Stats: 1986. Starring Phillip Glasser, Dom DeLuise, Christopher Plummer. G. Animated.
Background: I was vaguely aware of this movie when it was released, but as my family didn’t really go to movies or rent videos, I didn’t see it until 1999. I was living with my grandparents at the time, and I checked it out from the local library and watched it with my grandpa. I finally bought this about a year ago after having it on my Amazon wish list for a couple years.
Reactions: An American Tail may not be as flashy as the Disney animated films of the era, but it’s still wonderful. From the score (you can’t go wrong with James Horner) to the songs (“Somewhere Out There” is so sweet, and “There Are No Cats in America” rivals Disney songs for catchy singability) to the references for grownups (The Brothers Karamazov is Fievel’s favorite book), this movie makes me smile.
Verdict: Keep
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
#9 "Amazing Grace"
Stats: 2006. Starring Ioan Gruffudd, Romola Garai, Albert Finney. PG. Based on a true story.
Background: I saw this with my mom and sisters in a packed out theater in Wichita. (The Warren. Go there. It’s cool.) I didn’t know much about the story going in—in fact, I thought that it would be more about John Newton, since it was named after the hymn.
What a gripping story! We all loved it, and when Amazon ran a sale on it earlier this year, I bought two copies—one for myself, and one for my mom.
Reactions: I took this over to my mom’s to watch with her yesterday. She cried, of course, and again reiterated her belief that Albert Finney should have been nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Newton. (He was very good.)
Amazing Grace is such an inspiring story. William Wilberforce (Gruffudd) spent years of his life fighting for what he knew to be the truth: All men (and women!) are created in God’s image, and no man should own another. I also love how Barbara (Garai) came into William’s life just as he was about to cease fighting; he had faced so much opposition—his bill to abolish the slave trade had been defeated when it should have passed, his best friend (Prime Minister William Pitt) threatened him with sedition if he continued speaking out, and his health was failing—that he thought it might be easier to quit. But Barbara encouraged him—even challenged him—to keep fighting for what was right. She was, I think, the true definition of a helpmeet. She encouraged him, esteemed him, and spurred him on to be a better man.
Verdict: Keep
Background: I saw this with my mom and sisters in a packed out theater in Wichita. (The Warren. Go there. It’s cool.) I didn’t know much about the story going in—in fact, I thought that it would be more about John Newton, since it was named after the hymn.
What a gripping story! We all loved it, and when Amazon ran a sale on it earlier this year, I bought two copies—one for myself, and one for my mom.
Reactions: I took this over to my mom’s to watch with her yesterday. She cried, of course, and again reiterated her belief that Albert Finney should have been nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Newton. (He was very good.)
Amazing Grace is such an inspiring story. William Wilberforce (Gruffudd) spent years of his life fighting for what he knew to be the truth: All men (and women!) are created in God’s image, and no man should own another. I also love how Barbara (Garai) came into William’s life just as he was about to cease fighting; he had faced so much opposition—his bill to abolish the slave trade had been defeated when it should have passed, his best friend (Prime Minister William Pitt) threatened him with sedition if he continued speaking out, and his health was failing—that he thought it might be easier to quit. But Barbara encouraged him—even challenged him—to keep fighting for what was right. She was, I think, the true definition of a helpmeet. She encouraged him, esteemed him, and spurred him on to be a better man.
Verdict: Keep
Saturday, August 29, 2009
#8 "Aladdin"
Stats: 1992. Starring Robin Williams, Scott Weinger. G. Animated
Background: Aladdin came out when I was in the sixth grade. It was only the third movie I’d ever seen in the theater—after Snow White and 101 Dalmatians (both special re-releases). I went with my friend Becky; afterward, her dad took us out to Dairy Queen for 25 cent ice cream cones. Aladdin immediately became my favorite Disney movie, and after we got it on video, I watched it repeatedly. When Disney released a special 2-disk dvd edition a few years ago, I put it at the top of my Christmas wish list!
I remember two controversies surrounding this movie: 1) Jasmine’s clothes were too immodest. 2) Aladdin supposedly says something like “Good teens take off your clothes.” I heard both of those in my conservative Christian community, and I was glad my parents didn’t pay much attention to that!
