I don't go to see a movie very often. I'm not sure why. I love movies - well, I love some movies. The romantic comedies that make me laugh are certainly my favorites because who wants to cry anyway? I don't like war movies or movies about injustice because they make my heart hurt way beyond crying. There are so few happy movies any more that I've just gradually quit going. But this weekend I went twice.
First of all (true confession time) I love the Twilight series of books and have read all four of them twice now and will probably read them again. I've seen Twilight (the movie) at the theater once and at home once and in my camper twice. I know, why in the world would I watch it that many times? The same reason I've seen Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail a hundred forty seven times each. Slight exaggeration. Love conquers all....boy loves girl, girl loves boy....happy ending....beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I'm all about movies that are all about love. I'm sure you can deduce that this weekend I saw New Moon, the second movie in the Twilight series. I'm on Team Edward in case any of you are interested. I bet that real movie people think these movies would never get an A+ with real movie people and maybe they're right. I don't care. I loved it and I will see it again. In fact, I've been borrowing my daughter's copy of Twilight and I just may buy my own copy and a copy of New Moon when it's available. I'll add it to my collection that includes, you guessed it, Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail. When I watch movies like these I leave the theater, or turn off the television, with a sigh, thinking "all's well with the world." And I like that feeling.
And then, wonder of wonders, the next day I went to see The Blind Side. I love, love, love Sandra Bullock and would probably go see her in anything but she is incredibly perfect in this movie. This is the world as I want it to be. Well, her part in it anyway. She plays the part of a white, rich, southern woman in Memphis who runs across a black kid who is way out of his element in a private Christian high school. He has little family and no one taking care of him so she, Sandra, takes him home with her and he becomes her son/she becomes his mama. She is as fierce as a mama bear and fights for him with every fiber of her heart. I know that God loves children and He loves those who take care of his children. And I love to see it happen. It will join my growing collection of "feel good" movies.
I know there are wonderful, deep movies out there that are designed to make me think and wonder and change my perceptions. Don't ask me to go see them. I guess you can call me Pollyanna and that's ok. But I want a movie that doesn't make my heart hurt and doesn't make me cry except with joy. These two fill that bill.
