The following are 11 (and I couldn’t even narrow it down to 10) of my favorite movie characters. I chose them based on the moral message or lesson behind them. They are listed in no particular order. Enjoy these and my interpretations.
The Dark Planet:
“The side of angels is rarely known by itself.”
I take this in such a way that no matter what side you are on, you can see the good, true angelic side. War, like the Iraq war. America’s team is fighting for us and so we all feel they are the good guys. al-Qaida is fighting for people to believe they are good. It is a matter of perspective. I do not condone terrorism but we are “bad” Iraqis for those terrorists. It’s just a result. Our soldiers are heroic, but what about the politicians in the United States who control the government in which the troops fight and are to be done? Who are the angels? Who are the demons?
K-PAX, Ernie:
“You don’t have the power to die for something. Why waste your life being afraid?”
This is simple. Do not fear death alone.
Rocky Horror Picture Show, Dr. Frank N. Furter:
“Don’t dream. Be.”
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is mostly entertaining and humorous, but this authority has meaning. So we don’t just have dreams, we try to live those dreams and make them a reality or what’s the point?
Addams Family Values, Wednesday:
“This is my outfit. I’m a homicidal maniac; just like everyone else looks”
Yes, it is true. The Addams Family is a morbid comedy, but at this point it stands up. They are killed around us, but we do not recognize them. Many of the serial killers, like Gacy and Bundy, lived as unscrupulous citizens, but were vicious killers. Look around you and ask yourself how well you know your coworker, friend, or family member?
Alone in the dark:
“Just because you can’t see something doesn’t mean it can’t kill you.”
This is a horror movie, but this authority can mean a lot. Jupiter hates criminals, murderers, groups. Most of you despise what the KKK stands for and want to leave and take their stuff with them. But think about this. If hate groups go into hiding, like they used to decades ago, they can still hurt and kill people and not see them until it’s too late. Isn’t it better to know the enemy before you and see how you can fight against them more effectively? To abhor the disease, do you not see and know what you are unwilling to do, or do you tear from every side the hidden disease?
Dead Poets Society, Mr. Keating:
“No matter what anyone says – words and ideas can change the world.”
Dead Poets Society is one of my favorite movies, packed with tons of great ideas.
This statement is so true. Words can and do change the world. If you think about it, words make beautiful words too. Dissensions occur, people quarrel, nations are formed, war signs begin, and massacres begin. Peace and understanding can also come from words. One day, after the evil aliens intercept our radio signals and the data we send out through our probes, we will use our words to attack the aliens and change our world forever. Either it’s science-fiction or I read too much.
Carnival of Souls (1998);
“Sometimes you have to face your demons to see angels.”
A terrific low budget horror remake of the original.
This authority is peculiar to me. This tells me that in order to see the good, one must first see the bad. The comparison of both allows us to see the good more powerfully than if we only ever see the good. Good and evil are both in the word and in us. No true understanding of the good can happen without struggle, not to be one part of a multifaceted worldview.
Man in the Moon;
Meditation coordinator: “It seems you just don’t respect anything.”
Andy: “Of course I do, I just think it’s the way the world is and we shouldn’t take it so seriously.”
Man in the Moon is about the life of Andy Kaufman, one of the most misunderstood comedians to ever live. I agree with Andy’s point that everyone takes everything too seriously. I’m like Andy in the sense that I’m sarcastic and overly funny at times. Many people have said: I am not serious enough. On the contrary, many others say that I am too dark and heavy. What the heck am I supposed to be? I am a complex person like Andy. The world hates people with personalities that don’t stick to one type of color on the multicolor spectrum or to the norm.
Lord of the Rings, Gandolf;
“All we have to decide is what to do in the time that has been given to us.”
This is the obvious choice.
Dead Poets Society, Mr. Keating:
“We all have a great need for acceptance. But you have to believe your unique opinions, your own, even if others think them odd or jealous, even if the herd is “going bad.” >
This simply means saying what we want without fear of repercussions from eccentric ideas. If everyone is afraid, we still think the world is flat. Of course, many centuries ago it hurt a lot with people being imprisoned or killed for their ideas. If you think society is worse today, if you were burned centuries ago by the Puritans in Salem.
Donnie Darko, Ed:
“Whatever happens to you, whatever you are up against, just say and do whatever is in your heart. Be honest; tell the truth, even if they look at you funny. They will. They will call you a fool. And they fear people like you.. .because they know that you are a stimulus to them all
This is my life motto. It was written to me. I am honest and say what I feel. Many try to smear me and call me names, but I will never go away from saying what I feel to everyone. If you don’t like it, read the last two words.
