What film first touched your soul?
For me it was The Sound of Music.
I loved tomboy Maria, who was a problem that adults and the church and God must solve (are you thinking I was a rebellious child? You’re right.)
I loved the wild children who changed governnesses as often as they changed their matching sailor outfits.
I loved the clash of feminine personas as Maria (albeit unknowingly) and the Baronness struggled for the attentions of the Captain.
I loved the Von Trapps outsmarting the Nazis with their beady rat eyes and menacing glares.
Sound of Music taught me that freedom was worth fighting for. Sound of Music taught me that God could be served in the roles of mother, governness, nun.
1. Liesl 2. Friedrich 3. Louisa 4. Kurt 5. Marta 6. Brigitta 7. Gretl
Sound of Music taught me that a family could practice art (music, in this case), as a way of life.
Sound of Music me taught that love could take strange twists…and could betray.
To this day, “Climb Every Mountain” bolsters my resolve to persevere.
Follow every by way, every path you know
Climb every mountain, ford every stream
Follow every rainbow, till you find your dream
A dream that will need, all the love you can give
Everyday of your life, for as long as you live
Climb every mountain, ford every stream
Follow every rainbow, till you find your dream
A dream that will need, all the love you can give
Everyday of your life, for as long as you live
Climb every mountain, ford every stream
Follow every rainbow, till you find your… dream…
Sound of Music provided HOURS of Lacy family entertainment, as my daughter, via the role of Brigitta, performed the entire film for family and friends, using dolls (and for a few seconds, her brother) as the other von Trapp children. One line I remember Daughter parrotting: “I think your dress is the ugliest one I ever saw!”
Sound of Music birthed a desire to hike rugged peaks and hear Alpine songs, which our family achieved by a Swiss vacation.
The Sound of Music taught me these things…and much more.
And I was ONLY TEN YEARS OLD WHEN I saw it!
We writers can learn much by studying film. Why?
Like great books, great films contain elements of moral premise (don’t MISS the book Moral Premise by Williams), compelling characters (Driving Miss Daisy, Steel Magnolias), killer dialogue (Shawshank Redemption), that unforgettable scene (The penance scene in Three Seasons). Great films provide take-away and stay-with-you values.
Good film distill a life, a value, an emotion in a scene or two. A whispered line.
In The Blind Side, Michael, adoptive son of Leigh Anne Tuohy, has succumbed to the pressures of the football recruiting life. He runs back to the hood, where “brothers” insult his mother, his new life.
After a soul-searching, sleepless night, Michael picks up the phone and punches in a number. Her number.
“Michael?” A sob catches her voice.
“Mama?” Michael cries. For Michael has learned that this woman who gave him his first bed, who has believed in him despite his failing grades, is his mama, though their skin color is different, their lives have been different.
“Oh, Rhett, where will I go? What will I do?”
“Frankly, my dear…”"
“I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse.”
“We didn’t need dialogue. We had faces.”
“Houston, we have a problem.”
“E.T., phone home.”
Tonight the Academy Awards will choose the 2010 winner for “Best Film.” Nominees include, “Avatar,” “The Blind Side,” “District 9,” “An Education,” “The Hurt Locker,” “Inglourious Basterds,” “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire,” “A Serious Man,” “Up,” and “Up in the Air.”
Have you seen any of the films nominated for “Best Picture”?
What film(s) has(have) changed your life?
What elements of film do you try to incorporate in your work?
Picture your life as a movie. What scenes would be shown? What scenes would end up on the cutting room floor?
See you at the movies!
Schindler’s List changed my life. It made me want to stand firm in my convictions and stand against evil and prejudice.
I have seen a few of the movies nominated, but I have seen summaries, reviews, and discussions of all of them. I hope “The Blind Side” wins. I like movies that are based on actual events and movies that are well acted. This movie is both. I also like movies that show our country’s people at their best, and this movies does that, too.
