I currently have the flu so forgive me for any typos or illogical aspects of this blog. I wrote the heart of this blog weeks ago but I was waing for the Last Jedi to come out before completeing it...to see if that would go with the underlying themes of this years movies.
OH and there will be many Spoilers! I wanted to take a moment to look back at this year's movies and compare it to my post of last year to see if it was true. The truth is, absolutely, what I saw shaping up was very much present in the movies I was attracted to and movies that I were drawn to this year. The list of movies that were my favorite this year are surprising. I did not think, at the start of this year, that they would be among my favorites. I really didn't think so many would make it into my top ten this year. This year was one of surprise, of learning that the unexpected is now the par for course. Movie marketers have finally figured out how to make compeling trailers without giving out the entire plot which is awesome. I like it so much better when I'm surprised by movie content. We aren't doing the same thing over and over again that we did before...we are now in uncharted territory. I touched on why this is on my Is Peace On Earth Possible Blog that you can read here: Mostly, this shift in consciousness is the work of the people consciously choosing to go through the Awakening, Ascension or self-realization/self-actualization process (you can choose to call what it whatever you want but they are all true). So many people deciding to be lights of hope in a time when our world was overwhelmingly the darkest dense energy it had ever reached (aside, perhaps from the time of Atlantis) throughout the 1900's has contributed to this great shift in the way humanity thinks! We still have the team sport mentality- people choosing a side in all things when the sages know that's not wisdom but wilfull blindness. Those people who are willing to pick sides and stand up for teams of people they don't know personally are more divided then ever. Yet, a good chunk of the world has let that go for this new path. Our future is starting to become bright indeed! That's where the hope lies. My Favorite Movies of 2017
Wonder Woman
Wow, was this such a surprise! I really enjoyed this movie to the point where it's my all time favorite movie now. Ross and I saw it in theatres after the reviews were really good. I am so thankful that we did! This has become my all time favorite movie. I don't think that they will be able to repeat this magic in sequels. I was very happy that this movie turned out to be done so well and capture a charecter I could relate to on so many levels. First, this is the first female super human charecter in a movie they've gotten correct. Yes, supergirl on WB/Television is amazing (and in cartoons there was She-Ra). Yet, this was the first movie that really strikes to the heart of being a courages woman in todays society. To not give up the womanly ways and become man-like to get ahead (although that can be beneficial at one point on the Spiritual Path). The naieve person who really thinks they can save the world on their own by doing just one thing. Diana has to discover what her place is in this world of humans where both carry dark and light. The role of genders is questioned in this movie- should she conforming to pretending be the shrinking violet of the time as all of the other women were? The men tell her she has no place in a war even though she's a far superior warrior to all of them. Steven Trevor, who's a spy and done terrible beastly things to win the war and survive has to overcome that tendency. He is put in the place where he has to decide will he do the act that will serve the greater good or ditch Diana and continue the war effort in the 'acceptale' way?
Ghost In A Shell
This one didn't get great reviews but I loved this movie. I think this has to do with hardcore anime fans rigging the system review of it on Rotten Tomatos because it wasn't *exactly* like the anime (see the theme of going into uncharted territory again?). The thing I didn't like about the anime was fixed in the live action movie. The movie was not creepy like the original movie where Major looks more like a doll. If they had gone with that dark horror like theme the main heart of this story that has always made in beautiful might have been lost. This movie blew me away and is defeintely in among my top ten favorite movies of all time. Major mostly tries to figure out what her role is in the world? Who is she? Why is she there fighting the bad guys? Why her? Why is she the first android/the first of her kind? On the other hand, her supposed villian, Kuze, has embraced that he is a monster. He has set out to kill anyone and eveyrone that has made him this way. He is a major moral contrast to Major. He doesn't want to help the world of humanity that has cast him out but wants to create his own reality that he thinks will be better. Starting to sound like a familar theme?
This movie wasn't even on my radar. However, I was absolutely blown away when I saw this in theatres. Visually the entire movie is eye candy with shots that were purely motivated by psychology. I can't wait to watch this movie again. The plot twists are beautiful. I cried in the theatre.
This movie also deals with individualization versus Group Think. The main charecter startes off as the submissive droid that does everything his masters tell him. His only relationship is with another robot and after the robot rebellion in the previous movie humans don't trust him or like him. He's treated worse then a dog. Then he discovers 'a miracle.' This miracle changes the role of robots in the world. Should they be seen as mere objects to be owned? Should they be treated as less then human? What choice will he make in this life and who will he decide to be? Will he continue to operate blindly and destroy this miracle for the sake of Humanity that continues to abuse the planet to the point where most have abandoned Earth? Will he choose to protect this movie and save the robots? What is his role in all of this? What will he choose? Will he go with the Group Think Programming he was told means his survival making him an anonymous robot assassin part of the police or wil he choose to be an individual? This is a fascinatning movie that asks big questions about humanity.
