Gran Torino

2000

Director: Clint Eastwood

Distributor: Warner Brothers

Key Elements: Story – Lines – Characters – Message – Symbolism – Music

My Review:

When this movie ended, my friends and I were speechless.

It’s dark. Really dark. But it's good writing and great acting.

But the best part is how it illustrates the Gospel.

[Spoiler]

Eastwood’s character lets himself get shot, knowing that his sacrifice will draw the attention of witnesses. This ensures that the gang attacking his friends will be arrested – the most decisive victory he can have over them.

His sacrifice frees his friends from the gang, satisfies justice, and incidentally gives his friend a new car. It reflects the way Jesus’ sacrifice frees us from sin, satisfies God’s law, and provides us with new life. Eastwood's body is even laid out as though on a cross ...with blood prominantly shown on his hands of all places (nail marks).

Amazing movie!

And listen to Eastwood’s song at the end.

Trailer:

Quotes:

• Ever notice how you come across somebody once in a while you shouldn't have fucked with? That's me.
• Get off my lawn!
• You should quit. Those things are bad for you.
  - Yeah? So's being in a gang.
• Take these three items, some WD-40, a vice grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone.
• Get me another beer, Dragon Lady!
• What was it like to kill someone?
  - You don't want to know.
• You're a good man.
• You know, Thao and Sue are never going to find peace in this world as long as that gang's around.
• What are you gonna do, Walt?
  - Whatever it is, they won't have a chance.
• And I'd like to leave my 1972 Gran Torino to... my friend... Thao Vang Lor. On the condition that you don't chop-top the roof like one of those beaners, don't paint any idiotic flames on it like some white trash hillbilly, and don't put a big, gay spoiler on the rear end like you see on all the other zipperheads' cars. It just looks like hell. If you can refrain from doing any of that... it's yours.

Stills:

Loser

2000

Director: Amy Heckerling

Distributor: Columbia Pictures

Key Elements: Characters – Message

My Review:

I feel like this movie shouldn’t be that big a deal to me, but there’s something I love about it.

It may be the way Paul mixes gentle naivety with steadfast character. He doesn’t know how to dress, act or talk. But he knows how to love a girl - respect her, appreciate her and protect her. He is at once, one of the dorkiest and coolest movie characters I can think of.

Or maybe it’s that Dora is completely adorable.

I think it’s both.

...And Paul's haircut.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• I love self-loathing complaint rock you can dance to.
• Do you have a girlfriend?
  - Ex-girlfriend. We dated in high school.
  Do you still see her?
  - She lost weight, so she's dating a lot more now.
• Oh yeah? Well if Kafka were alive I'm sure he'd say stop misinterpreting my novels you pretentious bonehead!
• It seems like this whole city is one big orgy and if you actually care about someone you're some kind of chump
• You know how there are couples that stay together just because they feel they can't do any better or there are people who are sad and miserable and live alone, but then there are this microscopically tiny group of people who get to be with the person they are madly in love with.
• I hope someday I get to be one of those lucky people.

Stills:

The Blues Brothers

1980

Director: John Landis

Distributor: Universal Pictures

Key Elements: Lines – Characters – Music

My Review:

Elwood picks up his brother, Jake, from prison and they visit their childhood home, A Roman Catholic Orphanage. They learn that the orphanage is going to have to close unless it can come up with $5,000. The brothers decide to reunite their blues band and play a concert to raise the money. But as they pursue their goal, havoc erupts.

The Blues Brothers are iconic characters and the movie has become a cult classic. The humor comes from their off-beat behavior and coolly delivered hyperbole. I never fail to laugh while watching this one.

Also, the movie is filled with amazing musical cameos – James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles to name just a few.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• Well thank you, pal. The day I get outta prison, my own brother picks me up in a *police* car!
• We're on a mission from God.
• Ya see, me and the Lord have an understanding.
• Are you the police?
  - No, ma'am. We're musicians.
• Our Lady of Blessed Acceleration, don't fail us now.
• They're not gonna catch us. We're on a mission from God.
• Book us for tomorrow night.
  - Hold it, hold it. Tomorrow night? What are you talking about? A gig like that, you gotta prepare the proper exploitation. I know all about that stuff. I have been exploited all my life.
• Use of unnecessary violence in the apprehension of the Blues Brothers HAS been approved.
• It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses.
  - Hit it.
• Maury, we need $5,000 fast.
  - $5,000? Who do you guys think you are, The Beatles?
• That Night Train's a mean wine.
• Who *is* that girl?
• People, when you do find that special somebody, you gotta hold that man, hold that woman! Love him, please him, squeeze her, please her! Signify your feelings with every gentle caress, because it's so important to have that special somebody to hold, to kiss, to miss, to squeeze, and please!

Still:

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

2008

Director: Mark Herman

Distributor: Miramax Films

Key Elements: Story – Characters – Message

My Review:

Based on John Boyne’s book by the same name this movie serves as another important reminder of the horror that was the holocaust.

The premise was simple. The ending was surprising. The last shot was dreadfully poetic

Artistic. Moving. Profound.

Trailer:




Quotes:

• I'm a solider. Soldiers fight a war.
  - That's not war!
• We're not supposed to be friends, you and me. We're meant to be enemies. Did you know that?
• It's only a shower.
  

Stills:

Rebel Without a Cause

1955

Director: Nicholas Ray

Distributor: Warner Brothers

Key Elements: Lines – Characters – Message – Concept – Symbolism

My Review:

This is an important movie.

For one thing, it’s iconic. It’s James Dean’s definitive role and it captured the motif of the teenage rebel.

But more than that, it’s a movie about the importance of fathers and the damage done when fathers don’t fulfill their role.

Judy is rejected by her withdrawn father. She craves fatherly affection, but when she tries to hug her father, he slaps her away. She is starving for healthy, masculine love. She turns to Jim.

Plato is abandoned by his absent father. He needs a man to teach and lead him but there’s nobody there. He’s left emotionally unsupported and lost. He also turns to Jim.

And Jim is ashamed of his passive father. The man allows his wife to walk all over him and it makes it impossible for Jim to respect him. Jim desperately wants to look up to his dad, but is constantly let down.

Jim has everyone turning to him, but no one to turn to himself.

Fathers are needed. Without them, the whole world falls apart.

Clip:




Quotes:

• You live here don’t you?
  - Who lives?
• You're tearing me apart!
  - What?
  You, you say one thing, he says another, and everybody changes back again!
• … Dad.
  - This is all going too fast for me, son.
  You better give me something. You better give me something fast.
  -- Jimmy you're very young. A foolish decision now could wreck you're whole life. In ten years, you'll never know this happened.
  Dad, answer her. Tell her. Ten years. Dad, let me hear you answer her. Dad. …Dad, stand up for me. …Stand up!
• If I had one day when I didn't have to be all confused and I didn't have to feel that I was ashamed of everything. If I felt that I belonged someplace. You know?
• If he had guts to knock Mom cold once, then maybe she'd be happy and then she'd stop picking on him. Because they make mush out of him! Just mush!
• Do you think the end of the world will come at night time?
  - Uh-uh, at dawn.
• If only you could'a been my dad. We could have breakfast in the morning.
• love somebody. All the time I've been... I've been looking for someone to love me. And now I love somebody. And it's so easy. Why is it easy now?
  - I don't know; it is for me, too.
  I love you, Jim. I really mean it.
  - Well, I'm glad.
• I've got the bullets!
• I don't know what to do anymore. Except maybe die.
• You can wake up now, the universe has ended.
• Help me!
  - Look Jim. You can depend on me. Trust me. Whatever comes, we'll, we'll fix it together. I swear it. Now Jim, stand up. I'll stand up with you. I'll try and be as strong as you want me to be. Come on.

Stills:

Seven Pounds

2008

Director: Gabriele Muccino

Distributor: Columbia Pictures

Key Elements: Concept - Gospel

My Review:

I had to chew on this movie for a while.

Ben, a man in despair over a defining tragedy in his life, is seeking atonement. Blaming himself for taking so much good from the world, he seeks a way to restore some good to it.

[Spoiler Warning]

The way he does this is to seek out people who fall into two categories: They must be in need of something he has, and they must be someone he deems worthy of his help. In the end, he sacrifices himself so that he can give one woman his home, one man his eyes and one woman his heart.

I’m not sure how to measure the ethics on this one. But I have to say, I can identify with where his heart is, and I respect that. The action he takes is an ultimate expression of love.

And we can see the Gospel in that love. Just as Ben willingly gives his life for his friends, Jesus willingly went to the cross for us. Ben’s action provides a home, sight, and a new heart. Jesus also gives a home to the lost, sight to the blind and new life to the brokenhearted through the everlasting life He gives.

A terribly thoughtful movie. Give yourself the chance to really mull over it.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• In seven days, God created the world. And in seven seconds, I shattered mine.
• The first time I ever saw a box jellyfish, I was twelve. Our father took us to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I never forgot what he said... That it was the most deadly creature on earth. To me it was just the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.
• It is within my power to drastically change his cirumstances, but I don't want to give that man a gift he doesn't deserve.
• You know, Ben, I keep asking you this but why me?
  - Because you are a good man.
  No, really.
  - ...even when you don't know that people are watching you.
  Why do I get the feeling you're doing me a really big favor?
  - Because I get the feeling that you really deserve it.

Stills:

Elizabethtown

2005

Director: Cameron Crowe

Distributor: Paramount Pictures

Key Elements: Lines - Characters – Message – Music

My Review:

This movie has grown on me over time.

After an epic failure at work, Drew is contemplating suicide. But when he hears of his father’s sudden death, he postpones his plan to help his family with the arrangements. Those arrangements bring him to his father’s home in the south, and he crosses paths with Clair – a girl who gives him new hope in life.

The first thing I loved about this movie was that it makes a great argument for engaging in life. Drew wants to escape, but Clair won’t let him. She doesn’t deny his despair, but she encourages him to face it. She invites him to fully drink it in, but then to let it go. Pain is real, but life goes on. There have been times I wish someone had given me such wise guidance.

The other thing I love is how Clair draws his attention to the joyful little things in life. Drew had lived in the world of big ideas where value was measured by conquering and success. Clair pulls him down to earth and forces him to stop taking himself so seriously. She shows him the beauty of a sunrise, the joy of a song, and the treasure of friendship. She shows him life outside of himself.

On top of all this, there’s an awesome scene at his father’s funeral where a band plays Free Bird and sets the stage on fire. It’s incredible and I am now seriously considering having Free Bird played at my own funeral.

Full of simple wisdom and great character interaction, I’d totally recommend seeing this movie at least once.

Clip:



Quotes:

• Trust me. Everybody is less mysterious than they think they are.
• We peaked on the phone.
• Drew, it was real, and it was great, and it was really great.
• I'm one of a kind.
• What they say is, it *will* hit you, it could be ten minutes or it could be ten years from now.
• Most of the sex I've had in my life was not as personal as that kiss.
• And don't worry. Because as great as you look tonight, you are safe with me.
• To have never taken a solitary road trip across country? I mean everybody's got to take a road trip, at least once in their lives. Just you and some music.
• Death and life. And death and life. Right *next door* to each other! There's like, there's a hair between them.
• Okay, it's all about family bro.
  - Thank you, Chuck.
• Because we have a moment here, let me tell you that I have recently become a secret connoisseur of 'last looks'. You know the way people look at you when they believe it's for the last time? I've started collecting these looks.
• All forward motion counts.
• It takes time to be funny. It takes time to extract joy from life.
• I want you to get into the deep beautiful melancholy of everything that's happened.
• Sadness is easier because its surrender. I say make time to dance alone with one hand waving free.
• So you failed. Alright you really failed. You failed. You failed. You failed. You failed. You failed. You failed. You failed. You failed. You failed. You failed. You failed. You failed. You think I care about that? I do understand. You wanna be really great? Then have the courage to fail big and stick around. Make them wonder why you're still smiling.
• I'm going to miss your lips. And everything attached to them.
• You know, You're always trying to break up with me, and we're not even together.
  - I know... We're not?
• If it wasn't this... it'd be something else.
• You're great, Claire. Actually, you're kinda amazing.
• Just tell me you love me and get it over with!

Stills:

Taken

2009

Director: Pierre Morel

Distributor: Fox Movies

Key Elements: Lines – Message – Concept – Symbolism

My Review:

This is a very simple premise: A daughter on vacation gets kidnapped by the sex trade. Her former CIA agent father comes to rescue her.

I think the mere fact that Liam Neeson’s in the lead makes this movie work. It’s cool seeing an older guy taking names. It’s also cool seeing dirt bags get what coming to them.

But what I appreciate most about this movie is how it draws attention to the sex trade – a very real, very hidden problem worldwide – even in the states.

If there's a gospel element in this movies - It is in the love of a father for his child. He's willing to make every sacrifice to ensure she is saved.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• I'm not comfortable with this.
• I would sacrifice anything for her.
• I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you.
  - Good luck.
• Graham, you can't just run around tearing down Paris..
  - Jean Claude, I'll tear down the Eiffel Tower if I have to!
• You don't remember me? We spoke on the phone two days ago. I told you I would find you.
• Please understand...it was all business. It wasn't personal.
  - It was all personal to me.

Stills:

Airborne

1993

Director: Rob Bowman

Distributor: Warner Brothers

Key Elements: Lines – Characters – Message

My Review:

I fell in love with this movie when I saw the rerun on Disney Channel.

I think I just loved the main character’s approach to life. He was laid back and took things as they came, making the most of everything. At the same time, he was driven by a love within for surfing and philosophy – for transcendence. Isn’t that how we should all live?

