Catch Me If You Can

2002

Director: Steven Spielberg

Distributor: DreamWorks

My Review:

Based loosely on the autobiography of Frank Abagnale Jr., this movie follows the risks, rewards and consequences of one of America’s youngest conmen.I read the book, but honestly, liked the movie better.

That’s probably because what I liked about the movie was it’s depiction of 60’s mod culture. Whether it’s the retro style and music of the opening, the highlighting of the Airline Industry’s golden years, or the background music and fashion, I just enjoy watching this movie.

One of the more interesting things about the story is the ending. Frank gets caught, but in exchange for relative freedom, he agrees to work for the FBI – Nobody can spot a fake better than a faker. The twist made me think of how God works everything for the good.

Clip:



Quotes:

• Two little mice fell in a bucket of cream. The first mouse quickly gave up and drowned. The second mouse, wouldn't quit. He struggled so hard that eventually he churned that cream into butter and crawled out. Gentlemen, as of this moment, I am that second mouse.
• You know why the Yankees always win, Frank?
  - 'Cause they have Mickey Mantle?
  No, it's 'cause the other teams can't stop staring at those damn pinstripes.
• Mr. and Mrs. Abagnale, this is not a question of your son's attendance. I regret to inform you that, for the past week, Frank has been teaching Mrs. Glasser's French class.
  - He what?
  Your son has been pretending to be a substitute teacher, lecturing the students, uh, giving out homework, uh. Mrs. Glasser has been ill, there was some confusion with the real sub. Your son held a teacher-parent conference yesterday and was planning a class field trip to a French bread factory in Trenton.
• Dear Dad, you told me an honest man has no fear, so I'm trying hard not to be afraid.
• Just tell me how much he owes and I'll pay you back.
  - So far, it's about 1.3 million dollars.
• Ah, people only know what you tell them, Carl
• Sometimes it's easier livin' the lie.
• How'd you do it Frank? How did you cheat on the bar exam in Louisiana?

Still:

The Ring

2002

Director: Gore Verbinski

Distributor: DreamWorks SKG

Key Elements: Concept – Visuals

My Review:

This is one of the few movies I have seen that really freaked me out. This was due largely to its simple premise and creepy imagery, as well as its use of suspense over gore.

It also probably helped that I watched it alone at 2 in the morning.

A horror classic.

Clip:



Quotes:

• You start to play it and it's like somebody's nightmare. And then this woman comes on, smiling at you, right? Seeing you... through the screen. Then when it's over, your phone rings, someone knows you watched the tape... and what they say is, "You will die in seven days".
• What is it with reporters? You take one person's tragedy and force the world to experience it... spread it like sickness.
• …not one of them could tell me exactly what happened to my daughter.
• Sometimes children yell, or cry... or draw pictures…
• I can't imagine being stuck down a well all alone like that. How long could you survive?
  - Seven days.
• She lives in a dark place now
• I think before you die, you see the ring...
• What will we tell the others who watch it?
• Seven days...

Stills:

Punch-Drunk Love

2002

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

Distributor: Columbia Pictures / Revolution Studios / New Line Cinema

Key Elements: Characters – Lines – Message

My Review:

I wasn’t sure what to think of this movie at first. It had a brooding, eccentric tone which appealed to me, but I wanted to see where the story went.

I wasn’t disappointed.

The movie is made by a simple exchange.

Sander’s character is being threatened. His response is the message of the movie:
“I have a love in my life. It makes me stronger than anything you can imagine.”

Trailer:



Quotes:

• I don't know if there is anything wrong because I don't know how other people are.
• I didn't ask for a shrink - that must've been somebody else. Also, that pudding isn't mine.
• Also, I'm wearing this suit today because I had a very important meeting this morning and I don't have a crying problem.
• I have to get more pudding for this trip to Hawaii. As I just said that out loud I realize it sounded a little strange but it's not.
• I'm lookin' at your face and I just wanna smash it. I just wanna fuckin' smash it with a sledgehammer and squeeze it. You're so pretty.
  - I want to chew your face, and I want to scoop out your eyes and I want to eat them and chew them and suck on them.
  OK. This is funny. This is nice.
• I have a love in my life. It makes me stronger than anything you can imagine.
• Now get the fuck out of here, pervert!
  - Didn't I warn you? Th... That's that!

Stills:

The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers

2002

Director: Peter Jackson

Distributor: New Line Cinema

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

My Review:

A continuation of the Trilogy, this movie seems to be a favorite for most.

In it, we are introduced to Gollum, horribly transformed by the ring – a reminder to us all of how sin destroys.

My favorite scene with Gollum is when he argues with himself, trying to banish his darker impulses. Though comedic, it’s hauntingly true to the sort of inner tension we all deal with as we try to rid our lives of sin.

We are also introduced to the Ents. Their fight against the abuse and waste of the forrest makes a statement about the need for good stewardship of our environment.

