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Movie Reviews From A Family Perspective
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Lady
in the Water
Last Holiday
Left Behind: World At War
License To Wed
Lions For Lambs
Little Manhattan
Live Free Or Die Hard
Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World
Loves Unfolding Dream (on DVD)
Lucky Number Slevin
Paul
Giamatti, Bryce Dallas Howard, Bob Balaban, Jeffrey Wright, Sarita Choudhury.
Warner Bros. Writer-Director: M. Night Shyamalan. Now playing.
The mundane life of apartment complex manager Cleveland Heep (Paul Giamatti) changes when he discovers a mysterious young woman named Story (Bryce Dallas Howard) living in the pool. Cleveland learns that Story is a "narf" - a nymph-like character from an epic bedtime story who is being stalked by vicious creatures determined to prevent her from making the journey from our world back to hers. Story's unique powers of perception reveal the fates of Cleveland's fellow tenants, whose destinies are tied directly to her own, and they must work together to decipher a series of codes that will unlock the pathway to her freedom.
I'm a fan of M. Night Shyamalan because he incorporates spiritual themes and metaphors into his always involving scripts. Lady in the Water is no exception. While Signs had a more profound effect on me because of its thoughtful themes, which were clearly related to New Testament resolves, Lady in the Water is a vague grownup fairy tale satisfied with raising questions rather than giving clear-cut directions.
Some in the Christian community may perceive this fantasy/thriller as more New Age than biblical parable. True, it would have been great had there been at least one proclamation pointing to Christian dogma, but it is not New Age. It's just not overtly Christian in perspective. The filmmaker evidently felt it was his duty merely to raise questions: Could we be worthy? Could there be purpose in our mundane lives? Could we, faulty as we are, offer something worthwhile to those around us? He is bringing up matters that pertain to the soul, leaving the ball in our court. We are thus given an opportunity to show spiritual seekers where the Bible answers the questions raised in this film.
Lady in the Water is not blemish free, nor is it as savvy as the filmmaker intended. While the tale is a bit too convoluted, its elements of fantasy, suspense and eeriness each seem skin deep. It's not Hitchcock. It's Hitchcock Lite. Still, it is a step above the disappointing thrillers of late, which rely heavily upon the darkness of man's nature and the overindulgence of special effects departments to further their narrative. What's more, this one is made fun by the endearing performances. Bryce Dallas Howard (Ron's daughter) is elfin-like, resembling the ethereal quality of Sissy Spacek's Carrie. And Paul Giamatti (cheated out of an Oscar nomination for his work in Sideways) is becoming the new Jack Lemmon, the everyman actor. The screening audience was mesmerized, as was I, with its combo of spooky jolts, touching drama and ever present sharp-witted humor.
Rated PG-13 (Two or three minor expletives, but no harsh language. The heroine is attacked three times by a barely seen force. This violence is not graphically depicted. There is a menacing force that takes on the appearance of a wolf. A man is attacked by this wolf-like villain. The scene cuts away just before he is brutalized. Some bloody scratch marks are seen on the heroine's legs. One sexy female is seen walking away from the camera, the camera close on her bottom. The female lead, something like a mermaid is supposed to be nude, but the male lead is a gentleman and covers her up. She is bare-legged throughout, but not in an exploitive manner. Some characters smoke and a few people are seen drinking at a party. The film receives its rating for the shock scariness and adult themes. It is not a movie for little ones.)
To learn more about this movie, visit: ladyinthewater.warnerbros.com
A shy cookware clerk (Queen Latifah), believing her days are numbered, throws caution to the wind and embarks on a dream vacation to Europe. While staying at a grand hotel, she and her uninhibited attitude have a profound and humorous effect on the guests and staff.
Though there
is a bit of sexual innuendo, less than in most comedies these days, and a
couple of words you probably don’t want little ones repeating, this
is a very uplifting movie. In a culture that busies itself from dawn till
dusk, far too many of us don’t take the time to smell the roses. This
life-affirming comedy reminds us to do so.
Ms. Latifah, a devout Christian in her personal life, has joined
up with another strong Believer – get this – LL Cool J, to give audiences a movie
that celebrates life, honors the individual and reverences God. The film begins
in a gospel-singing church and throughout the film the lead speaks to God,
prays over her meals, reads a Bible, and scolds those who don’t respect
others.
I wish I could say it was a film that contained nothing that someone might find objectionable. Alas, what film made in the past two decades could claim that? Still, the objectionables were few and far between and I felt good when I left the theater. Not only was it apparent that the lead was a churchgoer – rare in today’s movies – but she demonstrated the teachings she obviously learned there. Mix the moral uplift with some very funny comic gags and you have a unique film today, one that entertains while respecting both the audience and the Creator.
PG-13 Crude Language: moderate (one sexually suggestive remark deals with oral sex. Though it is not overtly graphic and though it does lead to a redemptive message, still many parents will find its inclusion to be unsuitable for children.
Peter and Paul Lalonde, CEOs of Cloud Ten Pictures, have made significant growth as filmmakers since the company’s inception in 1996. Now coupled with Sony Pictures, the brothers Lalonde have had an injection of additional finances, thereby bringing an added prestige to movies containing a Christian theme.
The apocalyptic story picks up a year and a half after millions of people have simply vanished off the face of the earth. The world is now controlled by Nicolae Carpathia (Gordon Currie), a self-proclaimed Messiah, and his One World Government. Like most of America, the president of the United States, as played by Louis Gossett Jr. (“An Officer And A Gentlemen”), wholeheartedly supports Nicolae’s global leadership. But after an attempt on his life, the president begins to suspect this new world order.
Journalist Buck Williams (Kirk Cameron from “Growing Pains” fame, reprising his role), who became a born-again Christian toward the end of the first film, believes that Carpathia is actually the prophesied Antichrist. With the aid of Buck and militia spy Carolyn Miller (Jessica Steen), the president uncovers this new government’s horrific plans for genocide and joins the very resistance he had tried to terminate.
“Left Behind: World At War” has some very good acting, especially from minor and supportive characters. The special effects are just that – special. They are the best I’ve seen in any film proclaiming Jesus as Lord. The action scenes are well choreographed and superbly shot. What’s more, they aren’t there just to add noise, which seems to be the reason for most action sequences in movies these days. The action heightens the story rather than dominating it. And I congratulate the filmmakers for having the guts to not hold back when it comes to the film’s main purpose – telling the world that the true way to God is through His Son.
It’s a positive motion picture experience, but it is not a faultless film. First, a film sequel must stand on its own. It cannot depend on the popularity of the book it was based upon or the hope that audiences have seen its predecessor. Here the filmmakers’ assumptions lead to an uneven structure and the disjointed introduction of characters, often leading to confusion. Newcomers to the series may not understand that the rapture has occurred two films ago and that these Christians became Christians after the fact.
The next problem concerns the out-of-the-blue wedding scene towards the opening. Buck is marrying Cheo and Rayford is marrying Amanda. (If you didn’t see the first sequel you’ll have no idea who she is.) While the nuptials seem derived from an actual ceremony, insightful and sincere, this sudden coupling seems misplaced. At this point in the story, we have little emotional connection with these people. What’s more, this sudden ceremony lasts nearly as long as a real wedding, with each of the four actors given lots and lots of time to express heartfelt vows. That brings us to my last major problem with the film.
The story is cluttered with endless dialogue, speeches that ramble on and scenes that could equally use some whittling down. During one death scene, a cutaway goes to another scene only to return to the death bed. But this guy isn’t about to go quietly – or quickly – into that good night. He’s got lots more speeches in him. More cut-aways only lead back to this never-ending sequence. I wanted him to pass on so he could be in Heaven where he wanted to be in the first place and we could continue with the story. Less is more, especially with film dialogue. With just a bit of rewriting, the scene could have been a potent one.
