You can run, boy, but you won't go far.

[kaia]

Yesterday and the day before, I went to the movies. I saw Brave the first day, and it was...okay? I feel bad not saying it was completely and utterly amazing, but it wasn't to me. It was good, just I guess I was expecting more. Though, Up, my favorite Pixar film took a few watches for me to love it as much as I do, so maybe this will be the same.

The other film I saw was Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. The trailer and even name of the movie pretty much give away what happens, but I didn't go to watch it for the end. I went to watch it for the journey to the end, and I wasn't disappointed. It was brilliant, hilarious, and depressing all at once.

I got carded going into it actually. I've never been carded for a movie before, but back to what I was saying.

Basically, in the movie, an asteroid is about to hit Earth and everyone is going to die. Depressing premise, yes, but I rather like depressing movies sometimes. At least, when it isn't all doom and gloom, and that movie isn't. I also like movies that when it is over, it has me thinking. It asks that basic question, what would do with your life if you knew you only had a little longer to live?

One of my favorite lines in the movie (and trailer, so not really a spoiler) is "I regret my entire life."

That has always been one of my biggest fears, growing old, looking back and regretting everything I never did. Probably some of what I did do, but I think I'd regret more of what I didn't do. At least doing something implies that I tried, and how can you regret trying?

It is so easy to get caught up in the right now, and why I can't do something. Things like gas is too expensive, work in the morning, laziness, etc. Those are my normal excuses. And a lot of times, they're just that. Like, coffee combats work in the morning. I can afford gas (unless I'm driving to like, Cali or something). I just like thinking up reasons why not I guess. And I have millions on why I can't do something, when I all need is the want to do something. What more do I really need than that want?

Comments

[mcgoggins.livejournal.com]

One thing to tell yourself on a daily basis is to regret nothing. Don't regret decisions you've made if they go south -- man up to that decision and run with it, or learn from the mistake and become a better person from it.

I used to say I regretted having a one night stand with a guy in college. Well, it was a one weekend stand, really, but that's neither here nor there. Anyway. I always said, "I have one regret in life and it was shacking up with Adrian." As I got a little older, I realized that it happened, there's nothing I can do about it having happened, and I need to move on from it. Was it the worst sex of my life? YOU BET. Was it with some nasty guy I felt pity for and did he feel better about himself after it? I DESERVE AN ACADEMY AWARD. Did it teach me the signs of things I don't want in a guy and how to run away from it as fast as I can? OH YEA.

So now I can look back and say, "You know, that was a low point in my life and I'm sad that I put out so easily with that sorry excuse for a human being, but he helped me to realize what to avoid in a man, what not to do when you're feeling vulnerable (or someone else is feeling vulnerable), and how to move past a big mistake.

It's not as easy as it sounds, but it's helped to solidify the fact that when I'm on my death bed, I'm not going to regret my life (even if I thought I would the entire time it was happening). As far as regretting things you didn't do, even if you just made silly excuses to not do them, you can't dwell on those things. You have to make the best of what you did end up doing and be hopeful that you catch yourself early enough if you find you're missing out on things.

[duskyn.livejournal.com]

Looking at the good and what I learned from an experience is definitely something I try to do, because you really can learn something for every experience, especially the bad ones.

As afraid as I am of it, I don't see myself regretting my life in the slightest. I'm glad that I did catch myself early, and stopped hiding away from life and from others. If I had kept on that way, I could have seen myself looking back and wishing I had been braver and taken that leap, but I have already.

[giallarhorn.livejournal.com]

I think the best description for Brave I've seen so far is "the most animated animated film ever".

I think that's a really interesting premise, since it kind of imparts a further sense of urgency in the movie (or narrative). But I think the sentiment of regret, or of not regretting, does overlook some things before jumping to the conclusion "I regret X". Because I think there's going to come a time when we're all dead, and there's not going to be anyone around anymore to remember us, or a time when the Earth won't exist. And then there'll be a time when organisms aren't even conscious anymore, or maybe a point where there isn't enough water to drive the formation of proteins and there won't even be organisms anymore. And even if that will probably inevitably happen, the fact is that being able to even process and understand the idea of regret is such a feat in of itself, that the regret sort of fades away. To me, it's not in as so much trying not to regret things, as it is marveling at the fact that we're here and alive and conscious and able to even communicate with words at all from a mess of molecules driven by primarily by hydrophobic interactions, from the simple idea that nature favors lower energy states.

