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Friday's Missive: Movies that changed your life
November 5, 2004
I promise this is the end of the "change your life" series. I'm becoming Oprah up in here. Now all we need are tissues and a commercial break (and a really good hairstylist). As far as movies are concerned, I think much of what America has been producing on screen is whole lot of hype, wrapped up in some flowery messages and stuffed with cliches and predictability. Then when I see movies coming out wherein the protaganist steals the Declaration of Independence because it has a treasure map on the back, I can't help but think it's all about the box office. I mean, why else would "Dumb & Dumber" have a SEQUEL? As for older flicks, I find a great deal of depth in some of them, and a whole lot of fallacy in a lot of them. Today however, I think we stand on the shoulders of innovative filmmakers and the past shouldn't be forgotten. Unfortunately, the rare gems of good film-making often slip through the cracks as the masses demand for more mind-numbing, thoughtless films. We're all to blame really. I often wish people would realize that good box office figures should be the direct result of a very good film, not a sloppy, special effects nightmare. I am a fairly emotional person, but I don't tend to cry during movies. From what I recall, the first time I remember crying during a movie was...don't laugh, "The Nutty Professor". Yes, the Eddie Murphy remake. Incredibly lame, I know. But in my defense, I may have been in a funk of sorts, hormonal, who knows. I'm not too fond of watching fat people being made fun of, so I cried. This does not however, preclude me from making fun of Michael Moore. He is fair game because he has the nerve to lecture the country on the evils overconsumption. Anyway, on with what's good. Call me crazy, but I'm one of those people that believes that most mass media outlets can be used tremendously to affect the masses. As far as I'm concerned, we "ain't seen nothin yet". So when I consider what films had a great impact on my life personally, I consider anything and everything that's ever tweaked my perspective or attitude, enraged me, bothered me, motivated me, or even touched me. I'll name just a few and update this list later:
In no particular order: Ghandi Close Encounters of the Third Kind The Matrix - The first was absolutely amazing, and deep... the second two were absolutely horrendous. Braveheart because it's all about rebellion and throwing off restraints. lol. That and it remindsme of the mouther country. Black Hawk Down because I'mn all about military flicks. We Were Soldiers because Gibson's character was a great example in leadership. The Butterfly Effect. Disturbing but extremely powerful. For anyone who wonders what might have happened, if.... Aaron cosign on The Matrix and The Passion In Car Wash I saw the first fictitious character with whom I identified...and still see the similarities, for that matter. Juice- Potential Untapped So many subplots that could have been explored but I just like the interaction between the main character and his friends Rush Hour 1 and 2 and Money Talks (Because I think the directors did an excellent job of letting Chris Tucker freestyle and ad lib) This was the first time I saw in a movie(s) interaction someone speak and articulate the thoughts that so many ordinary people inner city youth think in their head but dont say. Matrix 1 Finding Forrester- I like the dialogue and that the young man was challenged to see beyond his immediate visual environment and to not use excuses as a reason for failure. I also liked the fact that there was an implied interest with him and a young lady without the sex or sexually suggestive activity! Well done for nowadays. Antwan Fisher The Untouchables- I like Al Capone excellent job by Deniro in capturing the mind of a villian 1. Destroy All Monsters - Godzilla and friends take on a three-headed space monster (Ghidra?). That set me on a science/techno course for my life. 2. The Godfather - One of the few films that my dad took me to see, and my first R-rated screen shot of a nekkid woman. Besides the boyhood lust, the movie impacted my view of "family". 3. The Sure Thing - I could empathize with the John Cusack character, a guy just floating through life until he finds his true love. After that movie I felt like I was ready, and not too long after that I met the future Mrs. Spud and we have been together for 19+ years. There hasn't been too much lately that has been "life-altering", although the Ring films and the Passion were both moving. [It's been so long since I've seen Carwash that I can't remember all of the characters, but I hope Avery is not similar to the Fly!] Movies I Loved: Movies I hated: There are more but they do not come to mind right now.
