Conclusion
How do I wrap up this extensive series of film reviews? More
so, how do I close the page on this chapter of my life called my 20’s? it feels
like yesterday, but also a lifetime ago. I look back on those years and marvel
at how much has changed. From 2002 to now 2018, a lot of years have come and
gone. Some of that time went slowly, but looking back now it seems to have
passed me by in the blink of an eye. That’s the funny thing about time, or
relativity as this time conundrum is also referred to.
Revisiting these movies that all came and were seen by me in
the space of a decade, was a refreshing experience. Writing about the movies of
my childhood was pure nostalgia, and it took me back to some places in my mind
I had almost completely forgotten about. Writing about the movies of my
teenager years was not so nostalgic, but more of a sense of closure I suppose,
as it helped me lay some things to rest that occurred in those years. Before I
sat down to write about the movies of my 20’s, I wasn’t certain it would be
nostalgic or give me a sense of closure, as the movies were still quite recent,
and it wasn’t that long ago I was still a 20-something. A lot of things have
changed about my life since then, but I haven’t changed a whole lot as a
person. Well, just recently I spotted a few single grey hairs poking through 😉
I’ve definitely grown in many ways, and achieved some levels
of self-actualisation that were just thoughts five to ten years ago. And this
was reflective in the taste of movies I chose to focus on for these reviews. It
was definitely a mixed bag, and I’m sure you will agree with me there. If I
were to lock down some recurring themes or concepts in the movies of my 20’s, I
can honestly say it had a lot to do with exploration; of the world via travel,
and of my self through personal development. The two went hand in hand, and the
way I made sense of my journeys to other countries and the journey to discover
myself was through my commitment to writing. What was just a hobby back then is
now a way of life for me, and I couldn’t imagine a life without writing in it.
The effect this exercise has had on me over the past three
years, as I’ve revisited my younger years via the movies, was very humbling and
enjoyable. We each have our own way of connecting to the past, and
contextualise something we experienced or felt. For you that could be
witnessing your favourite team win the finals, or seeing your favourite artist
perform live for the first time. At least for me, it was through the movies. My
window to the world of others, and another way to recognise parts of myself in
the lives of others. Whether at the cinema, at home, or even on a summer camp,
movies are always accessible, and now with smart phones and the ability to stream
any movie, anytime, anywhere, it’s a great time to explore the movies you love
in a whole new way, or discover some movies you’ve never seen. Maybe my list
has got you thinking, even curious maybe?
As turbulent and transforming as the 20’s were for me, and
everyone else, there are always a few things about us that don’t change. When we
know what we like, we do what we like to do. I’ve always liked movies, and even
as other interests have come and gone, movies continue to be there. How could I
pay the ultimate tribute to the artform I loved to see out my 29th
year? Approaching age 30 snuck up, as getting older does, and I’d never had a big
party for myself before. So, I made the decision to have a costume party to kick
off my thirties. And what do you think the theme of the costume party was? I’ll
give you three guesses, but you’ll only need one. Some of you reading this were
probably even there. Here’s some memory snaps…
As I have written these reviews and conclusion, I’m 35 now. Reaching
this milestone was, as I saw it, an invitation to look back on my 20’s and try
to make sense of it all. When you’re living any age or stage of life, you just
move along in the direction you believe is right for you. There are good times
and bad, certainty and doubt, happiness and sadness. But that’s life isn’t it? It’s
only when you are years beyond that age, can you look back with a narrower
perspective on what you were doing and what you were all about.
And to sum up that decade of my life as briefly as I can
here,
“The 20’s are the
formative years, where you break free from the confines of teenagerhood, and
build up your life for the future that lays ahead; as best as you can anyway,
given you’re still young and have a lot to learn”
I learnt much in my 20’s, and I’m still learning. I would
like to think I always will be learning.
And as for my 30’s so far… what do I think?
It’s been a whole different experience, marked by buying my
first home, getting married, having children, launching my business and taking
my writing to the next level. I’ve been keeping tabs on a few special movies
these past five years, which have already made their impression on me, but you
won’t see those reviews anytime soon. Maybe this will hold you over…?
Thanks for reading.
“Love the Movies”
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