Movie Review - Captain Phillips

Mike and I BOTH had yesterday off. It was appreciated as it is kind of rare. Anyway, we decided to go to a movie together. We chose to see Captain Phillips. Have you heard of it? Here's the trailer for it.



Do you remember the news clips from the time Captain Phillips was actually being held by Somali pirates? I remember thinking it must have been a scary experience. His ship had been boarded by Somali Pirates. Although no one on that ship had firearms, they did have some clever ways to protect themselves. It wasn't enough, though. They were still boarded by the pirates.

Eventually, Captain Phillips was taken captive as they left in a little escape boat. It was a miserable situation that went on for days. There is controversy about Captain Phillips. Some see him as heroic while some crew members felt it was his fault this mess happened in the first place. I don't know who's right but I will say, the movie was worth the price of our tickets.

I have to give this movie a high rating as it really made you almost feel like you were there. Almost. I felt pretty tense throughout the movie. It was not relaxing, but it was exciting and fascinating to think about what you would do if you were ever in such a situation. I don't think I'd be remembered for any kind of bravery. I'm thinking I'd probably curl up in a fetal position and will myself into a fantasy world of peace and security. Insanity seems better than being terrorized.

How about you? Do you feel you have the makings of a hero?

Fee Fye Foe Fumm

(photo from http://jackthegiantslayer.warnerbros.com/gallery.php)

I am putting on my Movie Review Hat again today.  No, I have no special credentials qualifying me to do movie reviews. But, I do see movies sometimes. Maybe that is all you need to qualify for this job.

Last night Mike and I went to see Jack the Giant Slayer. It is the "real" story behind Jack and the Beanstalk. Does that sound like a dumb idea for a movie? I don't think it is doing that well nationwide, maybe because people pre-judge it. I don't know but I thought it was an excellent movie! I gave it a 4.5 out of 5. I judge movies, not against each other, but against what I presumed they meant to be. I presume this movie meant to be adventuresome, with some sweet romance stirred in. Like all fairy tales, it is meant to have really, really bad guys and really, really good guys. It does just that. I don't really even have a reason for holding back that .5 as I can't think of how I would want this movie to improve.  I just don't give out perfect scores I guess. 

One thing I have to tell you about Jack the Giant Slayer is that it is a magnificent piece of cinematography! I'm not kidding! The giants were very detailed and believable. The scenery was stunning! The action was astonishing! In this day and age of digital photography and all that entails, it must be hard to do anything new with cinematography. I think this movie incorporated the work of some very talented artists to get the effects they managed. They managed to give the feel of dirty, dark giant abodes to magnificent royal palace scenes. Most of the movie takes place outdoors, though, and it is so, so beautiful! You have to see it to know what I mean. I think you will be impressed!

And the characters... this movie is packed full of them! There are good guys and bad guys and subdivisions among them. Do you know what I mean? For example, obviously the giants are the bad guys. Even among the giants, though, you get to see some character development. They are all gross but some are more so than others. I have to say, seeing a giant pick his nose and eat it while preparing his meal (pigs-in-a-blanket as well as human-in-a-blanket) was almost more than I could handle!

The princess was, of course, beautiful and kind. That is exactly how a fairy tale princess must be, you know. The main hero is, naturally, Jack. You'll like him. He has his weaknesses but of course finds courage from deep within, born of his love for the princess. There are other good guys in this piece as well. Some are very brave, putting the needs of others above their own. Some are quirky and funny. I like funny the best!

This is NOT a movie for little kids. I was horrified as we left to see that a couple brought their preschoolers. It is too realistic and scary in a lot of places. It's not really grown-up scary...well, maybe it is. I did cringe a lot and hide my eyes quite a few times. You know what I mean, though, it isn't real-life kind of scary. With little kids, though, real-life is all too close to make-believe-life and the lines get blurred. It could definitely be nightmare-inducing. Just don't risk it with the little children.

Excluding little impressionable children, though, this movie is one that can entertain a wide variety of folks. Old children and teenagers would likely enjoy it... although the teens may have to hide their enjoyment as it may not be considered cool to like a fairy tale movie. I think a lot of men would like it for its grittiness and action. They'd likely enjoy the funnier moments as well. Deep down they will like the romance but like the teens, they'd have to hide that enjoyment.  Sometimes it is hard to find a movie that a couple will enjoy but this one fits that calling. It has a little something for everyone. So, if you are looking for a bit of entertainment, something that turns out well in the end, give this movie a chance. I really don't think you will regret it.

Click right here to see a trailer.

Les Miserables - Movie Review

Mike and I recently went to see Les Miserables.  I even learned how to pronounce it!

This movie was so very different from "Parental Guidance" in nature, but actually I think both had a lot to say about forgiveness. Les Miserables is a very dark movie, though.  I mean that quite literally.  There are actually only a few scenes shot during a time of sunshine. The following trailer comes early in the movie and it gives you a sense of the hopelessness many of the characters felt.

