Another “Pat inspired” question! (You need to cut it out, Pat!)
I’ve always loved movies that when I leave, I’m looking closely at myself: would I have been “admirable and brave” on “The Titanic” or said "DAMN women and kids; I’m outta’ here! Would I be the fearless warrior or soldier, or the one who broke under fire or betrayed the cause? Would I have been the one who stood up for what was right, or been the bigot or the hatemonger? Tough stuff…
I saw “Jack Bull” for the umpteenth time the other night. John Cusack plays Myrl Redding, an honest rancher who becomes the brutal victim of a wealthy neighbor, Henry Ballard (L.Q. Jones), when he disagrees with him about political issues. After Ballard’s men torture two of his prized horses, it’s up to Redding to exact some revenge. John Goodman portrays the ethical judge who must make a decision in condemning or excusing his actions.
I think that it’s a strong film, FULL of ethical issues, and it makes me look at myself.
What did you guys think of the film? (It’s an HBO original).
I am currently helping with a Associate Professor in creating his list of movies for a class he'll be teaching this summer. I've got cinema (as well as art) on the brain!
I know what you mean about the Titanic. While I'm not a big fan of the movie - watching the sinking of the ship did get to me. Could I have been so brave and bold during such a crisis? But that's the beauty of movies. When the theater lights go down and the room darkens, you enter that world on the big screen. Each one of us takes away something different. We interpret what we have watched differently. You may look for things that represent bravery and honor or use your movie experience to inspire you to train harder in the gym, or be a better person outside the gym. I may use my experience to jump start my creativity for later in my art studio. It's amazing what just a 90-minute or 120-minute movie can do. Which is why I'm always looking for the flicks that get my brain jumping - be it a action/adventure, fantasy, comedy or drama. The genre doesn't matter at all. I just love a good movie.
We don't have HBO. But I'd like to see this one. I'm a big John Cusack fan.
The movie that really made me question myself was “Saving Private Ryan”. I sat there in that dark theater and thought back to when I was 18. Would I have had the courage to keep pushing forward on that beach, or would I have froze and died. As much as I like to think I’m a badass, I’m still not sure what would have happened.
It’s funny you mention “Jack Bull”. I too am a big John Cusack fan. We began watching this movie one night at work when one of the guys who had already seen it, mentioned the horse torture part. I left the room as I could’nt bare the thought of watching that scene. I know it’s just a movie, but movie’s depicting animal torture or abuse fuck me up for a long time. I don’t care much for humans, but I don’t deal well with innocent animals being hurt. The guys all said it was a great movie though. I know what you mean about wondering if you could do the honourable and brave thing the characters in movies do. I’ve often noticed it’s the ordinary guy who’s capable of extraordinary actions in tough situations. I love movies for making me think about things like this. It’s good to examine yourself like this every once in awhile.