E.T.'s Film Review

"Eat Pray Love" Reflection from Stacie

2011-08-02T20:16:00.005-05:00

Friends - I do hope you're all quite well during these summer months. It has been exceptionally hot, humid, and stormy here in Illinois. And yet life is good and God is great. God be praised.

I wanted to share a reflection my friend Stacie wrote on "Eat Pray Love". I e-mailed her my "Reel Revelation" from that film (http://etsreview.blogspot.com/2011/03/eat-pray-love.html - If care to remind yourself) as I did with some of my reflections before posting them on this blog. This is the response she offered. I hope you'll give it a close read and enjoy another take on this film.

Eat, Pray, Love: A Delightful Human Experience

***A quick word on divorce in a Christian context: I do not believe the author of the book or producer of the movie intended a Christian sub-context from the title’s “Pray” or the movie’s spiritual context. I personally do not hold an “American New Yorker” protagonist character accountable to the same Judeo-Christian values that I personally ascribe to.

(In my personal experience, however, I am grateful to those values that caused me personally to take my vows gravely seriously: failure to do so on my part would have lead to a disastrous and painful marriage one year ago. I have nothing but incredible thanks to God for causing me to take them seriously, yet I still do not “judge” or in any way “devalue” another human being for holding different values.)

Liz: living the perfect American dream… but she feels like something is missing. She’s married to a good man, living a good life, and everything is “good.” Something is definitely missing. She wants out. Her marriage isn’t perfect – communication skills definitely lack, but she really isn’t in need for anything. So why is she feeling so guilty? Why is she feeling so dead?

Younger man David seems to fill the gaping hole… for a while. He’s different, exciting, new. Yet the same problems keep coming back. Empty. Dead. Lifeless. Something is missing. David seems to be a younger version of her former husband. Liz comes to a stunning realization: is the dead reality of life just filling it with man after man? Relationship after relationship? Could there be more to life?

Eating. Enjoying now. Not feeling guilty about savoring the moment. Not measuring oneself based on the opinion of another, or the feeling of whether the enjoyment is “deserved” just enjoying. Praying. Clearing space. Clearing the garbage to have room to love. Forgiving oneself. Love. Loving yourself. Trusting. Giving what you would have meaninglessly given before to be meaningful. Letting go.

I really enjoyed this movie: it symbolically represented the celebration of my one year past my breakup, and I’m somewhere in the between the Eat and Pray stages… :)

Pardon the fragmented sentences, but I really truly enjoyed the movie. I would add that with the whispers of love from my Creator, it added layers to my own story to this “Delightful Human Experience” realizing that it is both brilliant and beautiful, and that I am in the middle of my own healing process, and that God is good beyond my comprehension, and sometimes that overwhelms me… and as I read from C.S. Lewis, when you feel like something’s missing, maybe, just maybe you were destined for eternity? :)

Thanks for sharing, Stacie! As we seek to enjoy and understand our "Delightful Human Experience(s)", may God support us by His Word, strengthen us by the Spirit, and guide us with His loving hand.

Wishing you all good and peace - E.T.

The Final Reflection

2011-04-23T00:39:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends and Readers - Lent is come to an end, and so shall this Review. For another year, that is.

My thanks to all of you who read, responded, and encouraged me during the course of this Lenten season. It seems to have gone by exceptionally quick, but I hope you all found peace, challenge, and a deepening of devotion and faith as we meditated, prayed, and explored together. People still ask me why I spend so much time "pulling" spiritual themes out of films. I've used that word before, too, "pulling", but it doesn't feel like pulling at all...when I watch a film they're as clear to me as explosions and car chases.

I only missed two reviews this year, and that's in keeping with my previous "record". I'm glad we got to try out the idea of doing film series, and I think it went fairly well, aside from "Star Wars" in which the "Reel Reflections" weren't written in the form of a series, so that only half-counts. We made it to 100 reviews posted! And I hope we all grew closer to Jesus in some way. That is all I ever hope for in this Review. I also enjoy it when you go out and see new movies because of my reflections here. But it is always better to grow nearer to Jesus than to throw more money at Hollywood.

For the last two years i've suggested that I might do some reviewing during the "off-season"; that is, whenever it isn't Lent. I've failed to do any significant reviewing to that end, so I won't make any promises this time. Nor will I be producing hard-copy versions of this year's Review. The reviews will be available on the blog, and you're welcome to come back and read whenever you please. They're not protected under any sort of copyright, so you're free to quote the content of the reviews should you desire to.

See you in a few, and thanks again!

I wish you good and peace - E.T.

"The Town"

2011-04-23T00:07:00.000-05:00

Title: "The Town"

Director: Ben Affleck
Producers: G. King and Basil Iwanyk
Editing: Dylan Tichenor
Composer: H.G. Williams and D. Buckley
Starring:
- Ben Affleck as Doug MacRay
- Jon Hamm as Special Agent Adam Frawley
- Rebecca Hall as Claire Keesey
- Jeremy Renner as James "Jem" Coughlin
- Blake Lively as Krista Coughlin
- Chris Cooper as Stephen MacRay
- Slaine as Albert "Gloansy" Magloan
- Titus Welliver as Dino Ciampa
- Pete Postlethwaite as Fergus "Fergie" Colm
- Owen Burke as Desmond "Dez" Elden

Plot and Critical Review: Four lifelong friends—Doug MacRay, James "Jem" Coughli, Albert "Gloansy" Magloan, and Desmond "Dez" Elden, from the dangerous streets of Charlestown, a neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts—rob a Cambridge bank, taking bank manager Claire Keesey hostage. After Claire's release, Doug follows her and they begin a relationship. He explains that his mother deserted him as a child and apparently moved to Tangerine, Florida.

FBI agent Adam Frawley surveys the crew of MacRay, Coughlin, Magloan and Elden and realizes they work for "Fergie" Colm, a local florist. Doug is hesitant to undertake their next assignment, and his fears are confirmed during the robbery in the North End, where gunfire erupts. The police arrive quickly, a chase ensues, and the team barely escapes. Frawley then arrests the four of them and interrogates each of them, hoping to get a confession, but fails. Frawley learns of Doug and Claire's relationship through a recorded phone conversation and confronts her about the suspects. Claire is shocked to learn that Doug is a suspect, but Frawley believes she is an accomplice because of her relationship with Doug.

During a visit to his father at the local state prison, Doug reveals his plan to leave Charlestown and go to Florida. Jem approaches Doug with another job, but turns it down. Doug tells Fergie he will not do the job, but Fergie reveals that Doug's mother never left the family; instead, she committed suicide after Fergie got her addicted to drugs in retaliation for Doug's father attempting to also leave Fergie's employ. Fergie tells Doug he will kill Claire if he doesn't agree to the job, so Doug agrees, but threatens to kill him if he even suspects Fergie will harm Claire.

The job is at Fenway Park. Doug and Jem enter dressed as Boston police officers, trick the guards and counting room staff, steal millions of dollars, and prepare to leave in an ambulance dressed as paramedics. Jem spots SWAT officers and begins to shoot. In the firefight, Dez is killed. Gloansy creates a diversion and is killed while Doug and Jem put their cop uniforms back on and slip out. Agent Frawley figures out the ruse, catches sight of Jem, and tries to arrest him. Jem fires at Frawley and tries to escape, but he is cornered by the police. He has a shootout with the police in the middle of the street, and manages to shoot a few of the officers before being wounded in the leg by a blast from Frawley's shotgun. Knowing there is no way out, Jem chooses to let the police kill him in suicide by cop fashion, rather than go to prison.

Doug escapes in a police cruiser, heads to Town Flowers, killing both Fergie and his bodyguard. He calls Claire and asks her to come away with him, but he is watching from his uncle's apartment across the street and can see the FBI are in the same room with her. Claire, at first tells him to come to the room to pick her up, but in the end gives him a coded message to warn him to stay away. Doug takes an MBTA uniform from his uncle's closet and escapes from Boston. Later, Claire finds a bag buried in a community garden. The bag contains money, a tangerine, and a note that ends with "I'll see you again, on this side or the other." Claire uses the money to finance a renovation of a local hockey rink, and dedicates it to Doug's mother. Doug is then seen over an estuary, suggesting that he did, in fact, make it to Florida.

"The Town" has received critical acclaim. Review aggregate Rotten Tomatoes reports that 94% of critics have given the film a positive review based on 202 reviews, with an average score of 7.7/10, making the film a "certified fresh" on the website's rating system. The site describes the film as "tense, smartly written, and wonderfully cast". Review aggregator Metacritic gives the film a score of 74 out of 100 based on 42 critics. Roger Ebert gave the film 3 out of 4 stars, praising Jeremy Renner's performance and Affleck's direction.

Several reviewers praised the film's action sequences. In his review for the New York Times, A. O. Scott commented on the opening heist, "That sequence, like most of the other action set pieces in the film, is lean, brutal and efficient, and evidence of Mr. Affleck’s skill and self-confidence as a director." Brooks, in The Guardian, wrote that the action sequences were "sharply orchestrated" but added "it's a bogus, bull-headed enterprise all the same; a film that leaves no cliche untrampled." Justin Chang wrote in Variety that the action scenes strike "an ideal balance between kineticism and clarity" aided by cinematographer Robert Elswit and film editor Dylan Tichenor. Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun Times gave the film an A+, noting that he found the film incredibly similar to Michael Mann's "Heat", which he described as "one of my favorite movies of all time."

As a Boston-based crime drama, the movie forms part of a "crime-movie subgenre" typically marked by "flavorsome accents, pungent atmosphere and fatalistic undertow," according to Chang. Within that subgenre, which includes "The Boondock Saints", "The Departed", "Mystic River" and Affleck's "Gone Baby Gone", "The Town" is more of a straightforward crime-procedural and has a more optimistic outlook. (Wikipedia.com)

My Rating: 7.5/10

Content to Caution:
V-4 - Gunfights, fistfights, beatings, stabbings, scuffles, etc.
L-5 - 150+ uses of the "F-Word". Not for children, this one.
DU-1 - Several characters drink heavily, and one character seems to always be using narcotics.
RT-1.5 - No comment.
H/S-2.5 - The violence certainly does ramp up, and the "line of suspense" is kept taught throughout.
CH-3.5 - Plenty of it here.
S/N-2 - Two sex scenes, but no nudity in either. A topless woman is shown at a strip club.

The "Reel Revelation": "Cement Boots"

We cheat on tests.

We lie to our friends.

We betray the confidence of others.

We cut throats to get ahead.

We cover up the evidence so that no one ever finds out.

And...

We confess "I believe in God, the Father, Almighty..."

We say our prayers before bedtime.

We quote Scripture to help the needy and hurting.

We lift our hands and hearts in worship.

We carry our crosses every day.

They seem to be in absolute opposition, the litany of trespasses and the litany of acts of faith. Yet we who believe in Christ one moment are sure to turn our back on Him and sin against God and one another the very next. It's what we do, and we ("we" meaning the human race) have been doing it for so long, we've gotten pretty good at it.

James, speaking only of the tongue (our words), had this much to say:

"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)

In "The Town", we get to know a group of fellas who seem to be caught up in the same sort of duality. One moment they're enjoying one another's company, spending time with each other's families, having BBQs, and talking about baseball. The very next they're dressed up as nuns and carrying automatic rifles over their shoulders as they go to rob a bank. Are they not aware of the wrong they're doing? Are we?

Doug MacRay is aware, and as his relationship with Claire deepens, he begins to see the real danger in his "side-job". He sees the life they could have together, a good and happy life. He realizes that if he sticks with his crew and continues in his criminal ways, there will never be a chance to have what he begins to desire. He realizes it's just too dangerous, and decides to walk away from it all. When he tries to talk it over with "Jem", his words fall on deaf ears. "Jem" refuses to let him walk away, even threatening him if he should turn his back! To "Jem", crime is the only lifestyle! A lifestyle of sin will seem the same to the sinners, as well, even if they don't realize the sins they're committing.

As Christians we face a very similar predicament. We see our sin clearly (or we ought, for how can we so easily ignore the Man on the Cross and not think of what we've done), yet I know that, within my own heart, I often fail to grasp how serious my errors are; how tremendously destructive my trespassing can be. God's forgiveness abounds to us, and we must embrace it daily. But as we plead with God for mercy, let us take the necessary amount of time to realize what it is we've done by our sinful nature. Perhaps we might ask ourselves the following questions (or similar ones) as we prepare for confession before God:

- By my sinful nature, what have I done that has hurt me?

- By my sinful nature, what have I done that has hurt someone else?

- By my sinful nature, what have I done that has hurt the Heart of God?

- By the grace of God, how should I seek forgiveness with myself for what i've done?

- By the grace of God, how should I seek forgiveness with someone else for what i've done?

- By the grace of God, how should I seek forgiveness with God for what i've done?

We're not mobsters or crime-lords, but we behave like them everyday when we let our sins slip past us and don't take into account how much damage they really do. We might not be slapping concrete boots on our friends and throwing them in the river, but what we are doing (go back to the list at the top of this review if you've forgotten) is dealing a spiritual death to the ones we love.

Give thanks to God, for when you come to God and tell Him that you're ready to "walk away" from the sins you've committed, he will not reject you as "Jem" rejected Doug. Quite the opposite, my friends. He will defend you from your accusers, pick you up, show you the way, and say:

"I do not condemn you. ... Go. From now on, sin no more." (John 8:11)

I wish you good and peace - E.T.

Tomorrow...

2011-04-22T01:26:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone - I will be unable to post tonight, but will do so as soon as I can tomorrow. Thanks for your patience. - E.T.

"That Thing You Do!"

2011-04-20T22:55:00.006-05:00

Title: "That Thing You Do!"

Director: Tom Hanks
Producer: T. Hanks and J. Demme
Editing: Richard Chew
Music:

- Score: Howard Shore

- Songs: T. Hanks, A. Schlesinger, R. Elias, H. Shore, etc.
Starring:
- Tom Everett Scott as Guy "Shades" Patterson
- Johnathon Schaech as James "Jimmy" Mattingly II
- Steve Zahn as Leonard "Lenny" Haise
- Ethan Embry as "T. B. Player," a.k.a. The Bass Player
- Tom Hanks as Mr. White
- Liv Tyler as Faye Dolan
- Charlize Theron as Tina Powers
- Bill Cobbs as Del Paxton
- Giovanni Ribisi as Chad
- Obba Babatundé as Lamarr
- Chris Ellis as Phil Horace
- Alex Rocco as Sol Siler
- Chris Isaak as Uncle Bob

Plot and Critical Review: In 1964, Guy Patterson is a drummer and jazz fan who works at his family's appliance store in Erie, Pennsylvania. Rhythm guitarist/singer Jimmy Mattingly and lead guitarist/singer Lenny Haise ask Guy to substitute at the annual Mercyhurst College talent show for their group's injured regular drummer. The group, including the bass player, plan on playing a ballad written by Jimmy and Lenny titled "That Thing You Do". Jimmy's girlfriend Faye Dolan suggests for the group the name "The Oneders"; it is pronounced "ONE-ders", but it is almost always mispronounced as the "oh-NEE-ders."

At the talent show, Guy unexpectedly sets up a fast, pounding beat rhythm to the originally slow-paced love song and it excites the crowd. The Oneders win the $100 top prize, obtain their first paying gig at a pizza parlor, and begin selling a single of "That Thing You Do", which receives local radio airplay and earns them bookings in nearby cities. After being herded by a local manager, their act becomes hotter and, at a Pittsburgh gig, a record company A&R representative (Mr. White) signs the band to Play-Tone Records, renaming the group The Wonders.

The Wonders and Faye tour state fairs across the Midwest during the summer with other Play-Tone artists. During the course of the tour Guy and Faye grow closer. "That Thing You Do" enters and climbs the Billboard Top 100. The Wonders go from being an opening act to the featured attraction, and throngs of teenage girls mob the band. Half-way through the tour The Bass Player announces that he still plans to enlist in the United States Marine Corps at the end of the summer. When "That Thing You Do" hits the Billboard Top 10, Play-Tone sends the band to Hollywood to meet Sol Siler, the label's owner. On the flight, Faye comes down with a mild case of flu and only Guy seems solicitous of her comfort. Siler and White promise The Wonders that they will appear in a major motion picture and have a recording session for a new album.

The Wonders appear as "Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters" in the low-budget beach movie "Weekend at Party Pier"; this and Siler's other actions disillusion Jimmy, whose apparent disinterest in anything (or anyone) disturbs White and, slowly, the other members of the band. The Bass Player leaves the group to join Marines he met at the hotel restaurant and never returns. Guy meets his idol, jazz pianist Del Paxton , at a jazz club. An experienced studio bassist named Scott Pell joins The Wonders for a live performance on The Hollywood Television Showcase. During the nationally televised prime-time variety show, the words "Careful girls, he's engaged!" are captioned on the screen beneath Jimmy's image. After the show, Jimmy disrupts the Wonders' dressing suite celebration by demanding to know from Faye who suggested they were engaged. As the others listen in horror, Jimmy tells Faye he does not intend to marry her, and Faye brokenheartedly ends their relationship. As everyone but Guy leaves the suite, Guy asks Jimmy why he couldn't have dumped her in Pittsburgh.

The band gathers in the studio for a recording session and Jimmy is enraged to learn the Wonders are to record mostly songs from the Play-Tone catalog for their album. In an implication that this is his opportunity to teach Jimmy a lesson in humility, White tells Jimmy their Play-Tone contract gives White the final say on the album's material. He promises Jimmy one original song per side of the album but demands "snappy" material, not ballads. Outraged, Jimmy quits the band. Lenny never showed up for the session, having driven to Las Vegas to elope with a Play-Tone secretary/former Playboy Bunny after the televised show. White declares the group in breach of contract but declines to pursue those charges legally, concurrently implying that Guy - whom he obviously respects the most of anyone in the band - should pursue Faye. Del Paxton, who is recording next door, hears Guy's drumming and the two record a jam session. Later that afternoon Guy meets Faye at the hotel just as she is about to leave for Erie. Guy tells Faye that Del thinks he has potential as a studio musician, and that he's decided to stay in California to pursue his music. Guy finally expresses his feelings for Faye and kisses her. The two embrace.

I believe I saw "That Thing You Do!" when it came out in theatres. If I didn't see it on the big screen, I know I saw it soon after it was released on VHS. I was hooked from my first viewing. I remember pleading with my Mom to get me the soundtrack. I've since bought, lost, and re-purchased the soundtrack two or three times. The music is infectiously joyous and certainly reflective of the "pop" music of the 60s. Other tracks feature groups that try to replace the "popular sounds" of that musical era; jazz quartets, girl groups (think The Supremes), the ballad diva, and surf rock. Here are some links for your consideration:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-uP0N3jjmc&feature=related ("That Thing You Do!")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq9BDLpI3JI ("Hold My Hand, Hold My Heart")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgP4zxg1_hE ("Dance With Me Tonight" - My favorite.)

"That Thing..." brought in a modest $34 million at the theatres, but it has since gone on to reach cult-like status as a favorite in many demographics. Not only do people love the movie itself (a huge leap for Tom Hanks, as this was his direct directing gig), but the music has jumped off of the screen and found a welcome home with fans all over the world. Where else in the musical sphere do we find actual rock and roll bands covering songs written and performed by a fictional group?

Should you care to impress your friends with some trivia, you can tell them that Tom Hanks is the highest grossing actor of all time; his entire filmography has made over $3.6 billion dollars.

My Rating: 8.5/10 (That might seem high for a quasi-independent film, but the critics agree, as does the general response of moviegoers.)

Content to Caution:
V-1 - No comment.
L-2 - Young men with hasty tongues. You know how it is...
DU-1 - Some drinking and smoking.
RT-0 - No comment.
H/S-0 - No comment.
CH-2 - Young men making young men's jokes. You know how it is...
S/N-1 - Some kissing. Lenny befriends and marries a former Playboy Bunny who isn't afraid to show it.

The "Reel Revelation": "Failing Fervor and Single-Mindedness"

Have you ever gotten a job that you felt was "perfect" for you? You get into a new position and it feels like the job was meant just for you. You feel alive as you find that every ounce of your creative and professional energies are being utilized. Then, after a time, your fervor starts to fail, and you lose interest. Before long you find that you don't care quite as much as you used to; that your former love has faded. If this was your "dream job", you must've woken up, because it just doesn't have the appeal it used to. What happened?!

We all experience this sense of fading interest and passion. If we don't experience it in our jobs, we definitely experience it in our relationships. Once the "honeymoon phase" ends (be it in a new friendship or in a romantic relationship) we find ourselves holding back, discovering that we're not so willing to commit as much time or effort to the relationship. Our love for the person remains (just as we might still love a job, or a certain type of service), but our interest starts to fade away. This is, in a sense, the predicament faced by the members of The Wonders in "That Thing You Do!" You'd think they'd be endlessly excited about their meteoric rise to the top of the charts, but the higher they climb the more they're put to the test by distractions and other opportunities. Lenny, once the co-writer of the group, can't stop thinking about women. He drives to Vegas and marries a Playboy Bunny. The Bass Player only ever wanted to be in the USMC and bails on the band to enlist. Jimmy (who, at first glance, seems to be the musical center of the group) becomes more interested in his own music and success. In the end, Guy seems to be the only member of the band who genuinely cares about the music at all.

But even Guy faced distractions, and in the film that distraction came in the form of Faye Dolan, the heartbreakingly sweet "costume specialist" who tagged along with the group wherever they went. Even when Faye was dating Jimmy (which she was through 95% of the film), Guy's feelings for her were unchanging; he loved her from the get-go. But Guy kept his feelings for her in check. He recognized his affections, but didn't allow them to overpower his senses. He cared for her, played with her, laughed with her, and kept her company, but never at the expense of the task at hand. He never compromised his love of music, nor did he jeopardize his drive to become a great musician. And when the opportunity came for him to confess his love, he jumped at it. But even then, Faye didn't suddenly overwhelm his focus; she became a part of it! How has God turned potential distractions (whatever they may be) into a part of your ministry and evangelism?

St. Paul admonished the Christians in Corinth to be "like-minded" (2. Cor. 13:11) in proclaiming the Gospel. He knew that they lived in a city full of distractions and saw how easily they could be pulled apart by the divisions that could creep into their fellowship of faith. Even the most fervent Christians, full of zeal for Christ and the Gospel, were pouring their energies into issues which actually took them away from the work of the Kingdom. See 1 Cor. 1-4 for examples. While it was important for Christians to be tending to matters which concerned the Body of Christ, Paul saw how the concerns (and sin) of even one individual could distract others from serving Christ in a "like-minded" fashion. Go back The Wonders and consider how a band of immense popularity and (relative) talent ought to have been focused on one goal; making music, selling records, and showing fans a good time. The distractions they faced (that seemed to be no more than trifles in the beginning) eventually led to the band's dissolution. How much more damage will our distractions do to the Body of Christ!

The Christians in Corinth struggled with it, as did those in Philippi. To those, St. Paul wrote:

"Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose." (Phil. 2:1-2)

That "purpose"?

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28: 19-20)

Distractions to the left
Distractions to the right

Before and above

Behind and below

Shut them out
Shut them up
Shut them away
And "Go..."

See you tomorrow - E.T.

"The Terminal"

2011-04-19T22:45:00.005-05:00

Title: "The Terminal"
Director: Steven Spielberg
Producers: S. Spielberg, W.F. Parkes, L. MacDonald, and A. Niccol
Editing: Michael Kahn
Composer: John Williams
Starring:
- Tom Hanks as Viktor Navorski
- Catherine Zeta-Jones as Amelia Warren
- Stanley Tucci as Frank Dixon
- Barry Shabaka Henley as Thurman
- Kumar Pallana as Rajan Gupta
- Diego Luna as Enrique Cruz
- Chi McBride as Mulroy
- Zoë Saldana as Dolores Torres
- Eddie Jones as Salchak

Plot and Critical Review: Viktor Navorski arrives at JFK International Airport, but finds that he is not allowed to enter the United States. While he was en route to the US, a revolution was started in his home nation of Krakozhia. Due to the civil war, the United States no longer recognizes Krakozhia as a sovereign nation and denies Viktor's entrance to the US on the grounds that Viktor technically has no citizenship. Unable to leave the airport or return to Krakozhia, Viktor instead lives in the terminal.

Viktor quickly befriends the staff at the terminal while being under the watchful eye of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Head Frank Dixon, who wants Navorski removed from the airport. Initially being deprived of food by Dixon as a method of trying to get him arrested and made someone else's problem, Navorski takes on the task of retrieving vacant baggage trolleys for the 25 cent reward from the machine. He uses this money to buy food from Burger King until eventually Dixon prevents him from collecting. He then makes his first friend, a catering car driver named Enrique who asks him to approach a female Customs and Border Protection officer named Dolores for him in exchange for food. With Viktor's help, Enrique and Dolores eventually marry each other. He meets flight attendant Amelia Warren, who asks him out to dinner, but he tries to earn money in order to ask Amelia out instead. He finally gets an off-the-books job as a construction worker at the airport earning $19 an hour.

Viktor is asked to interpret for a desperate Russian man with undocumented drugs for his sick father. Viktor claims it is "medicine for goat," barring the drug from confiscation and resolving the crisis. Under pressure and the watchful eye of the Airport Ratings committee, who is evaluating Dixon for an upcoming promotion, Dixon has a falling out with Viktor. Though Dixon is advised that sometimes rules must be ignored, he becomes obsessed with getting Viktor ejected from the airport. An Airport janitor Rajan Gupta, exaggerates the "goat" incident to his fellow co-workers and as a result, Viktor earns the respect and admiration of all of the airport staff.

One day, Viktor explains to Amelia that the purpose of his visit to New York is to collect an autograph from the tenor saxophonist Benny Golson. His late father was a jazz enthusiast who had discovered the "Great Day in Harlem" photograph in a Hungarian newspaper in 1958, and vowed to get an autograph of all the 57 jazz musicians featured on the photograph.

A few months later, the war in Krakozhia ends, but Dixon will still not allow Viktor to enter the United States. Amelia reveals that she had asked her 'friend' — actually a married government official with whom she had been having an affair — to assist Viktor in obtaining permission to travel within the US, but Viktor is disappointed to learn she has renewed her relationship with the man during this process.

To make matters worse, Dixon needs to sign the form granting Viktor the right to remain in the United States, but refuses. He instead blackmails Viktor into returning to Krakozhia, or he will deport Gupta to his native country, where he is wanted for assaulting a corrupt police officer. Upon hearing this, Gupta runs in front of Viktor's plane and asks Viktor to go anyway. The plane is delayed, giving Viktor enough time to go into the city and obtain the autograph. With the blessing of the entire airport staff, Viktor leaves the airport after receiving a uniform coat from a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Assistant Port Director and hails a taxi. Dixon, watching Viktor leave the airport, decides not to pursue him. As Viktor prepares to take the taxi to a Ramada Inn where Benny Golson is performing, he observes Amelia exiting from a cab, where she gives him a wistful smile. He has a short conversation with the cab driver, telling him how to avoid traffic on the way to the hotel and that he is from Krakozhia. The driver tells Viktor that he is from Albania and arrived earlier that week. He attends the show and collects the autograph, finally completing the collection. Afterwards, Viktor leaves and hails a taxi, telling the driver: "I am going home."

I believe "The Terminal" ought to be considered an American classic, but I realize that I am one of very few who feel that way. While "The Terminal" opened to fair reviews and a relatively successful box office response (it made almost 4x its budget), it has since slipped in favor and most film critics rate it in the "middle of the road". That is, most reviews come back in the 4-5/10 range. Most criticisms surround the pace of the movie; that it fails to go slow or fast enough to create dramatic tension or suspense. That is one of the reasons why I favor this film; it doesn't require too much of the viewer (great films do not always have to, no matter what popular opinion says) but still satisfies with an original plot and solid acting.

"The Terminal" was the 3rd film that paired Steven Spielberg's legendary directorial technique with Tom Hanks' impeccable acting talent. Their track record speaks for itself, and I hope we will see more films that share the talents of these two tremendous artists.

The first three or four times I watched the movie I was astonished that Spielberg was able to convince an international airport into allowing him to shoot such extensive scenes in a public place that sustains unavoidably heavy foot traffic. If you need another reason to favor Spielberg as a director and producer, please take into consideration that he had a fully functioning airport terminal (International Transit Lounge) built for the sake of this film. Real coffee in the Starbucks machines, real books on the Borders shelves, and real Whoppers at Burger King. Spielberg spared no expense. The escalators were purchased from a department store that had gone bankrupt. The terminal might not have looked like any airport you've ever been in, but did you ever get the sense you were watching a film shot on a sound stage? Well done, sir.

My Rating: 7/10

Content to Caution:
V-1.5 - A man threatens to kill himself over the confiscation of medicine for his father. A brief scuffle follows.
L-2 - Here and there.
DU-1.5 - Some characters are seen drinking, especially when Viktor learns he can go home. One character smokes in a luggage assembly area.
RT-1 - No comment.
H/S-0 - No comment.
CH-2 - A few jokes are made about sexual topics, and there is some rough humor shared between characters.
S/N-1 - Amelia speaks of her affair quite candidly. She and Viktor share a kiss.

The "Reel Revelation": "The Blessed In-Between"

Viktor Navorski was in between flights. What should have been a brief stop in NYC and a speedy return home turned into an 11-month "in-between" period as Viktor waited for clearance to enter NYC, get a prized autograph, and fly back to his homeland. Viktor simply said, "I'm in between flights..." We also have a few "in betweens" we report to one another:

"I'm in between jobs..."

"I'm in between relationships..."

"I'm in between treatments..."

When placed against some of the real-life waiting periods we face, we might call Viktor lucky! As far-fetched as his story is, Viktor displays a model of behavior that we can genuinely learn from. If we're willing to be honest with ourselves, I think we'll find that we've been in his place many times, and are likely to find ourselves there again. Whether it's moving from one job to another, one home to another, one opportunity to another, or simply waiting to get from Point A to Point B, we find ourselves in a sort of "in-between" that challenges our patience and our trust in God, who guides us.

I felt challenged to that end in a particularly personal way when I was in between work. I'd resigned from one job and was trying to find another one. Time after time I was told that I wasn't qualified for the positions I was seeking. I felt just like Viktor when he'd visit Office Torres at the immigration desk..."unacceptable"...DENIED. The period of "in between" stretched on and on. I got distracted, disheartened, and disoriented. There were times when I forgot what direction I was supposed to be going; times when I'd forget how I even got to where I was in the first place. Frustration mounted and I just wanted to be out of the in between. Have you ever felt the same way?

Lent is very much a season of "in between". In a liturgical sense (that is, according to the calendar of the church) we're passing from "Ordinary Time" into the "Easter Season". Why can't we just get to the joy and celebration of the Resurrection? Why deal with 40 days of fasting, penance, and sad music? That we could, but the Resurrection would not be complete if there was no tomb for Jesus to come out of. Can we ignore it? If we tried to skip Lent we'd be as guilty as those who walked by the Cross and paid no attention to Jesus, hanging there in desolation. We'd be like those of whom Jeremiah spoke in Lamentations:

"Is it nothing to all you who pass this way?
Look and see if there is any pain like my pain
Which was severely dealt out to me,
Which the LORD inflicted on the day of His fierce anger." (Lamentations 1:12)

Jesus didn't suffer that "pain" for nothing. His endurance of such utter agony shows us that even the most unbearable periods of being "in between" can contain a most righteous purpose for our lives.

Think back to Viktor. He carried that peanut can with him at almost all times. It was a reminder of where he was going and a way of keeping him focused on fulfilling the promise he made to his father. Do you carry such a reminder with you? You might not choose to carry an actual item on your person, but is there something in your life that reminds you of where you're going, who you are, and whose you are? We would do very well to keep those three things in mind as often as possible.

