I hardly think so.

I’ve never really been a ‘movie watcher’. I’ve always thought that, after watching a bad movie, I had just wasted two hours. I hate wasting time. Whenever I’m just sitting around I’m constantly thinking of what I should be doing instead of what I am doing. And movies, they don’t really fit into that ‘productive’ category. As a result of all this, I watch very few movies now, which isn’t shocking, and I grew up being, as some would say, ‘deprived’ of all movies and television. 

The reasoning behind this? Who knows? Perhaps it was to keep me from developing bad habits, to keep me active, or just because, let’s face it, I’ve got hippy parents. In my dad’s words, “It affects your brain development and there’s hardly anything worth watching.”

Some may ask, well if you didn’t watch TV, what on earth did you do?! My answer to that question is a simple one. What didn’t I do? I started learning to read when I was three-and-a-half so naturally, I could read, comprehend, and be entertained by chapter books at a young age. I also took up cello lessons when I was the same age. As if that wasn’t enough for just a youngster, I had three older brothers to keep me on my toes and out of trouble (or rather in trouble). Well, I have to say, little things like forced creativity, and being immersed in unusual experiences and ideas might have led me to be where I am today. I see myself as a free thinker with my own unique and strong opinions about the world and my surroundings. Always cynical and challenging other’s personal views. I suppose this could lead me to some trouble, but a lot of things can lead to trouble if you don’t carefully groom them and care for them trimming off the bad spots and nurturing the healthy ones. 

Kids in my generation don’t realize how, by watching television so young, they learn to believe everything it tells them- lies and all. Some kid shows teach that violence is not the right way to deal with your problems: However, somewhere along the line between childhood, and adulthood, that mindset of peaceful conflict management, is stamped out of us all. The government solves their problems by making war and nuclear weapons not just for self-defense, but to attack. Sometimes, or rather a lot of times, I think that as American citizens, we see ourselves as the ‘heros’ and it comes as a shock to remember how many people we killed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I’m not sure how we can go from one end of the spectrum to the other in one lifetime, but we can. It’s so hard to differentiate between the truth and lies, between right and wrong. 

Children’s shows often show children that authority is superior and always holds the right answers luring us all into a false sense of security under the ‘safety’ of our corrupt government. To me, it seems like television is far more harmful than beneficial. Is it really necessary? Is it really becoming something that is common to entertain young ones with and keep them busy? I hope we’ll realize, before it’s too late, that we can do better than that for our next generation of kids. 

So a favorite childhood movie? I hardly think so.     -fb

fav movies

When I look back on my childhood, I don’t remember watching a lot of movies or television. I remember playing outside with our dogs a lot or helping my mom at her job working at my grandparent's restaurant. I remember watching The Lion King or Toy Story, and those are my favorite movies of all time. 

I really enjoy The Lion King a lot although I haven’t watched it lately. I love The Lion King because it is based in Africa, a place where I always wanted to travel and because it was the first musical-type movie I watched. I love the triumphant journey the Simba struggles through the movie.

Toy Story would be in my top three. Animation movies are my favorite. I love the trilogy of Toy Story;  the third instalment is my favorite of the three because we finally get to see “Andy” grow up and go to college. We also see in the last movie a great life lesson for children. Andy gives up his toys to a younger child and that is a very selfless act children need to see.

We all watch movies from time to time and for the most part enjoy them. They give us a release from life. When we are engaged watching a movie, we find ourselves sometimes screaming at the TV, “He’s right BEHIND YOU!! RUN!”Movies provide a escape from the real and immerse us in a fiction land that goes to infinity. 

-AJ

Home is home.

Home is home for me. What else would it be?  Home is where my family is- all my brothers and sisters, and my parents who are always teaching me new things every day. I always have someone to keep me company at  home. 

My little brothers and I enjoy playing basketball and soccer together. But it’s kind of a love-hate relationship. Most of the time we’re all on good terms, but sometimes we just feel like killing each other. 

My sisters and I goof around a lot too, but supposedly they want me to be proper. So in my mind my home is home for me. -el

Home...

Everyone has a place they call home, and for me, that is the theater. Whether I'm performing or watching, I always feel like I belong there and I love it. There's almost always amazing music, but even without the music, there is always preparations for, or performances of great shows. With something happening almost all the time, there's always a way for me to get involved and to enjoy it.

