10 Movies that Move Me

Two blog posts back to back?!  What is this madness!!! Well, I watched one of my favorite holiday movies...one of my favorite movies actually, last night, so I wanted to discuss a few movies that move me.  These are not always my absolute FAVORITE films of all time, but they're ones that pull an emotional response from me.  Usually, there's at least one scene where I almost have to stand up I get so excited...or at least curl into a tighter ball and grip a pillow in anticipation.  So here it goes.  I'd love to hear your opinions as well.

I'd also like to note, these are in no particular order...


#1: Kate & Leopold

Alright, so I love this movie.  I think it's the combination of Hugh Jackman...1800's Hugh Jackman...a romance kill for and Meg Ryan, whom I adore.  The scene where Leopold puts on the beautiful rooftop dinner for Kate as an apology and she vents about her disbelief in love, I think is wonderfully done.  It intertwines this terribly romantic gesture with a viewpoint on love that a lot of powerful women have.  It's also Kate's realization that maybe she thinks love is a "grown-up version of Santa Clause" because she's afraid she might never find it.  When she does, things have to change in her mind.  Their day together and how they talk about it being slower - but a good slower - I've had days like that and know exactly what they mean.
Leopold also has an incredibly beautiful line in this movie: "Marriage is the promise of eternal love.  As a man of honor, I cannot promise eternally what I have never felt momentarily."
Scene that takes my breath away: When Leopold goes French and quotes La Boheim to Kate's co-worker. 


#2: The American President

This is a movie I can turn on pretty much any time and I enjoy it.  Michael Douglas is hilarious and the romance I think is believable and well constructed.  I also love this story because it reminds me of my trilogy I'm writing - even though there's little plot similarity, the characters remind me of mine.  It's almost a film about innocence in love, yet the people are two driven, powerful leaders.  They still have those kid moments of being in love.  It's adorable and has a well done "breaking point" for their relationship.
Scene that takes my breath away: When they're in "The Dish Room" and he goes "As a lobbyist, you'd never be alone in a room with the President..."


#3 Love Actually

This movie is simply brilliant.  I watched it again last night (it's my "holiday staple" movie I watch alone - no one else seems to like it that much - at least 2-3 times during the holidays) and I was reminded of how much I love it.  Especially in the throws of writing screenplays...I appreciate the story construction so much more now.  This film makes you feel for a lot of characters in 2.5 hours.  Impressive.  The connections are also positively brilliant.  There are a lot of scenes in this movie that makes me smile.  I LOVE the movie stand-in couple who are so adorably shy with each other...yet they're completely naked, pretending to have sex most of the movie.  I love the relationship between the stepdad and his son - it's so amazing to watch them both heal.  The scene when the best friend/artist shows up with signs and a boombox...omg I almost cry every time that scene comes on because it's the ultimate unrequited love story.  And of course, I simply adore the PM's relationship with his assistant.  So adorable and hilarious.  Plus, it has a great line: "Love actually IS all around..."
Scene that takes my breath away: When the little boy is running to get Joanna before she gets on the plane.
Scene that takes my breath away: When the curtain falls and the PM and Natalie are kissing.
Scene that takes my breath away: When the Pop Star realizes his manager is the love of his life.


#4: Pride and Prejudice (the 2005 version)

Where do I start.  Um, I love Mr. Darcy.  It's a little absurd.  He's honest, loyal and will do anything for Elizabeth.  I love this movie because it's beautifully blended as far as the music, cinematography and dialogue. The ballroom scene is simply wonderful.  I thought both leads did a great job of making you feel their love, which is why I love this movie.
Scene that takes my breath away: When Mr. Darcy comes out of the fog toward Elizabeth and goes "You have bewitched me, body and soul."




#5: Slumdog Millionaire

This movie I adore because it's so well crafted.  I love the idea of fate that this movie really brings to light.  Everything happened because "it is written."  Not only were the colors simply fantastic, the construction of the story and the characters, but the setting was great.  It was at times beautiful and other times horrifying.  I can't say enough about how much I love this film.  Any time I need to believe in fate, I watch it because I believe that everything happens for a reason.


