Key Elements:Story – Lines – Characters – Message – Music
Review:
The Goonies are a group of underdogs who live on the wrong side of the tracks, but they’ve recently learned that they’re all going to have to move unless they can find the money to buy their neighborhood back from developers. Then, they find a treasure map that may lead to the answer.
This movie is a cult classic - and deserves to be. Its a fun adventure story. Its charactersare relatable – no matter the decade. And it’s message is timeless – You can get through anything by sticking with your friends.
Trailer:
Quotes:
Hey, you guys!
Yeah, but you know what? This one, this one right here. This was my dream, my wish. And it didn't come true. So I'm taking it back. I'm taking them all back.
It's OK, you're a Goonie and Goonies always make mistakes... just don't make any more.
Before the cross, Israel carried the hope of the Gospel. Because they were the only people in the whole world with that honor, they were justified in using violence to protect it.
In this movie, the hope of the Gospel is carried, not by a nation, but by a single man. And likewise, he uses violence to protect it. Think Road Warrior with a Bible.
One thing I appreciated about this movie was that it showed how the Bible CAN be used incorrectly. Not everyone appealing to its authority can be trusted. That’s a rare message and an important distinction.
Another thing I like is how the twist at the end confirms that, not only is the Bible valuable, but what it says is true – Because God has been helping Eli.
Then there’s what I didn’t like.
[Spoiler]
At the end, Eli gets to a safe house where the Bible can be preserved. …Right next to a Koran!
That’s right - After parading as a pro-Bible story this movie ends on a Universalistic note.
Lame.
Still… the premise is an interesting concept.
Trailer:
Quotes:
People had more than they needed. We had no idea what was precious and what wasn't. We threw away things people kill each other for now.
In all these years I've been carrying it and reading it every day, I got so caught up in keeping it safe that I forgot to live by what I learned from it.
Thank you lord for a warm bed to sleep on, thank you for the food we are about to eat, thank you for a roof over our heads on cold nights such as this, thank you for companionship in hard times like these, Amen.
IT'S NOT A FUCKIN' BOOK! IT'S A WEAPON. A weapon aimed right at the hearts and minds of the weak and the desperate. It will give us control of them. If we want to rule more than one small, fuckin' town, we have to have it. People will come from all over, they'll do exactly what I tell 'em if the words are from the book. It's happened before and it'll happen again. All we need is that book.
Its like he's protected somehow, nothing can touch him
Jonze brings this Maurice Sendak's masterpiece children's book to life in visual splendor and injected with raw human emotion.
Max is lonely. He misses his absent father. He feels ignored and unprotected by his older sister. And now he's having to share his mother with her work and new boyfriend. Lacking the emotional maturity to handle his pain, Max runs away.
He ends up Where the Wild Things Are. The creatures Max meets make him their king, and he begins to lead them in building a new home. But his own wounds are personified in the group of friendly monsters. Like Max, these monsters are longing for relationship, but their own insecurities leave them regretfully unable to secure connection.
[Spoiler]
Max eventually has to leave the monsters. But despite the hurt feelings, they are sad to see him go. And despite the fight Max had with his mother, she welcomes him home again.
The ultimate message here is that friendship can't be contingent on one's own feelings. It's about making space in our lives for each other - and being willing to forgive.
It wasn't what I expected, but I loved this movie.
Trailer:
Quotes:
Will you keep out all the sadness?
And on our way... I can show you your kingdom. This is all yours. You're the owner of this world. Everything you see is yours. Oh, except that hole over there, that's Ira's. The tree's yours, but the hole is Ira's. But everything else is yours. Except for that rock over there, that's not yours. That little rock next to the big rock. But everything else in the kingdom... except for that stick. That little stick right there, that's not yours. I want you to be king forever, Max.
Happiness isn't always the best way to be happy.
What? I never heard that... Oh, come on. That can't happen. I mean you're the king, and look at me, I'm big! how can guys like us worry about a tiny little thing like the sun, hmm?
Well, look: this used to be all rock, and now it's sand, and then, one day, it's going to be dust, and then the whole island will be dust, and then... well I don't even know what comes after dust.
You're not really a king, are you?
We were gonna make a whole world like this. Now, everyone used to come here, but you know... you know what it feels like when all your teeth are falling out really slowly and you don't realize and then you notice that, well, they're really far apart. And then one day... you don't have any teeth anymore…Well it was like that.
Based on Richard Matheson's 1954, this is the story of the last man in New York City after an apocalyptic disease kills many and leaves the rest as zombies.