Or I just spent too much time staring at cells.

[duskyn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'd agree with that. The animation was stunning, just Pixar normally picks a theme and then goes beyond it. They just didn't in that movie, for me anyway. My sister just got back from seeing it and completely loved it. I just didn't.

When you look at it that way, it definitely takes on a whole new meaning. I just took Physio this past semester, and it is absolutely amazing what happens on a cellular level. It still blows my mind just how much in going on inside of one person's body, and how somehow it all works. And I agree, being able to even understand what regret is itself is pretty amazing. Being able to do what we do, see how we see, etc, itself is amazing.

Well, they are pretty awesome. ;D

[giallarhorn.livejournal.com]

I know! Between Cell Bio and Physiology and Biochem, it's just kind of ridiculous about the number of interactions that are taking place and that's not even getting into the complexities of neural signaling and the sheer scale of how difficult the brain is to understand. It's just...kind of mind boggling that we don't stand around and marvel at the fact that we're even here to start with more often.

They are till you have to count plates and plates of them then you start to hate them and wish they would die

[gypsyandthecat.livejournal.com]

I think our (global) culture traps us to think we really can't break out of the school, work, payments mentality. I used to be the same, "I really want to go to Iceland but the cost!" I had the money, but I kept thinking about savings and retirement and my job certainly wouldn't let me go and my mum's medical bills..... then I met a brilliant man who taught me to "just go for it." I don't live very conventionally and I find a lot of my mates saying things like: I wish I could be as brave as you...but it only takes a first step. Everything just ends up coming together after that step. I encourage everyone to take it.

[duskyn.livejournal.com]

I agree that is does. Those are the things that we're told to focus on; money, find a good job, and that's it. That's what you do, and I'm really at that point where I'm questioning the whole thing. Like, I like school most of the time and am glad I've gone, but I'm also glad I only have one more year left. After that, I'm not keen on the thought of falling into a job, or jobs, for the rest of my life and that's it. I don't want to live for the days I have off, or the vacations I get to take. I want to actually live everyday. Not saying I don't want to work at all, but I have to have something that is worthwhile to me. I like working, actually, but it can't just be something I do for money.

[neurals.livejournal.com]

Although normally I'm not one for Pixar films, I wouldn't mind seeing Brave.

About regret: While I don't think we should "regret our life" because it just causes unnecessary depression, I also think the whole "regret nothing" is bogus. Although so many people believe that we should regret nothing & "YOLO" & all that shit, I believe kind of the opposite.

There are certain things in life that I definitely think we should regret - specifically if they get us in trouble, if they are things we shouldn't do again, etc., because it teaches us not to do them again. I think it is healthy to have regrets, and it helps us to grow and appreciate the things that we don't regret. You know?

[duskyn.livejournal.com]

It is definitely worth seeing. I guess I was just expecting more. I wanted so bad to completely love it.

I agree that regrets help to teach us what we shouldn't do, and that some are healthy to have. To me, the "regret nothing" mindset is a lot like that, actually. To me, it means learning from the not good and not being upset that it happened, but being thankful that it did in order to teach you. So, essentially not having regrets but learning from the stuff that wasn't quite so good.

[emaciatedwords.livejournal.com]

That's a great line.

[duskyn.livejournal.com]

I agree, especially when given by Steve Carrell.

[ahorashiikagome.livejournal.com]

I really want to see both movies. I'm iffy about Brave before there are mixed reviews, but everyone who has seen Seeking A Friend has said it was good. ♥

[duskyn.livejournal.com]

I highly reccomend Seeking a Friend. It was the perfect blend of sad and humor. It wasn't a feel-good movie, but it certainly didn't have me walking out of the theater feeling awful either. Brave was good, and I'd say worth seeing, just I expected more. My sister completely loved it, but our movie tastes have always varied.

[happinesstrail.livejournal.com]

I'm not crazy about Pixar movies, so people are shocked that I don't *love* movies like Brave. I prefer Disney and Dreamworks.