#6: Becoming Jane

Aside from the fact that I think James McAvoy is possibly the most brooding, unbelievably hot man on the planet...this movie was excellent.  There are a few scenes that are just so well acted, it makes me all silly inside.  I'll post the three that I think are really amazing and that will pretty much get the point across.  The dance scene literally makes me gasp every time I watch it.  You feel so much heat and tension just in their eye contact...ugh, why don't we have REAL dances like this anymore?!?  That moment when they first turn and see each other...oh, I'm in love.
Amazing Scene 1: The Library Scene - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiIgAES9zt0&feature=related
Amazing Scene 2: The Dance Scene - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfZm5rfQP7o
Amazing Scene 3: The Forest Scene - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVOsO0E1E34&feature=relmfu

#7: Rent

Okay, a lot of reasons I love this movie.  First...it has music that is very meaningful to me.  With my freshman choir at Marcos, we all became a family singing "Seasons of Love" at the end of the year.  Because of that, I've fallen in love with the story and remember how connected I got to the people in my choir singing that with them.  As for the movie itself, I thought the filming was fantastic.  The candlelight, the mood, the dark overtones...incredible.  And the music was great.  I got to see Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp live doing Rent and I thought this movie captured that essence.  I remember leaning over to T and going "It's like the soundtrack, only live!"  But in the film itself, the scene with Angel - mostly his death - just chill me to the soul.  I can't help but tear up every time they pan around the room and slowly the group therapy people fade away...absolutely amazing.  This is the movie I go to when I need to remember those in my life who matter.  The people I consider my family.
Scene that takes my breath away: The opening with Seasons of Love in spotlights.
Scene that takes my breath away: "La Vie Bohem"


#8: The Count of Monte Cristo (2002 version)

Told you this was in no particular order. :)  This movie is usually at the very top of my favorite movies of all time list.  It has everything and just hits me with the power of this one man.  The story is moving, rich and has deep characters (except I don't think the actress who played Mercedes really did her justice...sry).  I think this movie is so rich on many levels.  You see friendship turn to hatred, love turn to jealousy, enemies becoming allies, criminal turns noble and a politician who falls from his deeds.  I simply adore James Frain and he plays a wonderfully hated character in this movie.  Overall, it's just packed with moving moments and shows what the human spirit can accomplish.  Plus, it has one of my favorite lines of all time "Kings to you Fernand..."
Scene that takes my breath away: When Mercedes shows up at his house and he screams at her not to take away his hate.


#9: Apollo 13

Not exactly sure why, but I freaking love this movie.  It's one I can watch no matter what mood I'm in.  I love how this captures such a pivotal event in American history.  It was a moment where the entire country felt connected in hoping for these three men to survive.  The American spirit in me really comes out with this movie.  I also love all the areas you see: the crew, the control center, the family and even the engineers (totally see my dad in there!).



#10: Anonymous (2011)

I went into this movie expecting to completely hate it.  As an English Lit major...I've heard all the crap about Shakespeare not being Shakespeare and for the most part, I would fight like hell to defend him...so I thought I'd feel the same way about this film.  Hell no.  This movie is just down right impressive.  Not only is the story plausible, but the acting was unreal.  It moved me because as a writer, I understand the labor of love and the agony of being a writer that it takes to create works.  Then to never be able to have your name tied to them?! How horrible.  I really felt for these characters and found myself completely connected with the "real writer" according to the movie.  I won't give away who they say it is, but his lines about what it's like to be a writer are simply amazing and so true.



So there you have it.  10 movies that move me.  Please leave comments with your own movies that move you and thank you for reading.

Live, Laugh and Above All....Love,

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays.

