This is just a fun post. Things have been a little bit deep and complicated so I wanted to really sit down and think about something fun. I really can't believe how many good films have been coming out. To see a film and absolutely love it was a rare thing in the past but now..it's just amazing. I think looking at what we are drawn to energetically is a good thing. When I was really troubled I was attracted to horror films. Interview With A Vampire and Stigmata were two of my top favorites along with Empire Strikes Back. To see how I've become more optimistic, with a sense of humor and more light hearted is a revelation. I'm amazed by these results. Especially since so many came out this year. I also think I'm very biased. Since I was a little girl watching She-ra empowered women has always been my thing. I remember sitting on the rocking horse (that now hangs from my patio) holding the wooden She-ra sword my dad made for me and imaginging changing the world. I think that's why I love the Wonder Woman movie so much...it captures the spirit of the little girl I was before going off to school. I'm a bit surprised by this order. I didn't think it was going to be quite this way but when I was honest and searched my heart I realized that this was so true. So here are my top five favorite movies: 1. I adore this movie on an almost irrational level. I can still hear/see little baby Rey as her parents leave her on Jakku. That's one of the most heartbreaking scenes. The vision that Rey has at Maz's was just so well done! I really loved the scene in the snowy woods where she faces Kylo Ren. I love the ending where the sun Kylo was sucking dry for Star Killer base went out just as he kills Han Solo symbolizing that he crossed over to the darkside...but because of Rey, Finn, Chewies and Han's activities what was a planet of death bursts into an even bigger sun that could be seen as Rey's choice to pursue being a Jedi. This movie is so well written, much like Ghost In A Shell, a lot of the symbolisim is latent and most people probably miss it. I could have lived without Kylo Ren unmasking himself so early. I loved Han Solo in this film. On a very personal strange note there is a bizzare synchronicity for me in the Force Awakens. When I was struggling the most with my daughters death I would have the worst insominia. When that happened I would imagine an island with crashing waves around it in an attempt to sleep. When Kylo first tells Rey that she can't sleep at night and he sees the island she imagines when she triest to sleep I was super creeped out. So, this one is a bit personal. Plus, this was the first really bad ass female charecter to head line a major geeky franchise. I don't think anything will recapture the magic of watching that happen. 2. Wonder Woman This one might be a surprise to see as my number two favorite film. I was never a huge fan of the comic book charecter but that's because her charecter always seemed one dimensional at best. I love the scenes when Wonder Woman was a child. I simply adored that moment when she is standing on top of the cliff pretending to train with the other Amazons or when she sees the God Killer Sword and asks who will wield it. Just the opening line gave me chills, "I used to want to save the world. To end war and bring peace to mankind. But then I glimpsed the darkness that lives within their light..." That's where this movie is really beautiful. When Diana realizes that even after killing Aries mankind still wanted war she's absolutely horrified. She still sees the beauty within...but she also sees the Shadow that most men and women battle. That battle is never simple. We all have that inner darkness and that's what this movie really captures...while also having an amazingly strong female charecter. I think all of us are naive on the same level. I will never comprhend how or why people can purposely go out to rob or hurt another person. Nothing justifies that and war is even worse. Wouldn't it be magical if we could kill some demigod and free mankind of it's darkside? That's what probably resonates with me so much in this movie. 3. Ghost In A Shell This movie covers deep metaphysical concepts. I really thought this would be my number one. I love the questions this movie makes us contemplate. Despite the appearance about technology...it's really about the human soul. Of what importance is the shell (the physical body)? Are we still us if that shell is changed (much like reincarnation)? Can we move on and be both who we were long ago and what we are today? What makes us human? Is it our fragility? What would make us different from sentient robots? All of us have questions about who we are and where we come from. This beautiful movie of self-discovery is absolutely my favorite. I can watch this movie over and over again and come away with a different insight every time. 4. The Fifth Element Yes, it's an older film. The only film on this list, in fact, that is not from the current era. Yet, it had such an influence on me at such a young age. Even though Leeloo was not the main charecter she was the first female charecter in an action movie that didn't need to be rescued. In fact, she was the ultimate weapon to fight pure evil...how beautiful is that!? When Leeloo almst decides mankind is not worth saving...that really resonated. After all of our hatred, all of a our war, controlling each other and bickering...are we worthy saving? Sometimes I wonder. I love the pop culture in this flim. The charecter Ruby Rod will never leave my mind because he's so hilarious. This is just a light hearted fun film that's a joy to watch from start to finish. With the Egyptian Sarcophogus, the music, a secret order of priests, a giant black sentient sun that will devour universes, and a woman being the most powerful weapon in the universe...how can you not love this movie? This movie was way ahead of it's time. 5.
Deadpool This movie just perfectly captures the absuridity of life. Plus, this movie is hilarious. I don't often acutally laugh when at the movies. I usually just guffaw but from the opening credits on I was practically crying I was laughing so hard. That is beyond strange for me. I love the fact Deadpool knows that he is in a movie and talks to the audiance. The fourth wall breaking was really well done. I love the entire, "We're like two jigsaw pieces, you know, with the weird curvy edges," love story which is so messed up but so captures most relationships. Blending a Geeky style with Edgey is just awesome. There is just a groundedness to this movie. I can't explain it...The people making the movie managed to make the charecters relateable, while telling a compelling origin story, while also making fun of themselves and the movie as they go along...I can't think of any movie even remotely similar. "Is it sexist to hit you? Is it sexist not to hit you?" Deadpool asks as he fights two women who work with Francis....that was so on point with how confusing the whole sexisim issue is (even for me, a woman! I ciouldn't say which was and was or was not sexist of those two options!). When he shoots Francis in the head at the end despite Colossus's hero speech and he states that the dude is a psycho that needs to be taken out...well, seriously that was just a carthatic moment. Why the heck is letting psycho's live to torment people another day considered part of being a hero in our society? Runner Ups 6. Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 2 Well, quite frankly, it's just the metaphor of Ego as a planet that wants to turn all of the other plantes in all of the cosmos into himself....that really had me laughing. Even better was the moment Yondu told Rocket he undrestood him because, "You are me." That was such a hugely impactful scene. I also love baby Groot. So adorable. Yes, this wasn't a completely tight story telling film. Starlord ungraciously speaking exposition over Yondu's dead body didn't fit. I loved the themes explored in the rest of the film. 7. Doctor Strange A movie with humor, astral projection, magic, meditation, the third eye, chakras...and so much more metaphysical content was just amazing to watch. I loved that they made the Ancient One a Celtic Woman. (Thanks to the strong female charecter bias I have and no I don't care what the critics have to say about white washing). Maybe it's the post Harry Potter craze (which was an okay series) that really caused all of this to be mundane. There were no people proteseting the opening of this movie which would have happened in the 80's. There are so many more reasons I love this movie but you can read the review in a previous blog. 8. Rogue One I love the main charecter Jyn Erso and the rest of the cast. The story was bold and fresh for the Star Wars franchise. The fact that you could't tell if the charecters were good or evil...but a mixture of both was such a nice change! The charecter Chirrut Imwe is probably my favorite charecter in the entire Star Wars universe which is huge (previously Han Solo)...and I love his mantra of, "The force is with me, I am one with the force." That Oneness is mentioned in a movie, and such a popular franchise at all, is amazing. The only reason why it's not higher on the list is because it lacked something. I can't say exactly what...but there was a lack of depth to the story telling. This wasn't on the part of the actors who did a beautiful job...I can't say what it was exactly but it just felt as though things could have been a little bit more emotinally impactful. 9. Split So, one horror movie did sneak into my top ten. I know, another new one that came out this year. Again, this comes back to the battle of dark and light in the human being. In this movie the main villian gives into the darkness. All of us have a beast within that we can tame by embracing and healing...but some people give into that beast. The amazing part of this movie is the fact that the main villian is relateable. That's what really made this movie great. Of course, the tie in with Unbreakable was awesome. Reflections There are more movies I would add to this list but I can't think of them right now... these are the movies that if I were to sit down and watch something I would choose. Yes, the original Star Wars Trilogy is up there...probably number ten. Also, the Star Trek movie Search For Spock was hugely impactful on me as a kid so that probably belongs. As does Braveheart since that was the first movie to actually move me to tears. As I said I'm a bit biased. Obviously, I love female main leads in geeky franchises. They were so rare before that each time I see one and it's handled well I adore it. I love stories about the dark and light within people. I also love action and science fiction movies. I really don't watch anything else anymore. Maybe that makes me a bit one dimensional but I go to movies that are uplifting that I enjoy. Focusing on depressing stuff is just not my thing anymore. I am also very picky about what I watch and rely on my favorite movie reviewer, Christ Stuckmann, to tell it how it is before I will even go to watch a movie anymore. So I don't randomly take chances on movies before I invest in a ticket or DVD. This list might change with Thor: Ragnarok coming out and Star Wars Episode Nine The Last Jedi. We shall see... As far as movies next year...I can't think of a single one that I'm excited about so far. I think this year was just really odd and produced a lot of movies that I adore.
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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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