Anyhoo, those are the few problems I had with the film. But, I’d watch it again. I was impressed by the sincerity of the production. And during a time when the name of God in a movie is generally followed by a curse and His Son’s is used as an expletive for emoting actors, how glorious to see a film that exalts those names.
Followers of the series will most likely see this production as a step up and we in the Christian community should be encouraged that a film company is advancing the treatment of the Gospel in this medium. Progress is being made. And I suspect that the lessons learned and acted upon by Cloud Ten Pictures will help set a new standard for movies that contain a spiritual message.
Cloud Ten will release the film through churches October 21, 2005, with a follow-up DVD release the next Tuesday. Directed by Craig Baxley. Not suitable for children under 13 due to theme of end times and for violence.
Robert Redford, Meryl Strep, Tom Cruise. MGM. Political drama. Written by Matthew
Michael Carnahan (The Kingdom). Directed by Robert Redford. Opens 11/09/07
FILM SYNOPSIS: The story begins after two determined students at a West Coast university, follow the inspiration of their idealistic professor (Redford, wearing the same denim shirt he donned in Three Days of the Condor , as well as the same political chip on the shoulder), and attempt to do something important with their lives. But when the two make the bold decision to join the battle in Afghanistan, the professor is both moved and distraught. Now, as Arian and Ernest fight for survival in the field, they become the string that binds together two disparate stories on opposite sides of America. In California , the anguished teacher attempts to reach a privileged but disaffected student. Meanwhile, in Washington D.C. the charismatic Presidential hopeful, Senator Jasper is about to give a bombshell story to a probing TV journalist. As arguments, memories and bullets fly, the three stories are woven ever more tightly together, revealing how each of these Americans has a profound impact on each other and the world.
REVIEW: I can't tell how good the acting is, because the performers seem more determined to promote their political points than to actually portray real people. The three separate segments are intertwined in order to further the government-is-bad theme, but the cutaways to each segment are jarring and ill conceived. But then, focusing on the strengths or weaknesses of this film is waste of time. We are a torn nation over our position in Iraq and each camp wants their views reverberated by Hollywood elites. So if you are anti-Bush and anti-our presence in Iraq, you probably won't be put off by the pontificating and pompousness of the filmmakers.
R (around 30 obscenities, mostly the f- and s-words; eight or so profane uses of God's name or Christ's; we see battle scenes; a man' gets most of his head blown off; one solider falls out of a low flying military chopper, his buddy jumping out after him; they are both injured in the fall; they must face the enemy alone, facing death by numerous unseen villains; both the injured soldiers are bleeding; a brief, non-graphic sexual discussion; in fairness to Redford, while his anti-Bush and anti-war sentiments are made clear, he does portrays certain soldiers in a good light).
Running Time: 88 min.
Intended Audience: Adults
Robin Williams, Mandy Moore, John Krasinski, Eric Christian Olsen, Christine Taylor, Josh Flitter. Written by Kim Barker and Tim Rasmussen & Vince DiMeglio. Directed by Ken Kwapis. Warner Bros. Pictures. Comedy. Opens 7/3/07.
FILM SYNOPSIS: License to Wed follows newly engaged Ben Murphy (John Krasinski) and his fiancée, Sadie Jones (Mandy Moore), who has always dreamed of getting married in a traditional wedding at her family church (though she hasn’t attended in ten years). The problem is St. Augustine’s only has one wedding slot available in the next two years, and its minister, Reverend Frank (Robin Williams), won’t bless Ben and Sadie’s union until they pass his patented, foolproof marriage-prep course. Through outrageous classes, outlandish homework assignments and some pious manipulation, Ben and Sadie are about to find out if they really have what it takes to live happily ever after.
