isn't it ironic? don't you think?

I've been on a movie-watching binge lately, and most of them are Oscar-nominated. It's funny, every year, I have this sense of 'duty' to watch all these award-nominated movies before the Oscars, just because I actually want to know who/what I'm rooting for to win. This year is different, though. I do it because the movies actually seem interesting this year. I mean, take a look at 12 Years a Slave, The Wolf of Wall Street, Blue Jasmine, American Hustle... and don't get me started on the performances this year! While I love Jennifer Lawrence and would defend her everything 'til tomorrowland, I do think she shouldn't win anything for her performance in American Hustle. It feels too... in her comfort zone, if you know what I mean. Amy Adams, Cate Blanchett, or Lupita Nyong'o, on the other hand... they were simply amazing and showcased a whole other spectrum of emotions through their respective roles. There's also in the actors category, and I'm just so excited to see Leonardo DiCaprio finally win his Oscar... although it's a really tough competition this year, and from such unlikely contenders, too. Who would've thought Matthew McConaughey would actually be considered, let alone favorited, to win?

2013 seems to be a better year overall when it comes to quality movies. I'm excited-slash-terrified to watch The Act of Killing (should watch it tonight and get scarred for life), and bummed that movies like Fruitvale Station didn't make the cut. Happy for Frozen and The Book Thief getting a nod at all, and ooh, I'm dying to watch Saving Mr. Banks (haven't been able to get a good copy, ugh) just because of the fabulous Emma Thompson and B.J. Novak. Among all this, there's one movie that I would never expect to leave a mark on me... and that's Her, by Spike Jonze. I... was left feeling not only uncomfortable, but also dirty, somehow, and terribly lonely. This movie is so incredibly lonely. I must admit I initially wasn't drawn to it, only because I'm not exactly the biggest fan of either Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson, or Spike Jonze. (Yes. Fine. Attack me all you want.) But then people have started to say how romantic it is, and how it changes our whole perception of being romantic.

Well, let me tell you something. I watched it and far from feeling romantic, I was straight-up sad. It's not the first time a movie is being made about the dangers of technology, but Her just took it one step further and made me feel miserable. A guy having a relationship with his OS - not just 'emotionally', but also 'sexually'. It's depressing and so, so terrifying. It's not even that much of a stretch, that kind of 'future' isn't distant at all, at the rate we're going. We spend so much time buried in our smartphones and computers (yours truly is also guilty as charged) that we fail to make real human connection. I mean, look, even I'm typing this on a computer. Writing my thoughts on a blog, that's made possible by the internet. Sure, I can connect to other people in ways beyond my wildest dreams, but how about the ones within reach?

The dialogue in the movie is so on point, though. For example, when Samantha said, "Are these feelings even real? Or are they just programming?" Scary how close to the mark that is. Then, of course, there's also Theodore saying, "Sometimes I think I have felt everything I'm ever gonna feel. And from here on out, I'm not gonna feel anything new. Just lesser versions of what I've already felt." You know, I just remembered, it's very interesting that I watched Jobs before watching Her. It's like coming full-circle, how mankind has been made witness to both the benefits and the bad sides of technology. Two very different eras. Technology has made our perception towards relationships change dramatically. Yes, it has helped countless of times - people who live far away from each other can instantly connect in a matter of seconds thanks to the internet. It's just... nothing is personal anymore. Nothing is presented in a way that is authentic. You talking to your boyfriend via chat or even text does not have the same impact as talking to him face to face.

Right after watching that movie, I made a promise to myself, that I will get out and branch out more, and connect to the world in a more personal way. I need to make personal connections. I need to look at people's eyes, reach into their hearts, and carry a lasting impression. As Amy Adams said in the movie: "We are only here briefly, and in this moment I want to allow myself... joy." 

Now, excuse me while I watch some dumb rom-com to cheer me up.

© Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash