OK, just to show you how little I pay attention sometimes, I was channel flipping last night when my hands were too cut up to do any more mosaics... and I stumbled upon the AFI list of inspirational movies. I kept thinking, where are all the foreign films... so... considering that perspective on the AMERICAN Film Institute, let me just ask some questions.
First, what are YOUR five most inspirational flicks? Seen any that changed your life? And just to really mess with you, it doesn't have to be 5. And if you're not too shy, tell me a little about why they are inspirational.
But first, I just have to ask these other questions.
What is inspirational about Thelma and Louise? Don't get me wrong, I loved it. But when women finally break free of whatever oppressive rut they were in, why do they have to die? Who exactly is inspired by this? The oppressors? Is it about girl power? I don't get it.
I get most of them on the list, even the ones I haven't seen, because you don't have to actually SEE Rocky - it's an icon for the American Dream, which I'm guessing, they assume inspires most people. I don't get why 2001 is inspirational. Can someone explain that? Considering it is open-ended, essentially modern art upon which we place our own meaning, wouldn't it depend on the person watching it to decide if it's inspirational? Is there some objective standard for "inspirational?" Isn't a source of inspiration completely subjective?
Why is Harold and Maude 72? Harold and Maude is 72 and Hoosiers is 13. Perhaps because Harold and Maude doesn't just retell the American Dream? I just need to make my own list.
But you guys first.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
15 comments:
I can't think of 5. At the moment I can think of one most inspirational movie to me I have ever seen. The Color Purple. Why it was inspirational to me was that no matter what Celie(Whoopi Goldberg) endured, she overcame it. She learned strength and courage. There were times during the movie when you thought her spirit was gone, done. But she always rallied back. Not only was this movie great in how it dealt with oppression in the early 1900's, it was also great the way it dealt with spousal abuse. It's a good portrayal of how a woman can endure, how she can stand up and be strong, how she can overcome.
Thelma and Louise? I don't get that one either. Come on, they drove off a cliff. Where's the inspiration?
I can't say I have watched any movies that changed my life, but Somewhere in Time comes in as my favorite next to Color Purple.
And I don't know about any "objective standard" for inspiration. I think it is simply individual to each of us. What inspires me doesn't necessarily inspire anyone else.
Oh, I totally agree with you on The Color Purple. Very very inspirational. And really, not at all about achieving the american dream. Excellent.
I don't know Somewhere in Time...
See, that's why I don't get the list - 1500 people responded to a questionnaire about inspirational films - every one of them a subjective response. So a list seems meaningless to me.
Color Purple
Ray
What's Love Got To Do With It?
I am writing a blog right now about my least inspiring films!
How about that?
I love it! I'll be right over...
I haven't seen What's Love Got To Do With It, but I agree on "Ray". Very good movie. I thought Jamie Foxx was really good and the movie showed much diversity in him as an actor playing a dramatic role versus the usual comedy he does.
Road Warrior – More because of the situation of life at the time. It had everything in a good story line. Man against Man, Man against Himself and Man against Society.
When estranged, all you need is a good car and a dog. Of course the dog was killed and the car was wrecked but hey… life sux and then we die or just pound road the rest of our lives till we fade to black over the horizon.
Spinal Tap – This was not a comedy ! Spinal Tap accurately reflects reality in a Rock and Roll band. The trials and tribulations of gigs and interpersonal conflicts turned up to 11. Sexdrugsandrockandroll, more than a pop phrase, it’s a life style choice. Although hard on the arteries and ears.
The Red Violin – Worth the view for the soundtrack. One should always obsess over at least one instrument.
Now that's a list.
I remember Road Warrior time - went straight from a certain funeral to the movie... definitely a sucky time.
Love your trademarked name.
i will come up with more but given that i am at work now--well, say what you want, but office space saved my life. yes it did. i quit the *shudder* law firm where i was working. quit with no other job. quit in the middle of a tour with rent, loans, and a car payment. my brother suggested office space. how right that timing was.
so really, the answers depends on what *inspirational* means. does the movie make you think? does it make you go out and do good. i mean, on some level, supersize me (which i have not seen) can be insrpirational to some. (really? you mean to tell me mcdonalds is not good for me? really? hot damn.)
more later.
Yeah, I thought Supersize Me should have been a one-hour PBS special. Did not get all the hoopla...
Office Space is definitely on my list. My list is so non-dramatic and weird I'm not sure I'll post it. :-) Like anyone cares.
Oh my god, this could take me hours. I will make sure I post something before the weekend ends.
You better post it after all this ranting and raving. And since we all agree that this is subjective, it doesn't matter to us what you pick so long as it has meaning for you.
Hotel Rwanda - it made me want to go out and change the world...I have not done it yet, but it still makes me want to....
Armageddon
First Knight
Serial Mom
One Fine Day
Attack of the Clones
Oh wait, you said "inspirational" and not "movies that send you into a homicidal rage because of how bloody horrible they are and how you would happily pay double if it meant that you could wipe the dreadful experience of watching the piece of crap go away."
I must have misread.
These movies have inspired me to more incoherent tirades against the than any others. They were so bad, so painful, that in a self-flagellating kind of way, I actually want to watch them again, just to see if they were truly that bad, or if I made it up...because really, could they honestly be THAT *&%^#$ bad? No, it's not possible. Yet, here I am, ranting again, and I haven't even seen them in
Oops, I screwed up that post. Oh well, pretend I finished that sentence. I actually meant to delete the entire last paragraph, so pretend I did that too.
If one of the definitions is "inspire to action," well, there ya go!
Excellent list. Those movies drove me insane as well. I have managed to let go the Star Wars one... Will never get over Armageddon.
Post a Comment