Titanic…I’m the King of the World!

What do you get when you put together two good-looking talented actors, an intense, dramatic love affair, and a widely known true story of a once thought unsinkable ship sinking on April 15, 1912 on it’s way from Southampton to New York City? Titanic, directed by James Cameron, nominated for 14 Academy Awards and winner of 11. At the time in 1997, it was the most expensive film ever made ($200 million) and the highest-grossing film of all time. It retained the highest-grossing status until Cameron’s film Avatar stole the title in 2010.

Oh, Titanic. This movie is a legend. I remember the hype around the release was so huge. Everyone knows the story, and there have been remakes since the tragedy, but Cameron’s film brought the story to life in way that had never been done before.

Watching this trailer really brings back memories. Everyone was obsessed with this movie. I myself saw it three times in theaters, and I don’t usually do that. Every girl in my school fell in love with Leonardo DiCaprio after seeing this film. It seems like he is made to play these intense romantic roles, like his Romeo role in Romeo & Juliet. In Titanic, he was able to make really gushy, lovesick scenes and corny dialogue believable.

We all remember this scene. “I’m the king of the world!” It’s probably one of the most well-known phrases in pop culture. DiCaprio was able to take that really cheesy line and say it in a way that lifted the spirits of the audience. You were happy and excited for Jack Dawson as he looked out over the vast ocean ahead of him.

Besides Disney movies, I blame Titanic for giving me the false belief that guys can be just as romantic as Jack Dawson and would do anything for their love. In this case, Jack, a lower class passenger, set his eyes on the upper-class Rose DeWitt Bukater, played by the beautiful and talented Kate Winslet. “I’m flying! Jack!” This scene just captivates your attention. I couldn’t take my eyes off DiCaprio and Winslet. Cameron made the perfect choices in angles while shooting this scene. You really get a sense of how big the ocean was and how alone they were out there, but also how exciting it was to be on a ship of that size. By watching the movie, you were embarking on a new adventure with the characters.

Wow, did it get hot in here? The drawing scene is also another very memorable point in Titanic. Rose asks Jack to draw her like he draws his French girls. The scene actually has more meaning than I thought it did. Back in 97, it was just embarrassing to watch while with my parents and an “oohing” moment with my friends. If you think about it, this scene represents Rose’s attempt at liberating herself. She was trapped in a rigid lifestyle, forced to marry a man she did not love. She felt like she was suffocating and wanted a way out. Being drawn in the nude like this was Rose’s way of expressing her emotions.

This was another embarrassing scene to watch with anyone at the age of 9, but probably one of the most memorable scenes of the movie. Everyone knows the hand. Winslet turned up the steam in this sex scene when she slapped her hand on the window and left an imprint. I remember that this was the scene that everyone talked about and made fun of. In cars, my friends and I would try to re-create the hand slapping motion and imprint whenever the windows got all steamed up due to weather.

“I’ll never let go, Jack. I’ll never let go.” I tried to find a good enough video of this scene to put on here, but the ones I found were bad quality, too long or cut off at the wrong part. So I just decided to put the picture up here because in this case, a picture is worth a thousand words. Out of the entire film, THIS is the MOST memorable scene. Probably one of the most memorable scenes in film history, in my opinion. It was scary, creepy and tragic, yet DiCaprio and Winslet were still able to keep the love alive. Because the film was based on a true story, everyone knew what was going to happen. The ship was going to sink no matter how much you hoped that the ending would be a happy one. I would cringe every time I saw the frozen to death bodies. The music and the darkness also escalated the sadness and feeling of despair. I think this really showcases DiCaprio’s and Winslet’s talents. While I am able to make fun of this scene later on in life, I still get tongue-tied while actually watching it. The intense emotion that the actors portray is incredible. A little fun fact: the water was actually really warm, which exhibits DiCaprio’s and Winslet’s talents even more. This is also another scene that people often try to re-create. I found this funny video on YouTube of two little kids portraying the roles of Jack and Rose in this scene.

Hahaha, they are too cute. I especially love the other little boy in the background whispering to his mommy.

Aaah, the heart of the ocean necklace. “But I thought the old lady dropped it into the ocean in the end.” Well Britney Spears, you were right. The last memorable scene of Titanic is when Old Rose, played by Gloria Stuart, walks out to the edge of ship and drops the legendary necklace. Who knows if the character actually meant to drop it or if it just slipped from her hands, but I do know that everyone was asking, “Whyyyyy!?” I think that she wanted the necklace to be with Jack, but if I were her, I probably would have made some money off it. The very end of the film is also supposed to be left to interpretation. The camera slowly moves past pictures in Rose’s bedroom of her experiencing all of the things that Jack wanted for her, including wearing pants and riding a horse the way a man did. The camera then slowly moves past a sleeping or deceased Rose (your call) and into a dream or heaven (also your call) where she at last reunites with Mr. Jack Dawson and all of the other people lost on the RMS Titanic. I think that she died, but some people believe it was just a dream. What do you think? Either way, I believe that this was a perfect way to end the film.

