"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"

Title: "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"

MPAA Rating: R

Director: Michael Gondry
Producers: A. Bregman and S. Golin
Editing: Valdis Oskarsdottir
Composer: Jon Brion
Starring:
- Jim Carrey as Joel Barish
- Kate Winslet as Clementine Kruczynski

- Kirsten Dunst as Mary Svevo
- Mark Ruffalo as Stan Fink

- Elijah Wood as Patrick Wertz
- Tom Wilkinson as Howard Mierzwiak

Plot and Critical Review: Emotionally withdrawn Joel Barish and unhinged free spirit Clementine Kruczynski strike up a relationship on a Long Island Rail Road train from Montauk, New York. They are drawn to each other on account of their radically different personalities.

Although they apparently do not realize it at the time, Joel and Clementine are in fact former lovers, now separated after having spent two years together. After a nasty fight, Clementine hired the New York City firm Lacuna, Inc. to erase all her memories of their relationship. (The term "lacuna" means a gap or missing part; for instance, lacunar amnesia is a gap in one's memory about a specific event.) Upon discovering this, Joel is devastated and decides to undergo the procedure himself, a process that takes place while he sleeps.

Much of the film takes place in Joel's mind. As his memories are erased, Joel finds himself revisiting them in reverse. Upon seeing happier times of his relationship with Clementine from earlier in their relationship, he struggles to preserve at least some memory of her and his love for her. Despite his efforts, the memories are slowly erased, with the last memory of Clementine telling him: "Meet me in Montauk".

In separate but related story arcs occurring during Joel's memory erasure, the employees of Lacuna are revealed to be more than peripheral characters. Patrick, one of the Lacuna technicians performing the erasure, is dating Clementine while viewing Joel's memories, and copying Joel's moves to seduce her. Mary, the Lacuna receptionist, turns out to have had an affair with Dr. Howard Mierzwiak, the married doctor who heads the company—a relationship which she agreed to have erased from her memory when it was discovered by his wife. Once Mary learns this, she quits her job and steals the company's records, then sends them out to all clients of the company.

Joel and Clementine come upon their Lacuna records shortly after re-encountering each other on the train. They react with shock and bewilderment, given that they have no clear memory of having known each other, let alone having had a relationship and having had their memories erased. Joel tries to convince Clementine that they can start over, but Clementine states that it could end the same way. Joel accepts this, and they decide to attempt a relationship anyway, starting their life together anew.

-

"Eternal Sunshine..." is both an enigma and something of a diamond in the rough. It's typically listed as a "romantic science fiction film", but it contains scenes/suggestions of fantasy, psychological intensity, and even time travel (through thoughts - not actual temporal displacement). It's hard to tell what this movie really is, but that's precisely why I (and so many others) have enjoyed it so deeply. Some films tell you up-front what they're about. "The Wild West" is probably going to be about cowboys, and "Comet Force 4000" will probably have something to do with space. Going in you know what to expect and, most of the time, you're probably going to feel alright about it. But here we're taken on quite the ride, even to the point where our sense of reality (within the film, that is) is questioned. Which way is up?! Are we moving forward in the story line? Backwards? Sideways?! It's dramatic, innovative, fun, and emotional.

Combined with an exceptional ensemble, tight editing, and truly inspiring direction, this is not only a "must-see", but a "must-see-over-and-over-and-over" until the heart of the movie is understood beyond the mental games it delightfully plays.

My Rating: 8/10

Content to Caution:

V-1 - No comment.
L-3 - Coarse language throughout.
DU-3 - One character is an alcoholic. Two characters smoke marijuana together.
RT-0 - No comment.
H/S-2.5 - Psychological Thriller, after all..
CH-2 - Sexual jokes are made often.
S/N-2.5 - Sex is implied in several scenes. Some scenes contain partial nudity and/or characters exposing themselves.

The "Reel Revelation": "A Reminder to Remember"

Let's try something a little different this time...

See you tomorrow - E.T.

"Cleopatra"

Title: "Cleopatra"

Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Producers: W. Wagner and P. Levathes
Editing: D. Spender and E. Williams
Composer: Alex North
Starring:
- Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra
- Richard Burton as Mark Antony
- Rex Harrison as Julius Caesar
- Carroll O'Connor as Servilius Casca
- Roddy McDowall as Octavian, alias Augustus
- Martin Landau as Rufio
- Hume Cronyn as Sosigenes
- Andrew Keir as Agrippa
- Gwen Watford as Calpurnia Pisonis
- Kenneth Haigh as Brutus
- George Cole as Flavius
- Pamela Brown as the High Priestess
- Cesare Danova as Apollodorus

Plot and Critical Review: The film opens shortly after the Battle of Pharsalus where Julius Caesar has defeated Pompey. Pompey flees to Egypt, hoping to enlist the support of the young Pharaoh Ptolemy XIII and his sister Cleopatra.