One thing I really enjoyed was the singing!  It is quite beautiful.   The characters were not singing to a soundtrack; that was obvious. The whole movie felt a bit like watching a major play production, but with really, really good seats.

This trailer will give you an idea of some of the majesty of the film.  I would definitely use the word "gritty" to describe most of the scenes. At first it is difficult to imagine this film has any potential to be uplifting, but it really is in a way. It shows characters who are in the most miserable situations, who have been abused and mistreated. It shows good people resorting to theft and prostitution to survive. I  know, that still doesn't sound very uplifting.

The thing is, at the end of the film you realize you have seen depictions of people who are remarkable in their ability to let go of hatred.  Someone else may get something totally different from this movie, but to me, that was the central theme. And how important is that!? Even in our ordinary lives it is so easy to cling to hatred of those who have hurt us. Yet, that hatred just continues your own pain.

So, yes, I recommend this film.  You need to know that it is very, very long.  Mike said the guy in the seat on the other side of him kept sighing. You need to know that a lot of it is difficult to watch, emotionally wrenching and downright grimy.  You need to be in the right mood for it when you go. Afterward, though, I think it is one that you will be thinking about for awhile.  You'll get your money's worth and love wins out in the end...just as it should.

Trouble With the Curve - Movie Review

Mike and I like to go to the movies but sometimes a lot of time passes before we find a movie that sounds good to us.  Yesterday, when reading the morning paper, Mike mentioned there was finally a movie he wanted to see.  I agreed with his choice so last night we went to see Trouble With the Curve.  I decided it was time for me to give another movie review!  Here goes...

Trouble With the Curve will not change your life.  Trouble With the Curve will not give you many surprises. Trouble With the Curve will not likely give you any great insight into the mysteries of the universe.  Trouble With the Curve, though, may give you a couple hours of easy-going entertainment.

Clint Eastwood plays a crusty, cranky guy that deep down is lovable.  I know... big surprise.  But know this, surprises are not always necessary for movie-going enjoyment.  Sometimes it is pleasant to be able to settle in and relax with the knowledge that all is as it should be.  For this movie the crusty, cranky guy is a baseball scout.  There's quite a bit of baseball thrown (pun intended) into this movie, making it quite easy for the manly men to enjoy the movie.  It may fool them into thinking it is a sports movie, rather than a movie about relationships.  It's not.

Amy Adams plays Clint Eastwood's emotionally messed up daughter.  It turns out that she is quite a baseball lover as well.  She knows as much baseball trivia as my husband, Mike!  There are some issues between father and daughter that will tug at your heartstrings.  Throw Justin Timberlake in to portray the man who can break through the barrier Amy's character has around her heart and you've got the recipe for a dandy good movie!  Yes, I used the word "dandy".   It's my blog and I'll say dandy if I want to.

There you have it.  I've not got any qualifications to review movies... well, none besides the fact that I sometimes go to them and I happen to have a blog.  So, I'm recommending this movie to anyone who has a few hours and wants to feel good afterward.  That alone has value, don't you think?  Go ahead and enjoy yourself.   You deserve a few hours of pleasant entertainment.

October Baby

Mike & I went to see October Baby this past week-end.  I really would like to recommend it to everyone.

The movie deals with the issue of abortion.  It could've been made in a very judgmental tone, in a way that would cause even more harm.  I don't think it did that, though.  Yes, it is most definitely a pro-life film.  However, I believe it is also tenderly trying to tell women who have already aborted that they are loved and forgiveness is available to them.

I don't want to tell you the whole film but a part that blew me away was actually a clip shown after the movie was over.  It is an interview with the actress that played the abortive mother.  As it turns out, she had a secret of her own and she found healing from this movie herself.  Here's that clip...

The Adjustment Bureau

Yesterday Mike and I went to see the Adjustment Bureau.  I have to say it was thought-provoking.  The plot deals with the issues of free will, predestination, angels, God, ripple effects and more.

I am certainly not going to claim the theology in this movie is sound.  In fact, I think it made God (referred to as The Chairman) and the angels (Adjustment Bureau) seem like the enemy throughout most of the movie.  It also seemed rather humanistic, that is, I think it elevates humans to be on a level with God.  Maybe I took it wrong, I don't know.  I do think, though, that any movie that even makes people think about God at all has some edification value.

As a love story it is really compelling.  The main characters are pretty and easy to like.  On the way home Mike and I talked about whether we were destined for each other or if it was just chance that we meant.  Do we together reach our potential or did we in any way inhibit each other.  I asked him if he thought marrying me kept him from becoming the president of the U.S.  You'll understand that question if you watch the movie.

Also, I like thinking of angels.  I believe there are angels around us, visible and otherwise.  I believe they are kind and good and want what is best for us.  I never pictured them as wearing hats.  Again, you'll have to see the movie.

So, I'm giving it 4 stars out of 5.  I might have given it 4 1/2 but I kept forgetting the name of it.  I think a more memorable name would've made the difference.