Time for another contest to show my gratitude to my loyal readers, my kind followers and all new or random visitors here. Get excited and get ready to play! I am thrilled to announce the third contest on Prolific Living! Our first contest ran in October ’09 with the theme of photography, the second one ran in February ’10 with a theme of reading and learning from books. As I anticipate and prepare for the Toronto Film Festival (TIFF), I chose the movie theme for our third contest!
If you have never been to a film festival, you can read about my experience at TIFF last year – I was a newbie and only watched five films. This year, we are taking it up a notch to 10 films! Everyone loves movies (I have yet to meet a person who does not love at least some genre of film or movie made in the last century!) Why we love them is obvious – the experience to be transported into a different world, to escape reality, to be inspired, to be as close to living another life without even stepping out of our own – the thrill and excitement of watching a movie is simply phenomenal, thanks to the power of our mind and our imagination.
So many movies, so little time! For the selective heart, few movies these days make the cut to be memorable very long after the credits have scrolled up. Yet there are precious gems in the sand and all of us have at least one or two unforgettable movies stored at the edges of our mind – movies that have touched a part of us, turned on a switch, opened a door, excited and thrilled, whispered a lasting message, healed a broken heart, made us question our actions and seek new ways of living. Movies we treasure for just a line or just a scene. Movies we love to watch again if only to renew that experience of seeing them the first time.
I happen to love movies but Andy, my husband, is the real movie buff. In fact, I had to use a very smart trick to keep him from participating in this contest: I made him a contest judge! And speaking of the contest, let us begin the fun a third time around!
Contest Objective:
Your objective is to answer this question in your best words: What is your all-time favorite movie AND Why? What movie has touched you deeply? Inspired you to change, to grow, to transform, to gain a new perspective on life or to just feel incredible joy and pleasure from watching it? It can be any movie, any film ever made so long as it matters to YOU and you tell us why it does!
Submit Entry to Qualify:
Describe the movie effect from Contest Objective below in the comments section. Make your description as short or as long as you like but remember this is an exercise in writing and self-expression. You can use as few or as many words as you need but please convey your thoughts clearly!
Please Note: If you are new here, leaving a comment involves leaving your name – whatever you choose to be called! – a valid email address and an optional blog or site URL, which you may very well leave blank! That’s it!
Dates for Contest:
We will start the contest August 13th, Friday and run it for 3 weeks ending it on September 3rd, Friday. The two winners will be announced in the September 10th Friday post.
Who is Judging:
Prolific Living will have the same 3 judges as last time. We will use the same rating system with two highest scores to identify winners. Rest assured we will judge in private before finalizing the results. I am one of your judges. My genius behind-the-scenes tech support and my brother, Sina Bahram, is our second judge. The movie buff, my husband, Andy Brock, is our third judge.
Judging Criteria:
We are going to look for genuine writing and heart-felt expressions of the movie’s impact on you. This is an exercise in writing and in self-expression so indulge in it and give it your best shot. Be authentic! Be unique! Be original! Be truthful! Be yourself and tell us why you love your favorite film!
Prizes and Winners:
We will recognize two top winners in this contest with an award. Each winner will receive Amazon gift certificate for $20 in value from Prolific Living. The gift card will be sent to our winners after the close of contest.
Let’s get things rolling. Have as much fun participating as we will reading your entries! Thank you for participating!
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{ 85 brilliant comments, Care to add another? }
Well, I’m highly inspired by the movie Angels and Demons. Science has always been my thing of investigation. I always noticed science time and again in my religion (I’m a Hindu) and others. What I believe is, religion is just another science. The only different is that in religion, we just accept the truths while in science we investigate then, prove them and then begin to believe in them.
After watching the movie, I actually begun taking deeper interest in the step stones of our religions, society and it’s copy culture effect and it’s prospects of power and politics. Well, there are quite a few more movies I’ve learned a lot from, but this movies steps apart my ideas on humanity and its future.
Hi Jaky, Angels and Demons was a fantastic book and a good movie. You are Contestant #1. Welcome and thanks for starting things off for us! Stay tuned!
Thanks cutie, I just started a blog so visiting a lot of related blogs these days. Read a lot of your archives. I don’t have words to tell how much inspiring your posts are to me! Thanks again.
Hi this is Manikandan from India. Actually I am a movie blogger, who loves to watch some beautiful movies and share to all. My all time favorite movie is ‘My Sassy Girl’. Why I choose this movie is – Its having love, humor, sadness, comedy, joy, romance, happiness and everything which we need in our daily life. I never forgot this Movie up to my death. It makes a big impact on me. The Director’s touch was too good. Both actors really touch my heart. At last what I think after I watch this movie is ‘I expect to have beautiful love like this film in my real life’.
