This was truly a beautiful movie. The main line that stood out to me was, "I'm not very ambitious. Is that a sin?"
Stephen Hawking is very ambitious (obviously). The choir director Jonathan is not, but he is doing something that he loves, he's helping people, and he's falling in love. And that seems like a good enough life to me.
I should be talking about the beautiful story of love in the movie: how Jane loved Stephen so much that she chose to be with him even after knowing the circumstances, and they had only been dating a short time! Love is so powerful. Seems it can get us to do anything, and it's cool when it gets us to do something truly good. But I wonder if she would have stayed with him if he didn't have a disease, like if they had just continued to date in the regular college way, would she maybe have broken up with him because of his lack of belief in God and things? She seemed much more compatible with Jonathan, or someone like that anyways, someone a little more down-to-earth and laid back.
Anyways, it's not really worth analyzing. Jane did a lot for Stephen, and how great that he had her. She really did love him, and that kind of sacrificial love is so rare and beautiful. So maybe we women do like to help men and "fix them" or "save them" or whatever, but I don't think it's as wrong as everybody acts like it is. It's in our nature to be caring, and when someone comes along our path we want to care for, why not? Especially if we love them.
Jonathan wanted to help Stephen and Jane, and that was fueled by romantic love as well. But who cares? Again, if romantic love can motivate you to do something truly good, I think that's the best kind.
Even Elaine, Stephen's later caretaker, you could tell she truly enjoyed him. I don't know if she had romantic feelings for him or not, but you could see that taking care of him gave her energy. She really liked it, whereas by that point Jane had been drained from it.
I'm not here to analyze if what Stephen and Jane did in and with their marriage was right, but it is interesting to note that I think it's okay if our lives are driven by love, as long as it's leading us to good, to true love I guess, which is really more about giving and serving.
But also I think all true love comes from God. He was the one that loved us first and gave us the ability to have that for others, so to not acknowledge Him... I just couldn't do that. I love Jane's heart for God and for doing the right thing. She's not perfect, but then, "No one is good--except God alone" (Mark 10:18b, NIV).
The part in Stephen Hawking's speech where someone asks him about his disbelief in God and if he has a philosophy that helps him, honestly I didn't understand what his philosophy was. Usually when people try to give an answer for hope that's not God, it usually sounds wordy and confusing, though perhaps eloquent sort of, and then people clap. People love when you have something "beautiful" to say about life that doesn't make you have to acknowledge a being you have to obey and submit to. But what they don't know is that obedience and submission to God is where we find true life and hope and freedom, and true love.
Friday, December 26, 2014
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Timer
Okay I seriously really enjoyed this movie. My friend Aprile recommended it to me but then took back her rec two days later when she realized the movie has an obvious parallel to my life that may or may not be helpful.
I'm glad I watched it anyway. There were so many plot twists, I actually didn't know what was going to happen, the whole time. Like there were so many moments where I was like, Wait, what? But they were believable moments that totally made sense after they were shown.
I'm trying to figure out what the point of the movie is though. I think the point is..
Oh should I tell you what the movie's about first?? (If you haven't noticed, I don't really write movie "reviews," I just kind of use movies as a prompt to get me writing about something.) Well basically it's about how people get these timers implanted that tell them how many days, hours, minutes it will be until they meet "the one." And pretty much everyone has them, except for the few people that "don't believe in it" or whatever, even though the timers have been proven a hundred percent of the time. They're supposed to help you avoid heartbreak, divorce, etc.
But I think the movie's point is that the natural way is best because even the people in your life that weren't the one were still important. They may have left a scar, but it's a "good scar" or whatever.
I'm not sure I totally believe that. Like, yeah, I think the natural way is best, no timer for me. But I don't think that means we should jump into every relationship (and yes the main girl did jump into a pretty obviously unworkable relationship - I mean, it could have worked, but it would have been really hard / weird). I think we should meet people and move slowly and if it seems like they might be the one, continue to move forward. If not, we should back off slowly, or quickly (but that's hard sometimes).
I don't think the main girl was being smart. I think she was sort of depressed, and then a cute guy hit on her, and then he played his music, and yeah, that'll get you. So I'm not judging her. (I'm DEFINITELY not judging her.) But I'm just saying for future, when you're depressed, like go to God or something. Or do something you love to do to get your mind off guys or call up a good friend or something, something that's not drugs or the wrong guy. That's what I learned.
But if we're not talking about learning and we're just talking about entertainment, yeah, of course I wanted her to end up with the kid. He was super cute, and we (the audience) really grew to like him! (Except for those few obvious moments when we're like, Dude, you're talking about random girls' boobs in front of her, not cool.) He was cool though. And he did have some pretty cool views about life that sort of shook up the main character's beliefs (slash sort of ? changed them, but not really right cause she still ended up with the timer guy). I don't know. The message isn't clear, but I don't think movies' "messages" need to be, I mean it's a movie, not a sermon, and we the people should be the ones to figure out the truth about it. Yeah?
So I'm telling you: don't make quick decisions out of desperation or just for the experience. Live what you believe. Well first believe something awesome (read: true), and then live it. And watch the good things come from that, cause those stories are the best (and usually with less scarring).
I'm glad I watched it anyway. There were so many plot twists, I actually didn't know what was going to happen, the whole time. Like there were so many moments where I was like, Wait, what? But they were believable moments that totally made sense after they were shown.
I'm trying to figure out what the point of the movie is though. I think the point is..
Oh should I tell you what the movie's about first?? (If you haven't noticed, I don't really write movie "reviews," I just kind of use movies as a prompt to get me writing about something.) Well basically it's about how people get these timers implanted that tell them how many days, hours, minutes it will be until they meet "the one." And pretty much everyone has them, except for the few people that "don't believe in it" or whatever, even though the timers have been proven a hundred percent of the time. They're supposed to help you avoid heartbreak, divorce, etc.
But I think the movie's point is that the natural way is best because even the people in your life that weren't the one were still important. They may have left a scar, but it's a "good scar" or whatever.
I'm not sure I totally believe that. Like, yeah, I think the natural way is best, no timer for me. But I don't think that means we should jump into every relationship (and yes the main girl did jump into a pretty obviously unworkable relationship - I mean, it could have worked, but it would have been really hard / weird). I think we should meet people and move slowly and if it seems like they might be the one, continue to move forward. If not, we should back off slowly, or quickly (but that's hard sometimes).
I don't think the main girl was being smart. I think she was sort of depressed, and then a cute guy hit on her, and then he played his music, and yeah, that'll get you. So I'm not judging her. (I'm DEFINITELY not judging her.) But I'm just saying for future, when you're depressed, like go to God or something. Or do something you love to do to get your mind off guys or call up a good friend or something, something that's not drugs or the wrong guy. That's what I learned.
But if we're not talking about learning and we're just talking about entertainment, yeah, of course I wanted her to end up with the kid. He was super cute, and we (the audience) really grew to like him! (Except for those few obvious moments when we're like, Dude, you're talking about random girls' boobs in front of her, not cool.) He was cool though. And he did have some pretty cool views about life that sort of shook up the main character's beliefs (slash sort of ? changed them, but not really right cause she still ended up with the timer guy). I don't know. The message isn't clear, but I don't think movies' "messages" need to be, I mean it's a movie, not a sermon, and we the people should be the ones to figure out the truth about it. Yeah?
So I'm telling you: don't make quick decisions out of desperation or just for the experience. Live what you believe. Well first believe something awesome (read: true), and then live it. And watch the good things come from that, cause those stories are the best (and usually with less scarring).
Monday, December 1, 2014
Wish I Was Here
So I meant to see Zach Braff's "Wish I Was Here" a long time ago because I lovvveeeeeddddd Garden State so much, but then the whole Kickstarter thing happened and it threw me off and made me think things like, "Why is this celebrity using Kickstarter?" And then after it came out it didn't get the most amazing reviews, so I was like, Eh.. I'll see it when I see it.
But THENNNN, SAG Foundation created a screening event for it with a question / answer sesh with Zach Braff, and I'm like, WHA??!!!! AHHHHHHH I HAVE TO GO TO THIS.
Zach Braff, I love you. Not really, but like I really like your writing, and I really really really loved Garden State, at the time (not that I don't like it now, but you know what I mean.) You said it yourself, that you write about what you're already talking about, and Garden State was about things you thought about during that time, which were apparently things I was thinking about during that time too.
And now in Wish I Was Here, you wrote about stuff you're thinking about now -
But even with all that distraction, I really liked the movie! There were so many beautiful moments and great dialogue pieces. Oh man, I cried a few times, and also laughed really hard.
Thank you for continuing to do the things you love and write what's in your heart and not just trying to please people. And I want to check out your play!
But THENNNN, SAG Foundation created a screening event for it with a question / answer sesh with Zach Braff, and I'm like, WHA??!!!! AHHHHHHH I HAVE TO GO TO THIS.
Zach Braff, I love you. Not really, but like I really like your writing, and I really really really loved Garden State, at the time (not that I don't like it now, but you know what I mean.) You said it yourself, that you write about what you're already talking about, and Garden State was about things you thought about during that time, which were apparently things I was thinking about during that time too.
And now in Wish I Was Here, you wrote about stuff you're thinking about now -
- the struggle with going after your dreams and how long you're allowed to do that (omigosh RIGHT?, I love this theme in the movie for sure)
- masculinity and what it means to be a man in 2014 (right on..)
- death and what the hell we're doing on this planet (yes, this is what really matters, and I like the part where you say there are certain people who are sure, and you're kind of jealous about that or something?? I can't remember, I only saw it at the screening and it wasn't loud enough and people were laughing over a lot of the lines and people's heads were in my way)
But even with all that distraction, I really liked the movie! There were so many beautiful moments and great dialogue pieces. Oh man, I cried a few times, and also laughed really hard.