Caesar pursues and meets the teenage Ptolemy and the boy's advisers, who seem to do most of the thinking for him. As a gesture of 'goodwill', the Egyptians present Caesar with Pompey's head, but Caesar is not pleased. As Caesar settles in at the palace, Apollodorus, disguised as a rug peddler, brings a gift from Cleopatra. When a suspicious Caesar unrolls the rug, he finds Cleopatra herself concealed within and is intrigued. Days later, she warns Caesar that her brother has surrounded the palace with his soldiers and that he is vastly outnumbered. Caesar is unconcerned. He orders the Egyptian fleet burned so he can gain control of the harbor. The fire spreads to the city, burning many buildings, including the famous Library of Alexandria. Cleopatra angrily confronts Caesar, but he refuses to pull troops away from the fight with Ptolemy's forces to deal with the fire. In the middle of their spat, Caesar kisses her.

The Romans hold, and the armies of Mithridates arrive on Egyptian soil. The following day, Caesar passes judgment. He sentences Ptolemy's lord chamberlain to death for arranging an assassination attempt on Cleopatra, and rules that Ptolemy and his tutor be sent to join Ptolemy's now greatly outnumbered troops, a sentence of death as the Egyptian army faces off against Mithridates. Cleopatra is crowned Queen of Egypt. She dreams of ruling the world with Caesar. When their son Caesarion is born, Caesar accepts him publicly, which becomes the talk of Rome and the Senate.

Caesar returns to Rome for his triumph, while Cleopatra remains in Egypt. Two years pass before the two see each other again. After he is made dictator for life, Caesar sends for Cleopatra. She arrives in Rome in a lavish procession and wins the adulation of the Roman people. The Senate grows increasingly discontented amid rumors that Caesar wishes to be made king, which is anathema to the Romans. On the Ides of March 44 B.C., the Senate is preparing to vote on whether to award Caesar additional powers. Despite warnings from his wife Calpurnia and Cleopatra, he is confident of victory. However, he is stabbed to death by various senators.

Octavian, Caesar's nephew, is named as his heir, not Caesarion. Realizing she has no future in Rome, Cleopatra returns home to Egypt. Two years later, Caesar's assassins, among them Cassius and Brutus, are killed at the Battle of Philippi. Mark Antony establishes a second triumvirate with Octavian and Lepidus. They split up the empire: Lepidus receives Africa, Octavian Spain and Gaul, while Antony will take control of the eastern provinces. However, the rivalry between Octavian and Antony is becoming apparent.

While planning a campaign against Parthia in the east, Antony realizes he needs money and supplies, and cannot get enough from anywhere but Egypt. After refusing several times to leave Egypt, Cleopatra gives in and meets him in Tarsus. Antony becomes drunk during a lavish feast. Cleopatra sneaks away, leaving a slave dressed as her, but Antony discovers the trick and confronts the queen. They soon become lovers. Octavian uses their affair in his smear campaign against Antony. When Antony returns to Rome to address the situation brewing there, Octavian traps him into a marriage of state to Octavian's sister, Octavia. Cleopatra flies into a rage when she learns the news.

A year or so later, when Antony next sees Cleopatra, he is forced to humble himself publicly. She demands a third of the empire in return for her aid. Antony acquiesces and divorces Octavia. Octavian clamors for war against Antony and his "Egyptian whore". The Senate is unmoved by his demands until Octavian reveals that Antony has left a will stating that he is to be buried in Egypt; shocked and insulted, the Senators who had previously stood by Antony abandon their hero and vote for war. Octavian murders the Egyptian ambassador, Cleopatra's tutor Sosigenes, on the Senate steps.

The war is decided at the naval Battle of Actium. Seeing Antony's ship burning, Cleopatra assumes he is dead and orders the Egyptian forces home. Antony follows, leaving his fleet leaderless and soon defeated. After a while, Cleopatra manages to convince Antony to retake command of his troops and fight Octavian's advancing army. However, Antony's soldiers have lost faith in him and abandon him during the night; Rufio, the last man loyal to Antony, is killed. Antony tries to goad Octavian into single combat, but is finally forced to flee into the city.

When Antony returns to the palace, Apollodorus, not believing that Antony is worthy of his queen, convinces him that she is dead, whereupon Antony falls on his own sword. Apollodorus then takes Antony to Cleopatra, and he dies in her arms. Octavian captures the city without a battle and Cleopatra is brought before him. He wants to return to Rome in triumph, with her as his prisoner. However, realizing that her son is also dead, she arranges to be bitten by a poisonous asp. She sends her servant Charmian to give Octavian a letter. In the letter she asks to be buried with Antony. Octavian realizes that she is going to kill herself and he and his guards burst into Cleopatra's chamber and find her dressed in gold and her and her servant Iras dead while an asp crawls along the floor. Octavian is angry that she is dead and leaves. One of Octavian's guards asks dying Chairman if the queen killed herself well and Charmian answers, "Extremely well," and dies.

-

There are so many worthwhile details to share about this movie, but far too many to share here. I hope you'll permit me to copy and paste a few paragraphs from this film's Wikipedia page to give you a sense of how truly "epic" the production and cost (both financial and personal) of this film was.