REVIEW: What’s comedy to one person might be hackneyed dreck to someone else. If you laughed at the trailer for License to Wed, then you may be one of those who will find the film enjoyable. Keep in mind, however, you will have already seen most of the major attempts at humor. If you cringed at the off-putting irreverence and stale jokes in the commercial, then you’ve already been warned. As for me, I now have a contender for my Worst of 2007 list.
I’m sorry for being flippant. Humor is the toughest thing to do in movies. And certainly, Mr. Williams has proven himself to be a comic genius. But the humor here is groan-causing. Reverend Frank says, “May I be frank? Oh, yes I can, I am Frank.” When he is invited to a food tasting, he looks at the cheese and says, “Praise Gouda.” When introduced to Ben, he asks “And what do you do, besides little Sadie.” He gets how much money for these sophomoric gags?
I suppose the concept of Robin Williams playing a priest was amusing to those who read the script, but his irreverent reverend is bizarre to the extreme. What’s more, it takes the white collar to remind us that this is a man of God, as there isn’t the slightest hint as to that calling in his speech or demeanor. In fact, he seems a bit unhinged, like maybe he’s related to that psycho in One Hour Photo. He not only vomits out off-color jokes to his congregation, he makes inappropriate comments to a class of little kids he’s teaching about the sins of adultery. Adultery to a group of 8-year-olds?
Other humor ranges from lame to nearly blasphemous, as in the scene where he prays over a victim’s broken nose. For some reason he has thrown a hard fastball to an unprepared catcher. There doesn’t seem to be much concern for the wounded man, Williams simply takes the opportunity to do a mocking rift on faith healers. Everything he does during his marriage testing causes discomfort and hurt feelings. For example, he gets the family to play a word association game, which we know is going to lead to confrontation. Things are said that would be difficult to forget and only those without the slightest control would say them. I know, this is supposed to be a test, but it doesn’t ring true. Nothing rings true. There isn’t one honest emotion or three-dimensional characterization in the entire film.
Oh, and you’ve seen the kid following Father Frank around in the trailer? The priest is supposed to be some sort of spiritual mentor, as if the 10-year-old is planning on entering the priesthood. This is bizarre in itself, but when Father Frank and this little hobgoblin bug the couple’s apartment (yes, the couple lives together) and are seen listening in as if they were working for the FBI, it becomes downright sick.
Then there’s the scene where Father Frank is asking the couple to discuss their sexual fantasies in front of him. She is uninhibited, revealing positions and rooms where she wants to frolic, the young man finding that strange. Gee, I wonder why?
The subject of a young couple entering into wedlock is ripe for incisive satire, but here we are given nothing of true substance or clever wit. And Robin Williams shouldn’t be playing a pastor. He should see one.
Video Alternatives: Here are several films featuring positive portrayals of ministers. Stars In My Crown (not yet on DVD), A Man Called Peter, The Scarlet and the Black, One Foot in Heaven, The Bishop’s Wife, Tender Mercies.
PG-13 (many crude, offensive gags, mostly from the Reverend Frank; a few of these comment are made in front of kids; three obscenities and five or so minor expletives; the husband-to-be utters Jesus a couple of times in frustration; some slapstick humor, including a man hit in the nose with a baseball; it is implied that the couple have sex outside marriage; they live together; many crude sexual terms, again, mainly from the Robin Williams character; several of the relatives appear to have a drinking problem; besides being somewhat dismissive to the calling of pastorhood, some of Mr. Williams’ comic riffs border on sacrilegious). Running Time: 90 min. Intended Audience: Older teens and adults.
Cast: Josh Hutcherson, Charlie Ray, Cynthia Nixon, Bradley Whitford. Written by Jennifer Flackett. Directed by Mark Levin.
