Movies That Molded Our Lives

pajama · 03-31-2012, 06:07 PM

So I was thinking about this the other day, and thought it might make for an interesting thread.

What movies do you hold dear because they express a core spiritual/metaphysical/life belief of yours?

I would like this thread to be about beliefs, not “I love this movie because it was what we saw on our first date.” I’m talking movies that developed or expanded or shaped your core values and beliefs. Please be respectful of others comments and beliefs here. I just wanted to know and discuss if others have had moments like this, that changed the way you believe.

Here are my examples, that come to my mind right away:
It’s a Wonderful Life (or The Butterfly Effect). Even as an adolescent it touched me and I saw the great wisdom in the ripple effect. If George, or you, or I, were never born….how would that have changed someone else’s life, which might have changed someone else’s, and so on. Until a major world event might have been affected. Working with the kids in the PICU, and going through my son’s own health issues, I have to believe that whether I can or can’t see the cause/effect doesn’t mean there isn’t one. And that when something bad happens here, it may be because something else had to happen there.

Somewhere In Time – this is an older movie, one of the first that Christopher Reeves was in. I think it was even before Superman. He was in it with Jane Seymour and he plays a time traveler. The method of his time travel is what affected me and gave me food for thought, and has ultimately developed one of my “beliefs”. Basically that the mind can bend and mold even our spacial reality and that time travel is possible. I’ve actually experienced this, and if I hadn’t had someone else in the car with me that went through the exact same thing, I still think I would believe it.

Defending Your Life – Merryl Streep and some other people. While I don’t necessarily believe that when we die we actually “defend” ourselves to some higher power, I do believe that we each experience the afterlife we believe in. And if you haven’t quite gotten it right this time, you sure as hell are coming back to give it another go. The movie showed all faiths going to defend their lives, before moving on. And "on" could be Valhala, the Pearly Gates, whatever. If you had not shown growth in your human life, you had to come back.

So I hope you get the gist. If a movie about Atlantis made you sure Atlantis exists - or - ET gave you an understanding of the universe - or - that movie with Sandra Bullock and the mailbox with the letters explains what you believe about time travel…..I would love to hear about it. This can also be about your views/feelings about the homeless, abuse, love, romance, whatever. Just if it affected you on a core level that molded what you believe.

And remember, no snickering, name calling, belittleing, or any other negative crap about whatever people believe.

princessbelle · 03-31-2012, 06:56 PM

OH Pajara what a truely wonderful thread!!!!!!!

I agree with your first pick and mine as well is It's a Wonderful Life. I have watched that movie at least 50 times by now and look so forward to it every Christmas. The meaning it has to me is basically this... Every person has a path in life, everything we say and everything we do has a direct affect on someone or something. If that sinks deep into the subconscious and we remember that, what a difference it makes in our lives. I also believe in angels and think they are around everywhere to help us even at our darkest times. I have reached out to mine many times and have felt the unconditional love and help that George did. Hooray for Clarence and his beautiful wings!!!! I would think by now my angel, after everything i have put her through, has got her wings as well. LOL.

Mask with Cher had a tremendous affect on my life. It's sorta hard to put into words but it leaves me with the thoughts of how precious life is and you can't tell a book by it's cover lessons. It also taught me about loss when i was younger, and didn't realize at that time, how much loss i would have to go through in my family. It is raw love and it is a movie of pain and tremendous devotion. It has a special place in my heart.

Rocky for the obvious reasons i suppose. I always root for the underdog and perseverance does pay off. I remember when i was in a marriage with my then husband and i was miserable. I was desperately trying to get out of what was a very bad situation. I had two kids, knew i was gay, was working for minimum wages, and decided the only way out was to better myself. I then went to nursing school and kept working full time and taking care of my kids. No easy task, to say the least. Some mornings on the way to school i would be in tears from mental and physical exhaustion. I would just think of Rocky climbing those steps and play the cassette of the Rocky theme and it truly did get me through a lot of hard times back then. It helped me realize that i can do anything i want to do and no one can stand in my way. Huge impact on me and my self esteem.