The film is infamous for nearly bankrupting 20th Century Fox. Originally budgeted at $2 million, the budget eventually totaled up to $44 million - the equivalent of $323 million in 2012 - dollars, still making the movie the most costly ever produced worldwide. This was partly due to the fact that the film's elaborate sets, costumes and props had to be constructed twice, once during a botched shoot in London and once more when the production relocated to Rome.

Filming began in London in 1960. Mankiewicz was brought into the production after the departure of the first director, Rouben Mamoulian; in the early stages of the project, before the casting of Elizabeth Taylor, Mamoulian is said to have favored African-American actress Dorothy Dandridge for the lead role. Mankiewicz inherited a film which was already $5 million over budget and had no usable footage to show for it. This was in part because the actors originally hired to play Julius Caesar (Peter Finch) and Mark Antony (Stephen Boyd) left due to other commitments. Mankiewicz was later fired during the editing phase, only to be rehired when no one else could piece the film together.

Elizabeth Taylor was awarded a record-setting contract of $1 million. This amount eventually swelled to $7 million due to the delays of the production, equivalent to over $47 million today. Taylor became very ill during the early filming and was rushed to hospital, where a tracheotomy had to be performed to save her life. The resulting scar can be seen in some shots. All of this resulted in the film being shut down. The production was moved to Rome after six months as the English weather proved detrimental to her recovery, as well as being responsible for the constant deterioration of the costly sets and exotic plants required for the production. (The English sets were utilised for the spoof Carry On Cleo.) During filming, Taylor met Richard Burton and the two began a very public affair, which made headlines worldwide. Moral outrage over the scandal brought bad publicity to an already troubled production.

The cut of the film which Mankiewicz screened for the studio was six hours long. This was cut to four hours for its initial premiere, but the studio demanded that the film be cut once more, this time to just barely over three hours to allow theaters to increase the number of showings per day. As a result, certain details are left out of the film, such as Rufio's death and the recurring theme of Cleopatra's interaction with the gods of Egypt. Mankiewicz unsuccessfully attempted to convince the studio to split the film in two in order to preserve the original cut. These were to be released separately as Caesar and Cleopatra followed by Antony and Cleopatra. The studio wanted to capitalize on the publicity of the intense press coverage the Taylor-Burton romance was generating, and felt that pushing Antony and Cleopatra to a later release date was too risky. The film has been released to home video formats in its 243-minute premiere version, and efforts are under way to locate the missing footage (some of which has been recovered). - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleopatra_(1963_film)

My Rating: 7.5/10

Content To Caution:

V-2.5 - Scenes of large-scale battle and hand-to-hand combat throughout.
L-.5 - No comment.
DU-1 - Some drinking. An oracle appears to be under the influence of hallucinatory drugs.
RT-x - No comment.
H/S-1.5 - Cleopatra consults with a witch. Caesar suffers from epileptic seizures.
CH-1 - No comment.
S/N-2 - Cleopatra is often seen in revealing or seductive clothing. Her servants and maids also wear revealing or "skimpy" outfits.

The "Reel Revelation" - "Inflation and Return"

I am always amazed when I read about how much money was spent on these epic films and, by applying inflation, how much it would cost to make them today. Consider the following statistics about some of the "epics":

"Cleopatra"

- Budget (Then-1963): $44 Million

- Budget (Now): $323 Million

"Ben-Hur"

- Budget (Then - 1965): $15 Million

- Budget (Now): $107 Million

"Gone With The Wind"

- Budget (Then-1939): $3.85 Million

- Budget (Now): $63 Million - $110,000 a week for Clark Gable's salary

That's serious money no matter what year you're in! When held up against the cost of producing such great films, inflation seems like more than a tracking of the "rise in the general price of goods and services in an economy." Through inflation we can see the value that was given to these films while they were being produced; we can see an investment made in good faith (faith, indeed, for there was no guarantee any of these films would become as legendary as they have) that the films themselves would live on. But what inflation doesn't show us is the revenue these films generated; only how great the initial investment was and how much it'd be today. It might be a stretch, but I imagine we experience a similar sense of "inflation and return" in our own lives. To put it to a question (as is my custom), what are the things in your life that you want to see a return on? What things do you expect a return on?

We've all gotten involved in projects that, when completed, seemed a grand waste of time. All of our hard work seems fulfilled when the project is over, then wasted when there's no return on our labor. Perhaps you've felt that way about your schooling, or career(s), or even relationships. All that work, commitment, and dedication for nothing. The thrill of achievement isn't enough. We long to be involved with something that, as the somewhat recent saying goes, "pay(s) it forward." Does every investment in life have to be a risk? Does every project have to end and leave us feeling empty? What can we sow into our lives that we know will grant a good return? Instead of sowing seeds, what about some fruit?

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5: 16-23)

Consider the "deeds of the flesh" and what sort of return they'll give you: Immortality will breed more immorality. Jealousy will lead to deeper jealousy. Anger will steal away your joy and break the relationships you cherish. Invest in your life by the flesh and you'll receive the return that is due to all flesh; death.

Consider the "fruits of the Spirit": Love multiples in itself...the more you love the more love you'll receive and, thus, be able to love more fully and completely. Patience gives way to deeper understanding and wisdom. Faithfulness makes your "yes" a solemn vow and strengthens your commitments. Self-control tempers you against sin and enables you to aid others in their struggles. Invest in your life through God's Spirit and you'll receive the return that is due to all who trust in God; everlasting life.

See you tomorrow - E.T.

Top 10 Animated Films

"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader"

Title: "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader"

Director: Michael Apted
Producers: M. Johnson, A. Adamson, and P. Steuer
Editing: Rick Shaine
Composers: David Arnold and Harry Gregson-Williams (Themes)
Starring:
- Skander Keynes as Edmund Pevensie
- George Henely as Lucy Pevensie

- Will Poulter as Eustace Scrubb
- Ben Barnes as King Caspian

- Simon Pegg as The Voice of Reepicheep
- Liam Neeson as The Voice of Aslan the Lion

- William Moseley as Peter Pevensie (Cameo)
- Anna Poppelwell as Susan Pevensie (Cameo)

- Tilda Swinton as Jadis, The White Witch (Cameo)

Plot and Critical Review: Three years after the events of Prince Caspian, Lucy and Edmund Pevensie are staying with their irritating cousin Eustace Scrubb. A magical painting of a ship on the ocean transports Lucy, Edmund and Eustace into an ocean in Narnia.

They are rescued by the Dawn Treader. Caspian invites them on a voyage to rescue the seven Lords of Narnia whom his uncle Miraz banished. In the Lone Islands, where people are sold as slaves, Caspian and Edmund are captured and imprisoned while Lucy and Eustace are sold as slaves. Caspian meets one of the lost lords, who reveals that the slaves are not sold, but sacrificed to a mysterious green mist. The crew of the Dawn Treader then rescue the four. The lord, who becomes the new governor, gives Caspian a sword originally given by Aslan.

At another island, Lucy is abducted by invisible Dufflepuds who force her to enter the manor of the magician Coriakin to find a visibility spell. Coriakin encourages the crew to defeat the mist by laying the lords' seven swords at Aslan's Table, but warns them that they are all about to be tested. Lucy recites a beauty incantation she found, and enters a dream in which she has transformed into Susan, and neither Lucy nor Narnia exist. Aslan chides Lucy for her self-doubt, explaining that her siblings only know of Narnia because of her.

Another sword is recovered from a magical pool that turns anything that touches it (including one of the lost lords) into gold. Meanwhile, Eustace discovers and steals treasure from a dragon hoard. While Edmund and Caspian look for Eustace, a dragon approaches and is driven away from the Dawn Treader. The dragon is Eustace, transformed by the enchanted treasure after succumbing to its temptations. Reepicheep befriends Eustace, and touched by the mouse's kindness, Eustace has a change of heart and becomes useful to the crew.

They arrive at Aslan's Table to find three lost lords sleeping. As they place the swords on the table they realize one is still missing. A star descends from the sky and transforms into Lilliandil, a beautiful woman who guides them to the Dark Island, lair of the mist, where they discover the last surviving Lord. Edmund's fear manifests itself as a monstrous sea serpent that attacks the ship. Eustace as a dragon fights the serpent, but Eustace is wounded by the last sword and flies away. He encounters Aslan, who transforms him back into a boy and sends him to Ramandu's island with the last sword. The mist tries to distract Edmund by appearing as Jadis, the White Witch. Eustace overcomes the mist and puts the sword on the table, awakening the three sleeping lords and destroying the mist and Dark Island; Edmund slays the sea serpent and they liberate the sacrificed slaves.

Eustace rejoins Lucy, Edmund, Caspian and Reepicheep, and they sail to a mysterious shore before a massive wave. Aslan appears and tells them that his country lies beyond, although if they go there they may never return. Caspian refuses, but Reepicheep is determined to enter, and Aslan blesses him before he paddles beyond the wave. Aslan opens a portal to send Lucy, Edmund and Eustace home, but informs Lucy and Edmund they have grown up and can never return to Narnia. Aslan encourages them to know him in their world by another name, and tells a reformed Eustace that he may return. The three enter the portal and are returned to the bedroom.

-

It is always difficult to put on screen what is already so well known in a book. In even attempting to adapt a text to a screenplay a filmmaker immediately wrestles with untold numbers of preconceived notions of visuals and well-established emotions and expectations. The most common phrase you're likely to hear after seeing a movie such as "Dawn Treader" will probably be, "They changed it from the book!" Unfortunately I was the one of the many that expressed the same sentiment after I saw this film in the theaters. While the heart of the text is maintained - and by "heart" I mean that they go on a voyage and eventually reach the border of Aslan's country - there are several sub-plots which greatly deviate from the direction and action of the original text. There was, for example, a mysterious fog in the book, but nothing that came close to the smoke monster-type villain portrayed in the film. While the presence of such an antagonist makes the film thrilling, much time is wasted on introducing the character, establishing the plot around it, and then dealing with it as the movie progresses.