There's something to be said about the people there, too. Everyone has a great attitude because they all have one common goal, which is to put on a great show. During the process of rehearsals for shows, these people also become a sort of second family. We become very

close, we laugh at each other, and we work hard to put together the best show we can.

Performing is a passion of mine, and I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t. It doesn’t matter if I’m singing, dancing, or acting. I just love being in the theater entertaining people. I’m happy when I'm there, because I can do something funny, and people don’t care, because they expect it. They just want a good show that I know I can give.

Even just watching a show is like watching a movie at home to me. Many of the shows I go to see involve many people I know from other shows, and it’s always fun to go watch them in another role. At other theaters where I don’t really know the cast, I still see a great performance and I’m in an environment that I love surrounded by amazing music and acting.

Theaters, no matter what they’re showing, always seem like a awesome place to me. Between the people and the music, I can always feel at peace and relaxed. There is always the imminent end of the show, striking of the set, and departure of friends, but the great fun we have along the way makes up for it. Plus there’s always a chance to come back again next year, and start the process over again.

LS

Home Sweet Home

What is home for me? Home for me is at my house because it is were I feel the most comfortable.  I can just go there and do what I like to do. I feel safe at my home, where at other places I don't feel as safe. My family is there and I can always talk to them, and sometimes they're fun to be around. I do love them.  When I go home, I know were I am- I know the place.  Sometimes when I go to a random place, I don't know anyone and feel uncomfortable. I hate when I go to a place I don't know and have to ask where everything is:  where's the bathroom? and where do you guys keep the cups? I also feel comfortable at my friends' houses- like my friend Ben's house.  I know where things are, I know the people, and the big one -I know where the bathroom is located. It might not be my home, but it could be because I know it well. 

BR

Where I Call Home

Where I call home. Where I call home. Where do I call home? I sat for quite a while staring at a blank document, waiting for one place to come to mind. Just one place though. At first I was thinking, maybe, Thailand.

The scenic island of Koh Samui, where every panorama looks picturesquely like a postcard.  I wouldn’t be surprised if the sparkling blue waters and the sand on the beautiful beaches in Thailand are on the front of some postcards. I’m sure that after visiting there, many people would like to make it their home. The lushness of the surrounding beauty draws you in and makes you wish that it was your home. 

Or maybe it’s Hawaii.

Of course, it’s the desired destination of many vacationers, but for me it’s also where my family lives. My cousins and aunts and uncles and second cousins and my grandfather are all there. In fact, almost everyone on my mother’s side of the family lives there. Always living overseas, I was never even in the same country as my extended family. It made so happy to visit them and be able to hear their voices. Although, some may consider the hubbub of a large family an annoyance, I am comforted by the noise of the people I love around me. 

Mongolia. Maybe, it’s Mongolia actually.

Mongolia is the country I resided in for ten years. That surely makes an impression, surely counts for some “home points.” When exotic place comes to mind, it’s not the fact that the the sky is almost always a beautiful blue or the fact that the appetizing smell of the traditional food leaves me nostalgic, it’s the fact that this place is where I had all my childhood memories. My first pet, my first day of school, my first bike ride all occurred in Mongolia. 

But I realized, despite all the places I’ve been, all the places I consider a home, there isn’t one place, or country, that is my home. There isn’t one that is my only home. Even after the many beautiful, inviting, and striking countries, states, areas, regions that I’ve been to in the past, and will go to in the future, I am doubtful that I could ever choose just one. I could never choose one to live in forever, or to be my home forever, because home could be anywhere that I can be happy, comforted, and … at home, really. 

KW

Home

Home’s true definition is where you feel comfortable and at rest, somewhere you can picture yourself residing forever, whether it’s in your apartment, at the workplace, or playing a sport.  For me, home is anywhere with a basketball in my hand and a basketball hoop near.  It is the only place where I can picture myself experiencing maximum happiness.  There are three main reasons why I think of basketball this way:  the friendships created while playing, the infinite room to improve, and the sheer beauty of the game. 

While people play pickup games or H-O-R-S-E, they bond with the player they are competing against.  I met some of my best friends playing basketball, and that was the way we strengthened our bond.  Although some disagreements and brawls occur on the court, or as some call it, the“Garden of Eden,” what happens on the court stays on the court.  Teams are not only teams, they are brotherhoods.  