Clip:




Quotes:

• Mitchell Goosen at your service. Don't know what I want to be when I grow up. Don't care. As long as I live near the beach and don't have to wear a tie. Then I'll be stylin'. - St-st-stylin? Let me tell you about stylin'. I'm talkin', the perfect A-frame wave spittin' salt water in your face. I call it 'liquid draino, wanna be bullwinkle', I tell you no lies, my friends. It's the consciousness.


• Popeye, now there was a great man. Do you know why?
  - He never joined the Hairclub For Men?
  Wrong. Because his motto was: I am what I am. Do you think Popeye ever worried about what he wore just so he could get Olive Oil in the sack? I should say not, Dude. And do you know why?
  - He was gay?
  Because he is what he is.


• How often does this once-in-a-lifetime wave come along?

Still:

Ratatouille

2007

Director: Brad Bird / Jan Pinkava

Composer: Michael Giacchino

Distributor: Disney / Pixar

Key Elements: Visuals – Characters – Message – Music

My Review:

So many movies, when they set out to send a message of loving what you do, show you someone who’s sold out – a negative example. Not so in this movie. The main character is a rat who loves to cook – purely and consistently.

Supporting this message is a fun, engaging, well-told story and yet another masterpiece of visual beauty from Pixar.

Trailer:




Quotes:

• This is me. I think it's apparent that I need to rethink my life a little bit. What's my problem? First of all, I'm a rat. Which means, life is hard. Second, I have a highly developed sense of taste and smell.


• Although each of the world's countries would like to dispute this fact, we French know the truth: The best food in the world is made in France. The best food in France is made in Paris.


• You must be imaginative, strong-hearted. You must try things that may not work, and you must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul. What I say is true - anyone can cook... but only the fearless can be great.


• How can I describe it? Good food is like music you can taste, color you can smell. There is excellence all around you. You need only to be aware to stop and savor it.


• If you are what you eat, then I only want to eat the good stuff.


• I hate to be rude, but we're French!


• In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations, the new needs friends. Last night, I experienced something new, an extraordinary meal from a singularly unexpected source. To say that both the meal and its maker have challenged my preconceptions about fine cooking is a gross understatement. They have rocked me to my core. In the past, I have made no secret of my disdain for Chef Gusteau's famous motto: Anyone can cook. But I realize, only now do I truly understand what he meant. Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere. It is difficult to imagine more humble origins than those of the genius now cooking at Gusteau's, who is, in this critic's opinion, nothing less than the finest chef in France. I will be returning to Gusteau's soon, hungry for more.

Stills:

Surf's Up

2007

Director: Ash Brannon / Chris Buck

Distributor: Columbia Pictures / Universal Pictures

Key Elements: Lines – Visuals – Characters – Message – Concept – Music

My Review:

In college, this was my all-nighter movie. If I was going to be up till dawn writing a paper, I would play this movie in the background. I can’t be sleepy while watching this movie – it’s too colorful, alive, fun and positive.

And it’s got a great message. Love what you do. The moment it becomes something else to you – winning, being the best, etc. – you lose that magic. Do what you love purely for the love.

Also, I’ve long been mystified by the tao of surfing and it’s well represented in this movie.

Fun watch.

Clip:



Quotes:

• Everyone's like Cody's this, Cody's that. Cody's me bro, let me be me.
• So as soon as there was the first wave, right? - there was the first surfer. All they needed was, like, um, a piece of driftwood, a block of ice or something like that, and then they were off. And they were hooked, man. They were hooked. Up 'till recent times, you had your old dudes, you know, your hang-six cats, these old guys used to lay down with these huge, humongous boards. These guys were the pioneers, but nobody saw what surfing could be until Big Z did it.
  - Could you tell us who Big Z was?
  Who was Big Z? You're asking the right guy. You got that far. Z is everything. Big Z is surfing. I mean, there might as well not been an ocean before Z. They invented the ocean for him. Cause he lived so hard because he wasn't afraid to live. He wasn't afraid to die. He came to Antartica when I was just a kid. Man, it was the biggest thing that ever happened here. And suddenly there he was. Just floating on the water. Hovering, you know, like weightless. He could've walked up to anyone, and he walks right up to me. And he gives me this awesome, one-of-a-kind Big Z necklace. And then he tells me, "You know, kid, never give up. Find a way, 'cause that's what winners do." He was the greatest. Everyone looke up to him, respected him, loved him. And one day, one day, I'm gonna be just like him.
• Whoah! You gotta try this blowhole thing, man! This whale dude is giving me a brain freeze.
• You know, we've known each other way back since, like... yesterday, I think it was.
  Alright, well this is the third time this week you've been unconscious. I just don't think it's very good for your brain.
• Who wants to see the champion take on the little guy? Little guys rule!No joy, man. No joy. Fail.

