MY 10 DAY MOVIE CHALLENGE .... REVEALED.

For those of you who follow me on FaceBook or Instagram you may have noticed I've been participating in the 10 DAY MOVIE CHALLENGE in which, every day for ten days, I've posted a clip from a movie that had an impact on me with no explanations as to what the film is or why it had an impact on me ... until now. Yes! ...

... I can now reveal all.

DAY ONE ... THE BIRD CAGE. Hmm! So just what is it that makes a man; is it really that he smears? OK, so arguably a bit of a cliche but I admit to finding the above scene so thought-provoking.

DAY TWO ... PRIDE. The coming together of two seemingly very different 'minority groups' (that of a group of Gay men/women in London and that of striking Welsh miners) who came together to fight the common enemies (the then Prime minister; Margaret Thatcher, the press, the police) was soooo poignant.

DAY THREE ... THE ELEPHANT MAN.  Feared by most of Victorian England, the fact that the 'Elephant Man' came to know respect and kindness meant I came away from this film (and still do), my faith in humanity renewed. 

DAY FOUR ... ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST. First watched whilst I was at college studying for my PCSC (Preliminary Certificate in Social Care), blown away by the film to begin with; the lecturer then informed my fellow students and I that many of the extras were in fact actual mental health patients.

DAY FIVE ... THE HOMESMAN. A 'Western' that I actually enjoyed; surely reason enough to include it in the films that had an impact on me. Yes, there is that BUT, the story of three women rendered speechless in their madness by the hand life had dealt them, the fact that one of the characters went through most of the film with barely a word spoken was incredibly powerful.     

DAY SIX ... SONG FOR MARION (Known in the US as Unfinished Song). There is something compelling about 'everyday' love stories to begin with and this, the tale of a grumpy pensioner consumed by the pain of his dying wife, an estranged son and an unconventional choir is inspired.

DAY SEVEN ... THE RIOT CLUB. Perhaps of all of this selection this film had the most impact on me albeit for very different reasons. What may well be a fictionalised account BUT very well researched as MR T said in his review of it ... 'Watching the youthful moral meanderings of the future leaders of our country is simply a bit depressing.', I cannot remember the last time I came away from a film so, so angry, shocked, disgusted ... yeah, safe to say, this one had a HUGE impact on me.

DAY EIGHT ... THE SESSIONS. Who'd have thought, us disabled people have sexual urges! A film of one disabled man's journey to lose his virginity in his late thirties. It was the fact that the film was done with such honesty and sensitivity (albeit somewhat brash) that had such an impact on me.

DAY NINE ... THE FISHER KING. The second Robin Williams' film to make my list. The fact that here was the manic, the tormented, the sensitive, the funny all wrapped up in one amazing character aside, it was that Williams' played this character with such unbelievable depth; bringing to life the darker side of the character beautifully that left a lasting impression. Alas an impression that will doubtlessly be heightened by the fact that we now know Robin to be the tortured man he in fact was.

DAY TEN ... JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS. Not that I believe in a God (and I'm probably not expressing myself very well) BUT even as a girl watching this film for the first time it struck me that it did indeed sometimes feel like just as in this clip (approximately 1:42:37 until end of clip) we were merely chess pieces being toyed with for the amusement of some 'greater being(s)' that as Zeus declared 'For the moment let them enjoy a calm sea,'; that 'I have not yet finished with (insert name here), let us continue the game .. another day.'

Do you know I think it would be such fun if fellow movie buffs (maybe even those who have taken part in the Meme themselves) would do a guest post here on Pen and Paper about the film(s) that have had an impact on them and why. No pressure; it doesn't  have have to be 10 films, 1 will do. 

Anyone interested? Please feel free to contact me by email (you can find my details on my 'Review Policy') OR on FaceBook OR via Instagram ... I'd love to host you.