IF 2009

"Movies That Changed Your Life" Submissions

The movies below have been nominated.

High Noon

"The crucial speech of this movie, which I saw when it was new, happens when the sheriff, who is caught--he can either go safely and feel bad about this the rest of his life, or stay and be killed--talks to the judge, who is hastily packing his law books to get out of town, who tells the story of the ancient Greek townspeople who behave humanlike. This was realism. I had not seen much of it in the movies--people behaved either too good or too badly. It changed my life. April Bolton"

2.	Dr. Strangelove: Or how I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb
	"I grew up in the 1950's when we were convinced that we were all going to die in the nuclear holocaust of World War III. "Dr. Strangelove" showed how absurd the policies of the Cold War were, and it made me realize that they could not be sustained, and therefore we werent going to die after all,- and Im still here 45 years after this film came out. John Connolly, U of Kentucky"

3.	Driving Miss Daisy
	"A great movie showing compassion and respect."

4.	Crash
	"The movie deals with racism...today. It did not change my life but the movie took racism today...full circle. Bill Dixon, HENCC "

5.	City of Lost Children
	"This was the first foreign movie that opened up a completely new and bizarre world. Supremely human elements intertwined in a world that could never exist. Weird technology. So visually intriguing that you didn't really need to follow the subtitles."

6.	Crash
	"It gave me so many different perspectives of people and situations to consider that I realized I have to be constantly alert to reactive Judgments and take time to see a broader picture."

7.	When
	""

8.	When We Were Kings
	"This is so important for Louisville to see how courageously Ali lived and how much he tolerated throughout his career, even with humor. My favorite insight is his take on trips to Africa - what a realization - what a HIGH - it must have been to be in the majority. "

9.	Rudy
	"It taught me that regardless of what you've always been told, persistence and tenacity pay off every single time!"

10.	Bella
	"beautiful life-affirming message...some stilted acting and dorky writing is far outweighed by the bigger themes of love and family"

11.

Ruby in Paradise

"Ruby learns she has as much good sense to understand the world as anyone. When you concentrate on your own perceptions, on your own knowledge, you can transcend the role others have set for you and find true spiritual paradise as the person you are at your core. I have not transcended as Ruby did. But, I try. I don't want to be judgmental; I don't want to be bitter. Instead, I want to trust my instincts. I want to respect myself. I want paradise. "

12.	All That Jazz with Roy Scheider
	"This movie brought the life/death/don't waste a minute of it philosophy home to me at a young age. The music, dancing, and human refusal to change your ways even in the face of what will certainly be death was intriguing then, and continues to mesmerize me many years later. and who can resist Ann Reinking?"

13.	Slacker
	"It changed my life in a couple of ways. First, it turned the idea of narrative filmmaking on its ear with its 76 main characters and lack of cohesive plot. Made me rethink what films could be. Second, it showed me that anyone can make a feature film regardless of budget or location. Finally, it inspired me to go to graduate film school."

14.	Mind Walk
	"This movie brought systems theory alive for me and took it to a whole new level of relevance."

15.	Glengarry Glen Ross
	"Mamet's script and the ensemble cast (Jack Lemmon, Alec Baldwin, Al Pacino, Alan Arkin, Kevin Spacey and Ed Harris) are both outstanding. The Alec Baldwin scene, which added for the film version, is one of the best of all-time."

16.

Dream Weavers 2008

"A new documentary of the 8-year preparation of the Beijing Olympic Games 2008, consisting of five story lines: a resident who moved from her village of three generation to make way for the center staduim Bird Nest; the design and construction of the main stadium Bird Nest; a group of gymnastic hopefuls in their training toward 2008; a track althelet's training and the security guards and their trainings for the games. Always controversial and always exciting, the 2008 Olympics is no exception."

17.	Straw Dogs
	"Showed that there was such a thing as justifiable violence. Dustin Hoffman is pushed beyond the pale and tries to be the better man until he is forced to explode into brief,extreme violence in defense of an innocent man. Great flick!"

18.	Heathers
	"I happened upon this film when I was 12 and suddenly this whole smartass, clever, biting comedic world opened up. Not to put it lightly, but this film shaped me by making it okay to be a total weirdo. "

19.	2001: A Space Odyssey
	"Introduced me to Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke works (and later Isaac Asimov's), a love for classical music, a strong appreciation for design, discovery and helped point my interest's into the computer field where I now find myself working in. Michael Biven"

20.	Joe vs. the Volcano
	"illustrative of the entire movie--Meg Ryan's character says, "Daddy says 93% of the people in the world are asleep, the rest of us walk around in a constant state of amazement". Man realizes he's going to die and decides to live...fully. Watch it and call if you have and ?? gibbs dgibbs@blackhseepllc.com"

21.	Cabaret
	"It made me not hate musicals!"

22.	Nights of Cabiria (Fellini)
	"The movie was so desperate and beautiful, so stark but hopeful. It brought out love and happiness from the gutters. Giulietta Masina (the lead) was so charming and her smile and attitude was so amazing considering she was such a gorgeously heartbroken fool. This movie gives me chills, makes me laugh out loud and moves my spirit inexorably."

23.	Wizard of Oz
	"I come from a very large family and this was the one movie event each year where everyone--oldest to the youngest kid--and my parents all sat down together. The older ones would scare the heck out of us little kids with dead on impersonations of the flying monkeys, the wicked witch and the big-headed wizard. We can still quote most of the lines by heart."

24.	Mindwalk 1991
	"It is the very epitome of how man has impacted nature and how nature bends - but only so far - to man's will. The discussion on the physics of energy are so today in terms of their relevance. It is mind-blowing with really great acting - Liv Ullman and Sam Waterston are in it. The movie is now a collector's item though I did manage to track down a DVD version of it - remastered. "

25.	Ground Hog Day
	"Keeps me centered. Best all time movie. If you meet someone and they don't like Ground Hog Day then keep on walking. Seriously, it is a litmus test to see if a person "gets it". BB"

26.

The Harder They Come...or Gandhi for that matter!!!