Thanks to Farnoosh for giving me a nice opportunity to express my thoughts about my favorite movie ‘My Sassy Girl’. A small request to all, if you still never watch this film, try to watch this. You surely love it. Cheers
I agree Manikandan, the original korean version of My sassy girl, is the best. They remade in English but somehow it was not the same.
Manikandan, welcome to Prolific Living and thank you for being our Contestant #2! Welcome and stay tuned!!
Preeti, thank you for the commentary!
Hi Preeti I too said about the Korean version. Because its very original n realistic. But the remake was not up to the mark. Thanks for your comments
Hi Sweetie, I so love the theme of this contest! And yes I am gonna take part for sure. I Will be back tomorrow to leave my thoughts on my favorite film, which is………..lets leave that for the next comment
Lots of love,
Z~
Zeenat, dear, it won’t be a party without you – you have time and I can’t wait to read your entry. Thank you for planning to participate and love back at you!
What a great idea. I will have to give some thought… so many that really get me stirred up. I can’t even decide which genre I love best
Rob, you have time and I can’t wait to read your entry and especially your prose. Thank you for thinking about participating!
What a great idea Farnoosh, at least Prolific Living opened a section for cinema …. and you are traveling to Toronto not for the historical buildings, the foods, or yoga but for going in the dark saloons for finding memorable movies in Toronto Film Festival. Watching so many audiences and good movies. Wow! you are very lucky!
“12 years ago” I was in this nice Festival, after ” 10 days” I watched “52 movies”! I was straightly coming from Montreal Film Festival. In Montreal I only could watch “46 films”!
Be sure you will receive so many comments here because cinema is a part of our life, although we can seldom find good movies in these days but we can discover and find good movies with the suggestions of our friends here they will of course increase our eagerness for looking and finding good movies and share our ideas.
I never miss this page and now I am looking for “Angels and Demons” and “My Sassy Girl”..!
….Now that I review these festivals I have to mention that it was the year that the Iranian movie – The Children of Heaven – directed by Madjid Madjidi won the best prize of Montreal Film Festival and the best prize of audiences . The movie was one of five movies for Oscar awards the year after.
Thank you Abbas for both your comments. TIFF was amazing last year and it will probably be so this year too. I am very excited to be going and I promise to write a post about my experience. Did you want to participate in the contest by telling us about one top favorite film and why? So far, you haven’t but thank you for all the thoughts you shared.
My favorite movie is a very hard to find film called Ocean Tribe. It’s about a group of friends who “kidnap” their friend Bobby from the hospital. Bobby is dying of leukemia, and they take him to Mexico for one last surfing trip.
The things they learn on the trip are truly inspiring. If you can find it, it is amazing to watch. It will inspire you to own every minute of your life and live it as you are meant to.
Joshua, welcome back here! I have never seen it but you have piqued my curiosity. It sounds like a very sad movie. Thank you for being our Contestant #3! Stay tuned!
Farnoosh,
I love books and movies so this is great idea. I love many english and foreign language films to picking one might be too hard but I shall try!
My favorite is actually BBC TV series “Pride and Prejudice” by Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, I can watch again and again. Reasons are many, I love Mr. Darcy, arrogant and proud that he is, he changes for his love and oh the lake scene! and great ground of pemberly! What is not to love.
I love the book and this version very much (other versions are good but this is the best in my opinion) What is your favorite movie?
Preeti, I have heard so much about that series. I have seen the 1995 movie adaptation by Colin and Jennifer more than once and love it to bits. The book is of course fantastic too. I have so many favorites. Good thing I am not playing. I have to think about it but I will give you one: “Shining Through” by Michael Douglas and Melanie Griffith is a dear movie to my heart. Thank you for being our Contestant #4! Stay tuned!
Good stuff! I love how you are so involved with your readers.
Gabe, thank you for your comment – are you going to play in the contest?
Contest Entry:
My favorite movie of all time is the original Toy Story. I remember watching it as a kid when it first came out. At that time I didn’t quite understand everything that was going on, but I started catching on as I watched it throughout the years.
Most people watch it for the humor, which appeals to both children and adults. Others might watch it for the graphics and special effects. I like to watch movies for these things too. However, I also enjoy finding ways that the movie can inspire me and help me to grow as a person.
This particular movie is probably not meant to be a movie specific to helping people grow. But I like to get creative and expand my mind so that I can find these things in movies that you wouldn’t expect.
One particular thing that I enjoyed about the characters in this movie is their individuality. In a way, this inspires me to be an individual person and to be care-free. By being care-free, I saw this as being humble. I know we could all use a little humility, and that is what these characters have inspired me to be.