Again, Great thread!!!!!

Blade · 03-31-2012, 07:47 PM

Facing the Giants....it teaches to not give up, no matter how big the giant you are facing.

Gráinne · 03-31-2012, 08:29 PM

Not in chronological order:

Brokeback Mountain-which happened to be released not long after I came out. Sometimes you see a movie and have the sense that you are watching greatness. This was like watching my autobiography, my story. I was deeply moved but emotionally OK until the scene where Ennis is holding the damn shirts in the closet, and then I lost it completely. I was very shaken and yet comforted by this film.

The Crying Game-I was deeply shaken by the story of the IRA man and his captive's transsexual girlfriend, although way back then I had no idea why, nor why I was so drawn to the character of Dil. I saw something about myself in her, but couldn't express it. I must have seen it about 15 times or more; the first time through I was OK until Fergus allows himself to be arrested instead of Dil, at the very end. Cue losing it again

.

Bend It Like Beckham-the theme of being true to yourself and following your own dreams despite culture and family pressure.

The_Lady_Snow · 03-31-2012, 08:48 PM

"El Padrecito"-- Cantinflas was something I would watch with my Abuelo when I was a kid.

"Viva Zapata"-- Anthony Quin, he was a crush of Dona Fortunata and sometimes she would let me sit with her and watch this particular movie.

ANYTHING with Pedro Infante, my Abuelita loved his music, his looks, any movie or show he was in.

"Mi Familia"--these are all movies that I have enjoyed with my kids that touch on our culture..

"Tortilla Soup"

"Real Women Have Curves"

"Crash"

"Selena"

I could go on an on with Mexican Cinema

LadyRain · 03-31-2012, 10:09 PM

....Steel Magnolias......and Fried Green Tomatoes... Philadelphia

Ginger · 04-01-2012, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guihong

Brokeback Mountain-which happened to be released not long after I came out. Sometimes you see a movie and have the sense that you are watching greatness. This was like watching my autobiography, my story. I was deeply moved but emotionally OK until the scene where Ennis is holding the damn shirts in the closet, and then I lost it completely. I was very shaken and yet comforted by this film.

I went to Brokeback Mountain in the East Village when it first came out. My sister had been gone for several years by then, but that scene you mention— where he is gently touching the clothes in the closet, and weren't there also some belongings in a paper bag?—took me back to those two weeks she was in a coma, and I would go into my parent's bedroom when the house was empty, open the brown paper grocery bag that held her clothes, the jeans and top the ER staff had cut off of her. The bag held her sweet perfume-and-hairspray, cigarette smell, and it gave me a way to be close to her during those two weeks.

Anyway, I lost it in Brokeback Mountain, at the end when that scene you mention happened, and when the lights came up I still sat there with my alarmed friend, sobbing in a way that frightened us both.

I am reading this thread and remembering movies by the emotional experience I had watching them. Movies are like smells, they take you back to that place in your life really fast, or at least they do for me.

Glenn · 04-01-2012, 01:20 PM

Just a few:

The Day The Earth Stood Still
The Time Machine
Robin Hood (Errol Flynn)
Quest For Fire
Woodstock
Ghandi
Catch 22
Ayn Rand-The Fountainhead-(!949)
Philadelphia
Lianna
Desert Hearts
Taxi Driver
Miller's Crossing-(The most perfect film ever made imo).

