Well , where are they - tell us ? Maybe you have noted some new films worth reporting here for the new year , but this reviewer went through the list and reviews for little .
However My princess called me on new year eve , the unbelieving grouch, to come to never happy ever after land. and despite protest and concern at the start , I have to say, at the end --I was hooked. While the cartoon antics at the start are enough to want you to send the silly romantic dame to a special lockup in the real world ( our dj'ssuggestion), the film brings at least 2 of the four loves to the fore - at what a great time you will have, you old romantics - if you just let yourself go - just this once ! BEWITCHED is great , and it nice to know my princess knows me well enough to know " I would like it " , even if i never believed the reviews!
Comedy/ family fun is not so difficult if thats all you are looking for The Darjeelin Ltd , or for the younger kids Daddy day Camp remind us that while nothing particularly new on offer in basic contrasts - these 2 would probably be some of the best. Keeping away from Bees and the many, many films that seem to oversell their right to the highlights-- claiming gold for themselves in the names they choose.
One of the most consistent, cut through the hype and comprehensive review sites I find is the CTM one . Never more so than on the golden Compass controversy within christendom . CTM will usually give you more than enough detail to make an informed decision on what room of the rambling house of broken mirrors , the producer is dragging you into .
As for any room I am dragging you into, tis only one cinema this new year .
I am grateful to the ABC for puuting on Henry V after the election, but as for cinemas - maybe not we will get the DVD (or and old VHS) like Amazing grace,some old BBC dramas , Sister Act or revisit the Lord of the Rings for the holidays - but we would welcome a few more ideas, just in case
CTM gives some encouragement to the Diving bell....and the Atonement .As for the Golden Compass - the ads alone are enough to make this reviwer throw up in contorted weasing at its technophobic recipes for testing courage, ability and plain stupidity. Those who don't believe in evil are never very good at portraying it.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Monday, November 05, 2007
I want what they've got !
THE ABBEY .ABCTV It's often said, including by our cynical side, that taking God seriously will deprive us of "our selves" . Well- Not if the story of the 5 THE ABBEY girls is any indication!
Who wouldn't want --what they got !
Yes -Is it possible to learn something super special from ordinary people and by taking time just to think and pray and meditate! If you haven't seen this great challenege to do something radical and rebellious ( from the way many people think) this faith seeking stuff is something you need to see .
The five recruits will tell you simply and powerfully and without one sckeric of themeselves lost that they found something! How it happens and how it happens to be so different for each of them is truly amazing .
Who wouldn't want --what they got !
Yes -Is it possible to learn something super special from ordinary people and by taking time just to think and pray and meditate! If you haven't seen this great challenege to do something radical and rebellious ( from the way many people think) this faith seeking stuff is something you need to see .
The five recruits will tell you simply and powerfully and without one sckeric of themeselves lost that they found something! How it happens and how it happens to be so different for each of them is truly amazing .
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Monsters in Law
Can something good come out of Hollywood? Shakespeare would, I think be pleased, as I was, to watch this entertaining melodrama. The wonderful paradox is of course that by highlighting someone else's faults, we risk exposing, and having to digest some of our own .
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
When you need a lift
When we are about to scream, its tempting to think we need a comedy film to calm us. What we may really need then, though, is to hear someone else scream . What we want in the moment of pain ( ie to get out of the dark) may not be what we really need ( to go deeper into it )
There is some great scream therapy out there. The " lucky we are not as bad as them" Kath and Kym scream or the "oh no" scream when we see someone else suffering on Funniest Home Videos " are commonly good value .
While the above are Jolly good shows , the special surprise group I am thinking of is for those times when we really need to be in a dark room to see the light . Maybe we need to be in an even darker room that we are now , or think we are now . The good pictures business I am thinking of here , is telling true stories about tough people in dark places .
Surely a most amazing paradox is that, when we feel "I am the most hard done by person in the world" , we can actually get a restored and balanced view of the world ( its still a wonderful place) from hearing someone else tell us their terrible dark stories. GME
This watching is no good if the content is not real , because when good overcomes evil it sounds too much like a complete piece of fantasy to us when we are depressed - a fiction film is dangerous, but a true story like "The Onion Field"(1979 set in the dark mostly) can be helpful ; even truly wonderful .
Here's the scenario - 2 poorly paid public spirited public servants hard at work ; doing work they felt called to do because "it was important to do it " . Lack of outcomes, daily crap talk and cleanup after others wears hard on them , but the garbage isn't the thing that really gets to them .What makes them feel real bad about doing the right thing is when truth telling and sound values seem be worthless, even pointless - even to talk about ; When doing the right thing makes their lives and that of their families "very hard work" . When trying to do the right thing means they feel that they have to justify themselves and push themselves and their families when others are taking the easy road . When the selfcentred and forceful are EASILY able to push their way through, and get what they should never have .
THE ONION FIELD ( 1970's) is a true story--really worth watching if you as an adult ( not a film for kids) need to be reminded ,that , if you truly care , you do truly have friends out here . We too can feel your emotions and despair at how bad things can really get in this mixed up world ! While you are waiting , try reading the Psalms, "even if you don't think you NEED to-" you might be surpised at how many really good friends you really have ! copyright Scream therapist Emperors Academy
There is some great scream therapy out there. The " lucky we are not as bad as them" Kath and Kym scream or the "oh no" scream when we see someone else suffering on Funniest Home Videos " are commonly good value .
While the above are Jolly good shows , the special surprise group I am thinking of is for those times when we really need to be in a dark room to see the light . Maybe we need to be in an even darker room that we are now , or think we are now . The good pictures business I am thinking of here , is telling true stories about tough people in dark places .
Surely a most amazing paradox is that, when we feel "I am the most hard done by person in the world" , we can actually get a restored and balanced view of the world ( its still a wonderful place) from hearing someone else tell us their terrible dark stories. GME
This watching is no good if the content is not real , because when good overcomes evil it sounds too much like a complete piece of fantasy to us when we are depressed - a fiction film is dangerous, but a true story like "The Onion Field"(1979 set in the dark mostly) can be helpful ; even truly wonderful .
Here's the scenario - 2 poorly paid public spirited public servants hard at work ; doing work they felt called to do because "it was important to do it " . Lack of outcomes, daily crap talk and cleanup after others wears hard on them , but the garbage isn't the thing that really gets to them .What makes them feel real bad about doing the right thing is when truth telling and sound values seem be worthless, even pointless - even to talk about ; When doing the right thing makes their lives and that of their families "very hard work" . When trying to do the right thing means they feel that they have to justify themselves and push themselves and their families when others are taking the easy road . When the selfcentred and forceful are EASILY able to push their way through, and get what they should never have .
THE ONION FIELD ( 1970's) is a true story--really worth watching if you as an adult ( not a film for kids) need to be reminded ,that , if you truly care , you do truly have friends out here . We too can feel your emotions and despair at how bad things can really get in this mixed up world ! While you are waiting , try reading the Psalms, "even if you don't think you NEED to-" you might be surpised at how many really good friends you really have ! copyright Scream therapist Emperors Academy
Sunday, June 10, 2007
When is a film bad for children ?
The answer - as per the last comment below?
The main thing is that what is bad should not seem right.
---when the script is used to make a walk thats ultimateley deadend and dangeraous look like something worth chasing? - not so much movies, but the post modern lyrics of despair and and self serving that are all over video clips ? What do you think? dressed up directions to nowhere but fun in particular .
Christianity today ran a survey recently to get some feedback over how much of the violence and sin of real life should be in a movie . I thought this response was helpful . esp lAST BIT which, I think , condemns many of carelessly put together pictures of the present.
I agree that you have to have the ugly with the good to be real. I hate plastic and preachy movies that are unbelievable. But even in secular movies I avoid nudity and brutal violence.
The main thing is that what is bad should not seem right. Joyce Weliky
The main thing is that what is bad should not seem right.
---when the script is used to make a walk thats ultimateley deadend and dangeraous look like something worth chasing? - not so much movies, but the post modern lyrics of despair and and self serving that are all over video clips ? What do you think? dressed up directions to nowhere but fun in particular .
Christianity today ran a survey recently to get some feedback over how much of the violence and sin of real life should be in a movie . I thought this response was helpful . esp lAST BIT which, I think , condemns many of carelessly put together pictures of the present.
I agree that you have to have the ugly with the good to be real. I hate plastic and preachy movies that are unbelievable. But even in secular movies I avoid nudity and brutal violence.
The main thing is that what is bad should not seem right. Joyce Weliky
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Avoid being sucked in- review before you view
On good authority, we suggest you need a good reason to watch THE QUEEN >. its enough twaddle and tearing down to set us all on edge out here .
On the must see > side don't let the smhmatze title put you off "LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL ( LA VITA E BELLA) is a beautifully crafted funny serious film in that enduring biblical tradition that shows the paradox of people in their weaknesses but seriously and effectively getting beyond them . What advice 1 to a young man trying to find his way --To the mr bean type waiter as he struggles to be useful "God has a servant heart, but he's not a servant" . some great characters . BENIGNI the must have some others - any comments ?
On the must see > side don't let the smhmatze title put you off "LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL ( LA VITA E BELLA) is a beautifully crafted funny serious film in that enduring biblical tradition that shows the paradox of people in their weaknesses but seriously and effectively getting beyond them . What advice 1 to a young man trying to find his way --To the mr bean type waiter as he struggles to be useful "God has a servant heart, but he's not a servant" . some great characters . BENIGNI the must have some others - any comments ?
Monday, April 23, 2007
Mr. Beans Holiday
It gets off to a pretty dodgy start, you'll probably think it will be boring, but by the end you'll be laughing your head off!( young member of the family)
We generally enjoy Mr bean , but this movie takes the cake for great content and laughs . Full of our worse temptations and actions, who would have thought one self centred narcisist could upstage another - the gags are great, and the singing mime is an encouragement to all to try being somebody else for the fun of others . Fantastic .
We generally enjoy Mr bean , but this movie takes the cake for great content and laughs . Full of our worse temptations and actions, who would have thought one self centred narcisist could upstage another - the gags are great, and the singing mime is an encouragement to all to try being somebody else for the fun of others . Fantastic .
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Life is Beautiful
While I love the idea , I found the appearance of "Life is beautiful" ads (for ABCFM on ABCTV recently) a bit out of character with its normally cynical and cautious tone; I thought our particular ABC hills were alive with the sound of cynicism.
MISS POTTER doesn't try to recapture the ground lost since Hair put a sock in too much exuberance about "our favourite things". Helpfully, for us old cynics ,though, this great film just tells the story like it is/was.......and it is truly beautiful.
So, if you , like me, want a rest from the cynical and feel that something really important and inspirational is missing from your life - it probably is! - you need to go see it .
Share with us that great mystery that being denied something that you really, really want does not have to diminish you, your potential, or the beauty that will still exist in many things within the small part of the world in which you have been placed.
While you are at it - LORD OF THE RINGS makes great EASTER watching - Ihe dark side gets an airing and somehow there is more going on than the pink sunset every night!
MISS POTTER doesn't try to recapture the ground lost since Hair put a sock in too much exuberance about "our favourite things". Helpfully, for us old cynics ,though, this great film just tells the story like it is/was.......and it is truly beautiful.
So, if you , like me, want a rest from the cynical and feel that something really important and inspirational is missing from your life - it probably is! - you need to go see it .
Share with us that great mystery that being denied something that you really, really want does not have to diminish you, your potential, or the beauty that will still exist in many things within the small part of the world in which you have been placed.
While you are at it - LORD OF THE RINGS makes great EASTER watching - Ihe dark side gets an airing and somehow there is more going on than the pink sunset every night!
Friday, February 16, 2007
Finding a happier place
When we are unhappy, we often want to be somewhere else. As our friends, and those who love us can be deeply hurt by the suggestion that their attention and company is "not enough", the "i want outa ere" idea can get some momentum .
FORGET PARIS is wonderfully written reflection on the REAL dilemmas of modern relationships .Exploring the fact that you don't really need to "go places " to enjoy friendship. Its funny seriuos and truthful about selfcentredness and its ruining posibilities . By telling the story truthfully and with legimate dramatic edge( lots of fantasy, hope and good fortune) Crystal takes us on a journey with ourselves and others that is truly challenging .I just loved the way the authors broke the silence on woosiness ( the basketball coach) and its winning form !
FORGET PARIS is wonderfully written reflection on the REAL dilemmas of modern relationships .Exploring the fact that you don't really need to "go places " to enjoy friendship. Its funny seriuos and truthful about selfcentredness and its ruining posibilities . By telling the story truthfully and with legimate dramatic edge( lots of fantasy, hope and good fortune) Crystal takes us on a journey with ourselves and others that is truly challenging .I just loved the way the authors broke the silence on woosiness ( the basketball coach) and its winning form !
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