Sunday, January 08, 2006
Wow... Groundhog Day!
When asked what my favorite movie is I'm always stumped for a quick answer. I've seen a lot of good movies of course, but a combination of bad memory and the vagaries brought on by time makes it hard to at once recall what was really above the cut. Unfortunately I don't have a place bookmarked in my brain for "favorite movie."
While reading the newspaper today, someone in their list of movies that featured time-travel mentioned Groundhog Day. That's it I thought--this will make a good favorite movie listing. So, where do I bookmark it? Ah yes, the Web. So, off I go to the nearest Internet-connected computer to create a new post, and a new blog to go with it! Thus the birth of "Wow... Groundhog Day!" and "Upandhi Personal."
I think this movie is a favorite of many. (A website discussing the movie has a comments listing where aficionados can offer tribute.) One reason likely is that, while it was a good movie, it wasn't a Hollywood, big-budget blockbuster. That underdog status adds a few points in its favor for people who don't like to follow the crowd. That also makes it artsy. As I'm one of those people I'd say that's one reason it comes to mind as a great flick. The main reason, however, is that the story leaves you pondering, "What if...," in a very serious way.
What if I had eternity to achieve whatever I set out to achieve. The only limitation--and it is a big one--is that I have only 24 hours before everything goes back to how it was when I started, except for my memory of all that happened and whatever knowledge or skills I attained during that time? That's a powerful what if. The movie presents a few possible scenarios but it's fun to imagine more.
Another intriguing notion the movie presents is how little we do in fact learn from our mistakes. One saying goes something like insanity is doing again something that didn't work the first time. I think thát's more human nature than insanity, and it isn't necessarily a bad thing. If we always "learned" from our mistakes and never tried the same foolish things more than once, we'd probably miss out on a lot of useful and interesting chance happenings.
In the movie, this point is played out in the puddle of water that the lead character repeatedly splashes into. We're impressed when after 3 or 4 times he finally wises up to it.
I close with the words of another of this movie's fans:
Wow! Good insight from KFL of Bloomington, Indiana. If you haven't already, see Groundhog Day!
While reading the newspaper today, someone in their list of movies that featured time-travel mentioned Groundhog Day. That's it I thought--this will make a good favorite movie listing. So, where do I bookmark it? Ah yes, the Web. So, off I go to the nearest Internet-connected computer to create a new post, and a new blog to go with it! Thus the birth of "Wow... Groundhog Day!" and "Upandhi Personal."
I think this movie is a favorite of many. (A website discussing the movie has a comments listing where aficionados can offer tribute.) One reason likely is that, while it was a good movie, it wasn't a Hollywood, big-budget blockbuster. That underdog status adds a few points in its favor for people who don't like to follow the crowd. That also makes it artsy. As I'm one of those people I'd say that's one reason it comes to mind as a great flick. The main reason, however, is that the story leaves you pondering, "What if...," in a very serious way.
What if I had eternity to achieve whatever I set out to achieve. The only limitation--and it is a big one--is that I have only 24 hours before everything goes back to how it was when I started, except for my memory of all that happened and whatever knowledge or skills I attained during that time? That's a powerful what if. The movie presents a few possible scenarios but it's fun to imagine more.
Another intriguing notion the movie presents is how little we do in fact learn from our mistakes. One saying goes something like insanity is doing again something that didn't work the first time. I think thát's more human nature than insanity, and it isn't necessarily a bad thing. If we always "learned" from our mistakes and never tried the same foolish things more than once, we'd probably miss out on a lot of useful and interesting chance happenings.
In the movie, this point is played out in the puddle of water that the lead character repeatedly splashes into. We're impressed when after 3 or 4 times he finally wises up to it.
I close with the words of another of this movie's fans:
What do we gain from watching this movie? Different people will take away different things from it. I discovered two very important truths in Groundhog Day. One was the importance of concentrating on the things that last. Phil Connors must live the same day over and over again, and is forced to realize that the only real change that will ever be possible must happen within himself. (From this it is a short leap to the realization that this is the only kind of change that really matters; for in his case, it is literally true.)
The other thing I noticed, while reflecting on this movie, is how uncertainty can keep us from charitable acts. We use our ignorance like a crutch: we don't give to charity because it may be a scam, we don't offer to help someone because they may not need help anyway, and so on. But Phil doesn't have the luxury of ignorance. He knows...he knows with absolute certainty that if he doesn't buy the old man a bowl of soup, that man will die in the streets within a few hours. He knows that if he isn't on hand at the right time, a boy will fall from a tree and break his neck. Faced with such knowledge, even Phil, self-absorbed as he is, cannot stand by idly. Nor could we, in his position. This is a powerful argument for knowledge as the most reliable foundation for generous behavior.
Wow! Good insight from KFL of Bloomington, Indiana. If you haven't already, see Groundhog Day!
What's In a Name?
I mention in another post that I don't care so much for clichés, but I so often use them in post titles. What better way to grab attention?
The name in question is "Upandhi". I'm not going to give it away but I'll give a hint:
And as for why this name... I'm fascinated by India. I've visited a few times, only southern India and it intrigues me. I'll post about India later, but save it to say, I thought an Indian sounding name would be nice.
The name in question is "Upandhi". I'm not going to give it away but I'll give a hint:
- Anagram--and for those who don't know what this means.
And as for why this name... I'm fascinated by India. I've visited a few times, only southern India and it intrigues me. I'll post about India later, but save it to say, I thought an Indian sounding name would be nice.
