Sweet Home Alabama

Sweet Home Alabama is arguably one of my favorite movies. It's funny and heartwarming and Reese Witherspoon is just charming and adorable. It starts with a New York fashion designer (Witherspoon) who is recently engaged to the son of the mayor. This creates issues for the young woman seeing as she has already been married once when she was young and her husband refuses to give her a divorce. She travels to her small hometown in Alabama to continue to ask her husband for a divorce. Chaos ensues as she is brought face to face with many people of her past. We soon discover that she has lied about her wealthy Southern roots back in New York when she is actually just a girl from humble beginnings. Her fiancé comes to Alabama and discovers her previous way of life and still wants to marry her. However, her first husband is clearly still in love with her and she struggles to think of a life away from this town again.
Although this movie is clearly a stereotypical "chick flick", I think it still has a valuable message in it. I think it shows that you really can't forget where you came from. It's so much a part of who we are. If we want to move past it then that's one thing, but our pasts have already shaped us as individuals so it's really impossible to run from it as so many try to do. This movie is simple, funny, and sweet and shows audiences that you can always go home.

Safe Haven

Safe Haven is a movie adaptation on Nicholas Sparks' book of the same title. Now, before the guys tune out because Sparks is just a man determined to make guys miserable with the high expectations and before the girls get excited just because of the love story, I have something kind of important to add to this. This film actually brings up the hard and touchy subject of domestic violence. It actually drives the plot of the movie--a young woman is running from her abusive husband who happens to be a policeman who has all the means in his power to find her. She keeps running until she finds a small town and meets people who she feels she is safe with. It's amazing how this particular movie fades into the rest of the Nicholas Sparks films simply because it's a romance. I think that it really brings up something worth talking about. Domestic violence happens everywhere and this movie is just a small way that it shows how desperately these people try to get away and simply want to feel safe again. I think that this movie, obviously is about the love story and that is a main factor of the appeal, but I think that it really examines the mental state of some of these people who have been abused and the wish to simply feel safe again. I personally have never come into contact with domestic violence, praise God, but I, like so many others, know people who have and I think that this film at least gives us an idea of their struggle.

Remember the Titans

Oh my goodness. This movie is such a joy. Yes, imagine that--a girl that really enjoys a movie about football and brotherhood. I used to watch this movie with my dad all the time when I was younger. I think I developed my strong beliefs about equality and racial justice. It was one of the first movies I saw when I was younger that addressed the subject of civil rights or racial injustice.
This movie opens with a female narrator who we later discover is the daughter of the old head football coach at T.C. Williams High School--a school in Alexandria, Virginia that has recently been integrated. She remembers when the school was finally instructed to integrate and the new head football coach that came in to run the football team. Coincidentally, the new coach was African American.
The story goes on, and obviously the teenage boys on this team struggle with being black and white together in a world that is constantly telling them to stay separate. They fight and don't want anything to do with each other at first. But one weekend before school starts for the boys, the coach takes them to a camp and they take a morning run to Gettysburg. This is where the boys decide to play for each other and for the team. Throughout the rest of the movie, the boys face many different kinds of struggles such as other people not accepting their bond and the almost fatal accident that one of their leaders was in. This movie really shows that hatred and views on equality are learned behavior and they can always be changed. At the end of the day, we're all just people trying to succeed, trying to find out who we are in the world, and make some kind of a difference.

Stage to Film Adaptations

I'll admit it openly: I love theatre. It's magical and provides an experience so much different from watching a movie. However, stage to film adaptations are becoming more and more common. Are these movies any help to the film industry and are actually successful? That, I don't know. However, I think that making some of these adaptations take something away from the film as well as the stage show.

The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, and most recently, Newsies are among the productions that have become films--either of performers actually putting on the show on stage or in a movie version of the stage show. Are these movies actual films that show something different that the stage shows don't when they are performed live? Do they take away from the anticipation of the stage show live? I think that both questions offer significant conversations. Both theatre productions and films offer a lot of different emotions, interpretations, and experiences that when they are combined, it might diminish some of the quality of both. I'm not so sure that these films really do the best for either art form. Because, in reality, both film and stage are such dear forms of art that are really close to people's hearts, and I don't think that, unless they are done well, these stage to film adaptations do anything for either industry. 