No basketball player will ever be even close to worthy enough to hold the title as “The Perfect Basketball Player.”  There is always things one can improve on, such as your mid-range jump shot, defense, ball-handling, free throws, vertical leap, etc.  That is what I love about basketball.  My hunger for improvement will only grow as I get better.  This hunger will never be satisfied.

A basketball game is usually composed of a ten-foot hoop, an NCAA or NBA basketball, and a hard surface to bounce the ball on.  No matter where this location is at, people play it the same way universally:  whoever scores more points wins.  The ten-foot hoop is at a perfect height, a height most players want to dunk on.  The size of the ball, depending on your league or age, always will find a unique way to fall through the net.  All surfaces will do good for a basketball game, even if it’s on a hill or partially submerged in water.  If you cannot dribble, you can always shoot.  The sport is always changing, such as the way players handle the ball or a player’s shooting form.  Basketball seemingly never stops.

To me, basketball is a flawless art.  I only feel fully satisfied while I’m honing my skills, whether it’s by myself or with others.  Basketball is my passion.  When I play, all my worries seemingly drift away and my stress is cut down exponentially.  It motivates me to do well.  Basketball is not only where my home is, it is who I am.

~Chamalmy

Toy Story... watch it.

   When I was about five years old, I loved watching cartoons and movies; one movie in particular that I loved the most was Toy Story. Almost every morning I would come downstairs in my pajamas with my stuffed Elmo and be chanting, "Toy Story, Toy Story!" My mom would get me a mug with hot chocolate, my favorite drink when I was a kid, and she would put Toy Story in the VCR and let me watch it. No matter how many times I watched it I never got sick of it, in fact, I think that my love for the movie actually grew each time I watched it. At times, my mom would get tired of having to hear the same lines day after day, but she still let me watch it because it made me happy and it gave her time to do other things around the house without having to pay to close of attention to me. This was, and still is, my favorite movie for several reasons. As a kid, I felt as if I could connect with Andy, now, it is my favorite movie because I see that it taught me a valuable lesson.

     As a kid, I had a lot of toys. My toys ranged from stuffed animals that I had since I was born, all the way to rescue ranger action figures that I had begged my mom for and said that I needed. My plethora of toys had a large influence on my need to regularly watch Toy Story. I felt as if Andy and I had something in common; we both had an abundance of toys, and both of us enjoyed playing with them and pretending as if they were real people. When I was a kid, I was made fun of for having so many toys and for constantly playing with them, but watching Toy Story and seeing that Andy did this as well allowed me to connect with him and overcome the ridicule by knowing that I wasn't the only one who did this. Even though I knew that Andy was a fictional character, I still feel that watching Toy Story gave me a sense of assurance because I saw that I wasn't alone in what I did.

     Now that I'm older, I look back at Toy Story and see that it had a much more significant meaning. I used to think that it was just a funny movie with a character that I could relate to, now I see that it actually conveyed a message of friendship and tolerance. All of the different toys lived harmoniously in the toy box without prejudice. Despite each others differences, they were able to come together for a larger purpose. No matter what came between them, they were still willing to help Andy and be there when he needed them. This has a great application to real life as well; each of us is one of the toys in Andy's toy box, and although we may come from different places and not all be the same, we should be able to look past each others differences and live together in harmony. Racial prejudices have caused so many of the worlds problems such as the holocaust and the Rwandan genocide. If we had all looked past each others differences, we would've been able to avoid the death of millions of people.

     Toy Story was a movie that helped me all throughout my childhood and helped form me into who I am today. It taught me to look past the differences of others and not judge people based on how they look or where they are from. Although I don't watch it now as much as I used to, it still is my favorite movie and I still love watching it just as much.

HB

Toy Story

My favorite childhood movie  would have to be Toy Story. I Watched it as child, but it is still one of my favorite movie series. I am not really sure what about Toy Story I love so much, probably the  talking toys, because I think every kid wants toys to be able to talk. I loved Woody and Buzz Lightyear saying "Up Up & Away," I didn't like the kid who stole Buzz, but then when Woody went to go save Buzz, the mean kid almost blows up Buzz. I think that the third movie was the best one out of all them. I was a little sad at the end of the third movie when the toys where brought to  a new kid, and I could tell that Andy was sad that he gave away his childhood toys. =Br

Home

Leaves rustle in the wind like feathers of a wild bird, the ground of the landscape crunches under my feet.  I jump across fallen trees and leap from rock to rock through gorgeous forests that I consider my home.  The feeling of wind gliding across my face, whipping my bright, red hair into my eyes, my feet carrying through the tall trees, jumping over obstacles and wandering down paths, I feel most like myself; content.  

