Where Dreams Are Made

This post was supposed to appear in the comments section but I realized after typing it that it was way too long to be a comment. Besides, I would like to share this one with everybody. However, for those of you who have not yet seen "Requiem for a Dream" and are planning to do so, let me just caution you that the following is a semi-spoiler. Though it does not say what exactly happens to the characters in the movie, it does say how it ends (again, not specifically). Read on if you wish but don't say you weren't warned.

First, let me thank our DVD pimp, Joon, for lending us such great DVDs! I keep forgetting to give due credit to him. My apologies, soon-to-be trumpet-master-general. :)

Okay, so I've finished "Requiem" already. It's got to be the saddest and most depressing film I've ever watched. "Pi" (also from the same director, Darren Aronofsky) was disturbing; "Requiem" is so real it goes beyond disturbing to shocking and frightening. When you watch characters who receive no redemption in the end, you realize that's real life staring you right in the face. But the movie doesn't say we have no control over our lives. Just the opposite, in fact. The movie suggests that we choose our paths in life: we either dig our graves for ourselves or we rise above our sorry circumstances. I've never seen a movie that showed this theme in such a daring way. "Requiem" takes you on a downward spiral along with the movie's characters. There was no resolution, no salvation in the end. There were but a few brief spurts of happiness in the characters' lives that only made you feel sorry for them knowing that these were all they were going to have.

Then, again, we each weave our own stories. We have the choice (really, no matter what anyone says) and the power to make it good. We are, truly, the captains of our souls.