This is my first Thursday 13, and I’m really excited! This week I’m listing 13 movies that have inspired me and/or taught me a valuable lesson.
1. My cousin Vinny (1992). This movie was shown to me by my parents. I was skeptical at first, because this was a movie I thought I wouldn’t like. Just the sound of it made me roll my eyes. My father’s taste in movies is not exactly what you expect a young woman to be interested in. I am really glad now that I was forced to watch this. After 120 of laughter, plot twists and interesting characters, I realized what it meant to be a friend, a promise keeper, a family member. You have to be there for others; when the going gets tough, you have to pull through. Just because things aren’t working out, dosent mean you shouldn’t try again, and again, and again. Vinny couldn’t help his friends, family and clients, he just couldn’t do it. Then, he realized the valuable lesson he thought me, that you have to go on, otherwise, how are you going to get up in the morning?
2. Slumdog Millionaire (2008). One dark, stormy night, my family decided to go see a movie. Seeing as my mother had lived in India when she was a little girl, she wanted to go see Slumdog Millionaire. Seeing this Oscar winning film, was a decision i did not regret. I was there in the slums of India, on the set of the Indian ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’ and I was following the characters through their life story. The tears that dripped down off of me face, the moments i forgot to breathe in suspense and the love i had for the happy ending, were all signs of how fantastic this movie really was! This amazing movie opened my eyes at how horrific the slums of India really were. I had never before seen in my life something more horrible, and i guess now i know not to sugar coat life, because it really isn’t what it seems.
3. Billy Elliot (2000). This is a thrilling story of a boy (Billy) who is living in fear of being seen as a ‘poof’ because he takes ballet lessons. When his father finally comes around to the idea that ballet can actually be a boy’s passion, he takes young Billy to an audition at the Royal Ballet School in London. Billy get accepted and leaves home to attend the school. As a fellow dancer, I understood how Billy felt when he was dancing, like he was free. The language was strong, the messages harsh, but the movie was filled with a love you had to dig deep to find. The message was filled with bitter resentment from his family and the harsh community, but if you looked hard enough, what you took away from the movie was a wonderful feeling of achieving dreams, of flying high, and knowing you can do what ever you want to do.
4. Flash of Genius (2008). I saw this movie at the cinema with my parents one day we werent doing anything at all. This true story was excellently portrayed by genius actors who made it seem so real. I was absorbed in the story so much, by the time the 119 minutes were over, i was shocked, for i had only thought ten minutes had gone by! It was so interesting to see what really happened in real life. Usually, I’m not a car fan, but the true story of Robert Kearns, was fascinating as i watched his horrible journey of divorcing his wife, becoming estranged to his children, all because he wanted to win his court case. In the end, his victory didn’t seem sweet, so much as bitter-sweet, because he had lost everything just to win, to get the $18.7 million. Even though, he wasn’t really happy at the end of the movie, i understood the importance of being truthful, and sticking to a story, because one day, when the truth really matters, it will come in handy, and you will win.
5. Apollo 13 (1995). This is a scary, sad, happy, tear-jerking story all in one. I saw this when i was on a plane, flying overseas, on a 7 hour flight (Not the best time to watch a movie about a space shuttle having problems, if you know what i mean!). I loved every second, and even though u wouldn’t admit to my brother of my father i really liked this movie, i couldn’t tear myself away from it, not even to watch my favorite TV show of all time- friends. This, I must say, is one of the best movies i have ever seen. I loved every second, as you can see, because i am repeating myself a lot! I realized something that night, that however old you are, where ever you live, whatever age, sex, religion, race, we all come together when a tragedy has happened. We all help each other get through the tough and sad times, and that is a comforting thought.
6. Hairspray (2007). This feel-good movie is filled with amazing songs, fun dancing, and talented actors/ actresses. Seeing as i love Broadway, i fell in love with this movie the minute i heard it was coming out! Someday i hope to see it on stage (fingers crossed!). The story is about Tracy Turnblad, a large girl who has a passion for dancing, getting discriminated against because she is so large. Finally making in onto the Corny Collins show, she becomes a star, but for her Black friends, it isn’t as easy. The year is 1962, and Tracy’s black friends (MotorMouth Maybelle, Seaweed J. Stubbs and Little Inez) are being racially abused by the community, along with all the other blacks. Finally, at the end, TV becomes integrated and spirits sour. I learnt, as i have learnt from my parents, friends and books, not to discriminate, because, whats the point?
7. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961). I saw this with an old friend a few years back, and i loved it! I loved the witty humor, the fun story-line and the classiness. I loved the adventures that Holly Golightly had, and i was mesmerized by the amazing and glamourous lifestyle she had. When her brother died, i was distraught along with Holly. I laughed when she laughed and cried when she cried. I fell in love with Paul along with Holly. I learnt that, no matter what happens in life, wether its a death or no money, you will always have to people you love, and that is what matters most.
8. The wizard of oz (1939). Whoever hasn’t seen this wonderful movie must go out to the nearest Blockbusters right now and rent it! You are missing so much! This is the most classic film, i think, in the history of time! I love it to pieces (as well as all the other films here!), and i think there is so much to learn from it! Firstly, don’t, what ever you do, kill a wicked witch and take her ruby slippers! You have trouble ahead if you do! Secondly,the worst time to run away from home, is when there is going to be a twister! Thirdly, just ask Gelinda the good witch to tell you how to get home, it’s much quicker! I think there are some very valuable life lessons here!
9. Titanic (1997). This is possibly one of the ultimate love stories out there (twilight fans may disagree) and i love the music, the scenery, the actors, everything! This is a very famous tragedy, which killed many people, and this movie dealt with the situation very delicately! This movie filled me with love, sadness and every second i was watching it, i couldn’t take me eyes off the screen. I remember when i first saw it; it was a week after my thirteenth birthday, and although i was mature for my age, I really couldn’t handle sad movies. I think it was the first really sad movie i had ever seen, but after those 194 minutes, i felt like i had changed. My views became more mature, and i became more accepting of sad situations. Now i can watch the news without turning it off whenever something sad, or upsetting comes on. I really realized, that you have to let go, and one day accept reality. This is what i did, and it was one of the best things i ever did!
10. A little romance (1979). This is my mother’s favorite movie, and i just love that she got it out of the library one day, and we watched it together. The unbelievable story of two 13 year olds falling in love, was brought to life by two amazing actors! I loved every second of it, and by the end of the movie, we were both in tears. There is nothing like an adult to ruin young love, and i learnt, that as you grow older, you don’t have as much time as you did when you were younger. You start to rush, forget what life is really about; love, laughing and living. This is a beautiful movie, and if you haven’t seen it, i recommend it!
11.E.T the Extra-Terrestrial (1982). I saw this a really long time ago, so i am going to try and remember what really happened. A little boy (Elliott) meets an Extra-Terrestrial, called E.T, and they become friends, whilst Elliott tries to hide E.T. The two start to form a bond, where what ever E.T does, Elliot does. This takes a turn for the worse, when E.T wants to phone home, and E.T starts to die, which makes Elliott start to die. When E.T makes the call home, Elliott finds E.T gone the next morning, and the story unfolds from there. I won’t reveal the whole story, because if you haven’t watched it, you really should! This is a wonderful story of the meaning of friendship, and when E.T tells Elliott that he will always be in his heart, you really think there is nothing sweeter than an alien telling you that he loves you!
12. Forrest Gump (1994). As it is the end of the year, in school, we just watch movies. My teacher put this movie on, and although most people had heard of it, i had not. We only got about halfway through, but i loved how much you could learn and the irony of the movie. Forrest had been living throughout history, without realizing it, and i guess when i have grand kids, i can say to them i was ___ years old when Barack Obama, our 44th president, our first African-American President got elected! It was such a great movie, and i am going to watch it tomorrow with my friends, as we all want to see the ending! This movie has a clear message of believeing in yourself, and just getting through your tough times, whilst still believing you can do whatever you want! I think that is one of the most important things in the world.
13. The sound of music (1965). This is such a classic, and one of my favorite movies. Knowing all the words, and watching it about 10 times a month, you can see i will never get bored of the truly wonderful film! I love the children, the sights, the costumes, the houses, everything! This true story is brought to life by the wonderful Julie Andrews, and she does a simply marvelous job at being Maria. This is a family classic of true love, sticking together (especially when you are on the run from Nazis). This is a story families can learn from and come together watching! I recommend it greatly!