The characters in this movie are dynamic as well as very caring. Their main mission to please the ‘human’ kid, Andy. They want to make sure that he is happy all of the time. I saw this as being a message for others to be caring for others and to think of others’ wants and needs. This touched me because I was impressed at the selflessness displayed in this movie.
Granted, there is a ‘human’ character that is very selfish and sort of morbid who enjoys destroying his toys. But the touching part of this is that the toys come to each others’ rescue and once again display a caring attitude. This helped me to see that despite negative situations and destructive people that we may come across in our lives, there is still a way to learn from those situations and people, and thus help us to grow.
To this day, I watch that movie and enjoy the humor, the effects, and the creativity displayed in it. I’m a ‘grown’ person, but watching it reminds me to hang on to my youth as much as possible. A little bit of youth goes a long way in personal development.
Watching Toy Story as a kid ha? Ok I feel old now but you are still Contestant #5 nonetheless
! Thank you Gabe for your wonderful entry. It’s a very fun movie and I watched it as an adult when it first came out and enjoyed it thoroughly. Thanks for playing the contest and stay tuned!
Oh yeah… this one made me feel a tad less than youthful as well LOL Great contest, Farnoosh. I am considering my entry and will be back before it is over with it (hard for me to pick..favorites are a fickle thing with me LOL)
Gurl, you had better be back to us your favorite movie please…..The older the better – movies are like wine, no?
!
Too easy! Gone With the Wind – It’s got everything: drama, danger, passion, excitement, humor, tragedy and romance plus the most gorgeous costumes and amazing, stunning actors especially Vivien Leigh, Hattie McDaniel and Clark Gable.
I saw it for the first time at the movies alone with my parents. I was about 10 and had just had stitches in my ear after a silly school accident (don’t ask!) As one of three children having my parents to myself for the afternoon and going to the cinema which was a massive treat obviously made a big impression on me. I love that my parents liked the movie too.
But sentimental stories aside it really does have to be the best movie in the world!
A classic and my mom’s all time favorite. Also a fantastic book, Annabel. It has everything as though having Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable needs anymore. I am getting the itch to watch it again just to hear their voices and see those scenes. Thank you so much for being our Contestant #6! Welcome to the contest and stay tuned!
I am not a movie addict and watch very few films. I loved the Pride and Prejudice (version with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle). The reason is that it transported me from my present time to the Austen time – it made the book come alive for me. It created a feeling of warmth, romance, magic and somehow hope that there is a silver lining behind every cloud. Sorry to be gushing but thats how I felt about this movie.
Gush away, that’s what I want to see in these entries, Mystica and thank you for being Contestant #7! I really enjoyed the 1995 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice too. Amazing movie. Thanks for entering and stay tuned!
JUST FOR FUN:
The was a young girl from downunder
Whose heart is rent asunder
For making a choice
Means not giving voice
To the rest that inspire wonder.
Sue, fun and poetic yes but you are not entering the contest? Please tell me it’s not true! You must play and share with us your favorite movie! I can’t wait to read your entry…
!
Thanks Farnoosh, but I think I will opt out. I have been racking and racking my brains over the last week and I just cannot settle on one. I will though keenly watch to see what the jury decides, as it has been fun seeing all the entries.
Oh my gosh, Sue, no worries at all -I really wanted this to be fun and also an exercise in articulation of our feelings and thoughts, something you do extremely well. Thank you for your support nonetheless!!!
Why thanks for the compliment Farnoosh. I’m currently in the middle of a post-retirement contract job marking assignments. I think that’s enough assessing and ranking for me at present!!
I’ll still be here – and of course with my not taking part everyone else has more chance! LOL!
My favorite movie is Elizabethtown. It’s about a young man who has been fired after losing one billion dollars for his company. He is about to commit suicide when he learns that his dad passed away in Kentucky and his family needs him to retrieve the body. He ends up discovering the love of an extended family he had never known, and he learns to separate his failures in life from his worth as a human being.
This movie reminds me that life is meant to be lived fully and passionately – one quote from the movie that comes to mind is “Have the courage to fail, and fail big. Make ‘em wonder why you’re still smiling.” We are not defined by what we accomplish in our lives, but how we react when things don’t go as we planned.
The other lesson that this movie is given me is to always remain lighthearted. It is dangerous to take things too seriously, and to see humor in all areas of life is a real gift.
Maggie, my avid reader friend, thank you for your beautiful entry about a movie that I will now watch for sure – you are Contestant #8. Thank you so much for participating. And do stay tuned!
Forrest Gump!
I love this movie because it shows that any person can live a full life – that life is what you make it. Forrest was teased growing up and he experienced the full range of emotions in his life.
