'Spirited Away' (2002)
'Spirited Away' holds a special place in my heart. It is one of my favorite movies, so it's only fitting that I start this series with Hayao Miyazaki's masterpiece. Every time I view this film, I am struck by its simplicity and beauty. Miyazaki's ability to portray so much through the transformation of the young heroine is what makes this movie an one of a kind. The film draws you into its fantasy world and its vast array of memorable characters and makes you never want to leave. Go watch this if you haven't already.
'Amelie' (2001)
When I first watched 'Amelie', I thought to myself that I've never seen a movie quite like this before, and I can still say it's one of the most unique films I've had pleasure of watching. It also features one of my favorite soundtrack. Audrey Tautou plays the quirky heroine who longs to bring joy to those around her. This is a film you can't help but smile watching. Roger Ebert wrote of 'Amelie' in his review,
"Amelie" is a delicious pastry of a movie, a lighthearted fantasy in which a winsome heroine overcomes a sad childhood and grows up to bring cheer to the needful and joy to herself. You see it, and later when you think about it, you smile."
'Inception' (2010)
Christopher Nolan is one of my favorite directors, and you'll see several of his films in this series to come. For the first installation, I have included 'Inception'. The cast and screenplay is amazing as with any Nolan movie. This film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Cobb, who specializes in stealing secrets from powerful men through infiltrating their dreams. Nolan creates a world full of infinite possibilities. 'Inception' takes you through an action packed journey through reality and the dream world. I encourage you to take the trip if you haven't yet.
'Hoop Dreams' (1994)
I had to include my favorite documentary. 'Hoop Dreams' follows the high school lives of two promising basketball players from Chicago. William Gates and Arthur Agee are discovered at young age in the inner city and find themselves in a private school with scholarship to play basketball where NBA legend Isiah Thomas attended. Soon after their freshmen years, the two kids take a very different routes to finish their high school careers. The documentarians spent 6 years following the two kids and does a wonderful job of telling their story. 'Hoop Dreams' is not a sports documentary. Sports only serves as a backdrop to tell the story of living in the inner city where life often times seems hopeless. Roger Ebert wrote this about 'Hoop Dreams' which I agree with wholeheartedly,
Many filmgoers are reluctant to see documentaries, for reasons I've never understood; the good ones are frequently more absorbing and entertaining than fiction. "Hoop Dreams," however, is not only a documentary. It is also poetry and prose, muckraking and expose, journalism and polemic. It is one of the great moviegoing experiences of my lifetime.
'Jurassic Park' (1993)
My first memory of actually seeing a movie at a theater is with 'Jurassic Park'. Based on Michael Crichton's novel, 'Jurassic Park' a perfect blend of science fiction and action. It is one of Steven Spielberg's most well known movie and for good reasons. A great movie has the ability to capture the audience's attention and engage them in the story telling and keep them at the edge of their seats. I can honestly say, the young Yong was definitely at the edge of his seat watching this film. Maybe it was even at this young age, the seeds for my love for movies were planted.
