Blast from the Past

Hey lovelies! Its been a while I know. I won’t use work as an excuse although it has been taking up alot of my time. I hope we had a fab public holiday rest/ eid mubarak celebration for our muslim friends?

I used the opportunity to visit a friend at Ikare, Ondo State. It was really relaxing as it lacked the hustle and bustle of the city hence one could easily rest. Plus there was alot of catching up time. Enough of the chit chat about my break and on to the matter for today.

Lately, I had a need to watch some old romance movies that I had seen back in the days and this started me on an old romance movie watching spree. I saw quite a lot, say twenty of them (exaggerated), and most certianly I have something to say about a few.

Photo Credit: bruceonpolitics.com

1. Pretty Woman
This was the movie that kicked started the adventure. I could remember the story line : A wealthy lonely bloke by chance meets a cultured prostitute and falls in love with her. What are the odds of such happening these days? Although I hadn’t forgotten the storyline, some intricate details which I had previously committed to memory were going blurry. Hence needed a reminder. Totally enjoyed this movie. It was not a let down at all. I could certainly see it a second time.

2. Meet Joe Black
I got the chance to see ‘Meet Joe Black’ again this year since it debuted in 1998. I had seen it then but all I could remember was that there was this handsome dude (Brad Pitt)…lol. Vain me. The movie was a little slow and kind of pedestrian for me. I think what the writer was trying to portray is that love is the greatest force there is; at least that is my interpretation of his intentions. That even death which is a symbol of ambivalence and singleness when it comes in contact with love (note, I didn’t say true love. It is either love or its not) will second guess its nature. What did it for me were the words of Mr. Parrish (the key character) to his daughter.

It’s not what you say about Drew, it is what you do not say…
There’s not an ounce of excitement,
Not a whisper of a thrill.
This relationship has all the passion of a pair of titmice.

I want you to get swept away.
I want you to levitate.
I want you to sing with rapture and dance like a dervish.
Be deliriously happy,
Or at least leave yourself open to be…

Love is passion,
Obsession,
Someone you cannot leave without.
I say, fall head over heels.
Find someone you can love like crazy and who will love you the same way back.

How do you find him?
Well, forget your head and listen to your heart.
‘Cause the truth is…there’s no sense living your life without this.
To make the journey and not fall deeply in love,
Well, you haven’t lived a life at all.
But you have to try, ’cause if you haven’t tried, you haven’t lived.

In summary,

Stay open.
Who knows? Lightening could strike.

3. 10 Things I Hate About You
This movie takes me back to when I was in high school. I attended a boarding school (Presentation National High School) and after the third term exams we were usually required to spend an extra week so as to give time to the teachers to prepare our results. It was more a time of relaxation and fun. It was during one of these weeks that we screened this movie. Although I could not remember the storyline, what I certianly remember was that there was alot of hype about this movie then. What do you expect? We were only teenagers. This movie was a big let down. It felt like I had spent time watching a bunch of kids fool around. Well, there was an up side. I totally loved “lover boy’s” Australian accent…lol.

4. Jerry Maguire
I love this movie! I love this movie!! I know. I said it twice. Saw it for the first time and it struck a chord. Maybe because the key character (Tom Cruise) reminded me of the emotionally unavailable man I discussed in one of my older post here. I liked it and maybe you will too. I believe love has the power to break barriers; it can transform; it can change. It usually won’t demand this change but somehow gives one the desire to change.

5. Lost in Translation
The movie was a bit slow, rather, very slow had to stop mid way and finish up later. The set in China did not help matters (no disrespect). In the end I came to appreciate it because it was quite different from the usual. The key male and female characters had this bond and friendship that never went out of bound and was fun and airy while it lasted. There could have been more, maybe, but they decided not to go that path. Decision.

6. The Last of the Mohicans
Nice movie. It reminded me more of the colonial powers’ struggle and the era of the scramble for territories. It was evident that the natives, just like in Africa, lacked unity and thus pitted with different sides against themselves. Not a bad watch.

When I watch movies, I usually try to take lessons from them. This set of movies reminded me of, God’s love. That perfect love that’s without blemish. We are made in God’s image and thus our daily struggle should be to be more like Him. We grow by being examples especially when it is difficult to be. By being selfless.

A word of encouragement; a smile; a pat on the back; a hug; a gift; a call; a message; an advise; a visit, let’s start here.