A great story about how two people who feel adrift in life can be what the other needs.
It’s heartbreaking to see how abandonment affects kids, but it’s something that needs to be acknowledged.
I also like that it’s a story about the value of a father. We need more of that.
Trailer:
Quotes:
He’s in the box. - That is so interesting.
What made you think I’d be a good match for a boy who spends all his time in a box?
I don't want to bring another kid into this world. But how do you argue against loving one that's already here?
Just think of it as a bigger box.
He thinks he’s from Mars and you write about Mars. That’s great!
There’s no harm in being a little eccentric.
Why did they send you here? You know, the Martians? - To join a family and to learn human beingness.
When you’re here at home, it’s okay to be from Mars. But when you go out there with the rest of the earthlings, you gotta go by earth rules.
Never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever give up. Winston Churchill said that, I think.
There’s nothing you can do that would change the way I feel about you.
Is it good to be like everyone else? - That’s a really good question.
I do know, there's no one on this planet that loves Dennis anymore than I do.
But then I started doing science and realized the Earth was spinning around the sun at 67,000 miles per hour and I thought "What the heck do I need to be a martian for?"
Why do you think they left me? - I don’t know… because they were stupid. I will never ever ever ever ever ever ever leave you.
Key Elements: Story – Characters – Lines – Message
My Review:
I can’t think of many other feel-good movies that offer so much. In this movie we see how several love stories intertwine to climax gloriously at the end. They combine so seemlessly, even when the camera cuts from one story to another, the music can continue on without a hitch.
I’ve talked to few girls who don’t love the scene where Mark professes his love for Juliet with poster boards. It’s a really cute and romantic scene, but to enjoy it you have to ignore the fact that Juliet it married to another man. Thankfully, at the end Mark tells himself “That’s enough,” so we know he’s going to take things no further.
Another great scene is when Hugh Grant as the Prime Minister tells off the President of the United States for being a bully. Aggressive and humorous, it’s excellent diplomacy.
We all also love when Jamie and Aurelia get together and discover that they have each learned the other’s language.
And we love watching Liam Neeson’s character encourage and father his motherless step-son.
If you can ignore the sexual material (unnecessary as usual), you’ll enjoy seeing these stories unfold.
Pay particular attention to Hugh Grant’s voice-over at the beginning.
Interesting fact: The beginning and ending footage of people greeting each other at the airport is actually real live people who didn't know they were being filmed until afterword. Kinda beautiful.
Funny, romantic and fun, this is a great movie.
Clip:
Quotes:
Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion’s starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around.
Okay. Well, the truth is... actually... I'm in love.
She's "the one".
I love that word "relationship". Covers all manner of sins, doesn't it? I fear that this has become a bad relationship. A relationship based on the President taking exactly what he wants and casually ignoring all those things that really matter to, erm... Britain. We may be a small country but we're a great one, too. The country of Shakespeare, Churchill, the Beatles, Sean Connery, Harry Potter. David Beckham's right foot. David Beckham's left foot, come to that. And a friend who bullies us is no longer a friend. And since bullies only respond to strength, from now onward, I will be prepared to be much stronger. And the President should be prepared for that.
But for now, let me say - Without hope or agenda - Just because it's Christmas - And at Christmas you tell the truth - To me, you are perfect - And my wasted heart will love you - Until you look like this …Merry Christmas
I realized that Christmas is-is the time to be with the people you love… And I realized that as dire chance and-and-and fateful cock-up would have it, here I am, mid 50s, and without knowing it I've gone and spent most of my adult life with a- with a chubby employee. And-and much as it grieves me to say it, it-it might be that the people I love is, in fact... you. …It's a terrible, terrible mistake, Chubs, but you turn out to be the fucking love of my life. And to be honest, despite all my complaining, we have had a wonderful life.
Tell her that you love her… Sam, you've got nothin' to lose, and you'll always regret it if you don't.
Let's go get the shit kicked out of us by love.
But you know the thing about romance is people only get together right at the very end.
Key Elements: Story – Characters – Lines – Message – Symbolism – Visuals – Music
My Review:
The conclusion of the trilogy, we see good triumph over evil. Always a likable conclusion.