The history.
It’s a beautiful world we live in so we should appreciate it and not let it just pass us by. The things most dear to us in life are friends and family.
S.P. , great choice. I love Forrest Gump even if Jen was a bit annoying! Thank you for being Contestant #9. Stay tuned!!
Favorite movie is office space. Pure genius. Hilarious. I loved the movie so much and couldn’t stop laughing Every character and situation is played out so perfectly. The way the movie draws in real world everyday interactions and makes us laugh at how ridiculous they are. Great soundtrack too! I saw the movie before I started working in an office. As I started working in an office, the movie became even better. It’s a timeless cultural snapshot and parody of office life in America. It will be quoted to the end of time. (or the end of the traditional office, whichever is first).
Mark,
My husband’s favorite too probably. I once was de-cluttering the entertainment center and decided to sell our copy of it; we have a little group at work for buy/sell – our own eBay if you will- I put it up there and within 5 minutes, 10 people wanted to grab it – at which time my husband freaked out and told me I can’t possibly sell his favorite movie! I had to tell them it was no longer for sale. Anyway welcome to being Contestant #10! Thanks for playing and stay tuned!
My movie is a little obscure, but a lot of mental fun. It’s called “Mind Walk.” Two men around the age of 50 walk around a castle discussing the elements of life. They come across a woman who is a physicist. She explains how an atom is mostly made up of space, but is able to appear solid.
I’m not doing the movie justice by explaining it here, but it is a very thought provoking movie. It made me realize that how I see the world is only one view and there are many ways to appreciate our lives.
I’ve watched it at least 5 times and every time I come away with a new idea or concept that tweaks my perspective.
Dear Karl, thank you so much for being our Contestant #11! I have never watched this one but I am intrigued. Thank you for playing and stay tuned!
What an original idea, Farnoosh! There are so many terrific and meaningful movies that it is indeed almost impossible to choose. One movie that often comes to my mind is “Harold and Maude.” This movie contains so many life lessons! It is so full of joy, wisdom, and reverence for life, people, and the earth. It’s all about how to live consciously and lightly. The concluding scene is such a triumph of learning to let go of one’s negative and counterproductive habits and unleash the joy of being in this precious present moment.
Dear Sandra, thank you so much for playing and being our Contestant #12! I have not seen this movie either – my list is growing by the hour! I am so happy you decided to participate and thank you for sharing a movie I have now on my list to watch!!
Farnoosh,
What an inspired idea!
I love the film: It’s a Wonderful Life.
I loved it from the first time I saw it as a little girl. I watch once every year.
It is the story of a man who’s so desperate over a financial loss that he thinks his family would be better off with the insurance money they’d get if he died, than with him alive. The story shows us how much his life touched others and that without him in their lives, the people he helped would not have lived happy and wholesome lives. It’s really moving and it shows us just how precious each life is to one another. It’s a beautiful touching movie that makes you feel grateful for your life. If you haven’t seen it – I highly recommend it.
Hi Angela, gosh I haven’t seen that movie yet either and I have heard so much about it. Welcome to the contest and thank you for being our Contestant #13! Stay tuned for results and you can rest assured we’ll be watching all these great recommendations soon!!
Farnoosh
My favorite film is a golden oldie. It was made in black and white in 1946 and stared James Stewart. The film – It’s a Wonderful Life .
An angel show a distraught business man who is on the verge of suicide what life would have been like if he had never existed.
It is an amazingly great feel good film but also reminds me of the old saying
“To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.”
Makes me go all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it!
Hi Marion, thank you for being our Contestant #14! I have got to watch this film….thanks for playing and stay tuned for results!
I have so many favorites for so many different things.
One that comes to mind though is Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. I’m a sucker for adventure and travel and escaping from dangerous situations.
Hi J.D., very short and sweet response, ha?
Thanks for being Contestant #15! Stay tuned!
It’s very challenging for me to choose one all time favorite movie. There are several, and all for very different reasons. One of the is the original FAME not the one that came out a couple of years ago. It’s a favorite because it was the first film I had seen about dance, NY, pursuit of the performing arts and all I knew was I wanted that experience. I lived vicariously through the characters and took the song lyrics as life’s poetry. It served as a personal calling to what I must do and even when I watch it now (I watched it again a month ago) I see it differently; I see it as I did years ago with hope, passion and intensity. I don’t see self absorbed high schoolers in the 1980′s being dramatic and ungrateful…which is how some may see it if they watched it today.
Dear Aileen, you are my Contestant #16 and with a fantastic movie too, I loved Fame and have listened to that soundtrack one too many times. I wonder if you pursued performing arts after that? Thanks so much for playing and stay tuned for results!