Growing up in northern Minnesota has surely presented the opportunity of gorgeous green forests in the spring and summer, warm, beautiful colors seemingly painted across the area in the autumn, and glistening dustings of snow, covering forests in the winter.  Throughout the majority of my life, there was always a forest to roam and explore, adventure through, and admire.  The different sounds of the nature that often surround me are so unique, every day a different rhythm.  One couldn’t duplicate this, not even with the latest technology.  The feeling of being in the presence of something so spectacular and wondrous calms me, bringing peace to my mind, as opposed to overwhelming me.  I feel most like myself, able to be as unique as I am, just as the forest is.  

Another reason I feel forests are my home is because they have been a constant throughout my life.  Through the many changes that take place in any person’s life at some point in time, I was always able to retreat to a forest and let myself go for a bit, dropping any conflict or hindering emotion or thought at the edge.  I’ve always been able to simply forget about civilization and answer the calls of the forests.  I can hide away in the trees and wander through the impeccable works of thousands of years’ time.  Being able to have a border and tell myself to just let everything go when I have the chance is a healthy tool for me and always a place where I know I can be myself with no judgments.  And to me, any place where I am able to do that is a home.  

HS

An Exquisite Home

The sound of shuffling leaves and birds chattering around me filled the air with a vivacious mood. As I sat high in the branches of a tall, rambunctious tree, the wind blew about me as if it was wrapping its delicate arms around me. This is my home. Most people might consider their house to be their actual home; however, home can be defined in a variety of different ways. To me, home is a place where I feel sheltered, secure, and safe. When I’m high above the ground, I experience many different perspectives. I think much more clearly and swiftly when I can analyze my ideas and thoughts from a different point of view. Being in a unique tree is very relaxing and peaceful, especially when cradled by the branches of tranquility and calmness that usually envelope me. The fresh aroma of blooming flowers, as well as pine trees fill my nose with delightfulness as I watch the countless arms of many trees sway back and forth. The crisp, roughness of bark on the branches of trees coincides with the dampened, cold moss growing along its substantial trunk. The feelings of stability and perpetual contentment suppress my agitation and remoteness. I couldn’t think of any other place I’d rather be than high up in the ravishing vines of an exquisite tree. This is my home.

KB

Fav Movie: Top Gun

I can honestly say that my favorite movie, was Top Gun. I believe the reason I liked it the most is because of the jets that are in the movie. I used to be absolutely fascinated with jets when i was a kid, so much so  that I went on to make an attempt at designing one for the military.  I like the movie still today, however it is no longer my favorite. My new favorite movie is definitely Black Hawk Down. The reason I like that movie more is because it is more action packed and, well I guess it's just more my style.

Toy Story

There is always that childhood movie that we can remember, mine is Toy Story. When I was little my mom had always put this movie on for me and my brothers to watch so we would shut up. Now as a young adult I look back and remember all my favorite parts with Al McWhiggin. Al is the dancing chicken for Al's Toy Barn, he also does the commercials for Al's company at the toy barn. When Woody goes into the toy barn, he is spotted by Al and taken back to his apartment to be put into the wide collection of other rare dolls. Woody's pals' come looking for woody in the apartment and get there just in time, "the Chicken Man" (A.K.A Al McWhiggin)had him packed in a box to be sent out on a plane to a museum for dolls. Toy Story has humor in it that this suitable for all ages making is a good family movie for everyone.

HK

lion king...

My favorite childhood movie is The Lion King. There are several things I liked about this movie. One of my favorite things is that it's about families, the good and the bad. It shows how families can fight, can have misunderstandings, but really they are always there for you. I also liked the humor. Timon and Pumba are really funny and just know how to enjoy life.

The movie starts with a baby lion being born and his parents lifting him up for the entire kingdom to see. As the movie goes on the young lion starts to defy his parents and explore areas he's not suppose to visit. His father and uncle have a fight and the uncle blames the young lion for his father's death, the lion is still very young so he believes his evil uncle. The young lion runs away and meets up with a meerkat and a warthog and they become very good friends. The lion grows up and he learns a lot about life from his friends. Eventually the lion misses home and returns to fight his evil uncle and take his rightful place as heir to the kingdom.