And I love the symbolism of Gandolf’s part in this movie. First, he returns from death as Gandalf the White – an obvious symbol of Jesus’ resurrection. He then leads the armies of Rohan into victory against the orcs by riding in on a white horse with imagery that could have been taken right out of Revelation.

But the best part may be Samwise's inspiring speech at the end.

Again, gorgeous visuals.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• Nothing dampens your spirits, does it, Sam?
• You were not so very different from a Hobbit once, were you? …Smeagol.
• Leave now and never come back!
• Gandalf? Yes... that was what they used to call me. Gandalf the Gray. That was my name… I am Gandalf the White. And I come back to you now - at the turn of the tide.
• Be silent. Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I did not pass through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm.
• Your fingers would remember their old strength better... if they grasped your sword.
• Look to my coming on the first light of the fifth day, at dawn look to the east.
• …there may come a time for valor without renown. Who then will your people look to…?
• Then I shall die as one of them!
• Show them no mercy... for you shall receive none!
• Ride out with me. Ride out and meet them.
  - For death and glory.
  For Rohan. For your people.
  - The Horn of Helm Hammerhand will sound in the deep, one last time! …Fell deeds awake... Now for Wrath... Now for Ruin... and the Red Dawn... Forth, Eorlingas!
• The fate of the world will now be decided.
• I think we might have made a mistake leaving the Shire, Pippin.
• I know. It's all wrong. By rights we shouldn't even be here. But we are. It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something… That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo... and it's worth fighting for.
  I think at last we understand one another, Frodo Baggins.
• I wonder if we'll ever be put into songs or tales. …I wonder if people will ever say, 'Let's hear about Frodo and the Ring.' And they'll say 'Yes, that's one of my favorite stories. Frodo was really courageous, wasn't he, Dad?' 'Yes, my boy, the most famousest of hobbits. And that's saying a lot.'
  - You've left out one of the chief characters - Samwise the Brave. I want to hear more about Sam.
  …Frodo wouldn't have got far without Sam. Now Mr. Frodo, you shouldn't make fun; I was being serious.
  - So was I.
  …Samwise the Brave...

Stills:

The Four Feathers

2002

Director: Shekhar Kapur

Distributor: Paramount Pictures / Miramax Films

Key Elements: Visuals – Message

My Review:

I was journaling a lot about the virtue of selflessness when I saw this movie. I found essentially an extended illustration of selfishness.

Harry leaves the army and his friends immediately abandon him. But when he realizes the danger his friends are going into, he decides to follow and help them. Though the explicitly stated reason for his doing so is that he wants to redeem himself, everything he does reads more like a desire to protect those he loves.

This is an illustration of the gospel. Jesus was betrayed by everyone - all of us. Yet he gave up everything he had and sacrificed Himself - even taking our place - to save us. That's what Harry does for his friends.

The most moving scene for me is when, even after going into battle to save a friend, Harry goes into prison to save another who has been captured. The scene when he walks alone toward the prison and surrenders himself to the guards who ride out to him is especially powerful.

Note: I love heath ledger’s hair at the end of this movie.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• Don't worry, Vicar. They're only women. They won't bite.
• I've left the army.
• Feathers of cowardice.
• When something like this happens you are lost. You don't know who you are anymore and what you're capable of. Unless I do something, this is always how people will remember me. A feather. And that is how I will always see myself: a coward. All I know is that I can't live with myself like this.
• How differently I’d do things given a second chance.
• Why is it so important to follow them… your friends?
  - To help them. If I can.
• God put you in my way.
• I found you half dead crossing the desert alone and you say you are afraid?
• I was a fool to think that I could ever go home. I can’t.
• The shame is no longer yours. You’re responsible to yourself and to God. Not to them.
  - I am responsible to my friend! I will find him.
• You have learned nothing. You have done enough.
  - It’s never enough Abu.
• I will not be responsible for your death!
  - How could you be responsible for my death? ..I would die if it is God’s will, yes?
• You Englishmen walk too proudly on the earth! …You are a fool. …my friend.
• I have nothing left to lose. Nothing left to live for. Still, I’m afraid.
  - Fear always remains.
• Pray for me Abu. Take as long as you like. …I don’t walk to proudly now.
• How many bullets?
  - One
  Better make it count.
• What will you do now?
  - Whatever God has chosen for me

Stills:

Equilibrium

2002

Director: Kurt Wimmer

Distributors: Dimenstion Films

Key Elements: Message – Concept – Visuals

My Review:

I love dystopia stories. This is one.

Hints of Fahrenheit 451 and 1984 can be seen throughout this movie. But more than anything, it makes an argument for the importance of the arts to the human experience.