      This time of year is magic.  I don't know if it's the crisp chill in the air, the decorations, the music or just a vibe in the air, but I really love it.  I think the part I love most about this time of the year is that people seem to actually care about one another.  The constant reminders to love thy neighbor, the bells ringing asking for us to give, I think that's what keeps people in the giving mood.  It's the time of year when you can see tangible efforts people put forth to make the world better.  I see the giving spirit all year because of the sorority I'm in, the service sorority...but most people don't see that all year.  So I think that buzz is what the world would be like all the time if people were less selfish.  I honestly believe there is good in everyone.  I search for it constantly.  Even when people are cruel, make poor decisions or are just flat out mean, I still look for the good.  Instead of looking with hate, look with good and think about the influences that caused the action.  Maybe that's the real definition of a person, not just a collection of not so great actions.

     That's what I think the core of this time of the year - the holidays - is all about.  You get around family, remember just how screwed up most of them are and love them all the same.  Once you get back to your real life, that sticks for a little while.  You start to look at the people around you and wonder if the same goes for them.  You think about them with their families.  Maybe someone really dark and ugly to you is warm and beautiful to their family.  It's a time for families.  I personally, have an incredible family.  Sure, all of us have our flaws, me just as much as any one else.  But we all work very well because of our differences.  My brother Alex is charismatic to the core.  He could charm anyone, anytime, anywhere and sometimes I think he does it just to test himself.  That works so well with our family because we are all extremely opinionated and sometimes - a lot of times - we need someone like Alex to come in, charm us all with humor and we're busting up laughing 10 seconds after we've been screaming at each other.  How do you not crack up when an 18 year old walks through the living room with no shirt, then strikes a Victoria's Secret pose and owns it?

      Then there's Garrison...he is an incredible example of what a human being should be.  Not only is he kind, loving and always there for anyone he's ever encountered, he's just honest.  He's the one we know will always handle things diplomatically and will make sure everyone is taken care of.  He keeps us stable.  Next is Olivia, my sister who has had many challenges in her life, but has never let them get her down.  She shows us all how to keep to our own and represent who we are no matter what.  She's also probably the most motivated in life.  She knows what she wants and won't stop until she gets it.  Most people think they are this driven, but 99% of people are not.  She's one of the 1% who will fight, claw and pull herself to the top.  Finally, I'm the last kid here to be mentioned.  I'm the organizer and the observant one.  When we need to organize a gift for the parents...I'm the one working on it in September to make it perfect and get the other kids involved.  I'm the one who spots potential road hazards and vocalizes them at least 6 months before anyone else does.  I take care of things.  I make sure things are in order.  I make things happen.  My parents of course are important as well.  My stepdad is Mr. Tradition when it comes to the holidays and has made me love them so very much. He remembers what candies are "traditionally" in stockings each year, even if the rest of us have no clue what we got the year before.  He's also always there with the family movie and calling us all to make sure we are home to watch our holiday movie.  My mom is the creative one.  She makes the holidays hilarious with prank gifts, funny notes and gifts that are usually right on the dot for what we want.  It's impressive.  We can mention something in April and completely forget about it and somehow she remembers and it's under the tree.  She also works to make the holidays nice.  She gets us in nice attire, wraps presents well and makes my other sibs step up.

    The other members of my family that make this holiday special are my dad and my BFFs - whom I consider family.  My dad isn't a big holiday person, but he's someone who you get to see smile when I make him do things for the holidays he wouldn't have thought of.  For example, my grandmother, we found out, ate a thanksgiving meal alone at home - she had a turkey sandwich.  We all assumed she was with church friends, but once we found this out, I made my dad fly to Missouri every year to be with her.  Four years later when she got dementia and had to be moved to care centers...he thanked me for making him go and get that time with her and the rest of the family that would come up because he was in town too.  It's things like that that make me remember why the holidays are so important.  Finally, my BFFs, all of them, make me feel loved when they think of me with a card, a call or a small gift.  It's just a reminder that people love you beyond your blood family.

That's all I have for now on the magic of the holidays.  I hope anyone reading this takes the time to think about how your family impacts your life not just during these few months, but all year.

Live, Laugh and Above All....Love.