If you're in an "in between" period right now and feeling pretty fed up, do not give up hope quite yet. Remember that even Viktor faced distractions. Not only was he compelled to help others complete their tasks, but he became quite distracted when he met Amelia. That relationship didn't pan out, but through his interactions with her he learned about himself and his capacity to love. You might be frustrated because something is keeping you from "moving forward", but what you might call an "obstacle" could in fact be an opportunity to learn more about yourself and your relationship with God. Thus, even when they are not preferable to our senses, we can still call the "in between" periods blessed. Remember...

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4)

If you are struggling, let these words be to you what Viktor's peanut can was to him; a reminder that your period of "in-between" is blessed, indeed! The carnation blooms during the months of winter when it seems there ought not be any life at all...will not your life bloom all the more as you wait to get from Point A to Point B?

See you tomorrow - E.T.

Time Out!

2011-04-19T00:47:00.004-05:00

Some of you might know that I am currently producing/directing the performance of an original musical composition at the church where I work. The performance is this coming Wednesday evening, and tonight we had our final dress rehearsal. The rehearsal ended on time but I wasn't able to get home until just recently, and as such I feel I am unable to do a review tonight. But I don't like to leave a void on the blog, so i'll share a short story I wrote a few years back. I might have posted it before on the Film Review blog, but if I did I don't remember. I hope you enjoy it and find that the message speaks to your life!

“Lessons in the Lettuce”

A man planted a garden with a variety of seeds and buds greater than that of any garden on Earth. When he had finished sowing the seeds, he watered and tended the garden with great care for many months. His faithful care and the provision of nature’s rain and sunlight caused the plants to grow speedily and in the best of health. The weeks of late summer arrived and the man would often look out over his garden, beholding the swaying harbor of green blossoming. Though he ate well off of the stores he kept through winter and spring, the prospect of young tomatoes, sweet carrots, and tender green beans tempted him toward the end of every day when he was most weary from his labor.

After a day of exceptionally difficult toil in the fields, the tired man returned home through the back gate which stood near the entrance of the garden. Oh, the scent of the cabbage! Oh, how the stems of the potato plants had grown and were beginning to show the fullness of the earth apples below his feet! And yes, how lovely the lettuce stood, leaves broad before the failing sunlight. It was a sight strong enough to entice even the boldest and stead-fast of souls. So great was the feast of green spread before the man that walking away empty-handed became a sure impossibility. Walking as one who hides a great secret he made straight for the tomatoes. His hand struck at the nearest crimson orb. Even now he cannot understand why so heavy a guilt encompassed his heart as he took hold and pulled. What a surprise when the tomato pulled back!
“Sir! Sir I do say unhand me this very moment!” What else could the humble farmer do but pull his hand back twice as quickly as he had reached out? He stumbled back. The tomato bobbed up and down before coming to a rest as two clever-looking eyes and a broad mouth formed out of the waxy flesh.

“How dare you pick me, sir?! Have you no good sense? I am red enough for looks, yes, but I am at least two weeks away from ripeness! I should be thankful indeed that my stem is much stronger now and able to resist your greed and gluttony. Why, you are worse than the deer that prance through the garden and nibble as they please. Half of this vine has been lost to their unchecked feeding!” Silence stood. I don’t have to describe to you how shocked and dumbfounded the farmer was. Finally he managed to form what we might accept as a phrase of surprise.
“You can talk!” exclaimed the farmer.
“Aye, I can. It seems I’m also quite better at it than you.”
“I…I am sorry. I’m used to staring at you, not conversing.” There was but a moment of pause as his eyes filled with a most-greedy twinkle. “And what a beautiful tomato you are! Why, you could tell me all the secrets of tomatoes. How to grow them, how often to water them, and what type of vine bracing proves the most fruitful…pardon the pun.” Again, a moment of dreadful silence stood. Being the more daring of the two, the tomato was the first to break the stillness.
“You, sir, do indeed deserve all the shame those of your race can give!” The tomato turned ‘round and faced the whole of the garden to speak. His voice sounded like a horn of war. “Awake, all of you awake and look upon this worm of a man who calls himself our keeper.” As soon as the tomato cried out the entire garden stirred with life not of its own. Carrots and potatoes burrowed skyward and shook off the cool soil to reveal smoky eyes near their stems and roots. String beans stood erect like trumpets and even the strawberries which were planted quite near to the farm-house turned ‘round to gaze upon the farmer who started to quiver where he stood.
“Why do you covet us when your storehouses are yet full of last year’s most gracious harvest?” Could you not wait a few more weeks? When the harvest arrives the fullness of this garden will be made altogether available to you. Until then, let us grow! Let us blossom and stretch. Farmer, let the Earth’s good gift be made complete. We grow for your sake, farmer. We grow for your sake.”
It may have well been an hour that the farmer stood in silence. His eyes bore holes into the boots on his feet. He became so full of shame he could have sown a bushel of seeds into the hole in his heart. He did not look up for a moment and so did not see a thousand pairs of eyes slowly slip back into green and red and brown bodies. Night came and he crept to his bed. His sorrow was complete, but not because he’d been told off by a tomato. Rather, he sank into a slumber of shame because he had attempted to take what was intended for him long before the season of harvest had arrived. He failed to realize that even men must obey the seasons of sowing, reaping, and harvest. To violate them is to lose far more than the crops of the field and the bounty of the soil.

O God, grant us patience to bear the seasons of our lives as they begin and end in accordance with Your will. May we not be hasty, but embrace the seasons of growth and change, holding fast to the hope of the harvest to come. This we ask through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

See you tomorrow - E.T.

"Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi"

2011-04-17T22:17:00.008-05:00

Title: "Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi"
Director: Richard Marquand
Producers: H. Kazanijan, G. Lucas, and R. McCallum
Editing: S. Barton, D. Dunham, and M. Lucas
Composer: John Williams
Starring:
- Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker
- Harrison Ford as Han Solo
- Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia Organa
- David Prowse as Darth Vader
- James Earl Jones as 'The Voice Of' Darth Vader
- Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian

- Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine
- Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
- Kenny Baker as R2-D2

- Warwick David as Wicket
- Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca
- Jeremy Bulloch as Boba Fett
- Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan "Ben" Kenobi

Plot and Critical Review: Luke Skywalker, having nearly completed his Jedi training, initiates a plan to rescue the frozen Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt with the help of Princess Leia, Lando Calrissian, Chewbacca, C-3PO, and R2-D2. Leia infiltrates Jabba's palace on Tatooine disguised as a bounty hunter and releases Han from his carbonite prison, but is caught and forced to serve as Jabba's slave. Luke arrives and allows himself to be captured after surviving an attempted feeding to the Rancor. Jabba sentences Luke and Han to be fed to the monstrous Sarlacc. As he is about to be put to death, Luke breaks free, receives his newly-constructed lightsaber from R2-D2, and a large battle erupts; in the ensuing chaos, Leia strangles Jabba to death with her slave chains, Han inadvertently knocks Boba Fett, the bounty hunter who captured him, into the gaping maw of the Sarlacc, and Luke, escaping with his allies, destroys Jabba's sail barge. As Han and Leia rendezvous with the other Rebels, Luke returns to Dagobah where he finds that Yoda is dying. With his last breaths, Yoda confirms that Darth Vader is Luke's father, and that Luke must confront him again to become a true Jedi Knight; he also mentions "another Skywalker". The spirit of Obi-Wan Kenobi reveals that Darth Vader was once Anakin Skywalker and that the "other Skywalker" Yoda spoke of is Luke's twin sister — who Luke finally realizes is Leia.

The Rebel Alliance learns that the Empire has been constructing a new Death Star, larger and more powerful than the first. In a plan to destroy the new weapon, Han is elected to lead a strike team to destroy the battle station's shield generator on the forest moon of Endor. The destruction of the generator would allowing a squadron of starfighters to enter the incomplete superstructure and destroy it from within. Returning from Dagobah, Luke joins the strike team along with Leia and the others. The strike team uses a captured Imperial shuttle to get to Endor's surface. Darth Vader senses Luke's presence on the shuttle, but lets them through so that they will be ambushed by the Imperial forces lying in wait on the planet below.

On Endor, Luke and his companions encounter a tribe of Ewoks (who mistake C-3PO for a diety) and form a partnership with them. Later, Luke confesses to Leia that Vader is his father, that she is his sister, and that he is leaving to confront Vader one more time, believing that there is still good in him. Luke surrenders to Imperial troops so that they will bring him to Vader. He then tries to convince Vader to turn from the dark side, but Vader says it is too late for him and takes Luke to the Death Star to meet Emperor Palpatine.

Palpatine reveals to Luke that his allies are walking into a trap and that the Death Star is in fact fully operational and set to destroy the Rebellion once and for all. Back on Endor, the Rebels are captured by Imperial forces, but a surprise counterattack launched by the Ewoks allows the Rebels to fight back. During the strike team's assault, Lando leads the Rebel fleet in the Millennium Falcon to the Death Star, only to find the station's shield is still up, and the Imperial Fleet waiting for them. As fighting between the fleets ensue, Palpatine tempts Luke to give in to his anger and join the dark side of the Force. A lightsaber duel between Luke and Vader erupts, during which Vader probes Luke's mind and learns that Luke has a sister. When Vader suggests she would turn to the dark side instead, Luke snaps and attacks him with full force, cutting off Vader's hand and rendering him helpless. Palpatine goads him to kill Vader and take his place as a Sith Lord, but Luke realizes how close he is to suffering his father's fate and casts his lightsaber aside, proclaiming his allegiance to the Jedi. Enraged, Palpatine attacks Luke with Force lightning. Unable to bear the sight of his son's suffering, Vader grasps Palpatine and casts him down a reactor shaft to his death, but is mortally wounded by Palpatine's lightning in the process. The redeemed Anakin Skywalker asks Luke to remove his mask, and tells his son that there is good in him after all before dying, finally at peace.

Meanwhile, on Endor, the strike team, with the help of the Ewoks, defeats the Imperial forces and finally destroys the shield generator, allowing the Rebel fleet to launch a final assault on the Death Star. Lando leads the remaining ships deep into the station's core and fires at the main reactor, causing it to collapse, which slowly engulfs the Death Star in flames. Luke escapes on an Imperial shuttle with his father's body before the Death Star explodes. Lando escapes in the Millennium Falcon. On Endor, Han tells Leia that he knows she loves Luke and offers to step aside; but before he goes she tells him that Luke is her brother and kisses him. That evening, Luke returns to Endor and cremates his father's body and armor on a funeral pyre. The entire galaxy is shown to be celebrating the fall of the Empire. As the Rebels celebrate the end of the Empire, Luke sees the spirits of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, and a redeemed Anakin Skywalker watching over them with pride.

Here's a few more lesser-known facts:

- Approximate Budget: $32.5 million

- Approximate Income from Initial Theatrical Release: $475 million

- Kenny Baker, who played R2-D2 through the course of the first two films was cast to play the role of Wicket but became ill with food poisoning the morning of the shoot. Warwick David (who was 11 at the time) had previous auditioned for the "Star Wars" when there was a casting call for dwarf actors. At the time Davis had no acting experience whatsoever. He went on to reprise the role of Wicket in several movies based on the race of Ewoks and became internationally famous when he played Willow in the film of the same name. You're might be familiar with his recent work as Professor Flitwick (and Griphook) in the Harry Potter films.

- Lucas had hoped to hire Steven Spielberg to direct Episode VI but was unable to as Spielberg had removed himself form the Directors Guild of America, making it almost impossible for him to work for any larger film studio. It seems Spielberg managed to do alright in the long run...

- The original theatrical poster used the title "Revenge Of The Jedi". Lucas quickly had it changed as he felt that revenge wasn't in keeping with the Jedi code. The posters which bear that title are highly collectible.

- Vader is the Dutch word for "Father".

My Rating: 7.5/10 (This one is exceptionally difficult to rate. "Return..." is a true finale and provides a suitable ending to a tremendous film series, but in terms of revenue, reward, recognition, and general fan approval, "Return..." is probably ranked about 3rd of 4th out of the entire "Star Wars" series. I love this movie, but my love and affection alone cannot grant it a rating above 7.5.

Content to Caution:
V-2.5 - Woodland creatures are killed by Stormtroopers. Some people have a hard time with that...
L-.5 - No comment.
DU-0 - No comment.
RT-0 - There's a lot of talk about Luke being a "slave" to the Emperor, but it doesn't exactly quality as being "racial slander".
H/S-2 - To maintain balance while trying to convey the action of two epic battles is never an easy feat, but it's done here with style and precision.
CH-.5 - No comment.
S/N-1 - A kiss here and there. Lots of hugging toward the end.

The "Reel Revelation": "A Galaxy (Not So) Far, Far Away - Pt. 6"

In a previous review I wrote about the plot device in which a character offers his or her confession to another character at the last possible moment. Whether it's a confession of love (and it is, most of the time), a declaration of victory, or a final plea for help, Hollywood leans heavily on confessions offered in last-minute moments for the sake of heightened drama and tension. And it does. In that previous review, however, I reflected that we ought not wait until the last minute (as characters in films and books seem to do) to share what is most important. This is especially true when it comes to sharing the Gospel of Christ and expressing God's love to those around us...we simply can't wait until the last minute, especially when God is calling us to speak and act now!

But try as we might, those moments do occur when someone, at the very last possible moment, says something that changes our lives. We see it in "Return Of The Jedi" as Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader no longer, having killed Emperor Palpatine to save his son) asks Luke to take off his mask (which keeps him alive in the first place) so that he can look on his son "with (his) own eyes". It's then that Anakin tells Luke he was right all along, that he hadn't truly been lost to the Dark Side of The Force and that he truly was a good man. And then he breathes his last. A tender sentiment at the very end. While it might not happen for us on the ramp of a spaceship in the middle of an exploding space station, we too have experiences of last-minute confessions that will stay with us for the rest of our lives.

To that same end we are responsible for our own last-minute moments in which our final words will be the words by which people will remember us. We naturally think of the final words we'll speak during this life, be they spoken from our death bed, on the phone, or in a living will and testament, but let us not forget the many last-minute moments we move through on a daily basis:

- Walking out of the house on the way to work.

- The end of a phone conversation with a loved one.

- The final lines of a letter or e-mail or text message.

- The way we close conversations with friends, family members, and strangers.

- The final words we speak to a spouse or child before we fall asleep.

How we choose to end such conversations and encounters really matters! Not only because there's a chance (however slim) that they'll be the last time we speak with those we know, but because those final words will represent us from that moment until the next moment we meet with that person or group of people again. To this end St. Paul wrote to the Christians in Ephesus and urged them to: "Speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity." (Eph. 4:25b-27)

Have you ever ended a conversation with a set of poorly chosen words and, later on, realized you ought to have spoken differently? From the moment that conversation ended until the moment you reconcile with that person and seek forgiveness, who knows what will happen in their heart! Even a simple set of poorly chosen words can throw a person off-center for days, even weeks! Even a lifetime.

My sister always ends our phone conversations with "I love you". Even if I call to ask her a simple question about baking and the call doesn't last more than 60 seconds she always says "I love you, brother". There was a time in which I grew tired of it, feeling that it was starting to become somewhat contrived. Now, i'd rather end my conversations with her with those words than any others; it leaves me no room to doubt how she feels about me. What a grace from God.

I do not wish to give you the idea that I am at all fascinated or obsessed with death and the dying, but I find the stories of peoples' last words highly interesting. In closing, here's a list of some noteworthy last-minute moments from some folks you're sure to recognize.

"Please put out the light." - Theodore Roosevelt

"I'm bored with it all." - Winston Churchill

"It is very beautiful over there." - Thomas Edison

"Let me go to the house of my Father." - Pope John Paul II

"I have tried so hard to do right." - Grover Cleveland

"Either that wallpaper goes, or I do." - Oscar Wilde

"I shall hear in Heaven." - Ludwig van Beethoven (Unconfirmed)

Make your last words count my friends, be they at the end of this life or at the end of your next phone call. I'll try to set a good example in saying that I hold you all in my heart, and love you with the love of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

See you tomorrow - E.T.

"Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back"

2011-04-16T21:30:00.010-05:00

Title: "Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back"

Director: Irvin Kershner
Producers: G. Kurtz, G. Lucas, and R. McCallum
Editing: P. Hirsch
Composer: John Williams
Starring:
- Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker
- Harrison Ford as Han Solo
- Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia Organa
- David Prowse as Darth Vader
- James Earl Jones as 'The Voice Of' Darth Vader
- Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian
- Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
- Kenny Baker as R2-D2.
- Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca

- Jeremy Bulloch as Boba Fett
- Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan "Ben" Kenobi

Plot and Critical Review: Despite the destruction of the Death Star, the Rebel Alliance has suffered many setbacks and the Empire's vast military force has driven the rebels into hiding. Some members of the Alliance establish a hidden base on the bleak, remote ice planet of Hoth. Darth Vader, having become obsessed with finding Luke Skywalker, has multiple probe droids dispatched throughout the galaxy; one of which lands on Hoth. While patrolling near the base, Luke sees a meteor (actually an Imperial probe droid) strike the planet surface and tells Han Solo that he is going to investigate. While searching the area, Luke is attacked and knocked unconscious by a Wampa, a snow creature indigenous to the planet. Back at the base, Han Solo announces his intention to leave the Rebellion to pay off a debt to Jabba the Hutt, much to Princess Leia's displeasure. When Luke does not return that evening, Han decides to travel through an approaching storm to find Luke, who has since been trapped by the Wampa in a cave. Using The Force, Luke manages to retrieve his lightsaber to free himself and slice off the Wampa's arm in order to escape. Escaping from the creature's lair, Luke almost immediately succumbs to the freezing cold and collapses. The spirit of his late mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, appears before him and instructs him to go to the planet Dagobah to train under Jedi Master Yoda. Han manages to find Luke in time and uses the body of his own Tauntaun, which died due to exposure, to provide a shelter for Luke. They are rescued the following morning by a search team sent from Echo Base.

Meanwhile, the Imperial probe droid Luke was previously searching for locates the Rebel base and reports its location to the Imperial Fleet. An attack on the discovered base is ordered by Vader while the Rebels prepare to evacuate and disperse. The Imperial forces eventually overpower the Rebels using gigantic AT-AT Walkers and capture the base. Han and Leia escape on the Millennium Falcon with C-3PO and Chewbacca, but they are unable to enter hyperspace because of technical difficulties. They evade pursuit in an asteroid field where Han and Leia begin to grow closer to each other. Frustrated at having lost the Millennium Falcon, Vader turns to several notorious bounty hunters, including Boba Fett, to assist in locating the missing ship.

Luke escapes from Hoth with R2-D2 and travels to Dagobah, where he meets Yoda. After a period of intensive training, Luke has premonitions of Han and Leia in pain. Against Yoda's advice, Luke leaves to save his friends, promising to return to complete his training. As they watch Luke depart, the spirit of Obi-Wan laments that Luke is their last hope. Yoda disagrees and reminds Obi-Wan that "there is another".

Having escaped the Imperial forces, but unaware that they are being tracked by Boba Fett, Han's party sets a course for Cloud City, a floating gas mining colony in the skies of the planet Bespin, which is run by Han's old friend Lando Calrissian. Shortly after they arrive at Cloud City, Lando turns them over to Vader to be used as bait in a trap for Luke. Lando then reveals to Han and Leia that he was forced to betray them to prevent the occupation of his city by the Empire.

Vader intends to hold Luke in suspended animation via carbon freezing, and selects Han as a test subject for the process. Before Han is frozen in the carbonite freezing chamber and taken to Jabba the Hutt, Leia professes her love for him. Han simply replies, "I know". Vader gives Han's hibernating form to Boba Fett, who plans to present the body as "prize" to Jabba the Hutt. Later, after Vader effectively reneges the deal, Lando helps Leia and the others escape, insisting that there is still a chance to save Han. Despite their efforts, Boba Fett makes off with Han, forcing Leia, Chewbacca, and Lando to make an escape on the Falcon.

Luke arrives at Cloud City and falls into Vader's trap. They engage in a lightsaber duel in which Vader quickly gains the advantage and cuts off Luke's right hand. With Luke cornered, Vader tempts Luke with the offer to rule the galaxy alongside him, making the revelation that he is in fact Luke's father. Shocked, Luke refuses Vader's proclamations, and throws himself down the air shaft until he reaches a tube system that ejects him onto an antenna attached to the underbelly of the floating city. He makes a desperate telepathic plea to Leia, who senses Luke's distress from aboard the Falcon and persuades Lando to return for him. They rescue Luke as TIE fighters close in and escape from the planet. Luke is taken aboard a Rebel medical frigate and fitted with an artificial hand. As Luke, Leia, R2-D2 and C-3PO look on from the medical frigate, Lando and Chewbacca depart for Tatooine to free Han as the Rebel Fleet amasses in preparations to strike back at the Empire.

I really enjoyed digging up some lesser-known facts about "A New Hope". Permit me to do the same here with "Empire Strikes Back":

- Approximate Budget: $18 million (One of the most expensive films of its day.)

- Approximate Income from Initial Theatre Release: $538 million

- The Writers and Directors Guild fined George Lucas $250,000 for placing the credits at the end of the film. They allowed it with "A New Hope", even though it was unusual for the credits to come at the end of a film during that time. Lucas wanted the credits to roll at the end to keep the look of the film series consistent.

- It cost approx. $250,000 to produce and record the entire soundtrack for "The Empire Strikes Back"

- It is reported that, during the filming of the extensive scenes on Dagobah in which Luke trains to become a Jedi Knight, Mark Hamill became quite resentful of being the only human actor on set. He was applauded for his efforts in working with puppets and animatronic creatures. At the time it was somewhat rare for so much human-puppet interaction to happen on screen; another ground-breaking elements of the "Star Wars" trilogy.

- Emperor Palpatine's voice was provided by Cline Revill, but Elaine Baker did all of the physical acting. Ian McDiarmid portrayed Palpatine in "Return of the Jedi" and the prequel films.

- The script indicated that Han Solo would say "I love you, too" when Leia confessed her love for him. Harrison Ford didn't feel the line fit Han's character and, after a couple takes, improvised the now legendary, "I know."

My Rating: 8/10

Content to Caution:
V-2 - Violence and action consistent with Episode IV. Fistfights, blaster duels, and one dismemberment as a result of a lightsaber duel.
L-.5 - No comment.
DU-1 - No comment.
RT-0 - No comment.
H/S-2 - Big works live in asteroids. Deal with it.
CH-1 - No comment.
S/N-1 - "You're trembling." - "I'm not trembling."

The "Reel Revelation": "A Galaxy (Not So) Far, Far Away - Pt. 5"

Have you ever been in a job or taken a position in which your employer or supervisor offered to pay for training so you could strengthen your gifts? Perhaps you're offered the opportunity to go away for a week to a conference where you can learn from experts in a certain field. Maybe your employer is willing to purchase instructional material so you can pick up tips and strategies to help you in certain elements of your job or position. Whatever the situation may be, we ought to feel privileged to have employers or supervisors that care enough about our success (and the success of their company through our performance) to help us get in touch with the right people/resources so we can improve upon the gifts we already have. As Christians we must realize that God is concerned with the very same thing; the strengthening of our gifts for our good and the extension of His Kingdom.

In "The Empire Strikes Back", Luke Skywalker spends over half of the film on the swampy and overgrown planet of Dagobah receiving instruction from Yoda, an 800-year-old Jedi Master. Yoda challenges Luke on physical, emotional, and intellectual levels as he trains him to become a Jedi Knight. While Luke displays obvious improvement in his abilities, his greatest test isn't in the physical conditioning or the many exercises in which he learns to manipulate The Force; his greatest challenge is when he must face the flaws of his own character.

If you've ever trained for an event (or a job or a certain task, etc.), you've probably experienced the same sort of ultimate challenge. You can go over a certain exercise a hundred times or learn a certain skill forwards and backwards. You can tone and strengthen your body so it will react to your every command. You can memorize information and perfect your knowledge of any given task. But the final challenge in almost all training - the challenge which we all must face and overcome in order to put our training to good use - is in confronting ourselves and achieving victory over the self, itself.

Luke fails to do so. As soon as he senses that Han and Leia are in trouble he decides to forsake his training and help them. Even though Yoda and Obi-Wan (who appears in apparition form) tell Luke that he is not ready to face Vader, Luke's concern for his friends drives him to leave the planet. His heart might have been in the right place, but by the end of the movie Luke is no better off, having lost a hand in a lightsaber duel with Vader and unable to save Han from carbonization. Have you ever disobeyed the instructions of your teacher and, even though you thought you were doing what was best, ended up in more trouble because of your disobedience? When we train, we must commit ourselves to the process, no matter how grueling, and see it to the end. Consider how much more important this sort of commitment is when it comes to the spiritual training we receive from Our Lord!

None of us are born ready to complete the tasks God has for us. We come into the world and begin to learn at once. We learn to recognize certain faces and voices. We learn how to respond to simple commands and, by our natural instinct, how to let others know when we're hungry or tired. All of our squirming strengthens our muscles and, before long, we learn how to keep our balance and support our own weight. Then we walk. Then we talk. And only after countless repetition do we learn the basic functions of human life. The very same sort of repetition is a crucial element in our spiritual training and growth.

- In learning to forgive, we must forgive ourselves and take up the "practice" of accepting God's forgiving grace each and every day. This inward discipline will help us as we seek to forgive others. (Eph. 4:32)

- In learning to trust, we must realize our weaknesses and confess that we can't do it all on our own. This will help us to lean upon the grace of God and the presence of those whom God sends to help us. (Psalm 28:7)

- In learning to love, we must turn away from our own inclinations and choose to love others through the heart of Christ. Whatever natural love we might have to offer is but straw compared to the love of God which we experience and share through Jesus Christ. (Phil. 1:1-2)

- In learning to surrender, we must realize that if we had our own way, our plans would surely fail every time. We are too full of sin and sinful behavior to ever fulfill God's calling on our own. Without Him we are lost, but in Him we are found, and in Him we find an abundance of love and grace that teaches us to lay ourselves aside and submit our lives for His good and good purposes. (James 4:7-10)

We will be in spiritual training until the day God calls us to Himself. Do not miss out on an opportunity to learn from Jesus, for in learning from Him we have the opportunity to become more like Him. Pray that the Spirit will open your eyes and help you to see opportunities to "practice" the spiritual disciplines Jesus teaches.

See you tomorrow - E.T.

"Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope"

2011-04-15T21:26:00.009-05:00

Title: "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope"

Director: George Lucas
Producers: Gary Kurtz
Editing: R. Chew, P. Hirsch, and M. Lucas
Composer: John Williams
Starring:
- Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker
- Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan "Ben" Kenobi
- Harrison Ford as Han Solo
- Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia Organa
- David Prowse as Darth Vader
- James Earl Jones as 'The Voice Of' Darth Vader
- Peter Cushing as Grand Moff Tarkin
- Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
- Kenny Baker as R2-D2.
- Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca

Plot and Critical Review: The galaxy is in a state of civil war. Spies for the Rebel Alliance have stolen plans to the Galactic Empire's Death Star: a space station capable of annihilating an entire planet. Rebel leader Princess Leia is in possession of the plans, but her ship is captured by Imperial forces under the command of Darth Vader. Before she is captured, Leia hides the plans in the memory of a droid called R2-D2, along with a holographic recording. The small droid escapes to the surface of the desert planet Tatooine with fellow droid C-3PO.

The two droids are quickly captured by Jawa traders who sell the pair to moisture farmer Owen Lars and his nephew, Luke Skywalker. While Luke is cleaning R2-D2 he accidentally triggers part of Leia's holographic message in which she requests help from Obi-Wan Kenobi. The only "Kenobi" Luke knows of is an old hermit named Ben Kenobi who lives in the nearby hills; Owen, however, dismisses any connection, telling Luke that Obi-Wan is dead. That night R2-D2 escapes to seek Obi-Wan.

The next morning Luke and C-3PO go out after him and are met by Ben Kenobi who reveals himself to be the Obi-Wan they are looking for. He takes Luke and the droids back to his hut where he tells Luke of his days as a Jedi Knight. He also tells Luke about his association with Luke's father, also a Jedi, who he claims was betrayed and murdered by Darth Vader, Obi-Wan's former pupil who turned to the "dark side of the Force". Obi-Wan then views Leia's message in which she begs him to take R2-D2 and the Death Star plans to her home planet of Alderaan where her father will be able to retrieve and analyze them. Obi-Wan asks Luke to learn the ways of the Force. After initially refusing, Luke discovers that his home has been destroyed and his aunt and uncle were killed by Imperial stormtroopers in search of the droids. Luke agrees to go with Obi-Wan to Alderaan, and the two hire smuggler Han Solo and his Wookiee co-pilot Chewbacca to transport them on their ship, the Millennium Falcon.

Meanwhile, Leia has been imprisoned on the Death Star and has resisted giving the location of the secret Rebel base. Grand Moff Tarkin, the Death Star's commanding officer and Vader's superior, tries to coax information out of her by threatening to destroy Alderaan. Leia pretends to cooperate, but Tarkin destroys the planet anyway to demonstrate the power of the Death Star. When the Millennium Falcon arrives at Alderaan's coordinates, it encounters cloud of rubble. The Millennium Falcon follows a TIE fighter toward the Death Star and is captured by the station's tractor beam. Once in the hangar bay the group evades search parties and escapes from the Millennium Falcon. Some of the group take refuge in a command room while Obi-Wan goes off to disable the tractor beam. Luke discovers that Princess Leia is on the station and is scheduled to be executed. Han, Luke, and Chewbacca stage a rescue and free the princess. Making their way back to the Millennium Falcon they witness a lightsaber duel between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader. As the others race onto the ship to escape, Obi-Wan allows himself to be struck down by Darth Vader's lightsaber; Kenobi disappears while his empty cloak and deactivated lightsaber fall to the ground.

The Millennium Falcon journeys to the Rebel base at Yavin IV where the Death Star plans are analyzed by the Rebels and a potential weakness is found. The weakness will require the use of one-man fighters to slip past the Death Star's formidable defenses and attack a vulnerable exhaust port. Luke joins the assault team while Han collects his reward for the rescue and leaves, despite Luke's request for him to stay and fight. The attack proceeds when the Death Star arrives in the system. (Vader had a homing beacon placed on the Millennium Falcon so they'd know the location of the Rebel base.) The Rebel fighters suffer heavy losses and, after several failed attack runs there are few surviving pilots. Vader appears in a TIE Fighter with his own group of fighters and begins attacking the Rebel ships. Luke, realizing he is one of the few Rebel pilots left, begins a bombing run. Vader prepares to shoot Luke down; all while the Death Star closes on firing range of Yavin IV. As Vader is about to fire at Luke's ship Han arrives in the Millennium Falcon and attacks Vader, sending his ship careening off into space. Guided by Obi-Wan's voice telling him to use the Force, Luke switches off his targeting computer and fires a successful shot which destroys the Death Star seconds before it could fire on the Rebel base. Later, at a grand ceremony, Princess Leia awards medals to Luke and Han for their heroism in the battle.

There's no shortage of critics who have written at length (to the point of books and beyond) about the impact of "A New Hope". Because you're probably aware of the many technological breakthroughs Lucas made to make this movie, i'll spare you the babble for a change. Instead, permit me to present a few facts you might not have be aware of:

- Approximate Budget: $11 Million

- Approximate Income from Initial Theatrical Release: $775 Million

- "A New Hope" opened in 32 theatres worldwide. It broke attendance and revenue records in almost every theatre where it was shown.

- "A New Hope" was hailed as a "blockbuster", the first film to be called one. It is widely believed, however, that Steven Spielberg's "Jaws" was the film which marked the beginning of the "blockbuster" era.

- Chewbacca's growl consists of a combination of growls from bears, tigers, lions, dogs, and walruses.

- It took 12 days for John Williams and the London Symphony Orchestra to record the entire soundtrack for "A New Hope".

- That soundtrack won John Williams his third Oscar.

- There is a common misconception that Harrison Ford's first acting role was in "A New Hope". This is untrue.

- It is true, however, that Ford landed in George Lucas' good graces because he had been employed to build cabinets at the film director's home in the early 70s. That's also how he got his first starring role in "American Graffiti".