Reactions: While I can’t quote the entire movie as I could in the past, I still know it pretty well. I love the story; I love the music; I love the animation. The animation is what struck me on this viewing. We’re so used to seeing computer animated films; this movie is a great blend of traditional and computer animation. The Cave of Wonders escape scene is still thrilling; I’m sure it would have been spectacular on an IMAX screen!
I have the special edition dvd, and one of the special features is Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson singing “A Whole New World.” It’s sad, but it kinda makes me snicker now . . . similarly, I really enjoy their rendition of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”!
Verdict: Keep!
Background: Aladdin came out when I was in the sixth grade. It was only the third movie I’d ever seen in the theater—after Snow White and 101 Dalmatians (both special re-releases). I went with my friend Becky; afterward, her dad took us out to Dairy Queen for 25 cent ice cream cones. Aladdin immediately became my favorite Disney movie, and after we got it on video, I watched it repeatedly. When Disney released a special 2-disk dvd edition a few years ago, I put it at the top of my Christmas wish list!
I remember two controversies surrounding this movie: 1) Jasmine’s clothes were too immodest. 2) Aladdin supposedly says something like “Good teens take off your clothes.” I heard both of those in my conservative Christian community, and I was glad my parents didn’t pay much attention to that!
Reactions: While I can’t quote the entire movie as I could in the past, I still know it pretty well. I love the story; I love the music; I love the animation. The animation is what struck me on this viewing. We’re so used to seeing computer animated films; this movie is a great blend of traditional and computer animation. The Cave of Wonders escape scene is still thrilling; I’m sure it would have been spectacular on an IMAX screen!
I have the special edition dvd, and one of the special features is Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson singing “A Whole New World.” It’s sad, but it kinda makes me snicker now . . . similarly, I really enjoy their rendition of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”!
Verdict: Keep!
Friday, August 28, 2009
#7 "Air Force One"
Stats: 1997. Starring Harrison Ford, Glenn Close, Gary Oldman. R.
Background: In the spring of 1998, I went home with one of my friends for the weekend, and we had a movie marathon and chowed down on KFC (funny the things you remember!). Air Force One was one of the movies we watched. I felt slightly scandalous for watching it, actually, as it was rated R, and I was only 16! Once again, my copy came from Walmart's $5 bin.
Reactions: This movie was just as gripping today as it was 11 years ago. In the intervening years, I’d caught bits and pieces on cable, but I hadn’t watched it from start to finish since that day in '98.
Who wouldn’t want James Marshall (Ford) to be their president? He takes out terrorists, loves his family, and nearly gives his life to protect those on the plane. I suppose that’s a little reckless considering he’s the president, but I’d rather have a hero than a coward as president. Great film!
Verdict: Keep
Background: In the spring of 1998, I went home with one of my friends for the weekend, and we had a movie marathon and chowed down on KFC (funny the things you remember!). Air Force One was one of the movies we watched. I felt slightly scandalous for watching it, actually, as it was rated R, and I was only 16! Once again, my copy came from Walmart's $5 bin.
Reactions: This movie was just as gripping today as it was 11 years ago. In the intervening years, I’d caught bits and pieces on cable, but I hadn’t watched it from start to finish since that day in '98.
Who wouldn’t want James Marshall (Ford) to be their president? He takes out terrorists, loves his family, and nearly gives his life to protect those on the plane. I suppose that’s a little reckless considering he’s the president, but I’d rather have a hero than a coward as president. Great film!
Verdict: Keep
Thursday, August 27, 2009
#6 "Adam Bede"
Stats: 1991. Starring Iain Glen, Patsy Kensit, Susannah Harker. Not Rated. Based on the novel by George Eliot.
Background: I teach Silas Marner each year in one of my ESL classes. I was looking for a movie version when I came across The George Eliot Collection on Amazon.com. For just a few dollars more than I’d spend on Silas Marner, I could get the collection of five movies. Before tonight, I had never watched Adam Bede.
Reactions: This movie took a long time to get into. Perhaps it's the nature of George Eliot's work, as every movie based on her novels I've seen has been slow and difficult to get into.