I did not see this movie coming.
I generally stay away from horror movies. I figured this was just your typical abduction story with a couple of twists. M. Night has disappointed me too many times recently. Not that he was ever very good at making aciton movies. The two main charecters in this movie encounter each other. Both are broken. The *Horde*, the main villian but who steals the show and it is very easy to empathsize with him, has multiple personality disorder. Each personality is different and has different biological needs- one even diabetic. In the movie, the *Horde* has been treated badly all of his life. Three of the presonalities want 'the Beast' to come forward to protect them. The main charecter in the film is a sexually abused teenager. She just happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time but all of the events help her to survive. This is a beautiful movie about two broken individuals. Of course, *the Horde* gives in and instead of rising above and becoming a fused whole person...he becomes the animal like Monster.
Logan
This movie was so heart breaking. Dark and garish yes...but so beautiful at the end where Wolverine accepts his daughter. . The fresh gritty take ont the X-Men and finally seeing Wolverine portrayed as he's meant to be was absolutely gratifying on a fan-girl level. This was the Wolverine movie that I had always wanted to see but got a lot of cheesy ones insetad. Thanks to Deadpool this movie happened...and it continues an intersting trend for Super Hero movies. The movie focuses on exploring the battle between 'the beast' that he was referred to as in the previous movies (specifically in X-Men Apocalypse) that was just a weapon used by the goverment to enjoy murdering and killing. At the end he tells his daughter not to be the weapon they made her to be and not to fight. See the theme?
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Guardians of The Galaxy
Oh my gosh was this funny but sad. Yet, also so subtle in being psychological! The depiction of Ego the Planet which was obviously about Ego in the human being was brilliant. Star Lord has to decide his fate, what is his role in the universe now that he know's who his father is a Celestial? Does he join his father and kill all of the life in the universe? The relationship between Yondu and Rocket was spot on to speaking about th emptiness most people feel in their existence. Rocket steals because the people who crated him didn't care about him and because of that he almost severed his ties with his true family- The Guardians of the Galaxy. Yondu is the same way, his parents givinig him up into slavery when he was a baby for no good reason. Both Yondu and Rocket have to figure out if they are capable and want to overcome those dark unexplainable urges that come from their suppressed emotions. Will they give into that darkness, that beast, will they only look out for themselves or will they raise above their individual needs and serve the greater good? I know. These two themse are everywhere. Maybe the arguement could be posed that this is a common theme found in every movie but I can think of plenty that do not explore this. This movie completley took me by surprise. I want to see it again before I review it because I'm sure I missed some parts. This was not what I thought it was going to be on any level. The ending was shocking. Thor discvovers it is not the realm of Midgard that matters but his people that matter. Will he allow evil to reign in his sister, the Goddess of Death, or will he let it all be destroyed to save the multi-verse? Further, This is the start of a trilogy revolving around Hulk to see if Banner becomes the beast permanently. The Hulk is more handy in a fight and (let's face it) more entertaining then Banner. Will he sacrifice his human side to become the tool of War that is the Hulk? That was a major theme in this movie and it will be interesting to see how that plays out in the two Infnity War movies. Honorable Mentions These movies weren't terrible. But I don't know if they will be movies I'll watch over and over again. I am sad that Star Wars: The Last Jedi made it into this list and I will explain why.
