web counter
 

I've Been There I Know the Way: Step Into a Movie

By Cindy Davis | Posted Under Comment Diversions | Comments (58)

Hogwarts-Castle.jpg

There are certain films that when I’m watching I think, “How cool would it be if I were there right now?” And by there, I don’t just mean the physical location—but, inside the story and a part of it. Sometimes I dream of being one of the characters (Lee Holloway) and others, perhaps just a sideline observer who could wander through Hogwarts Castle, marveling at all the magical oddities.

What if you really could walk into a movie, step into a particular film and be part of the story? Would you want to take over a the main character’s plotline or go in as yourself, an additional character who might or might not affect the whole thing? Maybe you’d opt to be fill a supporting role or just be in the middle of it all, observing the goings on? Did you always imagine yourself as Ethan Hunt or James Bond? Hermione or Luna? Neo or Trinity…Ripley…Captain von Trapp?

What movie would you jump into and what role would you play? And yes, you can come back when it’s over.









Each Time You Like, Share, Tweet or Stumble a Pajiba Post, An Angel Does the Paul Rudd Dance

← Pajiba After Dark 7/28/11 | BBC America's Copper Sounds Like →









Comments

I wanted to be in Moulin Rouge really badly when I first saw it. Except, you know, without the dying and all. I also would like to wonder around Hogwarts as well as Wonderland. Oh, and the Chocolate Factory.

Posted by: Laura at July 28, 2011 7:08 PM

When I was younger and watching The Monster Squad I wanted to be in it. I wanted to be Rudy. I thought that dude was so cool.

Posted by: junierizzle at July 28, 2011 7:21 PM

Aside from the obvious Harry Potter choice, I always wanted to step into The Secret Garden. I wanted to live in Misselthwaite Manor so badly and make magic in that garden.

Posted by: E-Money at July 28, 2011 7:23 PM

Oz, now and forever.

Posted by: Portlandmermaid at July 28, 2011 7:26 PM

Star Trek: The Next Generation. Replicators and holodecks for EVERYONE.

It's the beer, pizza and porn of the future.

Posted by: AmbroseKalifornia at July 28, 2011 7:27 PM

Last Action Hero. Or is that too meta?

In all seriousness, aside from the numerous worlds I would like to visit in the obvious galaxy far, far away, I'd want to explore the dingy streets of Blade Runner's Los Angeles. That production design just tells you there is a fully realized world beyond the frame.

Another one that comes to mind are the vignettes of Akira Kurosawa's Dreams. There is lots of memorable imagery therein, and presumably I could wander around the rest of Kurosawa's subconscious while I was there.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at July 28, 2011 7:29 PM

Star Trek. Always and forever.

Posted by: logan at July 28, 2011 7:34 PM

The only answer that matters is Jurassic Park.

Posted by: Bequafina at July 28, 2011 7:38 PM

word Logan

If you were a kid who always answered 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' with 'Spaceman'
its gotta be The Enterprise - any Enterprise

A Firefly class would also work for me too I suppose

Posted by: PyD at July 28, 2011 7:40 PM

Logans Run and Westworld

Posted by: rabbi at July 28, 2011 7:56 PM

How to Train Your Dragon.

Posted by: Four Eyes at July 28, 2011 7:58 PM

I'd be George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life. (I know, I'm female.)

Posted by: Stinky at July 28, 2011 7:59 PM

twilight i would be a vampire then i wouldn't be so paranoid about online death threats

Posted by: Utah Dynamo at July 28, 2011 8:14 PM

Avatar: The Last Airbender, for sure. Being able to bend ANY element would just be to cool for words.

Posted by: JackieBea at July 28, 2011 8:16 PM

Hmmm. Harry Potter is a given, and normally I'd say one of the X-Men movies because the geek girl in me always wanted to be Phoenix, but let's face it, they're not really having a great time in any of those movies.

Soooo... I'll say Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I'd be Trillian, having adventures with Zaphod and Ford and romancing Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman version).

Posted by: MelBivDevoe at July 28, 2011 8:31 PM

Batman - the animated series.

Noone ever dies, the good guys always win and the cars are just cool looking.

oh, and Harley Quinn.

Posted by: Lennon at July 28, 2011 8:58 PM

No one picked Hellraiser?

Seriously though, what about Avatar-land? Flying those dragon things looked awesome and at night the forests look like a Pink Floyd concert.

Posted by: negative 1 at July 28, 2011 9:14 PM

Almost Famous, as Cameron Crowe.

Posted by: Pat C. at July 28, 2011 9:15 PM

I take that back - THE BLUE LAGOON.