Dear Prolific Judges! I have so many favourite films. Films that have mark my psyche like time machines. When I see them I go back. Like Brian’s Song which was the first time I thought deeply about death at age 10, like Grease which made me want to make movies at age 15, and like The Deer Hunter which forged me on a path to writing my first screenplay. But my favourite film has to be the one I finally made at age 33. It’s called “Split Shift” — a short film about a waitress who stabs her manager then takes off with all the money in the cash register. I had a few issues from my waitressing days to get off my chest. What can I say? They take me back. I love movies for that reason.
Dear Katie, thank you so much for participating and being Contestant #17! I was thrilled to hear that you are/were a Canadian film maker so having you in this contest is extra special. And you had better believe that we are going to watch your film together. Extra credit to those who make their own films for the contest
! Thanks again for playing and stay tuned!
Funny how I lived in Toronto for 10 years and never made it to TIFF once. Oh, well, maybe one day
My movie is The Notebook. Cried my eyes out during that movie and it made me realize that there are so many older folks in senior’s home who may have forgotten a lot of their fondest memories of falling in love and being loved (due to Alzeheimer’s) but that didn’t discount the love they had during their lives. Very powerful movie and it made me believe in love again.
Cool contest
Karen
Karen, thank you for being our Contestant #18! Welcome and gosh I can’t believe you didn’t make TIFF once but the good news is that it is there every year! Good choice on The Notebook. Thanks for playing and stay tuned!!
Gosh, this is a tough one. I have been a movie lover my whole life and I can think of so many that touched me. Gump. Office Space. Shawshank Redemption. Godfather. Citizen Kane. Star Wars. Silence of the Lambs.
Very tough decision. I think I have to go for a Golden Oldie, made the year my mom and dad were born. (1946)
It’s a Wonderful Life.
I have loved this movie since I was a child. It is dated. It is old. Much of the humor does not translate that well in the 64 years since it was made, but there is no movie that comes close in my opinion to the sheer power of that movie.
George Bailey is my idol in so many ways. A quite man who just does his duty. Jimmy Stewart plays Bailey with such an earnest goodness that it is nearly comical in our cynical and jaded age.
In some ways this is actually a dark movie. A good man pushed to the edge of despair by a greedy evil banker. Bailey is actually contemplating suicide in the beginning, but would never do it because of the bad effects it would have on people he cares about.
This common and good man who believes he has never done or achieved anything of significance is given a glimpse of what life would be without him and is able to see the deep impact that simple goodness can have on the lives of people around him.
It is a movie that could never be made today, it seems sappy and naive. But that is it’s power. It shows the way life could and should be. It is an incredible story of hope and redemption for a hardworking and honest man.
Though I have seen this movie at least 25 times over the past 35 years I still have tears in my eyes when I see all the townspeople rally around George in the end.
What this movie really shows clearly is the way your life can interact with others friends, family and acquaintances if you are a kind and giving person.
If we had a world full of George Baileys, rather than Mr. Potters, the world would be an incredible place.
Thanks for having a wonderful competition and reading my rant.
Dear Steve, I am so glad I checked my spam folder – Unfortunately your comment initially ended up there and I am so happy I didn’t miss it. Thank you for being our Contestant #19 and I just put this movie in my Netflix queue. I have never watched it and have heard so much about it. Thank you for the beautiful “rant” and please do stay tuned for results!!
Wow, I’ve been so caught up in starting my newest venture I almost forgot to come back! Glad I saw you comment on another website, Farnoosh!
Okay…my favorite movie…is a SUPER hard choice. I will have to say Star Trek: The Search for Spock. First reason its way up there for me is that I am a die hard trekkie LOL Another reason is that it shows the power of friendship.
For those not familar with the movies, Spock had died and then was shot towards a planet that was being remade by something called the Genesis device that Khan set loose in the previous movie. In this movie Kirk and crew go back to what has been named the Genesis planet to look for Spock. They go against what is a maxim in the series–”The good of the many out weight the good of the one or the few”. In this case, they risked much for a dear friend and colleague. It is a moving movie to watch, especially if you run it back to back with its predecessor.
I could have named so many movies, to tell the truth. But you suggested an older one (this is from the 80′s I think? Now I am telling my age lol) and I wanted something different…just because I like to stand out
Awesome contest and great entries so far. Looking forward to seeing more entries and the winners! Best of luck to us all
Hi Gurl,
Thank you for being our Contestant #20! Already a lucky number!
Well, you know I have to tell you that the two other judges are big Star Trek fans – huge in fact -and I have never watched an episode. My husband sat me down years ago to show me all of Star Wars – which I LOVED but Star Trek, still on the horizon for me – so thank you for the nudge. No matter, it doesn’t matter whether we have watched the movies or not, it matters how you as a player articulate the effect of the movie on you and thank you for doing so! Stay tuned and thanks so much for the RTs!!
