At least here at AU, patriotism appears to be at its height - Obama chants continued for hours after the election outcome was obvious, despite the pouring rain. Obama has incited more excitement in young voters than any other political figure our generation has seen. But if cheering for Obama wasn't your idea of great excitement, here is a list of films that love America as much as we do and are a bit more entertaining than interactive maps and percentages.
"FORREST GUMP"
Tom Hanks' Forrest Gump has become one of the most popular faces in American pop culture. From his "life is like a box of chocolates" line to showing his behind to President Lyndon Johnson, "Forrest Gump" tells the story of an everyday American who became something special, all because of his blind love for a woman and his country. Forrest shows us how lucky we are to live in a country where anything can happen.
"BLACK SHEEP"
What's America without a little bit of laughter? If you were one of the millions of people out campaigning this year, you can relate to Mike Donnely (Chris Farley) in "Black Sheep." Donnelly's older brother, Al, is running for governor of Washington, and Donnelly desperately wants to help in the campaign. The trouble is, he's a complete failure. To solve the problem, Al sends Mike to a remote part of the state, hoping to keep him from trouble, alongside his aide Steve Dodds (David Spade). The result is a hilarious move that could only come from Farley. You'll be thinking that maybe your canvassing stories aren't that bad.
"THE PATRIOT"
Fighting the guilt of being a hero in the French and Indian War, South Carolinian Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) refuses to join in the 1776 fight for independence. However, his eldest son, full of Southern courage, enlists to fight. After he is captured by the British and set to be hanged, the second eldest Martin brother tries to intervene and save him, only to be killed in front of his father. In retaliation of his sons being killed, Martin leaves the rest of his family behind to fight for his country-to-be. "The Patriot" reminds us of the birth of our nation and that even when we feel our country is at it's lowest, it's not so bad after all.
"SAVING PRIVATE RYAN"
Tom Hanks is again on our list, and again a soldier, in "Saving Private Ryan." After a mother finds three of her four sons have been killed in World War II, the government decides to prevent the loss of her last child, Private James Ryan (Matt Damon). Capt. John Miller (Hanks) takes charge of an elite squad of men who find themselves trying to complete a dangerous and unlikely task: searching for Ryan - a man who wants to complete the duties given to him as much as those searching for him. This sentimental war film reminds us of the many sacrifices our soldiers have made to give us the freedom to make a change.
You can reach this staff writer at kboghosian@theeagleonline.com.
