#29 - write in a journal weekly for six months (3/27)

(prompt from here)

A List of Favorite Movies 

(narrowed down to the top 6 after much deliberation)

I like movies in a different way than I like books.  Movies can convey in a minute what it may take a half hour's worth of reading to establish in a book; the communication process is completely different, and I like that.  I like that I don't know much about movies outside of one summer film class, and I like that filmmaking is foreign to me in a way that writing isn't.  It makes watching movies like watching a really good magician.  Because of that, I probably can't intelligently discuss why these movies are my favorite, but they are, because they're magical.  They're those movies that sink into you and make you sit through the credits because you're not ready for them to be over.

1. A Little Princess (1995)

(Stop cringing, Robin!)

Speaking of books and movies: I hate to admit it, but this movie adaptation is so much better than the book.  I tried reading the book in college and was pretty disgusted with how much I disliked the bratty, self-absorbed protagonist.  That being said, this movie has been my very favorite for years and years.  It's directed by Alfonso Cuaron (who also directed Prisoner of Azkaban, which is my favorite HP movie), and the cinematography is just breathtaking.  When I was younger, I loved it because of the mysticism and India and the idea that being a princess was so much more accessible than Disney's "marry a prince, wear a froofy dress" version.  I still love it because of those things, but now I also love it because of the redemption of the bully and the Ramayana myth and the overcoming racial barriers and girls being awesome and all that good stuff.  This movie makes my heart happy.

2. Finding Neverland (2004)

 

I've had a lot of people say that they thought this movie was really slow, and I guess it sort of is, but that's what I like it so much.  I like that it's so reflective and beautiful and makes me cry every dang time I watch it.  It makes me ache to be a part of the story, and not just because Johnny Depp is the lead.  (Ahem.)  Peter and Wendy is my favorite children's story, and this movie does a great job of capturing the same imaginative spirit.

Plus, I have a girl crush on Kate Winslet.

3. 1776 (1972)

I watched lots (LOTS) of musicals growing up, but this was the first one I fell in love with.  I was 10, and I've been obsessed with John Adams ever since.  William Daniels (a.k.a. Mr. Feeny), who plays Adams, basically inspired 90% of my interest in Revolution-era America.  With the exception of Martha Jefferson, whom I can't stand, I really love the way each of the characters are portrayed (ignoring historical accuracy, of course); they're hilarious and engaging and sometimes terrifying (I'm looking at you, Rutledge).  I keep trying to convert people to this movie, and most of them are bored to tears, but Ricky loved it.  Hence, our marriage.

4. Up (2009)

 

I love every single poignant thing about this movie, but I especially love Russell.  That little kid just breaks my heart.  I saw "Up" in theaters four times, and bought it the day it was released on DVD--I never expected it to be one of my favorite movies, and then one day I realized it had wormed its way onto the list.  Everybody says they cry during the montage at the beginning, but I don't lose it until the adventure book bit near the end, and then there's no stopping me.  I hate crying, but I don't mind it so much when it's this movie.

5. Howl's Moving Castle (2004)

 If you've never seen a Miyazaki movie, you're missing out.  His movies are so incredibly whimsical and strange and wonderful all at the same time, and this one is my favorite.  Miyazaki has this great way of capturing moments--he doesn't rush through things like getting from one place to another.  He lets his characters stumble, unhurried, and draws out their reactions to things, and isn't afraid to utilize silence.  I love that.  Those moments really immerse you in the story.

6. Mulan (1998)

Mulan has been my favorite "Disney princess" since the moment I saw this movie.  (For years, my brother and I had a rule that we had to watch it at least once on every road trip we went on--we had a TV with a built-in VHS player we would bring in the minivan.  Sorry, parents.)  I love that she gets to save the day.  I love that she rejects the makeup and the dress and the things that are supposed to make boys like her.  I love that she doesn't win a man by singing or dressing up or by any sort of "love at first sight" nonsense, but by being clever and brave and quick-thinking and funny and loyal.  That appealed to me even as a nine-year-old girl.  I didn't want to be Cinderella or Ariel or (heaven forbid) Snow White; I wanted to be Mulan.  If I have a daughter someday, I hope she cares less about the big dress and the tiara and more about being the hero of her own story.

And there's the six!  I could easily rearrange the order of any in my top 10, though.  The other four would probably be Big Fish, Minority Report, Moulin Rouge, and Inception.  This list was unexpectedly difficult to narrow down.