12 May 2010

I am more of a television-type couch potato, and although I do get to watch movies from time to time, the most I can do is two movies at a time. Before 2010 ended, I actually hoped to cross out this particular item on my Bucket List, but with each attempt, I always failed.

With the help of my own VCDs / DVDs, as well as the VCDs brother borrowed, I made an attempt again a day before my birthday.

Julie and Julia.

I first learned about this movie through a page on Yummy Magazine. I am not sure if this one was shown here in the Philippines, but when I checked the trailer, I knew I just had to watch it. Owning a copy of this movie was part of my 2010 Christmas Wishlist, and I was so happy that one video store had the VCD copy on sale. I quickly bought and it and first watched it on Christmas Day, but I wasn't able to fully understand it because I was nursing a very terrible headache. Watching it again made me love it more.

It was so amazing that two women from different generations could get to share similar things - like passion for food and yes, names. Prior to watching this movie, I only know Julia Child to quotes I get to read, and watching this movie made me not just love Julia Child as someone who was a big part of the wonderful world of food, I also got to love her as a person, too. As for Julie, I do liked that she kept on pushing with her goal of cooking all of Julia Child's recipes, though I felt sad that she already stopped blogging.

Eat, Pray, Love.

I wasn't able to watch this on the widescreen, and I am so thankful that brother borrowed the VCD copy of this from Video City. I love anything that evokes inspiration, and I admit this was one of the movies I really, really loved to watch. Right after finishing "Julie and Julia," I went to watch this as brother had to return the VCD right away (it was a new copy so it was only for rent overnight).

Anyway, with three parts to the story, my favorite scene would have to be when Richard took Liz to the rooftop and told her his story. It certainly made me cry when Richard told Liz about not leaving the area until she has forgiven herself, and at that point I saw myself in Liz's character - someone with so much emotional baggage. I, too, had done so many mistakes and I still am punishing myself because of those mistakes.

In one or two ways, I guess all of us can relate to Liz Gilbert's story, which is why this movie is now a part of my "VCD / DVD collection wishlist." Oh, next favorite scene in the movie would have to be the thanksgiving breakfast in Italy - she waking up her friends, taking out the turkey from the oven and them sharing turkey for breakfast was very heartwarming. The background song "Heart of Gold" by Neil Young made the scene more memorable.




The Aviator.

I was supposed to follow the movie with "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs," but brother had to return the VCD as well. With two movies done, I felt today was a day to finish off the 5 movies I hoped to watch, so I went to check out our rack of DVDs, and saw this one. I don't really consider myself a "big" fan of Leo DiCaprio, but he is one of my most admired actors. In college, I got to watch his earliest films, and because of that, there is this fire in me to hope to watch all of his movies. This one was released years ago, but when the family watched it back then, I wasn't able to join them. I have read things about Howard Hughes - how people thought of him as a "crazy" individual - but this movie was something I recommend all to see.

One powerful scene for me was the trial one, how Howard Hughes talks about "I care so much about aviation." Leonardo's acting was so good, and I am going to echo what I read somewhere, "Leonardo DiCaprio became Howard Hughes."

Revolutionary Road.

I do am very much passionate about watching all of Leo DiCaprio's movies, and after watching one, I decided to watch another Leo DiCaprio movie.

Being able to watch "Titanic" and seeing the awesome chemistry between him and Kate Winslet, I was excited in seeing this one. The movie wasn't as exhilarating as "Titanic," and it seemed to be a slow, sort of boring movie, but the charm about this movie I think wasn't from watching it, but from how the story will linger in your mind and made you think about the events that happened in the movie.

Ratatouille.

I first got to watch this through the iPod owned by my sister's boyfriend. Even in that very small screen I got to love the movie. Using a rat was an icky thing, but I guess that's what made this movie good - the irony that rats are detested in any kitchen, but in this movie the rat was the creature that created all the magic.

Watching this movie again made me remember a past memory. I was newbie in photography and someone threw words in the air. Though not directed to anyone, I answered saying, "anyone can cook, says in the movie Ratatouille." The other person answered, "Well, if you must know it was the rat that can cook and until the end of the movie the man (Skinner) never actually learned how to cook." Watching this movie again made me realize he was right.

Still, for an animated movie, this one gave so many good lessons, and one paragraph I will always remember would be: "Great cooking is not for the faint of heart. You must be imaginative, strong hearted. You must try things that may not work, and you must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul. It's true what I say, anyone can cook... but only the fearless can be great."

I finished watching this at around 11pm. I did take breaks in between, but I was really happy to be able to watch five awesome movies all in one day. Each movie is inspirational and very memorable. Finishing this one made me wanna do it again, this time with 5 new movies, of course. Any suggestions?

Doing a 5 movie marathon in 24 hours? A check on My Bucket List.

*** Jenn ***