"The lesson of the harder they come, the harder they fall is a lesson for the ages. Anything worthwhile in life is worth the blood, sweat and tears ...the many rivers to cross.. to get there. 38 years ago I dreamt of designing and building renewable energy based communities and today I am building that dream. The moral strength behind The Harder They Come is part of what propels me on. The same could be said for Gandhi! Mark Isaacs misaacs@legacy-development.com"

27.	Chinatown
	"Roman Polanski reinvents Noir. I am a film maker and Polanski's harsh reality is most romantic."

28.	Enchanted April
	"I related this movie to the spirit and how the darkness of the soul changes when love of, respect for and belief in other's good evolves. Enchanted April helped me to be open to others even when they are not open to me, because of their emotional and spiritual burdens. Further, this movie shows how the hope and aspirations of one person can influence and bring happiness to the lives of others."

29.	killer of sheep
	"you have to watch the movie"

30.	Freedom Writers
	"It has inspired me to believe in other regardless of their background, ethnicity, financial status. It also inspired me to give positive reinforcement and encouragement to help other believe in themselves , even when no one else will believe in them.It was an amazing movie, I highly recommend it!!"

31.	Dreams, by Akira Kurasawa
	"understanding and clarity and art emerging from dismal situations in 7 or so different dreams. It is wonderfully poetic and the visual and the aural work is phenomenal. I must watch this movie several times a year. It would be so fantastic to watch this beauty on a large screen. Gwen Burke"

32.
	""

33.	Wizard of Oz
	"Wizard of Oz, furnishes, among other things, the elements for business success: brains, courage, & heart. I keep clear focus on these these elements every business day. "

34.	The Razor's Edge (1984)
	"It puts life in the proper perspective."

35.

info re: Nick Clooneys book "The Movies That Changed Us"

"Following is the link to a review of Nick Clooneys book that parallels your 08 Film Series theme. He is very clear that his tpp movie picks are based on movies that changed us, not his all-time favorites. He is a brilliant writer. How wonderful it would be to have him as a speaker! If you need his contact info, please feel free to contact me. Thanks, Evy McKemie emckemie@hotmail.com home: 502-244-0770 cell: 502-299-0770 "

36.	Amelie
	"Amelie was not only a visually poetic film to me, it was also immensely moving. It was the first time that I had ever been confronted with my own emotional struggle in the form of a film. Amelie, the main character, and I are very simpatico. We both grew up very isolated from the world around us. The story encouraged me to break away from the fears I had of human connection. "

37.

The Royal Tenenbaums

"Wes Andersons "The Royal Tenenbaums" changed my life by showing me that a comedy can be more than funny. He does an excellent job of showing the problems that parents and children create for each other. I find that some part of me (and I would imagine most people) can relate to each of the characters on a very personal level, while the storybook aesthetic/naration and intelligent dialog are unique to Anderson and have become his trademark."

38.

An Inconvenient Truth

"Brought back all that was being predicted in the 70s by environmentalists when I was in college. Now its happening. Made me get off my duff and change my habits: sun tea, less beef, ride bike more, carpool, turn off lights, regulate thermostats. A lot of this stuff I was doing, but Ive doubled my efforts and enjoy finding new ways to help the earth: line drying clothes, turn off shower water while soaping, bought a Prius, etc."

39.

The Bridge

"This film is an amazing look into the unpredictable tragedy of suicide and the people who are ultimately left behind. In the beginning I was naively interested and in the end was left speechless and in tears. This documentary provoked more honest and heartfelt conversation between friends than any movie before. I have suggested to anyone I meet that they view this film. http://www.thebridge-themovie.com/"

40.	Bad
	"never b4 it change my life"

41.	Conversations With God
	"This movie changed my life by reminding me that hardship builds character, but there is a time when the character lesson is over and it is up to the individual to learn and know the difference."

42.
	""

43.	Diva
	"the colors, the music, the sexy french-ness of it all...i ended up living in france for three years cos of this film..."

44.	TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
	"I saw this film as a child and it profoundly affected me. The movies message about racism and injustice, which I did not know anything about at the time, was powerfully delivered in simple, every day and child-like perceptions. It opened my eyes to bigger ideas than cartoons and Mary Poppins and caused me to think about life in a way bigger than my own little world for the first time."

45.	Meet The Robinsons
	"It shows that you create success by learning from failure, and failure is a necessary part of success. It changed my life for when I saw it, I had lost everything (literally) including my father to a long illness and this film should me how to move on and try again."

46.

Office Space

"Office Space is the movie someone recommended to me after I told them how much I detested a former boss. The mind-numbing world of the cubicle-dwelling Initech Corporation employees mirrored my situation at the time I first viewed this movie that proclaims "Work Sucks." For those without the time to read Robert Suttons The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isnt, this movie is the next best thing."

47.	Broadcast News
	"I related so much to the characters in the movie. Holly Hunters super producer was a great representation of the pressure for women to have it all. The struggle she has for power and love really spoke to me and made it okay to be a strong woman who knows what she wants. "

48.

Slam

"In High School, Slam was my introduction to an entirely different type of literary world than the one you learn about in high school classes. The protagonist played by Saul Williams, whom I believe to be the greatest poet of our day, uses poetry and words and reason and intellect to overcome his oppressive and unfortunate circumstances. This film and Sauls words opened complete new avenues of communication for me..."

49.	The Busines of Fancydancing
	"Although produced on a very small budget and never released in widespread distribution, I truly believe this to be one of the most significant films ever made. It poignantly explores the realities of walking between two worlds and coming to terms with the past. Seeing it has helped me to come to terms with numerous issues in my life, and see the future with a far different perspective."

50.	Vertigo
	"Been hard to disentangle love and creepiness ever since! The remastered version is so beautiful. Perfect for the waterfront. "

51.	Monumental
	"David Browers strength, passion, and energy are monumental. As a young national park ranger in Glacier, I look to this film for inspiration-- wisdom, and most encouragingly heart. His ability to fight for wild america is a legacy that I strive to replicate throughout my life. "

52.	Sayonara
	""Sayonara" was my first extensive exposure to Japanese culture, which had already interested me as a little girl. This movie increased my interest in Japan and Asia, and eventually I obtaine a job that has taken me to Asia at least 15 times."

