I don’t know if it’s the sentimental nature of the holiday season, but I’ve had tears streaming down my face three times this week.
I’ve written many times about how much I like TV commercials, particularly at this time of the year. Many companies are starting to release their holiday ads, and many of you may have seen the TV version of Apple’s new Christmas ad. It’s a great commercial, but to really experience it, I’d recommend the full three-minute version. It reminds me of an earlier ad that Apple had done, but that doesn’t make it any less heart-warming, or less likely that you’ll be in tears by the end. I’ll be featuring other Chrismas ads over the next few weeks, but this is a good one to start with.
I had written a few days ago about a great movie my wife and I had watched, Peanut Butter Falcon, which also had me sniffling and wiping my eyes. Highly recommend.
And the final tear jerker resulted from watching a documentary this morning, Dream/killer. Here’s a blurb from the movie’s web site:
Dream/killer tells the story of a father’s journey to free his best friend and son, Ryan Ferguson, from a 40-year prison sentence for a brutal murder based on somebody else’s dream.
The cast of characters reveals the very best and worst of the American judicial system. From the questionable district attorney-turned-judge Kevin Crane, to the high-powered Chicago attorney Kathleen Zellner; to the confused Chuck Erickson, who not only confesses to a murder based on a dream but also charges that his former classmate and friend, Ryan, was his co-conspirator; to Bill Ferguson, who uses his outlandish investigation skills and relentless creativity to give his son a shot at freedom.
The hero of the story is Ryan’s dad, Bill Ferguson. He’s clearly in the lead for “Father of the 21st Century” at this point. I would hope that I would be as strong and persistent as he was if anything happened to one of my kids.
I don’t want to say too much so that I end up giving away the outcome of the film, but it is another one that I highly recommend. It highlights many of the problems with our judicial system, but also the power of love. (At one point, the movie also highlights the power of books.)
The last few minutes had me in tears, and that’s when it struck me how weepy I have been this week.
Like I said, maybe it’s just something to do with the holiday season.
Or more likely, it just shows how powerful art can be in making us feel and express our emotions.
I’m all for STEM, but let’s not forget to add the A for STEAM.
*image from Tribeca Pediatrics
I agree—the commercials are excellent. On the other hand, how lame are greeting cards? I like giving out cards for birthdays, weddings, graduations, get wells, friendships, etc., but so many are written with such little thought.
By the way, I went looking for The Peanut Butter Falcon at my local theaters, but it was not there. Is this an old movie or a new release? I watched the trailer, and I was sold.
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A sure sign we are getting older…we become more emotional like our women….makes us easier to get along with during retirement, I suppose. I’ll be passing through by your neck of the woods next week (regionally) as I have a meeting in Malvern on Tuesday morning.
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I’m certainly getting older, and I’m hoping I’ll be easy to get along with in retirement. Safe travels this week.
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yes, my emotions are always heightened during this season
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It is good to be in touch with our emotions, even if it manifests a few tears. Tears cleanse the soul. You should be squeaky clean by now!
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I like your phrase that tears cleanse the soul, a nice way to think of it. And I know when I see the new Mr. Rogers movie I’ll be cleansing my soul again!
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I agree. Reuniting with family and friends this weekend definitely put me in a sentimental mood. Then watching the movie Harriet (high recommend and there are parallels with Peanut Butter Falcon) brought out a few tears in spite of my best efforts.
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thanks for the tip about Harriet – I have not heard about that one!
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Yup – the season and the age. Wondering what you think of the new E.T. commercial…?
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I did not know there was one until you mentioned it. I just watched it, and it was wonderful. Brings back great memories of the original. Thanks!
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No screens in the car when I was a child….
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same here – not sure if it’s for the better. the ad certainly suggested that it was for the better, but then it was an Apple ad!
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Screens lead to isolation…
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for most; for others, it may open the world to them
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Yes, but once they turn it off, their loneliness is even more acute.
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There’s something about Christmas that really brings out the emotions in everyone!
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That must be it!
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I shall have to watch the commercial at work when our Internet is back up and running. I always cry in them as well.
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I guess you’ll be crying at work! 🙂
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Ditto, Jim! It’s the festive spirit. 🙂
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🙂
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I am moved to tears a lot of times, doesn’t take much, especially as I get older. And this time of year definitely brings on more tears.
Thanks for the movie suggestions.
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thanks, Joy! I hope you have a wonderful day.
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You are welcome and thanks. Will be on the road most of the day, traveling back from my inlaws. As long as bad drivers stay away from us and traffic jams it should be a good day! 🙂
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