January 9, 2009
-
Pop cultured
Its funny what pop culture images our psyche holds on to. How we differentiate what is just mindless entertainment versus what has special meaning to us.
I eat breathe and sleep pop culture. Not as much now as when I was younger, but I pride myself on being at the forefront of new hot tv shows, internet memes, movies, jokes…providing me a rich mental imagery of conversational gags and interpretations for any occasion.
But every so often, I realize one or two of these images has somehow managed to stick with me and take on personal significance
One such image is in disney’s The Lion King, when a grown simba meets again the aging baboon rafiki.
Adult Simba: I know what I have to do. But going back will mean facing my past. I’ve been running from it for so long.
[Rafiki hits Simba on the head with his stick]
Adult Simba: Ow! Jeez, what was that for?
Rafiki: It doesn’t matter. It’s in the past.
[laughs]
Adult Simba: Yeah, but it still hurts.
Rafiki: Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or… learn from it.
[swings his stick at Simba again who ducks out of the way]
Rafiki: Ha. You See? So what are you going to do?Now I am not going through any particular troubles at the moment, but every so often that scene plays out in my head, a reminder to me not to get too caught up in my worries…
so what movies/songs are significant for you?
Post a Comment
Leave a Reply
Why Not Zoidberg
Comments (7)
Hehe, great quote from a great movie. Good words of advice, too.
The Tomb raider movie, scene at the end where she got to see her father (very vivid memory) stroke a emotional nerve for me.
My POV is that the negative past places unconcious limitations on our present, and therefore future. To solve anything we must first deal with that which it sprouts, but we often (without decision) hinder ourselves to go there, because we fear. I use to love the swan princess, my unchastened desire to be a princess, find love, be happy and live in a castle - for far longer than forever!? Bleh! Has life not befouled us all… :)
Songs: The show (Lenka) and What hurts the most (Rascal Flats)
Lately I’ve been singing like an idiot to Jason Mraz’ song I’m Yours. Stream of consciousness at its best with a message.
I love that scene too! When I was in jr high my dance school did a ballet to the Lion King and I was rafiki!!! I was SO happy. oh memories….
The U2 song “Bad” is something I drawn from when times are well, bad. I mean, songs like “Walk On” or “Stuck In A Moment” are obviously ones that emphasize the idea that people are strong enough to move on, but the melody and subtle lyrics of “Bad” really strike me. I will always turn up the radio when that song comes on.
The most recent movie which struck a chord with me was Pixar’s Ratatouille. I remember watching it during my first quarter at UCSB. I was miserable because I was sick half the quarter, cold most of the time, and was struggling through my first graduate class. I was especially touched by the following, since I’ve spent a good part of my life trying to figure out how I should be when being myself was the answer:
Gusteau: So, we have given up.
Remy: Why do you say that?
Gusteau: We are in a cage inside the car trunk awaiting a future in frozen food products.
Remy: No, I’m the one in a cage. I’ve given up. You are free.
Gusteau: I am only as free as you imagine me to be. As you are.
Remy: Oh, please. I’m sick of pretending. I pretend to be a rat for my father. I pretend to be a human through Linguini. I pretend you exist so I have someone to talk to! You only tell me stuff I already know! I know who I am! Why do I need you to tell me? Why do I need to pretend?
Gusteau: But you don’t Remy. You never did.
I can find a scene from the movie Cars for any situation. Also, from the Charlie Brown specials. I used to be able to recite from Curious George and all things PBS.
Lion King is one of my favorites and the fox and the hound. AHH i cried in both.