The boys discover that there was a secret club at the school called "The Dead Poets Society"   when the school was first opened. The controversial flame is lit to the rafters when the boys decide to recreate the club. There they discuss poetry,freedom,philosophies, and life.

For some reason the fact that the students challenge the status quo and with it the school's long held reputation angers administration. The Dead Poets Society becomes seen as a threat to them, because they don't see it as anything more than a den of teenage indulgence.

The boys however see it differently, they see it as it really is, a place where they can be themselves. A place they can go for inspiration,discussion and fellowship. In the wake of the controversy between the D.P.S. and the school, and in looking to blame someone for something they don't comprehend, the administration focuses it's attention solely on Mr. Keating.

I recommend you see the film to learn more and to find out the fate of the D.P.S. as well as Mr. Keating. If you are one who is looking for inspiration, if you like a movie with a good plot, go check it out.

The Truman Show (1998)

Starring: Jim Carrey, Laura Linney, Natascha McElhone

This is the story of Truman Burbank (Carrey) who lives an idyllic existence, completely unaware that his every move is filmed and beamed across the globe 24/7 in a bizarre “Big Brother” style TV show. The starting point of the story is another normal day for Truman and his friends, colleagues and neighbors who, unbeknown to Truman, are actors. Now, I don't know about you, but I always thought the actors were a little worse off than Truman because they'd given up their normal lives for this, whereas Truman didn't know any different.

It isn't long before things begin to unravel and Truman begins to break out of his shell a little. He begins to want more from life and this causes no end of problems for the actors, crew and producers of the show as Truman begins to deviate from his usual routines and have flashbacks about his father and an old friend. Truman becomes suspicious when he can't leave the island where his fictional town is built and finally makes a desperate bid for freedom. You will be crying and cheering along with the audience of the “show within a movie”, as you watch him finally turn the tables on those who have manipulated his whole life for their own ends. This is, without a doubt, one of my all-time favourite movies. If you haven't seen it, rent it, and if you have seen it, maybe it's time for a re-watch.

Babycakes (1989)

Starring: Ricki Lake, Craig Sheffer

I love this movie because of its central theme - that love is about personality, not looks. It's about a young woman, Grace, (Ricki Lake) who is, quite simply, fat. The good thing about the character is that she does not see this as a problem, unlike several other characters in the film. She's a pleasant, outgoing girl who enjoys her life and does not see her weight as a barrier to anything.

One day, whilst traveling home from work on the underground, she sees one of the underground workers, Rob, (Craig Sheffer) and falls in love. She sets in motion a plan to make Rob fall for her, which includes accidentally on purpose taking his skates to wangle an introduction. As the movie goes on, we see Rob beginning to enjoy Grace's company more and more and they become friends. Everything comes to a head when Rob's stuffy girlfriend catches them at a New Year's Eve party and tears into Grace, publicly humiliating her. Of course, there's a happy ending and Grace finally gets her man, but for me the movie is about not giving up and believing in yourself as a person. There's a lesson in this movie for everyone!

Curly Sue (1991)

Starring: Jim Belushi, Kelly Lynch, Alisan Porter

Well, this movie has Jim Belushi in it, which is always a good start and it's set at Christmas-time which is another plus for a feel-good movie. It's the story of Bill Dancer (Belushi) and the little girl who may or may not be his daughter, Sue (Porter). A couple of drifters, they earn a living pulling harmless scams, until one day one of their scams backfires and they end up staying with rich, corporate lawyer, Grey Ellison (Lynch). This movie is a John Hughes comedy and chronicles the story of how the pair of down-at-heel drifters wins the heart of the lawyer, warming it in the process, with hilarious moments like the cinema scene and the scene where Grey's boyfriend unwittingly walks into Sue's bedroom - one of the funniest movie scenes I have ever seen! Heartwarming and touching, without being overly-sentimental, you will still have tears in your eyes towards the end and find yourself hoping for the happy ending that may or may not happen…

Evan Almighty (2007)

Starring: Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman

The story of a man who is instructed by God to build another Noah's Ark. Poor Evan - nobody believes him and everybody thinks he is losing his mind, including Evan himself. Matters aren't helped when God lets his sense of humour get the better of him and actually begins turning Evan into Noah, complete with long white hair and beard and biblical robes that Evan can't change out of even when he wants to! The feel-good factor in this movie comes from finding yourself wanting Evan to be proved right and the nasty politicians to be proved wrong. Highlights include the scene with the fish tank and the breathtaking visual effects of the flood itself. Watch this movie and challenge yourself not to want to help Evan build his Ark!