Besides the movie creating a crazed obsession, Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” also created a huge frenzy.

This song played on every single radio station and between every single commercial break for well beyond the time when the hype died down on the movie. At first, I loved this song. Celine Dion’s voice is amazing and powerful. It reminded me of the tragic love story; however, that was also the problem. There was such a craze surrounding this movie, that all of a sudden it did what every other craze does: it faded. Just as quickly as it rose, it fell. All of sudden, it was considered un-cool to like Leo and to obsess over Titanic. My friends and I were annoyed by the song, and would change the radio station every time it came on. Eventually the dislike-of-anything-Titanic also died down. The film is extraordinary and the acting, whether you like to admit it or not, captured your heart and human inclination for love story tragedies.

But, wait, Titanic is coming back? According to a USA Today interview with Cameron, he is planning to re-release Titanic in 3D in the spring of 2012 for the 100th anniversary of the sailing of the ship. Wow, that will definitely bring millions of people to the theater, in my opinion. However, I am worried about the effect the 3D will have. It took me three times to not get the feeling like I couldn’t breath when water was rushing and breaking through the ship, and that was just by watching the screen. With all the dramatic sounds and imagery, a 3D Titanic experience will be even more intense. Everything is going to be right in your face, and you will feel even more like you are on the ship. While I do have some qualms on the subject, they probably won’t stop me from seeing the new version of the film. After all, who wouldn’t want to experience Leonardo DiCaprio in 3D?

Full House…the Joy of Predictability

Full House was and still is one of my favorite television shows of all time. It’s one of those good-hearted family fun shows that always follows a certain pattern. You always know what to expect with Full House. The beginning would start off with a cute bit, usually somehow involving Michelle, that would go on to reveal an important event or situation in which one or two of the characters would be directly involved. That character would encounter a problem and have to make a decision. But no fear, because at exactly 5 minutes before the credits, another member of the family would swoop in with one of life’s crazy moral lessons. Sometimes, it’s nice to have predictability.

The show began in 1987, so yes, I was not even born yet. I’m not sure when I started watching the show, but I do remember how obsessed I was with it. I mean, what’s not to love? A show about three guys (Danny Tanner, the clean freak father; Jesse Katsopolis, the good-looking, motorcycle riding musician uncle; and Joey Gladstone, the goofy comedian friend) raising three adorable little girls (DJ or Donna Jo Tanner, the boy crazy oldest daughter; Stephanie Tanner, the spunky middle child; and Michelle Tanner, the cute baby whom everybody loved). After his wife is killed by a drunk driver, Danny is left to take care of his three daughters with the help of his friends. Characters became associated with catch phrases, like Stephanie’s “how rude!,” and Michelle’s “you got it dude!”

It says everything right there in the opening credits: “Whatever happened to predictability? The milkman, the paperboy and evening TV…When you’re lost out there, and you’re all alone, a light is waiting to carry you home, everywhere you look.” Needless to say, the show revolves around the importance of family and has a Wizard of Oz type moral: there’s no place like home.

Speaking of morals, this show is known for them. The show does have the characters dealing with important issues, like death, weight and drinking; however, the characters are always steered in the right direction by the end of the 30 minute time slot. You can always tell when the life lesson is coming when you start to hear that touching music, and it is always followed by a hug and an “awww” from the audience.

Awww isn’t that cute? Danny teaching little Michelle that it’s okay to be herself. Watching the show now, I know these life lessons are completely corny and over-exaggerated. Real life isn’t as perfect as this show, and real people aren’t always going to do the right thing. However, I believe that these morals are important for children growing up. I think that’s why I still love this show today and watch reruns on ABC Family all the time. It reminds me of a time when I was younger and life wasn’t so complicated. Simple lessons like don’t succumb to peer pressure and follow your dreams just made sense. Even though they seem corny now, I still can’t make myself change the channel.

Another part I love about Full House is of course the musical stylings of John Stamos, the actor who plays Jesse. There are a few very memorable clips which I posted below for your listening pleasure.

The Teddy Bear Song

Of course I had to put this one on here. I remember when I was younger watching this, I was so jealous that Michelle had such an awesome bedtime lullaby. I didn’t realize it was an Elvis Presley song, even though Jesse was obsessed to an almost unhealthy level with Elvis.

Michelle’s Smiling

Jesse & Michelle always had a special relationship. It might be weird to say this, but I always wondered if DJ and Stephanie were jealous, haha. I love this song because it really showcases John’s voice and his musical talent with the guitar.