The only thing I don’t like about this story is that Frodo gets rid of the ring on his own strength. This is a problem if the ring represents sin, because there’s nothing we can do in our own strength to get rid of sin – it’s the work of Jesus, and only the work of Jesus, that makes it happen.
But otherwise, a good movie.
Trailer:
Quotes:
I do not believe this darkness will endure.
Mr. Frodo, wake up... Don't leave me here alone. Don't go where I can't follow...
I do not fear death.
You smoke too much, Pip.
Come on, Mr. Frodo. I can't carry it for you... but I can carry you! Come on!
Hold your ground, hold your ground! Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of woes and shattered shields, when the age of men comes crashing down! But it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good Earth, I bid you *stand, Men of the West!*
I give hope to men. I keep none for myself.
I didn’t think it would end this way. - End? No, the journey doesn’t end here. Death is just another path. One we all must take. …The grey worn current of this world rolls back and all turns to silver glass. And then you see it. What, Gandalf? See what? - White shores, and beyond. A far great country under a swift sunrise. Oh, well that’s not so bad. - No, no it isn’t.
Hope is kindled.
That still only counts as one.
Duty? No... I would have you smile again, not grieve for those whose time has come. You shall live to see these days renewed. No more despair.
I think I'm... quite ready for another adventure!I will not say do not weep, for not all tears are an evil.
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...
Key Elements: Story – Characters – Lines – Message – Symbolism – Visuals – Music
My Review:
It was about time someone turned Tolkien’s books into movies – and, to my relief, they did an excellent job. Middle Earth feels real as we watch the story unfold.
It’s a hard thing to tell a fantasy story that will appeal to broad audiences of both children and adults, men and women. I think this one does the job. It is both dark and beautiful. Terrifying and affirming. Entertaining and meaningful.
The trilogy altogether is full of symbolism for the spiritual journey – reminiscent of Pilgrim’s Progress.
The ring represents sin - how even though it destroys us, we grasp onto it. And like with the ring, our only hope for salvation is for sin to be destroyed.
I also like that evil is acknowledged as an abomination, not a force in its own right. Tolkien writes how the orcs and other dark creatures were really good creatures gone bad.
And the Fellowship is an illustration of how we cannot make our spiritual journeys alone. We need friends who support us and offer their own unique strengths, as well as more experienced mentors like Gandalf.
We also need places of rest like Rivendell and Lothlorien. Places for our souls to be renourished and strengthened.
The gospel is excellently illustrated in Gandalf’s standoff with the Balrog. Ganalf sacrifices himself to ensure his companions go on to live. In the same way, Jesus faced sin and death to ensure we would live.
Of course, few movies are as visually stunning as this one – gorgeous scenery throughout.
Trailer:
Quotes:
The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it.
It abandoned Gollum. But then something happened that the Ring did not intend. It was picked up by the most unlikely creature imaginable. A hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, of the Shire. For the time will soon come when hobbits will shape the fortunes of all...
It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.
"One Ring to Rule Them All. One Ring to Find Them. One Ring to Bring Them All and In The Darkness Bind Them."
It comes in pints?
…that is no trinket you carry …I can avoid being seen if I wish, but to disappear entirely, that is a rare gift.
Into the wild.
I will take the Ring to Mordor!
I think there's more to this hobbit than meets the eye.
If by my life or death I can protect you, I will. You have my sword... - ...and you have my bow... - ...and my axe. - You carry the fate of us all, little one.
Why do you fear the past? You are Isildur's heir, not Isildur himself. You are not bound to his fate.
Pity? It was pity that stayed Bilbo's hand. Many that live deserve death. Some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Frodo? Do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. Even the very wise cannot see all ends. My heart tells me that Gollum has some part to play yet, for good or ill before this is over. The pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many.
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world Frodo, besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the Ring. In which case, you were also meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought.
The Quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail, to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the Company is true.
You shall not pass! I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the Flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, Flame of Udun! Go back to the shadow. You shall not pass!
Fly, you fools.
