Dreamer -- December 2005

A DECENT HORSE TALE

Moe: Hey Joe. I’m in the market for a movie that would appeal to the family. What can you recommend?

Joe: Well, what about Dreamer? It’s about a race horse that breaks her leg. Everyone wants to put the horse down, but her trainer buys the horse for his 10-year-old daughter. No one thinks the horse will race again, but the daughter has other ideas.

Moe: Sounds kind of predictable, like something I’ve seen before.

Joe: In a way it is; it’s a little like Seabiscuit, and you can pretty much figure out what’s going to happen. It works, though, and it’s really touching. I was tearing up at the end.

Moe: I’ll bet my daughter would like it.

Joe: Yeah, she probably would. Just about everyone in the family would. It’s heartwarming; the good guys do honorable things. The only negative happens when the daughter, who becomes the owner of the horse, says she’s mailed a race entrance fee in when she hasn’t. But overall, it’s worth it.

Moe: Not that I’m particularly into ratings, but what would you give it?

Joe: I’d say about 2 ¾ stars.

Moe: Sounds good. I’ll take the family

Film Rating: PG
My Rating: 2 ¾ stars.

Valkyrie -- March 2009

HISTORICALLY INTERESTING

Valkyrie is the (essentially) true story of the July 20, 1944 attempted assassination of Adolf Hitler by a group of German army officers. As the movie opens, German Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg is nearly killed in North Africa. He survives a bomb attack but loses an arm and an eye. Flash forward a few weeks to the war fronts in Russia and Germany. Von Stauffenberg, now convinced that der Führer is an evil man who must be killed, becomes aware of a shadowy group of German dissenters and links up with them, after which the group members work together to devise a foolproof plot to kill Hitler and take over the country by putting into effect a national emergency plan called Operation Valkyrie. The bulk of the picture deals with the planning and carrying out of the plot. Of course we all know that the plan didn’t succeed, but the film has a great deal of positive and exciting tension nonetheless.

Valkyrie stars Tom Cruise as Von Stauffenberg. Cruise, normally my least favorite actor, does a creditable job of acting this time, not flashing his pretty boy smile even once. Interestingly, the filming of Valkyrie was quite controversial in Germany; Cruise is not well liked there because of his adherence to scientology, which many Germans consider a totalitarian philosophy. However, the picture has relatively little violence for a war movie, no sexual exploits, and almost no objectionable language. It raises significant questions, foremost among which is this one: Since God ordains national leaders, can it be right to pursue assassination?

Film Rating: PG-13
My Rating: 3 stars           

2003 Retrospective: Movies Seen in 2003

Dullest / most feeble picture	The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Most violent	Gangs of New York; Mystic River
Quirkiest (but still worth a look)	Holes
Most attractive scenery	The Open Range; Under the Tuscan Sun
Best movie with music	Chicago
Best presentation of the gospel	Luther
Most exciting	Catch Me If You Can
Most original	A Mighty Wind
Also worth a look	Bruce Almighty; Cold Mountain; Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl; Radio; Seabiscuit; Runaway Jury
Runner-up best picture	Second-hand Lions
Best pictures	Luther; The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Flightplan -- November 2005

A WORTHY THRILLER

A current thriller that is worth your time and money is Flightplan. Jodie Foster stars as Kyle Pratt, an engineer who has been working in Germany and has just been widowed. Kyle is taking her daughter back to the U.S., with her husband’s body in a casket in the hold. Shortly after they board the plane, the exhausted Kyle and her daughter fall asleep. When Kyle wakes up, her daughter is gone. Kyle initiates a search that becomes more and more frantic when the daughter cannot be located anywhere on the aircraft. The flight crew, in fact, assert to Kyle that there is no record of her daughter ever having been on the flight, and a therapist passenger is called to console Kyle in her grief. So here is the big mystery: Did the daughter get on the plane? Does she even exist? Was she kidnapped by the group of Arabs who are on board? If not, is Kyle experiencing grief-induced delusions?

Plusses:

• A riveting screenplay, unique in that almost the entire action of the movie takes place on the plane and not through flashbacks.
• Acting: Compelling performances by Jodie Foster and Peter Sarsgaard as an air marshal.
• Theme: It’s hard to beat the intensity of a parent’s love.

Minuses:

• Language: There are a few instances of taking the Lord’s name in vain.
• Logic of the story: Some have criticized the script as being full of holes. I’ll leave that for you to decide.

Bottom line: Worth your time and money.

Film Rating: PG-13
My Rating: 2 ¾ stars.

