Final Reflection

Dear Friends and Readers - Lent is come to an end and so will my film review; for the time being, at least. I give my thanks to all of those who have supported and encouraged me over the last 6 or so weeks. I feel tremendously privileged that so many of you have chosen to give my words such caring time and prayerful consideration. I pray that God spoke to you in a unique way through the words and thoughts offered in these reflections.

It was enjoyable to take up this Lenten discipline after having done so last year. I found once again that having the films chosen at random and by people other than myself challenged me in a unique way. There were a few times when I came face-to-face with films that I had never thought of or viewed through the "lens of faith." But God was with me and gave me a "vision" of what spiritual material within the film might be beneficial for His people. I'm doubly pleased that I was able to work Scripture into all of the reviews. That was one of my goals coming in to this year's review and i'm glad I was able to achieve it. That being said, I encourage you to not use my reviews (or anyone's devotional material) as a replacement for reading the Bible! There is simply no substitute. While resources like mine do help to encourage and enlighten the Christian spirit, there is no resource in this world (or any other) that replaces the Word of God. Drink deeply of that well.

I know i'll be taking a break from writing reviews for a couple months, at the least. I am considering starting the reviews up again in the summer. I've been kicking around the idea of doing a series of reviews this summer in which i'd review movies that are part of a larger series. I'd probably do one series a week. That'd make trilogies easy enough to squeeze in and it'd give me extra space for longer series such as Star Wars, Star Trek, Alien, and so forth. There are lots of anthologies in the cinematic universe and I think it'd be fun to look at the function of the cinematic series and how central themes are communicated over the course of several films. Your thoughts regarding that ambition (or anything regarding my film reviews) are most welcome.

I'll be producing hard copies of this year's review within the next month or so. If I have the time i'll also finish my proofing/re-formatting of last year's review and will see about making the whole anthology of reviews available. If you're interested in receiving a copy of this or last year's film review (or both, once they're ready), kick me an e-mail and we can discuss getting a copy to you.

Thank you again, and may God bless you.

I wish you all good and peace - E.T.

"You've Got Mail"

Title: "You've Got Mail"
Director: Nora Ephron
Producers: N. Ephron and L.S. Donner
Editing: Richard Marks
Composer: George Fenton
Starring:
- Tom Hanks as Joe "NY152" Fox
- Meg Ryan as Kathleen "Shopgirl" Kelly
- Greg Kinnear as Frank Navasky
- Parker Posey as Patricia Eden
- Hallee Hirsh as Annabel Fox
- Jeffrey Scaperrotta as Matthew Fox
- Steve Zahn as George Pappas
- Dave Chappelle as Kevin Jackson

Plot and Critical Review: Kathleen Kelly is involved with Frank Navasky, a leftist postmodernist newspaper writer for the New York Observer who's always in search of an opportunity to root for the underdog. While Frank is devoted to his typewriter, Kathleen prefers her laptop and logging into her AOL e-mail account. There, using the screen name "Shopgirl", Kathleen communicates with "NY152". This is the screen name for Joe Fox. Joe belongs to the Fox family which runs Fox Books — a chain of "mega" bookstores similar to Borders or Barnes & Noble. Kathleen, on the other hand, runs the independent bookstore The Shop Around The Corner, that her mother ran before her. The central conflict of the film revolves around the ability of Kathleen and Joe to interact well in virtual reality while they are business competitors in the "real world." A persistent mode of dramatic irony appears when Kathleen and Joe read each other's emails.

The movie begins with Kathleen logging on to her AOL account to read an email from "NY152" (Joe). In her reading of the e-mail, she reveals the boundaries of the online relationship; no specifics. The two then pass each other on their respective ways to work, unbeknownst to either one. Joe arrives at work, overseeing the opening of a new Fox Books in New York with the help of his friend and assistant Kevin. Meanwhile, Kathleen and her three store assistants, George, Birdie, and Christina open up shop.

Following a day on the town with his eleven-year-old aunt Annabel and four-year-old brother Matthew (the children of his frequently divorced grandfather and father, respectively), Joe enters Kathleen's store to let his younger relatives experience story time. The two have a friendly conversation that reveals Kathleen's fears about the Fox Books store opening around the corner, shocking Joe. He introduces himself as "Joe. Just call me Joe", omitting his last name of Fox and makes an abrupt exit with the children. However, at a publishing party later in the week, Joe and Kathleen meet again, both of them being in the "book business," where Kathleen discovers Joe's true identity.

All the while, "NY152" and "Shopgirl" continue their courtship, to the point where "NY152" asks "Shopgirl" to meet. Too embarrassed to go alone, Joe brings Kevin along for moral support. He insists that "Shopgirl" may be the love of his life. Meanwhile Kevin, looking in a cafe window at the behest of Joe, discovers the true identity of "Shopgirl". When Joe discovers that it is actually Kathleen behind the name, he confronts her as Joe (concealing his "NY152" alter ego). The two exchange words and Joe leaves the cafe hurt.

Following invitations from Frank and Joe via "NY152", Kathleen begins a media war, including both a boycott of Fox Books and an interview on the local news. Despite all efforts, The Shop Around the Corner slowly goes under. In a somber moment Kathleen enters Fox Books to discover the true nature of the store is one of friendliness and relaxation, yet not as personal as her independent shop. Eventually, the employees move on to other jobs as Christina goes job hunting, George gets a job at the children's department at a Fox Books store (Joe later compares George's knowledge to a PhD) and a gleeful Birdie retires off the riches of her investments: "I bought Intel at six!"

Allowing time for their electronic relationship to convalesce, Joe visits Kathleen while she is sick, and for the first time makes a favorable impression. Joe discovers that Kathleen has broken up with Frank, who moved in with a talk show host that interviewed him, predated one week by Joe and his uptight girlfriend, Patricia, who broke up in their apartment building while stuck in the elevator. The two develop a tentative friendship that blossoms over the course of a few weeks and they eventually fall for one another.

At the same time, "NY152" and "Shopgirl" agree to meet one more time. Joe and his dog Brinkley (the topic of numerous e-mails) meet Kathleen at Riverside Park. The two kiss as Kathleen cries and Over the Rainbow takes the movie out.

Having already appeared together as Joe Banks and DeDe in "Joe Verses The Volcano" (1990) and Sam Baldwin and Annie Reed in "Sleepless In Seattle" (1993), Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan were the sweethearts of the American screen when they took up the roles of Joe Fox and Kathleen Kelly for the endearing "You've Got Mail". Once again under the masterful direction of romantic comedy genius Nora Ephron (who directed the couple in "Sleepless..."), Hanks and Ryan charm the screen and soul. "You've Got Mail" grossed more than three times its budget, making it one of the most successful romantic comedies of all time. Released as a holiday feature, "You've Got Mail" is a remake of the popular 1940 "The Shop Around The Corner", which is indirectly referenced a few times in Ephron's rendition, namely Kathleen's book store being named "The Shop Around The Corner". It's worth watching the 1940 film to compare and appreciate how the famous cinematic couples have changed over the last 70 years and remained the same; stars shining in the firmament of the silver screen.

My Rating: 7.5/10

Content to Caution:
V-1 - No comment.
L-2 - No comment.
DU-1 - Some drinking.
RT-0 - No comment.
H/S-0 - No comment.
CH-2 - No comment.
S/N-1 - Some kissing.

The "Reel Revelation": "And Can It Be?"

“You’ve Got Mail” is about how two people overcome seemingly impossible odds and find true love. While not all people enjoy romantic comedies, you’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t like a story (in whatever form) that challenges the protagonist to reach a goal that seems unattainable. What makes good romantic movies work, however, is the challenge that the lovers must overcome to reach their blessed union. It’s that sort of challenge and tension that keeps us interested and wanting to see the outcome. Can you think of a time when you were been faced with a challenge that seemed impossible to overcome?

There's no greater story of the impossible coming to pass than Jesus' glorious resurrection from the dead. And, as if His resurrection wasn't enough, God deigns to share the very same power and promise of that Resurrection with us. What is more impossible than that?! Not only does God become a man, live among us, die among us, rise from the dead, and ascend into Heaven...he makes the fullness of His own divinity, grace, and love available to us every day.

"And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior's blood!
Died he for me? who caused his pain!
For me? who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine;
Alive in him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th' eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th' eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own."
(Text: Charles Wesley, Music: Thomas Campbell)

"And can it be...", indeed. But as magnificent as that blessed knowledge is, we still struggle with worldly challenges that seem impossible to overcome. Being Christian doesn't lift us above the circumstances and challenges of human nature, after all.

"The things that are impossible with people are possible with God." (Luke 18:27)

That's good news! Not only does this verse remind us of our mortal weakness and human frailty, it reminds us that what we can't do, God can! However, it's important to avoid incorrectly apply this passage. Jesus isn't a "wild card" we can "play" when we encounter a challenge we can't overcome. If that was the case, would there be any need for hope, faith, and the spirit of perseverance? Quite to the contrary; God wants us to know that what must be accomplished will be by God's power and not our own. And if you're wondering what "what must be accomplished" means for your life, turn to God and ask Him to reveal His will to you.

And what happens when the impossible remains impossible? Have you ever been angry or upset as God because He didn't "come through" for you in the way you expected? It's natural to feel that way, just as a child is angry toward his/her parent(s) when they don't get what they want. But our faith is stronger than our selfish anger, and just because we don't bulldoze through the challenges of life doesn't mean that God isn't guiding us. Sometimes we have to run into an immovable barrier to point us in a new direction; the right direction. Sometimes it seems more impossible to recover from the disappointments in life than to rejoice in the victories. And sometimes, when we face the impossible challenge, it is God who leads us into green pastures and gently whispers, "let Me handle this one."

I wish you good and peace - E.T.

"The Wrestler"

Title: "The Wrestler"
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Producers: A. Handel and E. Ginzburg
Editing: Andrew Weisblum
Composer: Clint Mansell
Starring:
- Mickey Rourke as Randy "The Ram" Robinson
- Marisa Tomei as Pam/Cassidy
- Evan Rachel Wood as Stephanie Robinson
- Todd Barry as Wayne
- Judah Friedlander as Scott Brumberg
- Ernest Miller as Bob/"The Ayatollah"

Plot and Critical Review: Randy "The Ram" Robinson is a professional wrestler who was a celebrity in the 1980s. He is now past his prime and wrestling on the weekends for various independent promotions. After a show, a promoter proposes a 20th anniversary rematch with his most notable opponent, "The Ayatollah", who now owns a used car dealership. As their last match sold out Madison Square Garden, Randy agrees to the rematch.

Randy goes home and is locked out of his trailer for not paying the rent; we learn that he loads boxes at a supermarket and that his boss, Wayne, does not hold him in high esteem. He frequents a strip club where he has befriended a faded stripper named Pam, stage-named Cassidy. He continues the training rituals for his wrestling appearance, including steroid use, hair-bleaching and tanning. After a brutal hardcore match, Randy suffers a heart attack and collapses.

Randy ultimately receives a coronary artery bypass and is warned by the doctor that his weakened heart cannot stand the stresses of steroids or wrestling. Randy cancels his upcoming matches and begins working as a deli counter operator at the supermarket. He tells Cassidy about his heart attack and tries to woo. She warms to him at first and tells him about her son, but when Randy gets too close she leaves.

At Cassidy's suggestion, Randy visits his estranged daughter, Stephanie, whom he had left years before. She curses him and tells him to leave her alone. Randy returns later with a gift suggested to him by Cassidy, and apologizes for being a bad father. The two bond over a visit to an abandoned beachfront boardwalk, and they agree to meet for dinner on that coming Saturday.

Randy goes to Cassidy's strip club to thank her. but she once more rejects his overtures. Dejected, Randy attends a wrestling match as a spectator and receives the attention he was seeking from Cassidy from his fans and fellow wrestlers. After watching the match, Randy gets drunk with his friends, snorts cocaine, and has sex with a woman he meets at a bar, sleeping the entire next day and missing his dinner date with Stephanie. He goes to her house in the middle of the night, but she tells him that she never wants to see or hear from him again.

Randy goes to work at the supermarket deli counter, where a fan recognizes him. Embarrassed by his job, Randy cuts himself in the deli meat slicer, screams at his boss, and quits. Randy calls the promoter to reschedule the previously canceled Ayatollah match and sets out for the venue, despite his doctor's warnings. Before the match, Cassidy unexpectedly arrives after walking off the stage in the middle of her strip club show to go see Randy. She apologizes, urging him not to wrestle for the sake of his health. Randy explains that the real world is where he gets hurt, and the only place he belongs, the only place where he's truly loved, is the wrestling ring.

Randy enters the ring and gives an emotional speech to the crowd before the fight begins, declaring that the fans are his true family. During the physical exertion of the match, Randy begins to feel angina, but continues despite the Ayatollah's pleas for Randy to pin him. Randy pushes through the pain and climbs to the top turnbuckle. As he does so, he notices that Cassidy is not there. Randy prepares to deliver his signature finishing move, a diving headbutt called the "Ram Jam." Brought to tears, he salutes the cheering crowd and leaps from the ropes as the screen cuts to black.

Produced on a budget of $6 million (a rare feat in 2008), "The Wrestler" fared well at the box office as well as resurrected Mickey Rourke's career. Rourke, who was best known for his work as an actor during the 80s and career as an amateur boxer during the early 90s, had been without a significant role for almost a decade. While many thought him washed up, director Darren Aronofsky saw something special in the aging actor and rolled the dice on casting Rourke as an (undeniably) washed up professional wrestler. The resulting combination of a dynamic script and exceptional cast earned the film multiple award nominations and helped Rourke to gain his first Best Actor Golden Globe. "The Wrestler" was also highly praised by the professional wrestling community for its accurate portrayal of the lifestyle many wrestlers endure for the sake of the fans. While the film openly admits that professional wrestling matches are staged, it quickly does away with the myth that the wrestling is "fake" as we see the very real challenges these athletes face every time they step into the ring.

My Rating: 7/10

Content to Caution:
V-4 - Several scenes of person-to-person violence related to professional wrestling. One scene of intense violence and gore associated with "hardcore wrestling".
L-3.5 - Many characters use curses and abusive language toward one another or in general conversation.
DU-3 - Randy uses a buffet of medication to control the pain associated with a career of a professional wrestler. Some smoking and drinking.
RT-0 - No comment.
H/S-3 - Some of the wrestling scenes are suspenseful, especially as Randy struggles with his health but decides to wrestle against the orders of his doctor.
CH-2 - No comment.
S/N-3.5 - Several scenes in a strip club and one sex scene between Randy and a girl he meets in a bar.

The "Reel Revelation": "Doctor's Orders"

Have your day-to-day activities ever been restricted because of an accident or injury? I remember when my sister hurt her knee in High School; she was injured as a result of a pole vaulting accident. Aside from being restricted from pole vaulting, many of her daily activities became much more complicated. I remember how frustrated she was by her restricted mobility and the need to depend on others. But my sister heeded the doctor's instructions and healed quickly. If she had fought against the healing process she might have caused further damage to her body and compromised her future as an athlete and fitness instructor. She didn't know it at the time, but listening to the doctor's orders opened up possibilities for the future that she wasn't even aware of.

Most of us are not doctors and, in spite of the vast amount of medical information available to us on the Internet and in books, we are not qualified to make judgments regarding our health. We'd be fools to do so, in fact. Thus we place our trust in the trained and qualified members of the medical community to tell us what is wrong (and right) with our bodies.

If we're all willing to agree on the ideas presented in the last three sentences; why do we hate going to the doctor?! I know that I do, at least. Do you have any specific reasons why you don't like going to see the doctor? I scoured the Internet for surveys that addressed this issue; here's what I found:

Reasons people don't like to go to the doctor because of... (in no particular order)

1) The primal survival instinct.
2) Fear of exposure.
3) Fear of coming into contact with other people who are sick.
4) Medical costs.
5) Fear that something might be wrong.
6) Self-pride and a feeling of weakness when going.
7) Nervousness and anxieties associated with seeing a doctor.
8) Fear of exams, especially gender-specific inspections.
9) The nurses. (I love nurses, so this is nothing personal, I promise.)
10) Fear of needles.

Those are all good reasons to dislike going to see the doctor. It should be no surprise that 60% of the reasons given are directly related to fear. But I was surprised that one reason came up missing, a reason I expected to see toward the top of all responses. For whatever reason, folks don't seem very concerned with the risk of losing the ability to do something because of a potential illness. People might be afraid that they're going to be told that they're sick, but there doesn't seem to be much thought given to the next step; 'what can't I do because i'm sick?' Even though it didn't appear in online surveys, however, i'm sure it's something we all think about whenever we feel even the slightest touch of illness. The very same is true of our spiritual lives.

We are all sick, and our sickness is the infestation and infection of sin within our lives. We've become so infected, in fact, that there is only one remedy for the virus that lives within us; the blood of Jesus. But Jesus didn't die so we'd be able to make use of His blood like a sort of spiritual Band-Aid. By no means. He died so that we might recover from the illness of sin and be transformed into new men and women, made pure and holy to live for Him! Not only do we wash ourselves and become clean through Jesus' sacrifice, our lives are changed by His death and resurrection, and this means far more than having to give up worldly pleasures; this means a change in lifestyle.

Have you ever heard someone (or yourself) say; "I'm not religious because I don't want to give up all the fun stuff !"? Maybe you've known someone who thought that being a person of faith meant having to give up all "earthly pleasures". We can't say that's entirely untrue as God does call His people to the walk of holiness to forsake the things of the world. In light of that knowledge, some people are just as afraid to come before God as they are to visit the doctor's office. Why? Because, like being afraid of restricted restricted activity as a result of physical injury people will be afraid of what God will ask them to give up. For some, that fear goes far beyond not being able to drink, smoke, and make merry. For some, that means getting out of a relationship, quitting a job, or making confession.

If you're reading these words and thinking to yourself, 'I know i'm sick (in a spiritual way), but I can't face God about it', don't be afraid. Consider these words from the Psalmist:

"Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity
And in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,
And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.
Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." (Psalm 51: 5-7)

Make David's prayer your own, and do not be afraid. Know that God desires for you to know the truth of His love for your life. Know that God wants you to have wisdom, that you might avoid sinful behavior. Know that God is compassionate and desires a true transformation of the heart, not the simple replacing of behavior.

If God is like a physician, then what are His "orders" for us?

"This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you." (John 15:12-14)

As the doctors of this world give us instructions to help us recover our physical strength, so Jesus gives us divine instructions that our souls may be freed from sin. And this is the sign of our spiritual health; that we love each other, sacrificing our lives for the sake of those around us. That is what Jesus has done, and that is what we ought to do. But for some, even those promises of love and freedom won't be enough; you're sure to meet people who will still afraid to give up their sinful lifestyles (in whatever form) in order to follow God. Do not be dismayed, but simply ask them what is better; to live and die in sin, or to be called a "friend" of God?

See you tomorrow - E.T.

"Titanic"

Title: "Titanic"
Director: James Cameron
Producers: J. Cameron and J. Landau
Editing: J. Cameron, C. Buff, and R.A. Harris
Composer: James Horner
Starring:
- Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack Dawson
- Kate Winslet as Rose DeWitt Bukater
- Billy Zane as Caledon Nathan "Cal" Hockley
- Bill Paxton as Brock Lovett
- Kathy Bates as Margaret "Molly" Brown
- Bernard Hill as Captain John Edward Smith

Plot and Critical Review: In 1996, treasure hunter Brock Lovett and his team explore the wreck of the RMS Titanic, searching for a necklace set with a valuable blue diamond called the Heart of the Ocean. They believe the diamond is in Caledon "Cal" Hockley's safe, which they recover. They do not find the diamond, but a sketch of a nude woman wearing the diamond. The drawing is dated April 14, 1912, the night the Titanic hit the iceberg. One-hundred-year-old Rose Dawson Calvert learns of the drawing and contacts Lovett, informing him that she is the woman in the drawing. She and her granddaughter Elizabeth "Lizzy" Calvert visit Lovett and his team. When asked if she knew the whereabouts of the necklace, Rose recalls her memories aboard the Titanic, revealing that she is Rose DeWitt Bukater, a passenger believed to have died in the sinking.

In 1912, the upper class 17-year-old Rose DeWitt Bukater boards the Titanic in Southampton, England with her 30-something fiancé Caledon "Cal" Hockley and her mother, Ruth DeWitt Bukater. Cal and Ruth stress the importance of Rose's engagement, since the marriage will mean the eradication of the Dewitt-Bukater debts; while they appear upper-class, Rose and her mother are experiencing severe financial troubles. Distraught and frustrated by her engagement, Rose considers attempting suicide by jumping off the stern of the ship. Before she leaps, a drifter and artist named Jack Dawson intervenes and persuades her not to. As he helps her up from the stern, her dress catches and she falls. Jack grabs Rose's arm and helps her to pull herself back onto the boat. Cal, his friends and the sailors, overhearing Rose's screams, believe Jack attempted to rape her. She explains that Jack saved her life, hiding her suicide attempt by claiming she slipped while trying to see the propellers. Jack supports Rose's story, though Hockley's manservant, former Pinkerton agent Spicer Lovejoy, is unconvinced. Jack and Rose develop a tentative friendship. Soon after, Cal and Ruth forbid her to see Jack again. Rose defies them and meets Jack at the bow of the ship. She has decided she would rather be with him than with Cal, and the two share a passionate kiss.

They go to Rose's stateroom, where she asks Jack to sketch her wearing nothing but the Heart of the Ocean, an engagement present from Cal. Afterwards, the two hide in William Carter's Renault (stowed in the cargo hold) and make love in the backseat before moving to the ship's forward well deck. After witnessing the ship's collision with an iceberg and overhearing the ship's lookouts discussing how serious it is, Rose tells Jack they should warn her mother and Cal. Cal has discovered Rose's drawing and her taunting note in his safe, so he frames Jack for stealing the Heart of the Ocean by having Lovejoy plant it in Jack's pocket. Jack is arrested, taken down to the Master-at-arms's office and handcuffed to a pipe. Rose runs away from Cal and her mother (who has boarded a lifeboat) to rescue Jack from imprisonment. She frees him with an axe.

After much turmoil, Jack and Rose return to the top deck. Cal and Jack want Rose safe, so they persuade her to board a lifeboat, Cal claiming that he has an arrangement that will allow him and Jack to get off safely. After Rose is out of earshot, Cal admits that there is an arrangement, but he will not use it to help Jack. Realizing that she cannot leave Jack, Rose jumps back on the ship and reunites with him. Infuriated, Cal takes Lovejoy's pistol and chases Jack and Rose into the flooding dining saloon. When Cal runs out of ammunition, he sarcastically wishes them well, then realizes he left the Heart of the Ocean in Rose's overcoat. Cal abandons Lovejoy and returns to the boat deck, where he boards a lifeboat by pretending to look after an abandoned child. Jack and Rose go through grueling struggles just to return to the top deck. By the time they do, people everywhere are falling to their deaths and the lifeboats have gone. The ship begins to quickly sink. Jack and Rose take refuge on the now-vertical stern, which washes them into the Atlantic Ocean. They grab hold of a door that only supports one person. Jack remains in the water, clinging to the door. As Rose accepts their fate, Jack assures her that she will live to have a long, happy life. He says that when she dies it will be in her own bed. As they await rescue, Jack dies from hypothermia.

When a lifeboat finally returns to the site of the sinking, Rose is thinking of staying put and dying with Jack, but is then inspired by Jack's words and determined to live. She blows a whistle taken from a nearby frozen crew member, and is taken by the RMS Carpathia to New York, where she gives her name as Rose Dawson. She sees Cal for the last time on Carpathia's deck, looking for her. It is revealed that Cal commits suicide after losing his fortune in the Crash of 1929.

Having completed her story, the elderly Rose goes alone to the stern of Lovett's ship. There, she pulls out the Heart of the Ocean, revealing that she had it all along, and drops it into the water. The final shot of the film is of young Rose being reunited with Jack at the Grand Staircase of the Titanic, surrounded and applauded by those who perished on the ship.

When dealing with a film as historic and important as "Titanic", i'll leave these next couple paragraphs to the expert:

"Movies like this are not merely difficult to make at all, but almost impossible to make well. The technical difficulties are so daunting that it's a wonder when the filmmakers are also able to bring the drama and history into proportion. I found myself convinced by both the story and the saga. The setup of the love story is fairly routine, but the payoff--how everyone behaves as the ship is sinking--is wonderfully written, as passengers are forced to make impossible choices. Even the villain, played by Zane, reveals a human element at a crucial moment (despite everything, damn it all, he does love the girl).

The image from the Titanic that has haunted me, ever since I first read the story of the great ship, involves the moments right after it sank. The night sea was quiet enough so that cries for help carried easily across the water to the lifeboats, which drew prudently away. Still dressed up in the latest fashions, hundreds froze and drowned. What an extraordinary position to find yourself in after spending all that money for a ticket on an unsinkable ship." (Roger Ebert, December 19, 1997)

My Rating: 8.5/10

Content to Caution:
V-3 - Some fistfights and assault with a handgun. Several passengers fight with members of the ship's crew to escape the lower levels of the vessel as it sinks.
L-2.5 - No comment.
DU-2 - Smoking and drinking in social settings.
RT-1 - No comment.
H/S-4 -It's the sinking of the Titanic...you can expect a bit of suspense.
CH-2 - N0 comment.
S/N-3 - One scene in which Jack paints Rose in the nude, and one scene of love making.

The "Reel Revelation": "Letting Go and Turning The Page"

Do you like to read? I prefer movies (duh), but have read enough to appreciate what it means to end one chapter and begin another. But have you ever read a chapter that was so good, you didn't want to start the next one? You know what I mean; when you come upon a chapter so invigorating and exciting that you'd just as soon read it again and again rather than turn the page and continue with the story? There are moments in life that are just like that; when you have to decide whether to move on with your personal story or linger in the previous chapters of experience and memory. While it's nice to take a occasional stroll down "Memory Lane", isn't it worthwhile to turn the page and see what comes next?

Of all the memorable scenes in "Titanic", few are as emotionally potent as the final scene between Rose and Jack as the two drift on a piece of wreckage and cling to each other for dear life. Because the wreckage (a large door) can only hold one person without sinking, Jack has Rose get on the door while he holds on with his arms; the rest of his body submerged in the cold sea. Both are soaked and freezing, but Jack quickly succumbs to hypothermia and begins to die. You no doubt remember this heart-breaking dialogue:

Rose: It's getting quiet.
Jack: It's gonna take a couple of minutes to get the boats organized. I don't know about you, but I intend to go write a strongly worded letter to the White Star Line about all this.
Rose: I love you, Jack.
Jack: Don't you do that. Don't you say your good-byes. Not yet, do you understand me?
Rose: I'm so cold.
Jack: Listen, Rose. You're gonna get out of here, you're gonna go on, and you're gonna make lots of babies, and you're gonna watch them grow. You're gonna die an old... an old lady warm in her bed, not here, not this night. Not like this, do you understand me?
Rose: I can't feel my body.
Jack: Winning that ticket, Rose, was the best thing that ever happened to me... it brought me to you. And I'm thankful for that, Rose. I'm thankful. You must do me this honor. You must promise me that you'll survive, that you won't give up, no matter what happens, no matter how hopeless. Promise me now, Rose, and never let go of that promise.
Rose: I promise.
Jack: Never let go.
Rose: I'll never let go, Jack. I'll never let go.

But let go she must. Let go of his body, at least. Knowing Jack is dead, Rose kisses his hands then watches as his body sinks into the deep. Only after she's let him go is she able to signal a lifeboat and save herself. Had she remained with him, she would certainly have perished.

It's not always easy to let go, is it? But why was it so hard for Rose to let go of Jack? Love? Certainly; they were obviously madly in love with each other. Freedom? You bet; Jack showed Rose a way of life that she had never known. Promise? Yes; Jack made promises to Rose that she didn't want to let go of, promises that she believed Jack would fulfill for her and with her. These three things combine to make a wonderful experience that, for Rose, was worth holding onto. And that's something to reflect on for our own lives, how we hold on to the experiences that are important to us. After all, Rose had to let go of Jack's body, but she was able to hold onto his memory forever. Rose went on to marry, have children, and enjoy a full and rich life. While she never told anyone about Jack Dawson, she always cherished the memory of him. If only real life could be like that.

About two years ago I had to say goodbye to my best friend. She was much more than my best friend, however, she was my darling and the joy of my heart. And when she left I had to decide whether to hold on or let go of her. Though she was physically absent, the memory of her was so strong and often far more than I felt I could bear. I chose to ignore everything else and re-read " her chapter" over and over again. I poured over every word, every memory, every encounter, every touch, and every prayer we shared together. I put the rest of my life's story on hold, just so I could linger in the memory of her. I called it "grief", for I was indeed grieving, but in my heart I knew that I wasting precious time holding on to a memory when the future was knocking at the door. Even as I write these words, I cannot honestly say that i've let go of her memory altogether. But I have at least turned the page and started the next chapter of my life. I've done none of this, however, by my own power.

"The Spirit of the LORD is upon me,

Because He anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor,

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives,

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set free those who are oppressed,

To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD." (Luke 4:18-19)

When Jesus spoke these words he was quoting the prophet Isaiah who was sent to nation of Israel while they were in captivity in Babylon. But in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is speaking of Himself and the mission He was sent to complete. But the people to whom he was sent weren't being held captive in Babylon, so what did He mean when He said "proclaim release to the captives"? He meant release from sin and death, yes, and he also meant release from the bondage of the past.

Is there something in your life that you're holding onto? Have you been re-reading the same chapter and not turned the page to see what's next? Have you resisted the releasing power of the grace of God in your life? Perhaps you are like me and have chosen to hold onto a memory that pleases and delights the spirit; memories of childhood, innocence, loved ones, and better days. Or perhaps your heart is wrapped around an experience that has wounded and scarred you in ways you cannot fully express or understand. Whatever your situation may be, I believe that God is at hand, and He is ready to help you let go of your hindrances and move into a new season of life.

