Movies! They Keep Us Going!

February 23rd, 2010

Sometimes, there is nothing better to do than watch a good movie. But did you know how much of an impact movies have on our lives? Since movies combine sight and sound, they serve as a powerful outlet to connect with our inner selves, and help guide us along some of lifes greater challenges. If you are an outgoing person, chances are that you like watching positive movies, and vice-versa. Movies are also not expensive to enjoy, and it can be one of many great hobbies to acquire in life. Not only because of the impact on each individual person, but the impact it can have on entire societies. A large amount of the movies produced in the past, and some of them today, can actually provide education on a specific subject (e.g. Dead Poets Society, October Sky, Glory). Movies have changed the way we live, and they will continue to do so. So watch more movies, they keep us going.

Did you know that movies can also help you improve your general well being? The right selection of movies, that is. You know whats best for you, and you know what movies you like to see. So after you finish watching one, try to reflect on the information you just learned, and apply it for your own benefit. Movies can affect your personal relationships, education, emotional state, health, personal life, the list goes on. One of the greatest gifts a movie can bring, is motivation. Many people lack motivation to do what they want to achieve, and some movies are sure to help those in need. Patch Adams, Seabiscuit, Rocky, Field of Dreams, Charlie Bartlett, and Peaceful Warrior are just a handful of the many thousands of movies that can motivate you to live a more fulfilling life. Sometimes our minds are in desperate need of relaxation, and a good movie will help you unwind. If you have a bad perspective on a problem, watching a good movie can help you grasp a different approach to any problem you are having, and may even provide you with some great means to change the way you live for the better.

Now, movies can help you change your life, and they can do it while you fully immerse yourself in the entertainment. If watching movies in a theater doesnt sound like your cup of tea, more and more consumers are turning to “home theater” systems; which can get on the expensive side quite quickly. Dont let that discourage you, as movies can be enjoyed from a tiny 5″ car screen, 15″ laptop/lcd, a giant 60″ HDTV, all the way up to and beyond a 120″ projection screen. As you can see, the hobby of moviegoing has evolved to another level, and anyone who enjoys movies can be a moviegoer. There are many internet resources out there, from movie rental sites like Netflix, Redbox, and Blockbuster; to internet reviews like IMDB, Metacritic, or Rotten Tomatoes. The possibilities in exploring the hobby of movie watching are endless, you just have to know where to look.

On a more negative note, where will the movie industry be in the future? No one can predict the answer, but companies need to start thinking. Movie watchers want to walk away from a great movie, and talk about it afterward with their friends. Lately, the movie industry has been slowing down, and attracting negative attention toward itself. What can be done for improvement? Less money spent on promotion, more money spent on production. This is one of the main reasons why the industry is lagging behind. Take the movie Speed Racer, for instance. The movie was a financial flop; the company spent near 80 million for a marketing campaign, and only grossed 85 million worldwide. Marketing is important, but not nearly as important as the movie itself. To eliminate this problem, movie studios should set a rule of thumb to allocate a certain percentage of the production budget towards other expenses. This could really provide a spark that the industry desperately needs right now.

If we continue to watch movies, the inevitability is that the industry will improve to accommodate moviegoers; just some patience is required. Overall, movies provide us with a breathtaking experience, which we all take for granted. They can pull us out of writers block, and motivate us to eliminate some of the tougher obstacles in our lives. So the next time you feel lazy or unmotivated, watch a movie, it might just be what you need to keep you going.

Film Analysis

My website contains many articles just like this one. Analyzing the important life messages presented in our favorite movies. If you liked this one, you will love what my site has to offer! As always, I will reply to all blog comments.

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Josh.

5 Movies to Enjoy This Christmas With Your Family

February 23rd, 2010

It may not feel like it, but Christmas is just around the corner. November is already upon us, and within two months, itll be that time of the year again when the everyone gathers together to celebrate family and togetherness.

What better to spend some quality time with your family than by watching some feel-good movies that will get you in the festive mood? Heres a list of movies you can put add to your NetFlix queue or pick up from the nearest video store:

1. Jingle All The Way (1996)

Watch it for Arnold “Governator” Schwarzneggar, starring in one of his few non-action movie roles. As a bumbling father who tries to get the latest toy for his son while competing with other overzealous fathers, this movie packs a lot of laughs.

2. Elf (2003)

This 2003 film featuring Will Ferrell is a complete laugh riot. Will Ferrell (Talladega Nights, Anchorman) is at his absolute best here, playing the role of the titular “elf” to perfection.

3. Home Alone (1990)

This classic 1990 childrens adventure featuring Macaulay Culkin and Joe Pesci is a favorite among kids and sure to provide you with a few feel good laughs too.

4. Santa Claus (1994)

Tim Allen plays the titular role of Santa Claus in this holiday classic. Watch Allen at his best as he lives up every kids fantasy of seeing Santa Claus in flesh and blood, packed with toys.

5. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

This hilarious take on the Charles Dickens classic will have you in splits while delivering a powerful moral lesson for the kids. What better actor to play Ebenzer Scrooge than Michael Caine?

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Movie Review – American Film Institute Rates Wilders "Some Like it Hot" As the Best Comedy Ever

February 22nd, 2010

Some Like It Hot – 2 Stars (Average)

In its day, “Some Like It Hot” was a hot ticket, being nominated for six Oscars and winning one. Released in 1959, this black-and-white film also served as the greatest comedy platform for its three main characters-Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe), Joe as “Josephine” (Tony Curtis) and Jerry as “Daphne” (Jack Lemon). Lemon was the actor, Monroe was the sex symbol, and Curtis was the looker.

The plot found two down-on-their-luck musicians (Joe and Jerry) witness the St. Valentines Day massacre by the mob gangland-style in 1929 during Chicagos Prohibition Era. Joe and Jerry narrowly escape death, then disguise themselves as women to become “Josephine” and “Daphne”, and hook up with an all-girl band headed for a gig in sunny Florida.

Complications set in when the two discover that Sugar Kane is part of the troop. Playboy Curtis falls for Monroe but must deal with his role as Josephine, and Lemons Daphne must deal with the amorous attentions of Osgood Fielding III (Joe E. Brown), an older millionaire. Things really heat up when mob boss Spats Colombo (George Raft) and his gang show up at the same place for a “convention” of mob bosses.

Billy Wilder directed this film and, while having some fun doing so, also had his patience tested. Apparently Marilyn Monroe gave new meaning to the phrase “dumb blonde”. She took 47 takes in one scene to get “Its me, Sugar” correct; after 30 takes Wilder had the phrase written on a blackboard for her.

After 40 takes of her saying, “Wheres the bourbon?” when Monroe was rummaging through some drawers, Wilder pasted the correct line in one of the drawers. Monroe was still confused, so Wilder pasted the line in every drawer. It took 59 takes for Monroe to get it right. Tony Curtis said publicly that Monroe was routinely 2 to 3 hours late to the set, and occasionally refused to leave her dressing room.

Despite it all, Some Like It Hot won an Oscar for Best Costume Design by Orry-Kelly, and had Oscar nominations for Best Actor (Jack Lemon), Best Art Direction (Ted Haworth and Edward G. Boyle), Best Cinematography (Charles Lang), Best Director (Billy Wilder) and Best Writing (Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond)-and dont even ask about I.A.L. (a pseudonym for Romanian-born Itec Domnici when he was a student at Columbia University).

When Orry-Kelly was measuring all three stars for dresses, he half-jokingly told Marilyn Monroe that “Tony Curtis has a nicer butt than you.” Monroe responded by pulling open her blouse and saying, “Yes, but he doesnt have tits like these!” This was Hollywood in 1959.

Some Like It Hot also won three Golden Globe Awards-Best Motion Picture Comedy, Best Actor (Jack Lemon) and Best Actress (Marilyn Monroe). It is a good thing that the voters were not on the set for the filming.

The American Film Institute voted Some Like It Hot as the Funniest Movie of all time. The film is No. 14 on AFIs List of the 100 Greatest Movies of all time.

At the end of the film, Daphne informs Osgood-”her” future millionaire husband-that she will not be able to have children. “We can adopt,” says Osgood. “But you dont understand, Osgood!” replies Daphne, “Im a man!” Osgood replies, “Well, nobodys perfect!” The line “Well, nobodys perfect” was vote as the 48th most famous quote in movie history by the AFI.

And, in the truth is stranger than fiction category, a California man found a little black dress in his closet (what was it doing there?) and was stunned when appraisers determined that it was worn by Marilyn Monroe in Some Like It Hot and had an estimated worth of $250,000.

Meanwhile, back in Kansas in 1959 (the place made famous by Dorothy and Toto in “The Wizard of Oz”), the film was banned from showing in Kansas because cross-dressing was “too disturbing for Kansans.”

I suspect that Some Like It Hot may have been one of the first films with high viewership to include cross-dressing in the script. My, how times have changed. In todays liberal environment, we are exposed to much more much more often.

I personally would not rate Some Like It Hot as the best comedy ever made. In my book of great films, that honor goes to “Waking Ned Devine”, which offered superb entertainment and also delivered a very meaningful message about relationships not only among individuals but also an entire village.

Copyright ? 2009 Ed Bagley

Read more of my movie reviews on films with a lot of substance, depth and feeling, including:
“A Christmas Story” – “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” – “Secondhand Lions” – “The Chorus (Les Choristes in French)” – “Waking Ned Devine” – “Chariots of Fire” – “Steel Magnolias” – “Chocolat” and “Radio”
These are all excellent films.
Find my movie reviews at:
http://www.edbagleyblog.com
http://www.edbagleyblog.com/MovieReviews.html