53.	SO DEAR TO MY HEART
	"SDTMH was the first movie I ever saw. I was nine and fell in love with the characters, songs, animation, and the joy and love in the story. Now that Im a Hoosier, this movie means more to me. Betty A. Stanley, Salem, IN"

54.	The Pawnbroker
	"Rod Steiger played the role of his life as a pawnbroker suffering from the impact of the Holocaust. I learned how evil can seemingly kill a soul, but goodness can bring it to life again."

55.	Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead
	"Just because some hold higher positions in the food chain than you, be very careful and well studied as to where your loyalties lie. It just fortified why myself and family are first. To quote a Gaelic belief in English "Necessity Knows no Law." MM Shaw LaGrange, Ky "

56.	The Deer Hunter
	"It shows the horrrible reality of war, and its effects on ordinary small town people."

57.	Patton
	"I joined the womens army corp after seeing that movie....at the ripe old age of 18. The experience changed my life forever. Good and bad......typical of military life."

58.	Dead Poets Society
	"Despite its often misunderstood controversial scene near the end, this movie showed me the true power teachers have to change lives. The fact that its based on a real life teacher makes it that much more powerful."

59.	Crash
	"This is a powerful and thought provoking film. This film will make you think about the nature of bigotry and stereotypes. It will certainly make you take a look at who you are within yourself. To me, this is a must-see film for everyone."

60.	The Bedford Incident
	"It shows what could have happened during the Cold War-and how vunerable we really are. Makes you appreciate your life beucase it could end so quickly."

61.	Casablanca
	"This classic and well-loved film was made on a shoe string budget using clever lighting and staging in place of big budget effects. And the cast were largely unknown at that time. It demonstrates that with talent and ingenuity and hard work, we can make quality films right here in Louisville and I am dedicated to being part of that filmmaking."

62.	Medium Cool
	"It was "explosive"-- and a first glance (pun intended) into the voyeuristic 24/7 media epitomized by CNN/FOX/MSNBC. "

63.

Amadeus

"A nearly flawless film that ensured I would never be the same again. It created a bond to classical music that is strong to this day. I took up numerous instruments in my spare time and trumpeted the beauty of the symphony to anyone who would listen (and many who wouldnt). It also changed me forever as a film goer. I couldnt watch Tommy Boy or Armageddon again and call it a "great movie". The evolution of my taste in film to appreciate what is truly beautiful cinema had offically begun."

64.	The Grapes of Wrath
	"Like the book, the film portrays the working poor with the dignity and respect they deserve. Steinbecks poignant descriptions of migrant farmers, truckstop waitresses and others living on the margins of society still ring true today."

65.

The Big Lebowski

"I was working insane hours, stressed out to no end, a stranger to my family and living in a city & state I hated. The Dude inspired me to simplify my life, take time to enjoy the little things, quit a very lucrative job in another State, move home to KY and take a far more "regular" job with reasonable hours and a pittance of a salary. This change in additude and locale has already added profound happiness to my life. I just hope the rug-peers dont find me here."

66.	Into the Wild
	"It has helped to remind me of what is really important in life - my personal relationships and not material possessions."

67.	Star Wars
	"It was 1977. After this movie appeared, science fiction became a mainstream acceptable genre (not for geeks and "Trekkies" only). As a fan of SF literature, this was even more appreciated. A good story and just plain fun for the whole family. "

68.	Man From Snowy River
	"First time it seemed okay for me, as a male, to appreciate (and admit to it!)things like scenery and music as "beautiful"."

69.	Paris Texas
	"I loved the roles of Harry Dean Stanton and Nastasia Kinski. The HDS role, particularly, changed my attitudes about determination to go do something right, even after you screwed up badly. Symbolism of HDS walking with extreme determination in a straight line to where he wanted to go, up until he collapsed."

70.	Grave of the Fireflies
	"A Japanese animation about two small children who try to survive after their parents are killed during the firebombing of Japan. It is anime, but not in the style of the current action, sci fi. Its a very serious film and is truly devestating to watch. wonderful. "

71.	Greasers Palace
	"Greasers Palace provided my introduction to independent/art/international films. Next came films such as El Topo, Putney Swope, and the work of incredible directors such as Lina Wertmuller, Werner Herzog, Jim Jarmusch, and Harmony Korine. These and other films and directors have enhanced my life immeasurably."

72.	RUDY
	"Dont let people get in the way or try to talk you out of your inner goal in life. That it can be accomplished no matter what the objects in the way. This movie was given a high rank in the best 100 movies on a ratings."

73.	Auntie Mame
	"This movie taught me to be tolerant of others and their viewpoints and lifestyles"

74.	Hoosiers
	"This true story showed a person sticking to his integrity against all odds and winning because of his refusual to let others dictate his actions."

75.	Worlds Fastest Indian
	"The movie tells how it is never to late to attain your dream as Anthony Hopkins as Burt Munro from New Zealen finally makes it to the Bonnieville Flats in his 60s with his very old mortorcycle and altho almost laughed out of the competition go on to break a record that still stands today perhaps 40 years later. It would be a great addition for the older generation and anyone else"

76.	The Pursuit of Happiness
	"It made me realize that not all homeless individuals are there because they have a drinking or drug problem but actually may be doing all they can to help their family survive on the cold streets, bathrooms, etc."

77.

Out of Africa

"The heroine struggled, gave the farm her heart and soul, but it still failed. I identified with that, and her spirit of resolve, and not to blame herself or others. I visit her home in Kenya eight years ago. I understand why she loved it so much. She later paid for the education of the muslim housekeeper,s children. One son got a law degree from Oxford and worked, successfully, for Kenyan independce."

78.	Star Wars IV A New Hope
	"It taught me to stick with my dreams. Anything is possible."

79.	The Shawshank Redemption
	"A perfect film about never giving up and the endurance of the human spirit. The movie has a great cast, great writing, and directly brilliantly"

80.	"Dr. Otto & the Riddle of the Gloom Beam"
	"This movie gave me an appreciation for excellent filmmaking. "

81.

Mandingo

"I doubt seeing any movie has changed my life greatly, but Mandingo was the first overtly "exploitation" movie I ever paid to see. It was also the last, and a lasting impression of how people will exploit the basest emotions for money. Since that time, I more readily recognize pitchmen in all walks of life stooping to Mandingo level to exploit for profit (selling voyeurism, depravity, violence, et al). Lesson learned, though the movie makers didnt know they were teaching it."