Oh yeah, among my more recent favorites, The Lord of The Rings trilogy. My all-time favorite movie: Sound of Music Another movie that changed my life: Star Wars (the Original triology. Before they messed it up) If you thought Schindler's List was that impressive, read the book. The book was better. I won't say that these changed my life exactly, but they resonate with me because they speak to my conscience and personhood: Ghandi Akira was one that changed my life because it was weird to me. I was an anime Buff in my early days As well as this film called "The Killer" by John Woo it had the most gun scenes in a film ever the date it was released. It is interesting because they started calling in John Woo's expertise for movies like "Face-Off" later on. We seem to sleep a lot on what the foreign market has to offer in the film industry We think we have the keys I guess! But now we have awakened to great real action actors like Jackie Chan and Jet Li these cats have been holding it down since I was a wee one... Mr. Smith Goes To Washington - Obvious reasons. Arsenic and Old Lace/Bringing Up Baby/His Girl Friday - All of them bestowed on me an oddball sense of humor. Plus, the latter film, despite some questionable social undertones, gave a pretty interesting look at the times when the MSM was doing what the bloggers are doing today. The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer - More oddball humor, and it also gave this then-13-year-old a reason to watch Shirley Temple movies. At least the ones where she was a downright hottie at this point in her life. Life is Beautiful - Yet more oddball humor, this time coupled with a very real yet tastefully portrayed tragedy. One of the few flicks that came close to bringing tears to my eyes in my entire teen life. I Was A Communist For The FBI - Over the top? Maybe. Great slice of shameless patriotic propaganda which came as a welcome relief to those of us stuck in Europe for seven years? Definately. Snoopy, Come Home - That one's a long story, don't want to hear it, myself. I have yet to see the Passion of the Christ due to my location and schedule. However, I'm sure that when I do get around to seeing it, it will be on the list. So...count that one preemptively. Movies I love; Movies I hate; All of you would do fine around my sister, the musical and hokey movie queen who adores "The Sound of Music". Well in fact, I will confess I quite dig Julie Andrews and everything she touches. And since a few people have thrown out movies they hate, here's one I absolutely detest: American Beauty. The screenwriter Allan Ball can go poo on himself for all the depth that was in that twistedly sadistic script that was supposedly "representative" of American culture. HA! And why it won an Academy Award is beyond me. And why everyone hails it as such a good movie just doesn't click with me. Two thumbs down. WAYYY down. And Chad, you couldn't see "the Passion" because of location? Where do you live, Antarctica? The Mohabi? Just curious.... Lommel, Belgium, actually. Quite a nice little drive from the nearest theater large enough to show it. And as missionaries with a few fledgling works, we're pretty much tied up all week. We recently got the DVD, but I haven't seen it yet. Movies have been elusive in my schedule, of late. I think the last one I watched was Finding Nemo...much earlier this year. (Great flick, by the way, but not life-changing.) An international reader! Well hotdog. Okay then Chadster, I retract my Antarctica statement. I realize how tough it can be to catch flicks internationally. Last time I was in France, I recall them being months behind us on what was in theaters. And I also know the confines of ministry all too well. And I agree, Finding Nemo was a winner. Pixar has another one coming out today called "The Incredibles". I don't catch movies in theaters all too often, but I certainly might catch that one. a quick story: james and leida and i went to see a late show of a certain movie back a few years ago. we settled in to our seats, eyes wide open. after the movie was over, we went to the local 24 hour cigarette and pancake joint. we stumbled to our usual booth, then, without speaking, the three of us crammed into the same side (leida, as the female, in the middle). we all had an unspoken need for human contact. we silently stared at the naugahyde bench across from us, drank about four pots of coffee, and never were quite the same. that movie was 'saving private ryan.' only a few other movies have gotten to me like that, the usuals: schindler's list, life is beautiful, et al. but the more obscure movie that really got to me was 'immortal beloved.' watching beethoven slowly descend into deafness, and then, after the premiere of his 9th symphony . . . well, it gets dusty whenever that happens. really dusty, actually. that really gets me right there. and 'the mission,' too. same story. lots of allergens in the air with that one. oh, and by the way, my roommate just returned from seeing 'the incredibles.' his review: "great plot, very very funny. just overall, a lot of fun, and a fairly long movie. well worth seeing in the theater." so there you go. In no particular order: I have eclectic tastes. Some might even say a mite strange. Oh well. Movies that changed/touched me: Passion of the Christ (Obvious reasons) Enjoyed but not special: Sands of Iwo Jima (nowadays, probably pretty campy, but I thought it was great for its time). Despised: Twins (I walked out, and I was 12 years old) My Buddy has banned and confiscated from his platoon in Iraq: Fahrenheit 9/11 Another neat excercise, Ambra. I have some film buff friends of mine who could at the drop of a hat, in the middle of the night, have at the ready a list of their top-50 movies (and why). I, on the other hand, seem to have trouble remembering much of any movie after I've seen it, even if I thoroughly enjoyed it. A few very short specific scenes, mebbe and a general overall feeling about it, is all that ever lasts. I loved a lot of the movies already mentioned, but in terms of any lasting effect on how I view life, I think I can go with: Do The Right Thing cuz it reinforced for me the importance of how small acts of graciousness can affect things powerfully, broadly (like the proverbial butterfly effect) and Being There (starring Peter Sellars). A movie my dad made us rent one day and boy, it started off real (real) slow. It never really sped up. you just sorta get acclimated to the pace and bob along like a leaf on a slow movin river. Anyway, the thing i really liked about that was the idea that you can remain relatively still and at peace while the earth buzzes around you. It was Forrest Gump before Forrest Gump. Oh, and i'll sneak in Gattaca. Can't really say it changed my life exactly, but it moved me to tears (happy ones) and that rarely happens. Movies I Like: The Passion of the Christ Out of all of these movies, I was probably the most moved by The Passion and Life is Beautiful. I really liked Antwone Fisher and Good Willing Hunting, but I'm not sure they're way up there on my list. Still, though, they're excellent movies! I identified a little bit with the character, Antwone Fisher. I got the link to your site from Mark Shea's. Your blog is very fun and interesting to read! Keep up the good work! God bless! Before I give my list I wanted to tell Chad that I was in Belgium this summer with a group called Global Missions Project. We were doing music missions with the Baptist missionaries over in Liege. We also helped out at the refugee centers. Where is Lommel? My list isn't life changing, just movies I loved and have watched many times. I would say that books are more life changing than movies most of the time. Amadeus (11 times or so) Sorry this is so long. Can you tell I like to cry? Blessings "My Buddy has banned and confiscated from his platoon in Iraq: I know the military is NOT a democracy, any soldiers do voluntarily give up some of their personal freedoms when they enlist.... BUUUUUT... your "buddy" probably misses the irony of fighting a war to impose democracy, whilst taking away freedom of thought from his own soldiers... Chad, Darn right the military is not a democracy. (neither is the US meant to be, but that is another rant). There is a phrase called "good order and discipline" that you have heard of, and that trumps alot of rights in the military. Considering the affect that movie has on morale, it would be similar to asking Dr. Goebbels to give the 101st a pep talk on June 5th, 1944. I would remind you that my friend is saving those you men a lot of trouble, because it also violates the UCMJ: Article 88 Contempt Towards Officials Luckiliy Article 88 is only applied to the military, or after this last election the entire country I think would be in trouble.
The Incredibles I'd add these to your list: Juat recently came across #6 by accident. Never heard about this one when it came out. Ghandi It's funny how they affect you: Ghandi made me a pacifist, Mockingbird made me want to be a lawyer, Lion King made me want to be an animator, and the Exorcist made me want to be a priest! Chariots of Fire And just for fun, O Brother, Where art thou?. Maybe it's a southern thing, but it seriously cracks me up, although I suppose that's the only way in which it moves me. Love your blog, btw.
I would definately have to say, right now, a movie that changed my life as a child was ROOTS. My mother is white and my father is black. I never knew my dad. I only knew white people. My family had a hard time explaining slavery to me, but when I saw ROOTS, it explained it all. There are more, but just off the top of my head: The Passion of the Christ A few were life changing, but most just movies I love. I'm still stuck on Minority Report as far as man's curiosity into "wanting to know what will will happen, before it happens." Pre-crime(the message of the movie) hum. I wonder if that is what the media was doing with all it's exit polling numbers in wanting to know who was gonna win the election. I think they'd have a better chance in getting into the prophetic spirit of God. It's free-but it'll cost you everthing to have that level of annointing. "It's a Wonderful Life" gave me hope in a very difficult time in my life. How bout something a little different; Shawshank Redemption (the enduring power of hope and the human spirit) Shawshank Redemption Imitation of life Aw man, you missed your chance! { Comments are now closed for this entry. } |
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The Passion of the Christ
Because it made me realize exactly what my sin cost my Savior, the extent of His love for me and the victory of His resurrection.