While partially predictable--I could tell within the first two minutes which characters would end up together--this movie also had some unexpected twists (though if you've read the book, they wouldn't be unexpected). George Eliot wasn't afraid to tackle some touchy topics, and Adam Bede is no exception, as one character had an affair, became pregnant, perhaps went insane, and killed her baby. (Well, I think she killed it. At least she was convicted of killing it; my sisters were talking when she was confessing everything to Adam, and I didn't care enough to rewind and catch what I missed.)
My favorite line came at the end of the movie. Adam has just said goodbye to Dinah (Harker, best known as Jane Bennet in the 1995 Pride & Prejudice), who is clearly in love with him. He goes into the kitchen and tells his mother that it's too bad things didn't work out between his brother and Dinah because she would have been a good addition to the family. (There's a scene at the beginning of the movie where Adam's brother proposes to Dinah, she tells him she'll never marry, and we never see Adam's brother again.) Adam's mom looks at him like he's a moron, tells him Dinah loves him, and then says, "Only men have to wait 'til folks say things before they find them out." Adam's face lights up, and he runs out to find Dinah. Quite a commentary on men--it cracks me up!
Verdict: Keep
Background: I teach Silas Marner each year in one of my ESL classes. I was looking for a movie version when I came across The George Eliot Collection on Amazon.com. For just a few dollars more than I’d spend on Silas Marner, I could get the collection of five movies. Before tonight, I had never watched Adam Bede.
Reactions: This movie took a long time to get into. Perhaps it's the nature of George Eliot's work, as every movie based on her novels I've seen has been slow and difficult to get into.
While partially predictable--I could tell within the first two minutes which characters would end up together--this movie also had some unexpected twists (though if you've read the book, they wouldn't be unexpected). George Eliot wasn't afraid to tackle some touchy topics, and Adam Bede is no exception, as one character had an affair, became pregnant, perhaps went insane, and killed her baby. (Well, I think she killed it. At least she was convicted of killing it; my sisters were talking when she was confessing everything to Adam, and I didn't care enough to rewind and catch what I missed.)
My favorite line came at the end of the movie. Adam has just said goodbye to Dinah (Harker, best known as Jane Bennet in the 1995 Pride & Prejudice), who is clearly in love with him. He goes into the kitchen and tells his mother that it's too bad things didn't work out between his brother and Dinah because she would have been a good addition to the family. (There's a scene at the beginning of the movie where Adam's brother proposes to Dinah, she tells him she'll never marry, and we never see Adam's brother again.) Adam's mom looks at him like he's a moron, tells him Dinah loves him, and then says, "Only men have to wait 'til folks say things before they find them out." Adam's face lights up, and he runs out to find Dinah. Quite a commentary on men--it cracks me up!
Verdict: Keep
#5 "28 Days"
Stats: 2000. Starring Sandra Bullock & Viggo Mortensen. PG-13.
Background: I checked 28 Days out from the library several years ago. I didn’t expect to like it (I checked it out due to boredom), but I really did. When I found it in Walmart’s $5.50 bin, I bought it. I’ve perhaps watched it twice prior this project.
Reactions: While not my favorite alcoholism movie—that would be When a Man Loves a Woman—I greatly enjoy this glimpse into the life of an alcoholic. I have no idea how accurate this portrayal of rehab is, so I can’t speak to that aspect of the movie. I just know that it's interesting and entertaining!
I especially appreciate that the movie doesn’t tie everything up into a neat bow. Gwen (Bullock) is sent to rehab after drunkenly stealing and crashing a limo at her sister’s wedding. While at the rehab ranch, she meets a variety of addicts. Some of them seem well on their way to recovery; others struggle, relapse, and even die. Gwen and Eddie (Mortensen), a professional baseball player she meets in rehab, definitely have a connection, but they never get together, and as the film ends, the audience doesn't know whether they'll ever see each other again. I like it that way; it feels more authentic than a classic chick flick end-of-movie coupling.
I’m not a huge fan of many special features; in contrast to my sister who could spend hours listening to commentary and watching every extra, I find most special features to be boring or just dumb. However, one of the special features on this dvd is Santa Cruz, the fictional soap opera that plays a prominent role in the plotline. It runs a full 20 minutes, features some real soap actors, and alludes to some of the story shown in the movie. Twenty minutes is a little long for this over-the-top soap spoof, but it does make for one of the more interesting special features I’ve seen.