Fox Home Entertainment releases this comic coming-of-age adventure direct to DVD on April 4. The family film is somewhat nostalgic and always respectful of the innocence of children as it follows two friends, 10-year-old Gabe (Josh Hutcherson – Zathura, Kicking and Screaming), and 11-year-old Rosemary (newcomer Charlie Ray) going through the ups and downs of first love. Gabe and Rosemary have known each other nearly all their lives, but when they come face-to-face in a karate class, they begin seeing one another in a whole new light.
Director Mark Levin, who co-produced The Wonder Years, had an effective gimmick for his TV series. Its creators set the show in the late ‘06s, the youngsters having to cope with the differences between boys and girls in a time of hippy rebellion and Viet Nam angst. Here, the gimmick is having the kids roaming New York City, while dealing with budding feelings for those who until recently were the carriers of cooties.
Not in the same league as the first season of the Emmy-winning Wonder Years, this direct-to-DVD family adventure is nonetheless a funny, often touching look at the matters of the preteen heart. Aided by whimsical narration and packed with classic tunes that capture the essence of NY City, Little Manhattan reminds adults of their first loves while addressing curious feelings adolescent boys have for these strange creatures with long hair and short skirts.
Little Manhattan is offered in both widescreen and fullscreen versions with closed captions and director/writer commentary, deleted scenes, three featurettes, and more.
PG (The word “sucks” is used twice indicating the frustrations of young love. In a fantasy scene, boys in class, contaminated with cooties, get sick and we see projectile vomiting on the girls sitting in front of them. Intended to be funny, the scene is gross. Though there is no harsh language, there are a couple of expressions such as “What the hell,” which, coming from a 10-year-old, seem unnecessary. “Oh my God,” “for God’s sakes” and “God forsaken” are expressions emulating from the film’s 10-year-olds four times. A school bully threatens the two protagonists and they use their karate skills to knock him down, then run off. Questions are raised about love and the loving ending, but nothing about sex. There is also an innocent kiss between the two kids. It is indicated that the kids are going to attend a wedding, the bride being seven months’ pregnant, which seems strange to the youngsters, who though you got married first, then you got pregnant. In one scene, the youngsters set a time when they can get together. They suggest Sunday. Other obligations fill the day, but no mention of going to church. Indeed, I caught no religious connotations in the film. A subplot has the boy’s parents separated, but living in the same house. Life lessons are learned there, with a happy outcome. Running Time: 90 min.
Intended Audience: Family
Bruce Willis.
FILM SYNOPSIS: A detailed terrorist plot threatens America’s infrastructure. The country’s brains are baffled. But not to worry, old pro Rudy Guiliani, I mean, John McClane, is on the case.
REVIEW: Nobody does tongue-in-cheek action drama better than Bruce Willis. Furthermore, his original Die Hard was a redefining of the actioneer. The wisecracking actor freshened the face of that genre. Now, after all these years, Willis still proves to be the essential Good Guy movie hero. And what a beginning to Live Free or Die Hard! The edgy plot is terrifying. It has the threat of a terrorist hacking into America’s most sensitive security systems and bringing our country to an abrupt standstill. What makes the story so spooky is that while you’re seeking comfort in thinking that surely this can’t happen, one character points out that it took FEMA five days just to get water to the Superdome after Katrina. In other words, while some details are pure Hollywood, overall, this opening awakens us to the reality of how impermanent life as we know in the good old USA has become. Throughout this first act, the word catastrophe seems not only possible, but imminent.
The premise is nightmarish, making this a cut above the standard hero-saves-the-world summer film treat. This first half twists your gut and causes you to grab the armrests as if you’re on an out-of-control roller coaster. Soon we’re thinking how lucky we are to have a super cop like John McClane to deal with such calamities. Well, make that “hope there is.”
Sadly, the second half becomes ludicrous, with the star’s tongue stuck as far into his cheek as it will go. At one point, he actually escapes a life-threatening situation by jumping off a crumbling freeway and toppling onto the rear end of a hovering fighter jet.