03-31-2012, 06:07 PM	#1
pajama Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Klingon Preferred Pronoun?: She Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Just South of Nashvegas Baby Posts: 3,115 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 7,546 Thanked 7,476 Times in 1,808 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	Movies That Molded Our Lives So I was thinking about this the other day, and thought it might make for an interesting thread. What movies do you hold dear because they express a core spiritual/metaphysical/life belief of yours? I would like this thread to be about beliefs, not “I love this movie because it was what we saw on our first date.” I’m talking movies that developed or expanded or shaped your core values and beliefs. Please be respectful of others comments and beliefs here. I just wanted to know and discuss if others have had moments like this, that changed the way you believe. Here are my examples, that come to my mind right away: It’s a Wonderful Life (or The Butterfly Effect). Even as an adolescent it touched me and I saw the great wisdom in the ripple effect. If George, or you, or I, were never born….how would that have changed someone else’s life, which might have changed someone else’s, and so on. Until a major world event might have been affected. Working with the kids in the PICU, and going through my son’s own health issues, I have to believe that whether I can or can’t see the cause/effect doesn’t mean there isn’t one. And that when something bad happens here, it may be because something else had to happen there. Somewhere In Time – this is an older movie, one of the first that Christopher Reeves was in. I think it was even before Superman. He was in it with Jane Seymour and he plays a time traveler. The method of his time travel is what affected me and gave me food for thought, and has ultimately developed one of my “beliefs”. Basically that the mind can bend and mold even our spacial reality and that time travel is possible. I’ve actually experienced this, and if I hadn’t had someone else in the car with me that went through the exact same thing, I still think I would believe it. Defending Your Life – Merryl Streep and some other people. While I don’t necessarily believe that when we die we actually “defend” ourselves to some higher power, I do believe that we each experience the afterlife we believe in. And if you haven’t quite gotten it right this time, you sure as hell are coming back to give it another go. The movie showed all faiths going to defend their lives, before moving on. And "on" could be Valhala, the Pearly Gates, whatever. If you had not shown growth in your human life, you had to come back. So I hope you get the gist. If a movie about Atlantis made you sure Atlantis exists - or - ET gave you an understanding of the universe - or - that movie with Sandra Bullock and the mailbox with the letters explains what you believe about time travel…..I would love to hear about it. This can also be about your views/feelings about the homeless, abuse, love, romance, whatever. Just if it affected you on a core level that molded what you believe. And remember, no snickering, name calling, belittleing, or any other negative crap about whatever people believe. Last edited by pajama; 03-31-2012 at 06:09 PM. Reason: Wanted to clarify I meant everything not just woo woo stuff.

03-31-2012, 06:56 PM	#2
princessbelle Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: femme Preferred Pronoun?: femme ones Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,100 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 29,380 Thanked 30,496 Times in 5,198 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	OH Pajara what a truely wonderful thread!!!!!!! I agree with your first pick and mine as well is It's a Wonderful Life. I have watched that movie at least 50 times by now and look so forward to it every Christmas. The meaning it has to me is basically this... Every person has a path in life, everything we say and everything we do has a direct affect on someone or something. If that sinks deep into the subconscious and we remember that, what a difference it makes in our lives. I also believe in angels and think they are around everywhere to help us even at our darkest times. I have reached out to mine many times and have felt the unconditional love and help that George did. Hooray for Clarence and his beautiful wings!!!! I would think by now my angel, after everything i have put her through, has got her wings as well. LOL. Mask with Cher had a tremendous affect on my life. It's sorta hard to put into words but it leaves me with the thoughts of how precious life is and you can't tell a book by it's cover lessons. It also taught me about loss when i was younger, and didn't realize at that time, how much loss i would have to go through in my family. It is raw love and it is a movie of pain and tremendous devotion. It has a special place in my heart. Rocky for the obvious reasons i suppose. I always root for the underdog and perseverance does pay off. I remember when i was in a marriage with my then husband and i was miserable. I was desperately trying to get out of what was a very bad situation. I had two kids, knew i was gay, was working for minimum wages, and decided the only way out was to better myself. I then went to nursing school and kept working full time and taking care of my kids. No easy task, to say the least. Some mornings on the way to school i would be in tears from mental and physical exhaustion. I would just think of Rocky climbing those steps and play the cassette of the Rocky theme and it truly did get me through a lot of hard times back then. It helped me realize that i can do anything i want to do and no one can stand in my way. Huge impact on me and my self esteem. Again, Great thread!!!!! __________________ ~ I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. ~ Maya Angelou

03-31-2012, 07:47 PM	#3
Blade Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: TG Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: once in a while someone amazing comes along...and here I am! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Down on the farm Posts: 5,501 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,855 Thanked 14,415 Times in 4,058 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Facing the Giants....it teaches to not give up, no matter how big the giant you are facing. __________________ Yeah so what if I'm triple dipped in awesome sauce? The best way to predict the future, is to create it.