82.

Gone With the Wind

"I was raised by "Depression Babies". So seeing all the characters dig deep to survive drastic changes in their lives hit home with me. The one that always sticks with me is when spoiled brat Scarlett is in the field and looks to the sky and says "As God is my witness, I will never go hungry again." And she did whatever it took to make that happen. Sometimes you just have to put your big girl panties on and quit whining and take action"

83.	Schindlers List
	"It made the Holocaust real to me. It made me realize that these atrocities had happened in the not-so-distant past. "

84.
	""

85.	The Alamo (John Wayne version)
	"Impressed upon young person the importance of fighting for ideals, patriotism and loyalty to one comrades in arms. Influential in later decision to join U. S. Marine Corps in 1968."

86.
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87.

Sideways

"For the for the first time in my life I watched a film that seemed to hold a mirror up to me and shout, "Look!" Miles, the self-defeating character with delusions of a perfect future helped me learn what it meant to live life in the moment. To swig a valuable Pinot Noir with a greasy burger, out of a paper cup, instead of waiting for some perfect time and place, which may not appear until after the vintage has begun to fade."

88.	the fountainhead
	"I was amazed by the characters uncompromising integrity and his total commitment to his beliefs."

89.	High Noon
	"It changed my life because it showed that you need to stand up for whats right no matter what may happen. "

90.	"Titanic"
	"It showed me you can find TRUE love at first glance. What a love story Jack and Rose had. Some people do not love that much nor all their lives, and they did it in just a couple or 3 days! "

91.
	""

92.

Fern Gully

"I know, I know - its an animated kids movie that was mediocre at best, but Im finding that the underlying message was right on and becoming more and more pertinent to our present ecological state. Plus, I dont think there is a similar movie for the younger generation that promotes Earth stewardship. I think we would benefit from a revival of this film. It meant a lot to me as I was growing up, and really encouraged me to look at nature in a whole different way."

93.	Rushmore
	"This is probably the only movie I can watch over and over again without getting bored. Theres always something new to be discovered in its many layers. "These are OR scrubs." "Oh, ARE they?!""

94.	Blue Velvet
	"I was thirteen and living in the suburbs. It was the first time I realized that movies could be a participatory medium, where as much was expected of the audience as the filmmaker. It was a collaborative effort and opened up new worlds for me!"

95.	Gone with the Wind
	"As a strong female character depicted in a male driven society, Scarlett OHara served as a positive role model when I was growing up. That lady could handle anything!"

96.	Amadeus
	"This film made me realize that culture, no matter if its highbrow or low, is sprung from volatile history and makes for great storytelling. "

97.	Pay It Forward
	"What if everyone did one good deed a day? "

98.	Tommy Boy
	"I wasnt one of the popular kids in high school, but when that movie came out, everyone saw it and loved it. I happened to be a big Chris Farley fan, and I was able to impersonate him perfectly. So, by doing so, I quickly became very popular and made new friends, ones that changed the whole direction of my life. Sounds weird, I know, but so true."

99.	Star Wars, Episode IV, A New Hope
	"I was seven years old when I saw the film in the theater. The awe of the opening grabbed my attention and forever stimulated my imagination. Immediatly after seeing the film my mom took me to Childrens Palace, and I got a stormtrooper and luke skywalker. It was the first movie that I replayed, relived, and reviewed over and over in my head. It is the movie that attracted me to film."

100.	The Fountainhead
	"It taught me to be true to myself and believe in myself. Being different is not wrong. "

101.	Downfall (2005, Constantin Films)
	"I now know the difference between humanizing Adolf Hitler and portraying him as human. As Hitler, Bruno Ganz achieves the latter by becoming Hitler in one of the most memorable acting performances I have ever seen. I also came away with an enhanced appreciation of the power of charisma. The scene of Frau Goebbels poisoning her children is one I will never, ever forget. "

102.	Downfall
	"I forgot to give you my name: Walt Scaff, LaGrange, KY"

103.	Blue, White and Red
	""

104.	Blue, White and Red
	"Triology by Krzysztof Kieslowski. Was lucky enough to meet him years ago in Boston. Red is about chance encounter and here I am now living in Louisville because of a "chance encounter.""

105.
	""

106.	Dave
	"It made me look differently at the presidency and the person who occupies the office. It made me look at the person in the Oval Office in a different light and think that someone who does not persue the office might just be a better choice. "

107.	House of Wax
	"I was about 8 or 9 years old when I saw this movie. It scared me so much it affected me for years to come when I was in a dark room etc. Even some museums would give me the creeps."

108.	Gone with the Wind
	"I was young when I saw this movie. Before, that I had no idea the suffering from the Civil War. That movie started my interest in history, especially American history."

109.	Something Wicked This Way Comes
	"It was the first scary movie I could appreciate as a child. An arty horror film for kids--perfect!"

110.	Greystoke
	"The poignancy of "the natural person" vs "the civilized person" dilemma is exquisitely portrayed in this movie. Emotionally, it is close to my autobiography."

111.	Xanadu
	"This was the first mind-numbingly odd movie I had ever seen. Roller disco never looked this ethereal. Am I right?"

112.	Saturday Night Fever
	"Did I change or did the world change? I walk down the street differently because of the opening scene of this movie."

113.	Vertigo
	"Vertigo was the first Alfred Hitchcock film I ever saw on the big screen. I saw it at The Louisville Palace and it opened up a whole new world of movies to me that I had previously never considered. "

114.	Vertigo
	"I never again will climb bell towers in California. Actually, its one of those films that I first got the sexual innuendo and made me feel grown-up."

115.	Amedeus
	"Opened my mind to not only music itself, but to the creation of music and the emotion that fuels it."

116.	Vertigo
	""

117.	How to Get Ahead in Advertising
	"One of the funniest, brilliant, overlooked films of all time. You gotta see it to understand. "

118.	Amadeus
	""

119.	Vertigo
	""

120.	Vertigo by Alfred Hitchcock.
	"Without Vertigo what would Pulp Fiction have been? Or even Rocky Horror Picture Show for that matter. And whats with that sound track, sound track, sound track, sound track....? Jimmy Stewart... NUF SAID THERE. Makes me wish Alfred Hitchcock had read Andrew Vachs novels before he passed. Anyway, gotta go get someone down from the fire tower. They are freakin out. "

121.	Amadeus
	"Whoa!"

122.	amadeus
	""

123.	Vertigo
	""

124.	vertigo
	""

125.	vertigo
	"If you watch it and it doesnt change your life there must be something wrong withyou. I still cannot look down. "

126.

