Movie Magic

Movie Master's Movie Magic

          Hello film fans, Movie Master Brad Crawford here for you and I wanted to share with you movies that hold magic for me, why they do, and maybe they'll hold some magic for you!

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Breaking up is never fun, someone always gets hurt and if you're a good person then regardless of the reason or the fault, you will feel bad. If you're at fault or the one breaking up then obviously you'll feel bad. If you're being broken up with or had something happen against you then, well, no need to state the obvious. With film being my safe haven I found out a long time ago that while most lose themselves in music or ... other ways ... I lose myself in film. For me this is the film that always made me feel better after Love's sting hit its mark. 

Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Have you ever felt depressed? Ever just sad or stressed out about life or it's problems? Maybe you simply feel a lack of flare in life or have found yourself in some kind of slump. Well, I've been there myself unfortunately and this ... this is the film I turn to. Now, I'm not saying this movie will get rid of your depression, not at all, but for me my mind and heart are put at some ease while losing myself to it for a few hours. At other times I'll just watch it when I need to see life's colors a bit more vividly once again, or when I need extra push to go out and live life. For me this is my number one go-to movie to recharge and rediscover.

The Man Who Invented Christmas

While wearing many creative hats, one being that of a writer, this film holds a special place in my heart and each year I yearn to watch and feel that extra something special ... especially at Christmas time. This film follows the famed author Charles Dickens, creator of many great works including Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations, and for this particular film entry ... A Christmas Carol! We see the great lengths that this artist goes through to realize the time enduring vision, with all of his characters forming themselves and interacting with him to develop themselves, their very own world/story, and in doing so help Charles come to terms with past demons and put to bed current fears, frustrations, and heartache. I can relate to this film and the insane world a creative lives in, the things we endure to realize our visions and purge our souls of the stories we hold just to make room for more. It's casted and performed beautifully by Christopher Plummer (Scrooge) and Dan Stevens (Dickens) who play off one another masterfully! I am moved to tears each year I watch it and remember why film is so dear to me . . . it IS magic!

Hugo

For anyone aspiring to work in film as an actor, director, writer, SFX specialist, or anything in between ... or anyone who just LOVES movies, then this film will hold magic for you as well as it does me. If you can find a film that's about what you're passionate about I only hope that it is as special and as well done as this film is. You discover what movie magic truly is, the soul of film itself and why it's so special. Just writing this right here and now thinking of this movie I can feel goosebumps sprawling down my legs! And with a talent like Ben Kingsley helming one of the most important figures in film history I assure you that you will be brought to a brink of emotion and rebirth with this film A rebirth in your drive for film, your search for inspiration, and knowing that as a creative it is your duty to keep what was started over a 120 years ago moving forward and into the future!

Project X

Ok, so while this film is MUCH more simplistic in everything that it stand for, I still must admit that this film holds magic for me. Back in college if I wasn't feeling in the mood to go out with friends or venture off to the parties of the night and discover adventures beyond my couch then I would pre-game, though this didn't involve any kind of alcohol. No, my pregame was getting some good food (that was bad for the body), and pop in Project X. The soundtrack, the script, the perfect progression of comedy and chaos that ensues up to a satisfying and pulse pounding climax, it all comes together for a perfect cinematic pre-game. If you loosen up and have fun with this film, like I used to (and still do from time to time), then I guarantee that you'll feel that jolt of adrenaline and crazy hit your veins faster than "shotgunning" a four loco. At that point you'll be busting down your front door just dying to get out and party till the moon drowns in the morning light!

Draft Day

This is an unconventional film, especially in terms of the sports film genre. It centers around Kevin Costner's character, a general manager for the real life football team The Cleveland Browns, who have had a true to life record slump within the film. This year is the first year Costner's character gets to choose draft picks as general manager and create his own team and we see a day in the life of a football team's general manager on their most important day of the year . . . draft day. While it doesn't sound all too interesting it is extremely exhilarating and has a lot of comic relief throughout. Now, the reason that this film holds magic for me is my dad. My dad was a highly successful salesman and with only a high school diploma he could sell money to a bank and take Wall Street to school! Watching this movie my dad and I could bond over football, something we both love, and film, something I love, and the art of negotiating at play ... something my dad loves. So if you love football, make a living wheeling a dealing, or just want an off the beaten path film then check it out. Maybe it'll hold some magic for you too. Or, at the very least, it should keep you entertained for 90 minutes or so.