On another thread I was thinking about the books that changed my life. How about films? Does anyone have any films that changed the course of their life?

I have one biggie! And that's Kenneth Branagh's 'Henry V'.

Christian Bale is one of my super fave actors ('Reign of Fire' was his latest - see it - amazing dragons!!!) As a kid he had a small role in Henry V and that was enough to make me go and see it. I was about 15. Hadn't studied Shakespeare as yet so knew little.

That film beyond blew me away! Saw it 6 times at the cinema until I could speak long with passages. It set me off on a Shakepeare feastorama. Read every play and poem. Saw every theatre production I could. Ended up studying Bachelor of Arts at Uni with an English double major, inlcuding Shakesperean lit subjects, Renaissance drama and history subjects. And I my life has revolved around reading and writing ever since. And I KNOW, beyond doubt that 'Henry V' led me directly to that point.

ANYONE ELSE????

Hey Alyson!
When I was younger, my family did not have anything to do with fantasy - in my house there were no dragons, or knights or creatures of the underworld.
But one day when I was around 10 I begged my mother to hire out The Princess Bride.
Until I started high school I rented that video out so many times that my mother would refuse to take me to the video store.
I know the Princess Bride by heart.
That movie was my portal to a new world - the first few times I saw it I didn’t even listen to a word any character said - I was to taken with the world they existed in.
From the moment I first saw it I could feel it, and have been addicted to fantasy ever since. And after that, there was actually a movie that was previewed on the Princess Bride video - The Dark Crystal - The Movie, that was my first experience with a fantasy that scared the life out of me, I couldn’t sleep for days! If you have seen The Dark Crystal or the illustrations in the book you will know what I mean, some of those creatures are out of a child’s worst nightmare!
Luv Melyssa

I adored "Henry V", although I found it many years after it was made.  I have it here (along with The Princess Bride) and watch both many times a year.  I couldn't tell you my favourite scene from Henry V, although of course I love his Battle of Agincourt speech (which was very nicely updated for "Independence Day") and as I have probably said here many times before, Kenneth B is one of my all-time favourite actors - someone who obviously knew from an early age what he was on the planet for, to introduce the rest of us to Shakespeare

The Princess Bride is such a superb movie, on so many levels, and I know it's one of your favourites as well, Alyson.  Even the bracketing modern-day story is endearing and it holds the whole thing together so well.  The only thing I've seen that comes close to it in recent times is "Shrek", which I found funny, but no where near as original as The Princess Bride.

The movie that influenced me the most has to be the original Star Wars movie.  I'd bought the book months before the movie was released and had read it as least ten times, probably more.  I went to the opening night and even though I was expecting a lot, I was completely dazzled.  I was desperately torn between loving Luke and Han (who were both gorgeous in their own ways) and wanted to be Leia so badly that I would even have put up with that donut hairdo to get the job!  I walked out of that cinema poleaxed, and so in admiration of what George Lucas had created that I couldn't stop reading it, reliving it, and believing it was real - that somewhere out there, maybe in the future, that story was real.  And twenty years later, I still feel that - that the force is real, that those people exist.  I'm pretty sure that's why I want to write fantasy, because of Star Wars.  For me, no other movie has ever come close.     

You guys HAVE to read the book of The Princess Bride. It is sooooooooo good. William Goldman wrote the book before writing the screenplay. Please do read it, it is fantastic! So true to the movie with lot's of gorgeous extras.

And Lou, I loved Star Wars too when I was a kid. I most remember seeing the three films back to back when Return of the Jedi came out. So exciting after seeing the other two so many times. I love Empire Strikes back the best. The whole "I love you", "I know" scene is a classic. And Yoda's line "There is another", still gives me goosebumps. Thing is I always wanted to be Luke, not Leia! Hmmm.....

Luke, eh? That is interesting, Alyson. No wonder you're attracted to 'bombshell' action heroine's. Mine are all talk!

On the subject of movies, I saw the extended trailer for "Matrix Reloaded" the other night and was completely blown away. This movie looks like it's going to work for me on so many levels - the romance appears to be hotting up and the action/effects are so much more than the original movie. And let's face it, Keanu Reeves looks pretty cool in that long black coat.

He's a real hero this time, not just the boy they plucked off the streets (is this following the Star Wars format...hmmm) and he looks like he's going to kick some serious butt. Must find out when it's opening. I'll want to be there early.

life changing movies? mmm where to beguin?
brave heart, dragon heart, the matrix, robin hood men in tights ... and sooo many more!!!! lord of the rings, star wars ... some movie i saw when i was a kid and cant rember what its called, it was about a kid who turned into a seal. any thing abouts knights, princesses, fantasy creatures or any form of imagination... never ending story, harry potter(not life changing and some crappy acting but still good)
but my true love lies with dragon heart and brave heart.

Dark Crystal was sooo amazing! Watched it a million times as a kid. Recently watched it and thought it even darker than when I was a kid.

Will watch Henry V after all the recommendations.

Although they are not fairytales, love Shawshank Redemption for its brilliant twist and Sommersby for the way it leaves YOU to decide what really happened.

Dragonheart was fantastic, the baddie was a shocker!

Luv Wendy

Dark Crystal was sooo amazing! Watched it a million times as a kid. Recently watched it and thought it even darker than when I was a kid.

Will watch Henry V after all the recommendations.

Although they are not fairytales, love Shawshank Redemption for its brilliant twist and Sommersby for the way it leaves YOU to decide what really happened.

Dragonheart was fantastic, the baddie was a shocker!

Luv Wendy

Don't know what happened then. Sent it twice, I know, what a wally!!