While I'll admit that I watch them because 1. I love theatre and 2. I love movies. However, realistically, I don't think that simply watching a movie of a stage show counts as a film and it takes away from the magic of a stage show. 

The Santa Clause

When I was home this weekend, obviously the house was already full of Christmas and the weather outside was beginning to match the season. So while I was writing a rather lengthy term paper, I decided to put on a holiday favorite: The Santa Clause. Tim Allen is a personal favorite of mine, but with or without him, this movie is charming. It's funny and heartfelt, and little Charlie is basically the cutest kid with a bowl cut ever.
The movie begins with divorced, successful businessman Scott Calvin on Christmas Eve when his ex-wife brings his son Charlie to stay with him. Nothing quite goes as planned--burnt turkey, Denny's Christmas Eve dinner, and a typical book reading before bed at the end. During the night, however, Charlie hears a noise which prompts his father to go outside and investigate. Yes, you guessed it, Santa was on a roof. Through a course of events, the jolly man falls of the roof and Scott Calvin puts on the suit and hat and assumes the role of Santa Claus for the night. After the delivery of the toys is completed, the reindeer return their new owner to the North Pole and Scott soon realizes that he has agreed to a contract to become Santa Claus by putting on the suit and hat when the original Santa fell off the roof. Craziness ensues complete with crazy weight gain to create the famous belly, and miraculous hair growth to make the snowy white beard. His ex-wife and her new husband Neil are both worried for Charlie and his belief in Santa and believe that Scott is simply encouraging Charlie to make his son like him better. Charlie's mother and stepfather eventually seek full custody, but Scott finally accepts his full role as Santa when Charlie convinces him to believe, and by the end of the film, Scott's ex-wife and her husband both come to believe in him as well.
This movie is so funny and brings so much joy. It really plays on the idea of family and what you believe. It reminds people of all ages what it's like to believe in something so strongly and love something so much just like a child. This film keeps you laughing and definitely delivers the heartfelt moments as well.

Originals VS. New Adaptations

Disney has obviously been one of the movie making empires for a number of years now. They create the beautiful little animated movies that made childhood a little more enjoyable. However, with the recent string of new, live-action movie adaptations of the original animated versions, it leaves some of us wondering if Disney is trying to rewrite to play to the original audience that the animated versions reached, or if they're simply out of material.
The buzz of the 2015 version of Cinderella (that I also wrote a blog about) was very exciting and reignited a spark of a generation that loved the animated versions of some of these Disney movies. Talk of other new live- action movies circulated, and sure enough The Jungle Book and Pete's Dragon quickly followed. Now, in the coming months and years, we are told to expect Beauty and the Beast, Mulan, Aladdin, The Lion King, Dumbo, and countless others. Is Disney trying to give us a different take on some of our favorites, or are they simply refreshing old ideas and find themselves without new ideas?
Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good Disney movie as much as the next person. They're sweet, and fun, and remind me of childhood, and still have the ability to make me believe that anything is possible for a little while. However, should they constantly try to redo these classics or should they leave them alone as they are?
These new movies seem to be doing well, but when talking to people, they seem to be disappointed. They say that these films seem to lack some of the magic and joy that Disney is known for. The films themselves seem to be significantly darker and the lack of music is obviously less enjoyable than the animated films that we all know and love.
So the question remains: are these films worth making, or has Disney simply lost some of their original magic?

Cinderella

Cinderella is known as one of the most beloved fairytales ever. It's classic story, the feelings of love, and the idea that anything can happen if you simply believe, adds to the overall feeling of magic that surrounds this tale.
Recently, Disney recreated it's wonderful story and made it live action. This was highly anticipated by most Disney fans, movie lovers, and people of every generation. Disney did not disappoint. The costumes were big and elaborate, the sets were gorgeous, and the story remained true. Audiences everywhere hated the evil stepmother and her daughters as much as they always had, and Cinderella gave them an impeccable sense of hope and amazement when her faith never wavered. Our hearts leapt with joy when she met her prince and we gazed with wonder when they danced.
This movie gave all audiences a piece of their childhood back to them. This film was truly an event for everyone who came to see it. You couldn't help but laugh when they laughed, and feel so sad when they cried. It was near impossible to not feel like a child again when watching. It was so beautiful that it was almost like hearing the story for the first time. Disney really outdid themselves with this movie and made sure that we all remembered the joy of knowing a story like this and helped us to "have courage and be kind".

Selma

Recently, I watched the movie Selma again for the second time. I watched it the first time when it first came out, but had not seen it since then. This incredibly moving film tells the story of Martin Luther King Jr. and his supporters when they go to Selma, Alabama trying to fight the voter registration restrictions inflicted on African American voters. This obviously does not come without struggles and hardships and more death than should have taken place. As the movie progresses, Martin Luther King Jr. becomes increasingly more frustrated with President Johnson as he doesn't directly show his support to the struggling people in the South.
This movie is so moving and John Legend and Common make wonderful music that mirrors the message of the movie and frames it so well. This movie, while not totally historically accurate, shows a beautiful and at times, heartbreaking representation of this time in American history and the struggle that these people went through. It highlights the importance of this movement while also showing that pride that we can have as Americans for getting through this movement and can see their strength. I think that this movie should not be overlooked as just another "Civil Rights film". I think that it really showcases the struggles, the intensity, and the severity of what was taking place at the time.

Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice is a classic story that has lasted for years. Its beautiful storyline, and well-known characters provide countless opportunities for filmmakers. Today, I'll be talking specifically about the 2005, Joe Wright version of Pride and Prejudice.
Keira Knightly and Matthew MacFadyen portray the classic roles of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. The tension between the characters constantly builds throughout the film and eventually forms into the romantic bond that most people know between the two. However, while the storyline was obviously developed in the classic novel, I will be focusing on the direct filmmaking it.
This film is so aesthetically beautiful. The wonderful sets, and backdrops are breathtaking and the film cuts are simply wonderful and so well done. I'm not going to pretend that I know much about the logistics or the inner workings of making a film. However, I do know that this film made me appreciate the work and the artistic vision that goes into making a film such as this one.
The vision is so beautiful that it really adds to the film. While the film does not follow the original plot line as closely as other versions, the film itself is so beautiful that it provides a charming new take on this classic story.
Pride and Prejudice is a simply wonderful movie that everyone should at least see for the beauty that it provides.

Inside Out

Oh my goodness--this movie. The happiness, the laughter, the hurt, and the profound message. The Disney-Pixar partnership never seems to disappoint.
This sweet movie follows Riley and the little characters inside her head that control her emotions. Sadness seems to be undesirable and overlooked while Joy appears to be a force to be reckoned with. Joy controls most of the emotions that Riley has along with Anger, Fear, and Disgust. When she and her family make a sudden move, Riley's emotions run wild and have a whole new slew of problems on their hands. Sadness touches some of Riley's core memories and then they get lost along with her and Joy. They then continue on a journey while the remaining three emotions take control of Riley's day-to-day life.
This adorable movie presents the emotions that we all carry within us in a very tangible and fun way. It examines the idea that one person cannot be dominated by one specific emotion and that most memories are a combination of all of these emotions. It shows how joy cannot be valued without the sadness that life sometimes brings. This movie is so beautiful in, first, showing the process of growing up and discovering yourself while also looking at all the emotions that occupy our minds and hearts. This movie is so moving and reflects the hearts of so many people. I honestly think that this is one of the best Disney-Pixar collaborations that has been done.

An Oldie but a Goodie

I'm going to do something a little different. I'm going to write about a movie that was made almost 75 years ago. I'm one of those weird people that will gladly take a scratchy black and white movie or an old school movie musical over most movies of today. So, to just add a new layer to this blog and hopefully a little variety, I'm going to write about the classic movie Casablanca.
Casablanca starred Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman and tells the story of Rick and Ilsa. At the height of World War II, many different kinds of people find themselves in Casablanca, but they all share one goal: to get OUT of Casablanca. Rick owns a nightclub in the city and is at least cordial with the Nazi's that inhabit the in between stop to safety. Ilsa travels with her husband and stumbles upon Rick's nightclub one night--her former lover. Her husband is an escapee of a Nazi concentration camp who she previously thought was dead. All this to say, Ilsa and Rick do not meet again on good terms. She left Rick when they were about to flee to, instead, go find her husband. The famous, wonderful, heartbreaking line at this point in the movie is: "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine".
Rick has, in his possession, travel papers that would make it possible for Ilsa and her escaped husband to get safely out of Casablanca. In typical Humphrey Bogart fashion, he refuses with a snappy remark that cuts right to the heart. She reveals that she never even knew that her husband was still alive and would have gladly stayed with Rick if she could have. She gets the papers from Rick to give to her husband, but Rick must also throw off the Nazi officer who trails him most of the movie. He discovers that the officer is becoming an ally of his and he helps Ilsa and her husband get away to safety. The end, sadly closes with no wonderful declaration of love between Rick and Ilsa. He forces her to leave with her husband instead of staying with him, and he continues his life in Casablanca. Of course, it also ends with more wonderful quotes like "If that plane leaves the ground and you're not with him, you'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life." and "We'll always have Paris".
This movie is well known as one of the greatest of all time. With a sometimes slow plot, no happy ending, and lots of tension, some wonder how it has stood the test of time. However, with two of the biggest stars of the time and the heartbreakingly beautiful story--it's hard for it to NOT be a classic. There's a reason that so many wonderful movies come out of this time period: the plots were more complex and thought out, the acting was flawless, and the raw emotions that these films created are unparalleled by any of today.

Women in the Media

Even though we discussed women in media some time ago, I don't think there's ever a time where this subject won't be beneficial in some way or another. I'm not planning to enter this specific field, but any occupation where men determine the set standards, regulations, or in general, dictate the playing field, women will have a struggle. Now, some people get tired of hearing this debate--saying that women are simply angry for no reason, or argue that this discussion is tired and shouldn't continue to be brought up. However, when we talked about women in the media in class, it really hit a nerve in me. I wasn't angry and it didn't stir up previously dormant feminist views, but I think it gave me a new sense of what it might be like to be in any profession where men dominate.
Women simply view things differently. They bring something new to situations. Like I said, I'm not planning to go into this field, but my desired occupation is arguably one where men "might be more skilled" or "could get the job done better".
The discussion was interesting to hear. Honestly, it seems that even in this classroom the males dominate the conversation. So, for once, it was intriguing to hear the young women in the classroom speak. It was even said that maybe the women should speak more often because they bring something new to the table. I think that this might have been a small scale version of what society could be like if women entered into the workplace with a little more ease than we've previously known.
It was very encouraging to hear the women of the classroom speak without fear of getting the answer right or perhaps fear of the correct interpretation. In this case there was really only the one interpretation that was desired to hear at the time--ours, the women's. This was quite the refreshing change and it was wonderful to witness. I think that it only encouraged everyone to contribute equally because there is value in the mixed interpretations as a whole. I was very encouraged by this discussion in class--more than I thought I would be. I honestly think it was one of the better discussions held in the classroom because it included so many different variables and interpretations.

The Hunger Games, Hope, and Election 2016

Recently, I watched the Hunger Games for probably the hundredth time or so. I'm sure that many of you have seen, or at least know the general storyline of the Hunger Games franchise. But, just for kicks, let's recap:
Katniss Everdeen finds herself in the midst of a corrupt society full of laws that make little to no sense in her mind under a leader with questionable ideals and thoughts about the future of their nation. Sound familiar? Thought it might.
Now this is where some of you will stop reading because it's "yet another political blog" or just "someone else whining about the outcome of the election". However, stay with me a moment.
In the movie, before the official Hunger Games start, President Snow is discussing multiple things with the head gamemaker. Within this conversation, he says something strangely profound and it struck me as an interesting concept given recent events in our country.
"Hope is the only thing stronger than fear."
I'm not going to pretend to have known everything about the past election. I didn't know every policy and every opinion because quite frankly, I would get annoyed when I would try to find out more. However, I know that either outcome scared a lot of people. Whichever way the vote might have possibly gone--people were scared. Even after the election, after the results have sunk in--there is still an enormous amount of fear. We're questioning the future, our candidate's thoughts and visions for our country, and our response seems to be to lash out or simply sit and wait in fear of what might happen. As a nation, we see no hope. Call me an optimist, but I refuse to believe that this is a hopeless situation.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" -Jeremiah 29:11
This has always been one of my favorite verses and it has comforted me in these times. In this crazy, confusing, and often discouraging time, I search my heart for the hope only God provides and the knowledge of the future that He promises. I do not pretend to know the future, and I won't pretend that fear never creeps into my mind and my heart. However, God is still sovereign and I do believe that hope truly is stronger than fear.