I think my favorite scene (besides the girl talking to her uncle on the phone) is when you're at the audition and you end up helping that guy in the waiting room, and he's like, "Why are you helping me?" And you're like, "Watch out it might be kindness." OMIGOSH. I actually think I wrote a blog about this a while back, about how I feel so weird when I go to auditions because I automatically am comparing myself with everyone and hoping they all fail and it's so terrible. I started thinking like Wow, I should not be thinking these things. I should be hoping the best for everyone and ultimately hoping the director can get the perfect person for their vision, hopefully it will be me, but if not, then good for someone else then you know? Competing with kindness - that's a theme in my life right now for sure.
Anyways it really was a beautiful movie and I'd like to watch it again sometime alone so I can really pay attention and have no heads or laughter in my way, but I wanted to tell you I'm sorry about the Kickstarter judgment. I had no idea how hard it was for you to get Garden State made and then again the difficulties with doing the second movie. And I loved what you had to say about your writing style and the industry and your challenges, it was so interesting and inspiring.
Thank you for continuing to do the things you love and write what's in your heart and not just trying to please people. And I want to check out your play!
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Birdman
Birdman. Uhhhhmmm......... I really liked Emma Stone's hair. I think I'm gonna bring a picture of it to my hair guy.
I don't know how I felt about this movie. I....... liked it? It reminded me that acting's not important, which was a nice confirmation of what I've already been feeling. But also the acting was really good in it. Zach Galifianakis was really good, like serious good, not to mention everyone else.
The writing was........ interesting. The Birdman voice / guy was creepy - that was the Satan character in my opinion, even though it's who Michael Keaton referred to as the voice of truth. (Wow, how we can mess that up.)
After the movie was over, I was like, "I wanna get drunk." I say that all the time for shock value because I don't really drink usually, but my friend Aprile's like, "Really?" I'm like, "No." [pause pause pause] "Really?" Ugghhhhh.
So we went to Urban Home instead and looked at all the Christmassy homey stuff and I thought about what it would be like if I had a home and babies and a husband and cute reindeer dolls on the mantle. Yeah cause what do I do after seeing a movie that reminds me the stuff we care about is meaningless? Go somewhere to care about more meaningless stuff and think about how I can't afford it.
This is my life. But it's gonna change soon I can feel it. I'm feeling inspired, ready, like something's bubbling up and about to burst forth into the world, probably in an invisible way but in a way that will make me feel purposeful.
Well anyway. I don't know what else to say. I need to go to bed. I have a really early babysitting job in the morning. Goodnight!
I don't know how I felt about this movie. I....... liked it? It reminded me that acting's not important, which was a nice confirmation of what I've already been feeling. But also the acting was really good in it. Zach Galifianakis was really good, like serious good, not to mention everyone else.
The writing was........ interesting. The Birdman voice / guy was creepy - that was the Satan character in my opinion, even though it's who Michael Keaton referred to as the voice of truth. (Wow, how we can mess that up.)
After the movie was over, I was like, "I wanna get drunk." I say that all the time for shock value because I don't really drink usually, but my friend Aprile's like, "Really?" I'm like, "No." [pause pause pause] "Really?" Ugghhhhh.
So we went to Urban Home instead and looked at all the Christmassy homey stuff and I thought about what it would be like if I had a home and babies and a husband and cute reindeer dolls on the mantle. Yeah cause what do I do after seeing a movie that reminds me the stuff we care about is meaningless? Go somewhere to care about more meaningless stuff and think about how I can't afford it.
This is my life. But it's gonna change soon I can feel it. I'm feeling inspired, ready, like something's bubbling up and about to burst forth into the world, probably in an invisible way but in a way that will make me feel purposeful.
Well anyway. I don't know what else to say. I need to go to bed. I have a really early babysitting job in the morning. Goodnight!
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Titanic
Okay so obviously this is not a recent movie, but I recently got the opportunity to watch it again with a few of my friends while we were vacationing in Arizona, and omigosh, Titanic is a good movie.
And now that I'm not a sophomore in high school anymore, I can see it for WAY more than the love story. I actually was so much more into the last half than the first half this time - it's just so tightly written and directed with so many great moments of love and compassion and selfishness, it is seriously brilliant.
But anyways, this is the main thing God pointed out to me about myself while I was watching it: I was thinking about how nobody in first class really got the real tragedy of what was going on until they were safe in their lifeboats watching the people that didn't get saved drop off the side, (probably to their death). And I was thinking, Wow, it's this sort of tragedy happening that really gets you to wake up to what's important in the world. And I was sort of (naively) praying, Man God I almost wish there was something this bad happening today so I could wake up out of my selfish pit and realize there are real things going on.