Dear Farnoosh, Dear jury of Prolific Living:
It is almost impossible for me to go into the great garden, full of fruit, for eating only UN apple.
- UN apple!? No! I prefer not knocking at the door! I have at least a “Top 10″.
-”Top 10″?
-Oh, no more!
First of all let me mention some of these valuable movies and tell the jury that in eBay I am ready to sell one of my kidney but my movies, never ever!
The movies like Tokyo Story (Yasojiro Ozu), Vertigo (Alfred Hitchcock), 7 Samurai (Akira Kurosawa ), The Bicycle Thief ( Vittorio De Sica ), “Nuovo Cinema Paradiso” (Giuseppe Tornatore), Citizen Kane (Orson Welles), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Miloš Forman), Paris Texas (Wim Wenders), Irma la Douce (Billy Wilder) and….
Next, I will try to tell you why it is so difficult to go to a great fruit garden for eating only un apple…..!”
OK, Abbas, you got me. You have such a beautiful reason to not say one favorite film and you have contributed so much already with your thoughts and I did say this is an exercise in writing and articulation of our thoughts so I am going to have you as our Contestant #21 with your top 10 and your love of film. Beautiful entry, thank you and stay tuned!
Hi Farnoosh!
One of my all-time favorite movies is Ever After starring Drew Barrymore. The movie is a modern Cinderella tale with a twist – instead of the usual damsel in distress, the Cinderella, Danielle (portrayed by Drew) is a girl who is smart, very educated/knowledgeable, not afraid to stand-up what’s right and even knows martial arts. Such would be qualities that many deem as masculine, yet Danielle is at the same time so feminine too – she’s soft, passionate about life, has a beautiful smile, respects others and dainty. I feel this film makes a very strong statement to females that it’s possible to be strong and successful, and still be feminine too. I love Drew’s portrayal of Danielle, the plot and how the story unfolds itself. This film definitely has a special place in my heart 
.
I love it already – I am Princess Danielle
!! And I think, so are you Celes! Thank you so much for being our Contestant #22 with a movie I have not seen but can’t wait to watch! Thank you for sharing your favorite film and for participating. Drew Barrymore, you can’t go wrong with her in any role. Stay tuned!
Hi Farnoosh, One of my favorite movies is an Italian movie, Not of This World (Fuori Dal Mondo). It’s about a nun Caterina, who is about to take her final vows. While walking through a park, a jogger hands her an infant that he found while jogging. She takes the baby to the hospital and through a dry cleaning tag on the sweater the baby was wrapped in attempts to find the mother. The sweater belongs to the owner of the dry cleaner who gave it to a former employee. He reluctantly helps Caterina at first and then they become friends. During this time they discover things about themselves during their search to find the mother of the abandoned infant.
Finding the infant raises many questions to Caterina about her chosen vocation. One of the more poignant scenes is where Caterina, who visits the baby daily in the hospital, is outside of the nursery looking at him and the other babies. Several of the new mothers crowd her out. Caterina’s own mother can’t understand why she would choose this vocation and there are seeming always questions about her choice.
I don’t want to give anything away, but up until the end, you did not know what she would choose. Very moving and well made movie.
Dear Janice, how nice that you entered the contest and with a film I have not heard of so thank you for being our Contestant #23 and for your beautiful description of Caterina’s adventures, sans spoilers no less. Stay tuned and thank you for playing!
She takes out the gun, swings her arm with professional perfection and fires the gun with a smile on her face—the smile of someone about to die in a second.
The bullet thrusts forward, in a circular trajectory, hitting and passing through the head of every guy standing in the circle—the circle that surrounded Wesley. And the whole fraternity, except Sloan (the founder) dies there, just like fate wanted them to.
That was one of the final scenes from Wanted (2008). A movie I recently watched because Angelina Jolie was in it.
Wesley, a common office worker, whose father left him a week after his birth, meets Fox (Angelina Jolie) and that meeting changes his life forever.
He discovers talents that lie hidden, deep inside his genes, and explores the mysterious life that opens it’s arms to him.
One moment, one “chance meeting” changes everything. That is what I love about this movie, and the message that we all have hidden talents, we never dare to explore, but once life forces us to do just that, and we do our homework, our lives change in ways incomprehensible.
Intriguing and I love your writing style, Abubakar. Thank you for playing and your thought and effort into a beautiful description. You are our Contestant #24! Stay tuned for results while I go put this one in my Netflix queue!
Dear Farnoush
Another wonderful idea form prolific living…and the biggest reward will not be the gift card for sure but a list of good and memorable movies that will be personal,objective and based on our like-minded minds and everyone here will benefit form equaly.
Like many others here it is hard for me to pick a movie from my long list of favorites but as being influential is the main criteria the trophy goes to “MatchPoint” by Woody Allen.
The plot revolves around a former tennis player who falls for his brother in-laws Ex fiance.Kind of twist which is not easily handled in real life.
After the girl(Scarlett Johansson) becomes pregnant and refuses the abortion, the guy tries to kill her in order to keep his secret.I rather do not reveal anymore of the story in case that anyone here still has not see this movie.
“MatchPoint” may not be the best movie ever but to me it simplisized the way I look at the things in life.It hit me in the right time and on the right spot.
At the time that I was so desperately looking for reasons and causes “MatchPoint” showed me the alternate mechanism which could be as much important in life …. LUCK .
Dear Navid, so very happy you decided to participate on the Movie Contest. You are our Contestant #25! And gosh, another movie that I have not seen. This is growing out of control but in a great way! Thanks again for the wonderful description, void of spoilers, and stay tuned for results!
Farnoosh, what a great idea to allow us to share what inspired us!
For me, its easy. I watched the movie Gandhi over 20 years ago and it profoundly changed me. Here was a man who believed in his truth and stuck to his principles to the end.
Through his example, courage and leadership, not only was India (and Pakistan) freed from British rule, but he has inspired the generations since, to follow his example of leading a noble life of truth.
After watching this movie first time around, I intensely studied Gandhi’s life and teachings. I also watch the DVD again every couple of years as a reminder of his message.
I would like to think that I follow his teachings and apply some of his lessons in my life. Indeed two of my most popular blog articles ever are based on Gandhi’s message.
As Gandhi said, be the change you want to see in the world.
Thanks again Farnoosh for allowing me this space to share just what inspires me.
Arvind, a magnificent choice from an equally magnificent blogger friend. Thank you for entering the contest with your eloquent description of this movie and for being our Contestant #26!! Really and truly, thank YOU, Arvind, for bringing Ghandi’s light to this space for us. Stay tuned for results!
Thanks Farnoosh for your kind words.
I just wanted to add that my abiding memory of watching the Gandhi movie in a central London cinema all those years ago, is reading on the screen what Einstein said:-
“Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.”
Tears streamed down my face as I read this and somehow that became a defining moment of my life.
Arvind, thank you for sharing more. (I will add that to your contest entry too). Stay tuned just a few more days. And thank you for telling me correct spelling of his name is Gandi!!
Seven lives. Seven strangers. Seven pounds. Seven pounds is a reference to William Shakespeare’s play “The Merchant of Venice” in which one of the characters is required to give a pound of his own flesh to repay a debt. It is also the name of my favorite movie. Will Smith stars as Tim Thomas, a man living with immense regret after causing a car accident which ended the life of seven people. The movie follows Tim post-accident and lets viewers step into his head and heart as he does the near impossible, redeems himself. This movie touched me deeply because it led me through the journey of someone accepting what they have done and dealing with the harsh consequences that followed. Tim feels the need to save seven lives to make up for the seven he took. This movie reminded me that good deeds can cancel out bad deeds. It reminded me that we can’t change what has happened in the past but we can shape our future. And most importantly, that one has to forgive themselves, eventually, for the mistakes they’ve commited. This movie also encouraged me to become an organ doner and to look into donating bone marrow. All in all, this power film changed me in more ways than I ever expected to be changed by a movie.
Hi Negar, thank you so very much for being our Contestant #27 and with yet another film for yours truly to watch. A pretty deep one from what you are saying. So just to clarify: Your movie name is “Seven Pounds” for the entry, right? I looked it up and just wanted to see if the opening lines were just a play on words by you! Thanks so much and stay tuned!!!
one of my favorite films is match point.
The man who said: “I’d rather be lucky than good” saw deeply into life. People are afraid to face how great a part of life is dependent on luck. It’s scary to think so much is out of one’s control. There are moments in a match when the ball hits the top of the net, and for a split second, it can either go forward or fall back. With a little luck, it goes forward, and you win. Or maybe it doesn’t, and you lose
When the film start; you faced these words and you thought about. Maybe it means are you sure you are a real good human or you choose beneficence because you are a timorous person?
You think about yourself and chance. If you were sure everything proceed as you want; did you still choose beneficence?
Maybe it’s a bitter reality that most people choose to be a good person; because they aren’t sure they may be lucky.
It’s about a man who is a tennis player. He fall in love his friend’s girl friend but because of station get married his friend’s sister. But his friend and his girl friend separate and he start to find her …
If you are bored because all stories have same last and you love surprised; you can see it and enjoy.
I really appreciate because of your nice weblog
I love match point; because it have nice regard to life. it is something new and unbelievable.It have a nice idea about our life. maybe sometimes we should believe chance!
Thank you Mona for participating in the movie contest and being our Contestant #28. I have not seen Match Point. But I believe in luck and luck has played a huge part in my life. I think it is sad and true that a lot of life depends on luck but we can also find our luck…..perhaps? Thanks again and stay tuned!!
Hi Farnoosh! You’re welcome! Thanks for the opportunity! Yes, the name of the movie is “Seven Pounds”. Rent it!
I shall – I shall. You know I am headed to the film festival in Toronto soon so I will be watching HEAPS of movies there too…..It’s never too many though.
!
1985.
It is 1985. The world is much smaller than it is now. No internet, no cable TV, no long-distance holidays. There are not many possibility to escape from daily life, exploring new worlds and new people….
What happened back in 1985? There was this kid, 15 years old. He was crazy about movies as well as astronomy. On clear nights he stepped outside in the garden and looked for a spot where the street and city lights would not bother and distract him. He needed complete darkness to search for the zodiac signs in the sky. Or wait for a falling star…
As a teenager he had his own troubles. He was not the most popular guy at school, but he felt comfort in the ways he found for himself to escape daily life. Away from troubles, away from pressure to perform.
Watching the stars he dreamed about space travels, light years away from earth. If he would become an astronaut and was asked to go on a space journey for years and years, would he go and leave everything behind? If aliens would visit the earth, from another galaxy, would he be tempted to go with them?
The answer was always definitely yes. He didn’t think about the rest of his life, his future. He was looking for moments of escape. But then again, would he be that one person that would be picked by aliens? Could he be the chosen one?
It was all about imagination. For him, escaping the real world was possible only by using his imagination. And then he watched a movie. The one movie that made such an impact on him, that he has never forgotten one single scene, ever. A movie that showed exactly the way he felt. That movie was called Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Today.
Looking back I realise that Close Encounters is about dreams, dreams to escape and to explore the undiscovered. Outer space has and will always inspire people to dream about new worlds and new opportunities. When I was young I felt jealous about Roy Neary, the main character who was chosen by the aliens, together with a couple of other people, to join them. He received this strange signals drawing him to a remote area in Wyoming. Nothing could stop him, he was ready to leave earth and discover a new world, a new life.
Don’t we all feel like that sometimes? I still love watching this movie. When I watch it I suddenly go back in time. I feel a teenager again. And at the end I am full of positive energy, ready to enjoy and explore!
Last Fabulous Post by Emiel was Bathing in holy water at Pura Tirta Empul
Dear Emiel, a very moving, touching, deep and flawless write-up for a movie that I have not watched but feel your passion for. Thank you so much for playing the contest and for being our Contestant #29! I am thrilled to have you here and do stay tuned for results. Thank you for the touching description!!
Can you imagine living the same day over and over? That’s the premise of my all-time favorite movie, Groundhog Day. At first Bill Murray plays it for laughs, and his character–a cynical TV weatherman named Phil–uses his unique dilemma for selfish gain. He drives drunk, gorges on pastry, declares undying love to an unsuspecting one-night stand, and steals from an armored truck, all with no consequences. He also tries to learn everything he can about his idealistic producer, Rita, for the sole purpose of manipulating her into bed.
But then the movie goes to unexpected, hilariously dark places. Phil eventually gets tired of his empty, hedonistic existence and decides to kill himself. Alas, he can’t even do that! No matter how gruesome his suicide, he still wakes up again on February 2, to the maddening strains of Sonny and Cher.
The real joy of watching the movie comes as Phil gradually realizes that the only way to find true happiness is to be kind, help others, feel real love, and be the best self he can be, every day. What seems at first to be just another comedy turns out to be a touching, smart, deeply spiritual movie.
I watch it every Groundhog Day and never get tired of it.
Last Fabulous Post by Denise was Trader Joe’s–Worth the Hype
Denise, thank you for playing the contest and oh yes, a fun movie The GroundHog day which my husband seems to appreciate more than me. Great description too! I can’t imagine going through the same day over and over again but of course it’s a brilliant movie. Thank you for being our Contestant #30!! We are very close to the results so stay tuned!
Excellent! We had 30 fantastic contestants and the contest closed on Friday, Sept 3rd. Look for new results in the post on Friday, September 10th!!! Thank you so so much for playing in this contest and all your fantastic ideas about films. Long live the love of film!
Last Fabulous Post by Farnoosh was Third Audio Podcast- On 5 Pillars of Health
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