Lord of the Rings

      Most of you have probably seen the first Lord of the Rings.  My favorite part in this whole movie is at the very end, when Frodo leaves by himself to destroy the ring.  Sam, his best friend, realizes this and rushes to join Frodo, only to find that Frodo has already sailed.  Not knowing how to swim, Sam jumps into the water after Frodo.  Sam risked his life simply because he didn’t want Frodo to make the journey on his own.  I guess this was my favorite part because it really touched me.  What a great example of true friendship Sam is for all of us.  A true friend never leaves another, especially when their friend is in times of great danger and hardship.  Sam knew it wasn’t going to be an easy journey, and yet he decided to take the risk because of his love for Frodo, as a friend.  As I write this blog, the only thing that keeps coming back into my mind is a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson that states “The only way to have a friend, is to be one.” 

Up

                When watching Disney Pixar’s Up I realized three things:

1)       I noticed that in the movie Carl Fredricksen (the old man) always seemed so cranky and you could tell that he felt life was not an adventure anymore.  However; as I continued watching the movie I realized that no matter what happens to us, life is always an adventure.  Each day is special and unique; there is purpose for us in every day.  We choose how to live our lives and yes, life is simply what you make it.

2)      I remember at one point in the movie Carl Fredricksen tries to move his house, but can’t because the task is too heavy for him to accomplish himself.  When Russel (the little boy) comes along and helps Carl, the task is completed.  We often don’t realize the impact we have on other’s lives, and they on ours.  We help ease people’s hardships and make them achieve what once seemed impossible.

3)      Finally, at the part where Carl Fredricksen begins throwing out all of the possessions in his house I realized that if we get rid of the unneeded things in our life we will be much happier and a better person.  I also felt like this could be a representation of him leaving his past behind.  Don’t hold on to sorrows in the past.  We cannot change our past; however, we can use it to change the outcome of our future. 

I highly recommend Up; it’s funny and makes you feel good after seeing it.  Movies like that are the best!

What About Bob?

               What about Bob, a comedy produced in 1991, stars Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss.  Bill Murray plays Bob Wiley, a patient overloaded with psychological problems.  Richard Dreyfuss plays Dr. Leo Marvin, Bob Wiley’s psychiatrist.  At the beginning of the movie Dr. Marvin informs Bob Wiley that his family will be going on vacation and while they are gone Bob will have no counseling sessions.  Unfortunately, when Dr. Marvin’s family leaves Bob Wiley feels he can’t handle life without his doctor’s help.  Somehow he manages to tract down Dr. Marvin’s family and joins their vacation.  What happens after that is a series of mishaps; loaded with craziness.

                Although the movie What About Bob may seem mainly for laughter and entertainment, there is a deeper meaning one can obtain from watching it.  Bob is just like you and me on the outside.  However; on the inside he is struggling with some emotional and internal problems.  Throughout the movie he obtains help from a psychiatrist to overcome these internal obstacles, and finally he does succeed.  As he learns to escape these struggles he writes a book about it, and helps many others in situations similar to his past.  Who we are and once were can be used to help others around us, whether now or in the future.  All the hard things we go through will benefit not only us in the upcoming future; but others around us as well.