Dirty Dancing

Dirty Dancing is one of the most well-known films of the 80s. With the music, dancing, and Patrick Swayze--it's a hard miss. The storyline, while ever so slightly ridiculous (I know, it was hard for me to admit too) examines the feelings that one has when they are growing up and discovering their own values and who they are really supposed to be.
The story begins with Baby, a young girl traveling for the summer to a country club with her family. "That was the summer of 1963, when everyone called me Baby and it didn't occur to me to mind. That was before Kennedy was shot, before the Beatles came, when I couldn't wait to join the Peace Corps, and I thought I'd never find a guy as great as my dad." This opening monologue really sets her up to be the naive little girl, but of course we know it won't stay that way. She meets Johnny Castle and falls head over heels when she agrees to help him with a dance. She finally sees herself as a young woman when dancing with this man.
She finally decides to help with this dance because his partner Penny is pregnant and must miss the performance to get a secret abortion. However, it goes wrong and she has to go to her father and reveal what she has been doing in secret. She risks losing her parents trust to do what she knows to be right. This is when she decides what her priorities are and what is really important to her. The summer progresses and eventually ends with the big dance number at the end and the famous line "Nobody puts Baby in a corner". This is when she finally comes into herself and grows up and shows everyone that she is no longer the scared little girl that arrived at the start of the summer.
This movie is really about discovering who you are, who you want to be, and deciding what is best and what you believe. It's really a story about growing up, finding yourself and breaking other people's views of you--something that is very hard to do at our age. I think that's why this movie has stood the test of time--because it's a constant for people of our age to feel lost or uncertain until suddenly one day we open our eyes and emerge fully as ourselves.

Me Before You

Me Before You is the story of a once powerful, wealthy and adventurous businessman. Suddenly, he finds himself paralyzed due to an accident. His parents seek care for him when a young girl comes to care for him. The man is clearly depressed with his new life and feels useless and like he would be better not living. He feels it would be easier for his family and those around him if he was no longer alive. However, this spunky young girl is constantly trying to cheer him up and improve his outlook on life. She finally causes him to open up to her a little bit and they begin to spend even more time together. He tells her that his favorite place to be is Paris and that he hopes she will be able to go one day.
However, despite her greatest efforts, the man still decides to follow through with his plan to take his own life through the means of an organization that helps with this kind of thing. The young girl has found herself in love with him and he tries to forget his feelings for her and let her go on to live the life that he believes she deserves. The story ends with tears and a beautiful letter that tells her to simply live a wonderful life.
This movie really angered some people within the handicapped community arguing that the movie sends the message that those who are paralyzed or handicapped have unlivable lives. This kind of movie is really hard to see other ways. While the love story is beautiful and heartbreaking, its really hard to see how the handicapped man can find nothing to live for in this world. The young man really struggles throughout the movie and the audience struggles with him and with his choices to leave his love at the end.

Pixar Short: Lava

This adorable little Pixar short manages, like all others before it, to tug on the heart strings of all its viewers within a matter of minutes. The story begins with a sad little volcano that sees other creatures are in love while he has no one to “lava” him. As his song continues and his lava fades, both literally and metaphorically, the little volcano loses hope of ever finding someone. Suddenly, he begins to sink deeper into the ocean when another volcano in the ocean hears his song and believes that it’s meant for her. She rises from the ocean while he falls deeper and they miss each other once again. Then the volcanos finally meet and find the “lava” that they were searching for all along. This short reflects the everyday feelings of most people. Whether we, as individuals, are searching for love, acceptance, or something more we often look for someone to share it with us. This short so accurately reflects the emotions and desires of most people as we go through life. The Pixar franchise is so skilled at playing on the emotions of its viewers in a way that seems so innocent but so completely encompasses the raw human emotions that we as humans feel daily.