Annie Hall

"Because I always have dead sharks on my hands! Moreso, it was one of the first movies that I had seen that blended the tragedy, absurdity, comedy and romance of life in relatively realistic portions in a way that makes most other movies ridiculous. And its a movie about our interactions and all relationships with people - you know, what really matters. Furthermore, everyone should watch this at some point in there lives - Woody Allen while he was still swinging."

127.	vertigo
	"saw when young trippy then trippy now"

128.	All Quiet on the Western Front
	"As a mere child I learned the futility of war, and that powerful rulers sent ordinary guys out to fight and die for causes they knew nothing about and had no interest in."

129.	Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
	"This is the earliest film that I can remember seeing. I was 8 years old and it whetted my appetite for film which has continued undiminished to this day. I had a crush on Jane Powell right through my teens. "

130.	sound of music
	"great family movie - talks about the evils of war - talks about how music can change your life - talks about following your heart. But its the music that binds it all together. Great movie!"

131.

Rocky Horror Picture Show

"I saw The Rocky Horror Picture Show for the first time at the Vogue Theatre when i was 15 years old. I had no idea what it was about, but the minute I walked up to the theatre and saw the crowd, I knew I was in for something different. It was as an event as much as it was a movie. Hanging out with the variety of people at the Vogue made it more then just a movie. Laughing and cheering at the same scenes put everyone on the same level. I began viewing people as people."

132.	The Tree of Wooden Clogs
	"The abject poverty of these peasants coupled with their struggle to remain hope-filled is just riveting. Americans whine about not having more while much of the world population is grateful for a piece of bread.I think this movie will make many empathize with and want to help out those who truly have nothing."

133.	Cold Comfort Farm
	"Helped me see the dysfunction in our family - we quote lines from it often, as gentle reminders of how not to get stuck."

134.

12 OClock High

"With Gregory Peck, showing how a General/Executive can come into an organization and, through his multiple actions, dramatically boost the organizations performance. 12 Angry Men with many stars, including Henry Fonda as an architect who holds firm to principles and doing the right thing and wins over each other juror to see a mans innocence. Prejudice and doing the easy thing are shown to be very wrong. I saw both of these in my Harvard MBA Organizational Behavior class. Both are black and white yet highly enjoyable, but with very powerful plots that have stayed with me even 19 years later! My kids enjoy 12 Angry Men. "

135.

Groundhog Day

"Its hard to imagine that this simple but powerful film would not make anyone stop to take stock in their life - and in the people, events, and possibilities therein. The film tells the tale of a blase young reporter who takes life all too much for granted--until he finds himself reliving one day, Feb. 2, over and over until he "gets it," which he finally, after many replays, manages to do with style and intelligence. Much as when someone close to us dies (as just happened to me), we get the chance to review and reevaluate ourselves, our motives, and most of all, our ability to learn from our own and others experiences. This is a rich metaphorical tale of someone who is stuck in time with this priceless opportunity. At first he is completely frustrated by this turn of events; gradually, he is able to learn the rules of engagement with this strange new life, and finally, is able to turn it to his advantage, and becomes the most-loved person in town, winning the girl of his dreams - when he realizes she is far more than just a co-worker. Highly recommended as a transformation film with 5 stars. "

136.

My Dinner with Andre

"This movie changed my ideas of what a movie should be. The majority of the film shows 2 men eating dinner at a restaurant and talking. Theres nothing visually exciting about what the viewers eyes see - its like watching the radio. However, all of the images that I remember when I think of this film are the images that I conjured up in my own mind listening to Andre Gregory tell his stories to his friend Wallace Shawn. Its storytelling at its best because its the personal stories of a man whos had some amazing countercultural experiences. The stories draw the viewer in and, after awhile, youre not as much focused on what your eyes are seeing as you are on what your minds eye is seeing. The visualization of the stories takes place in the viewers mind, not on the screen. This film doesnt rely on visual effects and great cinematography to engage the viewer; instead it focuses on the power of storytelling itself to transport us to another place and experience. I love this movie!"

137.

Jaws

"Dear Steven Speilberg, Thanks a lot for the little movie you made about the big fish with the really big mouth. I was five years old when it was released in the summer of 1975. I never saw the movie in its original theatrical run, which is probably the only reason I can at least tolerate being near a beach at the age of 37. As I was saying: thanks. Thanks for your friend John Williams’ signature shark sonata. “Dah-dum. Dah-dum. Dah-DUH-dum. Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da……..” The stuff aquatic nightmares are made of. I also appreciate how much you did with so little. The studio wasn’t too sure about you back then, you didn’t have a huge budget, and the titular mechanical beastie worked about half the time. You brilliantly decided to use that to your advantage, showing us much of the action from the fish’s perspective. In fact, we don’t get our first good look at Bruce the shark until one hour into the film. And let’s talk about Bruce a bit more. He shouldn’t be as effective as he is, especially some thirty-three years later. Like many movie geeks in this age of CGI, I have a merciless eye for special effects. By today’s standards, Steve (can I call you Steve?), Bruce is bad. Yet somehow he’s not. How did you do it? Every time he rises up from the depths, no matter how many times I’ve seen the movie (and we’re deep, deep, deep into the double digits now, Steve) I get the same ripple of revulsion and fear. High and dry in my own living room, and I get the full-on creeps every time. As good as Bruce is, though, it was your human cast that turned this little movie into my all-time favorite. Every attack, every slice of small-town politics, every efficient scene in your little movie is designed to point us toward the last 45 minutes of the film. Chief Brody (Roy Sheider), the police chief who’s afraid of the water but works on an island; Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss), the rich young oceanographer; and Quint (Robert Shaw), the obsessed shark killer. Three men on a boat of ultimately insufficient size (Brody tried to tell them), hunting the greatest hunter in the ocean. It is in these amazing scenes that the movie becomes larger than the sum of its parts. And it doesn’t get any better than Quint’s legendary USS Indianapolis monologue. Asked about an old tattoo, Quint recounts his experience as a young seaman who survived for days in shark-infested waters after his cruiser was torpedoed by a Japanese sub. Those four minutes of spine-chilling dialogue are the heart and soul of your little film, Steve. They allow Bruce to transcend his crude mechanical trappings and to become the embodiment of my fear of the unknown. Quint made me a believer, Steve. He says he’ll never wear a life jacket again? Thanks to Jaws, I’ll never swim in the ocean. "

138.	Halloween (1978)
	"I was peer-pressured into watching this film when I was about 12 and didnt sleep well for weeks. Since then I really enjoy horror films."

139.	Atanarjuat/The Fast Runner
	"Zacharias Kunuks film changed the way I think about film (by blurring the lines between documentary and fiction, by demanding we see at a different pace) and expanded my understanding of the Inuit and the Arctic. (For more indigenous films, go to his new project www.Isuma.tv)"

140.

Mandingo

"Adding to the comments above, was I supposed to enjoy the sex scenes and violence while taking some twisted pleasure witnessing the torment of the slaves and their impossible predicaments portrayed in such a gleefully stylized Hollywood movie? Yes, and for the while I did, yet later felt abused by it and it made me resolve to not be suckered into helping people profit from such manipulation. It definitely changed how I would relate to movies and other frequently exploitive media like tv, magazines and music. Coincidentally, this movie appears to be getting a revisionist treatment with a re-release this year. I dont buy it. It was exploitation then and now! Artistic and historical merit were of little consequence, unlike the implication of the current publicity campaign."

141.	Swingers
	"It was a great "guy" movie. It truly portrayed the way guys act around women and each other. I have seen Swingers several times and it always brings a smile to my face. It shows that guys should never put women ahead of friendship"

142.

Harold & Maude

"We All Need a “Maude” To Spur Us On by Kenny Karem Like a dynamic, blazing thunder bolt, the irrepressible, iconoclastic, outrageous Maude, from the black comedy, Harold & Maude, jolted me out of the commonplace thought that “old” people were typically non-active, uninterested slugs, just marking time. Energetically played by her alter ego, the inspirational Ruth Gordon, Maude embodied pizzazz as she taught a suicidal joyless Harold to seize the moment, “take a chance even” and explore all aspects of life. Maude was the most dynamic, unpredictable, uproarious character I had ever seen. As a counter culture product of its times in 1971, this Harold & Maude boldly challenged and mocked all of society’s norms and that it did wickedly well from skewering irreverently religious, military, and society’s conventions to telling the bizarre story of a romance between a nearly 80 year-old Maude and a 20 year-old Harold. After being enthralled with her eccentricities, positive attitude and bold acts in the film, I decided that I wanted to be like Maude and wished that I could accompany her on daring crusades against the establishment norms set by churches, the military, government and society in general. Sure, like Maude, I wanted to protest the Vietnam War and smack the lackey one-armed general with a peace placard too! I was in graduate school when Maude/Ruth Gordon showed Harold and us that you should embrace life, dance and sing, and learn new things and that you didn’t have to act “old”, waiting around for death, complain about everything and just wallow in boredom. Maude kidnapped sick urban trees and replanted them in the forest, wore yellow to funerals of people she didn’t know while eating licorice in the pews, drank oat straw tea, posed in the nude for a painter, stole a Volkswagen beetle just for a quick ride and even mocked symbol of road authority--a motorcycle cop. As Maude advised, “A lot of people enjoy being dead. But they are not dead, really. They are just backing away from life.” Cat Steven’s mesmerizing songs matched Maude’s philosophy of life perfectly--rebellious, insightful, probing, cajoling, like passionate sermons nurturing and nudging us all who were …”On the Road to Find Out”…and often “Miles from Nowhere”. Maude taught us all to “Sing Out”. Images of her wacky deeds and philosophy and Stevens’ songs remain in my brain as I have tried to follow some of Maude’s paths and ways. (One notable exception: her belief and act in the movie upon reaching her 80th birthday. Can’t tell. See the movie). “Vice, virtue. It’s best not to be too moral. You cheat yourself out of too much life. Aim above morality. If you apply that to life, then you’re bound to live life fully”. Maude’s advice still seems true to me. Why not have a celebrate life Maude-style with a showing of Harold & Maude, along with a reading of the numerous sage words from the film? We all need a Maude to spur us on. by Kenny Karem 126 Crescent Avenue Louisville, KY 40206 895-6073 kennykentucky@aol.com "

143.

Frida Kahlo ("Because its good for you...")

"Frida Kahlo is an under-celebrated artist whose illustrations came from within her inner world rather than the world around her. Her portraits are simultaneously beautiful and grotesque. They are truthful, confrontational, and do no appeal to other’s expectations of what an art piece should appear to be. Prior to viewing the movie about her life and her work, one may assume that she was just another tortured sole who was content with finding salutation within the art world. For Frida, this was not the case. Out of personal tragedy endured at a young age, which caused her to be crippled from the waist down she found a talent that she may not have otherwise explored. During her recovery, Frida began painting after being presented with a set of oil paints and canvas’ from her father. Frida was in a body cast at this time and therefore, could not venture out to paint the beautiful scenery of 20th century Mexico or attend a portrait class at the University. So, she compromised and requested that a mirror be hung over her bed and through her self-portraits she began her own soul searching from within. What did she find? Well, you’ll have to watch the movie for those details. This short synapse should give the reader an idea of how and why this movie personally “impacted” my life. I am not sure that any one movie has successfully “changed” my life so I have chosen the term “impacted” as a more appropriate description. To elaborate, are we really changed by movies? Maybe, I suppose documentaries such as Fahrenheit 9/11, Maxed Out, or Super Size Me may possibly change someone’s life or at least enlighten their point of view. I tend to lean towards the idea that we are “impacted” by movies that have personal meaning to us. Yes, as a culture we seem to be more self-centered (i.e., independent vs. collective) which I admittedly include myself in this description. My belief is that we choose the movies that speak to us, that are familiar to us, that could have been about us, or are what we aspire to be. So, in my own self-centered manner, I’ll tell you that the movie about the life and work of Frida Kahlo personally “impacted” me or better yet, picked me up and placed me into another realm of self-actualization. This movie helped to normalize my own life path and encouraged me to continue to tune more into my own personal talents and use artistic expression in a manner that empowered me. Frida found beauty in ugliness. I now, try to remind myself to search for the beauty in everything I encounter, no matter how miniscule it may be. Frida was not perfect, as I am not perfect, she said and did things that were imbalanced, as I have done, she fought for fairness and equality, as I continue to do, she weathered her own storm, as I have done and will continue to do, and she was her true self as desirable or undesirable as that may have been, as I continue to strive to do, as we all should do. What is it that you would do, what talents have you let go of, what forgotten interest should you reconnect with, if you were forced to really look within? After all, aren’t we all walking, undiscovered and under-celebrated masterpieces? "

