I. like many other people on this spinning globe enjoy a good film or two. Even a long running television series.
But is it all a means of escapism or is it something deeper?
Let’s discuss.
Ever since I was young I’d been captivated by various characters and their stories through television, the screen and in books.
I remember having a real love for Pokémon as a child and it drove me to write stories of my own.
I was a kid that loved to play and goof off and spend time with my friends. As a child I had many things I could be doing but I often found myself sitting in front of the television a lot or buried in a book.
Was that child at that age looking for a means of escape or was he simply fascinated with the colorful and boisterous worlds that appeared out in front of him?
I would go with the latter. I know that film and television can be a means of escape for many from the daily droll of modern day life and it can be a problem. But not for me. I still do things I want to get done. I’ll admit that a lot of times I don’t find my life as exciting as the stories on the screen and escapism may play a small part but there’s something bigger at play.
For me stories are a way of life. Stories, whether fictional or factual, inspire me, put me in a different state of mind and motivate me to write stories of my own. Anything that inspires you to create or break up your daily monotonous routine is purely worth it.
I’ve created stories since I was a little boy and new stories inspire me to create more and give me new ideas.
It’s not to say that you can’t have too much of it. Yes, you should get out and make your dreams come true and not live your life through fictional characters but stories bring people together, get them talking, inspire and motivate.
This is a question I’ve asked myself because maybe deep down there is more I could be doing but by no means are movies/entertainment a waste of time by any means.
I think it all lies in the balance between the two. Consuming and creating. In this world today it’s hard not to be a consumer but whether you end up a victim is entirely up to you.
I used to find the reality of life to be rather boring. Painful even. In real life you’re put through school in a pipeline fashion since you’re physically able to speak and come out as an adult and suddenly you’re supposed to know what you want to be forever.
If you choose the wrong career it could mean failure, so you better choose wisely. Thinking this way can make life seem like it’s all a game of survival. We have to constantly protect ourself from “threats” like back stabbing friends or people holding us back.
Yeah, life can appear rather boring and dismal. After all you can’t fly, you don’t have superpowers and you can’t teleport anywhere at whim. Sigh.
This is why from a young age I’ve always been drawn towards stories of fantasy and adventure. Journeys across strange worlds in search of treasure or power. It seemed a lot more exciting compared to my real life and oftentimes I wished I could live in these fantasy worlds but… this is reality. And in the real world there are no superpowers, you can’t fly…
But wait! That’s not entirely true. In the real world there are superpowers. They just don’t involve laser vision and invisibility.
For some, a superpower can be the ability to walk up to a cashier and order food in a concise manner without stumbling or stuttering over your words.
A superpower can be asking that girl out that you’ve always dreamt of dating but never had the courage to do so until now.
A superpower can simply be the courage to follow your dreams and not be worried about failing or letting anyone down.
So can life be an adventure with superpowers and flying? Well… maybe not flying like a bird in the literal sense but absolutely!
We’ve all heard of adventures like climbing a mountain, spending a retreat in the woods or traveling the world but what about right here in your hometown? Can you make your adventure there?
More and more life is becoming like an adventure for me. Even things that people see as mundane I see differently. I see everything almost as a game and there are levels. Every-time you try something new or face a fear, you expand. That’s a level up. Every-time you do something you’ve done a million times but with a different attitude, that’s a new level. It’s a new you.
Yes life can seem dreary and dull but it will stay like that until you start doing the things that excite you, make you happy and bring you satisfaction.
There’s a million opportunities a day. Don’t plan anything, just go where the wind takes you. But follow your heart and everyday will seem like an adventure.
One of my favorite film directors is none other than Quentin Tarantino. After watching Kill Bill, I immediately fell in love with his style of directing. His style and use of aesthetics is inspiring to me in the sense that I’m also very much into aesthetics. His use of dialogue in the films is superb. I often feel engrossed and apart of these conversations between characters even when it’s something as trivial sounding as “should you tip?”
This is his eight films, in my opinion, in order from least liked to most liked. I’ll try not to spoil that much.
Let’s Dive in.
Jackie Brown (1997)
We’re starting off the list with Jackie Brown at #8. Jackie Brown itself is a fantastic movie. Really, all of Tarantino’s movies are great films but if I had to put one at the bottom it would be Jackie Brown. Not for any particular reason. I don’t have many qualms about Jackie Brown. The story was really engaging, the characters were interesting, Pam Grier did amazing as Jackie, and the soundtrack gets high marks. That opening scene is one of my favorites in any movie. Oh, and Kangol hats.
Inglorious Basterds (2009)
Inglorious Basterds is a great film because the backdrop for it is the second world war of which I am deeply fascinated. Add to that Quentin’s style of directing and you have yourself a masterpiece. So many memorable moments from this movie. Like the basement scene that keeps you on the edge or when the “Bear Jew” clobbers that nazi to death. Because of the ending where things go up in flames literally, I’m not sure whether to give this movie five stars or withhold my praise but nonetheless a great Tarantino film.
The Hateful Eight (2015)
I can always watch The Hateful Eight again. It’s one of those movies with high re-watch value. Still I didn’t want to put it at the top of the list for a couple of reasons. Even though this is part of what made it a good film, the fact that it was filmed mostly in one cabin makes it less exciting. That is, until someone poisons the coffee. Quentin’s excessive use of racial slurs in the movie is off-putting. Even though some instances it’s downright comical. I understand that this takes place in the reconstruction era but I still think it was too much. Samuel L. Jackson’s character Major Marquis Warren steals the show. If eight non-trusting strangers strapped with pistols in a cabin while a raging blizzard goes on outside sounds like you’re type of thing. You’ll like this movie.
Django Unchained (2012)
Django Unchained is a movie I didn’t see coming out of hollywood. A runaway slave becomes a bounty hunter and helps a German bounty hunter capture men who’ve broken the law. Eventually they set out to rescue Django’s damsel in distress, Broomhilda. The comedic timing is perfect and the action was exciting as well. Django’s vengeance against his oppressors is quite satisfying as well. Definitely one of my favorites.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Pulp Fiction is an absolute classic. Hands down. You’ll never forget Jules, Vincent, Mia and Butch. These are just unforgettable characters and are written really well and feel down to earth. There’s a lot of quotables in the movie like “Zed’s dead, baby. Zed’s dead.” And Jules’ famous quoting of the bible. I think what makes this movie stand out is just the style and of course the storytelling. Everything stands out in this movie and it’s everyone’s favorite. Just not mine.
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Reservoir Dogs is Quentin’s first film and it deserves a spot at top three. Just the opening scene alone deserves so much merit. I can’t forget the conversation about tipping at the restaurant. It served as a great hook but that’s not all. In the beginning the lot of them seem real chummy but only one of them knows what’s about to go down. I like how Quentin started off the movie after the heist had already taken place and the climax so to speak had already happened. The characters get introduced into the present one by one. Someone among them set them up but they don’t know who. I honestly didn’t see it coming when it was revealed! The ending with Mr. White holding Mr. Orange in his arms is just powerful. Spectacular ending. I should have watched it sooner!
Deathproof (2007)
When I first began watching Deathproof, I didn’t think I would like it. More than halfway into the film I told myself “this is going to be one of my favorite films by him.” And so, it is. It made it to the top of the list. What seemed cheesy at first quickly became exciting. Kurt Russel’s Stuntman Mike proved an exceptional villain. The choppy editing took some getting used to but eventually I saw what Quentin was going for. Stuntman Mike seemed downright evil, that is until the Tennessee posse got him. Then he was crying like a baby! I like some girl power. I don’t think I can get that cheerleader in yellow and the yellow mustang out of my head.
Kill Bill (2003)
Maybe Quentin has a thing for yellow? Yes, Kill Bill is number one on my list. Honestly, what did you expect? Should have used foreshadowing. Yes, this is the darling that made me a fan. Packed with quotables, unforgettable costumes, villains, and insane action. Again, I like some girl power and Beatrix Kiddo is the epitome of that. A wounded bride who lost her baby at the hands of an evil organization sets out to exact revenge on those who wronged her. With a samurai sword. Yeah. There isn’t a plotline more perfect. Also throw in a bunch of campiness, movie references and you got yourself a recipe for an iconic success.
Well that was Tarantino’s films ranked by me. If you had a different opinion, don’t take it so serious. Some films are more recent in memory and so I can pull more stuff from them. Not objective by any means.
Well, thank you for reading. I think I will do this series with other directors (no promises) but thank you for tuning in.
I’m a pretty big dreamer. I can call myself that. But nothing more magnifies this idea than my actual dreams. At night I dream expansive imaginative worlds with their own narration. None of them like the other.
Often times, like most I suppose, I forget that I’m living a dream and when I wake up there are a few moments where I have to ground myself in reality and think “that was a dream.”
It’s often said dreams are a portal to another world. I’ve heard it been said that dreams are the reality and we’re actually in the dream during our waking hours. I don’t know about all of that but I do know that in my dreams are encased my fears, anxieties, emotions, hopes, dreams. Things that I don’t normally express during my waking hours.
It’s almost like a little playground where one can act out the deepest inclinations of their mind. Although, sometimes I’m surprised by what I dream, it can be horrifying.
While dreams aren’t always pleasant, they can also be a way to connect to others vicariously. Maybe you’d like to say sorry to someone whose trust you broke. Maybe you want to finally say goodbye to that late family member, properly.
In dreams, I get to interact with those in my life who are important to me but are miles and miles away. In dreams I get to talk to them face to face, I can hold them and feel them. It’s a way for me to deal with the emotional burden of them not being here and sometimes there are moments in dreams I wish I could actually live.
Last night I had a dream that a friend sent me a video of them in New York City. It was snowing and it was apparently Christmas by the garments that they had on. I went outside and there were Christmas decorations everywhere. I went up a long hill and raised my head to see the sky was filled with dazzling stars. What a beautiful dream. So beautiful, I had to immortalize it forever in a drawing. Which I often gawk at because I know I’ll never get that dream back.
But hey, you never know. Life is just dreams waiting to be made reality.
I wonder though, if someone could remember every detail of their dreams from while they were asleep, I’m sure there’d be movie scripts, inventions and lucrative ideas just waiting to be expanded upon.
I’ve been meaning to make this post for a couple of days now. I just had this feeling that I had something to say. As I type this, I’m still not sure what it is. I suppose it will come naturally.
Recently I finished a very good book and watched a very impactful movie that brought to my attention struggles from the past I was unaware of. In school, I learned about several atrocities but just seeing these events unraveled in such detail really opened my eyes.
These peoples’ struggling hit me particularly hard and made me wonder about my own situation. These are my brothers and sisters going through a hard time. It made me realize just how fortunate I am to lead the life I lead.
I’ve never had to eat out of the trash to survive. I’ve never had to eat bugs to survive. I’ve never watched my mother or father die before my very eyes.
All these thoughts brought up in me a conviction. I felt that I had a duty to help alleviate suffering however I can.
We all suffer the same. Doesn’t matter what color, creed, or flag you are. Anyone suffering out there is a brother or sister in need. If I could help them in any way I’d be happy.
I guess that’s what this post is about mostly. I wanted to write about it so I wouldn’t become passive and go back to living my middle class life in a first world country.
I want to be of service.
A question. Why do people seek peace through violence? It seems that it would be common sense this is counter-intuitive but history shows it doesn’t come naturally to everybody.
I’m a pretty big dreamer. I can call myself that. But nothing more magnifies this idea than my actual dreams. At night I dream expansive imaginative worlds with their own narration. None of them like the other.
Artistic Apathy 