Fox hoped to get past such strict criticisms by investing over $100 million in promotion and advertisement for the film. Their investment paid off as "Dawn Treader" became the 12th highest-grossing film of 2010, although it is the weakest of the "Narnia" series with respect to box office revenue. While it feels a more faithful return to the Narnian legend than "Prince Caspian", its departure from the source text leads me to rate it much lower than i'd like.

My Rating: 6/10

Content To Caution:
V-2.5 - Swashbuckling and fantasy-like combat. Glowing swords, too, but not like lightsabers or Sting.
L-.5 - No comment.
DU-0 - Wow!
RT-0 - No comment.
H/S-2 - There be dragons! And sea serpents! And smoke-type monsters!
CH-1 - Sailors telling sailors jokes.
S/N-.5 - You know...mermaids.

The "Reel Revelation": "Another Name"

"In your world I have another name. You must learn to know me by it. That was the very reason you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me for a little here, you may know me better there." - Aslan to Lucy

By what name do you know Jesus? We know His earthly name and believe that it is above every other name (Phil. 2:9), but Jesus gave Himself names (or titles) by which we might know His divine attributes and different aspects of His love for us. Each name is like a window which opens on the person of Christ. Let's peer through some of those windows together.

Jesus said that He is the "Light of the World" (John 8:12):
- Do you believe Jesus can dispel the darkness in your life?

- Do you trust Jesus to show you the way, even when you can't see the road?

- Do you ask Jesus to help you guide those who are lost to His light? Do you ask Him daily?

Jesus said that He is the "The Way" (John 14:6):

- Do you believe that Jesus is the only way to God?

- Do you trust that believing in Jesus will put you on the "narrow path" to Heaven?

- Do you ask Jesus to forgive your sins and keep you in "The Way"? Do you ask Him daily?

Jesus said that He is the "The Truth" (John 14:6):

- Do you believe that Jesus' words are true?

- Do you trust that Jesus' teachings are right for your life?

- Do you ask Jesus to teach you how to live in truth? Do you ask Him daily?

Jesus said that He is the "The Life" (John 14:6)
- Do you believe that Jesus rose from the dead and now lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit?
- Do you trust that, as He promised, Jesus will give us eternal life?
- Do you ask Jesus to help you during this life, that you might inherit the everlasting life to come? Do you ask Him daily?

Jesus said that He is the "The Good Shepherd" (John 10:11):

- Do believe that Jesus can lead you into "green pastures"; better places for your life?

- Do you trust that Jesus is protecting you from harm?

- Do you ask Jesus to guide your life? Do you ask Him daily?

Jesus said that He is the "Living Bread" (John 6:51):

- Do you believe that Jesus will satisfy you beyond what things of the world can

- Do you trust that Jesus will give you everything you need?

- Do you ask Jesus to feed your soul with His Word? Do you ask Him daily?

See you tomorrow - E.T.

"Children of Men"

Title: "Children of Men"

MPAA Rating: R
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Producers: M. Abraham, E. Newman, I. Smith, etc...
Editing: A. Cuaron and A. Rodriguez
Composer: Sir John Tavener
Starring:
- Clive Owen as Theo Faron
- Julianne Moore as Julian Taylor
- Michael Caine as Jasper Palmer
- Claire-Hope Ashitey as Kee
- Danny Huston as Nigel

Plot and Critical Review: In 2027 worldwide female infertility has led to the collapse of society. The United Kingdom, the last known stable nation, is deluged by asylum seekers. In response, it has become a militarized police state as British forces round up and detain immigrants. Kidnapped by an immigrants rights group known as "The Fishes," former activist turned cynical bureaucrat Theo Faron is brought to its leader, his estranged wife Julian Taylor. The couple parted ways after their son died from a flu pandemic in 2008. Julian offers Theo money to acquire transit papers for a young female refugee named Kee, which Theo obtains from his cousin Nigel, a government minister. However, the papers require the bearer to be accompanied, so Theo agrees to escort Kee in exchange for more money. Luke, a Fishes member, drives Theo, Kee, Julian and Miriam, a former midwife, towards the coast to a boat. They are ambushed by an armed gang and Julian is fatally shot. Two police officers stop their car, but Luke kills them and the group escapes to a safe house.

Kee reveals to Theo that she is pregnant, and that Julian told her that she should trust only him. Julian had intended to hand Kee over to the "Human Project", a group of scientists dedicated to curing infertility, supposedly based in the Azores. However, Luke proposes keeping Kee in England and she agrees to stay. That night, Theo awakens and eavesdrops on a meeting of Luke and other members. He discovers that Julian's death was orchestrated by the Fishes so they could use the baby as a political tool to support the coming revolution. Theo wakes Kee and Miriam and they steal a car, escaping to the secluded hideaway of aging hippie Jasper Palmer, a former political cartoonist and Theo's friend. A plan is formulated to board the Human Project ship Tomorrow which will arrive offshore from the Bexhill refugee camp. Jasper proposes getting Syd, a camp guard, to smuggle them in. The Fishes trail the group to Jasper's hideout, but Theo, Miriam, and Kee get away. Jasper stays behind to buy them some time. Before the Fishes arrive, he gives the government-issued suicide drug Quietus to his catatonic wife. A horrified Theo witnesses the Fishes gun him down before escaping. Later, they meet Syd, who transports them to Bexhill as prisoners. When Kee begins having contractions on a bus, Miriam distracts a suspicious guard with mania and is taken away.

At the camp Theo and Kee meet Marichka, who provides a room where Kee gives birth to a girl. The next day, Syd locates Theo and Kee and informs them that a full-scale war between the army and the refugees including the Fishes, has begun. After seeing the baby Syd threatens to turn them in but they attack him and escape. Amidst the violent clash between refugees and British troops, the Fishes capture Kee. Theo tracks Kee and her baby to an apartment building which is under heavy fire from the military and escorts her out. Awed by the presence of a baby, the combatants stop fighting momentarily, enabling them to escape. Marichka leads them to a boat in a sewer. As Theo rows away, he reveals to Kee that he was shot. They then witness a full-scale aerial bombing of Bexhill by the Royal Air Force and Kee tells Theo she will name her baby Dylan after Theo's dead son. Theo loses consciousness and Kee begins to sing a lullaby, as the Tomorrow approaches through a fog.

-

In 2006, "Children of Men" was joined by the films "Blood Diamond" and "Brokeback Mountain"; all of which portrayed social fractures (or human behavior) with intense drama and/or action. It seemed to be the year for that sort of film. Even the music-driven "Walk The Line" told the story of legendary country-singer Johnny Cash in a glaringly honest light. Even though "Children..." was set in the future and, thus, somewhat dismissed as having provided any real social commentary, it still holds a mirror up to our world and bravely asks, "Could we be like this someday? Is this what our world is coming to?"

Visionaries like Gene Roddenberry tried to paint pictures of the future in which mankind moved beyond greed, power, and the desire for dominion. Others offer us images such as we see in "Children..."; images of future societies in which our principal freedoms are challenged, refused, and eventually crushed. Here we ask ourselves if we're simply watching a story or looking into what is ahead for our global society. When the credits roll are we brave enough to ask ourselves, "What can I do?" These movies bravely suggest what our world might become if we don't.

My Rating: 8/10

Content To Caution:
V-3.5 - Intense violence but lesser amounts of blood and gore.
L-4 - Strong profanity throughout.
DU-2 - Some drinking and smoking. One character grows marijuana and shares it with others.
RT-? - Difficult to rate Racial Themes. There's very little direct racism, but there are large groups (and even cultures) that are opposed to new life.
H/S-3 - No comment.
CH-2 - No comment.
S/N-x - A character reveals herself. An intense birthing scene shows partial nudity.

The "Reel Revelation": "That's A Long Shot"

If you've seen "Children of Men" you might recall there being several rather lengthy single-shot sequences. Simply put a single-shot sequence is a scene or sequence of scenes in which the camera never pans or cuts away from the action; it all happens in one continuous frame. "Children..." contains at least three single-shot sequences of note; the scene in which Kee gives birth (around 190 seconds), the car-chase scene (250 or so), and Theo's mad dash through the city streets in the midst of a battle (450ish seconds). We don't even really perceive that they're single-shot sequences the first time because there's so much action and the film as if it's dashing from one shot to the next, but we are in fact held in one frame for the entire sequence of events.

These single-shot sequences weren't thrown together. The city-battle scene reportedly took 14 days to plan and around 5 hours to prepare (the set) to shoot. Can you imagine...14 days to prepare a 7.5 minute shot. And if anything went wrong...if the slightest detail was missed or the cameraman took one step in the wrong direction it took 5 hours to reset the set to shoot again. Can you imagine all of that planning, time, and money lost because of the smallest error? Sounds a bit like some of the plans we set up for our own lives.

Have you ever been in such a situation? Can you think of a time when you spent countless hours (or days or weeks or month or who knows how long!) planning and preparing for something special only to have it fall apart? What caused things to go awry? A mistake you made? Someone's interference? A missed detail? And how did you cope with the disappointment when things fell apart? How did you comfort yourself when you realized all of that time and energy had been wasted? How we handle the end-result of a dashed plan is a choice we make after the fact, but what we do before we start to weave those plans can make all the difference. Remember the wisdom offered up in Proverbs:

"Commit your works to the LORD

And your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3)

And again...

"The mind of man plans his way,

But the LORD directs his steps." (Proverbs 16:9)

And one more for good measure...