- George Lucas suffered from tremendous stress and strain during the production of the film. Cast and crew members tried to get him to smile, for he often seemed depressed. He was eventually diagnosed with hypertension and ordered by doctors to lower his stress level.

Now you'll be prepared to impress people the next time "Star Wars" comes up in water cooler conversation.

My Rating: 8.5/10

Content to Caution:
V-2 - A fistfight here, a lightsaber duel there. A well-rounded sci-fi film is sure to follow.
L-1 - No comment.
DU-1 - Luke and Obi-Wan walk through a bar where many creatures are seen to be seen drinking. In the same scene some characters smoke what appears to be a hookah.
RT-0 - "We don't serve their kind here!" - How disrespectful...
H/S-1.5 - No comment.
CH-1 - No comment.
S/N-0 - Awfully clean this film is.

The "Reel Revelation": "A Galaxy (Not So) Far, Far Away - Pt. 4"

During the season of Lent I read from a very simple prayer book called "Lift Up Your Heart - A Prayer Primer for the Quiet Hour". Tonight's meditation includes a very special poem that i'd like to share. As you read it, especially the third stanza, consider how fortunate we are that God should choose us to be His instruments of peace in the world. We come to Him broken, hurting, bleeding, weighed down from the sins of the past, and weak. He sees us precisely as we are and, knowing all our faults and failures more throughly than even we do says, "Come and follow me."

Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All!

Hear me, blest Saviour, when I call!

Hear me, and from Thy dwelling-place

Pour down the riches of Thy grace.

Jesus, My Lord, I Thee adore!

O make me love Thee more and more.

Jesus, too late I Thee have sought;

How can I love Thee as I ought?

And how extol Thy matchless fame.

And glorious beauty of Thy name?

Jesus, My Lord, I Thee adore!

O make me love Thee more and more.

Jesus, what didst Thou find in me,

That Thou has dealt so lovingly?

How great the joy that Thou hast brought,

So far exceeding hope or thought!

Jesus, My Lord, I Thee adore!

O make me love Thee more and more.

Jesus, of Thee shall be my song,

To Thee my heart and soul belong;

All that I have or am is Thine,

And Thou, blest Saviour, Thou art mine.

Jesus, My Lord, I Thee adore!

O make me love Thee more and more. (Henry Collins)

Amen.

See you tomorrow- E.T.

"Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith"

2011-04-14T23:27:00.010-05:00

Title: "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith"

Director: George Lucas
Producers: R. McCallum and G. Lucas
Editing: R. Barton and B. Burt
Composer: John Williams
Starring:
- Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Natalie Portman as Queen Padme Amidala
- Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker
- Ian McDiamid as Palpatine/Darth Sidious
- Christopher Lee as Count Dooku
- Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
- Kenny Baker as RD-D2
- Frank Oz as 'The Voice Of' Yoda
- Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu
- Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca

Plot and Critical Review: The Galactic Republic is on the verge of collapse under the stress of the Clone Wars,which have been raging between the Republic and the Separatists. General Grievous, the cyborg commander of the Separatist Droid Army, kidnaps Supreme Chancellor Palpatine in a surprise attack on the capital and attempts to escape. Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi quickly respond in launching a mission to rescue the Chancellor. They confront the Sith Lord Count Dooku in a lightsaber fight which ends with Anakin decapitating Count Dooku in cold blood at Palpatine's urging. The Jedi free the Chancellor and attempt to escape but Grievous traps them inside of his spaceship and escapes. Anakin pilots the disintegrating flagship and manages a crash landing on Coruscant. There, Anakin reunites with his Padmé who reveals that she is pregnant. Anakin is overjoyed of the news of becoming a father but begins having nightmares of Padmé dying in childbirth. Anakin resolves to prevent these nightmares from becoming a reality.

Palpatine places Anakin on the Jedi Council as his representative. The Council, who fear that Palpatine is abusing his power, order Anakin to secretly monitor him, while denying the headstrong Jedi the rank of Master. Angered by the insult and instructions to commit what he believes to be treason, Anakin begins to lose faith in the Jedi. Concurrently, he becomes intrigued when Palpatine tells him the story of Darth Plagueis, a Sith Lord with the power to prevent death, an ability which is said to be only be gained through the dark side of the Force.

Obi-Wan is sent to the planet Utapau where he engages and kills General Grievous. Palpatine later reveals himself to Anakin as the Sith Lord Darth Sidious who has been controlling both sides of the war. Anakin reports Palpatine's treachery to Mace Windu who engages and subdues Palpatine in a lightsaber duel. During the duel, Windu deflects Palpatine's Force lightning back onto its source, deforming Palpatine's face. Anakin enters the room where this is taking place after the point at which he could have seen that it was Palpatine who initiated the attack on Windu. This predisposes Anakin to be on the side of Palpatine rather than the Jedi. Anakin intervenes and cut off Windu's dueling hand before he can execute Palpatine. Palpatine kills Windu. Realizing he has instantly alienated himself from the entire Jedi Order and the only one who can protect him is Palpatine, Anakin submits himself to Palpatine, kneels, and is named Darth Vader.

Palpatine orders the clone troopers throughout the galaxy to kill their Jedi Generals and sends Vader to the Jedi Temple to kill the Jedi there. Vader does as he is commanded then travels to Mustafar to assassinate the Separatist leaders. Meanwhile, in the Galactic Senate, Palpatine condemns the the duel with Mace Windu as an anti-democratic assassination attempt and tells the (very few) remaining Senators what this supposedly means — that the two-faced, self-betraying Republic has to be "reorganized" into a Galactic Empire for "peace" and for its own good. Palpatine declares himself the Emperor.

Obi-Wan and Jedi Master Yoda discover Anakin's transformation into Vader by watching the security tapes in the Jedi Temple. They split up to confront Vader and Palpatine. Obi-Wan talks with Padmé, who refuses to believe that her husband has turned to the dark side, and travels to Mustafar to confront him personally. Anakin resists her pleas to flee from Palpatine's grasp, saying that they can overthrow Palpatine and rule the galaxy themselves; a horrified Padmé realizes that Obi-Wan was right, that her husband is truly lost. When Vader sees Obi-Wan, who secretly stowed away on Padmé's ship, he uses the Force to choke her into unconsciousness, believing that Obi-Wan turned Padmé against him. Obi-Wan and Vader engage in a fierce lightsaber duel that nearly takes both their lives. Obi-Wan finally gaves the advantage of the higher ground and, when Vader attempts a challenging maneuver, cuts Vader down. Vader is immolated as his body slides too close to a lava flow. Obi-Wan takes Vader's lightsaber and leaves him to die.

Meanwhile, Yoda confronts and fights Palpatine, but is forced to escape when their duel ends in a stalemate. Padmé gives birth to twins, whom she names Luke and Leia. Having lost the will to live because of Anakin's betrayal, she passes away after the babies are safely delivered.

Palpatine rescues Vader and resuscitates his body with cybernetic limbs, black armor and a respirator. When Vader inquires about Padmé, Palpatine informs him that he killed her in his own anger. Palpatine's words break what remains of Anakin's spirit and he screams in torment, destroying objects around him with the Force. Anakin Skywalker has ended and only Darth Vader remains. Vader is last seen at Palpatine's side as the two witness the construction of the Death Star.

Since the Skywalker children are the last hope for the galaxy, Senator Organa adopts Leia and takes her to Alderaan, while Obi-Wan takes Luke to Tatooine and entrusts him to the care of his stepfamily, Owen and Beru Lars. The film closes with Owen and Beru holding Luke before a dazzling twin-sunset over the desert of Tatooine.

With Episode II behind him, George Lucas had one more chance to redeem himself and save the beloved "Star Wars" franchise. That's not to say it was in danger of being lost or forsaken by fans, for the universal popularity of the "original" trilogy could not be undone by a few poorly written prequel films. But there was a certain sort of tension surrounding "Revenge Of The Sith" that normally belongs to films which close a series. Even though the end of the story was already known, Episode III was the final piece of the puzzle. Would Lucas dare to let this one slide into mediocrity as he had Episode II? (Whether he "let it slide" is questionable, but I think we can agree that that's where Episode II ended up.)

Fortunately for us (and his own reputation) Lucas was able to deliver an acceptable science-fiction film. Episode III didn't come out perfectly, not by any means, but it was as close as Lucas got in the prequel trilogy to the feel of the original "Star Wars" films. I'd be in error if I went any further without mentioning John Williams' incredible contributions as "composer in residence" to the "Star Wars" universe. His epic scores and emotional melodies set a new standard for film composers in general.

Fans and critics alike generally embraced "Revenge..." as being the best of the three prequel films. But in spite of such claims you're hard pressed to find two "Star Wars" fans who can honestly agree upon which of the films (all 6) is the best. But that is no real surprise when considering the strong personal opinions surrounding this series of films.

My Rating: 7/10

Content to Caution:
V-3 - Sci-fi action and violence throughout. Many Jedi (including children) are killed. Death scenes are much bloodier than previous films, thus the PG-13 rating.
L-.5 - Almost nothing offensive to report.
DU-0 - No comment.
RT-0 - No comment.
H/S-2 - No comment.
CH-.5 - No comment.
S/N-.5 - A kiss or two.

The "Reel Revelation": "A Galaxy (Not So) Far, Far Away - Pt. 3"

"The Chosen One" turns to the Dark Side and it seems all hope is lost. And hope is lost, for the fate of the galaxy depended upon on Anakin bringing balance to The Force and restoring order and peace. We know that Anakin has become a Sith Lord, but we also know that he's become one not just for the sake of being a Sith Lord, but to learn how to save Padme from death. He's convinced himself that all of this is worthwhile for the sake of his wife and child. With such pure intentions, maybe he's right... In the beginning when he was but exploring the idea of the Dark Side with Chancellor Palpatine, his intentions were quite noble, indeed, but the nearer he got to the power of the Dark Side the more intoxicated he became with his newfound skills and capabilities. He testified to his desire to save his wife and child, but he probably only did so for the sake of public appearance, even though the inner transformation was obvious. When Anakin became Darth Vader, whatever purity he carried in his intentions was immediately swallowed up by greed, lust, and the unfulfillable desire for power and dominion. If he really cared about Padme and their child, those sentiments were quickly lost. He became a servant of the Dark Side and nothing more. Remember that he genuinely wanted to safe his wife and child (he didn't know until much later on that Padme had twins) in the beginning, but by the end he barely had any recollection of their existence.

Have you ever wanted something so badly you were willing to do anything to get it? We throw around one-liners like "I'd kill for that!" or "What i'd give to have that." Would you really kill? Are you really thinking about how far you'd go to get what you want? And if, after this desire had been building and building within you and an opportunity finally presented itself, would you be willing to commit an act of evil to fulfill your longing? I realize that we'll apply this in different ways for we all have desires specific to our person. For an example let's consider a man who desires a specific car and another man who desires a specific woman. The two men don't share the same desire, just as you and your neighbor probably don't. Even so, it's entirely possible that both men are willing to go the same distance to get what they want. Think it through...have you ever felt that way? There's no need to beat around the bush here...we're all capable of committing unthinkable acts to get what we want. If you think you aren't, you're committing one.

We manage to keep our distance from committing such acts by reminding ourselves that what God has given us is better and more fulfilling than anything we should desire when left to choose for ourselves. God knows that our eyes are lazy and our hearts weak to the lure of what the world can offer. To that end we do well to remind ourselves that God said "My grace is sufficient for you..." (2 Cor. 12:9), and that in walking with the Lord we "shall not want" for anything. (Psalm 23:1b)

Beyond a regiment of daily encouragement and profession of faith we do very well, indeed, to avoid any amount of slackening or compromise when it comes to sinful behavior, for we know that we do not sin for its own sake, but we do it to achieve what we want. C.S. Lewis offers these words on the topic at hand:

"You can be good for the mere sake of goodness: you cannot be bad for the mere sake of badness. You can do a kind action when you are not feeling kind and when it gives you no pleasure, simply because kindness is right; but no one ever did a cruel action simply because cruelty is wrong - only because cruelty was pleasant or useful to him." (C.S. Lewis - Mere Christianity, Book Two, Chapter 2)

A man does not carry a hammer around just to give the appearance that he is working on a project. He is probably working on a project!

A woman does not turn an oven on just to remind herself that she needs to bake a ham for Easter Supper. She's actually going to bake a ham!

We don't do those things for their own sake, and if we did people would think us quite out of our minds. Nor do we sin for its own sake. If you have ever committed a sinful act that brought you pleasure, pleasure was probably your goal. Or perhaps your goal was to receive recognition, praise, even assistance! Too easily do we fall back into our natural inclinations to "sin first and ask forgiveness later". Too easily do we look to our own resources (which lead to the flesh, which almost always leads to sin) to get what we want. Too easily do we turn our faces away from Heaven and ignore God's hand of providence and plenty.

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us." (Ephesians 1:7-8a)

Humble yourself ask God to "lavish" His love upon you. Drink deeply of the water He offers. Quench your thirst in His Word and feed upon His promises. May your boast be in the Lord, and your delight and desire in God alone.

See you tomorrow- E.T.

"Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones"

2011-04-13T20:10:00.005-05:00

Title: "Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones"

Director: George Lucas
Producers: R. McCallum and G. Lucas
Editing: Ben Burtt
Composer: John Williams
Starring:
- Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Natalie Portman as Queen Padme Amidala
- Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker
- Ian McDiamid as Palpatine/Darth Sidious
- Christopher Lee as Count Dooku
- Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
- Kenny Baker as RD-D2
- Frank Oz as 'The Voice Of' Yoda
- Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu
- Temuera Morrison as Jango Fett
- Daniel Logan as Boba Fett

Plot and Critical Review: Ten years have passed since the invasion of Naboo, and the Galactic Republic is in turmoil. Former Jedi Master Count Dooku has organized a Separatist movement against the Republic, making it difficult for the Jedi to maintain the peace. The Republic contemplates creating an army to assist the Jedi, prompting Senator Padmé Amidala, former Queen of Naboo, to return to Coruscant to vote on the matter. She narrowly escapes an assassination attempt upon arrival. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine assigns Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker to protect her. That night another attempt is made on Padmé's life, although Obi-Wan and Anakin foil the plot and subdue the assassin who is murdered by her mysterious employer. The murder weapon is discovered to be a poisonous dart manufactured on the planet Kamino. Returning to the Jedi Temple, Obi-Wan is assigned to investigate the identity of the assassin's killer while Anakin is assigned to escort and accompany Padmé to Naboo. Anakin, who has quickly fallen in love with Padmé, relishes the opportunity to spend time with her, although Padmé resists her feelings toward him as it goes against the morality of their respective careers.

In investigating the remote ocean planet of Kamino, Obi-Wan discovers that it has been removed from the navigation maps of the Jedi archives. Yoda reveals that such a thing could only have been done by a Jedi, suggesting a conspiracy. Obi-Wan heads to Kamino where he discovers that an army of clone troopers is being secretly produced for the Republic. A bounty hunter named Jango Fett has been employed to be the genetic template for all the clones. Obi-Wan tries to capture Jango after deducing that he is the killer he has been looking for. Jango and his son Boba escape, but Obi-Wan tracks them to the planet Geonosis.

Anakin, meanwhile, suffers from recurring nightmares in which his mother, Shmi, is in grave danger. In defiance of Obi-Wan's orders, Anakin convinces Padmé to accompany him to Tatooine to save his mother. There he finds her mortally injured by Tusken Raiders and she dies in his arms. Succumbing to a murderous rage, Anakin massacres the entire Tusken tribe. After burying his mother, Anakin tearfully confesses his crime to Padmé.

On Geonosis, Obi-Wan learns that Count Dooku authorized the assassination attempt on Padmé and that the Separatists are developing a new battle droid army. Obi-Wan relays this information via hologram to Anakin, who transmits it to the Jedi Council moments before Obi-Wan is captured. While he holds Obi-Wan hostage, Dooku reveals that the Republic is in fact controlled by a Sith Lord named Darth Sidious. While Anakin and Padmé head to Geonosis to rescue Obi-Wan, Chancellor Palpatine is granted emergency powers to organize the clone army and send them into battle. Shortly after arriving on Geonosis, Anakin and Padmé are captured and sentenced to death along with Obi-Wan. Preparing for what could be their final moments, Padmé finally confesses her feelings for Anakin. The three are pitted against savage beasts, but manage to survive until Jedi Master Mace Windu arrives with a team of Jedi to assist them. The Jedi engage the battle droid army and Windu kills Jango in a brief battle. After a heated struggle, in which many of the Jedi are slain, Yoda arrives with the clone army and rescues the survivors of the battle.

As a large battle erupts between the Republic's clone army and the Separatist's droid forces, Count Dooku attempts to escape. Obi-Wan and Anakin corner him in a hangar and engage him in a lightsaber duel, but he outmatches and defeats, severing Anakin's arm in the process. Yoda engages Dooku in a lightsaber duel until Dooku escapes to Coruscant. The Jedi are now uncertain of what will become of the Republic now that the Clone Wars have begun. Chancellor Palpatine oversees the launching of massive clone trooper forces. Anakin and Padme are married in secret on Naboo.

Making a sequel is hard enough on its own. "The Dip" comes into effect and most directors find that they're not able to turn over the same amount of original material the second time around. New innovations may be put in place to make the sequel feel different (even though it is still bound by the style of the first installment), but if a sequel doesn't bring in adequate revenue and positive fan response the entire series can be in jeopardy. We don't have to guess whether or not George Lucas felt the pressure when he approached the production of "Attack Of The Clones". Not only was he trying to overcome the criticisms surrounding "Phantom Menace"; he knew that he had to improve upon "Phantom Menace" and use the "Attack..." to set up Episode III. This is a tremendous task for any director, much less the creator of "Star Wars" itself.

It's possible that Lucas might have lost his touch as a cinematic director after his 16 year hiatus. His involvement with LucasArts, however, kept him on the front-lines of cinematic technology and when the time to begin filming "Attack" arrived, Lucas decided to use digital media only. He had hoped to do so with Episode I, but Sony was unable to build the cameras fast enough. "Attack Of The Clones" was the very first film to be shot using only digital cameras and media for data storage. While some directors still resist the use of digital technology in film-making, Lucas saw an opportunity to open the door to an entirely new style of cinematic production. He did it once in 1975 when he founded Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), why not do it again?

As innovative and ground-breaking as those technological advances were, they were not enough to save this movie from itself. Poor writing (due in part to J. Hales who Lucas hired to help finish the script late in the pre-production process), poor tempo, and groan-inducing attempts to "tie the story together" sunk this ship before it sailed.

"Third time's a charm!", right Uncle George?

My Rating: 5.5/10

Content to Caution:
V-2 - Different day, different droids being blasted. Violence and action consistent with the first film.
L-1 - No comment.
DU-.5 - No comment.
RT-1 - Some talk of slavery, and the race of clones (bred to be warriors) can be viewed as being slaves to their single purpose in life; die for the politicians.
H/S-1 - Just enough dramatic tension to keep us engaged.
CH-1 - No comment.
S/N-.5 - Anakin steals a kiss. The Force was with him.

The "Reel Revelation": "A Galaxy (Not So) Far, Far Away - Pt. 2"

Think for a moment of a few things you'd really like to have. Try to focus on material things, if you can. (I'd normally not say that, but it's worthwhile for the sake of the reflection.) What comes to mind? A new car? A home? A vacation? Of the things you've come up with, how many are actually attainable? I'd suspect most of your list is, but maybe you've thought of a few things that are outright impossible to achieve. How do you feel about that; knowing you'll never get what you want? This is a simple thinking exercise, but I suspect you can think of much deeper and more serious things (or opportunities, even relationships) you wish for that you also sense are out of reach. While we might not share the same list of things desired, but I think we can all share the sentiment of wanting something so badly but knowing it's out of our reach, that it's forbidden. Dare we admit that there's something dramatically exciting about wanting something we know we can never have?

Of all the plot devices employed in literature and poetry (then employed in film and so on) that capture our attention, forbidden love is probably the greatest of them all. The battle of good against evil, the struggle of the minority, and the pursuit of glory all make for memorable stories, but I cannot think of anything as captivating as that of forbidden love. The examples go on and on, but here are a few that come to mind:

- Romeo and Juliet - Forbidden by their families/social classes.

- John Smith and Pocahontas - Forbidden by social structures and worldviews.

- Love shared between man and deity (common in ancient mythology) - Forbidden by divine and natural "law".

Lucas tries his hand at writing a story of forbidden love between Anakin and Padme. They both realize that they cannot and ought not be together. Social classes forbid it. Religion (the "Jedi Code", in this instance) forbids it. Common sense throws up a STOP sign every time they entertain feelings of romance. And still they persist, choosing to "live a lie" instead of denying their feelings. Their know that their love is forbidden, but they chosen to ignore that "law" and move forward despite knowing that they risk everything for the sake of romance and companionship. The rest is history.

Impossible circumstances seem to restrict even the faintest hope of these lovers ever being together. It's a lost cause from the get-go, but it's a lost cause we can't get enough of! Why are we so interested? It's forbidden, after all; not allowed, prohibited! And yet these stories (among many others) are esteemed as some of the greatest ever told. But none of these stories come close to the tale of impossible love such as we find in the Bible. In those sacred pages we learn of a loving God who overwhelmed all odds and laws and rules to touch our world with His very self.

We learn of a God who dwelt among His people. Even when the Israelites feared the presence of God, they still knew that God was with them at all times.

We learn of a God who broke through social barriers, calling all people to Himself. He employed both kings and farmers to accomplish His will on Earth.

We learn of a God who broke through the barrier of Eternity itself and became a man, and that man, Jesus, walked alongside us.

We learn of a God who continues to call us to Himself each day, and we learn that God calls us to follow after Him even if this world forbids us to do so. Somehow the social pressures that tried to keep Romeo and Juliet apart don't seem so bad.

It really is a story of impossible love, the tale of God's love for us.

Will you embrace that love today?

Perhaps you've managed to tell yourself that certain things in your life are impossible, even forbidden. 'Oh no, i'll never do that...there's no sense in even trying' or 'I wish that I could, but I know i'd never be able to'. Ever heard those words come out of your mouth? I think I've said them once or twice (or 10 dozen times) myself. God might forbid us from doing certain things in this life. We don't know why, but sometimes it can seem as if there's a reason we're not able to get access to one side of the human experience or another. That might bring disappointment, but may we never become so discouraged that we forget that while God forbids us from certain things in this life (remember the list from earlier), He doesn't forbid us from Himself. We might not get our dream vacations or shiny cars or a dish washer that functions properly, but what we do receive is so much better;

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you." (John 14: 27)

Rest in that peace today, my friends.

See you tomorrow- E.T.

"Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace"

2011-04-12T22:21:00.006-05:00

Title: "Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace"
Director: George Lucas
Producers: R. McCallum and G. Lucas
Editing: B. Burtt and P. Smith
Composer: John Williams
Starring:
- Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn
- Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Natalie Portman as Queen Padme Amidala
- Jake Lloyd as Anakin Skywalker
- Ian McDiamid as Palpatine/Darth Sidious
- Ray Park as Darth Maul
- Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
- Kenny Baker as RD-D2
- Frank Oz as 'The Voice Of' Yoda
- Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu
- Keira Knightley as Sabe (The Queen's Decoy)

Plot and Critical Review: The Galactic Republic is in a period of decline, with its bureaucracy bloated and corrupt and its economy deteriorating. In response to a taxation on trade routes, the greedy Trade Federation organizes a blockade of battleships around the planet of Naboo. Hoping to resolve the matter, the Supreme Chancellor dispatches two Jedi, Qui-Gon Jinn, and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi, to negotiate with Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray. Unbeknown to them, the Trade Federation has become in league with the evil Sith Lord Darth Sidious who orders them to kill the Jedi and invade Naboo with an army of battle droids. Narrowly evading death, the two Jedi stow aboard landing craft and escape to Naboo. There Qui-Gon saves local Gungan outcast Jar Jar Binks. Indebted to the Jedi, Jar Jar leads them to the underwater Gungan city of Otoh Gunga, where the Jedi unsuccessfully attempt to persuade the Gungans to help the people of Naboo, though they are able to obtain a transport to reach the Capital city of Theed on the surface.

Queen Amidala of Naboo is captured by the Federation army, but is rescued by the Jedi. The Queen escapes Naboo with the Jedi on her personal starship, which is damaged on its way through the blockade surrounding the planet, forcing them to land on the nearby desert planet of Tatooine for repairs. Qui-Gon ventures into the settlement of Mos Espa with Jar Jar and R2-D2 to a junk shop to purchase a new hyperdrive generator. In fulfillment of the Queen's wishes, they allow one of her handmaids, Padmé to journey along with them. There they meet a young slave child named Anakin Skywalker. After spending time with Anakin, his mother Shmi Skywalker, and their droid C-3PO, Qui-Gon senses a strong presence of the Force within him, and suspects he may be the Chosen One who will bring balance to the Force. Qui-Gon makes a bet with Anakin's owner, Watto, to enter him in a podracing tournament, and that if Anakin wins, he will be freed. Anakin manages to win the race and joins the group to be trained as a Jedi, but he is forced to leave his mother behind. Before they leave, they are attacked by Darth Sidious' apprentice, Darth Maul, who was dispatched to capture the Queen.

The Jedi escort the Queen to the Republic capital planet of Coruscant so she can plead her people's case to the Galactic Senate. Qui-Gon, meanwhile, attempts to persuade the Jedi Council to train Anakin as a Jedi, but they refuse as Anakin is too old and has too many attachments which would risk him turning to the dark side of the Force. Within the Senate, Senator Palpatine of Naboo convinces the Queen to move for a vote of "no confidence" in the Supreme Chancellor so they can vote for a new Chancellor who will help end the conflict. She pushes such a vote, but grows frustrated with the lack of action by the Senate, ultimately deciding to return to Naboo with the Jedi.

Back on Naboo, Padmé reveals herself to be Queen Amidala, the other "Queen" having been a decoy for her own protection. The Queen convinces the Gungan people to form an alliance against the Trade Federation. While the inept Jar Jar leads his people in a battle against the droid army and the Queen moves in to capture Viceroy Gunray in Theed, Anakin commandeers a vacant starfighter and joins the dogfight against the Federation droid control ship in space, using his skills (in tandem with the Force) to destroy it which deactivates the entire droid army on the planet below. The Jedi, meanwhile, encounter Darth Maul once more and engage him in a two-on-one lightsaber duel. Qui-Gon is killed in the battle, but Obi-Wan manages to kill the Sith apprentice. Senator Palpatine is elected as the new Supreme Chancellor, the Federation Viceroy is sent to stand trial for his crimes, Obi-Wan is bestowed the rank of Jedi Knight, and the Jedi Council reluctantly allows Anakin to become Obi-Wan's apprentice.

16 years is a long time to wait for anything. When rumors began circulating that George Lucas was considering making an additional three films to compliment the overwhelmingly popular "Star Wars" trilogy of the late 70s and early 80s, fans everywhere held a collective breath of hope. In 1993 Lucas confirmed that he would indeed make three more films and that he would lean heavily on state-of-the-art CGI technology in the creation of new worlds, characters, and action sequences to bring the "Star Wars" universe to a whole new level.

When it finally opened in theatres "The Phantom Menace" was met with both enthusiastic acclaim and biting criticism. Fans were glad to hear the familiar music, see some familiar sights, and get into the back-story of the trilogy; finding out more about where certain characters came from, etc. Fans were also excited to see the Jedi portrayed as being more active and agile. But when it came to points of criticism, fans were not silent. I'd be willing to list a few examples, but people much more concerned with such things than I have already done so time and time again. Here's at least one website where you can look over a few points of concern: http://www.chefelf.com/starwars/ep1.php

I rank "The Phantom Menace" in the middle of the road. Lucas was under immense pressure to deliver and I genuinely believe he did the best he could. When it comes to something as beloved and legendary as "Star Wars", you know there will be plenty of upset people because it didn't turn out the way they expected. If Lucas decided to produce this film again and try something totally different we can be quite certain that there'd be just as many critics posting hate-blogs as there were in 1999. You're free to come to your own opinion on the issue, but we've got to start somewhere, and Episode I seems the best place.

My Rating: 6.5/10

Content to Caution:
V-2 - Action and violence in keeping with a PG sci-fi/fantasy film. The fighting is mostly bloodless, but one man is run through with a lightsaber and another cut in half by the same.
L-1 - Uncle George keep sit clean for the kiddos.
DU-.5 - No comment.
RT-2 - Anakin and his mother live in slavery along with others an impoverished class of society.
H/S-1.5 - Didn't Darth Maul make you a little nervous the first time around?
CH-.5 - No comment.
S/N-.5 - No comment.

The "Reel Revelation": "A Galaxy (Not So) Far, Far Away - Pt. 1"

"I was born ready." A simple Internet search of this term returned hundreds of instances in which it's been used in films, television programs, advertisements, and printed media. It is probably one of the most used (and abused) sayings in Hollywood. For a time it was probably a pretty smooth line of dialogue, but it has since become a sort of running-joke and doesn't generate more than a smirk or a groan when used in a script. Most of the time it's employed when a character arrogantly or pridefully describes his or her abilities.

Even if you haven't seen any of the "Star Wars" films (although i'm not sure how that's possible given the frequency at which SpikeTV! runs those weekend-long marathons) you've probably at least heard of the character named Darth Vader. You might even know that before Darth Vader was Darth Vader he went by the name Anakin Skywalker. Further still you might know that Anakin Skywalker was believed to be "The Chosen One", a very special individual who, by his actions, would bring balance to The Force (a cosmic energy source, let's leave it at that) and end the battle between good and evil. Those who believed in the prophecy of "The Chosen One" understood that this person would be "born ready" to accomplish this task; that the necessary gifts would be instilled within them from the moment of conception (a miraculous conception brought on by the power of The Force). Let us try and set aside the dramatically obvious parallels to Jesus (or, in a more general sense, the "Messiah Complex") for just a moment as there's more to consider here beyond whether or not George Lucas intended "Star Wars" to be some sort of variation on the Gospel story.

Have you ever felt as if you were born with something inside of you? Perhaps you can think of a particular dream or goal, maybe even a sense of longing or desire that you can remember always having. Even children speak of their dreams in such a way that it seems they've always had them; to become a fireman or a vetrinarian or a teacher. They might have only learned about such occupations days before, but now they are convinced it is what they were always meant to do. In "The Phantom Menace" we have the chance to meet a very young Anakin Skywalker who, despite his circumstances, is full a similar longing:

Anakin: Are you an angel?
Padmé: What?
Anakin: An angel. I've heard the deep space pilots talk about them. They're the most beautiful creatures in the universe. They live on the moon of Iego, I think.
Padmé: [smiles] You're a funny little boy. How do you know so much?
Anakin: I listen to all the traders and star pilots who came through here. I'm a pilot, you know, and someday I'm going to fly away from this place.
Padmé: You're a pilot?
Anakin: Mmhm. All my life.

He speaks of his desire to travel the galaxy as if he was born dreaming of distant worlds. We might not dream of Mars and Jupiter, but we do experience a sort of longing for something beyond this world. Some come to discern that longing early in life while others spend a lifetime trying to figure it out. Countless methodologies and philosophies and ideologies are employed to try and explain it. If "All those who wander are not lost." (Tolkien), then why are they still wandering, and to what destination? We feel the "pull", but can't see whose hands are at the other end of the "rope". We couldn't have dreamt up this desire on our own while we were in the womb...someone put it there; someone who knew us even before we became flesh.

"For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother's womb.

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them. (Psalm 139: 13-16)

God! It was God who knew us while we were yet "in secret" and God who placed within us this deep desire. He who sees all "the days that were ordained" for us saw fit to instill a yearning for something far greater than anything we could ever provide for ourselves. Eternity. And yet we are not born into Eternity itself, but into a world that will pass away. Why bother with the pain and the sin and shame of this temporal life if all we long for is the everlasting joy of God's company?