And God was like, "Um, there are a LOT of real things going on, Tracy, you're just in first class not thinking about it or aware."
"Oh right.........."
So anyways, since then I've sort of been like, Okay God please help me to realize the reality of what is really going on in the world and give me a passion for something besides movies for the sake of movies or stories for the sake of stories. I want to be compelled toward something real and compel others toward something real, and if I can be a part of movies to do that, awesome. Otherwise, whatever it is He wants me to do while I'm living here in this movie town, I want to be compelled to take action and do it. (And let me just say it's only been a day, and God's already been giving me stuff to respond to. - I'm pretty sure there are certain things God does NOT wait to give us if we pray for them, and asking for opportunities to be compelled to help others is one of them.)
And now that I'm not a sophomore in high school anymore, I can see it for WAY more than the love story. I actually was so much more into the last half than the first half this time - it's just so tightly written and directed with so many great moments of love and compassion and selfishness, it is seriously brilliant.
But anyways, this is the main thing God pointed out to me about myself while I was watching it: I was thinking about how nobody in first class really got the real tragedy of what was going on until they were safe in their lifeboats watching the people that didn't get saved drop off the side, (probably to their death). And I was thinking, Wow, it's this sort of tragedy happening that really gets you to wake up to what's important in the world. And I was sort of (naively) praying, Man God I almost wish there was something this bad happening today so I could wake up out of my selfish pit and realize there are real things going on.
And God was like, "Um, there are a LOT of real things going on, Tracy, you're just in first class not thinking about it or aware."
"Oh right.........."
So anyways, since then I've sort of been like, Okay God please help me to realize the reality of what is really going on in the world and give me a passion for something besides movies for the sake of movies or stories for the sake of stories. I want to be compelled toward something real and compel others toward something real, and if I can be a part of movies to do that, awesome. Otherwise, whatever it is He wants me to do while I'm living here in this movie town, I want to be compelled to take action and do it. (And let me just say it's only been a day, and God's already been giving me stuff to respond to. - I'm pretty sure there are certain things God does NOT wait to give us if we pray for them, and asking for opportunities to be compelled to help others is one of them.)
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Don Jon
There is a lot of truth in this movie. I had to close my eyes and take out my headphones for a lot of it because I didn't want to actually watch porn to watch a movie about how porn can screw you up.
It can: porn, images, imagination, masturbation. Hail Mary's aren't going to fix it. And probably a pot-smoking, sorta cute, older lady in your college class isn't going to fix it either. But realizing it, talking about it, being honest with yourself and others and then stopping, helping each other stop - I think that might be the answer to our instant gratification / addiction culture, to realize how defeating it is and then help each other overcome it.
So thank you Joseph Gordon-Levitt for putting some truth out there, through a medium people really like (and can be addicted to) and in a way that attracts, especially the people that probably need to hear it the most.
It can: porn, images, imagination, masturbation. Hail Mary's aren't going to fix it. And probably a pot-smoking, sorta cute, older lady in your college class isn't going to fix it either. But realizing it, talking about it, being honest with yourself and others and then stopping, helping each other stop - I think that might be the answer to our instant gratification / addiction culture, to realize how defeating it is and then help each other overcome it.
So thank you Joseph Gordon-Levitt for putting some truth out there, through a medium people really like (and can be addicted to) and in a way that attracts, especially the people that probably need to hear it the most.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
American Graffiti
People are stupid. Women. Men. Everybody. And horny.
This movie was so long and if I didn't have my friend Aprile to watch it with and make commentary during (see: something I never do with movies I like), I wouldn't have made it through.
There were a few good parts and lines, but I can't remember them. And I liked the soundtrack and the styles of the women, but that's about it. If you're thinking about watching this movie, I would say don't maybe.
Nothing happens--> that's what I forgot to mention.
**movie from Roger Ebert's four-star reviews, PG set
This movie was so long and if I didn't have my friend Aprile to watch it with and make commentary during (see: something I never do with movies I like), I wouldn't have made it through.
There were a few good parts and lines, but I can't remember them. And I liked the soundtrack and the styles of the women, but that's about it. If you're thinking about watching this movie, I would say don't maybe.
Nothing happens--> that's what I forgot to mention.
**movie from Roger Ebert's four-star reviews, PG set
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore
I actually really liked this movie. The kid - Tommy or whatever - was phenomenal, PHENOMENAL. Who was that kid?
--hold on, IMDB check.
Hmm.. Alfred Lutter III. And looks like he stopped acting three years after this movie, so I guess he didn't realize he had amazing talent, or nobody else did.
But anyways, gosh, all those terrible men. It started to make me lose hope (the little I have left) until the end when thank God she met a man who was cute, pretty good, and had a lot of money. He still hit the kid, but really he just gave him a spanking.
Wow. Ellen Burstyn has been in billions of things. She was really good. I'm so happy she could pursue her dreams and have a guy at the same time, and he was willing to drive and move her where she wanted to go, but then she realized she didn't need to go there anymore. That is true love.
And Kris Kristofferson's been in a lot too. He has a pretty unique bio on IMDB, you should read it.
Well anyways, relationships are rough and pursuing your dreams is hard. That's what I learned from this movie (not that I didn't already know it). But I especially liked when she finally said what she wanted loud in the restaurant when she said that everything she does from now on has to include singing.
That's how I feel - I can do a bunch of random jobs for money or whatever, as long as my life can still include acting and as long as these jobs are helping me get closer to acting. And if a guy wants to come along and be a part of it, great. -->Hmm.. that sounded harsh. It's just that as a woman you have to say it like that because we're so easily swayed to the extreme of giving up everything to please our husband (or even just some lame guy who will never be our husband).
I also found it interesting when Alice (Ellen Burstyn) said how at first she liked giving up her dreams to be with her husband because she thought that's how a man should be - dominating or whatever. Wow. Sounds so crazy but I totally get it. As "independent" as so many of us women are these days, we still have this innate desire to just live for a man and please a man. It's gross really. I hope I never do it. Just kidding. I hope I do. He just has to be perfect and love me for more than sex and not be abusive and love Jesus and maybe sort of cute with a stable job.
**movie from Roger Ebert's four-star reviews, PG set
--hold on, IMDB check.
Hmm.. Alfred Lutter III. And looks like he stopped acting three years after this movie, so I guess he didn't realize he had amazing talent, or nobody else did.
But anyways, gosh, all those terrible men. It started to make me lose hope (the little I have left) until the end when thank God she met a man who was cute, pretty good, and had a lot of money. He still hit the kid, but really he just gave him a spanking.
Wow. Ellen Burstyn has been in billions of things. She was really good. I'm so happy she could pursue her dreams and have a guy at the same time, and he was willing to drive and move her where she wanted to go, but then she realized she didn't need to go there anymore. That is true love.
And Kris Kristofferson's been in a lot too. He has a pretty unique bio on IMDB, you should read it.
Well anyways, relationships are rough and pursuing your dreams is hard. That's what I learned from this movie (not that I didn't already know it). But I especially liked when she finally said what she wanted loud in the restaurant when she said that everything she does from now on has to include singing.
That's how I feel - I can do a bunch of random jobs for money or whatever, as long as my life can still include acting and as long as these jobs are helping me get closer to acting. And if a guy wants to come along and be a part of it, great. -->Hmm.. that sounded harsh. It's just that as a woman you have to say it like that because we're so easily swayed to the extreme of giving up everything to please our husband (or even just some lame guy who will never be our husband).
I also found it interesting when Alice (Ellen Burstyn) said how at first she liked giving up her dreams to be with her husband because she thought that's how a man should be - dominating or whatever. Wow. Sounds so crazy but I totally get it. As "independent" as so many of us women are these days, we still have this innate desire to just live for a man and please a man. It's gross really. I hope I never do it. Just kidding. I hope I do. He just has to be perfect and love me for more than sex and not be abusive and love Jesus and maybe sort of cute with a stable job.
**movie from Roger Ebert's four-star reviews, PG set
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Somm
This was a freaking emotional movie. I mean, I didn't cry, but it was just so amazing to watch these men work so hard to achieve this weird goal. And then the idea that some would pass and some wouldn't and watching who that would end up being. Geez.
It just makes me think of acting and my acting class and my friend Morgan and how we all help each other to get better and better at acting. And we really are helping each other, and it's working, and we really do want each other to succeed. But WE also want to succeed ourselves, and we know that there might be a time when one of us achieves it and one of us doesn't, and then what. Just like the guy in Somm said, the saddest part is not necessarily that we could lose but that if our friend wins and we don't, we'll end up alone. But then also like he said, we'd just have to find a different group to move forward with. You can't give up.
At least with acting it's a little less black and white about achieving and not achieving it. The goal is to make a living financially from it, and I guess the other goal would be to produce something of quality that's making a difference in the world, a good difference. In my case that would be something that could lead people to Christ and maybe the particular people I've been praying for. But maybe it won't be the movie that will do that but it'll just be me and my actual life, or maybe it will just be the Holy Spirit and I won't have a clue how it happened, but if I keep working hard at what God has put in my heart, something good will happen, whether I become a Somm or not. I mean, a star or not. :)
Well anyways, I wasn't really sure if this should go in the movie category or the acting category because it was so inspirational, but yeah I think everyone should watch this movie, no matter what your field or interest. Oh, and my favorite part was when the one guy was talking about how he wanted to pass so it could be a gift for his wife, so he could finally spend time with her. I know they all waned that for their spouses, but just the way he put it and his emotion, that was emotional.
It just makes me think of acting and my acting class and my friend Morgan and how we all help each other to get better and better at acting. And we really are helping each other, and it's working, and we really do want each other to succeed. But WE also want to succeed ourselves, and we know that there might be a time when one of us achieves it and one of us doesn't, and then what. Just like the guy in Somm said, the saddest part is not necessarily that we could lose but that if our friend wins and we don't, we'll end up alone. But then also like he said, we'd just have to find a different group to move forward with. You can't give up.
At least with acting it's a little less black and white about achieving and not achieving it. The goal is to make a living financially from it, and I guess the other goal would be to produce something of quality that's making a difference in the world, a good difference. In my case that would be something that could lead people to Christ and maybe the particular people I've been praying for. But maybe it won't be the movie that will do that but it'll just be me and my actual life, or maybe it will just be the Holy Spirit and I won't have a clue how it happened, but if I keep working hard at what God has put in my heart, something good will happen, whether I become a Somm or not. I mean, a star or not. :)
Well anyways, I wasn't really sure if this should go in the movie category or the acting category because it was so inspirational, but yeah I think everyone should watch this movie, no matter what your field or interest. Oh, and my favorite part was when the one guy was talking about how he wanted to pass so it could be a gift for his wife, so he could finally spend time with her. I know they all waned that for their spouses, but just the way he put it and his emotion, that was emotional.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
The Accidental Tourist
I very much enjoyed this movie.
I like Geena Davis's character because she really seems to care about the man and want to help him. I guess, Don't we all? But so much of the time we're just waiting for someone to notice us and want us and want to help us, we don't look for a way we could actually help someone else. I mean, sure, she's probably lonely and wants a man, and she wants a dad for her son, but still I think her first thought is that she could help this man - first with his dog, then with his life. And she's so persistent. Makes me think about how marriage is a choice, but like most choices, there are things we have to do to make them, and to achieve the wanted result.
I don't desire to live like G.D.'s character, jumping in on a man so quickly after his separation and stopping at nothing to get her way. But I do think I could learn a thing or two from her, mostly that she plays the head writer in her life, and in contrast the dude totally doesn't learn how to do that till the end.
Also, the scene where the kid (Alexander?) is getting picked on by the other kids and the guy sees him and wants to help him. That was my first cry. I don't know what it is about kids getting picked on that just makes me so sad and so angry at the same time. I seriously hate it.. in real life, in the movies (when they're done real), in theory, whatever. There are so many kids in this world that need love and encouragement, I almost feel like I should spend my life helping them, rather than bringing new ones in.
I love the opening scene (was it the opening scene?) where the large man is sitting next to the guy and he's like, "I'm sorry I'm fat, I'm So-and-So, who are you?" or whatever. Hilarious.
Rose and Julian were weird but funny. Everything was so quirky and interesting, and the acting was phenomenal. Seriously, how can you show that kind of depth of grief without really "showing" or "acting" it, you know? It's amazing. Like are they really feeling that pain, or are they thinking of some similar pain from their real life, or do they just know how to make a certain kind of face, and people believe it? This is what I want to know (and learn how to do.)
**movie from Roger Ebert's four-star reviews, PG set
I like Geena Davis's character because she really seems to care about the man and want to help him. I guess, Don't we all? But so much of the time we're just waiting for someone to notice us and want us and want to help us, we don't look for a way we could actually help someone else. I mean, sure, she's probably lonely and wants a man, and she wants a dad for her son, but still I think her first thought is that she could help this man - first with his dog, then with his life. And she's so persistent. Makes me think about how marriage is a choice, but like most choices, there are things we have to do to make them, and to achieve the wanted result.
I don't desire to live like G.D.'s character, jumping in on a man so quickly after his separation and stopping at nothing to get her way. But I do think I could learn a thing or two from her, mostly that she plays the head writer in her life, and in contrast the dude totally doesn't learn how to do that till the end.
Also, the scene where the kid (Alexander?) is getting picked on by the other kids and the guy sees him and wants to help him. That was my first cry. I don't know what it is about kids getting picked on that just makes me so sad and so angry at the same time. I seriously hate it.. in real life, in the movies (when they're done real), in theory, whatever. There are so many kids in this world that need love and encouragement, I almost feel like I should spend my life helping them, rather than bringing new ones in.
I love the opening scene (was it the opening scene?) where the large man is sitting next to the guy and he's like, "I'm sorry I'm fat, I'm So-and-So, who are you?" or whatever. Hilarious.
Rose and Julian were weird but funny. Everything was so quirky and interesting, and the acting was phenomenal. Seriously, how can you show that kind of depth of grief without really "showing" or "acting" it, you know? It's amazing. Like are they really feeling that pain, or are they thinking of some similar pain from their real life, or do they just know how to make a certain kind of face, and people believe it? This is what I want to know (and learn how to do.)
**movie from Roger Ebert's four-star reviews, PG set
Sunday, February 9, 2014
The Adjustment Bureau
I'm definitely more motivated to beat down my obstacles now.