"Many plans are in a man's heart,

But the counsel of the LORD will stand." (Proverbs 19:21)

Do you see the theme? If we opt to devise the plans for our lives by ourselves we'll be walking on thin ice. If we set out and try to plan our lives according to our own desires and inclinations we'll be (potentially) walking away from what God desires for us. Which desire is greater? Which desire will yield a greater reward? Which desire will produce the fruit of righteousness and holiness in our lives? Of this distinction Jesus said, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness..." (Matthew 6:33).

God desires your good. He loves you and desires for your life to be full and overflowing with His blessings. And He desires for you to reach that point of "overflow" under His direction. We couldn't find the way ourselves, no matter of a compass we think we've got.

See you tomorrow - E.T.

"A Bridge Too Far"

Title: "A Bridge Too Far"

MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Richard Attenborough
Producers: J.E. Levine and R.P. Levine
Editing: Anthony Gibbs
Composer: John Addison
Starring:
- James Caan as Staff Sargeant Frederick "Boy" Browning
- Michael Caine as Lieutenant-Colonel J.O.E. Vandeleur
- Sean Connery as Major General Roy Urquhart
- Elliott Gould as Col. Robert Stout
- Gene Hackman as Major General Stanislaw Sosabowski

- Anthony Hopkins as Lieutenant Colonel John Frost
- Robert Redford as Major Julian Cook
- Laurence Olivier as Dr. Jan Spaander
- Maximillian Schell as Commanding Officer of II S.S. Panzer Troops

Plot and Critical Review: September 1944. The Allied advance is being slowed by overextended supply lines. U.S. General George S. Patton and British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery have competing plans for ending the war quickly, and being the first to get to Berlin. Under political pressure, Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower chooses Montgomery's "Operation Market Garden."

Operation Market Garden envisions 35,000 men being flown 300 miles from air bases in England and being dropped as much as 64 miles behind enemy lines in the Netherlands. The largest airborne assault ever attempted. As Lieutenant-General Frederick Browning says, "We're going to lay a carpet, as it were, of airborne troops. We shall seize the bridges - it's all a question of bridges - with thunderclap surprise, and hold them until they can be secured."

Two divisions of U.S. paratroopers are responsible for securing the road and bridges as far as Nijmegen. A British division, under Major-General Urquhart is to land near Arnhem, and take and hold the far side of the bridge at Arnhem, backed by Polish paratroopers under General Sosabowski. XXX Corps are to push up the road to Arnhem, as quickly as possible, over the bridges captured by the paratroopers, and reach Arnhem two days after the drop.

After the Market Garden command briefing, General Sosabowski voices his deep doubts that the plan can work. American commander General Gavin worries about parachuting in daylight.

British commanders are alerted that they are short on transport aircraft and the area near Arnhem is ill-suited for a landing. They decide to land in an open area eight miles from the bridge. Some at the briefing are surprised they are going to attempt a landing so far from the bridge, but they have to make the best of it. General Urquhart tells that the key for the eight mile distance from the drop zone to the bridge, is the use of gliders to bring in Jeeps. Browning lays out that if any one group fails, the entire operation fails. The British officers do not question the orders, but Sosabowski walks up to check the RAF briefing officer's uniform insignia and says "Just making sure whose side you're on."

The general consensus among the British top brass is that resistance will consist entirely of "Hitler Youth or old men.", but young British intelligence officer, Major Fuller, brings reconnaissance photos to General Browning showing German tanks at Arnhem. Browning dismisses the photos, and also ignores reports from the Dutch underground. Browning does not want to be the one to tell Montgomery of any doubts because many previous airborne operations have been cancelled. Major Fuller's concerns are brushed off and he is removed from duty.

British officers note that the portable radios are not likely to work for the long distance from the drop zone to the Arnhem bridge amid the water and trees of the Netherlands. They choose not to convey their concerns to those in command.

At the XXX Corps briefing, the overall plan is outlined, laying out the bridges that will be taken by the paratroopers, held and then secured by ground forces. Speed is the vital factor, as Arnhem must be reached within 2–3 days. It is the crucial bridge, the last means of escape for the German forces in the Netherlands and an excellent route to Germany for Allied forces.

The airborne drops catch the Germans totally by surprise, and there is little resistance. Most of the men come down safely and assemble quickly, but the Son bridge is blown up by the Germans. Model, thinking that the Allies are trying to capture him, panics and retreats from Arnhem. However, soon after landing, troubles beset Urquhart's division. Many of the Jeeps either don't arrive by gliders at all or are shot up in an ambush. Their radio sets are also useless, meaning no contact can be made with either paratroopers moving into Arnhem or XXX Corps. Meanwhile, German forces reinforce Nijmegen and Arnhem.

XXX Corps' progress is slowed by German resistance, the narrowness of the highway and the need to construct a Bailey bridge to replace the destroyed bridge at Son. The XXX Corps is able to move onto the Graves bridge without much resistance, but is halted at Nijmegen. There, soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division perform a dangerous daylight river crossing in flimsy canvas-and-wood assault boats. The river crossing is successful and the Nijmegen bridge is captured. The Germans close in on the isolated British paratroopers occupying part of Arnhem at the bridge. British armour continues to fight its way up the corridor, but is delayed by strong German resistance.