Think back to Anakin, that young boy with a dream. He may have been born "The Chosen One", but he could not have overthrown all the evil in the galaxy as a baby, could he? He was not born, after all, with the skill to pilot a spaceship or wield a lightsaber. But the power of his dream motivated him to grow in knowledge, skill, and understanding. When the moment finally arrived for him to do what he had been born to do he was prepared because of his circumstances and experiences. We require the same sort of training, and often times it is a lifelong lesson. I'd be on thin theological ice if I said that we're only "ready for Heaven" after a lifetime of experience, for we know that God will call people to Himself as He will. And yet, as we do live, there's something about that deep yearning that makes us want to learn more about our Creator, to study His words and actions, and to deepen our connection to Him through the fellowship of those who trust in His promises.

Jesus came to confirm all of this and to assure us that this inherent yearning doesn't travel in a single direction, that it's not just us who desire to be with God:

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:1-3)

See you tomorrow- E.T.

"The Social Network"

2011-04-11T10:47:00.009-05:00

Title: "The Social Network"

Director: David Fincher
Producers: D. Fincher, S. Rudin, K. Spacey, etc...
Editing: K. Baxter and A. Wall
Composer: T. Reznor and A. Ross
Starring:
- Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg
- Andrew Garfield as Eduardo Saverin
- Justin Timberlake as Sean Parker
- Armie Hammer as Cameron Winklevoss/Tyler Winklevoss
- Josh Pence as the body double for Hammer as Tyler Winklevoss
- Brenda Song as Christy Lee
- Max Minghella as Divya Narendra
- Rashida Jones as Marylin Delpy
- Joseph Mazzello as Dustin Moskovitz
- Rooney Mara as Erica Albright

Plot and Critical Review: The framing device throughout the film shows Mark Zuckerberg being deposed in two lawsuits: one filed by Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss and the other by Eduardo Saverin. The story of the creation of Facebook is told through flashbacks from both depositions.

In 2003, Erica Albright breaks up with Harvard University student Mark Zuckerberg. Back at his dorm Mark gets drunk and writes a scathing blog entry about her and is inspired to create a website on which people can rate the attractiveness of female students when compared to each other. He downloads pictures of female students from the databases of various residence halls, and, in a few hours he creates a website called "FaceMash". The website takes off like wildfire. Mark receives six months of academic probation after the web traffic to the site brings down parts of Harvard's network. Mark becomes instantly vilified among most of Harvard's female community. However, FaceMash's popularity and the fact that Mark created it in one night while drunk brings him to the attention of the Winklevoss twins and their business partner Divya Narendra. As a result, he gets a job working for the Winklevoss twins as the programmer of their new social website, Harvard Connection.

Soon afterward, Mark approaches Eduardo and tells him of his idea for what he calls "Thefacebook", an online social networking website exclusive to Harvard University students. He explains this would let people share personal and social information securely. Eduardo agrees to help Mark, providing $1,000 to help start the site. Mark builds the site from scratch over the course of a couple of weeks, all the while avoiding the Winklevoss twins and totally forsaking Harvard Connection. Facebook is soon completed and they distribute the link to Eduardo's connections at the Phoenix S-K final club, and it quickly becomes popular throughout the student body. When they learn of Thefacebook, the Winklevoss twins and Narendra believe Zuckerberg had stolen their idea while stalling on their website. Tyler and Divya want to sue Mark for intellectual property theft, but Cameron convinces them they can settle the matter as "gentlemen of Harvard".

At a lecture by Bill Gates, fellow Harvard student Christy Lee introduces herself and her friend Alice Cantwel to Eduardo and Mark. She asks the Eduardo to "Facebook me" so they can get together later. Christy's use of this phrase impresses both of them. Mark and Eduardo meet Christy and Alice for drinks and, at the bar, Mark runs into Erica. Mark tries to apologize for his past behavior, but Erica won't hear any of it. She isn't aware of the popularity of Thefacebook as she isn't a Harvard student. Mark decides to expand the site to more schools in the Northeastern U.S., while the Winklevoss twins and Narendra become angrier at seeing "their idea" advance without them. Cameron refuses to sue them, instead accusing Mark of violating the Harvard student Code of Conduct. They arrange a meeting with Harvard President Larry Summers, who sees no potential value in either a disciplinary action or in Thefacebook website itself. The twins are dismissed.

Through Christy, now Eduardo's girlfriend, Eduardo and Mark arrange a meeting with Napster co-founder Sean Parker. When Christy, Mark, and Eduardo meet Sean, Eduardo becomes skeptical noting Sean's problematic personal and professional history. Christy thinks Eduardo is jealous of Sean, and attempts to calm him to avoid a scene. Sean presents a vision for Facebook very similar to Mark's, which earns Mark's instant admiration. In a parting comment, Sean suggests they drop the "The" from Thefacebook.

Mark immediately moves the company to Palo Alto, while Eduardo remains in New York seeking advertising support. At a nightclub, Sean advises Mark to keep hold of his ownership of Facebook to ensure that Mark doesn't lose control of a potentially lucrative business venture, using Victoria's Secret founder Roy Raymond as an example. After Sean promises to expand Facebook to two other continents, Mark invites Sean to live at the house he and Eduardo are renting.

Meanwhile in England, while competing in the Henley Royal Regatta for Harvard, the Winklevoss twins discover Facebook has expanded to a number of English universities. Cameron finally relents and they decide to sue. When Eduardo visits from New York, he is angered to find Sean is living in their house and is making business decisions for Facebook. Eduardo pulls Mark aside and has an argument with him, with Mark making a demeaning remark regarding Eduardo's failed attempts at finding advertisers. Fed up with Mark's attitude toward him, Eduardo freezes the company's bank account and returns to New York. Upon returning, Christy argues with Eduardo about his Facebook profile, which still lists him as "single". When Christy questions Eduardo about why he has not changed his Facebook profile, he tells her he does not know how to, further infuriating Christy because she believes he is lying. She accuses him of cheating on her and sets fire to a scarf he has given to her. While Eduardo extinguishes the fire, Mark reveals on the phone that although he was upset that Eduardo almost jeopardized Facebook by freezing the bank account, they have secured $500,000 from Peter Thiel acting as an angel investor through Parker's contacts. Eduardo ends his romantic relationship with Christy and leaves immediately for Palo Alto to join Mark and the rest of the Facebook team.

Eduardo soon discovers the deal he signed with Sean's investors has allowed them to dilute his share of the company from 34 percent to 0.03 percent, while maintaining the ownership percentage of all other parties. Devastated, he confronts Mark and announces his intention to sue him. Later that night, during a party celebrating Facebook's one millionth member, Sean and a number of underage Facebook interns are arrested for possession of cocaine. Sean calls Mark and tries to explain that he had nothing to do with the party or the drugs. An unbelieving Mark simply tells him to "go home."

The film ends with Mark sending a friend request to Erica on Facebook, and refreshing the page every few seconds as he waits for a response.

I'd like to give the floor to one of the masters of the film review, R. Ebert:

"In an age when movie dialogue is dumbed and slowed down to suit slow-wits in the audience, the dialogue here has the velocity and snap of screwball comedy. Eisenberg, who has specialized in playing nice or clueless, is a heat-seeking missile in search of his own goals. Timberlake pulls off the tricky assignment of playing Sean Parker as both a hot shot and someone who engages Zuckerberg as an intellectual equal. Andrew Garfield evokes an honest friend who is not the right man to be CFO of the company that took off without him, but deserves sympathy.

"The Social Network" is a great film not because of its dazzling style or visual cleverness, but because it is splendidly well-made. Despite the baffling complications of computer programming, web strategy and big finance, Aaron Sorkin's screenplay makes it all clear, and we don't follow the story so much as get dragged along behind it. I saw it with an audience that seemed wrapped up in an unusual way: It was very, very interested." (http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100929/REVIEWS/100929984)

My Rating: 8/10

Content to Caution:
V-1 - No comment.
L-2.5 - No comment.
DU-3 - Mostly heavy drinking in dorm rooms, at parties, and at restaurants. Minors and adults are seen to be using cocaine and marijuana together at parties.
RT-0 - No comment.
H/S-1 - No comment.
CH-2.5 - Imagine the sort of jokes that Ivy League college students make. Yep, here they are.
S/N-2.5 - One scene in which Eduardo and (presumably) mark receive oral sex. Nothing is shown but their pants being unzipped. A bus full of women arrive at a Final Club party and seem to serve the members as prostitutes as they strip dance, and please the Club members.

The "Reel Revelation": "The Heart Of The Matter"

About six months before "The Social Network" came out a friend sent me a link to the trailer. I watched it and said "Oh, a movie about Facebook...that's cool." I'd almost forgotten about the trailer and the movie in general when I started seeing the usual celebrity interviews and press campaign surrounding the movie. Now the trailers were longer, more in-depth, and more revealing of the plot line. I watched some more trailers online and said "Oh, it doesn't really seem to be about Facebook at all." I went to see "The Social Network" a couple weeks after it opened and found that my suspicions were confirmed; this film is far more concerned with human relationship and communication than with the development of any digital social network. There's no denying that the creation of and subsequent fight for control over Facebook was a critical element to the film, but the heart of the matter in "The Social Network" was really in Mark and Eduardo's friendship. Other relationships and interactions fed into the energy of the work, of course, but that is where the truest tension and highest drama rested. If you left the theatre thinking about anything else, you might have seen the wrong movie.

Just as I was somewhat misled about believing "The Social Network" to be a certain type of movie (or a movie about a certain topic and nothing more), it's easy to mislead ourselves when it comes to getting to the heart of the matter in real life. Sometimes it's easiest to go with our first impressions ("Trust your gut!", right?) about people, situations, and opportunities. We judge based on what we can see and the most basic information we can gather, not unlike how we judge movies by their teaser trailers and books by their covers. Sometimes we might be right about those first impressions, but I suspect we're far more likely to be wrong. Only the best gunfighters shot straight when shooting from the hip. It's alright to be wrong about those first impressions when judging movies or music, but we must tread much more carefully when it comes to the issue of relationships and the heart.

Have you ever had a conversation with a person in which you felt that, no matter what topic you chose, you were never really talking about what you needed to be discussing? Perhaps you were trying to convey something important to another person but, try as you might, they never really heard the heart of your message. What about a conversation in which a person lashed out at you, possibly even hurting you, but you were left with the sense that they never meant to hurt you at all and that something else was pressing on their hearts? Have you ever answered the question "How are you?" (or one of it's many iterations) with a response that intentionally tried to deflect conversation away from how you were really feeling?

If you answered "yes" to any of the questions above, do not worry and do not be discouraged. Even if you answered "yes" to all of them, do not let your heart be troubled, for you are no different than any other person in seeking to keep the heart of the matter private and protected. That's something we do very well, indeed; come to realize the most sensitive and sacred parts of our lives then shut them off and lock them away so no one else will ever get close.

What about those whom God sent to proclaim His word? God may have fueled them with divine truth and righteous fervor to communicate His word, but even they were misunderstood or rejected outright:

- We call Jeremiah the "Lamenting Prophet" because the people of Israel refused to hear the heart of his message; repent and return to the Lord.

- People flocked to see John the Baptist, the wild man that he was, but did they come to see a spectacle or to join with John in anticipating the arrival of the Messiah?

- Some heard Jesus' words and believed Him, but many were either unable or unwilling to hear the heart of His message, that God was near and had come into the world to save souls.

St. Paul said, "For now we see in a mirror dimly..." (1 Cor. 13:12) Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear..." (Mark 4:9) And yet we realize that we're stuck with eyes that cannot see clearly and ears that seem to be a little too stuffed to hear what we ought. Thus we pray that God will open our eyes and ears so that we might see and hear His Heart in this world. In so doing (both in prayer and in practice) we ask God to help us learn to listen to the hearts of our brothers and sisters, to help us see more clearly the needs of their hearts and how we can serve them in Christ's name. To that end we also learn how to become more open and honest when it comes to our own needs; we learn how to live humbly and openly share our hearts with others, even though we risk being hurt because we've exposed that most sacred part of our existence.

People will judge us just like I judged "The Social Network" based only on a teaser trailer. That's how it goes. Dim eyes and stuffed ears, remember? But if we choose to exercise patience, humility, and openness in God's name, we make giant leaps toward ensuring that those who we welcome into the "theatres of our hearts" won't walk out without getting the real message we want to share, the heart of the matter. Let that be our aim today and everyday, for if Christ be in our hearts He will also be on our tongues, and that's a message want to communicate clearly in every moment and in all places.

See you tomorrow- E.T.

"Out Of Africa"

2011-04-09T23:21:00.003-05:00

Title: "Out Of Africa"

Director: Sydney Pollack
Producers: S. Pollack and K. Jorgensen
Editing: F. Steinkamp, W. Steinkamp, P. Herring, and S. Kahn
Composer: John Barry
Starring:
- Robert Redford as Denys Finch Hatton
- Meryl Streep as Karen Blixen
- Klaus Maria Brandauer as Bror Blixen/Hans Blixen
- Michael Kitchen as Berkeley Cole
- Shane Rimmer as Belknap
- Malick Bowens as Farah
- Joseph Thiaka as Kamante
- Stephen Kinyanjui as Chief Kinanjui
- Michael Gough as Baron Delamere

Plot and Critical Review: The ploy synopsis provided by Wikipedia was terribly weak and the one I found on IMDB wasn't much better (it didn't even have character names in it!), but I dressed it up and submit it for your consideration.

A prominently wealthy Danish lady by the name of Karen (pronounced car-in) moves to an English colony in Africa and buys 1000 acres of land. Her beau dies and to avoid loneliness she proposes marriage to his kind but rascally brother, Bror, whom she got along with as a friend. He consents to marriage, but in no small part because of Karen’s wealthy family. They agree to start a cattle farm and she goes back to Denmark to get funding from her family. When she returns she is distraught to find her husband has decided that they will grow coffee instead, despite the fact that no one had ever attempted to grow it at such a high altitude. Karen decides that 500 acres should be planted.

The First World War breaks out soon thereafter and most of the men go south and serve on the front lines. Even though it is terribly dangerous and socially unforgivable, Karen leads a long and dangerous supply run to Bror and the men on the front lines. Not only does she learn much about surviving in the wild, she (begrudgingly) gains the respect of the soldiers who watched her come to their aid.

After the fighting has ended her husband continues to live more independently than she would like. Bror transmits syphilis to her, although he suffers no noticeable effects from the disease. He is apologetic that he gave it to her, but he’s shows no remorse for being unfaithful or fiercely independent. She returns to Denmark for treatment, is cured, and returns to the farm 3 years later. Bror moves out of their home after soliciting a sum of money from her. They divorce later in the film.

The coffee crops start coming in but turning a profit proves difficult. Karen enlists the services of a local tribe to work her farm. Over time she employs the majority of the tribe and allows them to live on the 500 uncultivated acres of her property. She builds a school and hires a teacher to educate the children, although this is mostly met with disapproval from those who would rather see the natives remain uneducated and easy to control and manipulate.

Karen turns her attention to Denys, a freelance hunter and guide for safari parties. They met much earlier in the film, but only now does she have the opportunity to express her feelings for him. Denys is honest and loyal but very independent as he lives quite adventurously in the wilderness. Karen tries to convince Denys to settle down and stay with her, but he is obviously at odds with “settling” with or being “owned” by any person.

Meanwhile Karen’s farm is just barely getting by and she is forced to mortgage it with a local backer. The fields yield a bumper crop but all of her storehouses and barns catch fire. Karen loses everything and goes bankrupt. Having no insurance to fall back on she is forced to sell her home, all of her possessions, and return to Denmark. Just as she loses the farm, she loses Denys when he is killed in a plane crash. With her farm and lover gone, her life in Africa is over and she leaves, vowing never to return.

"Out Of Africa" has been in my personal list of Top 10 Films since the very first time I saw it. I was immediately captivated by the film's truly epic scope and the striking contrast between the vastness of the African plains and the drama unfolding in Karen's life. Good epics manage to do that, present dramatically genuine story lines in the face of epic landscapes and events. "Out Of Africa" worked hard to earn it's glory as 1985 was a year full of action/adventure ("Rocky IV" and "Rambo: First Blood Part II") and the fantastic ("Back To The Future" and "Cocoon"). But what those other film had in spades (technology, popularity, and the power of the sequel) they lacked in real drama. Compared to "Out Of Africa", that is, which took home 7 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Music Score. Few films receive that many Oscars in the first place, much less come as close to earning the coveted Big Three (Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay).

My Rating: 9/10

Content to Caution:
V-1.5 - A scuffle at a party, and some wildlife-related action here and there.
L-1 - No comment.
DU-2 - Most adult characters drink and/or smoke, especially in social settings.
RT-2 - The Kikuyu appear to be serving as slaves and are occasionally slandered.
H/S-0 - No comment.
CH- 1.5 - No comment.
S/N-2 - Sex between characters is suggested several times. Some kissing. A very brief scene showing Denys and Karen making love includes some nudity.

The "Reel Revelation": "Quite A Grip You've Got There!"

"Can I have a hug?" I don't know of many people who would say "no" to such a request, but I can think of many instances in which fulfilling that wish led to moments of unexpected emotional expression. You stretch out your arms for a simple embrace and suddenly you feel as if your life is being squeezed out of you! They asked for a hug, didn't they? You realize you've gone way beyond their simple request and that they're holding onto you for a deeper reason. Maybe you've done the same; reached out to someone and held on tight for a reason that could never be expressed through words. Be it a reaction to dazzling joy or crushing grief, that's what we do...hold on.

There's another kind of "holding", however, that is not so sentimental, and we see it displayed over and over again in "Out Of Africa" through Karen's constant attempt to control her environment. It begins when she proposes marriage to Bror. There is a very brief period of time in which their marriage seems to have the chance to thrive, but as soon as he expresses his independence she loses her motivation to stick with the relationship. Her frustration is doubled when Bror gives her syphilis and she realizes she has almost no control over him whatsoever. She ejects him from her life at once and her heart turns (or she turned her heart) toward Denys.

Denys provides an actual opportunity for true love and genuine romantic relationship. Once again we observe a time in which their relationship seems to be blossoming, but Karen is obviously irritated that Denys spends so much time away from home. Eventually, unable to maintain control, she sends Denys away as well. Karen's will finally gives out when the plantation and bumper crop are destroyed. She accepts defeat and returns to Denmark.

Have you ever held onto something so tightly that you wouldn't let it go, even when you knew it was dead in your hands? Are we so desperate to maintain control that we refuse to surrender until, just like Karen, our lives lie in smoldering ruins at our feet?

I recently heard a story about a woman in her early 50s who, having suffered from severe brain and lung cancer, was very near to death. Her family gathered around the deathbed to be with her when she passed. As soon as she exhaled her last breath her oldest daughter leapt onto the bed and began administering CPR. She could not revive her mother. The nurses were eventually able to pull the daughter off, but not after some effort.

Jesus calls us to live with open hands and open hearts. Do I dare suggest that what the daughter did for her mother was wrong? Absolutely not, for she reached out in love and for the sake of life itself! But we do have a way of convincing ourselves that "holding on" can be a loving act even when we're clearly trying to get our own way. Most of the time we realize that we are, but selfishness and the desire to maintain control smother the Spirit's conviction. We squeeze tighter and tighter. Jesus summons us to let go of the things we think are important and to pick up and carry something quite different from the things we seek to control:

"Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:27)

We might be brave enough to say, "Yes, Lord, I carry my cross everyday!", but do we really sense the weight of the wood, or do our knees buckle from the weight of burdens we've piled on? After all, if you're going to control something, you've pretty much got to take it with you wherever you go... Is there any space left for a cross on a pair of shoulders that are already so heavily burdened? If Jesus called out to you right now and summoned you to go somewhere, could you leave everything and follow Him? Not in a couple days or in a week, but right now?

- Do not forget the story of the rich young ruler who was unwilling to give up his treasures and follow after Jesus. (Mark 10:17-31)

- Do not forget Lot's wife who, by simply looking back to Sodom and Gomorrah (holding onto the past), was turned into a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:26)

- Do not forget the slave in the Parable of Talents who, out of fear, buried the money that was given to him. He thought his actions were sensible, but his master called him a "wicked, lazy slave". (Mark 10:14-30)

May our hearts and hands be open to God at all times, for the purposes and tasks He will set them to will be far greater than anything we might try to hold or control. May we open our hands and bare our shoulders to hold the Cross, seeking to serve the One who died upon it, for He is far greater than anything we might try to hold or control.

See you Monday - E.T.

A Little Behind Schedule

2011-04-09T06:32:00.002-05:00

I was unable to stay awake last night and finish the centennial post, but I should be able to post it sometime soon. Sorry for the delay. - E.T.

"Ocean's Thirteen"

2011-04-07T22:43:00.005-05:00

Title: "Ocean's Thirteen"

Director: Steven Soderbergh
Producers: Jerry Weintraub
Editing: Stephen Mirrione
Composer: David Holmes
Starring:
- George Clooney as Daniel Ocean
- Brad Pitt as Rusty Ryan
- Matt Damon as Linus Caldwell
- Bernie Mac as Frank Catton
- Elliott Gould as Reuben Tishkoff
- Casey Affleck as Virgil Malloy
- Scott Caan as Turk Malloy
- Eddie Jemison as Livingston Dell
- Don Cheadle as Basher Tarr
- Shaobo Qin as "The Amazing" Yen
- Carl Reiner as Saul Bloom
- Andy García as Terry Benedict
- Al Pacino as Wilyl Bank
- Ellen Barkin as Abigail Sponder

- Vincent Cassel as Francois Toulour

Plot and Critical Review: In an effort to legitimize himself in his later years, Reuben Tishkoff is conned by Willy Bank when Bank forces Tishkoff to sign over the ownership rights of the new hotel/casino/resort they were building together. Reuben suffers a heart attack from the betrayal and becomes bed-ridden. Danny Ocean, after attempting to negotiate with Bank, gathers up his partners-in-crime and plans to completely ruin Bank on the night of the opening of the casino, "The Bank", as a way to get revenge for Reuben. They decide to do so in two ways.

First, they plan to prevent Bank's new hotel from winning the prestigious Five Diamond Award from the Royal Review board, which Bank has won four times before for other casinos or resort properties. Saul Bloom poses as the reviewer of the board, while the real reviewer, a self-proclaimed "Very Unimportant Person", is treated poorly during his stay through Ocean's associates and the staff of the hotel on Danny's payroll.

The second plan is to rig the casino's slot machines and other games to force the hotel to pay out more than $500 million in winnings. But it's not a simple case of crossing some wires as it requires them to defeat "The Greco", a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence system that monitors all of the games and gamers in the casino. They plan to trick Bank into carrying a cell phone equipped with a magnetron (a device which generates and emits microwaves) to disrupt "The Greco". To assure that players cash out and claims as much money as possible, Ocean's team acquires one of the giant drills used to bore the Channel Tunnel to simulate an earthquake under the hotel on its gala opening night.

While the group prepares the rigged games, they run into problems when the drill fails. Ocean is forced to approach his nemesis Terry Benedict to fund the purchase of the second drill. While Benedict has a grudge against Bank and is willing to help, he only offers Ocean the funds if they also steal the four other Diamond Awards Bank has won, now on display in a secured case in the upper most room of the hotel. Ocean plans for Linus Caldwell to seduce Bank's assistant, Abigail Sponder, to gain access to the display and switch the diamonds with fakes.

Opening night arrives. As Ocean's plan goes into action agents from the FBI arrive to investigate the presence of rigged machines. They take Livingston Dell's prints off the rigged machines (Dell was the one who rigged those particular machines before the heist went into action) and use it to generate a list of Dell's known associates - Ocean's "Eleven". Basher distracts Bank long enough to allow the gang to change the FBI records. Linus is arrested by the lead agent who turns out to be his father who is also in on Ocean's plan and there to help Linus swap the diamonds. As they exit to the roof of the hotel for extraction via helicopter they are taken at gunpoint by Toulour whom Benedict had ordered to intercept the diamonds. Linus and Bobby hand over the diamonds to Toulour who escapes but discovers he only holds the fakes, for Ocean had been aware of Toulour's presence all along and had arranged for Linus and Bobby to extract the entire display case from the hotel with the helicopter. Bank rushes out of the casino just in time to see his diamonds in flight.

The remainder of Ocean's plan continues as planned with the Greco disabled and guests leaving the casino with their winnings. As Bank realizes his ruin, Ocean lets him know that they did everything for Reuben. The group uses the money they made off with to buy property north of the Las Vegas Strip for Reuben to build his own casino. As punishment for Benedict's treachery, Ocean donates his portions of the take to charity, forcing Benedict to publicly admit his (false) philanthropy. As the group disperses, Rusty ensures that the "Very Unimportant Person" is compensated by allowing him to win an eleven million dollar jackpot at a rigged slot machine at the airport.

Watching a good cinematic trilogy can be as satisfying as listening to one of the great symphonies of Beethoven or Mozart; while there are distinct thoughts and ideas throughout the work, once it ends you feel as if you've only been listening to one piece of music or, in this case, watching one really long movie. Even though the "Ocean's" franchise suffered in "The Dip" of sequel-induced failure, the third installment helped to revive interest in the films and closed the series in a way that honored and applauded the time, energy, and talent that had been spent over the 6 years (approximate) of production. That Danny's crew should end up back in Las Vegas and once again at odds with Terry Benedict only sweetens the sense of completion and "full circleness" we feel when watching a film series.

My Rating: 7/10

Content to Caution:
V-1.5 - Fistfights here and there, but no outright or overwhelming violence.
L-2.5 - In keeping with the previous films.
DU-1.5 - Drinking and smoking.
RT-0 - No comment.
H/S-0 - No comment.
CH-2 - No comment.
S/N-1.5 - Form-fitting outfits abound. One scene of attempted romance. No sexual nudity.

The "Reel Revelation": "Being A Team Player - Pt. 3"

We know that we belong to the "Body of Christ", and that we are individual members of God's family on Earth. We know that God has given each of us special gifts by which to serve a very special function within His Body. We pray for peace in our position and seek to make the most of the opportunities we have, that we might honor God by using His gifts to serve His people, bring the lost to God's love, and extend God's Kingdom. And yet, we must look beyond our individual gifts and callings to the "Body" at large and ask, "Where are we going?" If we really are a body, ought we not ask in what direction we're supposed to be moving? And should God respond are we, as the "Body", prepared to go where He calls?

St. Paul said that he was pressing "on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:14). Even if you've never run an actual race you certainly know what it means to win a prize! But what is Paul really focusing on here, the "prize" or the "goal"? Moving ahead to the end of the chapter, we get a glimpse at the "prize" and the "goal':

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself." (20-21)

Eternal Life. Could there be any higher "goal"? Could there be any greater "prize"?

These words should stir within us the deep desire for Eternity and the everlasting joys of Heaven. Oh, to be with Christ and dwell with Him and the Father and the Spirit in that great mansion! How many blissful conversations have you had that included speculations and ponderings about what Heaven will be like? How many times have you listed all of the questions you want to ask God? How long is the list of all the saints you want to sit and talk with? Such conversation is encouraging and inspiring, for it reminds us of what is waiting for us. Just as an amateur athlete might look upon a championship trophy and say "This is my prize, though I've yet to win it", so too do we gaze at the stars and imagine the everlasting land that awaits us, the "prize" of we've yet to embrace.

But our daydreams fade and we awake to a dark and sinister world. Jesus wasn't just being poetic when He said that we'd be sent out "as sheep amongst wolves" (Matt. 10:16). Our daily struggles with sin and the sinful blur our vision and cause us to forget the Heavenly prize, the Eternal goal. To this end St. Peter encourages us:

"Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:5-8)

Are you striving for that "true knowledge"? St. Peter gives us quite the check-list of virtues, but to know that they will produce within us the "true knowledge" of Christ ought to be all the motivation we need. Not only will that "knowledge" keep us in harmony with the will of God for our individual lives; it will help us to see the work of the "Body" at large and remind us that we are all running the race of faith together. By that same powerful and divine "knowledge" we learn how to grow nearer to Christ through devotion and righteous living. We also learn how to encourage those around us who are running the very same race and chasing after the same "goal" and "prize" of God!

Press on!

Strive!

March on!

The King awaits.

See, He walks with us, indeed.

See you tomorrow - E.T.

"Ocean's Twelve"

2011-04-06T02:26:00.006-05:00

Title: "Ocean's Twelve"
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Producers: Jerry Weintraub
Editing: Stephen Mirrione
Composer: David Holmes
Starring:
- George Clooney as Daniel Ocean
- Brad Pitt as Rusty Ryan
- Matt Damon as Linus Caldwell
- Bernie Mac as Frank Catton
- Elliott Gould as Reuben Tishkoff
- Casey Affleck as Virgil Malloy
- Scott Caan as Turk Malloy
- Eddie Jemison as Livingston Dell
- Don Cheadle as Basher Tarr
- Shaobo Qin as "The Amazing" Yen
- Carl Reiner as Saul Bloom
- Julia Roberts as Tess Ocean/Herself
- Catherine Zeta-Jones as Europol Detective Isabel Lahiri
- Andy García as Terry Benedict

Plot and Critical Review: Terry Benedict rounds up the original eleven members of Danny Ocean's gang, demanding they return the $160 million they stole from his casinos. He also demands an additional $38 million to cover the interest. Short by half, the group schemes to stage another heist in Europe to avoid problems with U.S. authorities. They are tipped off by an informant named Matsui about the location of the first stock certificate ever issued in 1602, which was for the Dutch East India Company, owned by an agoraphobe and kept in his private home in Amsterdam. While the certificate would not meet their debt, it would help extend their deadline and secure another job by Matsui that will be enough to pay the debt. After a complex series of schemes, including raising the house a few inches to achieve a necessary line-of-sight, they find the document has already been stolen by another master thief "The Night Fox." After the failed attempt, Europol Detective Isabel Lahiri is called to investigate the theft and realizes Danny's gang attempted the heist based on her previous relationship with Rusty as well as the Night Fox's involvement. She surprises the group at their lodgings, and warns them they cannot beat the Night Fox or his mentor LeMarc, both of whom she has been trailing for years.

Danny and his gang discover the Night Fox is a wealthy businessman, Baron François Toulour, who has a mansion on Lake Como. Toulour invites Danny to his mansion and reveals that he had hired Matsui to inform the gang about the certificate in order to arrange the meeting with Danny. Toulour is upset that LeMarc did not describe him as the best thief in the world, and challenges Danny to steal the Coronation Egg. If Danny and his gang wins, Toulour will pay off the debt to Benedict.

Danny and his gang begin planning an elaborate heist to swap the Egg and replace it with a holographic recreation, but the engineer hired by the group accidentally tips off Lahiri to their presence and she captures most of The Twelve on their first attempt to steal the Egg. Linus comes up with a second plan to have Danny's wife Tess pose as a pregnant Julia Roberts in order to get close to the Egg and swap it. They are foiled by the unexpected appearance of Bruce Willis and, as a result of Tess' inability to play the role of the real Julia Roberts, the authorities are once again tipped off and the rest of the group are taken into custody. While Lahiri prepares her case against Danny's team they are extradited by the FBI with some additional assistance from Linus' mother who poses as a U.S. official.

Some time later, Danny and Tess return to Toulour's estate where he basks in their failure. Toulour claims to have stolen the Egg at night using his agility and Capoeira skills to evade the heavy security. Toulour's celebration is short-lived when Danny reveals that his group stole the Egg while it was in transit to the museum and Toulour realises they were tipped off by LeMarc. A flashback reveals that Danny and Rusty had met with LeMarc much earlier where he told them where and how the Egg would be transported. Toulour is forced to admit that Danny won the bet and gives him the money. They pay back Benedict and promise not to perform any more heists in his casinos, but Toulour keeps the group under close supervision. With Rusty's help, Lahiri is taken to a safe house lent to him by LeMarc, who reveals himself to be her father.

"The Dip". Every film series containing at least three installments fears it, for it is the ultimate test of the longevity of the series itself. If the middle film can't at least live up to some of the hype of the first (presuming the first was successful), the rest of the series is more than likely doomed. There are exceptions, of course, and we can identify some film series that actually got better with each installment, but the vast majority of trilogies (or series of longer lengths) suffer from "The Dip"; a second installment that just doesn't deliver like the first. This was the fate of the "Ocean's" series. Coming off of the overwhelming success of "Eleven", most believed that "Twelve" would deliver the same energy, humor, and excitement. While "Twelve" is exciting, includes a few good laughs, and certainly reflects the talents of the star-studded cast, it just couldn't keep pace with "Eleven". The first time I saw "Twelve" I was so put off by the dragging tempo I didn't even finish it! I've come to appreciate it more in recent years, and I think we can see how it does serve the critical function of bridging the "Ocean's" series as it keeps the story alive and develops plot devices. But like so many other series that faltered while in "The Dip", redemption for "Twelve" was waiting in the wings as another installment was yet to come.

My Rating: 5.5/10

Content to Caution:
V-2 - No comment.
L-2.5 - Some curses are bleeped by ringing phones, etc. I'm sure you can figure out what they're really saying.
DU-2 - Some drinking and smoking.
RT-.5 - No comment.
H/S-1.5 - Some excitement during heist scenes, but no real horror or suspense.
CH-1.5 - No comment.
S/N-1.5 - Lahiri is shown in bed (no nudity) and several women wear skimpy and/or tight-fitting clothing.

The "Reel Revelation": "Being A Team Player - Pt. 2"

"Alright, pick your team." We all know the scene; two captains stand before a row of eager players. One at a time the captains select someone to play on their team. The first few players to be selected are elated; they know they're the cream of the crop. The next batch are enthusiastic, but realize they're not quite the best. They're just glad to be selected! Soon there are only two players left to choose from, and one of them is going to walk to his or her team feeling no elation or enthusiasm whatsoever, only crushing disappointment that they were the least desired player of the whole group. Have you ever been in that person's shoes?

To say "life can be just like that" is ridiculous. Life can be 100x worse. Sometimes we're rejected outright; the team would rather be a man short than have us play with them. Sometimes we can't even find a line to stand in to get into the game. Disappointment is one thing, but never getting to play at all? The feeling is debilitating, and we'll probably walk away feeling like we never want to play again. I've felt that way.

From November of 2009 to January of 2011 I was looking for work. I flew out to the Midwest three times to interview at churches that were seeking an individual to fill a music/liturgy position. Each trip was met with disappointment; no one hired me. In the days after finding out they had selected someone else I often felt like I had just been dumped. You know the feeling; dismissal, betrayal, deep hurt, and so on. And what do we hear people say when they go through messy break-ups? "I'm never going to date again!" That's precisely how I felt, like I never wanted to apply for another job ever again. But beyond my disappointment and hurt I felt something much deeper and stronger; envy. I'd stay up at night and ask myself 'What do they (the winning candidates) have that I don't?' 'Aren't my gifts good enough?!' On and on it went. My hurt turned into critical comparison. My disappointment turned into self-destruction. What good were my gifts if none of these churches wanted to employ me to use them? And then, just when I was ready to give up altogether, I remembered St. Paul's admonition to the Romans:

"For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." (Romans 12:4-5)

"...and all members do not have the same function..."

You might not be able to play the guitar like Doyle Dykes, but even Doyle needs someone who can change strings in a hurry.

You might not be able to drive like Jimmie Johnson, but do you think he's going to hop out of his car and change those tires on his own?

You might not be able to speak like Billy Graham, but everyone needs someone to listen.

Becoming a member of the Body of Christ involves the process of learning how to find peace in the position where God has placed you. It might not be the position you've always dreamed of. It might not provide you with the sort of compensation you desire or should prefer. But if you know that it's what God has summoned you to do, that it is your "function", why fret? Why worry? Why compare? Do not think of the other players on the team in terms of what they may or may not be able to do better than you. Remember that you're on the same team and are trying to achieve the same goal.

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift." (Ephesians 4:4-7)

God loves us on an individual level, in a way more personal and thorough than we could ever hope to know or understand. And yet He loves the Body of Christ with equal zeal and unwavering faithfulness. With a single glance He sees us as individuals and as members in the Body of His Son, Our Lord.

Why fret?

Why worry?

Why compare?

We say:

- "Oh, to be like her!"

- "Oh, to be able to do what he can do!"

- "Oh, if only I could just be..."

God says:

- "Be like Me."

See you tomorrow- E.T.

"Ocean's Eleven"

2011-04-06T00:00:00.006-05:00

Title: "Ocean's Eleven"
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Producers: Jerry Weintraub
Editing: Stephen Mirrione
Composer: David Holmes
Starring:
- George Clooney as Danny Ocean
- Bernie Mac as Frank Catton
- Brad Pitt as Rusty Ryan
- Elliott Gould as Reuben Tishkoff
- Casey Affleck as Virgil Malloy
- Scott Caan as Turk Malloy
- Eddie Jemison as Livingston Dell
- Don Cheadle as Basher Tarr
- Shaobo Qin as "The Amazing" Yen
- Carl Reiner as Saul Bloom
- Matt Damon as Linus Caldwell
- Andy García as Terry Benedict
- Julia Roberts as Tess Ocean

Plot and Critical Review: After being released from prison Danny Ocean breaks parole and travels to Los Angeles to meet up with his former partner in crime Rusty Ryan. Ocean proposes a new scheme he has in mind. The two go to Las Vegas to pitch the plan to wealthy friend and former casino owner Reuben Tishkoff. The plan consists of robbing one massive vault which holds a large amount of money from the Bellagio, The Mirage, and the MGM Grand casinos. Tishkoff's familiarity with casino security makes him very reluctant to get involved, but when he begins to think of it as a good way to get back at his rival, Terry Benedict, who owns the three casinos, Tishkoff agrees to finance the operation. Because the casinos are required by the Nevada Gaming Commission to have enough cash on hand to cover all their patrons' bets, the three predict that, on the upcoming night of a highly anticipated boxing match, the mega-vault (located inside the Bellagio) will contain more than $150 million.

Ocean and Ryan recruit eight former colleagues and criminal specialists, including Linus Caldwell, a young and talented pick-pocket thief. Several of the team members carry out reconnaissance at the Bellagio to learn as much as possible about casino security, the routines and behaviors of the casino staff, and the building itself. Others create a precise replica of the vault with which to practice maneuvering through its formidable security systems. During this planning phase the team discovers that Ocean's ex-wife, Tess, is dating Terry Benedict. Rusty confronts Danny and urges him to give up on the plan, believing Ocean incapable of sound judgement while Tess is involved. Ocean refuses and the plan remains in motion.

When the night of the robbert arrives, Ocean goes to the Bellagio in order to be seen by Benedict, who, as expected, has him locked in a storeroom to be beaten by a bouncer called Bruiser. Ocean, however, knows Bruiser, and arranges to gain access to a ventilation shaft to meet up with his team in the vault. Linus poses as a gaming commission agent and confronts Benedict on hiring Frank Catton as an ex-con. In the process he lifts the security code to the vault from Benedict. Caldwell and Catton staged a confrontation to allow Linus to slip away into the vault after the incident. Yen is smuggled into the vault by the Malloy brothers, to assist in triggering the explosive from the inside. Saul Bloom sneaks explosive into the casino vault by posing as an international arms dealer needing especially secure safekeeping for his valuables, and then stages a heart attack that was treated by Ryan posing as a doctor.

The team activates a stolen "pinch" (a device which released an electro-magnetic pulse over a large area) to temporarily disrupt the casino's electrical power, allowing them to breach the vault undetected. As Benedict attempts to restore order following the power outage, Rusty anonymously calls him on a cell phone that Ocean had earlier planted in Tess's coat. Rusty tells him that the vaults are being raided and that all the money will be destroyed if Benedict does not cooperate in loading half the money into a van waiting outside. Benedict observes video footage of the vault that confirms Rusty's claims, and begrudgingly complies in moving the money, but orders his men to follow the van after it departs and calls a S.W.A.T. team to secure the vault. The S.W.A.T. team's arrival results in a shootout which causes the incineration of the half of the money left in the vault. After assuring Benedict that the casino is secure, the officers depart.

Terry realizes that the vault video feed was faked when he notices that the floors shown in the video lacked the Bellagio logo which had only very recently been installed in the vault itself. The men following the van discover that it is being driven remotely and that, instead of money, it contains duffel bags full of flyers advertising prostitutes. A flashback reveals that Ocean had used the vault replica to create the fake video Benedict had seen; the rest of the team posed as S.W.A.T. officers and took all of the money out of the vault when responding to Benedict's call for help. Benedict then returns to the room where he left Ocean and finds him being beaten up by Bruiser, leaving him no way to connect Ocean to the theft. Ocean offers to assist Benedict in finding the money on the condition that he give up Tess, to which Benedict agrees. It is then revealed that his team had routed live footage of this conversation to Tess's suite. Angry at being used by Benedict, she leaves him and runs to Danny. Benedict tips off the police who arrest Ocean for violating parole, and Ocean spends a short amount of time in prison. When he is released he's picked up by Rusty and Tess. The three drive off, but are shown being followed by Benedict's bodyguards.

Films which depend on star-power alone walk on thin ice. For a while it seemed that this remake of the 1960 classic was going to be such a film; a movie with a half-decent plot/premise that was going to rely heavily on faces and names for success. One of the more enjoyable elements of ensemble-heavy films is the chance to see actors in roles which they might otherwise avoid. I'm thinking especially of Don Cheadle who had been primarily known for his roles in action/adventure films. Few anticipated it would do so well, especially in the same year when the first installments of the "Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter" franchised were hitting the screens. But "Ocean's Eleven" did manage to hang in there with the goblins and wizards, rounding out 2001 as the 5th highest grossing film of the year. It beat out "Pearl Harbor" by about $1 million.

My Rating: 6.5/10

Content to Caution:
V-2 - Some violence, but the conn artists are slick enough to do the deed without having to use bullets.
L-2.5 - Mild cursing, but it comes and goes and rests mostly in moments of tension.
DU-3 - Smoking and drinking throughout.
RT-1.5 - Linus and Frank stage an argument in which they fight over potential racial profiling. While done in jest this "bit" could irk some viewers.
H/S-1 - No comment.
CH-1.5 - No comment.
S/N-1 - No comment.

The "Reel Revelation": "Being A Team Player - Pt. 1"

I don't normally care for sports and thus don't spend much time watching them on television or in person. But I do tune in for the finals when competition is at it's best; when the very best players in any particular sport compete for victory and glory. Aside from the super-charged excitement found in such events, you get a real sense of how crucial teamwork is when you watch the world's best teams compete at championship levels. If a team can't work as a single unit and strive to accomplish that one objective, victory, they'll never even get close to the finals. Having a star-player or two (or three or four!) simply isn't enough; if a team can't work together, their fate is sealed.

"Ocean's Eleven" tests the concept of teamwork on a cinematic level. Can a cast of such highly-recognized and praised actors really work together for the common goal of making an enjoyable motion picture? While it was being shot some critics took aim at the project, saying that it wouldn't amount to anything more than an expensive George Clooney films which happened to feature really pretty "back-up singers" placed in the script to make Clooney look all the better. They ended up being quite wrong, but we can see how close they were to being quite right!

Being a team player makes all the difference, and if we can see that difference in sports teams and Hollywood casts, how much more of a difference will it make when we consider God's "team" on Earth, the Body of Christ? We will find it makes a great difference, indeed, and we'll thus spend the next three reviews reflecting on the following:

- Finding our place on the team. - (Pt. 1)

- Finding peace with our position. - (Pt. 2)

- Pressing on toward the Prize. - (Pt. 3)

During the early days of the Christian Church, St. Paul spent a considerable amount of time tending and writing to the believers who lived in the city of Corinth. When he arrived there, Ancient Corinth was a marvelous Roman city, a true cosmopolitan destination of the ancient world. We can safely compare it to modern-day New York City or London; full of industry, energy, idea, and invention. While most of our modern-day metropolises are noted for their diversity, Corinth was a city almost entirely devoted to Roman paganism, and those who lived in Corinth practiced a devout form of paganism which stood in the way of the development of the Christian Church. It was to this end that St. Paul wrote of the "Body of Christ", and that each person who believed in Jesus belonged to a single "Body".

"For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired." (1 Cor. 12:12-18)

This flew in the face of ancient paganism which, at it's core, was a religion based on the relationship between believer and deity. Not only did converts face the reality of coming to know a Living God (not a "mute idol" (Vs. 2) ), they also found themselves to be members of a living and breathing Body; a family of faith and devotion to Christ and His purposes on Earth. And not only were they members, but they soon discovered that they each had a very specific role and place within the Body, "just as (God) desired." Have you found your place?

Just like those pagan converts, God calls out to us and summons us to the fellowship of the Body, leading us away from the one-on-one relationship we can easily slip into. While God abides with us on a personal level and speaks to and cares for us individually, we must come out of our "prayer closets" and join in the work of the entire Body. No matter his skill, Michael Jordan could not have won all those championships by himself.

In my work with young people I've often heard the phrase, "I just don't know what I can offer to God. What do I have to contribute?" Most of the time I can't answer that question, just as I won't presume to try and answer it for you here. But the answer is not far, for God has already placed within you the gifts He desires you to use for the building up of the Body and the extension of His Kingdom. If it were not so, St. Paul would never have written:

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons." (1 Cor. 12: 4-6)

No matter what your gifts may be, know that there is a place for them. No matter what your passion might be, know there is a ministry that has yet to benefit from your energy and excitement. Take time for reflection and prayer this Lenten season and ask God to renew His vision within you, that you might follow His will more closely and become even more a part of the Body of Christ.

"Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it." (1 Cor. 12:27)

See you tomorrow- E.T.

"The Mission"

2011-04-04T20:23:00.010-05:00

Title: "The Mission"

Director: Roland Joffe
Producers: F. Ghia and D. Puttnam
Editing: Jim Clark
Composer: Ennio Morricone
Starring:
- Robert De Niro as Rodrigo Mendoza
- Jeremy Irons as Father Gabriel
- Ray McAnally as Cardinal Altamirano
- Liam Neeson as Fielding
- Cherie Lunghi as Carlotta
- Ronald Pickup as Hontar
- Chuck Low as Cabeza
- Aidan Quinn as Felipe Mendoza

Plot and Critical Review: The film is set in the 1750s and involves the "Jesuit Reductions", a programme by which the Catholic Church sought to convert and "civilize" the indigenous native populations of South America. Spanish Jesuit priest Father Gabriel enters the South American jungle to build a mission and convert a Guarani community to Christianity. Fr. Gabriel knows he is on a dangerous quest as the last priest to enter Guarani territory was rejected and killed. Undaunted, Father Gabriel scales the falls and reaches out to the Guaraní. Guarani warriors encircle Father Gabriel and prepare to kill him but are captivated when Father Gabriel begins to play an oboe. They become enchanted by his music and allow him to live, welcoming him into their village.

During his first few days with the Guarani Father Gabriel meets Rodrigo Mendoza, a mercenary and slave trader who makes his living kidnapping natives and selling them to nearby plantations. When Mendoza returns to civilization with his recent capture his fiancée, Carlotta, reveals that she is in love with his brother, Felipe. He loves them both, but cannot stand Carlotta's betrayal. Mendoza bursts into Felipe's home and finds Felipe and Carlotta in bed together. In his anger Mendoza kills Felipe in a duel. Acquitted of the killing, Mendoza spirals into depression. Father Gabriel, who has temporarily returned from his mission and learned of Mendoza's situation, visits and challenges Mendoza to undertake a suitable penance for his sins.

Mendoza accompanies the Jesuits on their return journey to the Guarani, but is made to pull a bundle filled with weapons and armor as the party scales the Iguazu Falls. After Mendoza collapses from exhaustion Father Fielding cuts away the bundle, but Mendoza recovers and re-ties the bundle, resuming the grueling journey. Fielding discusses with Father Gabriel that he and the others believe Mendoza has suffered enough, but Father Gabriel replies that only God and Mendoza may decide that. When they reach the Guarani camp a member of the tribe, who knew Mendoza only as a mercenary, threatens to cut his throat. Instead, he cuts the ropes and rolls the bundle into the river, freeing Mendoza from his burden. Symbolically absolved of his brother's murder and his past transgressions against the Guarani, Mendoza weeps and then begins to laugh.

Father Gabriel's mission is depicted as a place of sanctuary and education for the Guarani. Moved by the Guarani's acceptance, Mendoza wishes to help at the mission. Father Gabriel gives Mendoza a Bible and after spending time reading the Scriptures and devoting himself to prayer, Mendoza tells Father Gabriel he desires to become a priest. Mendoza makes the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and becomes a Jesuit under Father Gabriel.

The Jesuit missions were hitherto safe, as they were protected under Spanish law, which applied because the Jesuit missions were located in Spanish territory. However, in Spain and Portugal, the Treaty of Madrid is signed, which reapportions the land in South America. The land on which the Jesuit missions were located was now transferred to the Portuguese, and Portuguese law allowed slavery and would not defend the Guarani from slave trade activity. The Portuguese colonials seek to enslave the natives, and as the independent Jesuit missions might impede this, Papal emissary Cardinal Altamirano, a former Jesuit priest himself, is sent from the Vatican to survey the missions and decide which, if any, should be allowed to remain.

Under pressure from both local plantation owners and the Spanish and Portuguese rulers, Cardinal Altamirano is forced to choose the lesser of two evils. If he rules in favour of the colonists, the indigenous peoples will become enslaved; if he rules in favour of the missions, the entire Jesuit Order may be condemned by the Portuguese and the European Catholic Church could fracture. Altamirano visits the missions and is amazed at their industry and success. In his report to the Pope, he states, "Your Holiness, a surgeon to save the body must often hack off a limb. But in truth nothing could prepare me for the beauty and the power of the limb that I had come here to sever." At Father Gabriel's mission of San Carlos he tries to explain the reasons behind closing the mission and instructs the Guarani that they must leave. The Guarani question his authority, and Father Gabriel and Mendoza state their intention to defend the Mission should the plantation owners and colonialists attack. Though of one mind, the priests are divided on how to do this, for Father Gabriel believes that violence is a direct crime against God. Mendoza, however, decides to break his vows in order to militarily defend the Mission. Against Father Gabriel's wishes, he takes up his sword and teaches the natives the art of war.

When the colonialists attack, the mission is initially defended by Mendoza, Fielding and the Guarani. They are no match for the military force and Mendoza is shot and fatally wounded. As the Spanish and Portuguese soldiers enter the mission village, they are slowed by the singing of Father Gabriel and the Guarani women and children, who march toward the troops unarmed, singing and holding a cross and monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament. The soldiers are reluctant to fire at a crowd. In spite of this, the soldiers' commander orders the attack and Father Gabriel, the rest of the priests and most of the Guarani, including women and children, are gunned down. Only a handful escape into the jungle.

In a final exchange between Cardinal Altamirano and a Portuguese official, the latter laments that what happened was unfortunate but inevitable because "we must work in the world; the world is thus." Altamirano replies, "No, Senhor Hontar, thus have we made the world. Thus have I made it."

"The Mission" is one of the more curious films in the cinematic canon for it is both highly praised, and, at times, unknown. It did not show well in theaters, but that is probably because it was released on an extremely limited level. How "extremely limited"? It opened in one theater. It did go on to gain popularity, however, eventually winning one Oscar (Best Cinematography) out of 7 nominations. More importantly, "The Mission" was awarded the Palm d'Or (Golden Palm) at the Cannes Film Festival. That might not seem like much to an American audience such as we are, but the Palm d'Or (alongside the Golden Lion of Venice and the Golden Bear of Berlin) is widely considered one of the highest honors a film can receive on a global level. In many ways it is far more indicative of true cinematic greatness than any award the Academy can offer.

"The Mission" was never a moneymaker (it failed to make back it's budget), but many critics have pointed to its value as a spiritual film, often lifting it up as one of the more authentic and emotionally genuine "religious films" of our time. The Church Times, an independent Anglican newspaper, named "The Mission" the Number One Religious Film of all time. It also holds rankings on many other lists of "spiritually significant" films. "The Mission" is not an easy film to watch, but the value of watching it endures far beyond the closing credits.

My Rating: 8/10

Content to Caution:
V-3 - A tolerable amount of gore, but many are killed by the knife, sword, and bullet.
L-1.5 - No comment.
DU-1 - No comment.
RT-3.5 - The Guarani are targeted by slave traders, and their land is fought over by political forces.
H/S-2 - No comment.
CH-.5 - No comment.
S/N-? - There is "native nudity" through most of the film. There is one scene in which a couple is interrupted while kissing, and though they were naked no "sexual nudity" was shown.

The "Reel Revelation": "A Season of Penance"

Prostrate, dear Jesus, at Thy feet,
A guilty rebel lies;
And upwards, to Thy mercy-seat,
Presumes to lift his eyes. (Samuel Stennett)

Few are the stories of penance and conversion as bold and striking as the one which is provided in this film; the story of of Rodrigo Mendoza. And while "The Mission" deals with many topics and issues on spiritual, ethical, political, and historical levels, penance seems the most fitting for reflection, especially as we journey through the Season of Lent; a Season of Penance.

Some people think of penance as contrition or confession. Some might think of a Roman Catholic priest telling a person to say so many of this or that prayer at the end of the Sacrament of Confession. Others might think of a physical act one might commit in order to gain a sense of peace or nearness to God. All of these conceptions are true so long as they point to the goal of penance in whatever form; a conversion of the heart.

If penance is indeed a sort of conversion, then it must begin where all true conversion begins; within the heart. Lest we get too caught up in the sentiment, that's the very same heart of which Jeremiah spoke:

"The heart is more deceitful than all else

And is desperately sick;

Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9)

Oh...that heart. Conversion in that heart?! To the same end Solomon wrote:

"Who can say, "I have cleansed my heart,

I am pure from my sin?" (Proverbs 20:9)

Based on these readings, it looks like we're in for quite the journey. We are. God's saving grace comes in an instant, but the crucible of conversion lasts a lifetime as God continually refines, cleanses, and shapes us; creating within us clean hearts full of the joy of our salvation (Psalm 51). Penance is our recognition of God's work and our way of participating in that refining, cleansing, and shaping. Penance helps us walk away from sinful behavior and set our feet on the path of righteousness. But penance is not a fun-and-games sort of exercise, for through penance we come face to face with our sinfulness, just as Mendoza faced his own in "The Mission". Are you ready to face yours?

When you were a child, did you ever do something that angered your parents? Think of something big. Think of the worst thing you ever did as a child that got you in trouble. When the time came for you to confess your wrongdoing, were you sorry for what you had done? Some of you might say "no", and perhaps you did the same thing again, or many more times! But I suspect most of you will say "yes", that you were sorry for what you had done, and that you probably did not repeat the offense. That is the key; sorrow. If we are not truly sorry for our sins, how much more likely is it that we'll repeat them?

Centuries ago, penance (and the act of contrition) took a much different shape than it does now. Some would practice flagellantism in which they would whip themselves in order to truly experience the sufferings of Christ. This would often be done in public or as part of a public ritual. To that end there were also many forms of public penance, even to the point that some that bordered on humiliation. Did this lead people to be sorry for their sins? I'd imagine so, but it also instilled great fear in the masses; fear of how worse their next penance would be if they sinned again. Effective, but brutal.

Our penance should not be like theirs, especially if it leads to fear in any form. Let our penance help us to realize the gravity and reality of our sinfulness, yes, but may it turn our hearts toward Christ, and not toward fear. May it turn our lives away from sin altogether, for it is in that constant turning that we experience the true conversion of the heart. And that conversion must occur daily, and so our penance must become a sort of daily exercise that will remind us of how deeply sin affects our lives. There are some who present Christianity as a sort of spiritual escape from sin; as a religion that offers people the chance to never have to think on the bad things in life because God is so good. You might even be able to pull it off for a while, going about your day caught up in the bliss of God's blessings. And then, the Cross. Still smiling? There's a man hanging there. He's bleeding. He's crying. He's dying because of what we have done, and what we'll do, and what we'll continue to do until the end. You can't get to the Tomb without coming to grips with the Tragedy of the Cross. Penance.

If we had to do it on our own, this conversion of the heart, we would have to accept failure before even trying. Let us give thanks to God that we do not have to do it alone, for we walk with the Savior, with He who was without sin, and He leads us in the journey of turning from sin itself, the journey of turning from sin and facing the light of Eternal Life. Where does the journey begin?

Prostrate, dear Jesus, at Thy feet,

A guilty rebel lies;
And upwards, to Thy mercy-seat,
Presumes to lift his eyes.

See you tomorrow- E.T.

Comments & Anniversary Expectation & A Girl

2011-04-03T11:43:00.003-05:00

Hello - Many of you have texted, e-mailed, or messaged me on Facebook to express your thoughts regarding this year's reviews. Thank you for doing so! Your reflections encourage and inspire me. I am pleased, above all, that the Spirit of God is touching hearts through these reflections. God be praised! And yet, I think we can take a step forward in developing a stronger level of involvement between the reader and the posts. I'd like to encourage you, if you're comfortable, to share your thoughts by commenting on the posts on the blog itself. You can find the comment section right below every post. You have to sign up for a Blogger (Gmail, really) account, but it's very easy and you never have to check it again if you don't want to. Once you're logged in you can post as you please! Hope to see some of your thoughts on the blog, that we might encourage and challenge one another.

On Friday i'll be posting the 100th film review to go up on E.T.'s Film Review. I won't tell you what film it is, but i'm pleased that, by total coincidence, it's an epic that will decorate this special anniversary quite well. Enjoy!

It's clear by now that Natalie Portman (the "Girl" from the subject line) has won this week's poll by a landslide. Unless votes flow in for Russel or Colin, I think we can safely declare her the winner. And who wouldn't want to hang with her?! Aside from her devastating beauty and talent, she's highly intelligent (graduated from Harvard, after all) and compassionate. With a Best Actress Oscar win under her belt, it is quite likely she'll climb into the higher echelons of stardom, even approaching cinematic greatness. They don't give that away in the form of a statue or block of cement on Hollywood Blvd. You have to earn it.

Will have a new poll up soon.

See you tomorrow - E.T.

"Mars Attacks!"

2011-04-01T15:16:00.008-05:00

Title: "Mars Attacks!"

Director: Tim Burton
Producers: T. Burton and L. J. Franco
Editing: Chris Lebenzon
Composer: Danny Elfman
Starring:
- Jack Nicholson as President James Dale and Art Land
- Glenn Close as Marsha Dale
- Annette Bening as Barbara Land
- Pierce Brosnan as Donald Kessler
- Sarah Jessica Parker as Natalie Lake
- Michael J. Fox as Jason Stone
- Jim Brown as Byron Williams
- Sylvia Sidney as Florence Norris

- Pam Grier as Louise Williams
- Martin Short as Jerry Ross
- Rod Steiger as General Decker
- Tom Jones as Himself
- Lukas Haas as Richie Norris
- Joe Don Baker as Mr. Norris
- O-Lan Jones as Sue-Ann Norris
- Jack Black as Billy-Glen Norris
- Ray J as Cedric Williams
- Brandon Hammond as Neville Williams
- Natalie Portman as Taffy Dale
- Paul Winfield as Lt. General Casey
- Danny DeVito as Rude Gambler
- Lisa Marie as Martian Girl
- Brian Haley as Mitch
- Janice Rivera as Cindy
- Christina Applegate as Sharona

Plot and Critical Review: Martians surround Earth with an armada of flying saucers. President James Dale addresses America concerning the historic event, watched by news anchors in New York, employees and guests at the Luxor Las Vegas hotel, and a trailer trash family in Perkinsville, Kansas. The President's science aides set a first contact meeting with the Martians in Pahrump, Nevada.

Using a defective universal translator the Martians announce they have "come in peace". But after a hippie releases a dove as a symbol of peace, the Martians shoot it down and begin to kill everyone gathered there. Still believing the meeting to be a "cultural misunderstanding", President Dale has Professor Donald Kessler continue negotiations with the Martians. It's decided that the Martian ambassador will address the United States Congress. However, it's simply a ruse by the Martians, leading to the total incineration of Congress.

General Decker tries to convince President Dale to fight back with nuclear warfare, but the president refuses. After a Martian assassin disguised as a beautiful woman gains entry to the White House and unsuccessfully attempts to kill the President, the Martians launch a full-scale invasion. They destroy Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, the Washington Monument, one of the Great Pyramids, and remodel Mount Rushmore into massive sculptures of Martian heads. In the end the president is fooled once again into negotiating, but is being killed by a robotic hand.

Richie Norris, a Kansas teenager, discovers the Martians' weakness: Slim Whitman's song, "Indian Love Call". After rescuing his grandma from her retirement home, they drive around blasting the music at the Martians, causing their brains to explode. Richie and his grandma are awarded the Medal of Honor for their heroic efforts by the only surviving member of the government (aside from the Supreme Court), the president's teenage daughter.

An awful lot of action happens in "Mars Attacks!", and to that end I don't mind a plot synopsis that's on the shorter side. What makes ensemble-heavy disaster films like this so fun and accessible is that even when a lot is happening, there's really only one plot device at work; foreign invasion.

In the vain of other disaster-type films like "Poseidon Adventure" and "The Towering Inferno", Tim Burton originally had 60 leading characters written into the script. They eventually pared it down to about 20. You can imagine what the film would have been like if it had bolstered 3x the star power? Such measures are normally taken when a studio needs to make cash, and quickly. Fun as the film may be, "Mars Attacks" was not a money-maker. With an estimated budget of $100 million, the film brought in $101.5 million dollars. While not a failure, that margin of cost/profit is quite rate. But it's no real wonder why the movie failed to rake in the big bucks as another star-studded invasion-type feature film came out the very same year. "Independence Day", which managed to make 10x its budget. Fortunately Burton would go on to make millions more and thus avoid having "Mars Attacks!" held against him.

My Rating: 5/10

Content to Caution:
V-3.5 - Laser beams abound.
L-2 - No comment.
DU-2.5 - Drinking and smoking throughout, but not overwhelmingly so.
RT-0 - Not unless you take offense with people making jokes at the sake of Martians.
H/S-2 - No comment.
CH-1.5 - No comment.
S/N-2 - Some kissing. One sex scene, but no nudity. Intimacy between some characters is suggested, but normally not shown.

The "Reel Revelation": "Ack! - Come Again?"

What'd you say?

Pardon me?

Can you repeat yourself?

Have you ever had a conversation in which you just couldn't understand what the other person was saying? They might be speaking the King's English, but the message wasn't getting through...

It really is a miracle that we can communicate clearly and exactly in the first place, much less express complex ideas. This is especially true in an age of such fast-paced communication. As humans we deal with physical limitations in communicating; our ears lose their ability to hear as we age and our brains strain to process conversation. It's no surprise that our difficulty in communication with other people also appears in our relationship with God. Have you ever heard someone say "I just don't know what God is trying to say!" or "I can't hear God's voice...is there something wrong with me?" Because of the presence of sin we struggle with a sort of spiritual deafness that affects our ability to hear the voice of God clearly. We read about the bliss that Adam and Eve enjoyed, hearing God's voice and instruction so clearly. Adam said that he heard "the sound" of God walking in the Garden (Genesis 3:10). He could not see God, but He knew that God was near by the very sound of His presence. When they sinned they also heard God's judgement. We'll hear the same as well.

But our world is loud and full of noise and cacophony. Dissonance everywhere! Everyday our world seems more and more alien to the paradise of Eden. How can we hear God's voice through the sirens, the screaming, and the thundering roar of sin? We turn the One who spoke plainly, as a friend speaks to a friend, as a parent speaks to their child. We turn to Jesus. But even if we turn to Jesus, are we certain that we'll hear His voice clearly? After all, countless people have spent centuries trying to figure out what exactly Jesus was saying in His sermons and parables.

Much depends upon what place Jesus has in our lives. There are some, for example, who might hear our President speaking on the news but, if they don't care for him, really don't care about anything he has to say. He's still their President, but they disregard his words and ignore him. A child may do the same to his parent. A wife may do the same to her husband. We can choose do the same to Jesus.