This movie reminds me of all the people in the Bible that "fought" with God or bargained with him or whatever. That's how people in the Bible prayed - like it might actually make a difference, like God was real and had reasons and could listen to your reasons and could respect you.
Does God respect me? This is a weird question I have never thought of before. What does respect mean? According to Google, it is "a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements."
I usually believe God loves everyone just the same and it's not what we do that makes him love us more or less. He loves us because he made us. Everything we are is from him, so maybe he does love us for who we are, but who we are goes back to him anyway. So maybe he does respect us, but it all goes back to him anyway.
This is all a little bit mind blowing.
I still don't really understand free will.
Also, I often think a guy is going to steer me off the path I'm supposed to be taking. Or if I do anything even a little bit wrong, it's going to ruin everything.. all the good things I could have had or been. But sometimes I think nothing I do can change what's supposed to be.
That's sort of why I like this movie, because it plays with the idea that it's a little bit of both.
I do have free will, but it is God's number one plan for me that I am obedient to him and seek him first because then I will truly fulfill my purpose and have the most abundant life.
And I think our hearts matter even more than our actions. Is Matt Damon chasing this girl for purely selfish reasons, or does he really care about her and want to love her for her good? Well I think the second one is true, which is why Thompson used the threat of him messing up her life in order to make him give her up.
This movie was good because it made me think about things, but it really doesn't know anything about what it's talking about.
We can't be satisfied by a lover any more than we can be satisfied by achievement and applause. You could even feel it at the end of the movie, how now that they're allowed to have each other, it's not quite as exciting. They'll just go back to their normal lives, and when they can see each other everyday all the time whenever they want, it will become usual, and they'll start to look for the next pop-up bathroom experience.
The only thing we can be satisfied by is God, and what's awesome is he brings us those refreshing girl-in-the-bathroom-type moments all the time, but so often we worship the moment instead of the creator of the moment.
The Creator never changes, and if we seek him, we'll see him in our everyday, and we will stop caring so much about achievement and applause and about lovers and potential lovers. Our purpose will become something greater. It will become about something bigger than our life on earth, and then we can really be free to be who we are and serve who really matters, and that is the freedom and journey I long for.
**This was not a Roger Ebert movie. It wasn't four-star quality (I agree), but my acting class was talking about it forever last week, and I can see why.
This movie reminds me of all the people in the Bible that "fought" with God or bargained with him or whatever. That's how people in the Bible prayed - like it might actually make a difference, like God was real and had reasons and could listen to your reasons and could respect you.
Does God respect me? This is a weird question I have never thought of before. What does respect mean? According to Google, it is "a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements."
I usually believe God loves everyone just the same and it's not what we do that makes him love us more or less. He loves us because he made us. Everything we are is from him, so maybe he does love us for who we are, but who we are goes back to him anyway. So maybe he does respect us, but it all goes back to him anyway.
This is all a little bit mind blowing.
I still don't really understand free will.
Also, I often think a guy is going to steer me off the path I'm supposed to be taking. Or if I do anything even a little bit wrong, it's going to ruin everything.. all the good things I could have had or been. But sometimes I think nothing I do can change what's supposed to be.
That's sort of why I like this movie, because it plays with the idea that it's a little bit of both.
I do have free will, but it is God's number one plan for me that I am obedient to him and seek him first because then I will truly fulfill my purpose and have the most abundant life.
And I think our hearts matter even more than our actions. Is Matt Damon chasing this girl for purely selfish reasons, or does he really care about her and want to love her for her good? Well I think the second one is true, which is why Thompson used the threat of him messing up her life in order to make him give her up.
This movie was good because it made me think about things, but it really doesn't know anything about what it's talking about.
We can't be satisfied by a lover any more than we can be satisfied by achievement and applause. You could even feel it at the end of the movie, how now that they're allowed to have each other, it's not quite as exciting. They'll just go back to their normal lives, and when they can see each other everyday all the time whenever they want, it will become usual, and they'll start to look for the next pop-up bathroom experience.
The only thing we can be satisfied by is God, and what's awesome is he brings us those refreshing girl-in-the-bathroom-type moments all the time, but so often we worship the moment instead of the creator of the moment.
The Creator never changes, and if we seek him, we'll see him in our everyday, and we will stop caring so much about achievement and applause and about lovers and potential lovers. Our purpose will become something greater. It will become about something bigger than our life on earth, and then we can really be free to be who we are and serve who really matters, and that is the freedom and journey I long for.
**This was not a Roger Ebert movie. It wasn't four-star quality (I agree), but my acting class was talking about it forever last week, and I can see why.
Friday, February 7, 2014
The Age of Innocence
I just really like Winona Ryder. What is she doing these days?
--Scuse me a minute while I look her up on IMDB--
Well, she's still acting but not as much, it seems.
This movie was sort of slow-paced, very talky, and nothing but romance, which is not my number one choice of movie, but I still found it somewhat interesting.
