What movies changed your life ?

[PrincessPatty]

Pay It Forward, it reminds me of how simple a childs mind is, and maybe we need to listen to these kids more often.

 

[Alice Sr.]

Jaws.

I know it is cliche, but I saw that movie many times before I ever got to an ocean and I won't swim in the ocean because I'm afraid a shark will bite me.

Darn that Steven Spielberg!

I know. I know that is not what the OP is looking for but I loved the ocean and after seeing that movie I have never felt the same about it. When I moved to Miami I lived there for 12 months before stepping foot in the ocean, I would still go to the beach but getting in the water was just too traumatic.

 

[LukenDC]

Mommie Dearest was the catalyst for my interest in Joan Crawford and subsequently classic films. Faye Dunaway's portrayal of Joan was so outraegeous and campy that I started researching Joan's life so that I could discover the real Joan Crawford. Joan was an amazing, complex woman and I have tremendous admiration for her.

 

[SeattleRedBear]

Mommie Dearest was the catalyst for my interest in Joan Crawford and subsequently classic films. Faye Dunaway's portrayal of Joan was so outraegeous and campy that I started researching Joan's life so that I could discover the real Joan Crawford. Joan was an amazing, complex woman and I have tremendous admiration for her.

Funny you should say this. My mom was born in Van Nuys (next to Hollywood) in 1930 and aspired (like many girls of that place and time I'm sure) to be an actress. Her role model was Maureen O'Hara, the wavy red hair and spitfire personality. But everyone told her she looked like Joan Crawford, which she just hated! But when she was younger, she did bear more than a passing resemblance to Joan Crawford). I went to see the movie in my early 20's and there were a couple times during the movies that Faye Dunaway could have been my mom (luckily none of them were 'Wire Hangers'). Freaky!!

Actually, I agree with an earlier poster about It's a Wonderful Life only because it was the first movie to show me that I can make a difference in people's lives just by being myself.

 

[Virgo10]

Not actually life changing but these movies certainly gave me a lot to think about.

The Last Emperor. I knew very little about the Chinese culture prior to the beginning of the 20th century. It was a real eye opener.

Shindler's List. While you can know and understand that the holocaust was horrific, this movie put it right in your face.

I, Claudius. Ok, not a movie but it taught me that no matter how evil we think the world has become, it's all be done before.

 

[mick67]

Uh, care to elaborate? That was one pervy movie.

I liked how Kevin Spacey's character was lost and basically just marking time in his life, but he decided to turn that around and reconnect with himself, and he made that THE priority in his life. I wasn't talking about the part where he wanted to "connect" with whatsherface! There's was something really touching about the daughters boyfriend watching that piece of paper float around in the wind, like it was dancing. I've actually witnessed something similar and just sat there and watched it until it was over. The whole movie had an undertone of connecting with the life force and flowing with it in your own individual way, and I dug it.

Elaborate enough?

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

Garden State...pretty much an amazing movie. I love Zack Braff

 

[Holly]

Titanic. Seeing all that loss of life and knowing it had actuallly happened was heartbreaking.

 

[Cindyluwho]

You'd have to see this movie and be an abuse survivor to really get it, but Drop Dead Fred really changed my life. The line, "you can't hurt me, I'm not afraid of you anymore", still gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes. Getting up the courage to say that is so amazing and so powerful and so FREEING!!!!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

The Way We Were, At 13 it was the first time I realized how good looking men can be. I'm drooling just thinking about Redford in his uniform

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I liked how Kevin Spacey's character was lost and basically just marking time in his life, but he decided to turn that around and reconnect with himself, and he made that THE priority in his life. I wasn't talking about the part where he wanted to "connect" with whatsherface! There's was something really touching about the daughters boyfriend watching that piece of paper float around in the wind, like it was dancing. I've actually witnessed something similar and just sat there and watched it until it was over. The whole movie had an undertone of connecting with the life force and flowing with it in your own individual way, and I dug it.

Elaborate enough?

Actually yes. Thanks for the post I wasn't attacking

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Garden State...pretty much an amazing movie. I love Zack Braff

I was so excited to see this movie but found it disappointing

Not actually life changing but these movies certainly gave me a lot to think about.

The Last Emperor. I knew very little about the Chinese culture prior to the beginning of the 20th century. It was a real eye opener.

Wow, what a movie!!! I enjoyed it as well and have the book too.

 

[Sleepy]

The Joy Luck Club.

 

[missypie]

The Last Temptation of Christ

I know it was a very controversial movie, and I didn't think it was very well made and I really didn't like Willem DeFoe (sp?) as Jesus BUT if every Christian who protested the movie would have SEEN the movie (or read the book), the world would be a much better place.

The last temptation, of the title, is where Jesus is on the cross and Satan is tempting him to get down. So, Jesus imagines what life would be like if he stepped off the cross. He imagines marrying Mary Magdeline and working as a carpenter...having a "normal" life. Then one day, he meets an old rabbi who is waiting for the Messiah...only Jesus knows that the Messiah the old guy is waiting for has come and it was him and that there will BE no redemption because he chose not to sacrifice himself. So then, Jesus is jarred back to reality and accomplishes his task.

It really made me think for the first time that Jesus really did have a choice in the matter and if he had chosen not to go through with the crucifixion, we all would be lost.

Okay, I know that is deep for this early in the morning, but you asked the question!

 

[VistaLeigh'smommy]

The Constant Gardener was one of the best movies I have ever seen. It stuck with me for WEEKS. The feeling I got when it was over was just so unexplainable. Amazing movie.

 

[toto2]

The Last Temptation of Christ

I know it was a very controversial movie, and I didn't think it was very well made and I really didn't like Willem DeFoe (sp?) as Jesus BUT if every Christian who protested the movie would have SEEN the movie (or read the book), the world would be a much better place.

I think it was very well made and the music was amazing. I am not a beliver and the movie touched me ! I went with a friend who was a beliver end when we came out , what scandalised him more was that everyone is dirty in the movie and there is a very , very realistic look to the movie ( even if no one in it looks like they could be inhabitant of that region at that time). He did not realize that palestine at that time was dirty and dusty , and people were living in those conditions , and that yess ,some women were covert in symbolic tatoos etc. He had been feed this sunday school image of Jesus preaching in fields of flowers with little white sheeps gently eating grass , when in fact Jesus was living in an erea that pretty much is a dust bowl !

Thank tou all for sharing those movies that had an impact on your life: it helps me, and I hope others , to see movies for something more than mere entertainment !

 

[IwasatWDWforamonth]

Candy Man I cant be in the bathroom in the dark,

 

[PooohBear]

Shawshank Redemption