Day Seven:

Day 7: 5 Favorite Movies

1. Amelie

Released: November 2, 2001(USA)

Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet

French film about a woman named Amelie. Her character is innocent and playful, with an interesting, if not somewhat sad, childhood upbringing. She lives a humble life in Paris, always wanting to do good in the world and make things right. She goes out on a mission to help others and along the way falls in love with a soul mate. This movie always makes me feel good and hopeful. 

2. Pan's Labyrinth

Released: December 29, 2006

Directed by Guillermo del Toro

Spanish film in the style of a dark fantasy. Deals with era of WWII fascist Spain and a pregnant mother and her young daughter who come to live with a ruthless captain for the Spanish army. The historical narrative is coupled with the young girl's imaginative obsession with fairy tales and how she uses that world to escape the brutalities and horrors of her real life. The cinematography and special effects in this movie are amazing. 

3. Kill Bill, Volume 1 & 2

Released: 2003-2004

Directed by Quentin Tarantino

Epic two-part film action/thriller film, in the style of Tarantino, (aka over-the-top blood and guts, stylistic homages to past cinematic styles like Italian spaghetti westerns, old Kung-Fu films and 1970s cheesy action flicks). It's the saga of one Bad Ass Motha and her revenge on those who tried to kill her. In particularly, a fellow by the name of "Bill". I love a good revenge story, especially one with a bad ass heroine. 

4. Braveheart

Released: May 19, 1995

Directed by Mel Gibson

Speaking of epic revenge stories, how could I have a top 5 movie list without this one? Seriously. I know it's on everyone's top movie list and seems pretty banal to include this, but I gots to. Because I can watch this over and over and still tear up. The love story, the family, the loyalty, the betrayal, the injustices and the battles to fight good vs pure evil, and the history! Oh and, yeah, it won a ton of Oscars that year and for good reason. Oh god, just talking about it gets me all fired up. 

5. Boogie Nights

 Released: October 10, 1997

Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson

"Everyone has one special thing". This film is about the rise and fall of a 1970's porn star, dubbed "Dirk Diggler" (based loosely on the life of real-life porn prodigy John Holmes). It's like this movie was made for Mark Wahlberg. The soundtrack is awesome too. I love how it shows the drastic change of boom times to bust and how it affects everyone's life along the way.