2007 Retrospective -- Movies Seen in 2007

2007 RETROSPECTIVE
ONE MAN'S OPINION: MOVIES SEEN IN 2007

Most gratuitously violent	The Last King of Scotland
Most unnecessary remake of a classic	All the King's Men
Most overrated	Pan's Labyrinth
Most exciting	Tie between Breach and Babel (caution: Rated R)
Best script	Babel (caution: Rated R)
Best movies with music	Tie between Enchanted and Hairspray
Best reflection of the gospel	Flywheel
Best acting performances	John Travolta in Hairspray; Renée Zellweger in Miss Potter
Best conversion from book to film	Charlotte's Web
Also worthwhile	Bella; Evan Almighty; Lars and the Real Girl; Nancy Drew; The Last Sin Eater
Most significant pictures	Babel and Amazing Grace

2008 Retrospective: Movies Seen in 2008

2008 RETROSPECTIVE
ONE MAN'S OPINION: MOVIES SEEN IN 2008

Most overblown	Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull
Most overrated	Atonement
Hardest to follow (and most violent)	Quantum of Solace
Most amusing	Beverly Hills Chihuahua
Best mystery / caper film	Flawless
Best dialogue	Australia
Most inspirational	The Kite Runner
Best reflection of the gospel	Fireproof
Best characterizations	Nullah, the half-aborigine boy in Australia; the land of Australia in Australia
Best movie with music	High School Musical III
Best epic pictures	The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian; Australia
Best acting performances	Brandon Walters as Nullah, the half-aborigine boy in Australia; Kirk Cameron in Fireproof; Demi Moore in Flawless
Most thought-provoking	Expelled, No Intelligence Allowed
Also worthwhile	The Great Debaters; Saving Sarah Cain; W.
Most significant movies	Fireproof; The Kite Runner; Expelled, No Intelligence Allowed

Pride and Prejudice -- January 2006

A GOOD REMAKE OF AN OLD CHESTNUT

Pride and Prejudice, based on Jane Austen’s nineteenth-century comedy-of-manners novel, recounts aristocrat Mr. Darcy’s courtship of Miss Elizabeth Bennett, whose parents are trying valiantly to marry her off. Darcy and Elizabeth are fascinating people who have their own unique ways of dealing with their lives and circumstances. Both are admirable characters who speak their minds and hold true to their principles. When Darcy and Elizabeth first meet, there is an attraction between them, but they can also hardly stand each other. Elizabeth shows herself to be an independent soul and not a malleable girl who can be manipulated by others. Darcy has a memorable line in which he says, “I have not the gift of easy conversation." -- i.e, he’s not good at small talk. That’s all right, though; as the film demonstrates, we all have different gifts and don’t have to be all things to all people.

Recommendation: See the movie, and then read the book. Both are inspiring commentaries on our need to do the right thing while being just ourselves. Keira Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen give strong performances as Elizabeth and Darcy in this new 2005 remake.

Film Rating: PG
My Rating: 3 ¼ stars

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow -- December 2004

GORGEOUS TO LOOK AT

There’s a heroism movie out right now that, while leaving something to be desired in substance, is at least gorgeous to look at. Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow is a hard-to-figure out sci-fi fantasy set in the late thirties — sort of a combination of Indiana Jones and Star Wars. Sky Captain stars Jude Law as Joe Sullivan, the Sky Captain; and Gwyneth Paltrow as Polly Perkins, a Lois-Lane-type of newspaper reporter. The plot, insofar as I was able to discern one, is about a mad scientist named Dr. Totenkopf (“Deadhead”) who is looking for some secret vials which are somehow connected to the fact that famous world scientists are dying right and left. Newspaper reporter Perkins is determined to find out what’s happening, and in her travels she soon runs into her old flame Joe Sullivan.

Plusses: This is a beautiful movie. The sets are all computer-generated but look real enough. The color, such as it is, is muted, so the result is in effect a color movie in black and white -- so watching Sky Captain is a little like going to an art museum. Another plus is its heroism values. Star Jude Law, who strongly wanted to play the Sky Captain role, said, “I just thought it was about time someone took us back to a science-fiction genre that’s without cynicism, that’s more innocent and optimistic.” Sullivan and his sidekick Dex think of others before themselves and are willing to make sacrifices. A third plus is some interesting commentary about how we have become poor stewards of God’s world.

Minuses: Is this movie really about anything other than heroism? The Indiana Jones movies were about the pursuit of the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail, but Sky Captain doesn't seem powered by anything very significant. Also, Joe and Polly are not exactly what could be considered good role models in their relationship. The movie has some potentially worthy themes that aren’t well enough developed.

Overall: This is one of the most beautiful movies in a long time, so it’s worth seeing on that score.

Film Rating: (PG)
My Rating: 2 ½ stars

Bruce Almighty -- September 2003

GOD ON SCREEN

Patty: Hi, Mattie. Patty. I want to go to a good movie. Have you seen anything worthwhile this summer?

Mattie: Yeah, I’ve seen a few things, and there is one movie I can recommend — Bruce Almighty. At least it’s worth seeing and thinking about.

Mattie: Are you serious? I saw the previews of it and thought it looked sacrilegious.

Patty: I did too. But I felt different after I saw it. It’s really thought-provoking, especially for people of faith.

Mattie: How so?

Patty: Well, Jim Carrey plays Bruce, a TV reporter who never gets any good stories and is passed over when an anchor vacancy comes up. He’s really mad and does some speculating about how he’d change things if he were God. Pretty soon he gets a mysterious call on his cell phone telling him to come to an abandoned warehouse. He does, and whom does he meet? God. He’s there doing some janitorial work all by himself, which is a brilliant touch that shows His servant nature.

Mattie: What happens?

Patty: God grants Bruce the power to take over for Him for a certain period. He does this to show Bruce how complex prayer really is and how we should think carefully about what we pray for. There’s a hilarious scene where Bruce receives everyone’s prayers in the form of e-mail — and he has 3 1/2 million prayers to answer.

Mattie: It does sound kind of interesting. But I’m leery of seeing Jim Carrey in anything. He overdoes his acting — if you can call it that.

Patty: I agree; I don’t usually care for him in his comic roles. But when he actually takes the trouble to act, he’s a lot better — as in The Majestic. There were a couple of things about Bruce Almighty that troubled me, though.

Mattie: What were they?

Mattie: Well, for one thing, God, who’s played by Morgan Freeman, comes off far too much as Bruce’s buddy. God is supposed to be holy, isn’t He? The other thing is that Bruce and his girlfriend have been living together for a few years or so, and the movie seems to sanction that. She’s been praying for him to surrender himself to the Lord; he finally does this, and the implication is that their relationship will now have the right foundation. But that seems to say that everything we do is OK as long as we get God’s approval, no matter whether it’s after the fact or not. Bruce surrenders and loses his selfishness, but there’s nothing about owning up to his sins. That’s just my take on it, though. I’d like to hear some other reactions.

Patty: Hmm. Well, it does sound pretty interesting. All right, you’ve convinced me. I’ll go. Do you want to see it again?

Film Rating: PG-13
My Rating: 3 stars

Seabiscuit; The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen; Bruce Almighty -- September 2003

The SUMMER OF 2003


Mattie: Hey Patty? I feel like going to a movie — haven’t seen anything all summer. Can you recommend something?


Patty: Well, yes, I’ve seen a few things this summer.


Mattie: What about Seabiscuit? I’ve heard it’s really good. Have you seen that?


Patty: Yes. It’s decent and pleasant — but nothing tremendously special.


Mattie: Really? I’ve heard good things about it.


Patty: The acting is really good, but the story is too predictable. It’s a feel-good movie, but I found myself more interested in the horse than in any of the characters. And the swearing is really irritating. There’s absolutely no justification for it.


Mattie: Hmm. What else have you seen?


Patty: Well, a friend recommended The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, but I thought it was deadly dull — no compelling point or coherence at all, even if it did have Sean Connery in it. It's about a group of fictional 19th-century characters, like Dr. Jekyll and Dorian Gray, who get together to form a group who will work for justice. Maybe it's an intriguing idea, but that idea didn't pan out on the screen It was a real struggle to stay awake. But there is one movie I can recommend — Bruce Almighty. At least it’s worth seeing and thinking about.


Mattie: Are you serious? I saw the previews of it and thought it looked sacrilegious.


Patty: I did too. But I felt different after I saw it. It’s really thought-provoking, especially for people of faith.


Mattie: How so?


Patty: Well, Jim Carrey plays Bruce, a TV reporter who never gets any good stories and is passed over when an anchor vacancy comes up. He’s really mad and does some speculating about how he’d change things if he were God. Pretty soon he gets a mysterious call on his cell phone telling him to come to an abandoned warehouse. He does, and whom does he meet? God. He’s there doing some janitorial work all by himself, which is a brilliant touch that shows His servant nature.


Mattie: What happens?


Patty: God grants Bruce the power to take over for Him for a certain period. He does this to show Bruce how complex prayer really is and how we should think carefully about what we pray for. There’s a hilarious scene where Bruce receives everyone’s prayers in the form of e-mail — and he has 3 and a half million prayers to answer.


Mattie: It does sound kind of interesting. But I’m leery of seeing Jim Carrey in anything. He overdoes his acting — if you can call it that.


Patty: I agree; I don’t usually care for him in his comic roles. But when he actually takes the trouble to act, he’s a lot better — as in The Majestic. There were a couple of things about Bruce Almighty that troubled me, though.


Mattie: What were they?


Mattie: Well, for one thing, God, who’s played by Morgan Freeman, comes off far too much as Bruce’s buddy. God is supposed to be holy, isn’t He? The other thing is that Bruce and his girlfriend have been living together for a few years or so, and the movie seems to sanction that. She’s been praying for him to surrender himself to the Lord; he finally does this, and the implication is that their relationship will now have the right foundation. But that seems to say that everything we do is OK as long as we get God’s approval, no matter whether it’s after the fact or not. Bruce surrenders and loses his selfishness, but there’s nothing about owning up to his sins. That’s just my take on it, though. I’d like to hear some other reactions.


Patty: Hmm. Well, it does sound pretty interesting. All right, you’ve convinced me. I’ll go. Do you want to see it again?


My Ratings:
Seabiscuit: 2 ¾ stars (PG-13)
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: 2 stars (PG-13)
Bruce Almighty: 3 stars (PG-13)