(no subject)
Thanks to Allison's brilliant suggestion, I have changed Star Trek Boy's name to Boy I Met Through Hot Marketing Boy. That name is ten thousand times better and has the added benefit of making me laugh.
Speaking of said Boy, we went to see the movie Tolkien on Tuesday. It was quite good. It told the tale of J.R.R. Tolkien's early years, including his time in World War I, all of which contributed to his creation of Middle Earth. One of the themes of the movie was the power of words. By themselves, words may sound interesting, but it is the meaning that makes them beautiful. After, Boy I Met Through Hot Marketing Boy and I were discussing this theme and the impact it should have on our chosen words. He said, "I should think more about the words I use. Not that I'm running around using profanity, but I can be more thoughtful in the words I choose." I, sinner extraordinaire, thought "I won't tell you what I (repeatedly) called you on Sunday when I was ten kinds of mad at you..." And I didn't, because I don't know him well enough yet to admit to my myriad faults. That's a treasure hunt he can embark on for himself, should we remain friends long enough for that to matter.
He also shared his Top 10 Movies of All Time with me, and asked for mine in return. He's put actual thought into this and had a list all typed out with accompanying annotations on why they made his top 10. I, having never given it even a passing thought, had to first draft a list of movies I like and then fill in the top 10 slots. For the record, I do not have a top 10--I have a top 75. Holy crow, I like a lot of movies. And trying to pick just ten? I kept changing my mind. Do you really know me if you aren't aware of how much I love this movie, even though it's not on the list?? DO YOU??
I eventually came up with ten (all right, it didn't take that long; I'm fairly decisive) but I passed along the list with the caveat that it was subject to change at a moment's notice, because there were about 70 other contenders.
And here is the list. For the most part they're in no particular order, save for the first three.
1) Apollo 13
I love this movie. It is a testament to human ingenuity and willpower, and I am blown away every time I watch this film. Though I've seen the film countless times and have learned about the Apollo 13 mission in school and in independent reading, I am still on the edge of my seat every viewing wondering if they're going to make it home this time. I am incapable of watching this movie without shedding tears. I also quote this movie a fair bit.
2) Remember the Titans
I am from Virginia, and as the opening line says, in Virginia high school football (or football in general) is a way of life. This movie manages to tackle the race issue without making race an issue. The bonds these boys forge are inspiring, beautiful, and often hilarious. "Attitude reflects leadership, sir," is a favorite and oft-quoted line, and helped keep me from going insane during my tenure under the worst boss I've ever had. This is another film I cannot watch without crying.
3) The Princess Bride
Classic. This movie came out the year I was born, which has nothing to do with how great it is except that we both came to be at the same time, so we must both be fabulous. :) It's hilarious, touching, romantic, and extremely quotable. When I was a girl, I visited my cousin for a week and we rented The Princess Bride and watched it every single day, solidifying my love for it and ingraining many quotes deep in my brain. Whenever I'm asked to list a favourite movie, I almost always choose this one.
4) While You Were Sleeping
One of the greatest movies of all time, this is where I first fell in love with Bill Pullman and his beautiful head of hair (Space Balls being a close second). Lucy is charming and sweet and so likable you can't help but root for her. I love every character in this movie, and the bonds and friendship shared by Jack's family make for an incredible ensemble cast. When I feel low, this movie always brings me up, and reminds me that maybe romance isn't so hopeless. Also insanely quotable. This is one of my favorite Christmas movies, and I try to watch it every year.
5) Beauty and the Beast
The greatest of the Disney princess movies, this was the first movie I saw in theatres. I was maybe 3 years old (IMBD informs me I was actually 4) when it came out, and Momma took me on a special girl date to see it. I don't remember much from the theatre, except that as we came out she told me Gaston had a ponytail and that's how I knew he was the bad guy.
Belle is my favorite princess because she likes to read. I've been an avid reader my whole life, and always connected with her over this. My favorite scene is, hands down, when Beast leads Belle into the library and says it's hers. I melt into a puddle every time I watch it. The music is incredible, and every side character adds to the magic and mystery of the castle. One of my favorite lines comes from the prologue when the narrator asks, "For who could ever learn to love a beast?" I've spent many an hour pondering that question, trying to decide where I fit on the scale of loving a beast versus being a beast to be loved. (I like to think about it in conjunction with Pocahontas' Savages and The Hunchback's deep question, "Who is the monster and who is the man?")