Stunningly choreographed fight scenes are the backbone of this movie. But by favorite moment is when John pulls the film off his window and gets his first view of a sunrise. It’s beautiful. And I love that, though the movie emphasizes human creativity, it also lets the creativity of God through creation play a role in awakening the heart.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• …we have created a new arm of the law: The Grammaton Cleric, whose sole task it is to seek out and eradicate the true source of man's inhumanity to man - his ability to feel.
• When we return from the Nether it always reminds me of why we do what we do.
  - It does?
• "But I, being poor, have only my dreams. I have spread my dreams under your feet. Tread softly because you tread on my dreams."
• I'll do what I can to see they go easy on you.
  - We both know they never "go easy".
  Then, I'm sorry.
  - No, you're not. You don't even know the meaning. It’s just a vestigial word for a feeling you've never felt.
• Let me ask you something. Why are you alive?
  - I'm alive... I live... to safeguard the continuity of this great society. To serve Libria.
  It's circular. You exist to continue your existence. What's the point?
  - What's the point of your existence?
  To feel. 'Cause you've never done it, you can never know it. But it's as vital as breath. And without it, without love, without anger, without sorrow, breath is just a clock... ticking.
• And you, Preston, the supposed savior of the resistance, are now its destroyer, and, along with them, you've given me yourself... calmly... coolly... entirely without incident.
  - Not without incident.

Stills:

Bowling for Columbine

2002

Director: Michael Moore

Distributor: United Artists

Key Elements: Concept

My Review:

While I find Michael Moore’s methods and intent abrasively unprofessional, he makes a good point about American culture. We have been socialized to fear each other and to turn to violence as our initial response.

Trailer:



Quote:

• Well, here's my first question. Do you think it's kind of dangerous handing out guns at a bank?
• I use the pen, because the pen is mightier than the sword. But you must always keep a sword handy for when the pen fails.
• …that's what I think it's all based on, the whole idea of 'keep everyone afraid, and they'll consume.’
• The media, the corporations, the politicians... have all done such a good job of scaring the American public, it's come to the point where they don't need to give any reason at all.
• I sleep at night with a gun under my pillow.
• There's a lot of wackos out there.

Adaptation

2002

Director: Spike Jonze

Distributor: Columbia Pictures

Key Elements: Lines - Message

My Review:

Charlie is a case study in human insecurity. But something his brother says to him makes all the difference. It is also this quote that makes the movie.

Clip:



Quotes:

• I don't want to cram in sex or guns or car chases or characters learning profound life lessons or growing or coming to like each other or overcoming obstacles to succeed in the end. The book isn't like that, and life isn't like that, it just isn't. I feel very strongly about this.
• I loved Sara, Charles. It was mine. That love. I owned it. Even Sara didn’t have the right to take it away. I can love whoever I want… That was her business, not mine… You are what you love. Not what loves you. That’s what I decided a long time ago.”

About a Boy

2002


Director: Chris Weitz/ Paul Weitz

Distributor: Universal Pictures

Key Elements: Story, Characters, Message


My Review:


This movie is about how we need each other – no man is an island.


The best scene is when Will steps onto stage to play backup for the brave, taunted Marcus – a selfless act of friendship.


Trailer:



Quotes:

• Once you open your door to one person anyone can come in.
  In my opinion, all men are islands. And what's more, now's the time to be one. This is an island age.
• I wanna be with her more, I wanna be with her all the time, and I wanna tell her things I don't even tell you or mum. And I don't want her to have another boyfriend. I suppose if I could have all those things, I wouldn't really mind if I touched her or not.
• Every man is an island. I stand by that. But clearly some men are island CHAINS. Underneath, they are connected...
• I used to think two was not enough. But now things are great; there are loads of people... I don't know what Will was so pissed about. I don't think couples are the future. The way I see it now, we both got back-up now. It's like that thing John Bon Jovi said: 'No man is an island.’

Stills:

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28 Days Later

2002

Director: Danny Boyle

Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures

Key Elements: Concept, Message

My Review:

Boyle introduces us to a new terror: FAST zombies.

The beauty of this film is in its surreal tone. Beautiful musical musings scatter the background in contrast the bleak and bloody imagery. From the moment Jim wakes up in an empty London, we are shown a vision of a post-apocalyptic world.

What really terrifies us about zombie movies is the way they play upon our fear of each other because somewhere in our psyches, we all believe the rest of humanity to be mindlessly hostile.

Ironically, this movie also reminds us of how much we need each other. At first, Selena believes that survival is as good as it gets. But when she sees how Hannah and her father are there for each other she starts to question. In the end, she repeals her claim as she grows to love and be loved by Jim.

Love is more important than just surviving.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• REPENT THE END IS EXTREMELY FUCKING NIGH
• OK, Jim. I've got some bad news…
• All the death. All the shit. It doesn't really mean anything to Frank and Hannah because... Well, she's got a Dad and he's got his daughter. So, I was wrong when I said that staying alive is as good as it gets.
• This is what I've seen in the four weeks since infection. People killing people. Which is much what I saw in the four weeks before infection, and the four weeks before that, and before that, and as far back as I care to remember. People killing people - Which to my mind puts us in a state of normality right now.
• I don't want to eat. I want to bury my dad. He's one of the people you're talking about.

Stills: