When Charlie Met Oskar and Liz
Bring out the pop corn! I love movies. Here are my top three favorite films of all time. (I actually intended the list to be top ten but i was too lazy to continue writing, maybe in the future i will list down the runners up.)
3. Hide and Seek
Stars Robert De Niro as David Callaway and playing her daughter Emily is Dakota Fanning. De Niro as usual delivered but Fanning totally surprised me. Before seeing this film I thought she will always be this sweet little girl, this film changed that. In one of her interviews she giggled inexorably when the reporter ask her whether she is already married, and when she laughingly said no, the reporter pressed on and asked if she is already divorced, then she completely lost it.
Acting was phenomenal. Fanning in particular was so effective in portraying her role as a young girl tormented by Charlie – the character who gave me too many sleepless nights.
Emily: I have a new friend.
David: A new friend?
Emily: He told me to call him Charlie.
David: When did you meet Charlie?
Emily: Today.
David: When we went to town?
Emily: Just before that.
David: Is he here right now?
This movie is not your typical demons and zombies flicks but it scared the crap out of me. I was shuddering in fear especially towards the ending when I found out who Charlie really was and at times I was even too afraid to look at the screen. I never had this effect on suspense movies which features ghosts and other freaky ungodly creatures. What made this movie so effectively thrilling was the fact that what torments Emily is not an imaginary being but someone inside her own home. When I found out who Charlie really was, I literally fell off my seat. I still get goose bumps whenever I try to remember the experience.
I won’t reveal too much for the benefit of those who haven’t seen the movie yet. If you want to be taken to a ride of your life, go to video city and grab a copy. Quick!
2. Homeless to Harvard
Apart from Thora Birch who delivered an astounding performance, what made this movie truly especial to me is the fact that it was based on a true story. Peter Levin effectively walked us through the life of Liz Murray, both parents got AIDS, homeless at age fifteen and has to defy the odds to finish school. She never gave up on herself despite all the adversities that seem to suck her all the time and instead continued to go on living.
She eventually got in to Harvard University through a scholarship grant from the New York Post.
This film is so moving and inspiring and it made me feel so ashamed of myself. My schwarmereis are unending. And here is a young girl who always has to struggle, burning both ends of the candle, but still manages to survive. Sometimes realities cut deep but how you react to circumstances makes the difference.
If your spirit doesn’t get lifted by this film, sue me.
1. Schindler’s List
This is the one movie that I always recommend for my friends to watch. I have seen this film countless times but it still makes me cry a river every single time (keep this to yourself ok). I learned a lot from this film, it totally changed my perspective of life. It made me value life so much more, to give as much as possible when able, and to respect every human soul.
Oskar Schindler is not perfect. He was this greedy, vain, womanizing German businessman during the Holocaust. But voila, he’s got a heart of gold! He tried to save as many Jews as possible from being gassed to death by converting his factory into a safe haven for those who seek refuge. He gave up all his fortune in exchange for the lives of over a thousand and a hundred Polish Jews whose names are on The List. He is the person that i try to emulate (not the womanizing thing). I know it is one tough act to follow but at least in my own little ways i try to.
Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Steven Spielberg. No movie can ever top that line up!