6) First Contact
I can almost make a top 10 of Star Trek movies, but I went with just one. The Borg are my favorite villains ever, which I find somewhat amusing because they terrify me. Fun fact: I went to the Star Trek experience in Vegas once, and while going through the Borg storyline, as we were walking down the hallway I turned around and saw a real live Borg coming after us. Sure, it was an actor in a suit, and sure, Borg are fictional, but I tell you what, I've never been so terrified in my life, and I clutched my momma's arm like I was six, despite being a legal adult. This movie was incredibly well done. The acting is perfect, the story is amazing, and Farmer Hoggett as Zefram Cochrane was an inspired choice. I loved the parallel between Picard and Captain Ahab (and loved even more Lily's admission that she hadn't read Moby Dick, because I haven't, either), and the introspective question of how our obsessions can prevent us from achieving the greater good.
7) Steel Magnolias
I always say this movie is the ultimate chick flick, not because it's a romance, but because it's a movie about women. Six friends connect in Truvy's hair salon and share the events of their lives. They support each other, they laugh with each other, and they cry with each other. This movie really showcases the power of women in supporting each other, and how women withstand the trials of life. When Shelby's lying in the hospital, it's her mama who's there to take care of her, because it is the compassion of women that last. I can't watch this movie without crying buckets, and it's just about the only film that has successfully made me laugh while crying ("Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion!"). It's extremely quotable, set in the South, and I aspire to be Ouiser in my old age.
8) Little Women
Little Women is near and dear to my heart. I adore Jo March; she is in my top 3 fictional characters of all time that I identify with. I love her passion for her family and for writing, and her deep friendship with Laurie. I love how the March sisters cling to each other through the trials of life, even as they grow up and marriage intervenes with their close friendship. I love how Marmee raises her girls with the goal of them being independent, functioning adults who improve society and see to the needs of others.
Growing up, I could never understand why Jo didn't marry Laurie. It wasn't until I read the book and listened to the musical that I saw how their personalities didn't mesh well, and I could finally appreciate Jo's choice. In adulthood, it helped me appreciate how fragile friendships with the opposite sex can be, especially in the face of unrequited love (on either side). Yet that didn't stop Jo and Laurie from caring for each other, and learning to move past his broken heart. I also adore Professor Bhaer, a man equal to Jo's dreams.
9) Courageous
A Christian church in Alabama made this movie. It's not quite up to Hollywood quality, but I love the message so much that I don't care. This is a movie that celebrates fathers and encourages men to rise up and be real fathers who lead their children in love and faith. This is another movie I can't watch without waterworks. I wish there were more movies celebrating functional family units with men becoming the kind of fathers their children can look up to and be proud of.
10) Batman Begins
"Why do we fall, Bruce? So we can learn to pick ourselves up" and "It's not who you are underneath, but what you do that defines you" are the two quotes that made this movie for me. We learn from our mistakes, no matter how many times we fall, and it's our actions that express who we truly are. This notion ties into the Gospel for me, that faith without works is dead. It's not enough to talk the talk; we must walk the walk as well. Hands down my favorite live-action Batman moments.
Honorable mentions (and seriously, I could list about sixty, but I'll refrain myself): The Parent Trap, Forward Unto Dawn, Little Rascals, The Fugitive, The Polar Express, Master and Commander, Babe, Return to Me, Finding Neverland, Dead Poet's Society, and The Count of Monte Cristo.
*
Last two comments: Writing this list made me realize that most of my favourite movies are movies I quote all the time. Basically if there isn't something worth quoting, I don't love the movie. :) Also, I watched live action Cinderella tonight, which was a joy. I love fairytales, I love romance, I love happy endings, and I love living alone so I can squee with childish glee without feeling embarrassed. Lily James did an amazing job, and Richard Madden was an inspired choice for Prince Charming. I tell you what, if a man ever looked at me like the prince looked at Ella, I might forget I have independent thoughts and mindlessly agree to follow him to the ends of the earth.
"Punctuality is the politeness of princes." ~~Cinderella (hashtag preach!)
Speaking of said Boy, we went to see the movie Tolkien on Tuesday. It was quite good. It told the tale of J.R.R. Tolkien's early years, including his time in World War I, all of which contributed to his creation of Middle Earth. One of the themes of the movie was the power of words. By themselves, words may sound interesting, but it is the meaning that makes them beautiful. After, Boy I Met Through Hot Marketing Boy and I were discussing this theme and the impact it should have on our chosen words. He said, "I should think more about the words I use. Not that I'm running around using profanity, but I can be more thoughtful in the words I choose." I, sinner extraordinaire, thought "I won't tell you what I (repeatedly) called you on Sunday when I was ten kinds of mad at you..." And I didn't, because I don't know him well enough yet to admit to my myriad faults. That's a treasure hunt he can embark on for himself, should we remain friends long enough for that to matter.
He also shared his Top 10 Movies of All Time with me, and asked for mine in return. He's put actual thought into this and had a list all typed out with accompanying annotations on why they made his top 10. I, having never given it even a passing thought, had to first draft a list of movies I like and then fill in the top 10 slots. For the record, I do not have a top 10--I have a top 75. Holy crow, I like a lot of movies. And trying to pick just ten? I kept changing my mind. Do you really know me if you aren't aware of how much I love this movie, even though it's not on the list?? DO YOU??
I eventually came up with ten (all right, it didn't take that long; I'm fairly decisive) but I passed along the list with the caveat that it was subject to change at a moment's notice, because there were about 70 other contenders.
And here is the list. For the most part they're in no particular order, save for the first three.
1) Apollo 13
I love this movie. It is a testament to human ingenuity and willpower, and I am blown away every time I watch this film. Though I've seen the film countless times and have learned about the Apollo 13 mission in school and in independent reading, I am still on the edge of my seat every viewing wondering if they're going to make it home this time. I am incapable of watching this movie without shedding tears. I also quote this movie a fair bit.
2) Remember the Titans
I am from Virginia, and as the opening line says, in Virginia high school football (or football in general) is a way of life. This movie manages to tackle the race issue without making race an issue. The bonds these boys forge are inspiring, beautiful, and often hilarious. "Attitude reflects leadership, sir," is a favorite and oft-quoted line, and helped keep me from going insane during my tenure under the worst boss I've ever had. This is another film I cannot watch without crying.
3) The Princess Bride
Classic. This movie came out the year I was born, which has nothing to do with how great it is except that we both came to be at the same time, so we must both be fabulous. :) It's hilarious, touching, romantic, and extremely quotable. When I was a girl, I visited my cousin for a week and we rented The Princess Bride and watched it every single day, solidifying my love for it and ingraining many quotes deep in my brain. Whenever I'm asked to list a favourite movie, I almost always choose this one.
4) While You Were Sleeping
One of the greatest movies of all time, this is where I first fell in love with Bill Pullman and his beautiful head of hair (Space Balls being a close second). Lucy is charming and sweet and so likable you can't help but root for her. I love every character in this movie, and the bonds and friendship shared by Jack's family make for an incredible ensemble cast. When I feel low, this movie always brings me up, and reminds me that maybe romance isn't so hopeless. Also insanely quotable. This is one of my favorite Christmas movies, and I try to watch it every year.
5) Beauty and the Beast
The greatest of the Disney princess movies, this was the first movie I saw in theatres. I was maybe 3 years old (IMBD informs me I was actually 4) when it came out, and Momma took me on a special girl date to see it. I don't remember much from the theatre, except that as we came out she told me Gaston had a ponytail and that's how I knew he was the bad guy.
Belle is my favorite princess because she likes to read. I've been an avid reader my whole life, and always connected with her over this. My favorite scene is, hands down, when Beast leads Belle into the library and says it's hers. I melt into a puddle every time I watch it. The music is incredible, and every side character adds to the magic and mystery of the castle. One of my favorite lines comes from the prologue when the narrator asks, "For who could ever learn to love a beast?" I've spent many an hour pondering that question, trying to decide where I fit on the scale of loving a beast versus being a beast to be loved. (I like to think about it in conjunction with Pocahontas' Savages and The Hunchback's deep question, "Who is the monster and who is the man?")