Verdict: Keep
Background: I checked 28 Days out from the library several years ago. I didn’t expect to like it (I checked it out due to boredom), but I really did. When I found it in Walmart’s $5.50 bin, I bought it. I’ve perhaps watched it twice prior this project.
Reactions: While not my favorite alcoholism movie—that would be When a Man Loves a Woman—I greatly enjoy this glimpse into the life of an alcoholic. I have no idea how accurate this portrayal of rehab is, so I can’t speak to that aspect of the movie. I just know that it's interesting and entertaining!
I especially appreciate that the movie doesn’t tie everything up into a neat bow. Gwen (Bullock) is sent to rehab after drunkenly stealing and crashing a limo at her sister’s wedding. While at the rehab ranch, she meets a variety of addicts. Some of them seem well on their way to recovery; others struggle, relapse, and even die. Gwen and Eddie (Mortensen), a professional baseball player she meets in rehab, definitely have a connection, but they never get together, and as the film ends, the audience doesn't know whether they'll ever see each other again. I like it that way; it feels more authentic than a classic chick flick end-of-movie coupling.
I’m not a huge fan of many special features; in contrast to my sister who could spend hours listening to commentary and watching every extra, I find most special features to be boring or just dumb. However, one of the special features on this dvd is Santa Cruz, the fictional soap opera that plays a prominent role in the plotline. It runs a full 20 minutes, features some real soap actors, and alludes to some of the story shown in the movie. Twenty minutes is a little long for this over-the-top soap spoof, but it does make for one of the more interesting special features I’ve seen.
Verdict: Keep
Sunday, August 23, 2009
#4 "27 Dresses"
Stats: 2008. Starring Katherine Heigl & James Marsden. PG-13.
Background: As a James Marsden fan since his days on the short-lived ABC show Second Noah in the 1990’s, I really looked forward to this movie’s release. My sister Stephanie and I saw it opening weekend; I went to it again a few weeks later with my cousin Kate. Very rarely do I see a movie in the theater twice—when you do that, you’ve basically paid what it would cost for the dvd—so you know I must have liked it! I bought it shortly after it came out on dvd.
Reactions: I really struggled to pay attention to this movie when watching it today. I watched it a couple of times after I bought it, then I didn’t watch it again for several months. I enjoy the premise of this movie—OK, so I enjoy the premise of most romantic comedies. I think what gets in the way of my enjoying this movie is my severe dislike for Katherine Heigl. There’s just something about her . . . plus, she and James Marsden don’t really have much chemistry.
Verdict: Sell? (Here’s my dilemma. I really enjoyed this movie once upon a time. Would I like it more if I waited a while to watch it again? Would I regret selling it? I’m torn.)
***Update 8/30/09: I just listed it on half.com. So go buy it!
***Update 9/1/09: Purchased for $3.21. (It's great if I don't think of what I paid for it initially!)
Background: As a James Marsden fan since his days on the short-lived ABC show Second Noah in the 1990’s, I really looked forward to this movie’s release. My sister Stephanie and I saw it opening weekend; I went to it again a few weeks later with my cousin Kate. Very rarely do I see a movie in the theater twice—when you do that, you’ve basically paid what it would cost for the dvd—so you know I must have liked it! I bought it shortly after it came out on dvd.
Reactions: I really struggled to pay attention to this movie when watching it today. I watched it a couple of times after I bought it, then I didn’t watch it again for several months. I enjoy the premise of this movie—OK, so I enjoy the premise of most romantic comedies. I think what gets in the way of my enjoying this movie is my severe dislike for Katherine Heigl. There’s just something about her . . . plus, she and James Marsden don’t really have much chemistry.
Verdict: Sell? (Here’s my dilemma. I really enjoyed this movie once upon a time. Would I like it more if I waited a while to watch it again? Would I regret selling it? I’m torn.)
***Update 8/30/09: I just listed it on half.com. So go buy it!
***Update 9/1/09: Purchased for $3.21. (It's great if I don't think of what I paid for it initially!)
#3 "17 Again"
Stats: 2009. Starring Zac Efron, Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann. PG-13.
Background: This is the move that made me sit up and go, “OK, so I get this Zac Efron thing!” I saw it in the theater with my sister Steph and one of her friends and absolutely loved it. Steph, not so much. She hates “awkward” movies, and she often leaves the room when things get too uncomfortable. She spent a lot of time wincing and gripping my arm! I saw it again with my other sister when she came home from college, and I liked it just as much the second time around. My sisters gave me the dvd for my birthday.