The draw of this movie is the chance to see a surreal New York emptied of people and reclaimed by nature.
But what kept me is the human story of a man who struggles with disillusionment and loneliness but ultimately finds hope.
[Spoiler]
The Gospel is in this story too. After searching for years for an antidote to reverse the disease, Robert finally finds one. But he must give his life to pass it on to the rest of humanity. In the same way, Jesus' righteousness is the antidote to our sin, but He had to give his life to pass it on to us.
Also, Robert waxes poetic about Bob Marley's desire to see light fill up the darkness of the world. Jesus is the Light that fills up the darkness of our lives.
Clip:
Quotes:
I'm not infected!
God didn't do this. We did.
My name is Robert Neville. I am a survivor living in New York City. I am broadcasting on all AM frequencies. I will be at the South Street Seaport everyday at mid-day, when the sun is highest in the sky. If you are out there... if anyone is out there... I can provide food, I can provide shelter, I can provide security. If there's anybody out there... anybody... please. You are not alone.
Look, Daddy, it's a butterfly!
Please say hello to me… Please say hello to me.
What the hell are you doing out here, Fred? Fred, if you're real, you better tell me right now!
The world is quieter now. We just have to listen. If we listen, we can hear God's plan.
He had this idea. It was kind of a virologist idea. He believed that you could cure racism and hate... literally cure it, by injecting music and love into people's lives. When he was scheduled to perform at a peace rally, a gunman came to his house and shot him down. Two days later he walked out on that stage and sang. When they asked him why - He said, "The people, who were trying to make this world worse... are not taking a day off. How can I? Light up the darkness."
This is Ground Zero. This is my site. I can fix. I can fix this.
In 2009, a deadly virus burned through our civilization, pushing humankind to the edge of extinction. Dr. Robert Neville dedicated his life to the discovery of a cure and the restoration of humanity. On September 9th, 2012, at approximately 8:49 P.M., he discovered that cure. And at 8:52, he gave his life to defend it. We are his legacy. This is his legend. Light up the darkness.
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.
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.
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?
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.
Key Elements: Story – Visuals – Message – Concept – Music
My Review:
This movie recently won Golden Globes for Best Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Director and Best Motion Picture – Drama. I watched this at an art-house theater and can definitely say it deserved them all. I continue to be completely amazed by Danny Boyle's brilliant film-making.
Based on the book, Q and A, by Vikas Awarup, the story tells of how a boy’s life experiences have equipped him with the answers to a trivia game show. As the movie explains these answers, we get to see his life unfold. Brilliant visuals and moving music make for a stunning film, but it’s the story that really blows you away. I was pleasantly surprised when, in the end, it turned out to be a love story.
I’ve had some exposure to Bollywood and thoroughly enjoyed the similarities. From the random switching between English and Hindi, to the head-wagging yeses, to the inexplicable dance sequence, this movie pays tribute to it’s influences.
But I also loved that there was no sex scene in it. The makers of this movie opted to instead show some class and creativity and just allow a good story to be told. Way to go guys.
Trailer:
Quotes:
You think I don’t wake up every morning wishing I didn’t know the answer to that question?
Steel balls is what it takes, my friend, steel balls
I wasn’t expecting much when I went to this movie, but I enjoyed it. There’s some stuff in it I could have done without, but ultimately, I was pumped by the message
A guy accepts a challenge to embrace every opportunity that comes his way, and we get to see how this challenge changes his life.
The idea is that there’s a lot to enjoy in life if we just let ourselves. If we ignore our fears and stop our posturing, a lot of good things can happen. This movie encourages us to be ourselves no matter what, and to optimistically make the most of every day.
It was surprisingly inspiring.
Zooey Deschanel is also crazy cute.
Clip:
Quotes:
The world's a playground. You know that when you are a kid, but somewhere along the way everyone forgets it.
This movie has only one thing going for it, but it excels at that one thing: stunning visuals.
I was blown away by the sharp motion and brilliant color of this movie. It was an intense carnival for the eyes.
Unfortunately I think you could only get that effect by watching it on the big screen. All the same, I was pumped when I left the theatre. If you want a visually educed adrenaline rush, this movie delivers
Trailer:
Quotes:
You think you can drive a car and change the world? It doesn't work like that! - Maybe not, but it's the only thing I know how to do and I gotta do something.
This isn't a race; it's a showdown.
I couldn't have been more proud of you, son. Not because you won, but because you stood up, you weren't afraid, and you did what you thought was right
