By: Arpit Nayak –
When we think about life, we think of all the good, bad, and bitter moments we have experienced. Many times, we wonder what life is. Is it a summary of all the moments and feelings we experience? Or life is a never-ending adventurous trip with ups and downs. I believe for many of us films play a very vital role in life. Personally, for me, it’s just not movies, it’s an essence of experience which we all must feel. Here I have prepared a list of films which will give us a warm reminder of the life we are forgetting…
- Into the Wild (2007)
When the word “wild” appears, it gives us a feeling of an outdoor and free spirit, a visual of wildness and creatures far away from the human world. Being out there in the wild is a passion for a few and for a few, it’s a getaway from the difficulties of life. This film is a true story of men who choose going into the wild as life. The movie starts with Alaska’s beautiful vistas and the music of Eddie Vedder. The story follows the life of a bright student who leaves his life and education behind for Alaskan wilderness. This movie features some great mountains, countryside, and landscapes.
This movie gives a reality check on how we forget the nature and beauty around us where we are just stuck finding happiness in our life thinking we can only get what we want by working hard. This shows us that we can be what we want to be and for that money is not the only necessary thing.
Into the Wild is a must-watch. It reminds us of the joy & spirit of wild and free Life which we are missing or not feeling. This movie is an experience one should not miss out on. If you are confused and want to see one movie out of this list, this is highly recommended.
- The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
Journey as a word gives us joy, moments of laughter, and tears, an experience which is going to be written in our mind book. For some, the journey is just a moment of joy, but for others journeys become life. This film is a true story of one of the most influential men in this world, Che Guevara, who chose the journey as life. This film is set in 1952, when Ernesto Guevara (Che Guevara) and his friend take a journey from Argentina to America on a motorcycle. It gives us beautiful visuals of Latin America from one border to another border with never-ending mountains to green jungles to the river between mountains to urban to wild and rural; it gives an enjoyable visual experience at many levels. As the story ends, this trip around the country changes Ernesto in a way that he becomes the Che we all came to know. What was shown in this movie in 1952 we are still seeing and ignoring in life.
This movie portrays romance, friendship, and adventures from a life-changing journey and experience. It makes us remember to go out on a journey, a journey that will open a new way for our life.
- 3. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty film tells us the story of a middle age man working as a photographic archivist for Time magazine with entertaining daydreaming fantasy. Walter Mitty finds a threat to his job that leads him to escape on an adventure journey. The film carries some of the best locations in the world like Iceland, Greenland, and the Himalayas. This movie brings us the imaginary adventures of a common man remarkably.
This movie takes us to one dream adventure. Mostly we are stuck in day-to-day work and life. We need something to inspire us to plan our little adventurous journey. Even if it is solitary, we have the company of our own enthusiasm, excitement, and journey buddies.
- Forrest Gump (1994)
We have often heard go with the flow, where it takes you, even if not right then it’s going give us learning for our lifetime. This film is learning this lesson through the life of a Forrest Gump, whose IQ was 75 and was often called stupid. He was encouraged by his mother in everything. Forrest eventually finds his way in life and proves that despite what anyone says he is capable of achieving success from becoming a college football hero, winning the Medal of Honor for his service in the Vietnam War, getting attention for his excellent ping pong skills, then being a shrimp boat captain to millionaire stockholder to running all around America. The movie beautifully represents an purportedly incapable man doing extraordinary things by keeping his honesty, innocence, and positive attitude.
He’s doing what he likes. This approach helped him accomplish success in everything. This also featured some tremendous visual effects for the 90s and some funny moments which will make you laugh mixed with some emotional moments with his mom and the love of his life Jenny.
This movie takes us to the innocence which we once had or are still searching for. It shows us how we achieve great success by just following the process and believing in it. And it does not matter what others think of us as long as we enjoy doing what we believe in.
- Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)
This movie is the true story of a Japanese dog born in a monastery and shipped to the United States. The puppy gets lost and reaches the train station, where he catches the attention of Parker Wilson, a professor getting off from the station. He takes him home for the night and after a few days keeps him. He names him Hachi. As the movie moves along, the bond between the professor and the dog develops. They both create pure and sincere generosity in moments where they both are sitting on the couch munching popcorn while watching baseball, or taking a bath together. Hachi was so devoted to the professor that he used to go every day to work with the professor then waited for him at the station until he made his way back home. One day like any other, Hachi waits in the station to wait for his master, but he did not come home due to his unexpected death. Hachi refuses to go away from the station and stays there every day waiting for his master until he gets old.
This is a movie for all. Even if you are not a dog lover. This movie has some fantastic chemistry between the master and his dog that you should not miss.
The movie helps us revisit the part of our life with animals, our bonds with them, and affection towards them. This real-life movie shows us the most exceptional human and animal relationship, their loyalty, emotions, and selfless love.
- Crossing bridges (2013)
We wonder many times, what makes a city, is it the people that make a city or does the city make the people? This film takes us far away from the city part of India in Shertukpen of the state of Arunachal Pradesh. It’s written and directed by first-timer Sange Dorjee Thongdok. The story is about a man named Tashi, who is visiting his hometown after eight years as a result of losing a job and failing a relationship. Tashi is visiting friends & family, trying to adjust with village life, culture, and food. Still, he is also attempting a way out and back to his city life. Time passes and Tashi begins rediscovering his roots, which he had not noticed earlier. Tashi also falls in love with a school teacher. The impact of the village and culture slowly changes him and helps him retrieve it. When Tashi gets the way out which he was looking for, he rejects it and stays in his village.
This movie features some beautiful self-made roads with fantastic landscapes, and mountain range views with a natural simplicity. This gives us a pleasant look at the culture and life of tribal villages around mountains, their plainness, and calmness towards life. The movie shows us a very different way of life that we have not experienced.
This movie takes us to the life we have forgotten in the light and noise of the city. It gives us a needed warm reminder of visiting our roots and the simplicity it offers.
- Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
When we think of war, we think of courage and blood; we have heard a lot of war around the world and the war stories they produce. This film is one of the unique and outstanding true war hero stories, that of the Medal of Honor awarded Desmond Doss. The film tells us a story of a young Desmond Doss who had trouble with family life and outrageous anger which nearly killed his brother. Later, he finds his way by devoting himself to God and by being a true believer of the Ten Commandments. He firmly believed, “Thou shall not kill.” He joins the rifle company and becomes outcast by fellow soldiers over his wish not to carry a gun. They call him as a coward and make mockery of his beliefs. His beliefs got him court-martialed from the army, but that did not make him give up his hope. He decides he will serve not by killing but by saving life being a medic.
As the story develops during the bloody siege on Hacksaw Ridge, the army has to retreat. Desmond stays there, however, looking for any injured soldiers and carrying them over his shoulder to the cliff. By lowering them down with a rope, he drops them to safety one night. He saved 75 soldiers, including those who had humiliated him for his beliefs. The next day he returns to his company and demonstrates his courage again. This movie features one of the most significant moments of an ordinary man with an extraordinary choice between his beliefs and faith. This movie is a true inspiration for the courage and power of believing in our self-partiality. This movie also carries some great war sequences.
This film gives us recall of the faith and belief we may have doubt or left. This story reminds us that if our faith and reliance are strong, we can overcome all situations and hard times. This remarkable story is a must-watch.
Hope you will like this list, that it inspires you to seek the life we are forgetting, and please share it with your friends and family.
