"The love of my life is the love between friends."

                While the last two posts were rather sad and intense posts about movies that impact the human spirit, this post is dedicated to a movie that impacts the human spirit on a happier note. The Youtube video about Christian the lion is a short video that is a tear-jerker but in a happy way. I love the premise of the story: how friendship lasts a lifetime. I watch this video when I am having a bad day or I send this video to friends who are having a bad day. While the film is of poor quality, the message is great. I love the courage the two men had buying the lion cub, raising him and then releasing him into the wild. Risking the idea that they may never see him again, the men released him because they loved Christian to much, to see him cramped in a human world. I do not want to give the ending away, because it ruins the whole theme of the video. However, this video is an answer to any bad day and showcases the poor of love and friendship.

"This list... is an absolute good. The list is life. All around its margins lies the gulf. "

     Considering that my last post was about equality and the fight for justice, I find it only fitting to dedicate this next entry to one of the most epic and powerful movies in all of film history:Schindler's List. Released in 1993 under the direction of Steven Spielberg, the movie stars Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes and Ben Kingsley. Spielberg directed the film of the premise of Thomas Keneally's novel Schindler's Ark. Both the book and the movie tell the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman, who saved more than a thousand Polish Jewish refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. After it's release, the film won seven oscars. Some of the oscars won were best picture, best original score and best director. The American Film Institute in 2007 selected the 100 greatest movies ever made- Schindler's List was in eighth place. 

Part of what makes this movie so memorable, aside from the fact that is about genocide, is both the music and the cinematography. Spielberg decided to forgo storyboards when planning this film out, because he decided to shoot the movie as if it were a documentary. Forty percent of the cameras used in the film were handheld. Spielberg also decided to film in black and white because he wanted the film to appear timeless. Also, most of the images of the Holocaust are only seen in black and white, so Spielberg only found it fitting to film in black and white. John Williams produced the score for the movie, and he at first was so overcome by the film, that he felt a better composer was needed to accurately compose music for this film.

However, the most griping part of the movie for me was the little girl in the red coat. I don't think anything else in any other movie has moved me so much as seeing that little girl, my eyes are even welling up now, as I write about her. The little represents the change in Schindler, not to mention the many other people who watch the movie. To me at least, the little girl represents the importance of equality, justice, wisdom, peace and tolerance. More often then not, when people discuss this movie, they always mention the little girl.

There is nothing glamourous about this film, nothing that gives you hope, it is a war story and true war stories are not supposed to leave you uplifted. This a story of the war between humans. The movie ends letting the audience know that at the time of the release of the film there were fewer then 4,000 Jews left in Poland while there were more then 6,000 descendants of Schindler Jews worldwide. This is an emotionally-draining film, but a film that everyone sound view.

"Some of these people make me sick. But a law's been broken here. You do remember the law, don't you? "

It is far and few between that a movie comes along that is so poignant, raw and inspiring. A movie that leaves you gripping at the edge of your seat as you watch inhumane things happen to individuals. Looking for a film to encompass all of this? then watch Philadelphia. Released in 1993 starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, this movie demonstrates the impact the HIV/AIDS epidemic had on this country when it first hit. This movie is truly a masterpiece about justice and the fight for equality. It was an interesting ploy to cast a black and white male in the lead roles. The white male, Tom Hanks, experiencing the discrimination of having the HIV/AIDS virus, while the black man, Denzel Washington, is man moving above the discrimination he has experienced to reach success. It is interesting to watch the relationship between the two men unfold as the film progresses. Watching this movie, I feel in love with the actor's script. Some of the lines were so sharp, that I felt my soul enrage in anger, fear, happiness and disappointment. I found the script so good that I had to include some of my favorite quotes:

-"I didn't raise my kids to sit in the back of the bus. You get in there, and you fight for your right, ok?"

-"But, I don't consider myself any different from anyone who has this disease. I'm not guilty. I'm not innocent. I'm just trying to survive."

-"In this courtroom, Mr. Miller, justice is blind to matters of race, creed, color, religion and sexual orientation." "With all due respect your honor, we don't live in this court room though, do we?" 

"You're the boss, applesauce! "

Factory Girl is now one of my favorite movies. Siena Miller is beautiful, and she plays the ever elusive and quirky Edie Sedgwick. Sedgwick was an icon in the 1960's when she became popular as one of Andy's Warhols muses. I think one of the reasons why I enjoyed the film so much is because I am fascinated with the 1960's, especially Andy Warhol. Watching the movie, I remained captivated listening to the script, the cinematography, looking at the sets and the beauty of Siena Miller, but also Hayden Christensen who plays Billy Quinn, a character who is a Bob Dylan knock-off. I also enjoyed the costumes. The mod-inspired clothing was so cool, it makes me want to go out and buy stripes, boots and black and white items of clothing. I think the other reason why I ket watching the movie is because I really felt an odd connection to Sedgwick. I felt sorry for her and I kept rooting for her through all of her low points. Sedgwick did not have an easy childhood, which was probably the reason why she lived the such a fast-paced lifestyle with Warhol and the reason why I kept rooting for Sedgwick to find happiness. Factory Girl from this point forward is one of my favorite movies.

"What if you meet the love of your life, are you supposed to let them pass you by? "

So I finally gave in and watched the most feminine movie ever made- He's Just Not That Into You. And I was just not that into it. I'm sorry to all of my friends, and other females out there who thought this movie was amazing and so relatable, I just found the movie boring and annoying. While I am someone who ha always been interested in people's interactions with one another, this movie just did not do it for me. Perhaps, if I had read the book prior to viewing the movie I would have a newfound appreciation. Yet, often if I have read the book before seeing the movie, I am highly disappointed. I found the characters to be whiney and overbearing, it's like every time spoke, I envisioned nails on a chalkboard. This came as a surprise to me because some of the actresses in the movie I truly enjoy like Jennifer Connelly and Jennifer Aniston. 

Needless to say, I thought the movie offered an interesting perspective on romantic relationships between men and women. The idea of romance and love left me pessimistic and depressed at the end of the movie. While the title is not all that optimistic sounding, I totally thought the movie would end on a happier note. Regardless, I am pleased with my decision on viewing this movie because of my intrigue of the film. However, if you are a male, or a person with a lack of tolerance for whining and/or stupid things, please restrain from viewing this movie.

"Women come to New York for the two L's: Labels and Love. "

Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha- the four cinematic friends that make love, fashion, sex and New York the funniest thing a girl can ask for in the movie Sex and the City. Released in the summer of 2008, the movie is a continuation to the series finale on HBO. Like the television series the movie full of love, fashion, friendship, drama and sex. Normally, I wouldn't enjoy such a girlie film, however, this film is one of my all-time favorites. I think that girls enjoy the movie because not only do they enjoy the fashion, but they can also relate to the characters of Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha. Everyone has a friend who is like Charlotte, Miranda, Carrie or Samantha. Furthermore, some of the issues that arise for some of the characters are issues to many women today. I enjoy the movie also because of the set design, dialogue and music. I would never recommend that guys watch the movie- this is a girls' only treat!