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Reviews
Blue Like Jazz (2012)
Real struggle, real questioning, doesn't shy from good or bad
This was a surprisingly intense, engaging film. It's a coming of age flick about a conservative kid going away to a liberal college, and deciding if there's anything worth keeping from the faith he had as a kid. Complicating matters is the people w/ that faith fell into varying digress of hypocrisy.
I think what stands out the most, for me, is that the characters all seem genuine. The 'sinners' are just normal people w/ a full range of motivations and desires, as is the main character.
Refreshing, edgy, gutsy... that's how I'd describe this picture. Well worth seeing. But - it does earn it's PG-13, so it's not for young kids.
Thr3e (2006)
Twisty plot, tense suspense.
Ted Dekker's a great author, and this is a pretty decent film of his book Thr3e. It's a tight thriller with a number of plot twists which form the backdrop for an interesting reflection on the nature of good & evil and our place within both.
This is marketed as a Christian film, so I was leery of it being lame, or preachy, or just poorly made - not so! The filming is decent, the characters and acting solid, and there NO preaching! Very refreshing. Well, FoxFaith stuck this goofy promo tag into the previews, but it's only 60 sec then it's gone. The movie itself avoided all such lameness.
It's not for the timid, however, and it does earn it's PG-13, but that is managed w/o any sex or blood.
I think the only weak point I saw was a couple of rather cardboard-like characters as Kevin's Aunt and Uncle, but they're pretty minor in the scheme of things.
Good flick.
School of Rock (2003)
Funny, but kinda empty
I saw this movie to screen it before letting my kids see it. I was hoping for a funny movie w/lots of good music, and for the most part the movie is that.
But there are areas where it's lacking. For instance, while the kids' new teacher praises their musical abilities while they're playing classical stuff (and later uses those talents), he comes across as not caring at all about their other subjects - so much so that the movie might imply those are worthless. They're not of course, and the movie could've left the impression those were important too, even if we don't focus on them while the kids are learning to rock.
Then too, both the rock classes and the epic concert at the end are based on both kids' and teacher's lying. And although the teacher eventually get caught and fesses up, for the kids their dishonesty is ultimately rewarded. It's not exactly what I'd want my young kids to learn.
Finally - the biggest issue for me is the emptiness of the purpose. The teacher insists that the kids rock 'to stick it to the man', and later even offer up prayers to the 'god of rock'. That's not enough reason for all the passion the kids work up, and it comes across as silly and empty when put on film. Ever heard of Larry Norman? Or Phil Keaggy? DC Talk? Five Iron Frenzy? Daniel Amos? The 77s? Go ahead and google them - these are folks who know how to rock, but have a much better reason for the passion and effort they put into their music.
I rate it a 6 out of 10.
Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie (2002)
A good flik, but somewhat subdued compared to the videos
This was a good first effort for Big Idea. It's a cute film, tells a good story, and is well done. But it seems somewhat subduec compared to the all-out humor of the VeggieTale videos, especially the earlier ones. Why don't the Pirates yuck it up more (and sing)? Why don't the french peas expand on the Monty Ponthon bit, instead of just hint at it? I feel like the film is a little too 'safe', perhaps trying too hard for commercial success. They'll get more success if they just relax, let down their hair, and do what they do best. That credits song at the end - that's the tone the whole movie should've had.
And - wouldn't a 'silly songs w/Larry' short at the beginning be great?
Minority Report (2002)
Great concept, but must we be dragged thru the mud?
I really, really wanted to like this film, as its premise is great and the storyline intriguing. But the film includes every last drop of human depravity and evil as its backdrop, and the plot lumbers thru all this dreck while trying to get the story out. I know this world isn't perfect, and I don't expect films to depict it as perfect. But this time Spielburg went overboard, overwhelming the story w/his 'grittyiness' and giving us a mudbath instead of a thoughtful and entertaining examination of 'justice' in the future. Don't waste your time or money.