Reactions: Yeah, so I still love this movie! Since I just got it a few days ago, I don’t know if it’s fair to include it in this rewatch experiment, but I did just watch it!
17 Again deals with that tricky moral dilemma also present in Never Been Kissed. The audience and the main character both know that it’s OK for the main character to have feelings for the love interest, but the love interest doesn’t know that it’s OK to have feelings for the main character (in both cases, it’s because of supposed age differences). Fortunately, in normal life, situations like the one presented in 17 Again don’t exist, so we don’t need to debate the moral implications of Scarlett, a 30-something mom, falling for 17-year-old Mark, who is actually her 30-something husband Mike. Confused yet? (Oh, and by the way … Matthew Perry, the adult version of Mike, isn’t aging so well. He just looks, well, old.)
Each time I watch this movie, I'm struck by the abstinence message (in a good way. Apparently the message that I find so heartening infuriated a lot of people--just run a Google search on "17 Again Abstinence" and you'll see what I mean). One scene takes place in sex ed. When the teacher talks about abstinence being the school’s official position but then passes out condoms anyway because of course high school seniors aren’t going to be abstinent, I thought, "Oh, here we go again!" Whatever happened to setting the bar high? But then Mike stands up and makes an impassioned speech, urging students to wait for marriage. He speaks from experience, as his whole life changed when Scarlett became pregnant during their senior year. Mike also talks to a group of teen girls about respecting themselves, although he gives up when it becomes obvious the girls aren’t listening.
In a culture of sexual permissiveness, I was pleasantly surprised to find a movie—especially one marketed to teenagers—that promotes abstinence.
Verdict: Keep (duh!)
Background: This is the move that made me sit up and go, “OK, so I get this Zac Efron thing!” I saw it in the theater with my sister Steph and one of her friends and absolutely loved it. Steph, not so much. She hates “awkward” movies, and she often leaves the room when things get too uncomfortable. She spent a lot of time wincing and gripping my arm! I saw it again with my other sister when she came home from college, and I liked it just as much the second time around. My sisters gave me the dvd for my birthday.
Reactions: Yeah, so I still love this movie! Since I just got it a few days ago, I don’t know if it’s fair to include it in this rewatch experiment, but I did just watch it!
17 Again deals with that tricky moral dilemma also present in Never Been Kissed. The audience and the main character both know that it’s OK for the main character to have feelings for the love interest, but the love interest doesn’t know that it’s OK to have feelings for the main character (in both cases, it’s because of supposed age differences). Fortunately, in normal life, situations like the one presented in 17 Again don’t exist, so we don’t need to debate the moral implications of Scarlett, a 30-something mom, falling for 17-year-old Mark, who is actually her 30-something husband Mike. Confused yet? (Oh, and by the way … Matthew Perry, the adult version of Mike, isn’t aging so well. He just looks, well, old.)
Each time I watch this movie, I'm struck by the abstinence message (in a good way. Apparently the message that I find so heartening infuriated a lot of people--just run a Google search on "17 Again Abstinence" and you'll see what I mean). One scene takes place in sex ed. When the teacher talks about abstinence being the school’s official position but then passes out condoms anyway because of course high school seniors aren’t going to be abstinent, I thought, "Oh, here we go again!" Whatever happened to setting the bar high? But then Mike stands up and makes an impassioned speech, urging students to wait for marriage. He speaks from experience, as his whole life changed when Scarlett became pregnant during their senior year. Mike also talks to a group of teen girls about respecting themselves, although he gives up when it becomes obvious the girls aren’t listening.
In a culture of sexual permissiveness, I was pleasantly surprised to find a movie—especially one marketed to teenagers—that promotes abstinence.
Verdict: Keep (duh!)
Sunday, August 9, 2009
#2 "13 Going on 30"
Stats: 2004. Starring Jennifer Garner & Mark Ruffalo. PG-13.
Background: I saw this in the theater opening weekend. It was actually the weekend before graduation, so it was the last movie I saw with several of my college friends. That summer, I was thrilled when I found Razzles, a candy that plays a rather sizable role in the movie, in my local Dollar Tree. The candy isn’t nearly as good as the movie!
Reactions: Throw any kind of time travel or time loop into a movie, and you’ve got me. This is precisely why I rented the horrible, horrible Jonathan Silverman movie 12:01. But I digress …
Jennifer Garner is perfect in this movie as Jenna, the 13-year-old who wakes up 17 years in the future. It kind of has a Samantha Who? vibe to it, also, as Jenna doesn’t remember anything about her life in those intervening 17 years and is a much better person than the previous version of herself was. (Granted, this movie came first, so maybe I should say that Samantha Who? has a 13 Going on 30 vibe to it!) Judy Greer is spectacular as Jenna’s frenemy Lucy, and the romance between Jenna and Matt, her childhood best friend, is realistic and heartbreaking. I especially appreciate Matt’s responsible and adult choice regarding Jenna near the end of the movie … and I love that the time thing works in their favor and they get a “redo”!
Watch for a young looking Jim Gaffigan (whom I know as PJ’s brother on My Boys) as the grown up version of Jenna’s middle school crush Chris Grandy.
I could watch this movie over and over again … and I have!
Verdict: Keep
Background: I saw this in the theater opening weekend. It was actually the weekend before graduation, so it was the last movie I saw with several of my college friends. That summer, I was thrilled when I found Razzles, a candy that plays a rather sizable role in the movie, in my local Dollar Tree. The candy isn’t nearly as good as the movie!
Reactions: Throw any kind of time travel or time loop into a movie, and you’ve got me. This is precisely why I rented the horrible, horrible Jonathan Silverman movie 12:01. But I digress …
Jennifer Garner is perfect in this movie as Jenna, the 13-year-old who wakes up 17 years in the future. It kind of has a Samantha Who? vibe to it, also, as Jenna doesn’t remember anything about her life in those intervening 17 years and is a much better person than the previous version of herself was. (Granted, this movie came first, so maybe I should say that Samantha Who? has a 13 Going on 30 vibe to it!) Judy Greer is spectacular as Jenna’s frenemy Lucy, and the romance between Jenna and Matt, her childhood best friend, is realistic and heartbreaking. I especially appreciate Matt’s responsible and adult choice regarding Jenna near the end of the movie … and I love that the time thing works in their favor and they get a “redo”!
Watch for a young looking Jim Gaffigan (whom I know as PJ’s brother on My Boys) as the grown up version of Jenna’s middle school crush Chris Grandy.
I could watch this movie over and over again … and I have!
Verdict: Keep
#1 "8 Seconds"
Stats: 1994. Starring Luke Perry, Stephen Baldwin, Cynthia Geary. PG-13. Based on a true story.
Background: I first watched this movie with my friend Andrea and cousin Kate when I was in the 8th grade. Most girls my age probably watched it because of Luke Perry, but, being the sheltered child I was, I knew nothing about 90210! I’m pretty sure I haven’t watched it since, but I remember liking it, so when I saw it on sale on Amazon, I picked it up.
Reactions: First of all, I practically shouted at the TV “That’s Renee Zellweger!” when she came on the screen as Lane’s one-night stand. I’d also forgotten (or never realized) that Stephen Baldwin played Lane’s best friend Tuff.
8 Seconds is Lane Frost's story. He was a champion bull rider who killed by a bull after successfully riding him. The movie spends nearly as much time focusing on Lane's marriage as it does on his rodeoing.
My favorite part of the movie is when Lane is venting to his mother. His marriage is in shambles, thanks to cheating on both sides and Lane’s focus on himself and his bull riding. He’s a world champion, but he feels like he’ll never be good enough to win his dad’s approval. His mom takes him over to the shelves holding his dad’s rodeo trophies and asks him what he sees. Then she tells him that those trophies don’t matter anymore—trophies will fade, but he should “hold on to the things that will last.” This sets Lane on a journey back to his wife, and he finally confesses everything to her and asks for forgiveness.
The final scene, when Tuff wins the world championship and stays on the bull for an extra eight seconds in honor of Lane, is mesmerizing. Back in the eighth grade, I’m pretty sure I didn’t cry at this movie, but I sure did today!
Verdict: Keep
Background: I first watched this movie with my friend Andrea and cousin Kate when I was in the 8th grade. Most girls my age probably watched it because of Luke Perry, but, being the sheltered child I was, I knew nothing about 90210! I’m pretty sure I haven’t watched it since, but I remember liking it, so when I saw it on sale on Amazon, I picked it up.
Reactions: First of all, I practically shouted at the TV “That’s Renee Zellweger!” when she came on the screen as Lane’s one-night stand. I’d also forgotten (or never realized) that Stephen Baldwin played Lane’s best friend Tuff.
8 Seconds is Lane Frost's story. He was a champion bull rider who killed by a bull after successfully riding him. The movie spends nearly as much time focusing on Lane's marriage as it does on his rodeoing.
My favorite part of the movie is when Lane is venting to his mother. His marriage is in shambles, thanks to cheating on both sides and Lane’s focus on himself and his bull riding. He’s a world champion, but he feels like he’ll never be good enough to win his dad’s approval. His mom takes him over to the shelves holding his dad’s rodeo trophies and asks him what he sees. Then she tells him that those trophies don’t matter anymore—trophies will fade, but he should “hold on to the things that will last.” This sets Lane on a journey back to his wife, and he finally confesses everything to her and asks for forgiveness.
The final scene, when Tuff wins the world championship and stays on the bull for an extra eight seconds in honor of Lane, is mesmerizing. Back in the eighth grade, I’m pretty sure I didn’t cry at this movie, but I sure did today!
Verdict: Keep
Cinematic Survey: A Journey Through the Movies in My Collection
I had a slow start getting into movies. The first film I saw in the theater was a special re-release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs when I was six. Prior to that, I can remember watching The Wizard of Oz on television (I hated it) and The Sound of Music on video at my grandparents’ house (I loved it). My family didn’t own a VCR until my freshman year of high school, so up until then, I didn’t own many movies. I think the first video that was solely mine (as opposed to a “family” movie) was While You Were Sleeping, which to this day is still my favorite film. Prior to purchasing my first dvd player in 2004, I owned maybe six or seven movies on VHS. But with the purchase of that dvd player, and my subsequent college graduation and first “real” job (which ended my “I’m a poor college student” mindset), I began buying dvds. My first was You’ve Got Mail. Then a friend gave me Win A Date With Tad Hamilton. Then I bought the first season of Gilmore Girls. Initially, I limited myself to one dvd a month. But as dvd prices dropped, the frequency with which I bought movies increased. I became a huge fan of the $5.50 bin at Walmart and rejoiced when they dropped the price to $5. I shopped Amazon.com’s sales. And I loved Black Friday sales, where movies were as low as $2 and TV seasons could be found for $10 or $15.
As of today, I have 162 movies and 39 TV seasons on dvd. Those figures are nearly unbelievable. If I spent two hours watching a movie or TV show each night, I couldn’t make it through everything in a year! So I decided to try a little experiment. It will take months, maybe even years. I’m going to watch each movie in my collection, in alphabetical order, and write about it. I’ll talk about why I bought the movie in the first place, my reaction after seeing it again, and I’ll decide whether to keep the dvd or try to sell it. I won't try to keep my reviews spoiler free; if you haven't seen the movie and don't want to know what happens, then don't read the post! In the event that I get a new movie while I'm on this adventure (which will undoubtedly happen), I'll review it when I get to it in the rotation. If I've already passed its spot in the alphabet, then I'll watch and review it before moving on to the next film in line.
So join me in my journey through my dvd collection . . .
As of today, I have 162 movies and 39 TV seasons on dvd. Those figures are nearly unbelievable. If I spent two hours watching a movie or TV show each night, I couldn’t make it through everything in a year! So I decided to try a little experiment. It will take months, maybe even years. I’m going to watch each movie in my collection, in alphabetical order, and write about it. I’ll talk about why I bought the movie in the first place, my reaction after seeing it again, and I’ll decide whether to keep the dvd or try to sell it. I won't try to keep my reviews spoiler free; if you haven't seen the movie and don't want to know what happens, then don't read the post! In the event that I get a new movie while I'm on this adventure (which will undoubtedly happen), I'll review it when I get to it in the rotation. If I've already passed its spot in the alphabet, then I'll watch and review it before moving on to the next film in line.
So join me in my journey through my dvd collection . . .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