I like how at the end (spoiler alert) he doesn't go in to see her. I guess he just wants to keep her in his mind the way he imagined? Not sure but it's pretty interesting considering he says his wife didn't give him a choice and that's why he stayed, but now he is being given a choice and he's still not being with the other woman.
I think the point is that even though his wife "told him" he couldn't go, she actually was asking because he actually could have done whatever he wanted. So ultimately he wanted to stay true to his commitment despite what he felt he wanted, and he still did even after his commitment was dead.
I think that's cool. Because he should have just not married May in the first place, but since he did, he needed to stay true to his decision, especially considering she gave him an out during their engagement. She wanted it to be longer so he could have time to decide about another woman. That really is "noble," as Michelle Pfeiffer's character says.
How hard it is once you have someone you love to not try to clench your fists around them no matter what the truth may be.
--Scuse me a minute while I look her up on IMDB--
Well, she's still acting but not as much, it seems.
This movie was sort of slow-paced, very talky, and nothing but romance, which is not my number one choice of movie, but I still found it somewhat interesting.
I like how at the end (spoiler alert) he doesn't go in to see her. I guess he just wants to keep her in his mind the way he imagined? Not sure but it's pretty interesting considering he says his wife didn't give him a choice and that's why he stayed, but now he is being given a choice and he's still not being with the other woman.
I think the point is that even though his wife "told him" he couldn't go, she actually was asking because he actually could have done whatever he wanted. So ultimately he wanted to stay true to his commitment despite what he felt he wanted, and he still did even after his commitment was dead.
I think that's cool. Because he should have just not married May in the first place, but since he did, he needed to stay true to his decision, especially considering she gave him an out during their engagement. She wanted it to be longer so he could have time to decide about another woman. That really is "noble," as Michelle Pfeiffer's character says.
How hard it is once you have someone you love to not try to clench your fists around them no matter what the truth may be.
**movie from Roger Ebert's four-star reviews, PG set
Friday, January 24, 2014
After Life
I'm not even finished watching this movie, but I'm already going to write this "review." It's just so long! (the movie)
I'm trying to go through all of Roger Ebert's movies that he gave four stars to - starting with the PG ones, mostly because I'm highly interested in movies with that rating that are actually done well (see: rare).
This movie was actually not rated, but I included it. It's about people that die and then have a week or something to pick one memory from their life that they want to have forever.
Also there's these people that work at the place that helps them pick the memory and then they create a movie about it to help them relive it and remember it forever.
This is all so ridiculous to me. At first it made me start to think about what memory I would choose. I have an assortment to choose from..
(At first I started to list my good memories right here, but actually I don't want to anymore.)
The movie's sort of interesting, esp. when you're trying to figure out what's going on with the one girl, but then an hour and a half goes by and you still don't know and you're sort of over it by then.
Omigosh I keep thinking the movie's over but it's just one of the "movie memories" in the movie fading to black, but they keep it there for like four seconds, and you're like, Is it over? But then it's not.
I don't know exactly what life after death is like, but I can assure you it's nothing like this movie, and I can also assure you that the matters of the earth that mean so much to us will probably mean very little at that point or we'll view them in an entirely different way.
Roger Ebert was an atheist, as far as I know, so it's interesting to think he knows now.. the truth.
__
Omigosh the movie finally ended. I think the main girl ended up choosing her memory finally? And it's the memory of when she first came to the place that helps you choose your memory? Oh my gosh. I'm sorry if I'm spoiling this for some, but you're better off just knowing and not sitting through it.
I'm trying to go through all of Roger Ebert's movies that he gave four stars to - starting with the PG ones, mostly because I'm highly interested in movies with that rating that are actually done well (see: rare).
This movie was actually not rated, but I included it. It's about people that die and then have a week or something to pick one memory from their life that they want to have forever.
Also there's these people that work at the place that helps them pick the memory and then they create a movie about it to help them relive it and remember it forever.
This is all so ridiculous to me. At first it made me start to think about what memory I would choose. I have an assortment to choose from..
(At first I started to list my good memories right here, but actually I don't want to anymore.)
The movie's sort of interesting, esp. when you're trying to figure out what's going on with the one girl, but then an hour and a half goes by and you still don't know and you're sort of over it by then.
Omigosh I keep thinking the movie's over but it's just one of the "movie memories" in the movie fading to black, but they keep it there for like four seconds, and you're like, Is it over? But then it's not.
I don't know exactly what life after death is like, but I can assure you it's nothing like this movie, and I can also assure you that the matters of the earth that mean so much to us will probably mean very little at that point or we'll view them in an entirely different way.
Roger Ebert was an atheist, as far as I know, so it's interesting to think he knows now.. the truth.
__
Omigosh the movie finally ended. I think the main girl ended up choosing her memory finally? And it's the memory of when she first came to the place that helps you choose your memory? Oh my gosh. I'm sorry if I'm spoiling this for some, but you're better off just knowing and not sitting through it.
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