Right In The Feels!

You ever watch a film that punches you in the gut with emotion?  That drags you, sometimes against your will, into caring and rooting for a character that you might not have started out liking?  This has happened a few times with me but my most recent example is a good, solid film called Chappie about a robot that comes alive.
A robot given life; it's a common sci-fi troupe.  Star Wars had C3PO and R2D2, Star Trek had Data and Chappie has Chappie.  If you gets the chance to watch this film please do.  I was reluctant because the idea I had in my head of what the film was about was something completely different to what I got.  And I couldn't be happier.
Yes, some dialogue could have been tighter and the acting could have been sharper in points but for emotional blackmail of the highest order this film is gold.  By the end of the movie I was rooting for characters that I seriously disliked from the beginning and the villain is so convinced of his own righteousness that you're left a little agog at his actions. 
Instead of an already established A.I. you get to see Chappie learn how to talk, paint and interact...being led by probably some of the worst people you could think of.  A South African robot gangsta was completely unexpected for me and that seemingly ridiculous idea is superbly executed.  Humour mixed with emotional "Aww" moments topped up with threats against the characters deliver a movie experience that has me kicking myself for not going to see this in cinemas. 
Hugh Jackman running around with a gun wearing shorts had me cracking up until he pulled some shocking behaviour that left me blinking in surprise.  Dev Patel just completely owns the role of a "nerd" who is driven and committed.  Die Antwoord members Ninja and Yo-Landi are really surprisingly good as Chappie's parents (of all things) and whose characters have a nice growth arc through the film.  And just to add the delicious icing on the top of a great cast Sigourney Weaver puts in one of her trademark solid performances as the owner of the company who makes the robots! 
Funny, charming, surprising and oh so emotional I really am glad I watched this and hope to introduce it to others in the future.  The only words I could utter when the credits rolled were "That was a fucking good movie!"

Storytime

I like stories.  Interesting characters and intertwining plots, dumb decisions that make you roll your eyes and silly shenanigans that make you laugh.  TV, film, books, hell even the Eurovision can give you a story.  In case you don't believe me on the Eurovision front just look at Serbia's or Australia's entry for this years contest.  When watching we came to the decision that Australia's song was just too good for Eurovision, also how is Australia part of Europe?!
Moving on; stories are the basis of life as far as I'm concerned.  Every culture on Earth has myths and legends that are at the core of their culture.  The best way to learn about a different culture is to read or listen to some of their stories.  Watch the films that come out of other countries instead of only ones direct from Hollywood.  Personally I've been enjoying going back and watching some old Jackie Chan martial art movies from Hong Kong, my favourite so far is Legend of The Drunken Master. 
And it highlights exactly what I mean.  The first time I watched that film I found some things weird, there was particular emphasis put on strange places in the dialogue or action than what you'd seen in western movies.  But it was great because it led to a fascinating conversation with my movie buff husband and my story buff drinking buddy about filming and storytelling for different audiences.
That conversation lasted two days and we still keep popping back to it every once in a while.  Sharing the bits that we found most interesting (for me is was the seriously impressive fight choreography and the great camera work that showcased it) is the best way to find out more.  I learn so much more about things, namely working in film, when those two get going.  It also gives me a nice feeling when I contribute a point that neither of them had thought of which makes me smiles and feel like I know more than I do.
I've been writing a story for a few years now and it's nice to think that I'm learning how to share an interesting plot with others without being repetitive or dull.  Still nervous about sharing it with others though.  It's one thing to share my thoughts here in a semi-anonymous setting but to actively give someone my original story and leave myself open for criticism or ridicule.  It's a very scary thought to me.  I don't have a thick skin (I've tried to develop one but it's a bit of a lost clause) and to have someone pick apart my story that I worked on and put effort into is one of my biggest fears.
No one likes to fail and I've always thought I can tell a good story, so to maybe share it with others who'll take delight in tearing it down is terrifying for me.  But I'm still writing and someday I do want to share it with others because I like to hear what people think, I like the different perspectives that clashing personalities bring to the table and I love hearing someone saying that they liked something I wrote or they thought it was funny/interesting.