Tuesday, September 6, 2011

How to Cure Brain Overload >> Movie Marathon!


Hello friends!  I hope you had a wonderfully fun-filled Labor Day weekend.  Mine was quite the change of pace for me:  I spent most of it doing practically nothing.  Yes, it was the weekend, and normal people tend to use the weekends to, like, relax and stuff.  But ask my boy or any of my friends - I don't do nothing.  Ever.  I have to be working on a project or running errands or doing something, allll the live-long day.  Some sort of switch flipped in me on Friday though, and I suddenly felt one more task away from a nervous breakdown.  I've definitely felt overwhelmed with work before, but in those cases, I find some sort of non-work project to concentrate on instead.  Not this weekend though.  Mama's brain needed some serious bed rest.


I realized that the only way to remedy this mayhem was with some gold old fashioned laziness.  This included avoiding the computer, reading magazines, eating a lot of almonds and chocolate, and even (gasp!) taking a nap.  But the real secret cure for brain overload, I learned, is one thing in particular: movie marathons.  Who knew??? 


Since I'm feeling much more rejuvenated today, I thought I'd share with you some of my all-time favorite movies. If you ever find yourself one step away from flying over the cuckoo's nest (pun absolutely intended), just turn off your phone and computer, turn on a couple of these films, eat something bad for you, and I guarantee you'll be feeling better in no time.






1. Breakfast at Tiffany's >> This movie defines timeless romance. Plus, it's got some pretty amazing fashion.  And Audrey Hepburn!  More info here.
2. One Flew Over the Cuckoos's Nest  >> Perhaps a little intense if you're really trying to clear your brain, but this film has some really brilliant acting and is a definitive example of 1970s social critique. More info here.
3. Garden State  >> This movie is sweet, intelligent and sort of brilliant. It's one of those films that's both heavy and light, melancholy and happy, serious and funny.  More info here.
4. The Motorcycle Diaries  >> Although it centers around the story of a young, pre-revolution Che Guevara, the film itself is about a literal and figurative journey, full of love and learning. Really beautiful. More info here.
5. The Graduate  >> Seriously, this is one of the best movies ever made.  It's visually stunning, but in a purposefully subtle way.  The story is raw and a little gritty, but touching and witty and fun too. And the soundtrack is to die for.  More info here.
6. 500 Days of Summer >> This movie so perfectly captures all the feelings that go along with love, infatuation, and heartbreak that it's impossible not to feel like you're a part of the story. Plus, who doesn't love Zooey Deschanel? More info here.


Ever had a movie marathon to help clear your brain?  What are your all-time favorite flicks?





16 comments:

  1. I am not sure that movie marathons work their magic on me because, honestly, I get too much information and not enough time to take it in. But those movies in your list are really awesome and I would love to see them again some time soon. They are what cinema is about, true masterpieces!

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  2. YES!! Movie marathons are key! I love just letting my mind disappear into another world for a while. I haven't seen Motorcycle Diaries or The Graduate but am adding them both to my list now :-)

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  3. Great choices. Half of these are in my all time favorites list. I think you would really like "Barefoot in the Park." Cute 60s love story with a young Robert Redford (sigh!) and a very lively Jane Fonda, as newlyweds in NYC. Have you seen it yet? :)

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  4. Good for you, Melissa! So glad you were able to take a break. I know what you mean about always feeling like you have to be doing something, working on a project, getting stuff done. But going at full speed for too long will burn you out. We all need weekends here and there to recharge, and movies are a perfect way to do that!!
    These are great picks too. xo, Mary

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  5. I love taking a much needed break with movie marathons. They really do work! I love all the movies you chose, but I haven't seen Motorcycle diaries! I need to get on that. My all time favorites are Amelie & Eternal Sunshine

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  6. I love The Graduate and 500 Days of Summer too! Glad to hear your feeling rejuvenated again :)

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  7. Great movie list! Garden State is definitely on my all time favs list and I LOVE The Graduate :) I own One Flew Over the Cucoos Nest but haven't seen it! Perhaps that's what I'll do this evening :)

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  8. Wow, you watch some old school movies. One flew, is an all time great. I wish I had time for a movie marathon, but then again, the point of your post is to take and make the time right? I think If I do one, I will get as many Fred Astaire movies as I can find and watch them all.

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  9. I love those movies! They are perfect to watch on those days that you just want to kick back and do nothing. Breakfast at Tiffany's. Who couldn't love that!

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  10. Laziness can be good! I read rather than watch movies, though.

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  11. I'm glad to see so many of you like the same movies! Charity, I have seen 'Barefoot in the Park,' and it's amazing. :)

    xo,
    melissa

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  12. I really like thise movies too, especially garden state and 500 days of summer :)

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  13. I love Breakfast at Tiffany's! Absolutely one of my favorites. And I just watched One Flew Over the Cuckoo's next this weekend for school! My go-to movies for lazy days are Dirty Dancing, Footloose and RocknRolla.

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  14. three of the movies up here are my favorites! Garden state, the graduate and 500 days!!!! just stumbled by your blog and i really like it! Want to follow each other (only if you like my blog of course ;))

    Bree
    artofbeingcool.blogspot.com

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  15. your blog is adorable! and i really like these movie choices, 500 days & garden state are two of my absolute favorite :) xx.renee

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  16. Great list of movies but I cant believe I still havent seen Breakfast at Tiffanys!

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