Thursday, April 24, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Garden State
This movie had a very sweet sadness to it that really drew me in. I enjoy feeling the pathos of the human condition once in a while, and this film captured this well.
Stand by me
"II never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?"
This movie really makes me think back to my childhood and all of the wonderful, (and not so wonderful) times I had. Kind of a generation defining movie for kids who grew up with this movie.
The Big Chill
I love the message this move conveys about how friendship is something you never really lose despite gaps in time and distance.
Finding Neverland
This is really a very thoughtful movie that really conveys the wonder of childhood. I absolutely love the scene where the little boy identifies Mr. Barrie as Peter Pan to the crowd at the opening of his show. This movie also really addresses the issue of loss and is as thoughtful as it is inspiring.
Field of Dreams
I absolutely loved this movie when it came out. The line "we don't realize the most significant moments in our lives while they are happening" really affected me very deeply, and got me thinking about the direction I wanted to go with my life. On a profound level this movie was about listening to the heroic life you are called to live, and this is something I have written about in my own books.
Fahrenheit 9/11
Although this movie doesn't always play fair, it is probably the single biggest factor in alerting people to the fraud perpetrated on the American people concerning the Iraq war.
Dead poets society
I really loved this movie when I was younger as it kind of coincided with my own formative years where I was first discovering literature and poetry. I still hope to teach college students one day soon, and much of my passion to become a teacher started with watching this movie.
Bowling for columbine
Regardless of what you think of Michael Moore, this was a powerful movie and changed the way a lot of people thought about violence in America. Marilyn Manson's words were actually some of the most profound in the movie, and showed that violence in America is much more systemic and deeply ingrained than we even care to think about or comprehend.
Beautiful girls
I know a lot about being a 30ish guy whose lost his way, and this movie conveys this idea better than any I've seen. I love the fact that it also shows how you never quite make friends like the ones you do when you're young, no matter where life eventually takes you.
As good as it gets
I love movies that take a little time to let you get to know the characters without any chase scenes or car crashed or intrigue, but rather through simple day to day moments that ring so much truer.
Annie Hall
Another great comedy which also happens to be a nice love story. This movie really makes me think about how we go through so many stages when we fall in love, and also how not all of them are pleasant.
American Beauty
This movie really did change my life. Lester's line in the movie, "It's never to late to get it back" inspired me to action, and soon I had lost 40 pounds and had taken steps to create real change in my life. One of the best movies ever about the fragile and fleeting nature of time.
Rushmore
Ok, I had to put at least one comedy on the list. This is such a wonderful movie and this scene is one of the funniest in the movie.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
This is also one of my favorite movie scenes. It really gets me when he says "at least I tried" at the end. The subtext of the scene is so powerful and inspires these men to begin taking some control over their own lives.
Good Will Hunting
I watched this movie quite a few times when it came out and it was really the movie that propelled me to want to become a psychologist. I've always lived movies that had a theme of redemption in them, and all of the characters in this movie all affect each others lives in so many ways. It's also a wonderful movie about friendship.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Randy Pausch-A dying professor's last lecture
Ok this isn't technically a movie, but it is one of the most interesting and inspiring talks I've ever had the privilege of hearing. There are just some beautiful thoughts in here about living the kind of life that truly has meaning and purpose behind it.
Krzysztof Kieslowski's "White" from the three colors trilogy
For those not familiar with this movie, I would highly recommended checking it out. This is an absolutely beautiful scene where a man discovers he really wants to live and truly gets a new lease on life. All three of these movies (Red, White, Blue) are truly remarkable and watching them really was a life-altering event.
Scent of a woman
I really love this movie and have seen it dozens of times. In my opinion this movie is one of the great examples in cinematic history of how people in life can change each other and even save each other.
Fellini's 8 1/2
This is one of my favorite opening scenes from a movie ever and really speaks to me about the power of the imagination.
Casablanca
This movie always makes me think of lost love. I watch this scene and think of all the women I've loved in the past and wonder why love disappears. It always puts me in a melancholy kind of mood and sometimes I even get on the phone and call someone.
Sideways
Roger Ebert once said if you see enough movies that one day you'll see your own life up on the screen. I felt like that watching Sideways, although in my own life I've always been kind of a cross between Miles and Jack. I love this scene in the movie as Miles describes Pinot Noir while also describing himself. And Mya's response is also so thoughtful and interesting. I really love this scene and how it kind of freezes time for the characters in this warm little moment.
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