Category: Movie Monday

Gone With The Wind

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You get to spend a day inside your favorite movie. Tell us which one it is — and what happens to you while you’re there.

Growing up I loved Gone With the Wind. Scarlett O’Hara was the first stubborn, manipulative, capable female character, I connected with. She was my role model. Being a child, I didn’t notice her relationship difficulties or three husbands. I only had eyes for the fact that she could do anything she set her mind to and everyone loved her even those who hated her.

This year is 75 years since Gone with The Wind was released. Today, through Daily Prompt, I have the opportunity to become involved in this great movie and see what it teaches me. Coming from Australia I knew little about American history, the setting of this movie. It is a civil war romance and the passion for the cause was something that I had never seen before. This backdrop to the story gives it drama and purpose. Casting the main characters correctly— Scarlett and Rhett—was so important to the director that he held up production until both were available. A secret that did pay off in the end with the film winning 10 Academy Awards including Hattie McDaniel—the first African American to win an Oscar for her role as Mammie.

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Photo Credits: Google

The story theme for me was Scarlett’s determination to do whatever she had to for herself and her family. This was in strong opposition to the role many women played putting others before themselves and not standing up for their rights.

Scarlett-OHara

Photo Credits: Google

Scarlett’s strength was the focus of much controversy, but also admired by others. Unfortunately for Scarlett, she didn’t understand herself well and was guilty of not thinking about the consequences before taking action.

So what have I learnt from my time with Gone With The Wind?

  • Believe in yourself.
  • Do what you have to do, but to be truly successful consider the impact of your actions on others. You may still go ahead anyway—plan for problems.
  • Change is necessary.
  • Don’t judge a book by its cover. Support can come from the anyone at anytime.
  • Ask for what you need.
  • Sometimes you need to wait for the timing to be right. Don’t settle for second best.
  • Freedom is worth fighting for.
  • If you want something done, do it yourself.
  • Don’t give up.
  • Hard work can rebuild your life.

And lastly my favourite quote:

scarlett tomorrow

Photo Credits: Google

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/fourth-wall/

Madeline

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“In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines. In two straight lines they broke their bread and brushed their teeth and went to bed. They smiled at the good and frowned at the bad and sometimes they were very sad. They left the house at half past nine in two straight lines in rain or shine — the smallest one was Madeline.”

Growing up as a teenager I loved the Madeline books. Because I was studying French, I thought I was clever because I could also read the French version. From memory, the opening paragraph of the movie (above) is also the opening paragraph of the books. I like this as it automatically places you in the scene, allowing you to understand the order, values and safety in their lives.

Recently, I watched Madeline again, reliving many memories from my younger years. Madeline, (the only orphan of the group) is always getting into trouble but she has a big heart and connects easily with people of all ages. She and her friends have many adventures or break outs from the order of their lives—each one dealing with many different issues. Somehow, having these issues or movie themes addressed in a children’s movie seems to give them more power. The themes and life lessons I found Miss Clavel and her twelve little girls address through their adventures include:

1.Problem solving skills

2. Loyalty

3. The importance of friendships

4. Abandonment

5. Speaking your mind

6. Stray animals

7. Believing in yourself

8. Class distinction

9. Connecting with others

10. Standing up for what you believe in

11. Looking after each other

12. Orphans

13. Greed

14. Animal rights

15. PETA (People for the ethical treatment of animals)

16. Peer pressure

17. Hospitalization

18. Fun

19. Loss/Death

20. Change

21. Rich verses poor

22. Paris lifestyle

23. The Arts

24. Children’s education

25. Criminal activity

26. Rescuing others

27. Animal instincts

28. Attempting to fit into society

29. Vegetarianism

30. Family traditions

Next time you are considering a movie for all generations give Madeline a try. It has something for everyone. For a young girl Madeline has a strong and lovable personality. The movie has many lovable characters and has someone for everyone. Which movie character do you connect with the most?

 

 

 

 

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel-Themes

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Do you have movies that hold meaning for you from the first time you see them? What are the themes or life lessons of theses movie? Why do you enjoy it so much? One of these movies for me is the The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

The first time I saw this movie was at the cinemas when it was first released. I had free movie tickets I needed to use before their expiry and I thought it looked like it would be fun. To me however, it turned out to be much more and I wanted to know why.

Recently, it was on television so I planned my night around it to ensure I didn’t miss seeing it again. This time, whilst still enjoying it, I was able to pick out the themes and life lessons it addressed, which helped me to understand my connection. Which ones do you connect with or did you get something else from the movie?

1. Finding your individual way in a world that is changing around you.

2. Growing older.

3. Cultural diversity.

4. Knowing when a relationship is past its expiry date.

5. Finding lost love.

6. Loneliness.

7. Listening and responding to others.

8. Treating people with respect and dignity.

9. Sexual Identity.

10. Team Work.

11. Non-compromising Standards.

12. Caste system.

13. Living your dream.

14. Discrimination.

15. Trying to hold things together.

16. Acceptance and understanding.

17. Fatalism.

18. Breaking down barriers.

19. Honesty.

20. Independence.

21. Generation Gap.

22. Having a double set of rules.

23. Set in your ways.

24. Like father, like son.

25. Putting things right.

26. Controlling mother.

27.  Letting go of the past.

28. Moving on.

The main quote used throughout the movie develops more power as the movie progresses. It is  a good code to life by, don’t stop—keep going until you get to the gold at the end of your rainbow.

“Everything will be alright in the end, so if it is not yet alright, it is not yet the end.”

http://youtu.be/dDY89LYxK0w