6) First Contact
I can almost make a top 10 of Star Trek movies, but I went with just one. The Borg are my favorite villains ever, which I find somewhat amusing because they terrify me. Fun fact: I went to the Star Trek experience in Vegas once, and while going through the Borg storyline, as we were walking down the hallway I turned around and saw a real live Borg coming after us. Sure, it was an actor in a suit, and sure, Borg are fictional, but I tell you what, I've never been so terrified in my life, and I clutched my momma's arm like I was six, despite being a legal adult. This movie was incredibly well done. The acting is perfect, the story is amazing, and Farmer Hoggett as Zefram Cochrane was an inspired choice. I loved the parallel between Picard and Captain Ahab (and loved even more Lily's admission that she hadn't read Moby Dick, because I haven't, either), and the introspective question of how our obsessions can prevent us from achieving the greater good.
7) Steel Magnolias
I always say this movie is the ultimate chick flick, not because it's a romance, but because it's a movie about women. Six friends connect in Truvy's hair salon and share the events of their lives. They support each other, they laugh with each other, and they cry with each other. This movie really showcases the power of women in supporting each other, and how women withstand the trials of life. When Shelby's lying in the hospital, it's her mama who's there to take care of her, because it is the compassion of women that last. I can't watch this movie without crying buckets, and it's just about the only film that has successfully made me laugh while crying ("Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion!"). It's extremely quotable, set in the South, and I aspire to be Ouiser in my old age.
8) Little Women
Little Women is near and dear to my heart. I adore Jo March; she is in my top 3 fictional characters of all time that I identify with. I love her passion for her family and for writing, and her deep friendship with Laurie. I love how the March sisters cling to each other through the trials of life, even as they grow up and marriage intervenes with their close friendship. I love how Marmee raises her girls with the goal of them being independent, functioning adults who improve society and see to the needs of others.
Growing up, I could never understand why Jo didn't marry Laurie. It wasn't until I read the book and listened to the musical that I saw how their personalities didn't mesh well, and I could finally appreciate Jo's choice. In adulthood, it helped me appreciate how fragile friendships with the opposite sex can be, especially in the face of unrequited love (on either side). Yet that didn't stop Jo and Laurie from caring for each other, and learning to move past his broken heart. I also adore Professor Bhaer, a man equal to Jo's dreams.
9) Courageous
A Christian church in Alabama made this movie. It's not quite up to Hollywood quality, but I love the message so much that I don't care. This is a movie that celebrates fathers and encourages men to rise up and be real fathers who lead their children in love and faith. This is another movie I can't watch without waterworks. I wish there were more movies celebrating functional family units with men becoming the kind of fathers their children can look up to and be proud of.
10) Batman Begins
"Why do we fall, Bruce? So we can learn to pick ourselves up" and "It's not who you are underneath, but what you do that defines you" are the two quotes that made this movie for me. We learn from our mistakes, no matter how many times we fall, and it's our actions that express who we truly are. This notion ties into the Gospel for me, that faith without works is dead. It's not enough to talk the talk; we must walk the walk as well. Hands down my favorite live-action Batman moments.
Honorable mentions (and seriously, I could list about sixty, but I'll refrain myself): The Parent Trap, Forward Unto Dawn, Little Rascals, The Fugitive, The Polar Express, Master and Commander, Babe, Return to Me, Finding Neverland, Dead Poet's Society, and The Count of Monte Cristo.
*
Last two comments: Writing this list made me realize that most of my favourite movies are movies I quote all the time. Basically if there isn't something worth quoting, I don't love the movie. :) Also, I watched live action Cinderella tonight, which was a joy. I love fairytales, I love romance, I love happy endings, and I love living alone so I can squee with childish glee without feeling embarrassed. Lily James did an amazing job, and Richard Madden was an inspired choice for Prince Charming. I tell you what, if a man ever looked at me like the prince looked at Ella, I might forget I have independent thoughts and mindlessly agree to follow him to the ends of the earth.
"Punctuality is the politeness of princes." ~~Cinderella (hashtag preach!)