"Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going
to get." Forrest Gump

Good movies, in my opinion, are those that make me think after I walk out of the theatres, not just leave my brain blank. The good movies always bring out my tears of joy and sorrow. There were many times I walked out of theaters with red nose and eyes. Sound a little crazy, but that is the power of movies.

Most of the movies I love portray the story of friendship, hope, desperation or philosophical theme because I love to think and to debate to myself or friends after I watch those movies.

American Beauty (1999) I still remember my mind was so overwhelming with all kinds of thoughts after this movie was over. It's such a great story line that reflects the truth of the American society (actually, I should say the modern society). Everything about this film is so darkly clear, no one is good or bad in this movie, and everyone is shaped by his/her environment and expectation. It is extremely obvious why it won the academy awards. All casts in this movie need the standing ovation. They can bring their great skills to portray all human aspect of life, in particular, the wife (Annette Bening) who represents the real desperate middle aged woman.

The Accused. (1988) This is the movie that won Jodi Foster the first Oscar. The movie is about a young woman who was raped by three men in front of other men who not only didn't help her out but also encouraged those three men to rape her. This movie reminds me of what Einstein said that the world became evils because someone see other people committing crime without doing anything. Even though those guys didn't do it, they seemed to encourage it to happen. Like at the turning point of the movie, if the college boy who was in the crime scene did not testify because he felt like it's not his business, those men who encouraged the rapers would not be brought to the justice.

The Shawshanks Redemption (1994) When the day becomes the darkest moment in our life, we have to keep our head high and have hope for tomorrow. These words seem to represent the main theme of this movie. It is such a beautiful film that is full of hope, loyalty, courage and friendship. With all of these two friends' effort, finally, the redemption does happen, even though it comes pretty late for Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) who had been spending his life behind bars without committing any crimes for years.

Memento (2000) This movie will totally blow your mind with its narrative order. The way Memento unfolds is totally unique. Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) has short-term memory disorder. Therefore, he has no idea of what has just happened to him. Two things that remind his memory are a tattoo and polariod pictures that he took after each incident happened. To track down the man who raped and killed his wife, he has to piece those polariod pictures together. The most intriguing thing is while watching Momento, you will literally become Leonard Shelby, and face the same confusion to try to make sense of the incidents that unfold around you.