I also think about the regret issues. I make a decent amount of money and don't spend it often (except on movies, these days), so it bothers me to think I may be hoarding this money when now's the time to spend it? I don't know. And maybe now's the time to be reckless, since I really haven't ever been reckless, and am I wasting my chances? Major things to think about and I don't like to think about them often, but it's nice when a movie comes along that really makes you think about something deeper than the average movie.

[duskyn.livejournal.com]

I like most of them. I only love a few, but I'd say most are worth watching. I can't get into Cars for the life of me though.

It is. My favorite movies are the movies that do that. As for the money thing, you also never know if you'll need it down the road. I know if I had more, I'd do a ton more travelling but I also have to be realistic when it comes to paying off my loans. It could be much worse for me, so I'm grateful for that, but I am so ready for the day that I don't have to worry about a student loan ever again.

[http://users.livejournal.com/unnecessary_/]

I didn't like Brave too much. I mean, I liked it, but I kind of hated it at the same time. So don't feel bad for that! I also don't totally love Up or WALL-E.

[duskyn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's pretty much how I felt. I didn't hate it, but I wasn't blown away either. I don't really want to buy it when it comes out on Blu-ray either, but I'll leave that to my sister because she adored it. WALL-E I could never get into. My sister loved that one too, but she did not like Up much, whereas I love that one. It took some time though, I know when I first watched it I wasn't so fond of it, but I've really grown to love it. I think the only one her and I agree on is Finding Nemo, actually.

[ex-c-hrista.livejournal.com]

I really want to see SaFftEofW!

[duskyn.livejournal.com]

It was great and one I'll definitely pick up when it comes out on blu-ray. I didn't know how much I'd like Steve Carrell and Keira Knightley together in a movie, but it actually worked pretty well.

[missdi.livejournal.com]

I wonder when Brave comes out here. The reviews I've read so far have been so-so and I am looking forward to making up my own opinion on it. Up sure is hard to beat though! I have always had a soft spot for The Incredibles and Ratatouille as well. I love Pixar movies :)

I can definitely relate to that fear. Looking back on my youth I mostly regret the things I didn't do, the opportunities I missed out on. I can think of few things I've done that I regret. Even if they didn't turn out the way I planned I learned from the experience. I am getting better at living life to the full, but I still have a long way to go. I think questioning your excuses not to do something is a good way to start.

[duskyn.livejournal.com]

My sister completely adored it. I love Up so much. <3 I actually haven't ever seen the Incredibles. I've been meaning too, just never get around to it.

Yeah, I think I'm getting better too but still have a ways to go. At least I can stay I am taking those steps though, because it means I am getting closer to what I want. I know I don't have as many awful days anymore, so that is a plus.

[lyris-avedis.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen "Brave" yet either and, now that it's out in theaters, I'm not sure I'm that eager to make it happen. Maybe I'll wait for it on DVD. *shrugs*

However, I wondered if you'd seen (or heard of) the movie "Melancholia". Or...was it here that I first heard about it? Anyway, it's along the lines of depressing lets-stop-and-think kind of movies. And I don't mind those movies either, although some of my friends think I'm a little weird for liking them.

[duskyn.livejournal.com]

I was really excited for it, so that might have been my problem. The animation is definitely amazing in it though. Merida's hair, just wow.

I haven't heard of it, but I did just look it up, and I'll definitely check it out when I get a chance. It looks rather interesting, and I love interesting movies. I need a depressing movie that stirs something in me now and again.

[loved.livejournal.com]

Up is a movie I can only watch once. Not because I think it's terrible, but because I basically cried through nearly the whole thing. I love the story line and the characters are cute but it was too sad for my fragile girl hormones (or something. Seriously. I cannot be the only person that bawled like a small child through the whole thing.)

I really want to see Seeking. I'm glad to hear it was good. I might have to wait until it's on Netflix if I can't make it to the movies sooner.

When it comes to regret, it's a double edged sword. You can say you regret doing somethings you did, but had you not done them, I'd imagine you regret not doing it to see what the outcome was.

[ragnarok-08.livejournal.com]

Regretting everything is one of my fears too, but we can both agree to love for today and try not to have regrets.