A Walk to Remember

Very recently I had the opportunity to watch the 2002 romantic film A Walk to Remember. This 5 year old film had somehow never come to my attention before now. In the past, my eyes have possibly passed over the film in the video store but it was invisible to me. “Cute” films such as A Walk to Remember I am guilty of prejudging as something I wouldn’t enjoy. I realize now how I can often be terribly prejudiced against those popular, made for teen films. In my past experience I have found that most films of this genre are unfortunately lacking. The films I like are often the non-blockbusters that are artistic, passionate and include character development through which lessons are learned. So, how did I happen to check out this film? As I was researching online for film recommendations this film kept popping up. Under the premise that I would get something romantic for Sonja, my wife, I took a chance…I am so glad I did.

Those things that have a uniquely strong impact upon us are important to take note of. By taking note of those things that have a strong positive or negative impact on us or others we have a chance to learn about our own or others defining characteristics or at least their unique view of the world. I can honestly say the film A Walk to Remember is not well polished or quality however it tells MY story in a sense. I am no longer embarrassed to say that this film rocked me to my core a bit. It transported me to an new understanding of my future as well as my past. I cried and I was inspired to be a better person. I am so happy to have felt these affections for the movie as they were powerful and beautiful. One must be open to being affected though. I am sure you would react differently to the film. My personal reaction was inhanced due to a few general plot additions:

- Boy finds inspiration to be better and to believe in himself...in a way like my life when I met my dear wife Sonja.

- Girl is angelic, loving and confident in her abnormality…knows herself (a real Jesus type of model of kindness that is admittedly unreal but to see Mandy Moore do it was fun. So innocent...so much like my dear wife Sonja.)

- The innocence and character transformations and redemptions are all inspiring to a degree that I found faith in my own redemption and the possibilities that that entailed...HOPE and Inspiration baby!

- Death always hits hard. To confront it as AWTR does helped me to longer sweat the small stuff and really made my life more positive and blessed. WOW!

Ok, that is my movie review for today. Keep loving out there yall.

Today's Rant: The Departed

The other day I finally watched the film "The Departed." This highly rated film was similar to watching angry dogs strutting and tearing at each other in a pit for entertainment. Films like this remind me of the great chasm that lies between me and general American public who continually support and enjoy violence and domineering males.

It was well acted yes, but so are many films out there. Ultimately you must ask what you get or learn after watching a film. How does it influence you? What I got from the film was that it was ok to act the way these guys were acting. I wish that someone in the film had a realization of how meaningless that kinda struggle and fight is. To separate themselves from it all and promote some peace and happiness in the world instead.

To be respected does a man have to be that way? Show no weakness...show no emotions or kindness. The men have their role and the women have theirs as submissive dolls to be played with in the off time. "The Departed" and films like it exemplifies to me how we are so attracted and enamoured by the aggressive, tough male image that we cheer on their behavior at the expensive of ourselves and our society. This same kind of machismo can get us into wars yo!