Bicentennial Man (1999)

Starring: Robin Williams, Sam Neill, Oliver Platt

The story of a robot (Williams) who wants to become human. Set in the future and based on a short story by Sci-Fi author, Isaac Asimov, this movie chronicles the 200-year journey of an Android in search of his own humanity. Andrew is an unusual android who has feelings and emotions and he becomes attached to the daughter of the house, Amanda. He leaves a happy family life to find himself and faces a lonely existence until, with the help of a scientist, he finally becomes happy with his lot and returns to his family to seek out the woman he loved.

In a bittersweet twist, Andrew discovers that the years have passed almost unnoticed and that Amanda has grown old and has a daughter, Portia, whom Andrew becomes attached to. Love conquers all is the overriding theme in this movie and if weepy endings are what makes a feel-good movie for you, then this one is a humdinger! In my opinion, this movie is one of Robin Williams' best!

Photo by cafemama

For me, this movie was kiddishly funny. It was wonderful for little kids to watch because they still believe people wouldn't fall off of a huge rolling RV by holding onto only the windshield wiper. Since I am a bit older then 10, I sort of found it something I would watch with a little kid. This movie was, for me, about the age of the person watching the movie. With this in mind, I would suggest renting the movie (ages 15 and up) and buying the movie (ages 15 and under)

Stay tuned for more movie reviews...

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions…”

Everyday in our lives, we have the same routine to our day, mostly during the weekday, but we follow a similar schedule everyday nevertheless. We “keep pace” with others as they go about doing their own activities. Transcendentalism is all about individuality and nonconformist ideas. When we listen to this quote, we can simply see a line of people marching, in a single file line, to the same beat, walking the same steps, everything is exactly the same. While this could be beneficial in certain situations, transcendentalism ideals are the exact opposite and expressed in this quote. A person might have a different walk about them, “perhaps it is because he hears his own drummer”. Again, we can picture this as a single person, taking individuality, one of the biggest and main principles of the transcendentalism era, and applying it.

This person would break out of line and march “to the music which he hears”. He is his own individual, one of the biggest goals in transcendentalism. That's the literal meaning, but as it applies to real life, it could be interpreted that some people might have a different outlook on life, whether it's different values, different goals, different ways to do things, different thoughts, any difference at all, and that these outlooks should be respected, no matter how diverse or how “far away”, as long as these differences don't go against humankind in general. For example, if someone thought that everyone else should die except him, well frankly, that's just going way out there and maybe an idea like that shouldn't be respected. But, individualism should be accepted, that all people differ from each other and because of that, they should not try to be more alike each other.

This quote also relates to Dead Poet's Society. The whole idea of Carpe Dium, “seize the day”, applies that you should live everyday to the fullest. Try different things, explore new places, and that is exactly what the characters in Dead Poet's Society did. They start to do new things that they would be never done before. Now, normally, their day consisted of going to class, studying and being what their parents wanted them to be. They couldn't be their own individual person, they had to do exactly what their parents said, and so they couldn't express their own views.

Once Mr. Keating came into the picture, they began to do things that they would be never done before, new things, like restarting the Dead Poet's Society. They learned how to be their own individual person. They also started to do what they wanted to do, gaining a sense of individualism, marching to “his own drummer” so that he stepped out of the line of conformity. In fact, one scene of the movie showed Mr. Keating doing an exercise where the students had to walk around, in their own way and no two persons were alike, a perfect and literal application to the quote. Another example would be Neil, who decided to start acting even though it was against the wishes of his parents. He did it because it made him as an individual, which is what the quote is expressing.

One potential theme of this movie, Dead Poet's Society, would be that the primary force in change is often rejected by society and meets its downfall, but the ideals remain strong in the followers and continue to spread and be accepted by more. This is shown through “O Captain! My Captain” when the “Captain lies / Fallen cold and dead”. The captain symbolizes the leader of change, but he falls and cannot remain to see the impact that he has made. This is exactly what happens in Dead Poet's Society. Mr. Keating is forced to leave the school and does not have the chance to see his students continue to develop and demonstrate the new ideals that he has taught them. He is not accepted by society, but his followers accepted his ideas and continue to express them and spread them. This also applies to Neil Perry, who was the “ringleader” of the Dead Poet's Society. In the end, he accomplished what he needed to.

He changed personally and gained courage to defy his father and start acting and accomplished his goal of acting in the play, just like how the Captain in the poem accomplished the “fearful trip”. But, Neil falls, a victim of the pressures of conformity, and lies “fallen cold and dead” just like the Captain, with “no pulse or will”. Neil loses his will in the end and as a result, causes his own death through suicide. The Captain in the poem, Neil, and Mr. Keating all demonstrate the theme that the primary force in change, which are them, are rejected at first and meet their downfalls, in their own ways. But, the followers remain true to the new ideals gained from the change, which can be shown when Todd stands on his desk, shouting “O Captain! My Captain” one last time, staying true to the qualities he gained and defying authority one last time.

One of the main characters that expresses transcendentalism qualities would be Charlie Dalton. He was one of the most rebellious students out of the Dead Poet's Society, and he also was one to demonstrate transcendentalism traits very well. He was definitely not a conformist and had very unique ideas. His individualism can be seen through his new name, Nawanda. That's a unique name that isn't heard often, while Charlie is a very popular name, and thus it loses its uniqueness.

When he names himself Nawanda, he deems himself a new individual, someone who won't follow everyone else and develops his own ideas. He does this and might have gone one step too far. Following your own ideals is one thing, but outright defying authority might be going too far, although another quality of the transcendentalism era was to question authority. When he picks up the phone and says “It's God, he says that we should allow girls at our school”, or something along those lines, he both goes against the authorities of the school and express his own ideas. Both of these qualities are major in transcendentalism.

One person who did not demonstrate the ideals of transcendentalism would be Mr. Perry. He was one to conform automatically to society and everything around it. We want to be successful, and to do so; there are few professions that would allow us to achieve true glory in our society, such as being a doctor. Mr. Perry pushed his son to the edge, and pushed him so hard to be like everyone else. Being perfectly disciplined sometimes means that you can't express your own views, and that was what Mr. Perry was doing to his son. I'm sure some people actually want to be doctors, but how many people are pressured to be doctors by their parents?

Many higher-class people do this, because they want their children to be successful, but by doing so, they do not give their children a chance to be themselves. He also obeys authority no matter what. He's the type of person who wouldn't defy a higher-up no matter what the situation, Mr. Perry seems like a person who follows. This can be seen when he is going to send Neil, his son, to military school, an institution generally known for being strictly disciplined and has punishment for those who defy authority. By doing so it shows that he supports following orders and being perfectly behaved to the point where personal opinions would never be expressed.

This lack of individuality in him can be seen through all the things that he says to his son. He doesn't want Neil to act; he doesn't want Neil to do any other extra activities, except to study. He just doesn't allow his own son to develop into his son, but rather puts his own dreams in his son in hopes that Neil will fulfill those dreams, even if those dreams aren't Neil's. Overall, Mr. Perry would be someone who is the exact opposite of what a person showing transcendental qualities would be.