After securing Nijmegen Bridge, XXX Corps waits several hours for its infantry forces to finish securing the town. Finally Sosabowski's troops enter the battle. They attempt to reinforce the British in Arnhem, but fail. They are only able to get a few men across to reinforce the British. After days of house-to-house fighting in Arnhem many of the paratroopers are either captured or forced to withdraw. Operation Market Garden has failed.

-

"A Bridge..." wanted to be the "The Longest Day" of its time. No expense was spared as the most popular actors of the time were assembled to form a "mega-cast." The producers hoped that this would increase the quality of the film's acting and bring many people to see it for the sake of their favorite actor. With such a decorated cast they felt certain to hit audiences across the board. Strong as their casting might have been, no one could have anticipated the content of the film would become so contested.

When we watch movies about WWII we expect the good guys (Allied Forces - normally US military) to win in the end. "The Longest Day", "The Thin Red Line", and "Saving Private Ryan" all feature plot lines that end in Allied victories, even if at a great cost in the way of soldiers' lives. And then there's "A Bridge Too Far" which is about, if nothing else, a seemingly fail-safe mission that became a complete embarrassment to the Allied Forces. This film doesn't pull any punches in displaying the ignorance and pride of Allied commanders. The public gave up $50 million at the box office, but the Academy and many of the cinematic boards refused the film awards (even nominations) because it showed a failure on the part of the "good guys."

My Rating: 7.5/10

Content To Caution:

V-4 - Intense battle and war-related violence throughout.
L-4 - I guess they were upset about something...
DU-1.5 - Many soldiers drink and smoke. One character is always seen with a cigar in his mouth.
RT-1 - No comment.
H/S-2 - No comment.
CH-1.5 - Boys telling boys jokes.
S/N-.5 - No comment.

The "Reel Revelation": "A Moment Of Silence"

"Would five minutes be too much? Just five minutes respite. Dear God, grant these young men die in peace and quiet."

Do you recall this scene from the film? After the majority of the battles had been fought many of the wounded soldiers were relocated to a makeshift hospital in a large home the Allied forces had claimed as a command center. The family that lived in the home was forced to take shelter in a small room underneath a stairwell. After the mother of the family put her children to bed she opened the door and looked out upon a room full of soldiers both wounded and near death. The sound of cannon-fire faded and she asked God to grant those soldiers a quiet and peaceful death

Our world is loud. We've become accustomed (and this conditioned) to an unbelievable level of volume around us. Television sets in the home, radios in our vehicles, and mp3 players everywhere in between. But what we're hearing isn't just music or the news; it's noise. Have you ever noticed how much noise there is around you? Or, do you ever notice how little quiet there is?

On an average day here are some of the things i'm most likely to hear in my office:

Alerts from my phone

The AC system turning on and shutting off and turning on again

The printer in the rehearsal room turning out copies

Doors opening and closing

Folks stopping in to chat

Music

The wind (and rain and hail) against the windows

The buzz of the fluorescent bulbs overhead

Traffic

Sirens of emergency vehicles

The phone ringing

Choirs rehearsing

A random kid banging away on the drum set

And the list goes on. I don't hear all of those sounds at the same time, of course, but sometimes it seems like it! And yet i'm able to sit at my desk and complete my tasks as if I was sitting in the middle of a wrecking yard. Even though there's so much sound around me I barely seem to hear it; that's how used to it I am. I really notice the noise (or the absence of it) when I walk at night or awake early in the morning and there's no sound but the whisper of the wind and my feet on the pavement. It's during those moments I feel I am most aware of myself, my thoughts, and God's presence.

It would be heretical to say that God isn't in the "noise", for Jesus came into our noisy world and was even sentenced to death by our screaming. We are able to fellowship with God in a busy and noisy world, but there seems to be a very deep connection between a heart of prayer and silence. We remember, for example, that Jesus told His disciples to "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place..." (Mark 6:31) and that He Himself went way to a "secluded place" (Luke 4:42) when He needed to be alone for prayer and rest. If Jesus needed to get away to a silent place to pray, ought we follow suit?

If you were to pray and ask God to help you find five minutes of quiet time today, would you know it when it arrived? Would you be willing to sit in stillness for five minutes and offer your heart to Christ? Could you shut out the volume of the world and be with Jesus for just five minutes? Make that your aim today and for the remainder of this Lenten season. Find the time. Make that time. Ask God to help you to know when it arrives. Find that "secluded place" and be with Jesus. His voice will be the sweetest sound of all.

See you tomorrow - E.T.

P.S. - I'd like to dedicate this review to my Dad. We've shared a love of war movies for a long time and "A Bridge..." is one we've enjoyed over and over again.

Top 10 War Films

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR1N07ABdX8 - Check it out!

Had to upload through YT this time as FB has a 20 minute cap on video uploads. Just click on the link above and you'll go right to the video.