How are we to approach Him, then? How can we get close enough to Jesus to hear what He's saying? He is God, after all, but some fear the presence of God, just as Moses did. He is Lord, but some cannot approach a person of such universal authority. We need Jesus to meet us half-way. Good News! He didn't just meet us half-way. He came all the way, and spoke in ways we could understand. "I am the good shepherd..." (John 10:11). A shepherd? Sounds a bit different than God or Lord, doesn't it? If Jesus is our shepherd, then what are we? Sheep, of course!

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand." (John 10:27-28)

At first it doesn't seem much of a morale-booster, being called sheep. They're generally thought of as being skittish and unintelligent. They run from danger whenever they see it and they're almost impossible to herd without extensive training and experience. Sheep have a hard time even remembering their own names, much less learning the instructions of their shepherd. Sheep have weak immune systems and can become ill very easily. Did you know that sheep, if not herded properly, can become stubborn and won't roam anywhere in a pasture except for where they're comfortable? They settle where they know they'll be safe and never move again until they're forced to do so.

On second thought, it seems like we have quite a bit in common with our quadrupedal friends. It seems we're in deeper need of an experienced shepherd than we realize. And we need to hear His voice more clearly than we can imagine, for the cry of the wolves can be easily heard.

Is Jesus your shepherd? Do you look to Him to guide you? Do you trust Him to provide for you? It seems silly to compare our lives to the lives of sheep, but if we're willing to strip away all of the details and schedules and expectations that we've placed on our lives, we find that we need the very same things that sheep need; a reminder of what to do, protection as we move about, food that will fulfill, and a voice to guide us.

"I am the good shepherd...My sheep hear My voice..."

Jesus feeds us with bread that will sustain us.

Jesus protects us from all predators; He will not let us be taken away.

Jesus speaks to us in ways we can understand.

Jesus leads us out of barren lands and into the green pasture of everlasting life.

See you Monday - E.T.

"Keeping The Faith"

2011-03-31T18:36:00.010-05:00

Title: "Keeping The Faith"

Director: Edward Norton
Producers: G. Barber, R. Birnbaum, J. Glickman
Editing: Malcolm Campbell
Composer: Elmer Bernstein
Starring:
- Ben Stiller as Rabbi Jake Schram
- Edward Norton as Father Brian Kilkenney Finn
- Jenna Elfman as Anna Riley
- Anne Bancroft as Ruth Schram
- Miloš Forman as Father Havel
- Eli Wallach as Rabbi Ben Lewis

Plot and Critical Review: Father Brian Kilkenney Finn has been dedicated to his call to be a Roman Catholic priest since he was a child. Finally through seminary he now ministers at a New York congregation with an older priest, Fr. Havel. Rabbi Jacob Schram, best friends with Brian since childhood, is the youngest rabbi at his Reform synagogue. While an excellent and inspiring rabbi, his lack of effort in finding a wife often results in his mother and other women of his congregation setting him up on blind dates. Almost all of them end terribly.

In its earlier days, the friendship included a third party. Via flashbacks and reminiscent musings, Anna Reilly is introduced. Anna met Jake and Brian in middle school. The three enjoyed sports, riding the subway, and getting into typical mischief. But when Anna's father gets a new job in California, the Reilly's move cross-country.

Years later Anna calls her old friends out of the blue and the friendship is rekindled when her company temporarily sends her to New York. Feelings begin to run deeper than before as Anna, despite her workaholic tendencies, is as vibrant as Brian and Jake remembered her.

Knowing Brian is bound by his vows to a life of chastity, Anna and Jake get closer, spending more time together and developing serious chemistry. They start sleeping together, but Jake is reluctant to be involved in a serious relationship because Anna is not Jewish, a fact which could compromise his relationship with his congregation and also with his mother (who disowned her other son for marrying outside the faith). Between the religious conflict and their desire to spare the feelings of their mutual friend, the relationship is kept mostly secret, resulting in both humorous and harmful complications.

Meanwhile, Brian is involved in his own test of faith as he struggles with his feelings for Anna. Apart from praying about the situation and discussing it with Fr. Havel, he keeps these thoughts mostly to himself. Brian begins misinterpreting Anna's words and actions (some of which are subtle signals to Jake as their affair is kept under wraps). He begins to seriously consider quitting the priesthood to pursue a romantic relationship with her.

Anna tells Jake that she wants things to be more serious between them, but he doesn't reciprocate the sentiment. After an argument over the religious issues complicating their romance, Jake and Anna part ways in frustration. Anna calls Brian for comfort and he rushes over to her apartment. Still unaware of what's been going on, he takes her tearful ramblings to be a confession of feelings for him, then kisses her and admits his love. When she interrupts him he first assumes it to be guilt based on his vows, but then she finally tells him she is in love with Jake. Embarrassed and rejected, Brian raids Anna's liquor cabinet, angrily cutting off her attempts to reassure him and apologize. The next day, still drunk, Brian stumbles into the temple and interrupts a post-bar mitzvah gathering, resulting in a confrontation with Jake that ends with the priest punching the rabbi. He leaves and stumbles around the city, getting drunk and relating his troubles to a sympathetic bartender.

As the community center's grand opening approaches (along with the last days of Anna's east coast assignment) the relationships begin to mend. Brian encourages Jake to pursue Anna, and Jake rushes off to Anna's office building. Jake manages to get Anna's attention from a window in the building across the street, and calls to explain himself and offers to set things right. They surprise Brian at the interfaith center, showing him that they're together. Anna greets Rabbi Lewis as he passes by and asks about their meetings together, at which point it becomes clear that she had been taking private classes to convert to Judaism. The film ends happily with the three childhood friends posing for a snapshot together.

The relationship between Hollywood and religion has always been an interesting one. There have been moments when it seemed directors captured the very essence of religious sentiment; presenting films of arresting faithfulness and love. I personally think of "Ben-Hur", "The Passion of the Christ", and "The Mission". And then there are films which are obviously made by Hollywood directors and producers, full of empty and dry humor about a sort of spirituality (or religion) which is made into an issue of personal preference. The "religious people" in those movies seem more motivated by power, guilt, or personal piety than by any desire to serve God (if God - or any god - is even mentioned). To that end I think of "Dogma', "Saved!", and "License To Wed". I don't mean to say that I don't enjoy those latter three films (although I wish I had seen "License..." before I bought it), but I think the irreverent mistreatment of religion and/or religious sentiment and/or spirituality is as clear as day.

"Keeping The Faith" manages to ride the fence in many of those areas. While it slips in places, it remains above irreverent offense most of the time. On the other hand, God is rarely spoken of as a person, and even the most spiritually sentimental lines don't fly from the screen without a joke tied on the end. Brian and Jake draw huge crowds by way of their contemporary preaching-style, but God is never given credit. If only excited oratory was enough to fill the pews in real-life churches.

Is it just me, or do they always seem to be running "Keeping The Faith" on TBS?

My Rating: 6/10

Content to Caution:
V-1 - A priest punches a rabbi. (Oh, you've heard that one before?)
L-2 - Some cursing.
DU-1.5 - Brian drinks himself drunk at a bar. There is some smoking and drinking elsewhere.
RT-0 - No comment.
H/S-0 - Will they? Won't they?!
CH-2 -Some might consider the semi-frequent religious satire offensive.
S/N-2.5 - Sex is implied several times, but never shown. Some kissing and "steamy play".

The "Reel Revelation": "Light and Darkness"

"Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?" (2 Cor. 6:14-15)

Reading that verse by itself (outside of the chapter in which it belongs), what's your gut reaction? I wonder if Paul is equating unbelievers to lawlessness and darkness. Even if I decide that Paul is just using poetry to assist in his comparison, I'm still left with the inescapable admonition to avoid being "bound" to them. Maybe Paul means to avoid the appearance of being an unbeliever; to turn from sinful behavior and chase after holiness. Frankly (whoever Frank is), it's confusing to me. And to remember that this passage comes from the same man who also wrote that we ought to "Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly..." (Romans 12:16a). It seems I should associate with the lowly (the poor, outcast, and meek), but only those who are believers?

The answers to this dilemma might not come easily, and that only adds to the frustration we face as followers of Christ. How should we act when entering into friendships or relationships with unbelievers? How ought we treat them and, in lieu of our faith, are there certain things we ought to abstain from doing with them? If this struggle is not at the heart of the challenges Jake and Brian face in dealing with their feelings for Anna, it is very near to it. Brian's struggle rests almost entirely within his call to celibacy as a Catholic priest. Yet Jake, who is able to date and have romantic relationships, is challenged by the expectations of his congregation and the cultural expectations of the Jewish community. No easy answers for them, either.

We know that we cannot turn our backs on unbelievers. How could we, when Jesus said that he came "...to seek and save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10b) And yet Paul instructs us to not "bind" ourselves to them. Where's the balance? Everything seems to become more complicated when it comes to romantic relationships, such as we see in "Keeping The Faith". Perhaps you've heard the term "missionary dating"? It describes a romantic relationship in which one person (a Christian) will date another person (an unbeliever, or a believer of another faith) with the expectation that, through their romantic relationship, the unbeliever will be converted to Christ. The sentiment is well-meaning, but the Christian automatically puts him or herself in spiritual danger when they use their faith as a tool by which to gain access to intimacy. That's not to say that God can't choose to bring a person to conversion through a romantic relationship, but the risk to the Christian is great. What if the Christian should slip in their convictions and slowly sink into sinful behavior? They want to please their partner and give life to the relationship, but at what cost? Small successions are made, but soon the righteous nature of their reality begins to change as they become more and more bound to the unbeliever. What is left? Two unbelievers, potentially.

That is a somewhat dramatic scenario, but it does happen and we all face the same tension and challenge in our friendships and relationships with unbelievers. We want to bring them to Christ, but we also want to be real with them and have real relationships. Jesus desired the same thing and he tried to develop a relationship of love and trust with the religious leaders of the time. Their reception? Some listened and believed in Him. The rest decided to kill Him.

Remember that it is God who calls out to the unrepentant heart. We've been sent into the world to be salt, and light, that others may see Christ in us, and God might choose to call someone to Himself through our actions and witness to Christ. What a privilege. Even so, it is God's voice alone which will lead the sinner home; God's hands which will heal the wounds sin has caused.

If God gives you the opportunity to become friends with an unbeliever, do not let it pass. But do not seek to give them yourself. Share with them and spend time with them, but seek all the more after opportunity to share Christ with them. Instead of centering conversation on yourself, talk about the One who saved you! When you speak, speak of Christ and His presence in your life. Witness! Do not seek to bind yourself to them, but to bind Christ to their lives that they may come to know His love and embrace His death and resurrection. Let us seek after that binding!

Unbelievers don't need our "salt" to preserve their souls...we're lucky to keep a loaf of bread fresh for more than a few days. Unbelievers don't need our "light" to guide them...we're using our cell phones as flash lights! They need Him. Show them the way.

See you tomorrow - E.T.

"Inception"

2011-03-30T22:31:00.005-05:00

Title: "Inception"
Director: Christopher Nolan
Producers: C. Nolan and E. Thomas
Editing: Lee Smith
Composer: Hans Zimmer
Starring:
- Leonardo DiCaprio as Dom Cobb
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Arthur
- Ellen Page as Ariadne
- Marion Cotillard as Mallorie "Mal" Cobb
- Ken Watanabe as Mr. Saito
- Tom Berenger as Peter Browning
- Michael Caine as Professor Stephen Miles

Plot and Critical Review: Dom Cobb and his partner Arthur perform illegal corporate espionage by entering the subconscious minds of their targets, using two-level "dream within a dream" strategies to "extract" valuable information. Each of the "extractors" carries a "totem", a personalized small object whose behavior is unpredictable to anyone except its owner, to determine whether they are in another person's dream. Cobb's totem is a spinning top which perpetually spins in the dream state. Cobb struggles with memories of his dead wife, Mal, who manifests within his dreams and tries to sabotage his efforts.

Cobb is approached by Mr. Saito, Cobb's last extraction target, who asks Cobb and his team to perform the act of "inception"; planting an idea within the person's subconscious mind. Saito wishes to break up the energy empire of his competitor, the ailing Maurice Fischer, by suggesting the idea to his son Robert Fischer who will inherit the empire when his father dies. Should Cobb succeed, Saito promises to use his influence to clear Cobb of the murder charges for his wife's death, allowing Cobb to re-enter the United States and reunite with his children. Cobb assembles his team: Eames, an identity forger; Yusuf, a chemist who concocts the powerful sedative needed to stabilize the layers of the shared dream; and Ariadne, a young student architect tasked with designing the labyrinth of the dream landscapes. Saito insists on joining the team as an observer and to assure the job is completed. While planning the inception, Ariadne learns of the guilt Cobb struggles with from Mal's suicide and his separation from his children when he fled the country.

The job is set into motion when Maurice Fischer dies and his son accompanies his father's body from Sydney to Los Angeles. During the flight Cobb sedates Fischer and the team bring him into a three-level shared dream. At each level the member of the team who is "creating" the dream remains while the other team members fall asleep within the dream to travel further down into Fischer's subconscious. The dreamers will then ride a synchronized system of "kicks" (a car diving off a bridge, a fall between hotel rooms, and a collapsing building) back up the levels to wake up.

In the first level (Yusuf's dream) the team successfully abducts Fischer but is attacked by Fischer's militarized subconscious projections which have been trained to hunt and kill extractors. Saito is mortally wounded during the shoot-out. Should Saito or any member of the team die while in the dream, they would be sent into dream limbo, a deep subconscious level where they may lose their grip on reality and be trapped indefinitely.

Eames takes the appearance of Fischer's godfather Peter Browning to suggest that he reconsider his opinion of his father's will. Yusuf remains on the first level driving a van through the streets, while the remaining characters enter Arthur's dream which takes place in a corporate high-rise. Cobb turns Fischer against Browning and persuades him to join the team. They descend to the third dream level, a snowy mountain fortress dreamed by Eames. Yusuf's evasive driving on the first level manifests as distorted gravity effects on the second, forcing Arthur to improvise a kick using an elevator shaft and an avalanche on the third.

Saito succumbs to his wounds, and Cobb's projection of Mal sabotages the plan by shooting Fischer, killing him. Cobb and Ariadne elect to enter limbo to find Fischer and Saito. Cobb confronts his projection of Mal who tries to convince him to stay with her and his kids in limbo. Cobb refuses and confesses that he was responsible for Mal's suicide; to help her escape from limbo during a shared dream experience he used inception to plant the idea that her world wasn't real. Once she had returned to reality she became convinced that she was still dreaming and needed to die in order to wake up. Through his confession, Cobb attains catharsis and chooses to remain in limbo to search for Saito; Eames revives Fischer (with a defibrillator) to bring him back up to the third-level mountain fortress where he enters a safe room and discovers and accepts the idea to split up his father's business empire.

Leaving Cobb behind, the team members escape by riding the kicks back up the levels of the dream. Cobb eventually finds an elderly Saito who has been waiting in limbo for decades in dream time (just a few hours in real time), and the two help each other to remember their arrangement. The team awakens on the flight. Saito arranges for Cobb to get through U.S. customs, and he goes home to reunite with his children. Cobb uses his spinning top to test reality but is distracted by his children before he can see if the top falls or not.

"Inception" managed to do for fans what only the first installment of the "Matrix" series was able to accomplish; satisfyingly represent the concept of parallel dimensions and our ability to move in and out of them at will. That's not to say there aren't other films based on the same concept, but these two tend to stand out as the best examples. While there is some amount of similarity between the plots of the two films, it really isn't fair to compare them to one another. And yet, this is precisely what critics did when "Inception" landed in theaters. The differences (the important ones, at least) are more obvious than not, and by the end of "Inception" we're left feeling that we saw a film much more visceral and emotionally poignant than "The Matrix". Though "Matrix" broke ground with new special effects techniques ("bullet-time" and significant developments in wire-acting), the series just can't stand up to the depth of what "Inception" offers technically and creatively. Besides, who doesn't love a movie with a great twist at the end?

"Inception" also won 4 Oscars (Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Visual Effects). That can't hurt, either. Very well done, Mr. Nolan.

My Rating: 7.5/10

Content to Caution:
V-3.5 - Fighting (fist fights, gun battles, etc.) and violence throughout.
L-2.5 - No comment.
DU-1 - Some characters drink.
RT-0 - No comment.
H/S-3 - Nolan is in good form here, revving up the intensity and holding us in suspense.
CH-.5 - No comment.
S/N- .25 - Mal wears somewhat revealing clothing.

The "Reel Revelation": "Follow The Melody"

Hear the music.
Find the melody.
Follow it.

Melody is to music what plot is to film. No doubt you can think of several melodies and whistle or hum them to yourself right now. From songs you learned as a child to tunes you might have fallen in love with just recently. You might not be able to reproduce the whole song, but you're almost certain to sing the melody line; the part of the song which demands our attention, the part of the song we follow.

In his book "What to Listen for in Music", 20th Century composer Aaron Copland offers a word of explanation regarding melody:

"A beautiful melody, like a piece of music in its entirety, should be of satisfying proportions. It must give us a sense of completion and of inevitability. To do that, the melodic line will generally be long and flowing, with low and high points of interest and a climatic moment usually near the end." (Chapter 5 - Pg. 42)

Sounds a bit like life, doesn't it? High points, long and flowing... That is precisely what a melody represents within any given piece of music; the very life of the piece. Large-scale works like symphonies, concertos, or operas will make use of several melodies (sometimes hundreds!), but the melodies must always serve to help get the listener from the first downbeat to the final cadence. The very same is true of film, for as a melody serves a piece of music, the plot-line serves the film in the most critical way. The plot can be dramatic or plain, predictable or erratic, but it must get the viewer from the opening credits to the closing credits. It's what we hold on to when we go to see a movie. It's what we follow to make sure we get the most out of our movie going experience. In films like "Inception" a solid plot-line is critical, especially when there are so many changes in reality and dimension. Good film-makers know the secret to cinematic greatness is plot. Actors decorate it, music scores it, editors shore it up, but the plot remains key.

But music is music and film is film. What about life? What is the melody of your life? What is your plot-line? That is, what is the guiding line you watch or follow to make sure you're "in the game" or "with the show"? Here's a short story about a young man who was following the wrong melody line:

"A ruler questioned Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.You know the commandments, "DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, DO NOT MURDER, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.'"And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth." When Jesus heard this, He said to him, "One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. And Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!" (Luke 18:18-24)

At first the rich young ruler seems to be on top of things. Not only does he have a solid grasp on the Scriptures, he comes to Jesus in person to ask questions about everlasting life. Well done! But when Jesus challenges him to give his riches away and become His disciple, we see what this young man was really about; money. He tried to live righteously, but try as he might he was bound to follow his finances. He'd made them into the melody of his life, the guiding line by which he'd discern every move and decision. Jesus even used financial language to draw the young ruler to Himself; "you shall have treasure in Heaven". How Jesus' heart must have broke for this young man.

The young ruler couldn't turn away from the distracting melodies of his life and follow Jesus. Can we? We won't have to wait long to find out, for we are faced with the same invitation and decision each day; to turn our eyes away from the stuff we've been following and to go after Jesus and Jesus only.

When you listen to a new piece of music, you're likely to catch on to the melody fairly quickly. Try as you might, you really have no idea where the melody is going to go. It might rise and rise then drop suddenly, or pass through all sorts of dissonances only to transform into a brand new melody in a new key or musical passage. That is the magic of melody; getting to follow after it until it is completed and all is laid to rest. How much more lovely is Jesus, the most beautiful melody of all. And we do not know where He is going to lead us, either. But if we trust Him today and choose to set our sights on Him and Him alone, not only will we have "treasure in Heaven", we'll "enter the Kingdom of Heaven" with the Son of God and enjoy the song of His glory forever and ever.

Hear the music.
Find the melody.
Follow it.

See you tomorrow- E.T.

P.S. - I should like to dedicate tonight's review to my very good friend Michael who has been a reader of the Lenten Film Review from the start and is a welcome companion on the great melody-chase of life.

Deserted Island Poll

2011-03-30T15:13:00.001-05:00

A new poll has arrived! Cast your vote for which motion picture icon you'd spend a week with alone on a deserted island. Choose wisely...

"Grease"

2011-03-29T23:01:00.010-05:00

Title: "Grease"

Director: Randal Kleiser
Producers: R. Stigwood and A. Carr
Editing: John F. Burnett
Composer:
Score: Michael Gibson
Songs: Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey
Starring:

Main Cast
- John Travolta as Danny Zuko (Leader of the T-Birds)
- Olivia Newton-John as Sandy Olsson
- Stockard Channing as Betty Rizzo (Leader of the Pink Ladies)
- Jeff Conaway as Kenickie

The T-Birds
- Barry Pearl as Doody
- Michael Tucci as Sonny LaTierri
- Kelly Ward as Putzie

The Pink Ladies
- Didi Conn as Frenchy
- Jamie Donnelly as Jan
- Dinah Manoff as Marty Maraschino

Plot and Critical Review: During summer vacation of 1959 Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson meet at the beach and fall in love. When the summer comes to an end, Sandy, who is going back to Australia, frets that they may never meet again, but Danny tells her that their love is "only the beginning." The animated opening credits follow (Grease).

On the first day of school at Rydell High, Danny, a greaser, is reunited with his friends, the T-Birds: his bad-boy best friend Kenickie and their three bumbling sidekicks, Doody, Putzie, and Sonny. The Pink Ladies, the T-Birds' female counterparts - raunchy leader Betty Rizzo, sophisticated Marty, and juvenile Jan - arrive and claim that they're going to "rule the school" in their senior year. Sandy, whose family had unexpectedly cancelled their plans to return to Australia, enrolls at Rydell and is shown around the school by Frenchy. At lunchtime, Danny and Sandy share memories of their summer romance with their respective friends, unaware of the other's presence (Summer Nights). Rizzo is surprised when Sandy reveals Danny's name on the way to class, but the Pink Ladies keep quiet about Danny's presence at the school.

The Pink Ladies decide to reunite Danny and Sandy. Initially ecstatic upon seeing Sandy again, Danny quickly attempts to cover his excitement and maintain his cool image in front of the T-Birds, which upsets Sandy. Frenchy decides to cheer Sandy up by inviting her and the other Pink Ladies to a slumber party at her house. However, Sandy's naive behaviour irritates the other girls and Rizzo leads the girls in mocking Sandy (Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee) after Sandy leaves the room. When Sandy returns, she is embarrassed to find her new friends making fun of her. Later, Sandy wanders outside, where she confronts her feelings about still being in love with Danny (Hopelessly Devoted to You).

Rizzo (who left the sleepover) and Kenickie park in a rundown part of town and make out in the back seat of his car. They have sex, during which Kenickie's condom breaks. The couple are interrupted by Leo - leader of the T-Birds' rival gang, the Scorpions - and his girlfriend, Cha-Cha. Leo damages Kenickie's car. Kenickie takes the car to the school's workshop for a tune-up, and despite the fact that it is a "hunk o' junk" (according to Danny), Danny manages to convince the boys that it could become a top-of-the-line sports car (Greased Lightning).

Soon afterward, Danny sees Sandy having a milkshake with a jock named Tom Chisholm. Regretting his unkind behavior, Danny attempts to win Sandy back by taking up sports. Coach Calhoun suggests he try his hand at track. Although Danny has a natural ability for running, he injures himself while Sandy is present. Sandy goes to see if he is all right and, after discovering he is not badly injured, she consents to date him again, and even considers letting him take her to the school dance. Unfortunately, their date at the Frosty Palace is interrupted when the T-Birds and Pink Ladies show up. Meanwhile, Frenchy, who left Rydell to pursue her dream of being a beautician, has had difficulty in all her classes at beauty school. She is at odds with what to do until her guardian teen angel appears to her and suggests she return to Rydell (Beauty School Dropout).

Rizzo and Kenickie break-up. During the school dance, which is also being broadcast live on national television, Rizzo attempts to get at Kenickie by going to the dance with Leo. Kenickie retaliates by going with Cha-Cha. Danny takes Sandy and Doody takes Frenchy. During the dance competition, Danny and Sandy are the last couple left, but as Sandy is dragged away by Sonny, Cha-Cha, who used to date Danny, begins dancing with him. Danny and Cha-Cha ultimately win the contest. In an attempt to make up with Sandy, Danny takes her to a drive-in movie, where he gives Sandy his ring which she interprets as a sign of his love for her. Danny makes several passes at Sandy which cause her to run off. (Sandy).

Rizzo tells Marty and Sonny that she might be pregnant, but makes them promise not to tell anyone. The rumor is soon spread around school, and when Kenickie offers to help, Rizzo rebuffs him, claiming that he isn't the father. A couple of days later, Kenickie and the T-Birds meet the Scorpions for a race at Thunder Road. Everyone comes to watch except Rizzo, who can't face seeing Kenickie. Patty Simcox and her friends joke about Rizzo's reputation, inciting Rizzo to vindicate her bad-girl image (There Are Worse Things I Could Do). Sandy, who misses Danny dreadfully, decides to try and patch things up between them at the race. Kenickie is knocked out when his own car door swings and hits him in the face, forcing Danny to race in his stead. Danny beats Leo and wins the race. Sandy is delighted but realizes she and Danny are still a world apart unless she takes drastic action (Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee (Reprise)).

As the school year comes to a close, the group enjoys a carnival at the school. Rizzo reveals that she is not pregnant after all and she and Kenickie are finally reunited. Danny has earned a letter in track, but the T-Birds resent his new image, viewing it as desertion. Sandy suddenly appears in a tight black outfit and leather jacket, looking more like Rizzo than herself. She tells Danny that she has done it all for him, and he reciprocates, (You're The One That I Want). As they climb into Danny's car, it takes off into the air (We Go Together).

Reviewing a musical is a real treat as it combines two of the things I love the most; music and cinema. Not all musicals that have been made into films have done as well as "Grease" did, however. Sometimes the transition and re-formatting causes much of the magic of the stage to be lost. Yet the risk doesn't stop filmmakers from at least trying. Most of the time they do alright and in this instance they did really well! Some of the more popular (and lucrative) musical films include (but are not limited to):

"Phantom of the Opera"
"The Sound of Music"
"West Side Story"
"Mamma Mia!"
"Hairspray"
"Chicago"

The list goes on...

While their place in the cinematic cannon is contested (critics wonder if they're really films or just musicals acted out on sound stages and filmed), they have formed a beloved category in the universe of the motion picture, and will no doubt remain an endearing form of film for quite some time.

My Rating: 6.5/10 (I'll throw in an extra .5 seeing as I cry every third or fourth time I hear "Hopelessly Devoted To You")

Content to Caution:
V-1.5 - A scuffle here and there.
L-2 - High-schoolers at their best, as always.
DU-1 - Some characters (mostly minors) smoke and drink.
RT-1 - No comment.
H/S-1.5 - Thunder Road!
CH-2 - No comment.
S/N-2.5 - Several kissing scenes, one depicting couples making out or having sex ("parking") in their cars.

The "Reel Revelation": "Love Songs"

Successful musicals do well for a reason. There have been books written on the great musicals and why they "work". In the same way that Beethoven's Symphonies or Michelangelo's sculptures are studied and scrutinized, musicologists and music critics have tried to unravel the secrets of the great musicals. They've found that there is a certain sort of "format" that seems to be at work when musicals rise above the rest. Among many elements (too many to list here) that make a musical great, the love song is key. In some musicals you may only have one love song;one sacred moment when the lovers embrace and share their feelings in song. While most musicals make use of several love songs, you can bet that they'll be among the sweetest and gentlest tunes in any given show. The very same is true when considering the love songs of "Grease", especially "Hopelessly Devoted To You".

Guess mine is not the first heart broken,
My eyes are not the first to cry.
I'm not the first to know,
There's just no gettin' over you.

Hello, I'm just a fool who's willing,
To sit around and wait for you.
But baby can't you see,
There's nothin' else for me to do.
I'm hopelessly devoted to you.

A simple and unencumbered love song. In the first verse (above), Sandy makes her intentions known and begins the heartbreaking process of confessing her love for Danny. She doesn't even confess her feelings to him directly, but to herself! I can't hear a love song like this and keep myself from thinking 'Do I confess my feelings as truly when I sing of my love for God?' On one hand there's no way to compare our love for our Heavenly Father to the love shared between two people, especially in the context of a musical. On the other hand, the soaring sentiments of crooning lovers seem, at times, more convincing than the solemn hymns we offer during our sacred services. Even if you worship in a community that employs contemporary music, you might feel the same way.

Is not our love for God more dynamic and vibrant than our love for another? Does it not overshadow all other emotions, especially the sort of romantic love such as is expressed in "Hopelessly Devoted To You"? We might not feel it in our hearts the same way as we do humanly love, but it is higher and greater than any other love we might experience during this life. Let our music reflect that. Christian artists have been striving to express that love (God's love for us, first and foremost) through music for a very long time, and we can give thanks to God that they'll continue to do so. As a composer I've tried my hand at writing "sacred love songs". I'd like to share the lyrics from one of them here.

“Adoration”
Words and Music by E.D. Thompson
Based on “Adoration”, a poem by Priscilla Rose Wyatt

It seemed like just a whisper; the echo of Your voice
I’ve fallen to my knees O God; my heart is here by choice.
I wouldn't trade a moment for a moment shared with You,
The silence of Your presence falls around like morning dew.

I adore You, Savior and King!
Will You turn Your ear and listen to my humble offering?
I adore You, Savior and King!
I will not fear, for You are near;
Your praises I will sing!

I ask You for the blessings of patience, peace, and love,
That I might serve those who don’t know the One sent from above.
They go about their busy ways, they walk upon the wire
They hunger for Your perfect grace that they may never tire.

Chorus

I know there will be seasons of grief, and sin, and shame
Oh may Your promise cover me and see me through the pain.
Your presence overwhelms me, and confounds my mortal fear,
The worries of this passing life dissolve when You appear.

Chorus

"I wouldn't trade a moment for a moment shared with You,
The silence of Your presence falls around like morning dew."

No hugs or kisses needed in that sweet fellowship. It is more than enough to be with Him and to know His presence, falling around us like the dew of morning. God be praised.

See you tomorrow- E.T.

"Good Will Hunting"

2011-03-28T23:30:00.001-05:00

Title: "Good Will Hunting"
Director: Gus Van Sant
Producers: L. Bender, S. Mosier, K. Smith, etc...
Editing: Pietro Scalia
Composer: Danny Elfman and Elliot Smith
Starring:
- Matt Damon as Will Hunting
- Robin Williams as Sean Maguire
- Ben Affleck as Chuckie Sullivan
- Stellan Skarsgård as Professor Gerald Lambeau
- Minnie Driver as Skylar
- Casey Affleck as Morgan O'Mally

Plot and Critical Review: 20-year-old Will Hunting has a genius-level intellect but chooses to work as a laborer and spend his free time with his friends Chuckie Sullivan, Billy McBride, and Morgan O'Mally. He also works as a janitor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where Fields Medal-winning combinatorialist Professor Gerald Lambeau has posted a difficult problem for his graduate students to solve. Will solves the problem quickly and anonymously, leading Lambeau to post a much more difficult problem. He chances upon Will solving it, but Will runs off.

While out drinking with his friends, Will meets Skylar, a British student about to graduate from Harvard and preparing to go on to Stanford University School of Medicine in California. The next day Will gets in a fight in which he attacks a police officer and is subsequently faced with incarceration. Lambeau arranges for him not to serve jail time if he agrees to study mathematics under Lambeau's supervision and to see a therapist. Will agrees, but treats his first few therapists with contempt and they refuse to work with him. In desperation, Lambeau calls on Sean Maguire, his estranged college roommate. Unlike the other therapists, Sean pushes back at Will and overcomes his defense mechanisms, and after a few unproductive sessions Will begins to open up. Will is particularly struck when Sean tells him that he gave up his ticket to see the Boston Red Sox play the sixth game of the 1975 World Series after falling in love at first sight with a stranger who later became his wife. Sean doesn't regret his decision, nor does he regret the final years of his marriage when his wife was dying of cancer. This encourages Will to try to build a relationship with Skylar, though he lies to her about his past and is reluctant to introduce her to his friends or show her his run-down neighborhood (South Boston).