Turn the page and brace yourself; for God alone knows what the next chapter will bring.

See you tomorrow - E.T.

"There Will Be Blood"

Title: "There Will Be Blood"
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Producers: P.T. Anderson, D. Lupi, J. Sellar, and S. Rudin
Editing: Dylan Tichenor
Composer: Johnny Greenwood
Starring:
- Daniel Day Lewis as Daniel Plainview
- Dillon Freasier as Young H.W. Plainview
- Russell Harvard as Adult H.W. Plainview
- Kevin J. O'Connor as Henry Plainview
- Paul Dano as Paul Sunday
- Paul Dano as Eli Sunday

Plot and Critical Review: In 1902 Daniel Plainview, a mineral prospector, discovers oil and establishes a small drilling company. Following the death of one of his workers in an accident, Plainview adopts the man's orphaned son (his mother nowhere to be found). The boy, whom he names H.W., becomes his nominal business "partner".

Nine years later, Plainview is approached by Paul Sunday who tells him about the oil deposit under his family's property in Little Boston, California. Plainview attempts to buy the farm at a bargain price but Paul's twin brother Eli, wise to Plainview's plan, holds out for $10,000, wanting the money to fund the local church, of which he is the pastor. Plainview has Eli's father agree to the bargain price instead, and goes on to snatch up the available land in the Little Boston area, except for one holdout - William Bandy. Oil production begins. Later, an on-site accident kills a worker, and later still, a large explosion robs young H.W. of his hearing.

One day, a visitor arrives on Plainview's doorstep claiming to be his half-brother, Henry, and is seeking work. Plainview takes the stranger in, and though H.W. discovers flaws in his story he keeps the news to himself; the boy then attempts to kill Henry by setting his bed linen alight. Angered at his son's behavior, Plainview sends the boy away to a school in San Francisco. A representative from Standard Oil later offers to buy out Plainview's local interests, but Plainview elects to strike a deal with Union Oil instead and construct a pipeline to the Californian coast, though the Bandy ranch remains an impediment. After spending more time with Henry, Plainview also becomes suspicious; Henry finally confesses that he was actually a friend of the real Henry, who has long since died from tuberculosis. Assuming the worst, Plainview kills the fake-Henry and buries his body.

The next morning, Plainview is awakened by Mr. Bandy, who appears to be aware of the previous night's events. Bandy agrees to Plainview's deal but only on the provision that the latter mend his ways and join the Church of the Third Revelation, where Eli humiliates him as part of his initiation. Plainview soon reunites with H.W., and Eli eventually leaves town to perform missionary work.

In 1927, Plainview has become an alcoholic but is extremely wealthy, living in a mansion with only a servant for company. H.W. asks his father (through an interpreter, as he still has significant hearing loss) to dissolve their partnership so he can establish his own business. Betrayed, Plainview mocks his son's deafness and tells him of his true origins, leaving H.W. with no regrets when he finally leaves.

Some time later, Eli, now a radio host and the head of a larger church, visits Plainview, but it becomes clear that Eli is in dire financial straits and desperate, explaining that Mr. Bandy has died and that he offers to broker a deal on his land. Plainview agrees to the deal if Eli confesses, "I am a false prophet; God is a superstition", subjecting Eli to the same humiliation Eli had put him through years earlier. Eli does so after much berating by Plainview. To Eli's horror, Plainview then reveals scathingly that he had already drained the oil from the property through surrounding wells. Plainview suddenly goes into a rage, chases Eli about the room, and then beats him to death with a bowling pin. When Plainview's butler comes down to check on him, Plainview simply says "I'm finished" as the film ends.

2007 was a great year for the film industry. We enjoyed the epic "Atonement" alongside Pixar's newest digital project, "Ratatouille". Action and adventure fans got their will with "American Gangster" and "3:10 to Yuma" while drama and suspense junkies were satisfied with titles such as "Michael Clayton" and "Eastern Promises". But above all these rose two titans, "No Country For Old Men" and "There Will Be Blood". Both earned around $100 million (between theatre and DVD sales) and were nominated for 8 Academy Awards. While "There Will Be Blood" took home 2 Oscars (including Daniel Day Lewis' Best Actor award), but lost three of its 8 nominations to "No Country..." which went on to win Best Picture and Best Director. Both films appeared in many "Top 10" lists for 2007 and "There Will Be Blood" was almost universally agreed to be the best film of the '00s. If you've not seen it, you're wasting time reading my words and should get to the video store as soon as possible.

My Rating: 8.5/10

Content to Caution:
V-3 - Several injuries and deaths related to the dangers of working on derricks are shown with intense realism. Daniel fights with Eli and kills another man with a pistol.
L-2.5 - Some coarse and abrasive language.
DU-2 - Some smoking and drinking.
RT-1 - No comment.
H/S-2 - Several moments of suspense related to oil drilling and Daniel's pursuit of success and fortune.
CH-1 - No comment.
S/N-0 - No comment.

The "Reel Revelation": "Bad Religion"

"There Will Be Blood" presents some of the most intriguing and towering characters ever to grace the silver screen. Many believe that Daniel Plainview will go down as one of the most memorable characters of them all. Daniel's drive and ambition to succeed lead him to unthinkable lengths and beyond. And then there's Eli Sunday, the seemingly confident but ultimately troubled young man who believes his calling from God grants him supernatural power and influence over the lives of those around him. When these two characters collide, we witness a dramatic battle that stands out as being one of the most poignant in all of film.

If you quickly examine both characters, you'd probably estimate that God would side with Eli, wouldn't you? After all he is young, ambitious, devoted, enthusiastic about his faith, and willing to do anything for the Lord. We even learn that he did extensive traveling as a missionary. Surely God will stand with this young Christian, right?! But if that is all we think of him, we manage to overlook several instances in which Eli shows his true intentions; to control the lives of others. Consider this scene in which Eli confronts his Abel, his Father, regarding the sale of the Sunday ranch to Plainview:

Eli: You are a stupid man, Abel. You have let someone come in here and walk all over us. You let him in and do his work here, and you are a stupid man for what we could have had.
Abel: I followed His word, Eli. I tried.
Eli: You didn't do anything but sit down. You're lazy, and you're stupid. Do you think God is going to save you for being stupid? He doesn't save stupid people, Abel.

That, my friends, is a case-in-point example of "bad religion"; using an external element (of whatever kind) to control the people around us. But we must remember that in his own heart, Eli believed he was doing God's will and communicating God's Truth to his Father. Perhaps we've done the same in our own lives; acted out in "faith" and ended up doing something outside of God's plan because we incorrectly discerned God's leading. We wouldn't be the first people to do such a thing; the Bible is littered with people who practiced bad religion, even though they believed they were doing God's will. Let's race ahead to the end of the movie and see where Eli's faith is when he comes to Daniel, begging for a lease on the Bandy tract. (I've trimmed the dialogue for the sake of length...)

Plainview: But there is one condition for this work. I’d like you to tell me that you are a false prophet. I’d like you to tell me that you are, and have been, a false prophet, and that God is a superstition.
Eli: But that’s a lie. It’s a lie, I cannot say it...
[PAUSE]
Eli: When can we begin to drill?
Plainview: Very soon.
Eli: How long will it take to bring in the well?
Plainview: It shouldn’t take long.
Eli: I would like a 100,000 dollar signing bonus, plus the five that is owed to me with interest.
Plainview: That’s only fair.
Eli: I am a false prophet and God is a superstition, if that’s what you believe, then I will say it.
Plainview: Say it like you mean it.
Eli: Daniel…
Plainview: Say it like it's your sermon.... Don’t smile!
Eli: I am a false prophet, God is a superstition--
Plainview: Eli, Eli, stop! Just imagine this is your church here, and you have a full congregation, so…
Eli: I am a false prophet, God is a superstition!
Plainview: Say it again.
Eli: I am a false prophet, God is a superstition!
Plainview: They can’t hear you in the back!
Eli: I am a false prophet, God is a superstition!
Plainview: Those areas have been drilled.
Eli: What…? No they haven't…
Plainview: Yes; it's, uh, it's called drainage, Eli. See, I own everything around it; so of course, I get what’s underneath it.
Eli: But there are no derricks there. This is the Bandy tract, do you understand?
Plainview: Do you understand Eli, that's more to the point, do you understand? Every day, I drink the blood of Lamb from Bandy's tract.
Eli: Oh Daniel. Daniel. Please? I am in desperate times.
Plainview: I know.
Eli: I’ve sinned. I need help, I’m a sinner. I’ve let the Devil grab hold of me in ways I never imagined. I’m so full of sin.
Plainview: The Lord sometimes challenges us, doesn’t He, Eli?
Eli: [becomes hysterical] Oh yes He does, Daniel, yes He does--
Plainview: ...Yes He does...
Eli: This… I must have this, Daniel, I must, I must, I must, I must, I must have this. My investments have... If I could grab the Lord’s hand for help I would but He does these things all the time, these mysteries that He presents and while we wait! While we wait for His word!
Plainview: Because you're not the chosen brother, Eli. 'Twas Paul who was chosen. See he found me and told me about your land, you're just a fool.
Eli: Why are you talking about Paul? Don’t say this to me.
Plainview: I did what your brother couldn't, I broke you and I beat you. It was Paul told me about you, he's the prophet, he's the smart one. You know what the funny thing is? I paid him $10,000 cash in hand, just like that. He has his own company now. Prosperous little business. Three wells producing $5000 a week.
[Eli weeps]

Not only is Eli emotionally ruined, he actually renounces his faith to satisfy the terms of the contract with Daniel! What measure of devotion is this, to be so devout one moment and so spineless in the next?! Earlier in the movie he was bold enough to declare God's judgment and damnation over his own Father, but now he's left a weeping mess in Daniel's bowling alley. And Daniel, in a startling revelation, speaks what seems to be the truth into Eli's life, for indeed it was Paul who was able to "prophecy" (or "prospect", in the proper vernacular) the presence of oil underneath the Sunday ranch. What sort of religion does Eli represent? Not a very trustworthy one, it seems. But in the end we're able to see both men were controlled by the very same vice; greed. While Eli used God (and an ecstatic and charismatic incarnation of the Christian faith) to establish spiritual dominion over others, Daniel used his skills in the oil trade to gather financial strength for himself. If we peel back all of the outer layers, we discover that Eli and Daniel are actually the same person. Both men practiced "bad religion", and I believe that we have all done the same.

"But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way." (James 3:8-10)

These are some of the most challenging verses in all of Scripture for they explain, in no uncertain terms, how frail and broken our human nature is. Indeed, with the tongue alone we are able to do great good and terrible evil. Think also of how we use our hands, to build up and tear down. When considering how easy it is to go from one to the other (blessing to cursing), it's no wonder Jesus said, "If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you." (Matthew 18:9) Sometimes it seems preferable to simply disable or "pluck out" the parts of our lives that allow us to both worship and commit acts of darkness. But there is hope, and I know i'm in need of some when I consider how much more likely I am to act out in sin than in righteousness for Christ.

"Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light
And your judgment as the noonday." (Psalm 37:4-6)

Ask yourself these two simple questions; "What do you desire?" and "Where is your trust?"

Do you desire to do good in the world and to give glory to God? Do you desire to be a vessel of peace and mercy for those who are in need? Do you desire to set your own intentions aside and seek wholeheartedly after the plan God has laid before you? "Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Do you trust in your own morality and ethical code, or in the divine love of God? Do you, like Eli, rely on your own common sense and natural impulse to guide you, or do you trust God to lead you in the way you should walk? Do you trust in your own strength to keep your tongue from cursing, or do you trust in the grace of God to give you a heart full of blessing and praise? "Trust also in Him, and He will do it."

Because we are human we will always struggle with the perverseness of the flesh. But because we are loved by a God who is divine and yet became human, we know that He will empower us to overcome the images of "bad religion" in the world and represent a faith of love, forgiveness, repentance, and peace; the faith of the Family of God.

See you tomorrow - E.T.

P.S. - I apologize for the length of today's reflection. I find myself so emotionally influenced by this movie that it's not always easy for me to get my thoughts out in a succinct manner. I apologize, likewise, for the length of the last few reflections. All the same, it's my prayer that God will remove the dross of my confusion and offer a refined product for the benefit of your lives. Thanks for reading.

"Smokin' Aces"

Title: "Smokin' Aces"
Director: Joe Carnahan
Producers: T. Bevan and E. Fellner
Editing: Robert Frazen
Composer: Clint Mansell
Starring:
- Jeremy Piven as Buddy "Aces" Israel
- Ryan Reynolds as Richard Messner
- Ray Liotta as Donald Carruthers
- Andy Garcia as Stanley Locke
- Alicia Keys as Georgia Sykes
- Joseph Ruskin as Primo Sparazza
- Taraji P. Henson as Sharice Watters
- Jason Bateman as Ripley "Rip" Reed
- Ben Affleck as Jack Dupree
- Nestor Carbonell as Pasqual "The Plague" Acosta
- Chris Pine as Darwin Tremor
- Kevin Durand as Jeeves Tremor
- Maury Sterling as Lester Tremor

Plot and Critical Review: Las Vegas magician and wannabe gangster Buddy "Aces" Israel is hiding out in a Lake Tahoe hotel penthouse with his entourage, while his agent, Morris Mecklen, discusses a potential immunity deal with FBI Deputy Director Locke. Agents Messner and Carruthers learn that mob boss Primo Sparazza has put a hit out on Israel worth one million dollars, and that the assasination involves a someone only known as the Swede, with the added stipulation that the Swede deliver Israel's heart to Sparazza. A number of assassins are also after the reward, including Lazlo Soot, a Hungarian who specializes in disguises and impersonations; Sharice Watters and Georgia Sykes, a duo of hitwomen hired by Sparazza's underboss; Pasquale Acosta, a torture expert and mercenary; and the psychotic neo-Nazi Tremor brothers.

Locke dispatches Messner and Carruthers to take Israel into custody. A team of bail bondsmen, Jack Dupree and his partners, "Pistol" Pete Deeks and Hollis Elmore, have been hired by the firm that posted Israel's bail. The bondsmen are attacked by the Tremors and only Elmore escapes alive. Messner is dispatched to the murder scene while Caruthers proceeds to secure Israel. Meanwhile, each of the assassins gain access to the hotel in their own various ways.

Carruthers encounters Acosta (now disguised as a casino security officer) in an elevator at the hotel and something is not right. Both are disabled in a gunfight. Meanwhile, Soot gains access to the penthouse by posing as one of Israel's henchmen. Israel's second-in-command, Ivy, learns that Israel agreed to give him up as part of the plea deal, but, before he can kill him, Israel injures Ivy long enough for the hotel security team to restrain him. Georgia stumbles upon Carruthers and Acosta in the elevator, but assumes Acosta is Soot. In Los Angeles, Locke abruptly backs out on the deal with Israel and orders that Messner and Carruthers not be told. The Tremor brothers reach the penthouse floor, where they engage in a shootout with the security team while Israel, learning of the FBI's new position, attempts suicide.

Messner arrives at the hotel and sets up a position around Georgia's elevator. Sharice provides cover from another hotel with a .50-caliber sniper rifle, outgunning the FBI agents. Acosta, still alive, shoots Georgia, but is shot again by Carruthers. Sharice, thinking Georgia is dead, refuses to escape and keeps shooting at the FBI team. Georgia escapes to the penthouse, where she stops Darwin Tremor before he can kill Ivy. Tremor escapes and Messner, distraught over the death of Carruthers, stops Ivy and Georgia on the stairwell, but lets them escape. Sharice is gunned down by the FBI.

Locke and a team of FBI agents descend on the penthouse and take Israel to the hospital, while Soot escapes by tearing off his disguise and posing as a bystander. Acosta, carted away on a gurney, is also shown to be alive. Darwin Tremor tries to escape, but is gunned down by Hollis Elmore.

Messner arrives at the hospital and learns the truth about the day's events from Locke. The mysterious Swede is revealed to be a prominent heart surgeon and Soot was hired by Sparazza to get Israel's heart so it could be transplanted into the body of Sparazza. Sparazza is further revealed to be Freeman Heller, an FBI agent who went undercover and was thought to have been killed by the mob. Sparazza has agreed to expose the mob's operations in exchange for Israel's heart, who is shown to be Sparazza's love child and, thus, the most compatible donor.

Messner, furious over the unnecessary deaths, especially the death of his partner, protests and is ordered to leave the hospital. Left alone, he walks into the emergency room where Israel and Sparazza lie in comas. Messner locks the doors and unplugs all of the medical equipment sustaining both men. He then lays his gun and badge on the floor and sits in disbelief as Locke and the doctors desperately try to break in.

While it was supported by a noteworthy cast of actors, "Smokin' Aces" failed to generate the acclaim the director and producers were hoping for. It was able to break even at the box office, but mostly through international sales. While some of the fight scenes prove exciting, the smash-cut editing and multiple story lines ends up becoming a distraction. The viewer is surprised to finish the movie with a clear idea of what actually happened, much less who ended up doing what, and to who. Don't buy this one, but go out this very instant and pick up Scorsese's classic, "The Departed".

My Rating: 4/10

Content to Caution:
V-5 - Almost non-stop violence of the most intense sort.
L-5 - Heavy cursing and coarse language throughout.
DU-2 - Some drinking and smoking.
RT-2.5 - Three of the characters dress and act as neo-Nazis, and there is a strong amount of racist behavior from one female character.
H/S-2 - No comment.
CH-2.5 - No comment.
S/N-2.5 - Several shots of multiple prostitutes, some naked. Several jokes made in reference to sex. Homosexual sex is suggested, but not shown.

The "Reel Revelation": "Secrets"

I like to start off these reflections with a question that introduces the theme. The most natural one given the topic at hand is simply, "Have you ever kept a secret?" But I won't bother actually posing that query as I already know your answer; yes. I don't presume to see into all of your hearts or know your personal histories, but I do know that all people have kept some sort of secret at some point. Maybe it was something small, like not telling your parents you took a piece of gum from the candy store. Maybe it was something significant like not telling your spouse you lost your job. And then there's the classic encounter we've probably all had with our friends. They rush up and softly whisper in our ear, "Can you keep a secret?" How exciting!

How do you feel when you know something that no one else does? More importantly, how do you feel when you know something that's actually important to someone else, but they don't know what it is?! Perhaps you're nervous that you might accidentally "spill the beans" or "let the cat out of the bag" and, in a slip, give the secret away. Maybe you feel ashamed that you're keeping important information from a friend or family member. Maybe you feel powerful when you realize that you retain a piece of knowledge or information that someone else is searching for. And how you feel in that moment is important as we take a closer look at what it means to keep secrets.

In "Smokin' Aces", a very mysterious secret is kept from all of the characters in the film until the third act; the end of the film. Do you remember what the secret was? That Primo Spazarra was Agent Freeman Heller all along. Heller had managed to keep his true identity a secret for 40+ years before a file finally surfaced that led Deputy Director Locke to the truth. And as soon as the truth was made known, the entire course of the story changed direction, especially as all the key players realized the true connection between Sparazzo and Buddy Israel. The truth has a way of doing that; undoing all of the foundations we've built upon faulty premise and assumption. The Greek playwright, Sophocles, said it in a way I think we can all appreciate: "Do nothing secretly, for Time sees and hears all things, and discloses all." A challengingly true sentiment.

For some reason, keeping secrets isn't thought of as being an inappropriate or necessarily harmful. After all, if Sophocles is right and the truth will be known in the end, isn't it acceptable to withhold the truth in certain circumstances? Therein, I believe, is the real dilemma; withholding the truth. I wouldn't bother bringing up the issue of secrets in general if the realities of human experience didn't reflect this foundational principle: we need the truth to survive. And there's no better example of someone who choose to reveal the truth (instead of hiding it) than the example we find in Jesus.

"So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My ways, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32)

Likewise,

"I have not spoken in secret,
In some dark land;
I did not say to the offspring of Jacob,
'Seek Me in a waste place';
I, the Lord, speak righteousness,

Declaring things that are upright." (Isaiah 45: 19)

When Jesus came into the world, He did so to bring us the good news of God's salvation for all people. Out of His great love for the whole of humanity, He spoke to us in ways we could understand, so that we might be able to grasp the nearness and tender mercy of God. Sometimes the words He spoke were challenging, but the truth of His message set people free to follow after God. His words set people free... Do you set people free with your words? Do you "continue in (His) ways..." by the words you speak to others; by the way you proclaim truth to those around you?

The Bible is frustratingly silent when we look to answer the question, "Is it sinful to keep secrets?" But, based on the verses above, we should be able to see where the Scriptures stand when it comes to the declaration of the truth. And what does this mean in the day-to-day walk of faith? Here are three suggestions:

1) Say what you mean to say, and say it with love! - If you hope to represent God's Promise in the world, are you willing to represent the truth of your own mind as well? Don't be afraid to speak plainly of how you feel, what you think, and what your opinions are. But learn to temper your tongue and "...speak the truth in love..." (Ephesians. 4:15), so that even your opinions (whatever they may be) are communicated in a way that is kind, gentle, and not abrasive to the way others might feel. Paul admonishes us to "speak the truth in love" in order that we would edify, encourage, challenge, and uplift one another as we mature in our faith. Bind your tongue from cursing, but loosen your heart to be the first to speak the loving word.

2) Learn to be still and silent. - Remember, "...not all things are profitable" (1 Cor. 6:12), and that means (among other things) that our words won't always be appropriate. Have you ever heard someone say the right thing in the wrong moment? But when words fail we are still able to "speak the truth" through our actions. Ask the Holy Spirit to quiet your heart as you go about your daily routine; that you might know exactly what to say or what to do when God calls you to speak the truth in your home, workplace, and community. Sometimes the most important words are the ones we don't speak through our lips.

3) Speak into the mirror. - It's easy to become so focused on spreading the word of God's truth that we forget to speak it into our own lives. Have you ever worked so hard that you actually wore yourself out to the point where you couldn't work anymore? What good were you then? We are called to be ambassadors of God's truth in the world, but we cannot allow ourselves to turn entirely outward; we are in need of the same message of hope, love, and forgiveness. Have you ever spent so much time praying for other people you forgot to pray for yourself? Look into the mirror (literally, if that's what it takes) and remind yourself, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5: 7-8) Remember, as well,

"He who walks with integrity, and works with righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart.
He does not slander with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
Nor takes up a reproach against his friend..." (Psalm 15: 2-3)

See you tomorrow - E.T.

"Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow"

Title: "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow"
Director: Kerry Conran
Producers: J. Avnet, S. Frost, J. Law, and M. Oglesby
Editing: Sabrina Plisco
Composer: Edward Shearmur
Starring:
- Jude Law as Harry Joseph "Joe" Sullivan or Sky Captain of the Flying Legion
- Gwyneth Paltrow as Polly Perkins
- Angelina Jolie as Commander Francesca "Franky" Cook
- Giovanni Ribisi as Dexter "Dex" Dearborn

Plot and Critical Review: The film opens in 1939. A frightened scientist named Dr. Jorge Vargas arrives in New York City and makes arrangements for a package containing two vials to be delivered to Dr. Walter Jennings. Polly Perkins, a newspaper reporter for The Chronicle, is looking into the mysterious disappearances of Vargas and five other scientists. She receives a message telling her to go to Radio City Music Hall that night. She goes and meets Dr. Jennings during a showing of "The Wizard of Oz". He tells her that Dr. Totenkopf is coming for him.

Air raid sirens are head in the distance, heralding the arrival of numerous towering robots that prove unstoppable. In desperation, the police call for "Sky Captain" Joe Sullivan, who commands a private air force; the Flying Legion. While Polly photographs the action from the street, Sullivan knocks out one of the robots and the rest leave. The wreckage of the robot is taken back to the Legion's air base so that Dex Dearborn (Joe's mechanic) can examine it. Polly follows, hoping to get information for her story. Joe and Polly are ex-lovers, having been separated for three years. Since Polly has some useful information, Joe agrees to let her in on the investigation.
Her information takes them to the laboratory of Dr. Jennings, where they find the scientist near death. The killer, a mysterious woman, escapes just as they arrive. Jennings gives Polly two vials, which he says are crucial to Dr. Totenkopf's plans. Polly withholds this information from Joe. They return to Joe's base which is attacked by squadrons of ornithopter drones. In the ensuing battle, Dex manages to track the signal that is controlling the robots, but is captured. However, he leaves behind a map marking the location of Totenkopf's base. Joe and Polly find it and head to Nepal.

Venturing into the Himalayas, they discover an abandoned mining outpost. Two of their guides turn out to be working for Totenkopf, forcing Polly to turn over the vials before locking Joe and Polly in a room full of explosives. Joe and Polly escape but are knocked unconscious by the explosion. They wake up in the mythical Shangri-La. The monks who live there tell of Totenkopf's enslavement of their people, forcing them to work in the uranium mines. Most of the slaves were killed by the radiation, but the final survivor provides another clue to where Totenkopf is hiding. This leads them to rendezvous with another one of Joe's ex-lovers, Commander "Franky Cook", who commands a flying aircraft carrier with amphibious submarine aircraft. "Franky" helps get Joe and Polly to the island where Totenkopf is hiding.

They travel to the mountain at the very center of the island and penetrate a secret facility located within. There, they discover that it has been hollowed out into a large silo where robots are seen loading animals and the contents of the mysterious vials onto a large "Noah's Ark" rocket.

Joe and Polly are nearly killed, but Dex arrives in the nick of time with three of the missing scientists. Escaping together, Dex explains that Totenkopf has given up on humanity and seeks to end the world to begin a new one: the "World of Tomorrow". The vials are revealed to be genetic material for a new Adam and Eve. The group makes its way to Totenkopf's booby-trapped lair, where a holographic image of Totenkopf appears and speaks to them. After Dex disables the defense systems, the group enters the lair only to discover that Totenkopf has been dead for two decades; his machines have carried on his work.

The only way to sabotage the rocket is from the inside. Polly tries to tag along, but Joe knocks her out. He then goes to sacrifice himself while the others escape. Polly recovers and follows after Joe, arriving just in time to save him from the mysterious woman who turns out to be a robot. The two board the rocket just before it launches. Before it reaches an altitude of 100 km, Polly pushes an emergency release button that ejects all the animals in escape pods. Joe tries to disable the rocket only to be interrupted by the revived female robot. He jolts her with her own electric weapon and then uses it on the controls, disabling the rocket before its boosters ignite and incinerate the Earth's atmosphere. Joe and Polly use an escape pod to save themselves after successfully sabotaging the rocket, causing it to explode. They land in the ocean below and watch as hundreds of pods carrying animals float down and land around them. Polly uses the last shot on her camera to take a picture of Joe. Joe is touched, but sadly tells her that the lens cap was still on the camera.

"Sky Captain..." received generally favorable reviews from critics, even though it failed to make enough money to cover its $70 million budget. In the end it cleared $57 million at the box office, making up another $3-$4.5 in DVD sales. While it didn't reach the financial success many were hoping for, this film stands as an important milestone in the development of cinematic digital technology. "Sky Captain..." was one of the first films to be filmed against bluescreen. Only one brief scene was shot on a physical set due to time constraints. Thus, the only physical objects on screen at any one time are the actors and the props they interacted with. Otherwise, everything seen by the viewer is generated by computer graphic artists. Even though it's become common for directors that make use of extensive bluescreen shooting, few films can attest to as many bluescreen shots as "Sky Captain..." (2,000) or to a filming schedule as rapid as what Conran was able to achieve (29 days for all principal photography). While it didn't perform as well as expected, "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" has climbed into cult status and will remain a key piece of the "pulp-adventure" genre.

My Rating: 6.5/10

Content to Caution:
V-3 - Multiple instances of comic-like action and violence, including dog fights, fist fights, robot warfare, and robotic combat.
L-2 - Mild cursing.
DU-1 - No comment.
RT-0 - No comment.
H/S-1 - No comment.
CH-1 - No comment.
S/N-0 - No comment.

The "Reel Revelation": "Braving The New Frontier"

Have you ever studied the lives of the men and women who pioneered the western and northwestern territories of the United States in the late 18th century? To know even a base amount of information about these people is to know about an extraordinary group of Americans who took on the incredible task of exploring, charting, and settling a wild and unknown part of the continent. Their bravery has not been forgotten. Plaques, statues, and monuments can still be seen at noteworthy sites all over this country. Here's a stanza from "Landing of the Pioneers", a poem commemorating the arrival of the pioneers at the mouth of the Muskingum River in Ohio in April of 1788:

"But like a band of brothers then
Our worthy Fathers stood,
And met with firm and cheerful front
The dangers of the wood;
E’en woman’s heart grew bold and strong
Amid the toil and fear,
And with unshrinking heart and hand
Gave comfort, aid, and cheer.
Sweet were the social joys of life-
Few others did they know-
When first they came as Pioneers,
Just sixty years ago!" (Frances Dana Gage - circa 1848)

What a magnificent insight into the lives these folks must have lived! I find a special joy in learning about the earliest days of pioneering and westward expansion as our world seems to be all but explored. Few are the places in the world that the race of men haven't visited, colonized, photographed, filmed, or industrialized.

Even in our own lives we are "pioneering" a sort of country that is yet undiscovered, for we do not know what is ahead of us, not even what will happen in the next moment. That should give us all the more reason to go forward with God, and to go forward with God for the sake of those who don't know how to explore the wide and treacherous territories of humanity. Will you venture into this new frontier and be a pioneer for Christ?

Have you ever heard someone (or yourself) say, "I just feel lost!" Sometimes that expression is more literal than we notice; sometimes people do actually get truly lost in their thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, both physical and interpersonal. To be a pioneer for Christ is to trust that God will lead us through (not necessarily around) this uncharted territory, and help us to help those who feel "lost". To pioneer well the vast territories laid before us, let us call on God and ask Him to grant us courage; the sort of courage our ancestors had as they crossed the wildernesses of the North American continent. Read again the words of the poem I posted above. Notice how it describes the courage of the pioneers:

"But like a band of brothers then
Our worthy Fathers stood,
And met with firm and cheerful front
The dangers of the wood;
E’en woman’s heart grew bold and strong
Amid the toil and fear,
And with unshrinking heart and hand
Gave comfort, aid, and cheer."

But pioneering isn't just a matter of exploring, charting, and discovering. Those are important elements of the task, but pioneers are also charged with carrying messages into unknown lands. Here's what Thomas Jefferson wrote to Meriwether Lewis concerning his conduct when encountering natives during his exploration of the Northwest Territory:

"In all your intercourse with the natives, treat them in the most friendly & conciliatory manner which their own conduct will admit; allay all jealousies as to the object of your journey, satisfy them of it's innocence, make them acquainted with the position, extent character, peaceable & commercial dispositions of the US. of our wish to be neighborly, friendly, & useful to them, & of our dispositions to a commercial intercourse with them; confer with them on the points most convenient as mutual emporiums, and the articles of most desireable interchange for them & us." (Transcript: Jefferson's Instructions to Meriwether Lewis - June 20th, 1803)

Not only did Lewis & Clark carry the great responsibility of exploring the unknown Northwest Territory, they were also directed to a certain manner of conduct in the event of an encounter with Native Americans, should they meet any along the way. We, too, are made responsible for the way we interact with the "natives" we encounter in the "unknown territory" of life. And because we are sent into the world by God, He expects us to represent Himself as we meet and walk alongside those who are also venturing. If God is our guide, do we show it in the way we walk and talk and live and make our living?

"The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake." (Psalm 23: 1-3)

The country of the human experience is unknown to us, but there is One who has charted it. Jesus, our shepherd, has gone before us and taken the whole of the human experience upon Himself. He has endured the hardships of the flesh and of a confused and frightened society. But through His perfect love He has conquered the fear that would keep us lost in this worldly wilderness. Through His perfect love He has shown us the way, and even though we also might get a little lost ourselves, He has promises to stand beside us as we go and guide us in every moment. That's good news, and good news is always worth sharing, especially with those who need to hear it! Let that be the message we carry into the wilderness; that God is alive and with us, even in the most difficult challenges we face as pioneers of this mortal life.

See you tomorrow - E.T.

"Serendipity"

Title: "Serendipity"
Director: Peter Chelsom
Producer: S. Fields, P. Abrams, and R. L. Levy
Editing: Christopher Greenbury
Composer: Alan Silvestri
Starring:
- John Cusack as Jonathan Trager
- Kate Beckinsale as Sara Thomas
- Molly Shannon as Eve
- Bridget Moynahan as Halley Buchanan
- Jeremy Piven as Dean Kansky

Plot and Critical Review: At the height of the Christmas shopping season in New York City, Jonathan Trager meets Sara Thomas as they both try to buy the same pair of gloves at Bloomingdale's. They feel a mutual attraction and, despite the fact that each of them is involved in other relationships, they end up eating ice cream at Serendipity 3 together. They finish their ice cream, exchange goodbyes, and part ways. Both realize, however, that they have left something at the ice cream bar and return only to find each other again.

Considering this to be a stroke of fate, they decide to go out on the town together, and end up in Central Park. At the end of the night, the two are forced to decide what the next step will be. Jonathan suggests an exchange of phone numbers, but Sara balks and proposes an idea that will allow fate to take control of their future. She asks Jonathan to write his name and phone number on a $5 bill, while she writes her name and number on the inside cover of a used copy of Love in the Time of Cholera. If they are meant to be together, she tells him, he will find the book and she will find the $5 bill. They each take a single glove from the pair they purchased.

Seven years later, Jonathan is at an engagement party with his fiancé Halley Buchanan. On the same day, Sara comes home to her house to find Lars Hammond, a famous new age musician, proposing to her. As their wedding dates approach, both Sara and Jonathan find themselves with cold feet and decide to return to New York in an attempt to find each other.

Jonathan uses a practical approach; he and his best friend Dean return to Bloomingdales in an attempt to find her name using an account number on the original sales receipt for the gloves. They meet a salesman who tells them he no longer has the account information at the store, but agrees to take them to a storage facility to retrieve an original document. However, Dean smudges her last name, leaving them only an address. They venture to the address where they meet a painter Mr. Mignon, who has very little recollection of Sara. However, he does recall that she lived there for a short time after being referred by a placement company, which he identifies as being located in a shop next to Serendipity 3. Jonathan and Dean follow the lead to find that the agency has moved and its former location is now a bridal shop. Jonathan takes this as a sign that he is supposed to stop looking for Sara and marry Halley.

Sara leaves the hunt to fate. She takes her best friend Eve with her to New York, where she visits the locations of her date with Jonathan. At the Waldorf Astoria, Eve bumps into an old friend (Halley) who is there to get married the next day. Halley invites Eve and Sara to the wedding. Neither Eve or Sara are told the groom is Jonathan. Believing they've failed in their search, Sara and Eve console themselves with a coffee at Serendipity. Eve is handed the $5 bill (that Jonathan wrote on seven years ago) as change, but neither notices at the time.

After the dress rehearsal for the wedding, Halley hands Jonathan a copy of Love in the Time of Cholera as a groom's gift. Sure enough, it's the very same copy Sara had written her name and number in. Jonathan immediately sets off to find her. He travels to San Francisco, goes to her home, but sees two people in her house being intimate. He doesn't know the couple are two of Sara's friends who are house sitting for her while she's away in NYC. Heartbroken, he retreats back to New York City.

Sara decides not to go to the wedding, opting to return home. As the plans prepares for takeoff, Sara is asked if she wants a headset. To her surprise, she finds her wallet got exchanged with Eve’s. She pays the flight attendant $5 for the headset, and realizes it's the same $5 bill which Jonathan wrote on seven years earlier. Now that she knows his full name, she gets off the plane to continue the search for Jonathan. His neighbors tell her he’s getting married at the Waldorf. She rushes to the hotel only to see a man cleaning up the ballroom. She is in tears until the janitor tells her the wedding was called off. Sara returns to Central Park where she left her jacket the night before.

In the meantime Jonathan is wandering around Central Park. He finds Sara's jacket and uses it as a pillow as he lies down in the middle of the ice skating rink (now full of in-line skaters). It begins to snow and as the first snowflake drops, a black glove lands on his chest. He turns and sees Sara. They formally introduce themselves to each other for the first time. The film concludes with Sara and Jonathan at Bloomingdales enjoying champagne on their anniversary at the spot where they first met.

The box office was not kind to Peter Chelsom after he ended his career as an actor and took up directing in the early 90s. His first few films included the forgettable "Hear My Song", "Funny Bones", and "Town & Country". It wasn't until he shouldered "Serendipity", a predictable but enjoyable romantic comedy (rom-com), that he got the attention he had been waiting for. His success was secured by the presence of John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale; two actors who had never worked together before but had immediate and delightful chemistry on camera. "Serendipity" provided a boost for Beckinsale's career; her next film was the blockbusting "Pearl Harbor". While it doesn't shine too brightly in the firmament of the cinematic universe, "Serendipity" is loved and will surely live on as a standard in the (rom-com) genre.

My Rating: 6/10

Content to Caution:
V-1 - No comment.
L-2.5 - Some abrasive and coarse language.
DU-1 - Some drinking in social settings.
RT-0 - No comment.
H/S-0 - No comment.
CH-2 - No comment.
S/N-1.5 - Some kissing and one scene in which a couple is seen making love from a distance. No nudity.

The "Reel Revelation": "It's Just Fate...Right?

Throughout the course of "Serendipity" there are a series of conversations that revolve around the idea of actions/occurrences being destined to happen. Sara and Jonathan constantly struggle with the feeling that "the universe" is pulling them toward each other through the strange signs and all-too-convenient coincidences that appear before them. I suspect many of us have also experienced what we might call "signs"; occurrences that are too coincidental to be random.

Have you ever heard someone day, "I just know i'm destined to do something great!" Perhaps someone has said to you; "You're destined to go the distance and do great things!" That's an encouraging sentiment, but it leads to a line of thinking that some people struggle with. To suggest that one is "destined" to do something (or anything), for example, is to suggest, at least in part, that they have no control over what they do; that they will end up doing something (or being somewhere or meeting someone or...) at some point in time. This is especially difficult for people who don't want anyone or anything controlling their lives. How do you think they'd feel when someone should suggest that the universe (or God) has planned out every step before them?

In theological vernacular, this argument is called "Free Will vs. Predestination". In short, it's the argument between whether a person has the free will to do as he/she pleases (free will) or if all of his/her actions have been planned out and predestined by the Creator and/or "Universe" (predestination). Within religion, predestination could specifically refer to the choosing or selection of a group of people to receive salvation from God. In secular culture, predestination could take the shape of determinism; the belief that all human action is determined by occurrences and that all events are influenced by prior events and occurrences.

If you're already lost, don't give up quite yet... And don't worry, i'm not going to try and set the record straight in the middle of a film blog. Folks have been fighting over this one for a long time. Still, there's an important message in this argument (call it a debate if "argument" is too aggressive) for the life of the Christian. Let's approach this message by considering these words from Paul's letter to the Christians in Rome:

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." (Romans 8:28-30)

Yes, this is one of the primary verses used by pro-predestination parties, and i'll freely admit that I am on the predestination side of the argument. At the same time, I believe that I have the freedom to do as I please and that God gives me the freedom to behave as I will, unto whatever end. Consider this passage:

"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants."(Deuteronomy 30:19)

If all action and inaction is predestined, why would God even mention the option of choosing? (That question is there just to bake your noodle...) More importantly, how does this theological/scholastic/insane argument influence our day-to-day walk as followers of Christ?

Both schools of thought point to one common concept; God is present in every moment and action. Whether He predestined all action or leaves the whole of humanity to act as it will, God is present! In the face of this fact, it really doesn't matter which side you stand on; the Lord of Lords is standing over shoulder right now. He is mindful of everything that you do, think, and feel. Some might fear that knowledge, for then it must be equally true that God sees all of our mistakes and failures alongside our acts of mercy and kindness. He does. But God is merciful, and He does not loom over us like a taskmaster. He is our Father, and He is present to help us. Because He is in every moment, we can turn to Him and ask Him for help.

How many times have we made decisions based on natural impulses, only to discover that our human instincts lead us somewhere we didn't expect to go? For this reason St. Paul admonishes us to "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." (Romans 13:14) Unto this end it doesn't matter whether our actions are predestined or if we're left to our own inclinations; we ought to put on Christ and live as He lived.

Let us pray that God will soften our hearts, melt away the dross of pride, and refine us in the fire of His love. Then, as we stand before Him, made clean by the blood of Christ, let us live in each moment aware that God is present to guide us, inspire us, and lead us in the way we should walk.

See you tomorrow - E.T.

P.S. - If you'd like to go deeper into the Free Will/Predestination argument, visit the wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predestination It's a great jumping off point.

"Platoon"

Title: "Platoon"
Director: Oliver Stone
Producer: Arnold Kopelson
Editing: Claire Simpson
Composer: Georges Delerue
Starring:
- Charlie Sheen as Christ Taylor
- Tom Berenger as Staff Sergeant Barnes
- Willem DaFoe as Sergeant Elias
- Forest Whitaker as Big Harold
- John C. McGinley as Sergeant O'Neill
- Johnny Depp as Lerner

Plot and Critical Review: The year is 1967. Chris Taylor is a young American who has abandoned college for combat duty in Vietnam. Upon arrival, Taylor and several other replacements are assigned to Bravo Company, 25th Infantry division. Worn down by the exhausting work and poor living conditions, his enthusiasm for the war wanes and he develops an admiration for the more experienced soldiers.

One night while on ambush patrol, his sleeping unit attacked by a squad of North Vietnamese Army soldiers. Gardner, a fellow new recruit, is killed, and another soldier (Tex) is maimed by "friendly fire" from a grenade thrown by Sergeant O'Neill. Despite having passed the watch duty to Junior, Taylor is blamed for the casualties. The platoon's most seasoned sergeants, the compassionate Sergeant Elias and harsh Staff Sergeant Barnes, argue about the issue. Taylor discovers a light wound to his neck is sent to the field hospital for treatment.

Taylor returns from the hospital and gains acceptance from a tight-knit group in his unit that socialises, dances, and consumes drugs in an underground clubhouse. Next door, more conservative members of the unit drink beer and play cards. As the patrols continue, Taylor becomes a more seasoned soldier, no longer standing out amongst the others. During one patrol, a soldier (Manny) goes missing. His mutilated body is found tied to a post close by. The platoon soon reaches a nearby village, where a cache of food and weapons is discovered. The soldiers explore the village and in one house Taylor discovers a one-legged young man and his elderly mother hiding in a ditch beneath the floor. Taylor "snaps", taunting the man and shooting at the ground before and forcing him to "dance". Sergeant O'Neill, responding to the shots fired, tells the group to vacate the hutch. Bunny turns to leave, then attacks the one-legged man with the butt of his shotgun, bludgeoning him to death.

Despite the villagers' denials, Barnes believes they are aiding Viet Cong soldiers and shoots a defiant woman (the village chief's wife) in the head. When the murdered woman's daughter cries out, Barnes takes the child at gunpoint, threatening to shoot her next if the villagers don't reveal the Viet Cong. Sergeant Elias arrives and gets into a fistfight with Barnes over the incident. Lieutenant Wolfe ends the fight, and orders the men to burn the village. As the men leave, Taylor comes across a group of soldiers raping a Vietnamese girl. Taylor stops the attack and rescues the girl.

Upon returning to base, Elias reports Barnes' actions to Captain Harris, who cannot afford to remove Barnes due to a lack of personnel. The Captain warns the Sergeants to "cease fire", "...or there will be a court-martial". Taylor speaks of this as "a civil war in the platoon. Half with Elias, half with Barnes." On their next patrol the platoon is ambushed and becomes pinned down in a firefight. Elias, with Taylor and two other soldiers, goes to intercept flanking enemy troops. Barnes orders the rest of the platoon to retreat and goes back into the jungle to find Elias' group. After sending Taylor and the two soldiers back, Barnes finds Elias and shoots him, leaving him for dead. Barnes reaches the helicopter and after they take off, a severely wounded Elias emerges from the jungle, running from a large group of NVA soldiers. As the helicopter circles overhead, Elias dies after being shot several more times by the NVA.

Back at base, Taylor attempts to talk his group into killing Barnes in retaliation. While drinking, Barnes overhears this, and enters the room, daring them to kill him. No one takes up the offer, but as Barnes leaves, Taylor attacks him. Barnes manages to get the upper hand, and holds a knife to Taylor's face. Rhah talks Barnes out of killing Taylor.

The platoon is later sent back to the ambush area in order to build and maintain heavy defensive positions against potential attack. That night a large attack occurs and the defensive lines are broken. During the chaos, Barnes and Taylor come face-to-face. As Barnes is about to kill Taylor with a shovel, the two are knocked unconscious by a last-ditch American napalm attack. A wounded Taylor regains consciousness the next morning and finds Barnes, who is also wounded. Taylor aims a rifle at Barnes, who dares him to pull the trigger. Taylor shoots Barnes three times in the chest, killing him. He then collapses and awaits medical attention. As he is loaded onto the helicopter, Taylor is reminded that because he has been wounded twice he can finally go home.

Based largely on Oliver Stone's own experience as a member of the light infantry in Vietnam, "Platoon" was the first film brave enough to pull out all the stops and put the realities of the Vietnam War on the big screen. For this reason it was highly criticized and highly rewarded. It won all four of it's Oscar nominations (including Best Picture) and was widely acclaimed as the best film of 1986, beating out the phenomenally popular "Top Gun". "Platoon" is also a milestone in the careers of several actors; it was Johnny Depp's third motion picture and Charlie Sheen's first significant role. While some of the principal actors disappeared into society (just as some of the vets from Vietnam did), many of the actors have gone on to experience great success thanks to Stone's visionary film.

If you care to impress your friends with a bit of film trivia; "Platoon" is banned in Vietnam.

My Rating: 8.5/10

Content to Caution:
V-4.5 - War-related violence throughout. Jungle combat is presented in the most graphic form to represent the realities of warfare.
L-4.5 - Continuous cursing and coarse language.
DU-3 - Smoking throughout with scenes of drug abuse and drinking.
RT-3 - Significant racial tension between American troops and Vietnamese soldiers and citizens.
H/S-2 -No comment.
CH-3.5 - No comment.
S/N-2 - One scene of attempted rape.

The "Reel Revelation": "Fighting The Enemy Within"

Renowned for its stunningly accurate portrayal of jungle combat during the Vietnam War, "Platoon" is also highly regarded for its exploration into the inner struggles faced by the who fought during the conflict in Vietnam. As the film is based on Oliver Stone's personal experiences as a soldier in Vietnam, we can trust that the events in the film are quite accurate to the emotional and physical difficulties the U.S. troops faced in that hell of a war zone. What struck me as being equally (if not more) troubling than the combat conditions the soldiers faced was the struggle that took place within their own lives as they tried to maintain physical strength and mental sanity. It's no wonder that so many renowned war films have included strong psycho-analytical moments and plot lines. Perhaps you remember the strong emotional and mental struggles faced by soldiers in films such as "Apocalypse Now", "We Were Soldiers", and "Saving Private Ryan".

Consider these words that Chris Taylor spoke toward the end of "Platoon": "I think now, looking back, we did not fight the enemy, we fought ourselves, and the enemy was in us. The war is over for me now, but it will always be there, the rest of my days."

I suspect there are many veterans who would say the very same thing; that the war goes on in their hearts and that they continue to fight against themselves, their memories, and their fear of what happened during war-time. As I have never been a solider in the armed forces, I won't try to dissect this line of thinking and figure out why such brave men would feel this way. But I do see a direct connection between this sentiment and the very real struggle we face each day as we battle against ourselves, the desires of the flesh, and the seemingly natural instinct to do exactly what God commands us not to. But this ought to not be too great a surprise to us...we've been warned:

"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; avoid such men as these." (1 Timothy 3:1-5)

Who is Paul writing about in this passage? To whom is he specifically referring? I wish he was warning Timothy against a certain group of people, but Paul's warning is in reference to all people, including Christians. Paul knew, as we ought, that even the "best of Christians" can do any (or all!) of the things he listed. Check your life against Paul's list; you'll be sure to find at least a couple things you've struggled with and stumbled through. This passage reminds me of one of my favorite sayings: "There's nothing special about a Christian except that they're saved." That comment isn't mean to be disparaging, only glaringly honest in the face of our sinful nature.

Just as soldiers in combat did (and continue to do) battle with their conscience and inner-self, so we also find an enemy in our human nature. As if it wasn't enough to have to resist and do battle with all of the exterior temptations and spiritual forces, we also have to wrestle with our very essence as human beings! How many times have you found yourself exhausted from fighting against your own selfish desires and sinful impulses? Much time and energy is spent waging those battles, but neither are wasted if we learn from our experiences; if we come to "know thyself" through struggling with our own sinfulness.

Lent is a season of reflection and meditation. Many choose to spend significant time reflecting and meditating on the sufferings of Jesus. I encourage you to do the same! But be sure to give sufficient time to reflect on your own life. Pray and ask God to help you see the "weak spots" in your life; places where you find yourself most frustrated with your behavior. Pray that God will help you to turn from sin and give the fight over to Him. We cannot achieve victory ourselves, but Jesus has already claimed victory over sin through his death and glorious resurrection. That doesn't mean that the battle raging within our souls will cease. Quite the contrary; we'll fight "the enemy within" until the day we die. But with full knowledge of Christ's victory in our hearts we can live in the freedom that comes from God, for we know that the war is over and Jesus is the victor!

See you tomorrow - E.T.