My earliest memory of a movie I saw in a theater that made an impact on me is when I saw “To Sir With Love.” Sidney Poitier is a phenomenal actor, and his role as a teacher who made a difference in the lives of his students is one that I have never forgotten. He told them that it mattered how they showed the world who they were. That is a lesson I passed onto my own children and the students I had in my own classroom.
Wow, great end question about our life scenes!
I love Last of the Mohicans, always will!
I’ve only seen two of those movies. Not sure who will win.
Pam, I loved this film as well! Thanks for highlighting it!
Sharon, at least a “Best Actress” came from this poignant film.
Jessica, we discussed our life as a movie in our last writers meeting. Poignant!!!
I haven’t seen many movies this year, so I didn’t watch. Like you, The Sound of Music really touched me as a kid, as did My Fair Lady and Fiddler on the Roof. Kinda gives me an itch to pull one out and watch it!
Bill and I went to see “UP” when no one knew anything about it. It is the greatest…for children and adults. There are so many little things that adults would understand that might go right over a child’s head, but the color and action are just wonderful for children.
Me and hubs watched The Hurt Locker a week before it won best picture. I was never so happy to see a military movie win and hear the director thank our men and women in the armed forces. Bad memories from 7 years prior have left a sour taste in my mouth when it comes to the Oscars and Hollywood. Finally! They see what it’s really like, without a political agenda.
I did a review of this movie on my blog, mostly from a writer’s stand point. The acting in it was excellent and a great study on how to delve deeper into our own character’s lives.
The Sound of Music was one of my early favorite movies too! I’ve also loved Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea ever since they came out. I keep telling myself I need to have an Anne marathon some day…send the boys away and sit down on the couch with my box of Kleenex.
The Hiding Place struck a chord in me. I saw it when I was in high school. Always liked the Anne of Green Gables series, and Sense and Sensibility too. More recent ones that touched me were Facing the Giants and Fireproof. And I sure I will think of another few once I finish this post!
Thanks for sharing, Patti.
Georgiana, do you have the old tapes? LOVE ‘em!
Lois, you are so right! Sigh. Wish I had some little kids to take to “Up”! It was pretty spectacular on DVD in our living room!
Winter, I’m so glad you told me about this. Will dig back through your postings and READ UP! Hope to see you soon!
Sarah, I can just see you doing that. Perfect chick flick films!!
See? I told you. To Sir With Love was a favorite that my Mom shared with me. Would have to see it again to measure it against my beliefs now, for haven’t seen it since my teens. It was always a favorite of Mom’s. Mom’s had Alzheimer’s for some time; she’s on my mind and heart today. Dad called this morning; they called in hospice. I’m in KY and she’s in NJ, so I think we will be going to NJ soon. Perhaps I should rent the movie for old time’s sake. Thanks for stirring good memories.
This was so much fun to read, especially after knowing Sandra Bullock won the Oscar for her role in Blind Side. And I was so thrilled that “Up” got the recognition it did. That was storytelling at its best.
And “Avatar” while beautiful had hardly any story at all as far as I’m concerned.
One of my earliest compelling movie memories is “A Nun’s Story” with Audrey Hepburn. I’ve seen it also as an adult and it still has tremendous power to move me.
Now I’m going to be singing “I am Sixteen Going on Seventeen” for the rest of the day.
I like the Sound of Music too. I didn’t watch the Academy Awards, though. I haven’t had time to see most of the movies! I still want to see Up.
West Side Story is one that opened my eyes to racial prejudice and how destructive it can be. Such a sad story.
And I LOVE The Sound of Music! I’ve seen it sooo many times and love the Goat Herd song! lol I wish i could yodel.
Karen, Oh, “To Sir With Love” taught SOOO much about England and schools and that special school…
Deb, we are both “Up” and “Blind Side” lovers. Oooh, a new “old” movie–”A Nun’s Story.” Something for next weekend!
Rosslyn, looking at the film clips sure brought back memories of all those SOM songs. I am Sixteen certainly was one catchy tune!!!
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