Will begins to chafe under Lambeau's high expectations and makes a mockery of job interviews that Lambeau arranges for him. Sean cautions Lambeau against pushing the boy too hard. Will walks in on a heated argument between the two over his future and is greatly upset. When Skylar asks Will to move to California with her, he panics and pushes her away, revealing that he is an orphan and that his foster father physically abused him. Skylar tells Will that she loves him, but he says that he does not love her in return and leaves the relationship. His behavior escalates when he storms out on Lambeau, dismissing the mathematical research he has been doing as "a joke". Sean points out that Will is so adept at anticipating future failure in his interpersonal relationships that he deliberately sabotages them in order to avoid the risk of emotional pain. When Will refuses to give an honest reply about what he wants to do with his life, Sean shows him the door. Will tells Chuckie that he wants to be a laborer for the rest of his life; Chuckie responds that it would be an insult to his friends for Will to waste his potential, and that his fondest wish is that Will will leave to pursue something greater. Will decides to accept one of the job offers arranged by Lambeau.

At another therapy session, Sean and Will share that they were both victims of child abuse, and Sean helps Will to realize that the abuse he suffered wasn't his fault. With nowhere else to hide, Will breaks down and weeps. Having helped Will to overcome his problems, Sean reconciles with Lambeau and decides to take a sabbatical to travel the world. When Will's friends present him with a rebuilt Chevrolet Nova for his 21st birthday, he decides to pass on his lucrative job offers and drive to California to reunite with Skylar.

Watching this movie is like coming back to a song I used to love. While I still love the song, there's something sweetly refreshing about hearing it again after a bit of a break. That's precisely how I felt when I re-watched "Good Will Hunting" for this year's Review. What a breath of fresh air, for here we have a prime example of American film-making. Should we ever create a time capsule and fill it with great American films, I hope you'd agree with me that this would have to go in. The acting is impeccable, and almost immediately we sense that Damon, Affleck (x2), Driver, and Williams had been carved out for these roles. It was an exceptionally dynamic casting (and leap of faith, some would say) for Williams who had been known, more or less, for his comedic performances.

But did it receive the recognition it was due? I do not think so, although it's no great mystery as to why. One film in particular sort of took over the cinematic world in 1998, a highly anticipated historical film called "Titanic". At the time of the Oscars, "Titanic" was still #1 at the Box Office! James Cameron and cast/crew took home 11 Oscars that night, leaving the competition with nothing but the scraps. "Good Will Hunting" managed to grab two statues, and they made their winnings count, receiving awards for Best Original Screenplay (Damon and Affleck) and Best Supporting Actor (Williams). We know that this film will live on, as will these two special moments from the 70th Academy Awards:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8RIS5GJqAg (Best Original Screenplay)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6Egi5V_jNU&feature=relmfu (Best Supporting Actor - Watch for the triumphant embrace with Crystal toward the end.)

My Rating: 8/10

Content to Caution:
V-2.5 - An intense street fight, some rough-housing, and one instance of strangling.
L-4 - Almost constant cursing.
DU-2.5 - Many of the characters smoke and/or drink throughout.
RT-1 - No comment.
H/S-.5 - No comment.
CH-2 - "Southie" jokes and humor of the same vain persist throughout.
S/N-1.5 - Will and Skylar share kisses and a romantic evening, but there is no nudity shown.

The "Reel Revelation": "Perfect For The Part"

Sensing the impending success of "Good Will Hunting", production companies Castle Rock and Miramax (Miramax ended up buying the film rights from the prior) entered into a financial war trying to determine who would play the pivotal roles of Will Hunting and Sean Maguire. There was a time when Leonard DiCaprio and Brad Pitt were considered. The same sort of contest was also waged over who would direct the film. Directors being considered? Mel Gibson, Steven Soderbergh, and Kevin Smith (whom was asked by Affleck as a personal favor and probably not on an official level), to name a few. Can you imagine "Good Will Hunting" if any of these folks had participated? For good or bad, we know it would not have been the same film at all.

Damon and Affleck forged the script themselves, basing it strongly on their childhood friendship. They knew what they wanted, and they did well to insist that they play two of the leading roles. In rehearsals they improvised heavily, and their improvisation (I don't have to tell you that Williams fit right in once the script went out the window) led to some of the most memorable scenes in the film. The actors, actresses, director, and production crew really were perfect for the part. That's precisely what we wait for in the cinematic world, a sort of mystical convergence when the right people with the right gifts gather and work together to create something beautiful. To say it happens 1 out of 100 times is almost pushing it.

Have you ever been part of a project where you felt like you were "perfect for the part"? If not a project, perhaps you joined a team or got a new job or even met a new friend with whom you felt immediately connected. The chances of landing in such a situation are just as steep as the "mystical convergence" of actors and directors in the cinematic world. But it does happen. We see it in sports teams, especially when the Olympics come around and nations form teams with the highest potential for victory based on collected talent. We see it in the arts when composers and choreographers work together to create music and movement that seem to have always belonged together. But there are few moments as blessed as when a Christian finds the place where his or her God-given gifts can be put to work; when they find the place where God deigned them to be "perfect for the part".

If you've not experienced that moment yet, do not be discouraged, for we see in Scripture that God has a "part" for all of 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. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain..." (John 15: 12-16a)

Love. We're all "perfect for the part"! See that the God of love who dwells within our hearts has sent us out to love one another, to love all people, and to draw people to Himself through love. Love should never be our "Plan B", but our primary goal in every moment.

If you're out of work...LOVE.

If you're shopping for groceries...LOVE.

If you're making a daily commute...LOVE.

If you're ready to storm out of a meeting...LOVE.

If you're playing PS3...LOVE.

Jesus doesn't suggest, recommend, or refer us to the idea...he commands it!

I've had many conversations which have included the troubling phrase, "I don't feel like I have any worth...that I don't have anything to offer." I've said that myself! Perhaps you have too. The feeling is genuine, but the thought is misguided for in the Gospels we discover that we have everything to offer in every moment...Jesus! And what is our worth to His? What can we give to someone else that He cannot give 1,000 times over, and 1,000 times over again? Does that mean we're worthless? Without Christ...yes. But with Christ...

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15: 1-5)

Perhaps some of you lay awake at night and wonder when your "mystical convergence" (I use the term "mystical" very loosely) will happen. Place your trust in God, for He will lead you to it. "Abide" in Christ. In the meanwhile, pray for your eyes to be open to the opportunities right in front of you, opportunities to bear one another's burdens, bind up wounds in Jesus' name, and lead others to the Lord of Lords. What else could we ask for? What greater opportunity is there than to share the love of God with another person, and see that person come to love God, to know Him, and to serve Him? That's as "good (of) fruit" as we're likely to find.

See you tomorrow- E.T.

"Gone With The Wind"

2011-03-25T22:20:00.016-05:00

Title: "Gone With The Wind"

Director: Victor Fleming
Producers: David O. Selznick
Editing: H.C. Kern and J.E. Newcom
Composer: Max Steiner
Starring:
- Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara
- Clark Gable as Rhett Butler
- Leslie Howard as Ashley Wilkes
- Olivia de Havilland as Melanie Hamilton Wilkes
- Thomas Mitchell as Gerald O'Hara
- Barbara O'Neil as Ellen O'Hara
- Evelyn Keyes as Suellen O'Hara
- Ann Rutherford as Carreen O'Hara
- George Reeves as Stuart Tarleton
- Fred Crane as Brent Tarleton
- Hattie McDaniel as Mammy
- Oscar Polk as Pork
- Butterfly McQueen as Prissy
- Victor Jory as Jonas Wilkerson
- Everett Brown as Big Sam

Plot and Critical Review:

Part 1

The film opens on a large cotton plantation called Tara in rural Georgia in 1861. Scarlett O'Hara is flirting with the two Tarleton brothers, Brent and Stuart, who have been expelled from the University of Georgia. Scarlett, Suellen, and Careen are the daughters of Irish immigrant Gerald O’Hara and his wife, Ellen O'Hara, who is of aristocratic French ancestry. The brothers share a secret with Scarlett: Ashley Wilkes, whom Scarlett secretly loves, is to be married to his cousin, Melanie Hamilton. The engagement is to be announced the next day at a barbecue at Ashley's home, Twelve Oaks.

At Twelve Oaks, Scarlett notices that she is being admired by a handsome but roguish visitor, Rhett Butler, who had been turned out of West Point and disowned by his Charleston family. Rhett finds himself in further disfavor among the male guests when, during a discussion of the probability of war, he states that the South has no chance against the superior numbers and industrial might of the North. Scarlett sneaks out of her afternoon nap to be alone with Ashley in the library, and confesses her love for him. He admits he finds Scarlett attractive, and that he has always secretly loved her back, but says that he and Melanie are more compatible. She accuses Ashley of misleading her to think that he did love her and slaps him. Ashley silently exits and her anger continues when she realizes that Rhett, taking an afternoon nap on the couch, overheard the whole conversation. "Sir, you are no gentleman!" she protests, to which he replies, "And you, miss, are no lady!" Nevertheless, Rhett promises to keep her secret. Scarlett leaves the library in haste, and the barbecue is disrupted by the announcement that war has broken out. The men rush to enlist. As Scarlett watches Ashley kiss Melanie goodbye from the upstairs window, Melanie’s shy young brother Charles Hamilton, with whom Scarlett had been innocently flirting, asks for her hand in marriage before he goes to war. Despite not loving Charles, Scarlett consents in order to get close to the family and make Ashley jealous. They are married before Charles leaves to fight.

Scarlett is quickly widowed when Charles dies from a bout of pneumonia. Scarlett's mother sends her to the Hamilton home in Atlanta to cheer her up, although the O’Haras' outspoken housemaid Mammy knows she is going there only to wait for Ashley’s return. Scarlett and Melanie attend a charity bazaar in Atlanta. Rhett, now a heroic blockade runner for the Confederacy, makes a surprise appearance. Scarlett shocks Atlanta society even more by accepting Rhett's large bid for a dance. While they dance, Rhett tells her of his intention to win her, which she says will never happen as long as she lives.

The tide of war turns against the Confederacy after the Battle of Gettysburg in which many of the men of Scarlett's town are killed. Scarlett makes another unsuccessful appeal to Ashley’s heart while he is visiting on Christmas furlough, although they do share a private and passionate kiss on Christmas Day.

Eight months later, as Atlanta is besieged by the Union Army in the Atlanta Campaign, Melanie goes into a premature and difficult labor. Staying true to a promise Scarlett made to Ashley to "take care of Melanie", she and her young house servant Prissy must deliver the child without medical attendance. Scarlett calls upon Rhett to bring her home to Tara immediately with Melanie, Prissy, and the baby. He appears with a horse and wagon to take them out of the city on a perilous journey through the burning depot and warehouse district. He leaves her alone on the road leading to Tara. She repays him rudely with a slap, to his bemusement, as he goes off to fight with the Confederate Army. On her journey home, Scarlett finds Twelve Oaks burned out, ruined and deserted. She is relieved to find Tara still standing but deserted by all except her parents, her sisters, and two servants, Mammy and Pork. Scarlett learns that her mother has just died of typhoid fever and her father's mind has begun to crumble under the strain. With Tara pillaged by Union troops, and the fields untended, Scarlett vows she will do anything for the survival of her family and herself, exclaiming, "As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again!"

Part 2

Scarlett sets her family and servants to picking the cotton fields. With the defeat of the Confederacy and wars end, Ashley returns from being a prisoner of war. The dispirited Ashley finds he is of little help to Tara, and when Scarlett begs him to run away with her, he confesses his desire for her and kisses her passionately, but says he cannot leave Melanie. Gerald O'Hara dies after he is thrown from his horse. Scarlett is left to support the family, and realizes she cannot pay the rising taxes on Tara implemented by Reconstructionists. Knowing that Rhett is in Atlanta and believing he is still rich, she has Mammy make an elaborate gown for her from her mother’s drapes. However, upon her visit, Rhett, now in jail, tells her his foreign bank accounts have been blocked, and that her attempt to get his money has been in vain.

As Scarlett departs Rhett in jail, she encounters her sister’s fiancé, the middle-aged Frank Kennedy, who now owns a successful general store and lumber mill. Scarlett lies to Kennedy by saying Suellen got tired of waiting and married someone else. After becoming Mrs. Frank Kennedy, Scarlett takes over his business, and with the profits buys a sawmill which becomes very profitable during the rebuilding of Atlanta—in part because she is willing to trade with the despised Yankee carpetbaggers and use convicts as laborers in her mill. When Ashley is about to take a job with a bank in the north, Scarlett preys on his weakness by weeping that she needs him to help run the mill; pressured by the sympathetic Melanie, he relents. One day, after Scarlett is attacked while driving alone through a nearby shantytown, Frank, Ashley, and others make a night raid on the shantytown. Ashley is wounded in a melee with Union troops, and Frank is killed.

With Frank’s funeral barely over, Rhett visits Scarlett and proposes marriage. Scarlett accepts, partially for his money. After a honeymoon in New Orleans, Rhett promises to restore Tara to its former grandeur, while Scarlett builds the biggest mansion in Atlanta. The two have a daughter. Scarlett wants to name her Eugenie Victoria, but Rhett names her Bonnie Blue Butler. Rhett adores her as a symbol of the spirited girl Scarlett was before the war. He does everything to win the good opinion of Atlanta society for his daughter’s sake. Scarlett, still pining for Ashley, lets Rhett know that she wants no more children and that they will no longer share a bed.

When visiting the mill one day, Scarlett listens to a nostalgic Ashley, and when she consoles him with an embrace, they are spied by two gossips including Ashley's sister India, who hates Scarlett. They eagerly spread the rumor and Scarlett’s reputation is again sullied. Later that night, Rhett, having heard the rumors, forces Scarlett out of bed and to attend a birthday party for Ashley. Incapable of believing anything bad of her beloved sister-in-law, Melanie stands by Scarlett's side so that all know that she believes the gossip to be false.

At home later that night, while trying to sneak a drink for herself, Scarlett finds Rhett downstairs drunk. Blind with jealousy, he tells Scarlett that he could kill her if he thought it would make her forget Ashley. Picking her up, he carries her up the stairs in his arms, telling her, "This is one night you're not turning me out." She awakens the next morning with a look of guilty pleasure, but Rhett returns to apologize for his behavior and offers a divorce, which Scarlett rejects. Rhett decides to take Bonnie on an extended trip to London. However,one night, when Bonnie cries in a nightmare and asks to be reconciled with her, Rhett realizes that Bonnie still needs her mother by her side. Rhett returns with Bonnie, and Scarlett is delighted to see him, but he rebuffs her attempts at reconciliation. He remarks at how she looks different and she tells him that she is pregnant again. Rhett tells her "Cheer up. Maybe you'll have an accident." Enraged, Scarlett lunges at him, falls down the stairs and suffers a miscarriage. Rhett, frantic with guilt, cries to Melanie about his jealousy, yet refrains from telling Melanie about Scarlett's true feelings for Ashley.

As Scarlett is recovering, little Bonnie, as impulsive as her grandfather, dies in a fall while attempting to jump a fence with her pony. Scarlett blames Rhett, and Rhett blames himself. Melanie visits the home to comfort them, and convinces Rhett to allow Bonnie to be laid to rest, but then collapses during a second pregnancy she was warned could kill her. On her deathbed, she asks Scarlett to look after Ashley for her. Outside, Ashley collapses in tears, helpless without his wife. Only then does Scarlett realize that she never could have meant anything to him, and that she had loved something that never really existed. She runs home to find Rhett packing to leave her. She begs him not to leave, telling him she realizes now that she had loved him all along. However, he refuses, saying that with Bonnie's death went any chance of reconciliation.

As Rhett walks out the door, planning to return to his hometown of Charleston, she pleads, "Rhett, if you go, where shall I go? What shall I do?" He famously answers, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."

What could I possibly say about this movie that hasn't been said a hundred times over? I'd like to give the floor to Roger Ebert, who says it pretty well in this excerpt from his Sun Times review:

"As an example of filmmaking craft, ``GWTW'' is still astonishing. Several directors worked on the film; George Cukor incurred Clark Gable's dislike and was replaced by Victor Fleming, who collapsed from nervous exhaustion and was relieved by Sam Wood and Cameron Menzies. The real auteur was the producer, David O. Selznick, the Steven Spielberg of his day, who understood that the key to mass appeal was the linking of melodrama with state-of-the-art production values. Some of the individual shots in "GWTW'' still have the power to leave us breathless, including the burning of Atlanta, the flight to Tara and the "street of dying men'' shot, as Scarlett wanders into the street and the camera pulls back until the whole Confederacy seems to lie broken and bleeding as far as the eye can see.

And there is a joyous flamboyance in the visual style that is appealing in these days when so many directors have trained on the blandness of television. Consider an early shot where Scarlett and her father look out over the land, and the camera pulls back, the two figures and a tree held in black silhouette with the landscape behind them. Or the way the flames of Atlanta are framed to backdrop Scarlett's flight in the carriage.

I've seen "Gone With the Wind'' in four of its major theatrical revivals--1954, 1961, 1967 (the abortive "widescreen'' version) and 1989, and now here is the 1998 restoration. It will be around for years to come, a superb example of Hollywood's art and a time capsule of weathering sentimentality for a Civilization gone with the wind, all right--gone, but not forgotten." (http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19980621/REVIEWS08/401010323/1023)

My Rating: 9/10

Content to Caution:
V-2 - Quite a bit of slapping and some street-violence as a result of war-related looting.
L-1.5 - Southern sophistication manages to divert too much cursing.
DU-2.5 - Many of the characters (especially men) drink and smoke. In Part 2, several characters drink in order to forget their troubles.
RT-2.5 - In a movie set before and during the Civil War, it is impossible to avoid racial themes, but there is little outright slander against or mistreatment of African Americans. Their portrayal as slaves (and more importantly, as members of the family) seems accurate.
H/S-1 - No comment.
CH-2 - No comment.
S/N-1 - You got your kisses on the forehead, kisses on the hand, and a few kisses on the lips.

The "Reel Revelation": "The Greatest Ever"

No doubt you've been asked, "What's your favorite movie?" As a musician I'm often asked what my favorite song is, or musical, or composer. Try as I might to give an answer reflecting my feelings, I'm sure to give a different answer to the same question were I to be asked again a week later. I'm fickle like that. We are fickle like that. Our fancies change so often it's a wonder can keep track of what it is we do and don't like. But there are some things that most people are willing to agree on..."The Greatest Ever". "Gone With A Wind" is one of the very few films that has won this title. Other films stand beside it, for in the cinematic world multiple films can share in the everlasting glory of stardom, but it is rare to see such consensus on any subject when it comes to "The Greatest Ever." So why is it that "Gone With The Wind" has lasted so long and become a treasure to lovers of film all over the world? It might help to look at over films which have also gained "Greatest Ever" status. Let us employ AFI (American Film Institute) for some help. In 2007, AFI updated their Top 100 Films Of All Time list, and here's how the Top 10 unfolded:

1. "Citizen Kane"

2. "The Godfather"

3. "Casablanca"

4. "Raging Bull"

5. "Singin' in the Rain"

6. "Gone With The Wind"

7. "Lawrence of Arabia"

8. "Schindler's List"

9. "Vertigo"

10. "The Wizard of Oz"

What is the common thread? We've got everything from German concentration camps to talking apple trees to horse heads to guerrilla warfare and some nice fella singing during inclement weather. It doesn't seem like there's any common thread here at all! But there must be...there must be something in all of these films that has caused them to reach such heights of popularity and fame. Since we must try and find something common in all of them, we'd better start with what is most obvious:

Love - This is at the least the easiest of plot devices to locate. Even in the horrific scenes of "Schindler's List" we see a love enduring all persecution and suffering. Love abounds.

Coming of Age - It might be a stretch in a couple of the Top 10, but "The Wizard of Oz" and "The Godfather" have strong coming-of-age elements, and we almost always identify with characters who have to suffer the trials of adolescence. This is also why actors who portray said characters become so endearing...we see ourselves through their performances, even if we never grew up in mafia families or were transported to parallel realities.

Good v.s. Evil - This plot device might be easier to discover than love. You know it when you see it, and you almost always feel the fight inside of you as you watch it taking place on the screen.

Truth - All of these films deal with the pursuit of truth. They may do so in different ways and to different ends, but it's certainly there. Just as our personal search for truth can sometimes end in frustration, some films get quite near the presence of truth but withhold an obvious revelation.

We're likely to relate to/identify with these four elements above all others because they permeate every part of human life. We find ourselves involved in these different emotional experiences at all times. We're always falling in and out of love, discovering ourselves as we continue to grow and mature, struggling against the forces of evil in the world while trying to do good for God's Kingdom, and we are ever searching for what is true and will remain true forever.

But even films (love them as we do!) fall short of what is truly "The Greatest (Story) Ever"...the story of Jesus, the Messiah. His life was wrapped in these elements from the very beginning. He was born out of God's love for humanity, and was Himself the incarnation of the most righteous and brilliant love of all. Jesus "came of age" in human form, that we might know and believe in a god who cares for and understands us, not a distant god who doesn't sympathize or care about our sufferings and challenges. Jesus walked this earth and died upon the cross to settle the score and end the battle raging between good and evil. Though that battle still rages on, the victory has been confirmed and Jesus is our heavenly champion. And Jesus spoke words of truth that had never been heard before, words of revelation and challenge, both admonishing us to faithful service and instructing us in the way to live. But he did not only speak the truth, for he said "I am the way, the truth, and the life..." (John 14:6a)

There may be great movies, and great songs, and great heroes, and great events, and great inventions, but there will never be another Greater than He who overcame death and the grave for our sake. He is Jesus. Worship Him today, my friends, and give Him thanks and praise.

"Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised,

And His greatness is unsearchable." (Psalm 145:3)

See you Monday - E.T.

P.S. - My apologies for getting this post up a day late. I felt I needed the extra time when dealing a motion picture as monumental as this one is.

"Eat Pray Love"

2011-03-24T23:16:00.010-05:00

Title: "Eat Pray Love"
Director: Ryan Murphy
Producers: B. Pitt, D. Gardner, J. Kleiner, S. Wlodowski, etc...
Editing: Bradley Buecker
Composer: Dario Marianelli
Starring:
- Julia Roberts as Elizabeth Gilbert
- Javier Bardem as Felipe,
- Billy Crudup as Steven
- Richard Jenkins as Richard
- Viola Davis as Delia Shiraz
- James Franco as David
- Sophie Thompson as Corella,
- Mike O'Malley as Andy Shiraz

Plot and Critical Review: (For whatever reason, the plot synopsis provided on Wikipedia is only two sentences long. Insufficient. Here's a synopsis from pluggedin.com, a ministry of Focus on the Family. URL Link at the end.)

How would you feel if you could live the life you've always dreamed of? A great house. A devoted spouse. Adoring and well-behaved children. Interesting friends. Fun activities. A successful career. You'd be deliriously joyful, right? Grateful? Maybe a little relieved?

In Liz Gilbert's case, she already has many of these things but is crying-on-the-floor-every-night miserable. Nothing she has carefully constructed her life to be meets her expectations. And now she feels as if she's trapped in her New York City dream house. Stuck with her committed husband. Floundering among all the color-inside-the-lines clichés she feels her life has become.

She used to marvel. Now she broods. She doesn't even think she has a pulse anymore. Her once voracious appetite for life now nibbles on the endless everydayness of the world she once dreamed of. Her solution? To bolt.

Based on the real-life Elizabeth Gilbert's best-selling memoir, Eat Pray Love is one woman's year-long attempt to find unparalleled food and spiritual self-actualization. First, she finds a lover, David. Then she divorces her husband, Stephen—even though he begs her to work on the relationship with him. Then she leaves David, too, and goes to stay with her friend Delia. Eventually Liz jets around the planet to Italy, India and Indonesia to experience life as she thinks it should be lived—with adventure, gourmet goodies, reckless abandon, personal enlightenment and freedom.

In Italy she crams carbs until her new spare tire must be maneuvered into her skinny jeans. At an ashram in India she meets a whiskered Texan named Richard and learns how to "forgive herself" and let go of regret. And in Bali a medicine man named Ketut, a healer woman named Wayan and a sensitive Brazilian lover named Felipe finally lead her to what she believes is peace. (http://www.pluggedin.com/videos/2010/q4/eatpraylove.aspx)

What "Eat Pray Loves" lacks in storytelling and plot it makes up for in visual beauty. Roberts is as beautiful as she's ever been, and she glows in the exotic places she visits. Alas, the film doesn't quite reach the same depth of spiritual and emotional discovery which permeated Gilbert's best-selling book. It isn't the first film to fall short of the source of inspiration, but "Eat Pray Love" disappointed many hundreds of thousands of viewers who had hoped for an emotionally faithful representation of Gilbert's text.

My Rating: 4.5/10

Content to Caution:
V-.5 - No comment.
L-2.5 - No comment.
DU-1 - Some drinking, and drinking unto drunkenness.
RT-1.5 - An American in a foreign land is bound to get picked on.
H/S-0 - No comment.
CH-2 - Sex and sexual preference is joked about several times, and certain body parts are mentioned using slang terms.
S/N-2 - Some kissing. Gilbert and a man are naked in a pool, but nothing is shown.

In September of 2010 I did an initial review and reflection of "Eat Pray Love" which I posted on Facebook. The response to my review was tremendous. Some adamantly disagreed with me and said they would boycott the movie entirely. Others were genuinely moved by the experience they had when they saw the film and felt that it truly expressed elements of the human experience. I appreciated everything that was said, even if some of the comments bordered on being personally abrasive. The responses of all who got into the conversation helped me to gaze into but one side of the film, and i'd like to present another "take" in this format.

The "Reel Revelation": "Journeying"

Have you ever heard someone say, "I need to go for a walk to help clear my mind"? It seems to help, doesn't it?! Perhaps it's the release of endorphins, the gentle cadence of one's feet on the pavement, or maybe there really is some sort of brain-clearing property in fresh air! Whatever it is, getting out and taking a stroll does help to sort things out and get our focus on the task at hand. A walk! How much more good would an extended "walk" do us. Many people from many backgrounds and faiths have felt called to do just that; take an extended trip to help find themselves, reconnect with God. and renew their purpose in life. Such a venture is often called a pilgrimage, although here we'll simply call it a journey.

In trying to define what a journey of this type looks like, we can probably agree it's not going to be like a vacation. We might go somewhere we've never been before and see new things, meet new people, and have new experiences, but vacations are almost always taken solely for pleasure. That's not to say that vacations can't include elements of spiritual discovery (my vacation to Italy in 2002 was overflowing with it!), but based on the way we crowd vacations with itineraries and "places of interest", it's probably not the sort of journey we're looking to take in order to reconnect with Christ. Indeed, a spiritual journey is one we don't even plan ourselves but are called to take.

Herein lies the great difference between Elizabeth Gilbert's journey and the one we might take in order to renew ourselves spiritually. Gilbert planned her trip based on the experiences she wanted to have; in Italy she'd eat, in India she'd pray, and in Indonesia she'd find romance and true love. Sounds like a great vacation! But a spiritual journey is based upon going where God calls us to experience Himself, not the other way around. Have you ever taken such a journey?

By now it seems that spiritual journeys have to happen somewhere else, in a new environment. While that's not entirely untrue, we can't put God in a box and presume that He'll only meet us in a place far away. This is where our concept of journey is challenged, for we have thus far operated on the presumption that a journey takes us to another physical location. What about a journey through your conscience, your passions, your dreams, or your past? You don't have to go far to step into those places! And while going to a distant place can help us to clear our minds in order to fully address the issues within, God is just as likely to take us on a journey of discovery and discernment precisely where we are. There's no better time to go on such a journey than during the season of Lent.

And what can we expect on such a journey, regardless of where we take it, or how? There are probably a thousand books on self-help and modern spirituality which will suggest ways to "make the most of your spiritual journey", but I don't think we have to look any further than the example of Jesus, who took a very special journey Himself. You probably remember the story of when Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days (or so) immediately following His baptism in the Jordan River. And what did Jesus do out there?

- He fasted, and His fasting gave way for purification of self. Even the One who was without sin needed time to get rid of distracting thoughts.

- He prayed, and His prayers led to renewed courage and confidence in the will of His Father. Even Jesus needed to be reminded of His purpose, for there would be many who would discourage Him and try to throw Him off course.

- He was tempted by the devil, who challenged His authority. Jesus didn't try to reason with the devil or...He stood on God's Word alone and disrupted Satan's attack.

Whether we go into a literal wilderness or journey through the unknown lands of the self, we can expect the same of our own spiritual journey:

- We will fast from worldly pleasure, that our hearts might be purified for God's purposes. (Titus 2:11-14)

- We will pray to our Father, and He will come to us and minister to us, giving us direction and assuring us of His unwavering love. (Deut. 4:29)

- We will be tempted and pressed by the devil to sin against God. We will face the choice to stand on God's Word or to navigate the twisted corridors of temptation by ourselves. (Hebrews 2:14-18)

If it sounds like a lot of work, don't be discouraged. This sort of labor is blessed by God. Will it be tough? Yes. But in "working out" our salvation with "fear and trembling" (Phil 2:12), we grow closer to God and nearer to the heart of Jesus. We learn about ourselves and learn how God is active in our lives and in our world. By God's grace we also learn how to live in peace with those around us, and thus extend God's Kingdom. Whether God calls you to an exotic destination or summons you right where you're sitting as you read this, those are all results which make a spiritual journey of any type more than worthwhile.

Safe travels!

See you tomorrow- E.T.

And The Podium Belongs To...

2011-03-23T22:17:00.004-05:00

John Williams! Defeating fellow composers James Newton Howard, Hans Zimmer, and Harry Gregson-Williams by a narrow margin of just one vote (is that all you've got, readers?!), John Williams has won the first poll featured on E.T.'s Film Review. To celebrate, here's a little medley he conducted at the 2002 Oscars:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEsKD5PPs2I

See you tomorrow - E.T.

"Easy A"

2011-03-23T16:10:00.011-05:00

Title: "Easy A"

Director: Will Gluck
Producers: W. Gluck and Z. Devine
Editing: Susan Littenberg
Composer: Brad Segal
Starring:
- Emma Stone as Olive Penderghast
- Aly Michalka as Rhiannon "Rhi" Abernathy
- Amanda Bynes as Marianne Bryant
- Penn Badgley as "Woodchuck" Todd
- Thomas Haden Church as Mr. Griffith
- Patricia Clarkson as Rosemary Penderghast
- Stanley Tucci as Dill Penderghast
- Lisa Kudrow as Mrs. Griffith
- Cam Gigandet as Micah
- Malcolm McDowell as Principal Gibbons

Plot and Critical Review: Olive Penderghast lies to her best friend Rhiannon about going on a date in order to get out of camping with her and her hippie parents. The following Monday, pressed by Rhiannon, Olive lies about losing her virginity to a college guy. Marianne, a girl at their school who is a zealous Christian, overhears her telling the lie and "leaks" the lie into the rumor mill. Soon everyone at school knows.

The school has a conservative church group run by Marianne who decides Olive will be their next project. The group's harassment, disguised as concern, comes to a head in English class as Mr. Griffith leads a discussion on The Scarlet Letter, a novel about adultery and shame. When one of the girls from the church group makes a snide comment to Olive, Olive curses her and Mr. Griffith sends her to the Principal's office. During her detention she tells her friend Brandon the truth, that she didn't have sex, and he in turn explains how others bully him because he's gay.

Brandon comes over later and asks Olive to pretend to sleep with him so that he will be accepted by everyone at school. That weekend they pretend to have sex at a party. After she finished with Brandon she bumps into Todd, whom she has had feelings for since the 7th Grade.

After having a fight with Rhiannon over Olive's new identity as a "dirty skank", Olive decides to counteract the harassment by embracing her new image. She begins to wear more provocative clothing and stitches a red 'A' (a la Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter) to everything she wears. Boys who usually have had no luck with girls in the past begin to give her gift cards and money to say they had sex with her in order to increase their own popularity, which in turn increases her reputation.

Olive comes to a short-lived understanding with Marianne, but it is ruined when Marianne's boyfriend Micah gets chlamydia and says (in a lie) that Olive gave it to him. Olive sees Mrs. Griffith, the guidance counselor and Mr. Griffith's wife, who tearfully confesses that she slept with Micah. Olive promises to take the blame to save Mrs. Griffith's job and marriage.

The following day at lunch, Anson comes up to Olive and asks her out. The date goes sour when Olive sees Rhiannon at the restaurant and remembers she has a crush on Anson. In the parking lot, Anson attempts to pay her off; Olive asks what they will say happened but Anson thinks he will actually get sex and tries to kiss her several times. She resists and Anson furiously drives off. Todd sees her and offers to drive her home.

On the ride home Todd tells her that he does not believe the rumor mill, and that he remembers when she lied for him because he wasn't ready for his first kiss. He says he wishes she actually was his first kiss, and not Rhi. Todd then asks for permission to kiss Olive but she says no, wanting to wait until she sorts out her life.

Olive goes to the boys that propositioned her and demands they admit that the rumors are all lies but they refuse. When she goes to Mrs. Griffith to force her to come clean about sleeping with Micah, she refuses and implies that no one would believe Olive over her. Olive runs to Mr. Griffith and tells him the truth but immediately regrets it, knowing she likely destroyed their marriage.

To get everything in the open, she does a song and dance number at a pep rally and pretends she will be doing a sex show via web cam with Todd. In actuality she confesses what she has done. She also makes up with Rhi, apologizing for lying. Just as she is finishing her web cast, Todd appears outside her window, standing by a riding lawnmower and holding two speakers. He asks her to come outside. She leaves the house to kiss him and they ride off on his lawnmower.

"Easy A" flows well for a film of its type. Credit ought to be given to sharp editing and lively music to help convey the youthful spirit of the plot, but in the end it all boils down to Emma Stone's ability to hold the film together with her vulnerable and "sweetheart" acting style. The star of this film really is the star, Emma Stone. Aside from her, I don't have much to offer in the way of technical critique. She does so well, and in marvelous fashion. Stone is an actress we can certainly expect to rise to even greater heights. Her next big step? Filling the role of Gwen Stacy in the upcoming "The Amazing Spider-Man". Said film will premiere on July 2, 2012 if you care to get in line early.

My Rating: 5.5/10 (Would have been 5, but i'll give an extra .5 to any movie starring Stanley Tucci.)

Content to Caution:
V-1 - Slapping.
L-1.5 - No comment.
DU-1.5 - Rhi's parent's are seen smoking pot, and some minors drink at a party.
RT-1 - Jokes made about homosexuality may be offensive to some.
H/S-0 -No comment.
CH-2 - Several instances of crude humor relating to sex and general adolescent struggles.
S/N-2 - Oliver wears revealing clothing for the second half of the film. There is a modest amount of discussion about or surrounding the topic of sex.

The "Reel Revelation": "Lies"

It'd have been equally fitting to title this reflection "Escalation", because that's exactly what we watch unfold throughout the course of "Easy A"; Olive's "little lie" growing more and more complex. By the end of the film when the viewer's natural inclination is to feel happy for Olive, at long last in the arms of her beloved, I wonder if we actually remember where the whole chain of events began... It wasn't with Olive's lie (in action) about having sex with Brandon, but when she told Rhi that she had sex with a guy from the local community college. Do you remember the scene? It was only a few minutes long, but within the film's first 10 minutes the seed of deception had been planted.

And why did Olive lie in the first place? What did she have to gain from conjuring up a story of passion and reciting it to her best friend? Olive said it herself; to feel like she had some advantage or level of superiority over Rhi, who seemed more experienced and versed in womanhood than Olive. Rhi initially welcomed Olive's loss of her virginity, but eventually Olive's continued sexual behavior (or what Rhi thought was sexual behavior, even though Olive never touched anyone) drove the two apart. A lie can seem small, even tiny, but it can lead to consequences far beyond our vision. This process, the escalation of a lie, is wonderfully expressed in the song "Lies" from the film "Once". Here's an excerpt:

"I think it's time, we give it up
And figure out what's stopping us
From breathing easy, and talking straight
The way is clear if you're ready now
The volunteer is slowing down
And taking time to save himself

The little cracks they escalated
And before we knew it was too late

For making circles and telling lies." (Words and Music by Glen Hasard)

Is there a better way to say it? "The little cracks they escalated, and before we knew it was too late..." Have you ever been in that sort of situation, when you suddenly realized a little fib you told a few days before is about to blow up in your face. It can be something simple, even seemingly harmless..."Oh yeah, honey, I got milk when I went out this afternoon." Two days pass and it's your kid's birthday. The party is only a couple of hours away and your sweetie starts to bake the cake. They reach for the milk and, sure enough, it's nowhere to be found. "I thought you said you got milk! We won't be able to finish the cake in time!" Maybe you rush out and buy a cake from the bakery, but you didn't know that that was the last straw, the last "little fib" your sweetheart could stand. You might get a piece of that cake, but you're going to get an earful of something not quite as sweet later on. Uh-oh..."the little cracks...they escalated".

I recognize that is a tiny example, but it does bear witness to how even a seemingly harmless lie can end up doing far more damage than you could have imagined. What about when drastic times call for drastic measures and you're tempted to tell a big lie? Start keeping the truth straight in the small things...you'll find the exercise will help you to move those bigger barriers when you come to them.

Alongside the demon-possessed, crippled, poor, and outcast, Jesus encountered liars. But these liars weren't people on the street trying to make excuses for their sins. They were the intellects and philosophers of the Jewish culture. Here's what Jesus said to a group of them in the Gospel of St. John:

"I speak the things which I have seen with My Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father." They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father " Jesus said to them, "If you are Abraham's children, do the deeds of Abraham. But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do.You are doing the deeds of your father " They said to Him, "We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8: 38-44)

Jesus speaks strongly here, but not so strongly or harshly that we can't hear His loving admonition; if God is our Father we will love the Lord and serve Him. Do you know that God is your Father? Reach out to Him, and ask Him to fill your heart with truth, with the glorious light of His word, and ask Him to shatter the shadows and dispel the darkness of sin within your life. Pray that God will lead us all to the Truth, and grant us the grace and strength to share it in a world of misrepresentation and deceit. He'll do it! He cares you and for all of His children. So pray, and remember that Jesus prayed for you:

"But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth." (John 17: 13-17)

See you tomorrow - E.T.

"Dead Poet's Society"

2011-03-22T22:18:00.009-05:00

Title: "Dead Poet's Society"
Director: Peter Weir
Producers: S. Haft, P.J. Witt, and T. Thomas
Editing: William M. Anderson
Composer: Maurice Jarre
Starring:
- Robin Williams as John Keating
- Robert Sean Leonard as Neil Perry
- Ethan Hawke as Todd Anderson
- Josh Charles as Knox Overstreet
- Gale Hansen as Charlie Dalton
- Dylan Kussman as Richard Cameron
- Allelon Ruggiero as Steven Meeks
- James Waterston as Gerard Pitts
- Norman Lloyd as Mr. Nolan
- Kurtwood Smith as Mr. Perry
- Alexandra Powers as Chris Noel

Plot and Critical Review: Neil Perry, Todd Anderson, Knox Overstreet, Charlie Dalton, Richard Cameron, Steven Meeks, and Gerard Pitts are seniors at Welton Academy prep school. Both Neil and Todd are under harsh parental pressure to become a doctor and a lawyer respectively, but Todd wants to be a writer.

The teaching methods of their new English teacher, John Keating, are unorthodox by Welton standards; whistling the 1812 Overture and taking them out of the classroom to focus on the idea of carpe diem. He tells the students that they may call him "O Captain! My Captain!," in reference to a Walt Whitman poem. One day, Keating has Neil read the introduction to their poetry textbook which prescribes a mathematical formula to rate the quality of poetry. Keating finds this ridiculous and he instructs his pupils to rip the introduction out of their books. Later he has the students stand on his desk in order to look at the world in a different way. Inspired by Keating, the boys secretly revive a school literary club, the titular "Dead Poets Society," to which Keating had belonged. They meet late at night in a cave on school grounds.

Due to self-consciousness, Todd fails to complete a writing assignment and Keating takes him through an exercise in self-expression, realizing the potential he possesses. Charlie publishes an unauthorized article in the school newspaper, asserting that girls should be admitted to Welton. After being lectured by Headmaster Nolan about his teaching methods, Keating tells the boys to "be wise, not stupid" about protesting against the system.

Knox meets and falls in love with a girl named Chris, using his new-found love of poetry to woo her. He presents one of these poems in class, and is applauded by Keating for writing a heartfelt poem on love. Knox travels to Chris's public school and recites his poem to her, later convincing her to go to a play with him. Neil wants to be an actor but knows his father will disapprove. Without his father's knowledge, he auditions for the role of Puck in a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. His father finds out and orders Neil to withdraw. Neil asks Keating for advice and is advised to talk to his father and make him understand how he feels, but Neil cannot muster the courage to do so. Instead he goes against his father's wishes. His father shows up at the end of the play, furious. He takes Neil home and tells him that he intends to enroll him in a military school to prepare him for Harvard University and a career in medicine. Unable to cope with the future that awaits him or to make his father understand his feelings, Neil commits suicide.

At the request of Neil's parents, the headmaster launches an investigation. Richard meets the school governors and board of regents. Later, confronted by Charlie, Richard admits that he squealed on them and made Keating the scapegoat, and urges the rest of them to let Keating take the fall. Charlie punches Richard and is later expelled. Todd is called to Nolan's office, where his parents are waiting. Nolan forces Todd to admit to being a member of the Dead Poet's Society, and makes him sign a document blaming Keating for abusing his authority, inciting the boys to restart the club, and encouraging Neil to flout his father's wishes. Todd sees the other boys' signatures already on the document, and is threatened by his father to sign it. Keating is subsequently fired.

The boys return to English class, now being taught by Nolan, who has the boys read the introductory essay only to find that they had all ripped it out. Keating enters the room to retrieve a few belongings. Todd reveals that the boys were intimidated into signing the denunciation. Nolan orders Todd to be quiet and demands that Keating leave. As Keating is about to exit, Todd, for the first time, breaks his reserve and calls out "O Captain! My Captain!", and stands on his desk. Nolan warns Todd to sit down or face expulsion. Much of the class climb onto their desks and look to Keating, ignoring Nolan's orders until he gives up and slumps against his desk. Keating leaves happily with tears in his eyes.

1989 is a curious year in cinematic history. While dramas and romantic comedies appeared here and there, the field was dominated by sci-fi and action films. A few examples:

"Batman"
"Back To The Future - Part II"
"Ghostbusters"
"Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"
"Lethal Weapon 2"

Yet out of the fantastic and action-packed emerged a pair of films which have claimed places of immortality in the cinematic cannon; "Dead Poet's Society" and "Driving Miss Daisy". Even though "Dead Poet's Society" grossed twice as much as "Daisy" did at the box office, "Daisy" managed to claim four Oscars (including Best Picture) to "Poet's" one for Best Original Screenplay. But do not think that a few missed awards have done the film any harm; for it lives on. Many hail Robin William's performance as Mr. Keating as his finest, and that is but a portion of why this film has received such high praise across the board. If you've not seen it, please do. If you have seen it, watch it again; that's my plan.

My Rating: 8/10

Content to Caution:
V-2 - Some scuffles, and one scene depicting (but not showing) a suicide.
L-2.5 - Cursing as should be expected from young men at a prep-school.
DU-1.5 - Some drinking and smoking by minors.
RT-1 - No comment.
H/S-1 - No comment.
CH-2 - Once again, young men don't fail to deliver with crude humor.
S/N-1 - Some youthful romance, but no nudity or sex.

The "Reel Revelation": "Oh, how I wish..."

The famed Russian pianist Sergei Rachmaninoff was noted for being obsessively particular about finding the dramatic (or musical) "point" of every piece he played. He felt that every piece had one and only one true "point" at which the music reached absolute climax and meaning. If we apply the same reasoning to "Dead Poet's Society", I believe we find the "point" not in the person of Mr. Keating or in the Dead Poet's Society itself, but in the struggles of Neil Perry who longs to be a writer and performer but is being forced into the medical field by his father. It's upon this struggle we make our reflection and find the "Reel Revelation".

Do you have a secret longing? Think on this. Is there something within your heart that is so private and sacred you've withheld it from others, even God? If nothing strikes home there, what about desires you have disclosed and found to be discouraged or shot down by others? Few feelings are as dark and depressing the ones that come after having your dreams taken away from you. Suddenly you feel your entire purpose has been sucked out of your life, and you're left with no more than enough to "get by", when you really want to live! This was Neil's struggle, his struggle is probably one we face more often than we're willing to admit.

I want to be a conductor. I'm very fortunate and blessed by God to work with a wonderful ensemble of musicians every day, but even in the midst of those responsibilities and opportunities I find that I do very little conducting. I am left wanting. Inspired by the likes of Herbert von Karajan and Leonard Bernstein, my dream is to do as they did and uphold the legacies of composers of the past by presenting grand music on the grandest scale in the great concert halls of the world. I offer it to God in prayer often, but I often wonder what I will do or how I will feel if I never become a conductor such as I have dreamed. How will I react? More importantly, how will I react toward God, my Lord in whom I trust? How would you react?

We are not alone in feeling disappointed when our dreams are crushed or taken away. Indeed, the patriarchs of our faith struggled with the very same emotional letdown.

- David hoped to build a temple to the LORD, but was not permitted to do so because of the violence he caused. (1 Chronicles 22: 1-10)
- Moses was only allowed to see the Promised Land, but never set foot in it. (Deuteronomy 34: 1-4)
- Jeremiah yearned for Jerusalem to turn to the LORD, but they (and King Zedekiah) refused and were taken into captivity in Babylon. (Jeremiah 38: 20-28)

Three significant moments in the history of our faith. And what happened to these three men who had such deep dreams and hopes for the people of God but were disappointed in the end?

1. They recognized, chiefly, that it was not God who disappointed them, but their own sinfulness or the sinfulness of their people.
2. They trusted in God, even though their dreams had been laid to waste.
3. They all went to rest in God's mercy, even without seeing their dreams realized.

I encourage you to embrace your deep desires. Embrace them and lift them up to God in prayer. Indeed, let God be the one to whom all of your secret desires are known. Trust in Him, for even if your dreams do not come to pass, you can encourage yourself and renew your faith in His Word and His promise. Do not give up on your dreams, even if the chance of them coming to pass seems slim.

And yet, what are our hopes to the divine hope of our Father? What are our dreams to His own? We may hold a wish within, but let us always be after God's desires, striving to accomplish His will on Earth. God loves us and cherishes the desires within our hearts (who placed them there but His own hand?), but He desires all the more that we live as Christ lived; to glorify the Father and draw others to Himself. That is a dream which will not be crushed, but glorified here and in the life that is to come.

"As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So my soul pants for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God;
When shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my food day and night,
While they say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"
These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me
For I used to go along with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God,
With the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.
Why are you n despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him
For the help of His presence." (Psalm 42: 1-5)

See you tomorrow- E.T.

"Crazy Heart"

2011-03-21T17:44:00.006-05:00

Title: "Crazy Heart"

Director: Scott Cooper
Producers: R. Duvall, R. Carliner, J. Cairo, T-Bone Burnett, etc...
Editing: John Axelrad
Composer: S. Bruton, T-Bone Burnett, and R. Bingham
Starring:
- Jeff Bridges as Otis "Bad" Blake
- Maggie Gyllenhaal as Jean Craddock
- Colin Farrell as Tommy Sweet
- Robert Duvall as Wayne Kramer
- Paul Herman as Jack Greene
- Jack Nation as Buddy, Jean's son.

Plot and Critical Review: Otis "Bad" Blake is a 57-year-old alcoholic singer-songwriter who was once a country music star. He now earns a modest living by singing and playing his guitar in small town bars in the southwestern United States. Having a history of failed marriages, Blake is without a family. He has a son, aged 28, with whom he has not had contact in 24 years. He is mostly on the road performing, staying in cheap motels and traveling in his old car alone.

Enter Jean Craddock , a young journalist after a story, divorced and with a four-year-old son, Buddy. She interviews Blake and the two enter into a relationship. Jean and her son become a catalyst for Blake beginning to get his life back on track. In doing so, he lets himself be pushed into renewing a professional relationship with Tommy Sweet, a popular and successful country music star he once mentored, and plays as the opening act at one of Tommy's concerts, despite his initial balking and wounded pride at being the opening act to his former student. He asks Tommy to record an album with him, but Tommy suggests that Blake concentrate on writing new songs that Tommy can record solo, telling him he (Blake) writes better songs than anyone else.

Blake's drinking soon gets out of control, and he ends up running off the road while driving drunk. In the hospital, the doctor informs him that although he only sustained a broken ankle from the crash, he is slowly killing himself, and must stop drinking and smoking and lose 25 pounds if he wants to live more than a few more years. Blake's relationship with Jean makes him start to rethink his life. He calls up his son to make amends, only to have his son tell him that his mother, Blake's ex-wife, has died, and hangs up on him. After a situation where Blake loses Buddy briefly at a shopping mall while drinking at a bar, Jean breaks up with him.

After losing Jean and her son, who were becoming his only family, Blake resolves to quit drinking. After going through a treatment program at a rehab center, and with support from his Alcoholics Anonymous group and his old friend Wayne, Blake finally manages to get sober. Having cleaned up his act, he tries to reunite with Jean, but she tells him that the best thing he can do for her and Buddy is to leave them alone. After losing Jean, Blake finishes writing a song that he thinks is his best ever, "The Weary Kind", and sells it to Tommy.

Sixteen months later, Blake encounters Jean when she calls out to him in a parking lot outside one of Tommy's concerts. The audience sees Blake backstage, watching Tommy play "The Weary Kind" to an appreciative audience while his manager presents another of the large royalty checks for the song. As Blake is leaving, Jean calls to him, saying she has come to the show as writer for a large music publication. He offers her the money from that royalty check for Buddy to have for his 18th birthday, but Jean refuses it. The film ends with a long view of Jean interviewing Blake for a story at a picnic table on the edge of the parking lot. Amid the scenic southwestern landscape, the sound of Tommy's music is heard coming from the nearby concert.

4. That's how many times Jeff Bridges was nominated for either the Best Actor or Best Actor in a Supporting Role Oscar before he finally received it for his performance as "Bad" Blake in "Crazy Heart". He waited over 25 years since his first Oscar nomination (Best Supporting Actor in "The Last Picture Show") to finally hold the coveted gold statue. Some actors hit a home run their first time at bat, but Bridges played the waiting game. It paid off.

"Crazy Heart" was produced on a budget of $7 million dollars. That's spare change compared to some of the other films you might remember from 2009:

"The Hangover" - Approx. Budget: $35 million

"Sherlock Holmes" - Approx. Budget: $90 million

"2012" - Approx. Budget: $200 million

"Avatar" - Approx. Budget: $250 million

"Crazy Heart" grossed just over 10x the amount it cost, but the real value is in the story, not the box office till. Based on the stories of several famous country music superstars ("bad boys", all), "Crazy Heart" boldly presents the dark side of country music (musicians in general, perhaps) and does so without apology. No matter how powerful or popular a person becomes, they're still haunted with the same ghosts we all face day after day.

My Rating: 8/10

Content to Caution:
V-1 - No comment.
L-3 - Cursing throughout.
DU- 4 - Blake is almost always smoking or drinking.
RT-1 - No comment.
H/S-0 - No comment.
CH-2 - Some crude joking.
S/N- 3 - Two sex scenes, but suggestions of at least four sexual interactions. No blatant nudity.

The "Reel Revelation": "My Compass Reads..."

Have you ever used a compass? Maybe you were taught how in Boy/Girl Scouts, science class, or got to use one on a wilderness trek. Even if you've never used one, you probably have a fair sense of what a compass is supposed to do; give you a clear sense of direction relative to the magnetic poles of our planet. Simple enough. We all have internal compasses, too. In "Mere Christianity", C.S. Lewis described a "universal law" which governs all things and places within each person a sense of right and wrong. That compass helps us to discern ethical situations and make moral decisions. Lewis went on to suggest (proclaim, really, but suggest is more fitting during that part of the book) that it was the Creating God who placed that "universal law" within us from the beginning, and it is by His will we have a sense of right and wrong. Thus, all human beings are given a compass by which they can not only make good decisions (decisions of righteousness, and for justice), but will in fact be led back to the Creator and come to know Him personally.

But wouldn't you know it, not everyone follows that compass. Some people never learn to read it. Others set out to master it and follow it faithfully. Some, through what must be utter self-destruction, replace that compass with someone else, and it is by the direction of that second guide they choose to live. This happened once in the Bible, and God was not very pleased:

"Now when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people assembled about Aaron and said to him, "Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." Aaron said to them, “Tear off the gold rings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me." Then all the people tore off the gold rings which were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. He took this from their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool and made it into a molten calf; and they said, "This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt." Then the LORD spoke to Moses, "Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves." They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them. They have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it and have sacrificed to it and said, 'This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!' It came about, as soon as Moses came near the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing; and Moses' anger burned, and he threw the tablets from his hands and shattered them at the foot of the mountain. He took the calf which they had made and burned it with fire, and ground it to powder, and scattered it over the surface of the water and made the sons of Israel drink it. Then Moses said to Aaron, "What did this people do to you, that you have brought such great sin upon them?" Aaron said, "Do not let the anger of my lord burn; you know the people yourself, that they are prone to evil." For they said to me, 'Make a god for us who will go before us; for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.' Then the LORD smote the people, because of what they did with the calf which Aaron had made." (Exodus 32: 1-4, 7, 8, 19-23, 35)

I've obviously shortened the story for the sake of space, but I encourage you to go into your own Bibles and read Exodus 32. This is a prime example of how we manage to replace God's compass with our own, and the reasons for doing so.

Israel had become weary and tired. They were fed up with Moses, full of Manna, and sick of walking in circles. Have you ever felt the same way? Does it ever seem like you've been walking in spiritual circles? Sometimes we do, but even when we think we're lost our compass still points us back to a loving God, not a taskmaster who's leading us about for His own pleasure.

"Crazy Heart" tells the story of a man who made alcohol, tobacco, women, and country music his compass. Even if one of those things failed him, Blake could always turn to something else and find (momentary) satisfaction. And then suddenly Jean entered the story and he realized how far off the map he was. He did the only think more difficult than getting lost in the first place...getting back on track. Even though he lost the girl, he gained his own life because he turned from what was leading him astray.

What's your compass? When you discover you're off course, where do you go to check your bearings and set things straight?

Every day we're faced with the opportunity to place our trust in things, people, and worldly promises. You can choose to do so - you wouldn't be the first - but you'll soon realize that trusting in the needle of that compass will only cause you to go the direction of destruction. I do not think that is too much to say, for that is the way all things of this world shall go. But if you look to Christ and set the compass of your life on him, behold, He will lead you by His own light; the radiance pouring forth from Himself at all times, and you will arrive safely at home.

Israel followed a pillar of cloud. (Exodus 13:21)

The Magi followed a star. (Matthew 2)

We follow the Savior. (Luke 5: 1-11)

See you tomorrow- E.T.

"Chloe"

2011-03-18T23:14:00.014-05:00

Title: "Chloe"

Director: Atom Eyogan
Producers: J. Reitman, I. Reitman, and T. Pollock
Editing: Susan Shipton
Composer: Mychael Danna
Starring:
- Amanda Seyfried as Chloe Sweeney
- Marianne Moore as Dr. Catherine Stewart
- Liam Neeson as David Stewart

Plot and Critical Review: Catherine Stewart, a gynecologist, is working in her office. She glances out of her window at different times to see Chloe (a prostitute) entering hotels with her clients. Catherine's husband David, a college professor, lectures to a class in another city. Catherine hosts a surprise birthday party for David, who has yet to arrive. She gets a call from him saying that he missed his flight and will not make it home in time for his birthday. The next morning, after he arrives home, Catherine suspects David of having an affair when she sees a picture on his phone of him and a female student hugging.

That evening David and Catherine go to dinner with two friends. David flirts with the waitress, upsetting Catherine. Catherine goes to the restroom and enters a stall. Overhearing a woman crying in the next stall, she asks her if everything is okay. Catherine hands her some toilet paper under the partition and exits her stall, where their hands briefly touch. The woman (Chloe) follows. As they are washing their hands, Chloe offers Catherine her hairpin. Catherine refuses and returns to David. During dinner, Catherine notices Chloe with another client.

After work, Catherine stops by the hotel bar where Chloe spends the majority of her time waiting for potential clients. Chloe, looking at Catherine passionately, tells her that she "[doesn't] usually meet with women." Catherine explains that she suspects her husband of infidelity and wants Chloe to go to test David's loyalty. The next evening Catherine and Chloe meet at a bar. Chloe tells Catherine that she asked David to kiss her, and he did. Angered, Catherine tells Chloe that wasn't what she wanted her to do. However, she insists that Chloe meet with David again.

The next evening, Chloe tells Catherine that she went with David to a garden, where she seduced him. Catherine is heartbroken. Once more, she insists that Chloe meet with David again. The next day Catherine receives a text message from Chloe at work, asking her to meet her at a hotel. When Catherine arrives, Chloe tells her that she had sex with David. She describes the encounter in explicit detail, but rather than causing Catherine more heartbreak, it arouses her. Upon leaving the hotel room, Chloe, feeling remorse, kisses Catherine, who abruptly leaves.

During her son's (Michael) piano recital, she replays her meeting with Chloe, clearly in distress. She spots David, but does not sit next to him. Leaving the recital, Catherine meets Chloe at a hotel and has sex with her. Afterwards, Catherine and Chloe share a taxi and Chloe offers her the hairpin again. She says it was her mother's, and that she wants Catherine to have it. Catherine doesn't reply to Chloe but takes the hairpin. Catherine enters her home to find David waiting for her. He asks her if she's been unfaithful. Catherine becomes infuriated and tells him she's been meaning to ask him the same question. David declines to respond.

The next afternoon, Catherine arrives at her office after lunch to find several missed calls from Chloe and an email with a picture of them in bed together. Chloe enters Catherine's office with flowers and asks her if she enjoyed the sex the night before. Catherine admits that she did, but explains that their "business transaction" is finished and pays her for the work she has done. Chloe leaves Catherine's office crying. Seeking revenge, she goes to Michael’s hockey practice and they flirt.

That night Catherine and David go to a coffee house where Catherine demands that David admit that he is having an affair. David admits that he lied to her for avoiding the birthday party (because he didn't want to celebrate his birthday), but he denies that he is having an affair. Chloe suddenly walks in and David genuinely does not appear to know who Chloe is. Chloe realizes that it is a trap and leaves quickly. Catherine realizes that Chloe made up her encounters with David. Catherine apologizes to David for not having trusted him, and admits that she worried about him because she was getting older and more insecure about her appearance. Then she confesses her sexual encounters with Chloe. David, shocked but understanding, embraces and kisses her.

Chloe goes to Catherine's home and has sex with Michael. Catherine arrives home and finds them together. Chloe tells Catherine that "money isn't enough to make her go away". Catherine apologizes and Catherine asks Chloe what she wants. Chloe asks for one last kiss and Catherine complies. Michael sees what is going on, startling Catherine and causing her to accidentally push Chloe into the bedroom window. The glass breaks and Chloe falls through, but she manages to grab hold of the frame. Then, with a smile, she lets herself fall and dies.

(I think that to be a very long plot synopsis. If you read all of it, well done. The movie really does twist and turn, so it's no waste of time to make sure you're caught up. Here's a medal (*) for your efforts.)

There isn't too much to say about "Chloe" as a film. Some critics (I'm thinking of Ebert) praised it for being so bold in it's presentation of distrust within marriage, but others criticized it for having too linear a plot and making use of overly predictable plot devices. "Chloe" made back it's budget, but not much more. If it did receive any award nominations, I don't know about them. While it served as a stepping stone for Amanda Seyfried's film career, some consider it a step backwards for Neeson and Moore. It's quite alright that not every movie we see has a thousand points worthy of praise.

I'd like to highlight an event that happened outside of the film, but deeply affected one of its starring actors. During shooting, Liam Neeson's wife of 14 years, Natasha Richardson, died in a skiing accident. Liam left the set to care for his wife, and after she passed away the writer's scrambled to rework the script to accommodate Liam's expected absence. No doubt they were surprised when Neeson returned to the set and finished shooting the remainder of his scenes in two days. I believe that to be a sterling and rather stunning display of what we've seen Liam consistently present; a true dedication to his craft and a true love of the artistic medium into which he has invested so much of his life and talent.

My Rating: 4.5/10

Content to Caution:
V-1 - No comment.
L-2 - Some anger-fueled cursing.
DU-1 - Some drinking in club/bar settings.
RT-0 - No comment.
H/S-1 - No comment.
CH-2 - No comment.
S/N-4 - Two sex scenes and other scenes which include nudity.

The "Reel Revelation": "Testing The Waters"

"Chloe" is a difficult to movie to watch and a difficult one to review because the core of the film rests on an immortal act born out of immoral motivation. Catherine employs Chloe because she doesn't trust her husband. Distrust and prostitution probably don't well with Our Lord. We know they don't. Because there is such rampant immorality in this film, it's one I recommend Christians avoid. This is not a view I've always held, but I find that I am turning more and more in that direction.

But this is the film before us, and if we dig deeper, we discover that we are not altogether unlike Catherine; curious, even suspicious of relationships. We might openly admit our suspicion, but there's no denying that we all carry questions and ponderings deep within. Like her, we want to "test the waters" and see what's really within the friendships and relationships we hold. How greatly this sentiment is amplified when it comes to our relationship with God. We can remind ourselves of His unwavering and endless love, but there will always be a hint of curiosity; "Does God really love me? How can I be sure?" To try and find an answer, we put God to the test. To allow us the opportunity to show our love and devotion to Himself, God does the very same. Few are the examples as striking as the story of Job:

"Now on the day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, and the Sabeans attacked and took them. They also slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you." While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you." While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and took them and slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you." While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, and behold, a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people and they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you." Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped.

He said,
"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
And naked I shall return there
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the LORD."

Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God." (Job 1:13-22)

God, have mercy and take it a little easier on us! To say that this was a "test" is an understatement. Foreigners attacking, fire from Heaven, and a mighty wind that killed his children...this is only the beginning of the story! Yet, Job proved himself an "blameless and upright man" (Job 1:8), and worshipped God even in the midst of utter tragedy. Is our faith so refined as to do the same? For that is precisely what God intends to do when he tests and challenges us; refine our faith.

"For my own name’s sake I delay my wrath;
for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you,
so as not to destroy you completely.
See, I have refined you, though not as silver;
I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this.
How can I let myself be defamed?
I will not yield my glory to another." (Isaiah 48:9-11)

We test human relationships with fickle challenges and questions. We poke, prod, and dissect each other until there's nothing left to test. We search and explore and bulldoze through the hearts and minds of those we love to find what will satisfy us. God's approach can be just as vigorous (don't forget Job so quickly!), but He does not do it for vanity or plain curiosity. No, He does it for His own glory, for the glory that He is due. Our human response is to rail against God for bringing adversity against us, but it is not within God's heart to harm us. Even in the midst of God's testing, His hand is evident, and His presence abundant. He is near, for He is with us in every storm; in the midst of our testing just as He stood with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in the fire of the furnace (Daniel 3:19-30).

At the very end of the chronicle of Job, after all of his trials had ended, this is what he had to say.

Then Job answered the LORD and said,
"I know that You can do all things,
And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?'
"Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know."
'Hear, now, and I will speak;
I will ask You, and You instruct me.'
"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear;
But now my eye sees You;
Therefore I retract,

And I repent in dust and ashes." (Job 42:1-6)

He barely even mentions himself, nor give himself praise, but ascribes all honor to the LORD in whom he trusted. May we be as gracious and loving when God tests our faith.

See you Monday - E.T.