Forever

Who doesn’t remember this wonderful moment? Jesse and Becky finally tie the knot. This song showcases more of John’s musical talent as he plays the piano. Even though he is strictly an actor, I always thought that John should have released a record. I loved his voice, and I still do. Of course he’s no Elvis, but he has something special. I definitely think that his music would have sold millions of copies. Girls from ages 5 to 45 were obsessed with John Stamos. He was the hunk of Full House. Granted his music career may not have lasted very long, I still think it would have been a smart idea for the creators of Full House to capitalize on.

Last but definitely not least, I was completely obsessed with the little moguls of Full House, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. Although they may look identical, they are actually fraternal. They were the bread and butter of the show, which was completely unexpected. Originally, the creators of the show believed that little Jodie Sweetin was going to be the favorite, but the twins quickly captured America’s heart. They didn’t need to do anything, just sit and smile. Because there is a law about how much time child actors can spend on a television set, the creators had to cast twins to play the role of Michelle. Moms from all over brought in their little ones. Mary Kate and Ashley won the role because they did not cry when the casting directors held them.

Even though Full House didn’t capitalize on John Stamos’ potential, they definitely cashed in on the appeal of Michelle. The twins’ parents weren’t stupid either. They realized how popular their babies had become. In 1993, they created their own company, Dualstar, and went on to create a very successful branding strategy. They sold clothes, music, makeup, books, jewelry, school supplies and more. All they had to do was sew a tag on that said “Mary-Kate and Ashley,” and their merchandise flew off the shelf. Much of their success outside of Full House began when they started making their own line of home videos. Their first video, correctly titled, “Our First Video,” includes short skits, often involving music.

I Am the Cute One

Brother for Sale

This video came with a corresponding record which had all the songs on it. I remember when I was younger, my parents were having our den painted. The painter would listen to me sing along with the video all day. On his last day, he gave me the CD as a present. I listened to that music 24/7. I loved that CD. While they definitely aren’t singers (and yeah, not the best actors either), their songs were funny and relatable.

The twins also came out with their own series of videos. The first was The Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

“We’ll solve any crime…” “By dinner time.” I loved this series. I own at least four of these videos.

Their first series was such a success that they came out with another series called You’re Invited.

I think I only own one of these videos, but I’ve seen more on TV. This series is less exciting, but it appeals to more of a pre-teen crowd. The girls went on to make more straight to video movies, including Passport to Paris, Holiday in the Sun and my favorite, Our Lips are Sealed. These movies definitely aren’t award-winning, but they served their purpose in the tween market. As a result of being a highly marketed brand, these girls could do no wrong. Even though they dealt with some bad press as they got older, they were still America’s most adorable twins. Now that’s brand power.

Even though Full House is a predictable, cheesy, safe show, sometimes it’s nice to have that in life. You need to learn life’s lessons some way, and hearing it from Danny Tanner or Jesse Katsopolis might sound a little more appealing than hearing it from a teacher or your parents. And for that, I will always love it. What do you guys think about Full House? Forever love it or sick of it?

Dawson’s Creek: One of the Best 90s Teen Dramas

Oh, Dawson’s Creek. I don’t know about you, but I simply cannot get enough of it. I own all six seasons on DVD and rewatch them every so often. I’m actually in the middle of the third season right now. Growing up, this show was the only thing that existed Wednesday night at 8′oclock. I could not miss any episode, and there had to be total silence while it was on. Who didn’t automatically start singing along when those credits started rolling, and Paula Cole’s familiar voice came on screen…

The show appeared on the WB network (now the CW) in 1998. I remember sitting in the den at home with my sister watching these two so-called 15-year-olds ramble on with their extensive, unrealistic vocabulary. Mostly filmed in North Carolina and based on the childhood of the creator Kevin Williamson, Dawson’s Creek takes place in the fictional small seaside town of Capeside, Massachusetts. It begins focusing on four characters: Dawson Leery, Joey Potter, Pacey Witter and Jen Lindley. Other important characters are also introduced in later seasons: Jack McPhee, Andie McPhee and Audrey Liddell. The show follows their lives from sophomore year of high school through college and beyond as they experience the trials and tribulations of growing up.

Dawson Leery

Dawson, a film geek with his head in the clouds, is at first the show’s main protagonist. Played by James Van Der Beek, he is your typical over-dramatic, analytical good guy. He thinks every problem in life can be solved by watching the right Spielberg film. A big shocker, but he eventually figures out that life is not a movie, and you don’t always get the happy ending.

