Apart from books, I think the most influential media source in my life is film. Actually, maybe including books, but that's a tough call because I've only been impacted by a few books compared to movies, but the books were more impacting overall. Anyhow, here's my top list of movies that changed my life or made me think differently.
Everything is Illuminated: Ok, now I have a probably-unnecessary grudge against Elijah Wood, but this was an absolutely phenomenal use of two hours. An exceptional look at how people deal with the problems in their life and how you can't run away from pain.
Magnolia: Wow. This is definitely in my top five favorite movies of all time. It sort of reminds me of that whole 'six degrees of separation' idea and how we all have such an impact on the other people in our life whether we realize it or not.
The Butterfly Effect: Without a doubt I rethought the consequences of my actions after watching this. I really sat down and took a serious look at what my life would be if the 'what if's?' became reality.
Pan's Labyrinth (El laberinto del fauno): Not only is this one of the most riveting films of my life with an absolutely haunting soundtrack, but it also gives the viewer an explicit view of the situation in Spain after their Civil War. Not only is it intellectually stimulating, but the plot keeps you guessing through and through.
Donnie Darko: It's so cliche and emo, I know, but this movie undeniably made me rethink the thin lines between our minds and reality, and the delicate balance of the time/space continuum. But dark points aside, it's really a very potent love story.
Blood Diamond: While I'm quite positive some of the statistics in this movie are underestimations, this was an extremely impacting movie. Honestly, it was really hard for me to watch. Violence doesn't normally bother me in movies, but this was just so brutal and needless. Anyhow this movie really brings to light the awful plight of the conflict diamonds in Sierra Leone. After watching this and doing some research, I've made a commitment not to buy diamonds that I'm not 100% sure about their background.
For information on the 'new conflict diamond', go here: http://www.newsweek.com/id/117875
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