The hearts of Men are easily corrupted…
Go back, Sam. I'm going to Mordor alone. - Of course you are. And I'm coming with you.I made a promise, Mr. Frodo. A promise. "Don't you leave him Samwise Gamgee." And I don't mean to. I don't mean to.
Key Elements: Characters – Message – Story – Concept
My Review:
This is probably the most obscure movie I could blog about. My sister got the VHS for Christmas when we were in grade school. I happened to watch it again in high school and sort of fell in love with it. To be honest, I developed a mild crush on the lead, Amelia Shankly.
I love how this particular film captured the character of Sara Crewe - her perseverance, her compassion, her optimism, her composure, and the fact that her character never wavers as her circumstances change. There’s a lot about this character to be admired.
Quotes:
I do not fear death.
I want to take my books to England.
We’re rich already.
I’m not beautiful Mrs. Minchin.
Her eyes I think. They seem to go right through you. As if… as if she were summing you up.
I’m interested in names so I looked mine up in a book.
I’m stupid you see. And fat. People don’t want friends like that.
- I do.
It must be horrible to be poor.
- Do not concern yourself Mademoiselle. Fortunately it is a condition you will never ever experience.
You mean God wants some people to be poor? Why?
- As a trial – to strengthen their characters.
She’s the only one who’s kind to me!
There are more important things in life than spelling.
You are quite alone in the world.
It’s real… I hoped it was all a dream.
Beggars have nowhere to live – at least I have a room of my own.
Well see if I care! …It’s no use Melchizadech. I do care.
Once upon a time there was a princess… Only she wasn’t a real princess. She was just a beggar girl who wondered into the palace by mistake.
I didn’t know people could be so cruel.
It’s not what I want… It’s what’s best for you. …Of course I care.
I’ve seen so many people change lately. I thought you might have changed too…. I have. I don’t trust people anymore.
Aren't you going to thank me?
- Thank you?
For my kindness in giving you a home!
- No, Miss Minchin, you are not kind. And this is not a home.
I wasn't laughing, I was thinking.
- What?
I was thinking it would be a surprise if I turned out to be a princess after all. Wouldn't it?
Zany characters go on a zany mission and reveal authentic family tenderness.
If there’s anything to take away from this movie it’s that, even though we are all ridiculously imperfect, we can be there for each other. This family, though dysfunctional on the surface supports, encourages, and comforts each other.
When Dwayn realizes he’s colorblind and can’t go to the Air Force Academy, Olive comforts him.
When no one likes Olive’s performance, her family stands up for her and claps along.
When Olive worries she’s not pretty, her grandfather reassures her.
And Dwayne and Frank find consolation in each other as they face failure.
There are, of course, more examples.
Zany enough to be entertaining, and touching enough to be meaningful, the characters, lines and heart of this movie make it a fun one.
Trailer:
Quotes:
There's two kinds of people in this world, there's winners and there's loosers. Okay, you know what the difference is? Winners don't give up.
Who is that? Nietzsche? So you stopped talking because of Friedrich Nietzsche? Far out.
No one gets left behind! No one gets left behind!
Grandpa, am I pretty? - You are the most beautiful girl in the world. You're just saying that. - No! I'm madly in love with you and it's not because of your brains or your personality.
Losers are people who are so afraid of not winning, they don't even try.
Go Hug Mom
You know what? Fuck beauty contests. Life is one fucking beauty contest after another. School, then college, then work... Fuck that. And fuck the Air Force Academy. If I want to fly, I'll find a way to fly. You do what you love, and fuck the rest
I wish I could just sleep until I was eighteen and skip all this crap - high school and everything - just skip it. - You know Marcel Proust? He's the guy you teach. - Yeah. French writer. Total loser. Never had a real job. Unrequited love affairs. Gay. Spent 20 years writing a book almost no one reads. But he's also probably the greatest writer since Shakespeare. Anyway, he uh... he gets down to the end of his life, and he looks back and decides that all those years he suffered, Those were the best years of his life, 'cause they made him who he was. All those years he was happy? You know, total waste. Didn't learn a thing. So, if you sleep until you're 18... Ah, think of the suffering you're gonna miss. I mean high school? High school-those are your prime suffering years. You don't get better suffering than that