Joey Potter

Josephine Potter, played by the one and only Katie Holmes (now married to Tom Cruise with the most adorable baby girl Suri, might I add), is the angry girl next door. She is the epitome of teen angst. Although, who could blame her? Her mother dies from cancer while her father is too busy getting locked up by the police for drug trafficking, leaving her slightly older big sister Bessie to raise her and not to mention her own son Alexander. But it’s okay, because she always has her best friend Dawson to look out for her. Every show has a love story, well this show has the ultimate triangle. At first Dawson and Joey are best friends, but it takes the audience about 2.5 seconds into the first episode to notice Joey’s mega-crush on him. One of my favorite episodes ever is when Joey sings “On My Own” from the famous musical Les Miserables.

(Sorry for the subtitles. This was the best version I could find.) Ok so she’s not a singer, but this is the moment when Dawson really looks at Joey for the first time and sees her as someone more than just a best friend. Joey eventually becomes the show’s main protagonist, as she is the only one who appears in all 128 episodes.

Pacey Witter

Aah Pacey Witter, the last piece to the love triangle. Played by Joshua Jackson, Pacey is known as the town screw-up, the loser who will never amount to anything. It seems as if he doesn’t care about anything, least of all his grades. And he definitely proves this stereotype right when he has an affair with his sophomore year english teacher. However, the audience eventually gets to know a different, more sensitive and romantic Pacey during his relationships. After Dawson and Joey get together, break up, get back together and then break up again, Pacey and Joey start their own love affair. Growing up, I was a steadfast Dawson fan. I could not believe that Joey would pick Pacey Witter over her soulmate. However now as I re-watch the seasons, I definitely root for Pacey.

Jen Lindley

Jen Lindley (played by Michelle Williams), the experienced, wild bad girl from New York City sent away from mommy and daddy to live with her grandmother as punishment. Of course the minute she steps foot out of that cab she rocks the creek. One of the main story lines with Jen is her disbelief in god, as it clashes with the highly religious beliefs of her grandmother. As Dawson’s first girlfriend, she and Joey get off to a rocky start, but yes, they eventually become good friends. Sadly, just as Jen rocks the creek when she arrives, she rocks the creek when she leaves. In the very last episode, the show jumps ten years into the future, and Jen is a single mom. Unfortunately, the Capeside crew eventually finds out that she has an abnormal heart condition (cheesy, I know), and she dies. But before she dies, Dawson films her last goodbyes to her daughter. Her speech is so emotional and real, and one of my most favorite moments of the whole series that I had to share it with you all (This is the best version I could find. The speech ends around 3:40.).

Jack McPhee

Played by Kerr Smith, Jack McPhee moves to Capeside from Rhode Island with his twin sister Andie at the beginning of the second season. Originally cast as a love interest for Joey, he eventually comes out of the closet as Capeside’s one and only teenage homosexual. Throughout the series, Jack learns how to be comfortable in his own skin despite the close-minded views of some of his classmates. He forms a very close friendship with Jen along the way, as they bond over playing the outcast role and take each other in when they have no one else to rely on.

Andie McPhee

Andrea McPhee, played by Meredith Monroe, is Jack’s twin sister. She is your average uptight, obsessive-compulsive honor student. Of course she would fall for bad boy Pacey Witter. They have an intense, romantic relationship, and she helps turn Pacey around from a class clown to a decent student…until she has her breakdown. As it turns out, the perfectionist doesn’t have it all together. She tries so hard to portray the perfect family image, but in reality, her family is falling apart. After a car accident leaves her older brother dead, her father splits and leaves Jack and Andie to take care of their mentally ill mother. Andie has problems of her own. After she cheats on Pacey during her stay in a mental institution, Andie and Pacey are no more. I have to say though, as much as I love Joey and Pacey as a couple, Andie and Pacey’s relationship is well beyond their years. The way he stands by her when everything around her is falling apart is enough to make anybody melt.

Audrey Liddell

Played by Busy Philipps (Freaks and Geeks), Audrey enters the scene in season 5 as Joey’s college roommate. A pseudo-Jen character, Audrey is party girl living it up spending daddy’s money. She eventually forms a relationship with Joey and dates Pacey.

Dawson’s Creek generated a lot of publicity because critics were concerned about its “racy” (not so racy now) plots, concerning partying, drugs, alcohol, cheating and sex. Even though it was never a huge ratings success among the general public, Dawson’s Creek had a huge following with the younger demographic. It is known for the unrealistic yet intelligent complex dialogue of its characters, yet also it’s realistic portrayal of teenage emotions as they go through the experiences of growing up, such as love, heartbreak and divorce.

I watch this series over and over again because every time I watch it, I learn or see something new. Now that I am older, I find that I can relate a lot more to the story lines and the decisions that the characters make. Even though it is a 90s teen drama, the problems and experiences these characters face will forever remain relevant. Come on Dawson’s fans, what were your favorite episodes and experiences watching this series?