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The Last Jedi
I waited to publish this blog to see if this movie would tie into the two themese that I spotted in this years movies. Oh my god, did it! On one hand I love so many scenes in this movie more then I do in the Force Awakens or any other Star Wars movie, but at the same time some of the other parts were so glaringly out of place I might avoid watching them when they are on when I'm watching it at home. Rey's main thrust is exactly what it states in the trailer, "I want to know who I am and what is my place in all of this?" Kylo Ren's story continues to deep as well as he admits to Rey when she calls him a monster at one point, "I am a Monster." He seems to be conflicted, to hold some light within him and Rey is convinced she can turn him. So his main story arch is will Kylo give in completely to the Monster within him? Yet, he must "kill" his past in order to complete his Sith training. Luke is the relunctant teacher. This is not the powerful jedi master in the books and that's why major fans of the books are disappointed. He's failed before and he doesn't want to teach Rey. Has he given into the the Dark Side? Because he chooses to not take a side does that make him evil in this battle between Darkness and Light? Leah is very different. Her son has kileld his father. Her world has been filled with loss. She's relunctant to see more of that loss occur. Her charecter was very divisive but she still clings to help in the face of seeming loss. Poe, by far one of the most fascinating storylines. Poe is reckless, gets people killed, and only looks for war notches on his belt. He gives into the "beast" and get's people klled in the name of 'good' and that's called into question by this movie and given a very sharp contrast to Admiral Holdo (which probably had a major effect on me because I *loved* her charecter, Amilyn, in the book Leia Princess of Alderran: https://bridgetkorns.weebly.com/blog/book-review-leia-princess-of-alderaan). Fin is on a similar but more minor story arch that is similar to Poes. His buddy in this film, Rose, however, is the opposite. She has the best line in the film that really captures the theme that I think the director was going for, "It's not by killing what we hate that we win, but saving what we love." Very well done. This would have easily been in the best movies of the year if they had left out the awkward token CG aliens and humor that fell flat more often then not...and yes those awkward CG aliens include the Porgs. I give it a 7/10 or a B-. Defintely a worthy addition to the franchise and maybe it will grow on me.
Underworld:Blood Wars
Defintely not the best of the Underworld series (which was the first move). I have to say though it was far better then the second. These movies follow such a strict formula in structure it's become kind of boring. I do love this charecter, as I stated at the start of the year and this movie actually pulled everything together well. This makes the list of movies I enjoyed because I was shocked by the way this ended. In all of the movies she was alway seeking truth and purpose in her life once her intitial veil of Group Think of the Death Dealers was removed. She became nothing more then a killing machine bent on survival. In this movie, she finds her purporse through "becoming." The spiritual overtones in such a violent and graphic action movie was fascinating. Again, the theme continues.
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter
Much of this was forgetable action sequences. I wouldn't say that Alice was trying to find her life purpose throughout the rest of the series. She just seems to be an endless heartless zombie killer machine Out of left field Alice discovers that she is the clone of the daughter of the man who created Umbrella. That when he learned that his work to save his daughter's life was going to be used for evil he tried to guard against it. This changes everything for Alice. Now, knowing she is a clone and given the memories of the original she know's who she is and has a life purpose. She remains a killing zombie/monster machine but now she chooses it.
Beauty and The Beast: I found this movie fascinating. This is not my favorite Disney Tale so I can't list it as my favorite movies of this year just because I've never been thrilled by the story.
I found the addition of a backstory to Belle's mother an interesting choice. Of coures, this is the story of a beautiful prince that behaved beastly to a visiting stranger and through a curse was turned into a physical Beast. Through love he rediscovers his humanity and saves the servants in the castle. Must Miss Movies The Dark Tower turned into a turd. I wish that it had been better because I love the series by Stephen King and there was so much potential. Sadly, it was just a horrible director. I can't say there was anything redeeming in this. King Arthur: Legend of The Sword I wish I could say this one was good. Yet, it just wasn't. I felt like there was a lot missing from it and that's kind of sad. There was so much potential here but they just ruined it. I liked how King Arthur was portrayed. About halfway through the film the CG effects become awful as though they ran out of money. There was such a strong start to this movie and I suspect we didn't see the entire story as it was originally written. Pennywise: I know people who went to see this and thought it was awesome. My husband really enjoyed it. I may watch it when it comes out on DVD. The idea of a clown that feeds on fear is fascinating in and of itself and I might see the next installment but I'll probably never watch this one again. Conclusion The girl power this year was amazing. In every movie I listed there were strong female lead charecters. In Logan, the young actor who played Laura really stole the show. Gal Gadot was amazing in Wonder Woman and set a new standard for female actors. Daisy Ridley was once again amazing as Rey. The themes are fascinating. The battle between the Egoic Beast selfish beast within us...most often depicted as a male in battle really took me by surprise. The second theme of finding a place and purpose in the world by spiritually choosing to Serve Humanity was also amazing. To me this provides an excellent balance. There is also a third theme in all of these movies. They broke from their usual formulas. I really didn't get into this in the reviews but every movie was new and different from the last in a fresh way that was surprsing. Also, as I stated before the marketers have become very good at not making trailers that reveal the entire plot so when you go to see the movie you're totally surprised. Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Thor: Ragnarok standout in that regard. Going in I had no idea what I was going to see and in both cases I was blissfully happily surprised as a result.
