THE RICHARD PARKER SCHOOL OF LIFE

Recently, I wrote about the importance expanding your cinematic comfort zone. Especially when it comes to movies like Life of Pi. People tend to stick to certain types of movies and rarely make exceptions. Furthermore, most people can’t see every new release so they have to pick and choose. Sometimes, movies slip below the radar. They are films that people are curious about but never give them a shot.

The risk is worth the reward. True, there are disappointments but there are also movies that make you wonder why you ever considered missing them in the first place.

A movie you almost skipped could become a movie you’ll never forget.

Well… I’m happy to say that Life of Pi is EXACTLY why you should expand your comfort zone. If you’re on the fence about the film it is my hope to give you the slightest nudge you need to go and see it.

LIFE OF PI IS ONE OF THE BEST FILMS OF THE YEAR

I caught a 3D matinee show on opening day.  There was actually quite a few people there which made me happy.  Then I began scanning the type of people in the theater and estimated that I was the youngest by minimum 30 years.  I was clearly the youngest person in the room. I actually felt a little bit out of place.

There was an adorable older couple that sat next to me. They must have been at least 80. Just before the movie began, the man began debating the pros and cons of a quick bathroom trip.

“You either have to go or you don’t… Do you have to go?”
“So so…” said the man with a wavering hand.

Eventually, they both decided to go and made it back just in time for an amazing movie.

Life of Pi is about a young man named Pi who leaves India with his family in search of a new life in Canada. After a violent storm strikes, Pi finds himself stranded on a life boat with a tiger named Richard Parker. His entire family gone.

At it’s core, Life of Pi is about survival and the search for God. It’s a truly profound tale of courage that is nothing short of breathtaking.

From the moment the movie began and I was captivated. Ang Lee directed an absolutely stunning movie. It’s one of the best looking films I’ve ever seen in my life. There’s just no way I can fully describe how many remarkable shots the director packed into the film. The visual effects in particular are amazing. Richard Parker is shockingly realistic. It makes the various confrontations between Pi and the Tiger all the more memorable. I fell in love with that tiger.

LIFE OF PI IS A BEAUTIFUL MOVIE

Besides the unbelievable visuals, Life of Pi also delivers a phenomenal story. I fully understand why the book is so popular now. (I also understand the scene with the ‘flying’ fish.)  It all comes together in one of the most enjoyable films I’ve seen this year.

THE GREAT ONES STICK WITH YOU LONG AFTER THE CREDITS ROLL

There is another reason why Life of Pi resonated with me. As I sat there watching Pi struggle to stay alive, I was thinking about the audience. Could I write a movie that would appeal to this demographic?

I began to think about my newest screenplay and whether or not anyone in the room would enjoy it. I don’t think they would like it. I thought about it more once the movie ended. My new script is a drama about being young parents. What was it that didn’t appeal to people over 60? It was interesting to weigh the options and potential changes I could make.  I’m not saying I will be implementing those changes but Life of Pi got me thinking about my screenplay in a new way. It was exciting.

There was also a woman two seats away from me who was constantly taking notes during the movie. What was she up to? Was she a reviewer? Did she write for a website? Was she a massive fan of the book?  Regardless, Life of Pi made me feel like writing screenplays, it made me think about writing this review and it made me feel creative.

Not bad for a quick trip outside my cinematic comfort zone.

Be sure to check out Life of Pi & The Cinematic Comfort Zone Part 1.

Click here for more reviews.

EXPANDING YOUR ‘MUST SEE’ LIST

[UPDATE: Check out my Life of Pi review here.]

I don’t take as many cinematic chances as I should.  I’ve skipped so many movies that later became personal favorites.  But it’s hard to spend 10-15 dollars for a movie if you are unsure it will be worth it.  In preparation for this post, I asked several friends and colleagues whether or not they would see Life of Pi in theaters:

“What is it?”

“Nah”

“The movie with the flying fish?”

“It looks weird.”

“Isn’t it based on that book?  Never read it.”

“I don’t get it.”

“I might rent it.”

“Nope.”

Then I asked a couple friends of mine who are absolutely obsessed with film and all it’s subtle beauty:

“Most likely.”

“It looks gorgeous.”

“I love Ang Lee’s films.”

I fall somewhere in between.  On one hand, I haven’t read the book and I was just as confused when a bunch of flying fish flew past a boat containing a boy and a tiger.  On the other hand, I thought the flying fish looked absolutely stunning on the big screen.  Where do you stand?

Life of Pi is a lot like Cloud Atlas.  They are both based on novels I know nothing about.  They’re both shot beautifully.  They both offer the opportunity to expand my cinematic comfort zone and see something different.  I haven’t seen Cloud Atlas yet but I’m doing my best to find a theater playing the film at a convenient time.

But I will eventually see them both.  Specifically Life of Pi.  It’s intriguing.  Why is that boy stranded on a boat with a ferocious tiger?

You have to admit, Life of Pi looks pretty.

If you don’t go to the movies often, would you take a chance on Life of Pi knowing nothing about it?  It’s hard to say considering everyone has different tastes but I’m willing to bet the answer is no.  I don’t know enough about Life of Pi to recommend it but I will say this:

When was the last time you gave something different a chance?  If you are an adventurous movie goer I salute you.  You’ve probably seen tons of phenomenal movies that many have skipped including myself.  My cinematic comfort zone is usually centered around big blockbusters, comedies, horror films & ‘Oscar type’ contending dramas.  I’d say that’s about average.  But I’m a massive fan of taking chances.  You never know when a film will come along and speak to you on levels you never expected.  That’s the beauty of exploring different movies. Honestly, I don’t step out of my comfort zone as often as I should.

THE RISK IS WORTH THE REWARD

There are millions of people out there who are looking forward to Life of Pi.  It’s based on a bestselling book after all.  I hope the film does well.  It was disappointing to see low box office numbers for Cloud Atlas.  Many reviews I read urged people to give it a chance.

“Cloud Atlas should absolutely be on your radar if you’re a lover of film. Though it requires patience, it points out, once again and with feeling, that at the end of our existence, the love and our stories are all that remain.” /Film

“This is a hard review to write, there’s no two ways about it. It’s an impossible movie to summarize, and the feelings it evokes, at least for this writer, are numerous. It absolutely requires more than one viewing, and perhaps two or three sittings with it wouldn’t even be enough to satisfactorily unravel everything CLOUD ATLAS has going on. And that’s why it stands out as one of this very few movies that can be categorized as a “must see” this year. Love it (like I did) or hate it (like you might), you won’t deny that it deserves to be experienced.” joblo

So far, I regret not seeing it but I will.  I have to.  To me the risk is worth the reward.  It may end up becoming one of my favorite movies of all time.  Or it may not.  That’s the excitement of going to the movies.  To experience new things both in and out of your comfort zone.  I feel the same way about Life of Pi.  Early reviews are incredibly positive and it looks like Ang Lee has directed a visual masterpiece.

Like many, my viewing choices primarily depend on time.  But I’m going to work hard to find a way to see Life of Pi.  I can’t see myself missing something that imaginative on the big screen.  I’m looking forward to stepping outside my cinematic comfort zone and experiencing something new.

This is a sponsored post.  All opinions are my own.