Fisti, over at A Fistful of Films has unleashed Hell. Again.
GROUP #1: It's the Little Things...
While his proposed blogathon isn't asking for a slew of flaming arrows to rain hot death, he is instead asking for cinematic moments that have been seared into our minds forever. Wisely, he has suggested to keep the number of scenes under a hundred, which is appreciated, as I can think of about five hundred nude scenes right off the top of my head. Just kidding. It's more like a thousand.
Anyway, while I'm assuming that much smarter bloggers are going to absolutely nail this with moments that truly define cinema, I'm going to go with 21 scenes that occasionally fill the void in my head, where a functioning adult brain should reside. When possible, I've loosely grouped them into categories, attempting to connect the childlike emotion(s) that surface when these moments originally flickered on the big screen.
GROUP #1: It's the Little Things... Jerry MaGuire (1996) - Jerry's life has seemingly bottomed out. But after resigning his biggest client, he's back. Jerry gets in his car and wants - no, absolutely has to sing. He struggles at first, but then he finds the perfect song in Petty's Free Fallin'. I'm not Tom Cruise, but this scene? This is me.
Pulp Fiction (1994) - Is there anything cooler than this exchange? Well, fine, it's like a million-way tie with everything else in QT's classic, but still.
GROUP #2: Oh shit!
Meet Joe Black (1998) - You were probably seven when this came out, but I saw it theatrically. I have never, ever heard that many people scream then immediately laugh their asses off as Pitt finally decided to take his eyes off of Claire Forlani for one (final) moment. Not that I blame him...
Pink Flamingos (1972) - I had read about the infamous scene in Rolling Stone and decided I had to see it. So did every student living in my dorm (upon my receiving the VHS tape in the mail weeks later). And after it happened, they looked at me with such hurt and distrust in their eyes, I basically had to move off of campus immediately. Thanks a lot, Divine. I'd tell you to eat shit and die, but...well, you kind of already did.
GROUP #3: Perfection
Big Fish (2003) - Tim Burton could helm a Johhny Depp-led remake of Patch Adams and I would still forever love him for Big Fish. In a sea of perfect moments, Ed Bloom's gesture to Sandra is my absolute favorite.
Fight Club (1999) - I don't think there's a better akibat minute in a movie. Ever.
Braveheart (1995) - The way William Wallace's wife silently glides across the frame has always stayed with me. So to, the idea that in my akibat moments I'll be able to smile peacefully. This scene has a lot going on (and is a tad ridiculous, I'll be honest), but I love it regardless.
Group #4: Aww...
Group #4: Aww... Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) - Look, I was eleven when I saw this, and I'm assuming that I probably cried like the wee girl I was. Twenty-four years later, it still makes me shed a tear. Due to awesomeness. It's a flaming thumbs-up from beyond the grave. From a cyborg. I know, I know. I can't breathe either.
Forrest Gump (1994) - I couldn't contain my sadness when Forrest talks to Jenny's grave. I wept. I was so inconsolable, it was probably embarrassing. Good thing everyone else in the theater was crying, too. Even the stinky hippie next to me. Though his tears may have been unrelated to the onscreen happenings.
Stay tuned for Part II tomorrow. I know, I know.
I can't wait either.