Suddenly, it’s the typical bang-bang-punch-punch chase blockbuster we’ve come to expect each summer.
Though he began the franchise in 1988, Willis is still the right man for the role and every spare dime found at 20th Century Fox has been put into the production as if that will guarantee a following. And I’m sure it will. But, although the stunts, special effects and action are as good as Bruce Willis is amusing, the subplot of estranged daughter being taken captive by the head evildoer is a tired scenario, and the free world being attacked and saved by countless scenes in front of a computer board has also been done to death. Then there’s the dialogue, which is peppered with profanity, several characters throwing Christ’s name around like a useless expletive and God’s name being followed by a curse at least 10 times. Why doesn’t this bother moviegoers any more? And lastly, the twist in plot direction is inane and the overall feel of the film is brutal and senseless.
Video Alternative: Dr. Strangelove. Very dark comedy about a military commander who goes, well, a little funny in the head, and launches an A-bomb aimed at Russia. Stanley Kubrick’s brilliant comedy pokes fun at politicians and the absurdity of war. Peter Sellers, George C. Scott head intrepid cast. (Caution: Adult subject matter).
Live Free or Die Hard is rated PG-13 (around 25 uses of the s-word and several other harsh or crude terms; 10 profane uses of God’s name and an equal amount of misuse of Christ’s name; from beginning to end, it is a tense film, with many people killed by gunfire, car crashes, explosions and other demises; a college couple are groping away in a parked car until the girl’s father shows up).
Running
Time: 130 min.
Intended Audience: Older teens and adults
LOOKING FOR COMEDY IN THE MUSLIM WORLD
Albert Brooks. W&D-Albert Brooks. Comedy. 2/3/06
Comedy ensues when the U.S. Government sends comedian Albert Brooks (Mother, Defending Your Life) to India and Pakistan to find out what makes the over 300 million Muslims in the region laugh. Brooks, accompanied by two state department handlers and his trusted assistant, goes on a journey that takes him from a concert stage in New Delhi, to the Taj Mahal (a great sight gag – deep in thought, he walks past the magnificent edifice, missing it completely), to a secret location in the mountains of Pakistan. The film looks at issues we are dealing with in a post-9/11 world, both amusingly and insightfully.
No one in Hollywood makes me laugh more than Albert Brooks. Mother, with Debbie Reynolds, who should have received an Oscar for her performance, is hysterical. But Brooks isn’t for everybody. He’s the L.A. version of Woody Allen. An angst-ridden comedian complete with a cerebral look at life, Brooks relies more on a dry, often sarcastic wit than obvious slapstick humor to make people laugh. He brings all his anxiety and acerbic drollery to his latest film. It starts out hysterical with a business meeting with Penny Marshall, who’s remaking Harvey and looking for someone to play the Jimmy Stewart role. When that doesn’t work out, the cranky comic is lured by the government to head to India on a fact-finding mission, with the promise of the Medal of Freedom (in lieu of payment). There are many funny lines and observations, as well as terrific sight gags. The midsection slows down almost to a standstill, but it livens up again as our hero meets Pakistani comic wannabes and is later offered a sitcom by Al Jazeera.
Mostly a clean film, Brooks doesn’t rely on crudity to get laughs, with only a couple of obscenities to punctuate his mood. Alas, he misuses Jesus’ name on one occasion and a visual joke about smoking drugs may be luring to some younger viewers.
PG-13 (one profanity, three obscenities and a couple of minor expletives; a couple of jokes border on crudity, but generally the script and actors avoid coarse humor).
LOVE'S UNFOLDING DREAM (on DVD)
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment’s faith-based programming label
Fox Faith has released Love’s Unfolding Dream. Dealing with faith and
perseverance, the film emphasizes the power of prayer.
Influenced greatly by his dad’s Little House on the Prairie, writer/producer Michael Landon Jr. has visualized this frontier adventure/drama from the sixth installment of Janette Oke’s bestselling books. It continues the story of a pioneer family overcoming the challenges that face them during the era of the Wild West. The story concerns a coming-of-age tale centering on Belinda Taylor (Scout Taylor Compton), the strong-willed daughter of former heroine Missie Lahaye (Erin Cottrell). Belinda is determined to transcend the conventional way of life and pursue a career in medicine, but along the way she is drawn to the town newcomer, Drew Simpson (Patrick Levis) and must decide whether she can follow her calling and maintain a relationship.
PREVIEW REVIEW: It has a made-for-TV feel, with a Harlequin-ish title, salon haircuts on the menfolk, and the anachronistic dialogue. But these are minor peeves. It has a strong storyline, sincere performances, relatable themes dealing with doubts, fears and shaken faith, and an unabashed reverence for Christian sensibilities (several prayers and discussions about God and faith are smoothly incorporated). It has the essence of Shane, had Shane been written by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Not rated, I found nothing objectionable. There is one scene, however, which may be disturbing to little ones. A dying man has gangrene in one leg. The doctor must remove the limb. Though we do not see this in graphic detail, we do hear the sawing. The scene is included in order to further develop the lead character, who wants to become a doctor.
Josh Hartnett, Burce Willis, Ben Kinsgley, Morgan Freeman, Lucy Liu. MGM Crime thriller.Written by Jason Smilovic. Directed by Paul McGuigan.
Lucky Number Slevin is a non-linear comic thriller that twists and turns its way through an underworld of crime and revenge where nothing is as it seems. Set in New York City, a case of mistaken identity lands Slevin (Josh Hartnett) into the middle of a war being plotted by two of the city's most notorious rival crime bosses: The Rabbi (Ben Kingsley) and The Boss (Morgan Freeman). Slevin is under constant surveillance by relentless Detective Brikowski (Stanley Tucci) as well as the infamous assassin Goodkat (Bruce Willis) and finds himself having to hatch his own ingenious plot in order to stay alive.
It’s always a frustration when a witty, sharply written Hollywood caper is also weighted down with R-content. Though this film keeps you on the edge of your seat, and though Josh Hartnett redeems himself for Hollywood Homicide, the 40-some obscenities and graphic violence clutter the proceedings. The sexuality, the language and the violence used here are exploitive, yet the delivery is so well mounted that those ingredients almost seem acceptable, suggesting that a quality film can be more desensitizing than a B-movie with similar content. Even more disturbing is the film’s anti-moral. We discover that this is a story about revenge, and those in it seeking vengeance go unpunished for their brutal deeds.
That leads us to a recommended video alternative. Often a film’s theme will easily remind me of another movie that presented similar motifs. Sometimes more effort is called for when searching for a positive backup. But every once in a while, a film itself suggests the perfect alternative. In this film, Alfred Hitchcock’s North By Northwest is discussed between the protagonist and the villain. Definitely containing grownup subject matter, but the Master of Suspense presented his tale without excess. This quintessential mistaken identity thriller has Cary Grant chased by spies and the police across country, ending up in a precarious situation on Mount Rushmore. Everything came together on this one from supporting cast to musical score to erudite dialogue. The DVD set contains fascinating commentaries and featurettes.
R (A couple of coarse sexual conversations. Around 40, mostly the f-word. Jesus’ name and God’s are abused at least 5 times. Most of the characters are eventually murdered, with lots of bloodletting; shootings, beatings and three characters are smothered, we watch as they slowly die with plastic bags over their heads. The bloodletting becomes gruesome as we see it splattering or leaking from wounded victims. There are three sexual situations, two becoming graphic, one merely suggested. One scene with a couple in a sexual situation. It is suggested that one character is gay, but there are no sexual scenes involving this person. Drinking and smoking by several characters. Revenge is the motivation of the film’s protagonists. This desire is fulfilled and murders goes without punishment).
© 2008 Good News Tucson™