Courtesy of Warner Bros Pictures
The best movies are the movies that make you think about life. If a movie can make me think about my own life, I love it. That experience you get after watching a film and how it relates to you is amazing. Don't get me wrong, movies that don't make me think about life are great too. It's refreshing to go into a fantasy world and shut your brain off for a while. That is why I love superhero movies. I get to shut my brain off and enjoy quality entertainment. After watching those movies, I don't think about them. I move on to the next one. With the movies that make me think about life, I think about those movies for a long time. I obsess over them. I have to know every actor that was in the film. I need to know who directed the film, who wrote the film, who shot the film, and who composed the film. This obsession I have is because of the film and the impact its had on me. This has only happened a couple of times and I am going to give you an example how a film can do this.
The first film I will talk about is It's A Wonderful Life. It's A Wonderful Life is directed by Frank Capra and stars Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, and Henry Travers. The film is about a man named George Bailey. Bailey has always sacrificed himself for others. Because of this, he never went after his dreams. One night on Christmas Eve, Bailey decided he has had enough and is going to commit suicide. Suddenly a guardian angel named Clarence appears and jumps in the river. Bailey jumps in to save Clarence. Clarence tells George he's a guardian angel and is trying to help him. George wishes he was never born and Clarence grants that wish. George now sees what life would be like if he was never born. He sees his wife Mary become an old maid. He sees his brother's grave site because he never saved him as a kid. His kids were never born. During this journey, George starts to realize the impact he has made on the lives of others. George wishes for his life back and Clarence grants that wish as well. George is now grateful for the life he has. If you haven't watched it, it's one of the best movies of all time.
I remember the first time I watched It's A Wonderful Life. I was 20 years old and going into my last year of college. During this time my anxiety was out of control. I was having panic attacks every week and I didn't know how to control it. These panic attacks made me sad because I didn't know what was wrong with me. I didn't know why this was happening to me. I never got to the point like George did where I was going to kill myself or even think about doing that and I thank God for that but I did think about what life would be like if I wasn't born. Day to day you don't think about the impact you have on others. You live your life and deal with what life throws at you. After watching It's A Wonderful Life, my whole outlook on life changed. I became grateful for the things I had. I have a great family and friends that support me and help me whatever I need. I know if I need something or need advice, they're just one phone call away. I knew that if I wasn't born, my loved ones lives would be worse. They would have less laughter in their lives because not to brag, I am one of the funniest people I know. Something would be missing in their lives. I don't have to be like George and see this because I already know what I would see. I know I make an impact on others lives and I make their lives better. I will always be eternally grateful for this. After watching It's A Wonderful Life, I started to care less about my panic attacks and anxiety. My anxiety is under control and I can now proudly say I haven't had a panic attack in 3 months and I have never been happier. Life is good and It's A Wonderful Life was a moment in my life I will never forget.
Films like It's A Wonderful Life are magical. These types of films make you think about life and impact your life in a certain way. I will now list some of the movies that made me think about life:
It's A Wonderful Life
Another Round
The Green Mile
The Shawshank Redemption
Field of Dreams
If you haven't watched any of these movies, I highly recommend them. They will make you think about life and might even have an impact on your life. Like I said before, those types of movies are the best movies.
What is one movie that has made you think about your own life? Leave it in the comments below.
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