This is a feel good movie, when I watch this movie it makes me laugh, smile, cry. I always feel good after seeing it. It doesn't  matter how many times I watch it, I still laugh. If you're down or don't feel like you fit in this movie helps you realize we all have a purpose and reason for what happens to us in life.

I think my favorite character is Simba because he's the main character, and he blames himself for his father's death. I like watching him grow up and learn that we can be forgiven for our mistakes. I really like how in the end Simba returns home and wins out over his evil Uncle.

-tk

Favorite Childhood Movie

When I was younger, I had the dream to someday become a mystical creature in nature.  After I watched The Little Mermaid, I was overcome with the idea to become a mermaid.  The idea that one could live and breathe underwater and communicate with the countless numbers of diverse fish that live in the ocean was truly enchanting, and the idea that a mermaid could call an extravagant coral reef a home mesmerizing. The idea of becoming a mermaid and fulfilling my dream was all too appealing, especially when introduced to a character as kind and strong as Ariel.  

As a child I enjoyed exploration and stories, hearing them and making up my own.  These were some of the ways I had found Ariel to be a character that I could relate to.  I also admired the young Disney Princess for her talents and personality, the fact that she knew her dream and was determined to fulfill it, even if it meant sacrificing her enchanting singing voice.  As a young girl Ariel seemed to be my favorite Disney princess as well as my role model.  I wanted badly to become a caring and determined girl like her.  I hoped to be able to live adventures such as hers and meet interesting characters similar to the sea friends she had.  The Little Mermaid provided not only entertainment but also an illustration of what I hoped to be when I grew older.

Another notable detail of the captive tale was the beauty and wonder of the ocean.  I can recall wanting so badly to live in a place as vibrant and special as the ocean. Being younger and not knowing that coral reefs are about one hundred times more impressive in real life, I was captured by the mystery and magical atmosphere of Ariel’s home.  I was baffled by the thought that the mermaid princess could dream of little but becoming a part of the human world, a world that was simply normal to me.  I would ask myself, why would she want that?  Why wouldn’t she want to stay in such a beautiful place?  After many years of pondering this, even when I grew too old for the movie, I discovered that maybe, just maybe, there was something as equally vibrant and special on land as there was in those gorgeous ocean environments.  

I began to notice all the absolutely beautiful things on land; things that I took for granted and quickly labeled as “normal” without truly taking the time to examine them.  As I grew older I noticed that people in general tend to take such things for granted until something as small as a children’s movie or as big as a campaign brings the idea to their attention.  The valuable attention to detail in something as impeccable as nature was a strong lesson I learned, and have always appreciated, from The Little Mermaid.

 

HS

    

lady and the tramp...

I have always loved animals, even as a small child. In fact, I especially loved them when I was little. I wanted to have so many pets, but like most children, I really wanted a dog. Now that I’m older and we actually have dogs, I don’t like them as much. I don’t like all the things that I did as a child.

      Honestly, I don’t frequently partake in any movie or television watching anymore, but as a very young child, doing so was one my favored methods of entertainment. Basically, my sister and I both went through a phase, around the age of three, in which there was one movie that we insisted on watching every single day. My sister’s favorite was Finding Nemo. I liked this movie, but probably because I was seven, it bored me after the first couple of days. However, when I was three, my favorite movie was Lady and the Tramp. Now, I don’t have the faintest idea how I could have wanted to watch it everyday. I mean, after I had the storyline memorized wouldn’t the repetition become tiresome? Obviously not. Apparently, I was too easily amused.

Knowing the chronological order of every event that was to happen in the 76-minute movie gave me the advantage of expecting climax. My parents have told me about my frantic reactions to the pinnacle of the movie. “The rat, the baby, the rat, the baby!” I would shout at the television screen, wide-eyed, waiting for Tramp to become the impending hero and rescue the helpless little child. Still, after the movie was over, and I had pondered the intricacies of cinema, I would insist, the next day, on watching it again! 

Why did I like this movie so much? Perhaps being the point of maximum excitement, the thrill brought me joy. Or perhaps being an animal-loving girl,  I just loved the idea that dogs could understand humans and even protect them, just like a friend. Perhaps this movie made me believe, at the naive age of three, that I could talk to dogs and have one without having to take much care of it. I mean, if I could just tell it to go feed itself, what was the hard part?

Now, I’m sure Lady and The Tramp was  the root of my “can-I-have-a-dog-PLEASE” stage. 

-kw