Movies that changed my life

Considering which movies changed my life is an intriguing topic to ponder. In our lives we are exposed to movies, many movies. Many entertain, some inform, some frighten and others are used merely to pass the time. When it comes to movies that have changed my life, it took some time to ponder that one. In producing film, questions arise as to when they capture life and when they are intended to change lives. Each of these films were attempts at capturing some aspect of life and ended up changing mine in some manner.There are no feel goodies like Chariots of Fire in this list, only those that had the most impact.

1. Z . This movie had a political focus. Even years after watching the movie, the images in it continue sticking with me. I saw it as a teen, and it woke me up to the harsh political realities that existed in many nations. Since it was the first of this genre, it had the most impact. There have been other films such as the Killing Fields, JFK, Day of the Jackal and Striking Distance that struck similar chords and stirred uneasiness within me. But this is the one that awakened me to some harsh political realities.

1. Gettysburg. No matter how many times I watch it, hoping for a different outcome, the South still loses. It changed my life by bringing to the screen the large scale of the battle and the war itself. The outcome still stirs deep feelings. The dialogue is often thought provoking concerning the nature of man, the nature of the conflict and what people are capable of. The movie provided me with a greater awareness of what such a battle must have looked like. I had visited many of the battlefields, seen the numerous rows upon rows of crosses marking the graves of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

I often wondered what it must have been like to have seen the massive waves of humanity charging across the fields. Gettysburg managed capturing the phenomena. I also find it amusing that in filming Pickett’s charge, they could not use the first take because the Southerners kept charging beyond the point where they were supposed to stop. Another reason for the impact is that one of my relatives was killed in the battle, creating a personal connection to the film.The film ties in with the prequel, Gods and Generals.

1. Ordinary People. I hated this movie, although since the topic is movies that changed my life, it was one than needed inclusion. The movie is heavy and deals with the topic of suicide and family dysfunction. I wish I had only seen it once, but I have been exposed to it in various settings. Movies with themes of suicide are always unsettling and uncomfortable. I recognize that those making it are exploring the subject or making a statement, but I do not like being dragged through all the drama and gut wrenching pain along the way.

1. Urban Cowboy. This movie was life changing in an unexpected way. Growing up in the Pasadena area, the attention the movie brought changed the whole community. At the time of the movie, I worked at a location that often cashed the payroll checks of the extras in the movie. After having spent time with those people and then seeing them on screen, it changed my image of movies.

It was also unsettling how the movie put a Hollywood spin on daily life in Pasadena, Texas. Like Hollywood typically does, they make a story out of an everyday event and the real story is ignored. Although I don’t particularly enjoy the movie, with how it was a subtle put down of everyday people that I grew up with, I watch it at times to see some of the old landmarks I remember seeing as a teen. Having eaten in some of the eateries and driven by the locations, I have some connections with it. Since the movie came out, Gilley’s club has burned down. It would have been more exciting to tell the real stories of Gilley’s, the money people behind it and the local law enforcement of those days. That story would have been more dramatic and exciting.

1. The Passion. This movie was another one that stirred up strong feelings. The scenes of violence were overpowering. I had seen violent movies before, yet the context of the violence made it hard to watch. It is rare that I turn my head from watching a scene which I found myself doing several times during this movie. I had also considered including some of the films produced by Mars Hill productions, which were also impactful due to the themes they dealt with and how they dealt with cognitive dissonance, when this film came out, it dwarfed the impact of the others.

1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I fell in love with it the first time I saw it. The jokes and routines opened me up to a lot of British humor. I was not going to include it at first, but I was reminded how many times I make reference to it. The movie has since gone on to develop quite a following.

Upon compiling this list, there is a common theme of violence and injustice in most of these films. I also recognize that they each have some uneasiness to them and the way they ended, with the possible exception of Urban Cowboy and Monty Python.