I've just returned of my 17th (!) viewing of "Titanic", and I thought it was a perfect time to write a little essay of sorts on the film.

I know that some people can see this film once, go on and on about how wonderful it is, and then see it for the second time and learn to hate it. So how could I see this film so many times, as well as other repeat viewers who might have seen it even more then me, love it more and more each time? Well, I think you can't go into this film (or ANY film) looking to be a critic and saying, "Oh, that was a goof." or "That line should be ___ instead of ____" You should go into it looking for an experience, letting each word go through your heart, and maybe even learn a lesson or two. Forget about things like "Oh, that is so dumb that they said that." or "That could never happen in real life.", etc. Just go into the cinema to enjoy yourself. You'll be surprised at how even the worst movie turns out to be okay this way...Anyway, as I mentioned I am sure, "Titanic" has wonderful meanings and lessons, and I will list what I have gotten out of the film here.

Don't you do that. Don't you say your goodbyes. Not yet, do you understand me? You're going to get out of here! You're going to go on...and you're going to make lots of babies, and watch them grow. You're going to die an old lady warm in her bed...not here, not this night...Rose, listen to me, listen. Winning that ticket, Rose, was the best thing that ever happened to me. It brought me to you. And I'm thankful for that, Rose, I'm thankful! You must do me this honor...you must promise me, that you will survive. That you will never give up...no matter what happens, no matter how hopeless...promise me now, Rose, and never let go of that promise...Never let go!" I think this is one of the great scenes or lines in "Titanic"...when you watch it, you can tell that Jack knew he would not survive this, but he had to make sure Rose would survive. Jack thought it was more important for Rose to be able to live her life fully without him, then to have her die with him there. Rose fulfilled her promise, she married, had children...she moved on, and probably had a great life. But that didn't change the magical few days she had with Jack, and the magical days she would have with him once again...

"Life is a gift and I don't intend on wasting it. You never know what hand you are going to get dealt next. You learn to take life as it comes at you. To make each day count." Another great scene, the dinner scene...well, this is just a great little quote... =) In fact I hadn't noticed before, but I liked it so much that I named the site after it and the award. Anyway, this is just amazing because it is one of the first things I remember leaving the theater after seeing the film. I don't understand when people say, "Oh, Titanic, it was so sad." Yes, it was. But the point of the film is not to make you sad, I don't think, but to make you happy. I cry in the film (a lot.. =) ) but that isn't the point in the end. I think the point is... well, I think James Cameron said it the best when "Titanic" won best picture: "In the next few moments also listen to your own heart beat because it's the most precious sound in the world."

Another thing I thought of, with the story of Rose, it shows how you have to make sure that all of your actions, thoughts, words, and all of this is yours and yours only.

Basically "Titanic" is just a beautiful, meaningful story, far away from the "another disaster flick" I thought it was going to be... when a movie can touch people, that's when it becomes great, that's when it deserves each and every Oscar it receives...When James Cameron, Kate Winslet and Billy Zane were on "Oprah", one person in the audience stood up and basically said, "Thank you for breaking my heart..." (I'll have the exact quote up soon, I've got to check my tape!) but anyway I just thought that was beautiful... "Titanic" is the type of film that can do this, and that is why it is number one of all-time, not because of the stereotype of "teenage girl crazed Leonardo lovers". No, I believe it is number one, yes, maybe because of repeat business, but for the repeat business of the viewers who love it for the amazing emotional/artistic value...when I leave the cinema after "Titanic" I feel HAPPY, not sad like so many people are...and I'm ready to make each day count!!

Okay, that's all. Yeah, I know it was really, really bad...LOL...