Many things have helped shaped the person I am now. When put inside my comfort zone, the walls would be made up of books from the children’s, young adult, and classic genres. Then there would probably be a few TV screens or computer monitors flashing the hundreds of movies I’ve seen growing up.
Others must probably cringe at that idea, thinking that it’s a bad example of a healthy lifestyle. But I did grow up healthy and strong after all those hours with my books and the tube. Even though I spent a lot of time in front of the television and with my books, I also had great childhood memories. Those were just a part of who I am. Aside from those, I also played with my friends and enjoyed the late afternoon games after school. It was just that my books and TV were where I was (and still am) most comfortable with. It was just a matter of balance.
With all those memories coming back to me every now and then, I also wished that I had printed copies of the movies I learned to love when I was younger. There is something magical with the text of those trustworthy paper which makes me feel and understand the stories more. The words could show me more of the characters and the setting. This is through my own way of forming the images in my mind. Sure, the movies are visually appealing and could even be more elegant than what words could describe, but the image I make, whenever I read the words, is mine to keep and mine to own. Before I get too sentimental, this list is, in fact, difficult to make. There are just many wonderful films I’ve seen which all became special parts of my being. I do not expect many would agree with my choice, but some might get disturbed to even imagine them as books. So, here they are:
Whoa, right? How could someone start a list with this?
Well, I do fancy some dark literature and sometimes it shows in my writing. People might be surprised to know that I can’t really stand pain or any gory scene. My automatic response would be to cover my eyes or cover my ears then close my eyes. But this movie series was very memorable. It was released six years before I was born, so how did I get to watch those films? This is where I should thank cable TV 😉
I was in elementary then when I lazily sat on the living room and saw this strange looking scene from the HBO channel. To my extreme surprise, it was disturbing, but I got so hooked with the story. In one whole afternoon ’till early evening, I was watching the series. Yup, HBO got to show all in a single day (lucky me?)
It wasn’t the scenes or the scare that got me, but more of the story. Then who could entirely erase the memories of those cenobite faces: Female, Chatterer, Butterball, and Pinhead. 😮 Now, I can (at least) watch scary movies for as long as the story is good. If it is just pure gore or killing, nope, not for me. Then, if the series were made into books, I think I would definitely have sleepless nights.
Another movie made before I even existed on the planet. 😀
This was the precursor of my fascination and attraction with Tim Burton films and Johnny Depp. The weird lonely yet lovely feel of the whole story caught me. The sympathy and the characters’ unusual circumstances made me relate to the whole movie. There are times when people feel different, unwanted, or isolated. In this movie, I felt that I probably wasn’t alone and that there was still good fortune coming. Now, I understand that better.
*There are already books of this, but just inspired by the film and not the whole movie story.
Mostly because of Robin Williams. I grew up in a home where my family enjoys watching Robin Williams’s films. The characters he portrayed were absolutely adorable and inspiring. There was a time when I really searched for his movies whenever I was sad. Now that he can’t make any more films, I hope I have books of his movies and see better through all those characters and their personalities.
Encouraged by my science teacher in Grade 3, I watched this film from a rented VCD. Aha, there were still movies rented then. It was like a library of movies for my young eyes.
This movie was brilliant. I got emotional watching this one. I never thought that my eight-year-old self would be that affected by a movie. Maybe this triggered how my feelings which I now couldn’t control much. I shed my share of tears whenever I watch movies that are really touching. 😥 With all the visual effects and actors there, I want to get a copy of a book then read, re-read the lines which made me feel weak yet very much alive.
Another horror flick. This movie made an impact because I saw this with my cousins who weren’t really that “brave” after all. I never really continued that thing with horror films because the blood and gore of American films had me feeling hurt. This one opened my eyes to Japanese movies. The story was really wonderful, I thought. 🙂
This really made me scared and how more if I could get a written copy. Maybe just by reading the words, I’ll be put to many sleepless days. My imagination really is a bit exaggerated when I read scary stories.
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Extras
This made me cry many times and that doesn’t really make me feel embarrassed. As I mentioned earlier, I do like Tim Burton films. This one is another one of his works, however, this doesn’t have the dark shots that he usually uses. But the story itself is magnificent, magical, and memorable. This is a movie adaptation of a novel with the same title published in 1998.
This is a Filipino movie that is both fictional and comedic. This movie wasn’t the best of the others made during its time, but I got to watch this on TV and I really enjoyed it. 🙂
Jackie Chan films
This one I surely can’t get away with. I think my father watched almost all of Jackie Chan’s movies. It wasn’t a bad habit that I got. I enjoy watching his movies because of the action and the comedy. 🙂
Then when he does some serious roles, it makes me reflect on the lessons behind the story.
Yakapin 
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