03-31-2012, 08:29 PM	#4
Gráinne Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Neither, nada, out of the box Preferred Pronoun?: My name always works Relationship Status: Happy whatever happens Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 1,864 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,115 Thanked 7,387 Times in 1,457 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	Not in chronological order: Brokeback Mountain-which happened to be released not long after I came out. Sometimes you see a movie and have the sense that you are watching greatness. This was like watching my autobiography, my story. I was deeply moved but emotionally OK until the scene where Ennis is holding the damn shirts in the closet, and then I lost it completely. I was very shaken and yet comforted by this film. The Crying Game-I was deeply shaken by the story of the IRA man and his captive's transsexual girlfriend, although way back then I had no idea why, nor why I was so drawn to the character of Dil. I saw something about myself in her, but couldn't express it. I must have seen it about 15 times or more; the first time through I was OK until Fergus allows himself to be arrested instead of Dil, at the very end. Cue losing it again . Bend It Like Beckham-the theme of being true to yourself and following your own dreams despite culture and family pressure. __________________ The odds of going to the store for a loaf of bread and coming out with only a loaf of bread are three billion to one. ~Erma Bombeck

03-31-2012, 08:48 PM	#5
The_Lady_Snow MILLION $$$ PUSSY How Do You Identify?: Kinky, Raw, Perverted, Uber Queer Alpha Femme Preferred Pronoun?: Iconic Ms. Relationship Status: Keeper of 3, only one has the map to my freckles Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: La Reina del Sur Posts: 22,488 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 32,231 Thanked 80,079 Times in 15,669 Posts Rep Power: 21474874	Movies! "El Padrecito"-- Cantinflas was something I would watch with my Abuelo when I was a kid. "Viva Zapata"-- Anthony Quin, he was a crush of Dona Fortunata and sometimes she would let me sit with her and watch this particular movie. ANYTHING with *Pedro Infante,* my Abuelita loved his music, his looks, any movie or show he was in. "Mi Familia"--these are all movies that I have enjoyed with my kids that touch on our culture.. "Tortilla Soup" "Real Women Have Curves" "Crash" "Selena" I could go on an on with Mexican Cinema __________________ "If you’re going to play these dirty games of ours, then you might as well indulge completely. It’s all about turning back into an animal and that’s the beauty of it. Place your guilt on the sidewalk and take a blow torch to it (guilt is usually worthless anyway). Be perverted, be filthy, do things that mannered people shouldn’t do. If you’re going to be gross then go for it and don’t wimp out."---Master Aiden

03-31-2012, 10:09 PM	#6
LadyRain Member How Do You Identify?: StoneFemme Preferred Pronoun?: Hey You.!! Relationship Status: very stuck... Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: new england Posts: 180 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 45 Thanked 312 Times in 128 Posts Rep Power: 3554043	....Steel Magnolias......and Fried Green Tomatoes... Philadelphia __________________ TBI Survivor

04-01-2012, 01:20 PM	#8
Glenn Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Dear ol butch bones. Preferred Pronoun?: Old G Relationship Status: Too old to play. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: :rolleyes: Posts: 1,547 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,601 Thanked 3,729 Times in 1,095 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	Just a few: The Day The Earth Stood Still The Time Machine Robin Hood (Errol Flynn) Quest For Fire Woodstock Ghandi Catch 22 Ayn Rand-The Fountainhead-(!949) Philadelphia Lianna Desert Hearts Taxi Driver Miller's Crossing-(The most perfect film ever made imo). __________________ 1 Kings 19:12