144.	Psycho
	"I was a teenager when it came out. It scared me so badly that I either left the shower curtain open or bought clear ones for the rest of my life. I felt better when Janet Leigh said she never showered again after seeing the scene in the theater. Baths only."

145.	To Kill A Mockingbird
	"I went to law school so I could be an attorney like Atticus Finch."

146.

Big

"The idea that theres a kid inside all of us was brought home to me when I saw Big for the first time in 1992. My wife was pregnant with our second child, due 18 months after our first was born. Life was stressful. Seeing a grown-up acting like a 12-year-old, and making himself a success in the business world, really hit home and affected my attitude toward work from that point on. We named our new baby after Hanks character, Josh, who was and is a great kid. "

147.

Breaking Away

"This is not my favorite movie and I never really wanted to be Italian, but the movie "Breaking Away" is more than a feel good story to me. Growing up in Louisville, it is understood that certain neighborhoods (or ends of town) have certain expectations. As a son of a butcher in the "blue collar" end of town, I felt I wanted more than just getting a job out of high school and moving on with my life. I wanted college and a career of my choosing. For many folks where I grew up, college was for the east end kids and families with money; just like the "cutters" felt in "Breaking Away." I was told by a counselor and others not to bother with college. After two years of struggling in college and feeling like everyone was right, I watched this movie (in my parents basement)and I connected with Dave. I went to school and long story short, I have a bachelors and two graduate degrees. The boys in "Breaking Away" are like any other working class kids. My relationship with my father was the same as Daves and the conversation about not feeling like college was for people like us is similar to conversations I had with my father. Dads will always think their kid is weird but they want more for them than they had. Being a teacher in the same neighborhood I grew up in, is a way I can influence parents and kids to look beyond everyone elses expectations for your life and be who you want just like this movie did for me. "

148.	baraka
	"minimalism, beauty, humbling and magical. with no dialogue, just music and extraordinary cinematography this movie has helped me to aspire for greatness in my life and appreciation of life in such a broad and humble sense."

149.	2001: a space odyssey
	"because it made go into space for two hours and become a primate for an hour and half."

150.	Koyaanisqatsi
	"Made me think about how life can be different."

151.	ravenous
	"great actors, great story, blood, cannibalism. this movie changed my life by making me become a cannibal. no but really...wonderful sound design that helped me start creating music for film."

152.	My Architect
	"This documentary resonated with me the struggle I have with reconciling all the different parts of who my father was and what it meant to know and not know him as his daughter. The spirituality of Kahns architecture is profound. The cinematagraphy was beautiful."

153.

Rear Window

"It spoke directly to my sense of being very much a voyeur to the world around me. Aside from being a great film with an impeccable cast, script, plot and mood, it holds up to some very challenging ideas about the gaze as a measure of control over the subject of that sight. With mobility taken away, L.B. Jeffries is able to redirect his energies to seeing beyond the lens of a camera, and so is the audience. There are many layers at work, but its done so seamlessly that you hardly notice. "

154.

2001: A Space Odyssey

"Stanley Kubrick, an established master, gave us this film as a means to rethink the cinematic (and human) experience entirely. Featuring the longest flash forward in cinema history, 2001 was not, as some will insist, born of drug-addled delusion. Instead, this is a very sober picture about the sobering subject of human evolution and exactly what goes next. Interesting that he chose a non-linear narrative to express this open-ended question... "

155.

Adams Rib

"Of course I love this movie because it features a witty, eloquent, strong female lawyer – played by no less than Katherine Hepburn – and made in 1949! It always struck me as a subversively progressive movie for its time. Every time I watch this movie I am inspired by the lightning quick wit that fuels the verbal sparing of the two main characters. (If only I could come up with comebacks and one liners that were that good, that quickly.) It is also the first Hepburn and Tracy movie I had the pleasure to watch and Im a sucker for their obvious affection and on-screen chemistry. "

156.

The Fountain

"The trials this man goes through to save what is dear to him is what had a big impact on me along with the ending music. The fact that he loses something that symbolizes deeply what is near and dear to him while trying to save what is near and dear to him without succumbing to the emo trend that is so easy to do these days and actually have heart underneath the exterior of the film is also what strongly impacted me. It just makes you feel good along with taking something that you may have either been putting off and finish it take something that means a lot to you and take a second long hard look at it."

157.	Harold and Maude
	"It was the first film I saw when I left home for college, and it helped me abandon Hollywood dreck and seek out great film."

158.	To Kill A Mockingbird
	"I saw the film when it originally came out. I was very young. Prior to viewing that movie I always felt that big, important changes in society originated with other people. "To Kill A Mockingbird" taught me that social change begins at home, with each one of us.It also reminded me of the burden shouldered by our parents and grandparents in making justice available to everyone."

159.	Thelma and Louise
	"Suddenly women didnt have to be nice anymore. They could kick ass and take names--and even be willing to die for their freedom."

160.	Manhattan
	"This is Woody Allens finest achievement. Incredible cinematography, great script, direction and performances. Critic Andrew Sarris called it "the only truly great American movie of the 1970s.""

161.	Mindwalk
	"Gave me an introduction into systems thinking and taught me to start looking for interconnections between problems or solutions. The world is interdependent and to achieve usefu solutions, we have to think systemically. Ihave been expanding that premise ever since."

162.