Posted by: Pat C. at July 28, 2011 9:17 PM

I am always so enthralled with musicals. The idea of everyone resolving their issues through spontaneous, choreographed song and dance just makes me so fucking happy. Seriously, rocking out to "You Can't Stop the Beat" in Hairspray would just be a BLAST.

Oh, or Harry Potter because MAGIC IS REAL, dammit.

Posted by: Ruthie at July 28, 2011 9:20 PM

Portlandmermaid, movie or TV show?

Posted by: LwoodPDowd at July 28, 2011 9:24 PM

Real Genius - I would just hang out in that world. All I ever wanted to be was a dissipated researcher, until life intervened. Thant and maybe work on putting spikes through wood ... for science!

Marius, Mael or perhaps Kahyman in Anne Rice's vampire world. Surprisingly good work from Tommy-boy in Interview with the Vampire, you know, considering. Surprisingly good bits and hunks in the hot mess that was Queen of the Damned. But, they all missed it. Antonio Banderas came closest to capturing the menace, tragedy, bonhomie and madness of a proper vampire.

Marius actually has a better arc and more epic story than most of the characters, certainly in the movies.

Posted by: BierceAmbrose at July 28, 2011 9:25 PM

That's easy. I'd enter Freaks and rat on that nasty bitch poisoning poor Hanz for the inheritance money on day one. I'd personally pluck her eyebrows out for her final transformation. Then I'd step out of the picture and backhand the studio executives one by one until they agreed to leave the original print intact. Then we could all see the actual cut of the picture, castrato included, in 2011 to know what Tod Browning actually had in mind.

Posted by: Robert at July 28, 2011 9:31 PM

I would TOTALLY be Tina Sparkle.

Posted by: Anna von Beav at July 28, 2011 9:45 PM

Also, Diane Lane in Unfaithful. Because I'd get to do Olivier Martinez AND Richard Gere.

Posted by: Anna von Beav at July 28, 2011 9:48 PM

I like the way you think, Bequafina. Although, rabbi and Lennon make equally compelling arguments.

Posted by: RobP at July 28, 2011 9:57 PM

Come to think of it, I used to daydream about being in PANDORA'S BOX and saving Lulu (Louise Brooks).

Posted by: Pat C. at July 28, 2011 9:57 PM

You nailed it Anna von Beav. Except for when Tina had to dance with the orange hot tub guy. Like she said, "it's like dancing in a brewery."

For me? Terry Randall in Stage Door. Or Tracy Lord in The Philadelphia Story. Or really almost any character Katherine Hepburn played.

Posted by: Captain Tuttle at July 28, 2011 10:07 PM

The Potterverse would be fabulous (I'm pretty sure I'm not a squib)

And Marianne Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility (the Ang Lee version). Just for the scene where she gets swept up by Alan Rickman.

'Course then I would have to put up with that stupid prat as a brother in law...

Posted by: general rhubarb at July 28, 2011 10:22 PM

Yeah I feel the same way, wish I was in the movie Willy Wonka!

Posted by: Grant at July 28, 2011 10:33 PM

I would totally be Mrs. Smith in Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Posted by: TWoPFan at July 28, 2011 10:37 PM

Dangerous Liaisons.....I wouldn't lock my door against Malkovich! Plus the costumes!

Posted by: The Woo at July 28, 2011 10:40 PM

I can't believe no one wants to hang out in the Serenity with me!

-Ralphie

Posted by: ralphie at July 28, 2011 11:12 PM

find your partners More Easier!!!!
---------------
PLEASE VISIT milcUpid.com

Posted by: service at July 28, 2011 11:42 PM

Oh also Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, not a movie but also Pushing Daisies. Pretty much just get me within f*cking distance of Lee Pace.

Posted by: E-Money at July 28, 2011 11:53 PM

Do animated movies count? Because I've dreamed of going into Spirited Away a lot. Or Howl's Moving Castle--the scene with the flower fields? So breathtakingly beautiful. Harry Potter is also another good one.

Posted by: Figgy at July 28, 2011 11:55 PM

I also wanted to jump into the middle of Sense and Sensibility and live in their little cottage by the coast. So gorgeous. And I'd get to meet Alan Rickman and steal him away from Marianne.

Posted by: Figgy at July 29, 2011 12:00 AM

I totally agree with Pat C. Almost Famous changed my life. Seriously. I would def. be the character based on Cameron Crowe. I actually wrote an entire post on this. Not to toot my own horn, or anything.