1. Coming to America. With an all star cast including Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, Madge Sinclair, and John Amos, this film had winner written all over it before it ever hit the screen. Little did anyone know at the time that there was another batch of “stars” not listed in the credits that would bring as much to the screen as anyone else. And they were all Eddie Murphy or Arsenio Hall. The premise of the film is simple. The prince of a small African country is told he must find a queen. Although his parents want him to marry the girl of their choice, he has other ideas. He wants an American bride, preferably one from Queens. After coming to America, he quickly identifies the woman of his dreams but must woo her by pretending to be a down on his luck individual so that the object of his affection's father will offer him a job. The focus of the movie is on Akeem's (Murphy's) attempts to win over his lady love while still keeping his best friend, Semmie out of trouble. John Amos plays father of Akeem's lady fair. Sinclair and Jones play Akeem's parents. This movie is funny on so many levels that it is hard to put it all into words. All I can say is, if you haven't seen it, you should. You'll roar with laughter and you'll feel great when the movie is over.


2. Jumanji. I'm not a big fan of this 1995 film, but my husband loves it. There are definitely funny moments, but I found some of it difficult to watch. It stars Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, and a young Kirsten Dunst. When young Alan Parrish (Williams) discovers a mysterious game, he and his best friend Sarah decide to play it. Little do they know at the time that it will change their lives forever. Twenty-six years later, a brother and sister duo finds the game and also begins playing it. With each move they make, however, the game escalates at a frantic pace; letting loose animals and altering reality. If you like slapstick comedy, this is a film you should enjoy. It is loud, boisterous, and chaotic.


3. Liar Liar. This Jim Carey 1997 comedy was the perfect vehicle to showcase the talent and charms of Carey. Fletcher Reede (Carey) is both a workaholic and a fast-talking lawyer who can't tell the truth to save his soul. Although Fletcher loves his wife Audrey Reede (played by Maura Tierney) and his son Max, he can't seem to find time to spend with them, often making up excuses or lying about why. But little does he know that his days of stretching the truth are about to end when its son makes a birthday wish that his father wouldn't lie for just one day. This movie shows us how we human beings often get caught up in our little white lies, ultimately making messes from which you can never recover. That journey of truth also leads Fletcher to realize the error of his ways and puts him back on the pathway of a happy life. Let's face it, Carey is a comic master; a skill that rings through loud and clear in this rip-roaring good time of a movie.


4. Look Who's Talking. Who wouldn't love a talking baby that sounds like Bruce Willis? A winning mixture of an cute screenplay, perfect chemistry between actors John Travolta and Kirstie Alley, and a voice over track of Mikey's thoughts provided by Willis, combine to make this 1989 film hilarious. Mollie (Alley) is an accountant with a crush on a client (played by George Segal). The problem is, he's not at all interested in leaving his wife and children for her. Finally convinced she'll have to raise her child alone, she meets cab-driver James (Travolta) on her way to the hospital to give birth. He stays to help her and a relationship begins, moving from friendship into the real thing. Of course, Mikey has to do a little helping of his own along the way. This movie will make you laugh. It isn't sophisticated or high art. It's just plain old good fun!


5. Man's Favorite Sport. This 1964 classic film stars Rock Hudson and Paul Prentiss and features a supporting cast of wonderful character actors including John McGiver and Regis Toomey. Hudson plays Roger Willoughby, a magazine sports writer recognized as one of the world's greatest angling experts. His life is full of fun and women; two things he loves. But it's all about to change. His boss has entered him into a fishing competition. There's only one problem, Willoughby has never been fishing in his life. Enter Abigail Page, a fishing expert who can give Roger the skills he needs to win the competition. Unless, of course, she manages to kill him before then. Prentiss plays the perfect bumbling female with passive aggressive tendencies. In the process, she manages to hold her own against one of Hollywood's most legendary leading men. This is an old fashioned film where sex is implied but never really shown. It is, however, full of wonderful double entendres and lots of wonderful setups and gags. It is frolicking good fun!


6. Overboard. Watching this film makes it clear why the chemistry between Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell lasted through more than ten years of “non marriage.” They sizzle on screen (and off.) Rich bitch, Joanna Stayton (Hawn), is definitely not a nice person. When she hires Dean Profitt (Russell) to make a shoe closet for her ship, she decides to cheat him out of payment because he didn't make it out of cedar. So when Joanna falls overboard and lands in the hospital with amnesia, Profitt sees an opportunity to make his money back - in servitude. Little does Dean suspect that Joanna could fall in love with his children and with her new poverty-stricken life. And little does Joanna know that Dean - - a man without two cents to rub together - - could be the man of her dreams. Although I admit that certain scenes in this film are overplayed, that's half of the fun. It's a good old fashioned poke of fun at greed, sacrifice, and love in general.


7. Romancing the Stone. This 1984 film paired Kathleen Turner with a swash buckling Michael Douglas. The pairing proved to make on-screen magic, spawning two sequels. Romance writer Joan Wilder (Turner) has never been anywhere or done anything. She simply stays home and writes; that is, until her sister gets herself in trouble in Columbia. Then Joan must attempt a rescue. However, she immediately errs and gets on the wrong bus, which stops in the middle of the Colombian jungle. When everyone runs off leaving her alone, Joan tries to pay a fortune seeker, Jack Colton, to help her. The movie covers their adventures as they try to find the object that will save Joan's sister and keep their lives in tact. That proves no easy accomplishment with Ira (played by Zack Norman) and Ralph (Danny De Vito) hot on their trail. The chemistry between Turner and Douglas is both explosive and humorous, making this movie a comedy gem from start to finish.


8. Sister Act. This movie is the first time I heard Whoopi Goldberg sing. She is actually quite good! But then so were most of the nuns in her choir. Yes, I said choir. The premise of this film is that lounge singer, Delores Van Cartier, hides in a convent; not by choice but because her long-term gangster beau has decided he wants her dead. So while she's hanging around the convent anyway, why not be useful by teaching the choir how to really sing. Although Goldberg is definitely the star, I think most will admit that the ensemble cast could not have been more perfect. Kathy Najimy as a perky “sister” and Mary Wickes as former choir master, Sister Mary Lazarus were inspired choices. Maggie Smith as Mother Superior is no slouch either. This is a rollicking good time with some wonderful 60's Motown music thrown in for good measure. I pull this film out whenever I need a good laugh because it's sure fire, every single time.


9. Some Like it Hot. This wonderful gender-bending film starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon, is listed as one of the American Film Institute's 100 top movies of all time. As well it should be because never was a guy dressed up as girl more funny than the two played by Curtis and Lemmon. Joe (Curtis) and Jerry (Lemmon) are two musicians who accidentally witness a gangland shootout. Knowing their ticket may be up, the duo decide to take a gig as musicians in an all girl band, which has a singer named Sugar (Monroe) that both guys want to win over. Poor Daphne (Lemmon, in his feminine version) attracts the attention of a lovelorn millionaire (played by legendary comic Joe E. Brown) which makes for some of the funniest sequences in the film. Then, of course, there is the romance between Sugar and Joe, which she shares tenderly with her girl friend Josephine (Curtis, in his feminine version). For just plain fun and loads of laughs, Some Like it Hot is the real ticket.


10. The Trouble With Angels. This 1966 movie matched screen great Rosalind Russell with “it” girl of the moment, Hayley Mills. Russell plays Mother Superior at the St. Francis Academy for Girls, a quiet sedate little convent school; that is, until Mary Clancy (Mills) enrolls. To say trouble follows wherever Mary goes, is a major understatement. Mary is trouble in the purest form. She and her new best friend, Rachel pull off a number of pranks which include substituting bubble bath for sugar, smoking cigars in the boiler room, and trying to make a plaster-of-paris mask out of a friends face. Who will survive: The girls or the nuns? It will be close either way. In the meantime, a good time will be had by all.


11. The Unsinkable Molly Brown. You can't always acquaint comedy with musicals, although more often than not, musical and comedy go hand in hand. That is certainly the case with this 1964 film starring Debbie Reynolds and Harve Presnell. Debbie Reynolds plays Molly, a character that survived a flood in nothing but a basket, while everything around her floated away. That positive omen is the premise of this 1968 film. If Molly didn't know something, she figured a way to learn it. Nothing stopped her - Ever! Although Molly meets her match in Johnny Brown, who eventually wins her a fortune worthy of any Rockefeller, she still isn't happy. It seems that money can't buy you friends in Denver society. So Molly bags her bags and heads to Europe, where being eccentric is expected. After winning over everyone there, she heads back Denver only to be rejected again; not only by her friends but by her husband as well. Molly eventually decides that she's had enough of Europe and that she needs her “Johnny” and heads back to the United States via the “Titanic.” But she proves once again to be “unsinkable.” This is a cute movie if you like musicals and love to laugh. This role was tailored made for Reynolds. She never looked more beautiful or sounded better.


12. Victor Victoria. This 1982 musical comedy stars Julie Andrews, James Garner, Robert Preston, and Lesley Ann Warren. Based in Paris, this story of a girl dressed as a guy dressed as girl is a laugh-a-minute. Andrews plays Victoria Grant, a highly trained soprano who can't find a job because she sings too well. Along comes Carroll “Toddy” Todd (Preston), who befriends her and takes her home for a good night's rest. When his male lover arrives the next morning, Victoria defends Toddy's honor and by doing so, unleashes an idea in Toddy's mind. What if she pretended to be a European Count who performed in drag as a woman? The Count wins a spot at a prestigious Paris club where he makes a smashing debut, which is caught by an American of disreputable affiliation (Garner). He is shocked when the girl on stage removes her wig and appears to be a man. His girl friend (Warren), on the other hand, is delighted that the she is really a he but she obviously doesn't know that the “he” is really a she. Confusing, I know. That's what makes this film so darn funny! Lesley Ann Warren's performance in this film is “must see.” She is worth the price of a ticket (or rental) any day of the week.

That represents some of my “go to” movies when I need a good laugh. If you haven't seen them, give them a try. I think you will be happy that you did.

Settling down and waiting to laugh to tears, I found myself after a short period of time regretting I hadn't chosen to see “Departed” instead. I wasn't laughing like I normally do at his routines. He wasn't that funny, and I thought to myself, “they must have picked the only two or three jokes out of the movie and put them in the trailer!” Having paid the money, I settled in for a long, slow ride.

Robin Williams plays a character by the name of “Tom Dobbs”, a television personality who does comedy news in the vein of Jon Stewart. Before each taping of his show, he goes out and warms up the audience. It is during one such warm up that an audience member asks a question: “why don't YOU run for president?” So he does.

I really enjoy Christopher Walken because he always picks great characters to portray that stretch and invariably adds to his acting repertoire. In this script, he plays the manager of “Tom Dobbs” (Williams), and shifts between a manager and a presidential hopeful's coach. About halfway through the movie, his character is sent to the hospital and remains wheelchair bound for the remainder of the plot. There seemed to be no reason to write that plot line in because it added nothing to the overall script. With this strange plot line, Walken's performance sadly deteriorates from entertaining to not credible.

“Tom Dobbs” (Williams) wants desperately to be considered a viable candidate, so he holds back on his comedy routines through a good portion of the script. This strategy earns him a spot in the main televised debate with the Democratic and Republican challengers. During the debate, “Tom Dobbs” lets loose his style of humorous political commentary that got him tapped to run by a member of his television audience. It is also the funniest scene in the entire movie, which is used for the trailer.

The movie has twists and turns, and does take up an interesting issue that no one in reality wants to address: the Diebold voting machines that have been proven to be easily hacked. In the case of the movie, the company with the bad software is called “Delacroy”. The owners of Delacroy (who are making a fortune) go on the defensive when a software designer discovers a glitch in the program that makes “Tom Dobbs” the president-elect. All scandals need a fall guy, and the female programmer predictably demonized and made out to be a drug addict. This part of the plot was unfortunately done over the top and wasn't credible. If they had toned it down a little bit, then it would've played better.

In the end, the programmer tells “Tom Dobbs” he's not the president and he has to figure out inside his own soul what he should do. Even his own team members try to discredit the programmer based on the information they have been fed to him.

In the end, he comes out and tells the world the software glitch has made him president on a performance of “Saturday Night Live”. The movie closes with various magazine covers showing “Tom Dobbs” to be the “Man of the Year” for having stepped down.

My advice? Save your money and wait until this comes out on your cable channels. Other than a few passing lines here and there, it isn't worth the ticket price.

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