Been reading back through the last movies thread and just wanted to say that ARAGORN RULES!!!!!!! Yes, Legolas was pretty cute, and I love the way he never worked up a sweat through the whole movie! Could watch Two Towers over and over for those guys.

However, major disappointment to see what both of the actors look like in real life. What a let down! Aragorn is really clean cut with puffy hair and Legolas has daggy brown hair with shaggy whiskers!!! Blaaaaahhhh!!

If Aragorn looked like he did in the movie, he'd make an excellent Talis!

On another note, found a copy of John Christopher's The Prince in Waiting the other day, for 50c in a hardware shop bargain bin! A shop I never go to, except Jack fell asleep in the car on the way to the shops and I stopped to look at books until he woke up.
I found it before I spotted the name of it on the messageboard. I was MEANT to find that one! Also found a Sara Douglas book for 2 dollars and one called Tournament of Fortune for 30c, which I am loving!!

Wendy!!! I can't belive you found that book! Even the author can't get copies. Is it the first in the trilogy or the whole trilogy? He's a fab writer - I hope you enjoy it. I've even had a go changing it into a screenplay. I must keep on with that - once I have finished a couple more books - pressie to myself!

If you are a LotR fan - did you check out this site? Lou and Deb won't forgive me for showing them - it will slightly alter your view of the characters forever but it is the funniest thing you will read in years!!!

http://www.theorlandobloomfiles.com/amusement/secretdiaries.html

Hoping to see X-men 2 on Sunday. Yippee!

Bought Harry Potter 2, Godfather Trilogy and To Catch a Thief on DVD during 15% off at K-mart (thanks for the heads up Mick!). Double yippee!

Alyson

Yes, I did find the LotR site from the messageboard. What a crack up! I read some it out to my hubby, because, really, it is the perfect send-up of the characters. The funny thing about fantasy is you either really love all the mythical characters and adventures, or you see them as really silly, as a lot of people do. I'm quite serious about my LotR, (especially Aragorn), but the send-up would fit the film pretty accurately!!

As for the Prince in Waiting, I only have the first book, but you never know your luck. Some days I just sit with a big list of titles and ring second hand book stores and then go and get the books they have!
I found one the other day that has new and used books at about half price. They had heaps I wanted, but I really want to find and read Daughter of the Dark first(which I still haven't found) so I held back!

Saw X-Men 2 on Sunday and was grinning almost the whole way through it. Hugh Jackman was fantastic! He nailed the character of Wolverine better than he did in the first. Halle Berry wasn't annoying as Storm this time and Nightcrawler... Nightcrawler was an absolute dream to watch. He was my favourite X-Men character when I used to read that book.

I loved the little cameos that popped up as well. Colossus (the guy who turned to metal), Kitty (the girl who fell through her bed when the guards came in) and Siryn (the screamer) were great. It's unfortunate that X3 will be the last for most of the cast and will not be made for another 2 years!!! Bryan Singer (the director) wants to do small films for a while! He'll do X3 and then will take a back seat if, I should say when, X4 gets a green light. The money that this film is raking in is insane! $34,000,000 US in ONE DAY!

I hope Hugh stays on for one more after X3, and I hope Nightcrawler never, ever slips back into the shadows!

Wow, it sounds so good.  I really must get my butt into gear and watch that first movie so I can go and see the second. Only another week or so to go until Matrix Reloaded starts - 15th I think.  Can't wait for that!

The Matrix is supposed to be on tv this week. Either fri or sat i think.

Sk.

If I see another Matrix Reloaded trailer I think I'll burst!

I can't wait until tomorrow - well, I'll have to wait, but it seems so long....

Hey, I'm seeing The Matrix 2 on Saturday night. I'm totally avoiding the review in the paper but it's calling to me. I keep saying to myself "they can't spoil this one - they'd be sued" but unfortunately I know from experience that they bloody well would spoil it!! Typical.

It's going to be like no. 5 Harry Potter. I'll have to completely cut myself off from the world the week it comes out, skim through it just to make sure no one will ruin it and then read it properly. Ahhh fun days ahead methinks.

Ciao all. Enjoy Matrix Lou, I know I will!!

Luv always, Caz

For some inexplicable reason I didn't see Matrix Reloaded on the first day.  Or even the second day.  Instead I've turned it into chocolate (in a weird sort of way) - a reward for when I reach 20,000 words. 

In the meantime, can someone please post here and say how fabulous it is (no spoilers though, okay?)

The things a girl has to do to keep herself focused on work!

For those who are always looking for good videos, some I've seen recently and have ADORED are:

Bicentennial Man - I had a good cry, and a good laugh, some CLASSIC lines and I love the visions of the future. Love the characters, excellent movie, have watched it many times.

Mansfield Park - Great actors, and characters, they speak beautifully. Love Frances O'Connor, in this and her other movies (eg.Love and Other Catastrophes, Bedazzled.) Beautiful sets, scenery and costumes. Great love story, and clever ending.

The Emperor and the Assassin -Got to see this if you like foreign films. Try it!! Clever, beautiful, tragic, brilliant huge shots, cast of thousands.Gong Li is a stunning actor. Besides Im trying to convince everyone that Chinese stories are exciting because my novel will have Chinese elements, hehe.

The Empire Strikes Back - Never been into the Star Wars storyline as such, because I'm not a huge sci-fi fan, but if you can get past the fact that Yoda has the same voice as Fozzie Bear, then this movie has the coolest sets and scenery, fantastic costumes, the best baddie, in Darth Vadar, and a twist which everyone knows, but will go down in history as one of the best. As soon as I saw it I wanted to go and buy all the action figures. The most memorable looking characters of all time!! If you can get past the naf script, lots of fun!!
That will do for now,
Luv Wendy