And as always, good luck and have fun.