“Eat Pray Love” Rating: PG-13 Run Time: 133
minutes
I’ll preface this review by acknowledging that I have not
read the book on which the movie “Eat Pray Love” is based.This is the say that I have no real
frame of reference or pre-conceived notion of what to expect with this
movie.However, a non-action,
shoot ‘em up movie – a chick flick if you will – seemed a welcome relief to the
usual summer movie fare.With Julia
Roberts headlining the film, my interest was definitely peaked.
I enjoyed “Eat Pray Love", and recommend it for women (and
men too, but primarily women) interested in a realistic, muddled story of a
realistic, muddled woman.The main
character, and author of the aforementioned novel, Liz Gilbert, is not a
perfect person.In fact, there were
several times during the movie that she profoundly frustrated me.Yet, in these disjointed, frustrating
moments that I could most genuinely appreciate Liz’s realistic, complex
individuality. It is her struggle to build a relationship with herself, to learn
to love herself, which resonated most with me.Liz is at times selfish, generous, confused, balanced, open,
and closed.Her courage in
recognizing the imbalance in her life and taking steps to find balance should
be commended.
My hope is that for most of us prayer is not a foreign
concept, as it was for Liz.The
idea that we should embrace our passions in life, and eat, pray, and love with
this passion, is something we should practice daily.
For all the minor issues I had with this movie, mostly to do
with editing and the flow of the story, I recommend “Eat Pray Love” as a
refreshing break from the standard violent, action/adventure movies that
typically bombard us during the summer.
I recommend “Eat Pray Love” and welcome any comments or
thoughts you’d like to share regarding this movie, or any of the other film
reviews I’ve posted.
July 25, 2010 Update
Due to travel, there will be no movie reviews for the next two weeks (7/25 - 8/7).
July 18, 2010 Legion
“Legion”Rating: R Run Time: 100 minutes
Week after week (for the most part), I give reviews of movies that I recommend people watch. This week is a little different – this is a review of a movie I urge everyone avoid.
I can’t say how long this movie was in the theater – perhaps 2 weeks? – but I’ve noticed it on On Demand for several weeks now and decided to watch it (as I had nothing better to do on a Saturday night). “Legion” is the story an angel come down to earth to save an unborn baby from being destroyed other angels. God apparently views humanity as a failed experiment, and sends his legion of angels to eradicate us. One angel, Michael, balks at God’s order and joins a small group of humans, one of whom is the mother of the as yet unborn baby, to fight against the avenging angels.
Why is the child important? The movie doesn’t say, other than a vague “the fate of humanity lies with him”-type message. Why is the hodge-podge group of strangers at a diner in the middle of nowhere? The movie provides little more beyond reasons such as being lost or having car trouble. How is each character’s sacrifice essential to the story? The movie doesn’t even recognize the sacrifice each character makes.
I think “Legion” had the potential to be a deeper more interesting story, but the director instead chose to focus on the violence of the angels. Ultimately I have problems with the fundamental thinking that God would ever view humanity as a failed experiment and seek to eradicate us through the method of sending angels to slowing exterminate us. I also have problems with the notion that two of God’s angels, Michael and Gabriel, would be set against each other. I ultimately reject the message of violence as a means of survival that’s at the heart of this movie. Of course, one could argue that “The Book of Eli” was centered on violence as a mode of survival, and I recommended that movie. My response to that is that the setting of “The Book of Eli” was a post-apocalyptic world that had rejected God, and as such, humanity devolved into a merciless, violent society. In other words, “The Book of Eli” tells a story where violence is the means to a peaceful end where “Legion” is a story where violence is both the means and the end.
“Legion” drew me in because of the actors involved, Dennis Quaid, Paul Bettany, and Charles S. Dutton to name a few, but repulsed me with its flawed theology and lack of meaningful message. I urge everyone to avoid this movie.
I do not recommend “Legion” and welcome any comments or thoughts you’d like to share regarding this movie, or any of the other film reviews I’ve posted.
July 11, 2010 The Last Airbender
“The Last Airbender”Rating: PG Run Time: 103 minutes
I haven’t ever watched the animated series on which this movie is based, so unfortunately I can’t comment on whether the film is true to the story. However, as a novice of the series, I enjoyed this movie more than I anticipated. Having said that, I will note that the active was somewhat sub-par and the story isn’t exactly complicated (which is why I didn’t feel the necessity of learning anything about the story before watching the movie).
If neither the acting nor the story were overwhelmingly compelling, you may be asking why I enjoyed the movie. Two main reasons: first, though the story wasn’t complex, I didn’t think it was thought provoking in its simplicity, with its message of friendship and sacrifice. “The Last Airbender” tells the story of Aang, the Avatar, and how after 100 years of being absent from the world, returns and must strive to provide balance among the different elemental tribes (earth, fire, and water). The friendships he develops and the sacrifices, both his and others’ that are made to help complete his quest are as integral to the story as the actual battles.
The second reason I enjoyed this movie is for the special effects. I did not see it in 3D (3D gives me a headache, and it is to be noted that none of the movies I’ve seen this year were in 3D), but I found the effects stunning and beautiful.
Most adults will probably find the movie somewhat simple, and a little underwhelming, but I think kids will enjoy it and parents can feel safe allowing their children to see a film with a good message of hope and friendship.
I recommend “The Last Airbender” and welcome any comments or thoughts you’d like to share regarding this movie, or any of the other film reviews I’ve posted.
June 27, 2010 The Karate Kid
“The Karate Kid” (2010)Rating: PG Run Time: 140 minutes
I’ve always thought the original 1984 “Karate Kid” movie was a typical ‘80s teen movie, with a normal (good) guy, bullying bad guy, and satisfying finale with the normal guy prevailing. “The Karate Kid” from 1984 was fun, especially Pat Morita’s character, but I never saw a lot of depth in the story.
This new “Karate Kid”, starring Jaden Smith (son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, executive producers of the movie), takes the fundamental story and adds more layers to become a movie of emotion and depth. Jaden’s character Dre moves to Chine when his mother’s job is transferred from Detroit to Beijing. On his first day, he gets into a fight with the local bully. Because Dre is only 13 or so, rather than a teenager like Ralph Macchio’s Daniel, his reaction is to hide and avoid the bully – a very realistic reaction. Ultimately Dre convinces his apartment maintenance man Mr. Han, portrayed by the inimitable Jackie Chan, to teach him Kung Fu. This is after Dre has witnessed Mr. Han’s amazing skills.
The two elements of this movie that are especially moving are Dre’s relationship with Mr. Han, and understanding the philosophy behind Kung Fu. When Mr. Han takes Dre to his Kung Fu training site, images we see are awe-inspiring. By including the traditional philosophy of Kung Fu, and having the movie take place in China, the story takes on new meaning.
I enjoyed “The Karate Kid” and recommend it for families. It’s a little long, but ultimately entertaining with a wonderful message about friendship and acceptance. For those who remember and like the original movie, I think you’ll enjoy this re-envisioned version because it has enough new elements to make it different but still pays homage to the original film.
I recommend “The Karate Kid” and welcome any comments or thoughts you’d like to share regarding this movie, or any of the other film reviews I’ve posted.