Post Script
The three themes... 1. The Bull Theme The amount of movies with the bull theme continue into December. I used this picture at the Stock Market from the start of the year. Then here is the movie Ferdinand...the similarity is striking. Again, it brings up the contrast between the Ox and the Bull that I covered in my Beast blog you can read here: https://bridgetkorns.weebly.com/blog/category/the-beast. To understand this we must look at the astorlogical sign of Taurus. Taurus is a very physical, earthy, and materiall indulgent being. This astrological sign is usually depicted as the bottom three chakras of the human body. Most people, only have these three chakras operating. This causes people to operate only on the 'dog eat dog' mentality of the world as we know it that justifies war. The little girl, believe it or not, is Spirit. In Jewish Kabbalah traditions, at least, and as pointed out by Abrahma Maslow in The Farther Reaches of Human Nature. A young female girl then is the purest form of Spirit and taming/befriending the bull- the material animalistic component of human life is what mystics refer to as the Sacred Marriage. I will write a post on this fascinating topic that is completely buried in literature soon. I haven't seen Ferdinand but it's about a Bull that likes to smell flowers that befriends a little girl at a no kill farm...but then gets stung by a bee and is misperceived as a violent menance so he's taken to the areana where he is expected to fight but he smells flowers instead! To turn the bull into the ox is the equivalent of this quote from the bible: "And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, andtheir spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up swordagainst nation, neither shall they learn war any more." (Isaiah 2:4) I know, I know, I've talked about the Bull Theme too often. I didn't see this one coming at all. I didn't see this in last years movies that I was anitcipating because so many were off my radar...Split and Blade Runner being the most prominitent. I had no idea that Thor Ragnarok or that Guardians of the Galaxy would have these themes as well. The Movies: 1. Wonder Woman (Steve Trevor Plot), 2. Ghost In A Shell, 3. Blade Runner 2049, 3: Split, 4: Logan, 5: Guardians of the Galaxy, 6: Thor Ragnarok, 7. Star Wars the Last Jedi, 8: Underworld: Blood Wars, 9: Resident Evil: Final Chapter, 10. Ferdinand. 2. Serving The All In these story lines the charecter reverses their selfish worldly impulses. It's not about them. This is about their friend and family. They are balanced. They are note extreme but serve their own needs while making decisions that will serve all of humanity...and most often saves it. The Movies: 1. Wonder Woman (Steve Trevor Plot), 2. Ghost In A Shell, 3. Blade Runner 2049, 3: Split, 4: Logan, 5: Guardians of the Galaxy, 6: Thor Ragnarok, 7. Star Wars the Last Jedi, 8: Underworld: Blood Wars, 9: Resident Evil: Final Chapter. Well, folks...to wrap this up here are the two themes I originally saw when looking at films for next year so we can see if they were accurate: "Based on what I am attracted to in the movies as things are now... this year represents a breaking of patterns on a pretty epic level...on not just a 'cycle' level but a "Grand Cycle" level!... And: "I will attain enlightnement sometime before I die." Accuracy? Well, if enlightnement is obtained by marrying Earth and Heaven- The Mystic Marriage then yes. The Earthy self is the bull that is out for selfish gains. Heaven is the ultrisitic side of humanity that makes choices that serve the greateste good. The moment I realized that we are all One...it just clicked. I also started practicing seeing God In Others which is a great way to obtain this state: https://bridgetkorns.weebly.com/blog/category/seeing-god-in-others So yes, both statements were absolutely spot on for me. Have I obtained Enlightenment? I don't know, I don't think it's something that can truly be certified as some people claim. I base it on the amount of peace I've found and playing with how I create my own reality (which I'll explain more in a more in depth blog next year). I think it's a continuous process of being more and more my authentic self...what is often called "becoming." I have dedicated myself on a conscious level tow take care of myself detaching from material wants/desires by accepting impermance and making loving decisions every day that serve the whole of humanity to the best of my ability. In the end, that's what makes all the difference. Which is the fulfillment of the two predictions for my subjective reality that I made at the start of the year. What an amazing year of self discovery!
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Brave Soul! May Your Journey On The Path Of The Seeker Bring You Joy and Peace! I'm currently posting every Saturday. With a new addition the family I have pre-scheduled most posts through December 2022. Full Moon Posts will contain up-to-date content when I can get to them. Thank you so much for your support and understanding! This is a place where you can encounter new spiritual ideas that have helped me develop as an Individual On The Path of the Seeker. Take or Leave this information as you see fit. Archives
April 2024
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