[Madison]

I've probably been influenced by movies in many, many different ways. More than I'd care to count, even, since there are so many different movies that I love, and each for some interesting reasons.

The movie, though, that had the most profound, sudden, and obvious impact on me was probably Pay It Forward. Some people love it, some hate it, but I was really, really affected by it in a way that most people can't seem to understand.

I think that it spoke volumes about our culture, maybe in the same way that people perceive Fight Club and Se7en, as well as providing a wonderful blueprint for making the world a better place.

I've seen very, very little else that was as devastating and truthful, and uplifting and refreshing at the same time. I should read the novel on which the movie was based, but I haven't found the time, and I'm not certain I can withstand the emotional upheaval right now. In fact, I've never seen the movie since that first time, either. I don't own it, even.

Wonder Boys was also excellent. In a bizarre, distorted way, it made me a lot more comfortable with all of the craziness in my life - and it gave me a bit more hope for the future. That can't be all bad, right?