søndag, april 06, 2008

Films to hone your maternal instinct

Good news (for me, probably not much of any kind of news to anyone else): My childbirth preparation class does not seem to include any videos of actual births.

Bad news following from the good news: After seeing so many films where people watch videos of births to prepare for birth, I feel that I'm missing out.

So, to help myself prepare cinematically, I am in the process of making a list of films which focus on birth and newborns. Here is what I have so far. Feel free to add more in the comments. And yes, I realize that these films don't give a totally rosy perfect picture of how these things are, but it's important to prepare for all eventualities.

1) All films in the Alien series. Because, as I believe I've mentioned before, you never know when a cesarian might be indicated. An added bonus is the strong women in the series, who are good role models for motherhood.

2) Rosemary's Baby. This can teach women to trust their instincts at all stages of pregnancy. And it proves that mothers love their children, no matter how horrific they actually are.

3) The Omen. This is a lesson in keeping your child in sight at all times from immediately after the birth.

4) Humanoids from the Deep. This is one actually that I haven't seen, but was told about. I'm not sure what the moral of this one would be. Maybe that in whatever you think you're suffering, the women in this film have it worse?

O.K., it's up to you now. What films would you suggest, which focus on pregnancy and/or babies. You can see the types of films I'm getting at, but feel free to add others with other feels to them.

14 kommentarer:

Devil Mood sagde ...

I watched "look who's talking" yesterday - it's a childhood fave of mine. I just love it ahahah

I haven't watched a single one of those you mentioned and I don't intend to.

Oh a more serious note, you have no idea what I realized today. I know 3 women who are pregnant right now, you included. And guess what? They're all VIRGO! Wow, I was perplexed.

Dok Holocaust sagde ...

Dok Holocaust's Reccomendations:

1) Martian Child. Not about babies or childbirth, but it does a wonderful job of conveying the point that every child is in fact an alien, an interloper, a new being on this planet who has no knowledge of Earthly ways. also, John Cusack.

2) Braindead/Dead Alive. Peter Jackson's oft-retitled zombie opus from the good years before the Tolkien estate ate his brain, it features zombie childbirth and teaches a valuable lesson: don't let your zombies grow up to be giant killer zombie toddlers.

3) Joshua. It reiterates the most valuable lesson of the Omen movies: be very afraid of any kid who wears suits of their own free will. also, Zaphod Beeblebrox as the dad.

Admin sagde ...

that's hilarious!!!!

N sagde ...

I don't watch horror movies...

NotQuiteDanish sagde ...

Hehe. Well, at least by watching Rosemary's Baby and The Omen, you'll at least be prepared for worst case scenario, in which case I don't envy you the ensuing teenage years when Miss or Master kimananda might be a little bit of a handful... - and, btw, if so, my hand just went down quickly for babysitting duties!

Unknown sagde ...

I can only think of 'Junior' and '3 men and a baby'. But that's probably more to prepare Thor... Have fun! Enjoy your 'waiting'.

kimananda sagde ...

Ms. Mood, I've never seen 'Look Who's Talking', and I probably wouldn't run out to rent it either. Variety is the key! And, it sounds like you know a lot of knocked-up virgins. Is this because you know a lot of Virgos more generally?

Chibi, the funny thing is, I had Braindead on my original list. The reason it didn't make the post is that I have only a vague memory of it, and so couldn't think of a moral. But I like your moral. I will try not to spawn a zombie, and if I do, I'll try not to let it grow up to be a zombie toddler.

Vesper, thank you! It was fun to discuss the list before posting it.

Bluefish, I don't either really. The Alien series is sci-fi/action, and Rosemary's Baby (and, slightly more debatably, The Omen) are suspense thrillers which just happen to have a supernatural theme.

NQDanish, that's exactly it. Preparation is the best defense.

Annemarie, those work as well...and I think Thor is way more prepared than I am! But that's because he's just generally much more organized.

Devil Mood sagde ...

No! That's the thing. I know probably 4 Virgos in the real world. It's the least represented of all the Zodiac in my life. That's why it's so strange!

kimananda sagde ...

Now that is odd. Oh, and I forgot to mention before, I totally understand the not intending to see any of the films listed, but I'd still suggest Rosemary's Baby. Either the book or the film. It's really interesting from a psychological level, all about the role of suggestion, and paranoia versus they're really out to get you (or in this case, not quite that).

Devil Mood sagde ...

Sounds creepy :) Perhaps I'll be in the mood for that soon...

I have seen Braindead and it was one of the worst experiences in my life. lol

Meow (aka Connie) sagde ...

Hahaha, interesting choice of movies .... at least they'll give you the negative side of childbirth ... how about some happy movies !?!?! Can't actually think of any right now !!
So, I'm not sure I remenber, but when are you actually due ??? Hope all is going along well ... isn't pregnancy fun !?!?!
Take care, Meow

kimananda sagde ...

Ms. Mood, I don't remember Rosemary's Baby as being creepy, but very suspenseful. And I quite liked Braindead, but I can see how others might disagree with me.

Meow, I don't mind happy movies, but I find less than perfectly happy movies are generally more interesting. And I'm due in just about a month. Everything is going very smoothly actually. I wouldn't say it's fun, but certainly fulfilling in many ways.

Greg Mills sagde ...

Beowulf, both the film and the book.

kimananda sagde ...

Yeah, I had forgotten about that. Good choice.