Stills:

Trade

2007

Director: Marco Kreuzpaintner

Distributor: Lions Gate Films

Key Elements: Message – Concept – Music

My Review:

This movie is based on MANY true stories. Our society is blissfully unaware of the realities of sex trade. Even in the states, women and children are taken, moved and sold. This movie masterfully tells that story.

Don’t be shocked. Don’t ask why. We’ve watched the pornography infiltrate our culture for decades now. This is what happens.

The question now is - How do we fight it?

Trailer:



Quotes:

• You’ll pay for this.

Stills:

Secondhand Lions

2003

Director: Tim McCanlies

Distributor: New Line Cinema

Key Elements: Lines – Characters – Message – Symbolism

My Review:

This movie grew on me slowly. Michael Cane and Robert Duvall’s characters are excellently developed. And the story is considerably fun. But what I love are the messages the movie delivers.

First, it is important to live life to the fullest. When the boy first meets his uncles, they do nothing but sit on their porch all day. But as their relationship develops, they all find a new love for life. In the end, the uncles re-embrace adventure.

Second, it is important to know what you believe. Duvall’s character tells the boy that the things that may or may not be true are the things worth believing. As Christians, we can be certain that our beliefs are true – the intellectual, experiential, scriptural and personal evidence are all on our side. But faith IS important, and we should continue to believe what is true, even if others don’t.

A last thing this movie tells us is how important father figures are. Even though Cane and Duvall are the boys uncles, the provide the love and direction a father would give. This is paramount in any kids life, boy or girl, but I can say from experience just how important fathers are to boys.

Kids need good men in their lives.

Clip:



Quotes:

• So, you two were away for 40 years... Where'd you go?
• I'm Hub McCann. I've fought in two World Wars and countless smaller ones on three continents. I led thousands of men into battle with everything from horses and swords to artillery and tanks. I've seen the headwaters of the Nile, and tribes of natives no white man had ever seen before. I've won and lost a dozen fortunes, KILLED MANY MEN and loved only one woman with a passion a FLEA like you could never begin to understand. That's who I am. NOW, GO HOME, BOY!
• Well, a man's body may grow old, but inside his spirit can still be as young and as restless as ever. And him - in his day, he had more spirit than twenty men.
• Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things a man needs to believe in the most. That people are basically good; that honor, courage, and virtue mean everything; that power and money, money and power mean nothing; that good always triumphs over evil; and I want you to remember this, that love... true love never dies. You remember that, boy. You remember that. Doesn't matter if it's true or not. You see, a man should believe in those things, because those are the things worth believing in
  You're lucky the lion got to you before *we* did.
• The kid gets it all. Just plant us in the damn garden, next to the stupid lion.
• So... they lived?
  - They lived.

Stills:

Chariots of Fire

1981

Director: Hugh Hudson

Composer: Vangelis Papathanassiou

Distributor: Warner Brothers

Key Elements: Story – Lines – Characters – Message – Music

My Review:

This movie was a huge motivator for me when, in middle school, I took up running.

The movie compares two runners. One has based his identity on winning races. Running IS his life. The other, Eric Liddell, has based his identity on God. Running is how he honors his Father. Of course, it’s the one who runs for God, not himself, that is ultimately the better runner.

The coolest thing is Liddell’s character, based on the actual missionary/runner. He refuses to get caught up in the politics of competition. His goal is to glorify God by running and using that platform to tell others of God’s power.

Hollywood doesn’t often produce such pro-Christian stories.

Also, the music is iconic.

Clip:



Quotes:

• I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.
• If I can't win, I won't run!
  - If you don't run, you can't win.
• You came to see a race today. To see someone win. It happened to be me. But I want you to do more than just watch a race. I want you to take part in it. I want to compare faith to running in a race. It's hard. It requires concentration of will, energy of soul. You experience elation when the winner breaks the tape - especially if you've got a bet on it. But how long does that last? You go home. Maybe you're dinner's burnt. Maybe you haven't got a job. So who am I to say, "Believe, have faith," in the face of life's realities? I would like to give you something more permanent, but I can only point the way. I have no formula for winning the race. Everyone runs in her own way, or his own way. And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end? From within. Jesus said, "Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you. If with all your hearts, you truly seek me, you shall ever surely find me." If you commit yourself to the love of Christ, then that is how you run a straight race.
  

Stills: