Even though I'm a ripe 23 years old now, every time I go to the movie theater, it's a thrill. I can't wait to see the previews and when the lights go down I get the same rush I did when I went to see Karate Kid back in the day.
Every once in a while a scene, or a part of a scene, will transcend art or entertainment and cause a reaction so visceral and emotionally pure that I physically get chills. It's difficult to characterize the exact emotion felt, it's more of an exultation of not just watching, but becoming part of a film's reality. I first saw the chill scene concept put into words by the Sports Guy from Espn.com's Page 2, and following his lead here is a list of some of my favorite movie chill scenes:
The Sam Cooke intro and the first Sonny Liston fight from Ali : The first 20-30 minutes of this movie achieve cinematic perfection. I'm convinced of this fact. The footage of Ali training intercut with Sam Cooke performing and with scenes from Ali's childhood sets the atmosphere and captures the feeling of anticipation, of hope and possibility, both in Ali's life and in America at that time. The opening sequence makes amazing use of music, and the fight scene is beautifully choreographed and shot. You can feel the speed of Ali's punches, and really sense the lightness and grace with which he fought. It's a shame (and the subject of it's own pizzle entry) that the rest of movie doesn't live up to the beginning and turned out so unfocused.
The final scene of Three Kings : I wrote about this once on August 22 , but I would just like to reiterate what a stroke of genius it was to use U2's In God's Country at that moment.
Benicio del Toro's "Jesus betrayed me" monologue from 21 Grams : If you weren't convinced of del Toro's greatness after Traffic then you most certainly will be after watching 21 Grams. As an ex-con struggling with his new found faith, del Toro's speech in his jail cell in front of his reverend is absolutely riveting. A lifetime of struggle between a man's inner demons and the ambigous promises of blind faith comes out in del Toro's burning eyes and the venomous conviction in his voice when he points to his temple and says, "Hell? Hell is up here."
The "Tiny Dancer" scene from Almost Famous : Cameron Crowe sums up his love letter to music and its power to bring people together and help them move forward with this very simple scene in which everyone on a tour bus slowly starts singing along to Elton John's 1971 hit. Kate Hudson adds the perfect finishing touch when she responds to young William's desire to go home with, "You ARE home."
There are many, many more, but the late hour prohibits me from giving them the treatment they deserve. I'll probably just make this a running segment and tag one on to future entries. So Stay Tuned!
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Happy Birthdays are due to my homeboy Gautam (he's like 17 now, I think) and my mainest man Russell. Russ's gift this year is to get his site linked from the pizzle!! I know the rest of you are jealous.
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"Love ain't supposed to be this bad,
Make you cry mega ultra sad.
If I told you you're all I ever had
Would you walk on me?
cuz I wouldn't walk on you"
-----Ben Kweller
"You can turn off the sun, but I'm still gonna shine"
----Jason Mraz
"So grab your cups of beer
Put 'em up let's cheer
Here's a toast to all my soldiers who ain't here
This is it my niggaz this what we boast about
Get your bottles homie, pour some out
Now grab your cups of gin
Put 'em up let's win
Here's a toast to never lookin back again
This is it my niggaz this what we boast about
Get your bottles homie, pour some out "
----Obie Trice