Speaking of tooting my own horn, Diane Lane in Unfaithful. Before the snow-globing.

Posted by: Nugs at July 29, 2011 12:47 AM

dead like me

Posted by: kjones at July 29, 2011 12:47 AM

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…

In fact, I think I'll watch that. Right now.

Posted by: Jessicator at July 29, 2011 1:00 AM

Serenity for the win!

Also, I noticed no one said Caligula....

Posted by: Chich at July 29, 2011 3:21 AM

Game of Thrones. Though as a blonde I's probably have to be a bad guy - is anyone else noticing this consistent trend of brunette goodies vs. blonde baddies?

Posted by: cinekat at July 29, 2011 4:01 AM

I'd, dammit, I'd.
No more commenting before coffee.

Posted by: cinekat at July 29, 2011 4:02 AM

X-Men. I hate comic book movies as a matter of pinciple, but Godtopus be damned it'd be cool to be a mutant.

Posted by: Zirze at July 29, 2011 5:19 AM

Princess Bride, though I would like to have a little more agency that the original Buttercup.

Posted by: Nimue at July 29, 2011 7:07 AM

Star Wars post Return of the Jedi. If VR ever gets to the point it's seamless with reality I will just hook up a nutrient IV, turn that baby on and go fight the Empire until my Earthbound body dies of old age. Now THAT'S a retirement plan worth working toward.

Posted by: TylerDFC at July 29, 2011 9:19 AM

Cinekat: I think Daenerys is one of the most sympathetic characters on the show so I'm not sure I agree with your hypothesis. As for the Lannister's, I've notice Tyrion is more of a dirty blonde, maybe that's a subtle way of showing he's not completely evil with the rest of the family.

Posted by: TylerDFC at July 29, 2011 9:22 AM

Amending my previous answer (although I still want to live in Jurassic Park):

- the Jane Eyre with Michael Fassbender in it
- the Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth in it
- the Sense and Sensibility with Alan Rickman in it


Just so I could find any (or all!) of those three men and take them home with me. Or, you know, just drool at them from afar like a creeper.

Posted by: Bequafina at July 29, 2011 9:35 AM

Not very original of me but I'd like to be Hermione.

Or I'd like to live in the Star Wars galaxy, post-Empire.

Posted by: pickled tink at July 29, 2011 9:52 AM

I know it was yesterday, but

a. Totally awesome idea for a Comment Diversion

b. I LOVE Anna VB's suggestion. A little musicality, please.

c. I've mentioned it before, but Little Julien's 5 year old face the first time they showed Hogwarts in Sorceror's Stone is one of the most exquisitely wondrous things I have ever seen.

d. Really ladies? Regency clothing with those awful empire waists and then the rigid social mores (and consider the source on that one)? No thank you.

e. I must say stepping into Hogwarts would be pretty awesome.

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at July 29, 2011 10:17 AM

Good call nimue.

Posted by: Laura at July 29, 2011 10:20 AM

Potterverse, Jurassic Park (dinosaurs! Yay!) and Star Wars don't suck. I can't believe I'm the first (and maybe only) LOTR.

Anyone else for the Ride of the Rohirrim?

Posted by: seemless at July 29, 2011 3:20 PM

Now that everyone is gone, I'll admit to it:

HOME ALONE

That house is fabulous. Don't judge me.

Posted by: Phat girl at July 29, 2011 3:48 PM

53rd the Potterverse, Serenity/Firefly love, all of Katherine Hepburn's films, and "It's a Wonderful Life." Might I also add...

1) Time Bandits (I am very short)

2) Easy A (I'd LOVE to be Olive...or her mom!)

3) any John Hughes movie

4) His Gal Friday

5) I can't believe no one has said this...GALAXY QUEST!

Posted by: dammitjanet at July 29, 2011 3:57 PM

LwoodPDowd: Oz as in Wizard of; I'm all about the sparkly shoes.

Posted by: Portlandmermaid at July 29, 2011 5:34 PM

Well, Star Trek is a given. Gods I wanted Kirk's job so bad I joined the Navy.

But, I think for pure romance, I'd want to be Mrs. Muir, except I'd tell Uncle Neddie to take a flying leap and keep the Captain.

Posted by: funtime42 at July 29, 2011 9:10 PM

I want to be Ione Skye in "Say Anything."
I want John Cusack to play Peter Gabriel for ME!

Posted by: China Cat at July 30, 2011 2:54 PM

I must say, some of this was a little over my head, but all in all, i enjoyed reading your post :)

Posted by: quinten at September 14, 2011 1:12 PM