Young At Heart

"This is a recent movie (actually a documentary although not a bit boring) about a choir composed of men and women in their 70s, 80s and 90s. These folks prepare for a big concert and tackle modern music--the likes of which most seniors have never willingly heard. This is a compelling journey which explores the joys and sorrows of aging with spirit and loyalty and attitude, and demonstrates the importance of friends and common purpose. Im pushing 70 with a goal to emulate these folks insofar as possible. "

163.	The Elephant Man
	"The story of David Merrick, portrayed by John Hurt, changed my life because it expanded my understanding of "difference" and "diversity". Those concepts, previously confined to race and gender, grew by leaps and bounds after watching this movie. Will never forget the street scene in which he cries to his tormenters "I am a man!!" "

164.	The Elephant Man
	"My apologies. The Elephant Man is about Joseph Merrick. I had David Merrick on the brain in my original post."

165.	Schindlers List
	"It made the Holocaust more 3 dimensional for me. Before the movie, it was just a collection of horrifying facts and statistics. "

166.

Song of the Sousth

" "Song of the South", released during my very early years, was tops on my mothers "things-to-do" list. My siblings and I were introduced to Uncle Remus and to his tales of the Brers at a very young age - to a world of fantasy mixed with tidbits of reality, to a world of animated creatures interacting with real-life people. It was through the animated creatures that real-life lessons became meaningful. It was through the beautiful Uncle Remus that the lesson of rising above ones circumstances, of actually being a considerate, loving, kind human in spite of hardship and pain, was planted into my psyche. Uncle Remus, with the help of Brer Rabbit and friends, taught me to think my way out of difficult situations, to try to rise above hardship by finding a "happy place", to make the most of less than desirable happenings. Kindness was the virtue in people that I held in the highest esteem. In the fantasy world of the movies, Uncle Remus was the epitome of a kind and gentle man. And, this movies bonus was "Zippity Doo Dah"!! As years went by, my to-do list included making certain that my children got to experience the lessons and joys of this movie. My "Mom" job was to teach the lesson that slavery, as depicted in the movie, was not the slavery of reality. I matured into adulthood during the years of awareness and change brought about by Martin Luther King and others. My children were made aware of the wrongs of slavery and they were taught that prejudicial treatment of fellow human beings because of skin color is evil and intolerable. But, as is often the case, many things that I consider good have been banned due to parts that are considered to be bad. "Song of the Souths" depiction of slavery became politically incorrect in a day when political correctness trumps all else. "Little Black Sambo", a storybook character, and "So Dear to My Heart", another Disney movie of the 40s that mixed animated creatures with live performers, did not meet the purity test. The result - all have been taken off the shelves, so to speak. Thankfully, our newest little generation of famiy members can view "Song of the South" on DVD thanks to enterprises in Great Britain. They can watch Brer Rabbit try to outfox Brer Fox while teaching children to cope in creative ways. They get to participate in Uncle Remus realization of true wealth as he sings of "wonderful days with plenty of sunshine and with Mr. Bluebird on his shoulder". I dont think any movie is more "satisfactual" than "Song of the South". "

167.

Forest Gump

"While watching Forest Gump as a 20 something..I realized for the first time that there is something larger, more powerful, all knowing and all good guiding and directing our lives. If we are willing to trust and accept the people and events that this "force" (universe) brings to us, we find that we always have everything we need exactly when we need it. I was able to let go of the reins I held onto so tightly and ultimately discovered my own spiritual being and path. I continue to grow my "true self" each day and Forest Gump started it all. "Life is like a box of chocolate....you never know what youre gonna get". I would add....but no matter....Its All Good! Denise Steele"

168.	Blade Runner
	"life matters"

169.

This Is Spinal Tap

"Tap was the first film I watched as an adult (OK, I was in college, so I guess was still a kid), that was not only hilarious the first time I watched it (thought it was real), but also became funnier with repeat viewings. There is nuance, subtlety, and satire in the most obvious places, and in the most obscure. It changed my life in numerous ways, from an appreciation of detail in film (and other art forms), to many of the lines becoming defacto expressions between myself and other Tap-addicts, to influencing me to make a number of short films that indulge in (I hope) a similar sense of humor. "

170.

THE RAZORS EDGE

"Which Movie Has Changed Your Life, and Why. The movie that has had the greatest impact upon my life is The Razor’s Edge—a 1946 movie based on the W. Somerset Maugham book. Since I am not old enough to have seen the film when it was released, I experienced it as an old movie on television when I was in my teens. I can’t actually say if the movie inspired me to explore what is really of importance in life, or whether the film appealed to me because of my interest in self-exploration. The movie did reinforce and support my own beliefs. The film follows the main character in his search for the meaning of life. This is a rather lofty undertaking for a movie, but I think it succeeds in providing a thought provoking experience. The main character and his friends have led carefree, self-absorbed lives of material ease. The experience of World War I changes his acceptance of this life style. His life changing experience involves another soldier. On the last day of the war, this soldier sacrifices his own life to save the life of the main character. He cannot stop wondering why a person so full of life and fun—who should have saved himself--saved him instead. After he returns home from the war, he rejects the decadent values of the post-war boom era—to the dismay of his fiancée and friends. He tries to explain his search to his fiancée by asking if she can understand what it is like to live each day knowing you are walking in another man’s shoes. The search to find how to spend his newly given second chance leads him from an aimless existence in America, to studying in Paris, to working in a coal mine, to spiritual guidance in India. His search is spiritual and philosophical, rather than a particular religious path. He finds that the way to selflessness is as difficult as the “sharp edge of a razor”. I decided to view the film again to see if it had held up over time. The scenes set in India were obviously not shot in India and do not look authentic, but otherwise the film is pertinent and meaningful. Even though the movie is set in the post-World War I boom period—it is still relevant. The conflict of material values as opposed to human values is still present in today’s world. Should we accumulate more wealth, or help others who are less fortunate and in need? Self-gratification or goodness—questions that have been pondered since mankind has existed. "

171.	Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil
	""

172.	Gabbeh (1996)
	"This was the first Iranian movie that I knowingly watched. It is stunningly beautiful! I now seek out Iranian movies since the story line is often heart-felt about family issues and the photography is usually immaculate and delightful Rob Steiner, MD PhD"

173.	When We Were Kings
	"I thought I was an open minded white person and it gave me a perspective of an African American visiting their homeland and being in the majority for the first time. Incredibly mind opening and moving. "