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Reviews
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
However you look at it, Mel Gibson has created a film that is grotesquely violent, powerfully moving and it is my greatest hope, not too constrained.
The Passion of the Christ
I would first like to say that I consider it a deep privilege to be at this institution writing this column and reviewing this film. The Passion of the Christ may well be one of the most important films of all time to directly deal with the Christian faith. That said, I feel really weird about judging a movie that is based on the life of a man who ardently spoke out against being judgmental. My hope is that this review will be as objective and fair as is possible coming from my worldview.
From a technical standpoint, this film is nearly perfect. The lighting, cinematography, sound and editing were as close to flawless as I have ever seen. Gibson pulled together an all-star crew that accounted for 14 past Oscar nominations and four wins (including Gibsons' for Best Director and picture on Braveheart). This level of skill and experience has been one of the main elements missing from religious films of the last half-century.
The technical achievements of this film would mean nothing without great acting, and there was plenty of it. My praise can in no way begin to do the performances justice. Jim Caveziel carries the film on his back with his extremely passionate portrait of Jesus, not to mention stand out performances from Monica Bellucci (Mary Magdalene), Hristo Shopov (Pontius Pilate), and what may well have been the best performance of the film, Maia Morgenstern as Mary. The Passion carries a very big emotional punch, but for me tears came not as much from the violence, but from the films flashbacks to earlier events from the life of Jesus. They balance the tension created from the brutal violence, but more importantly they expose the humanity of Christ and of those who loved him. The flashbacks are moving and for the most part tremendously poetic.
As much as I would like to end my review here and slap an A+ at the end and call it a day, I cannot. It would not be fair to you as a reader or honest of me. The film has one major flaw. It assumes the viewer has pre-existing knowledge of the life of Christ, and I feel that without this knowledge there is a potential to just gross out viewers and send them on their way. One thing past adaptations have done right is create a more fully developed character of Jesus. The Passion instead opted to go straight into crucifixion. With a rather low run time of only two hours (considering it is a historical epic) I would have liked to see a little more development of the character of Jesus and possibly more of an explanation of why the Sanhedrin wanted him dead.
As a Christian, this was a very powerful moving film. I was witnessing my very salvation, the sacrifice that I believe will keep me from spending eternity in hell, worked out in a more compelling way that I have ever seen. This may have been Mel Gibson's main purpose. Maybe he was not concerned with reaching out, but reminding believers. However you look at it, he has created a film that is grotesquely violent, powerfully moving and it is my greatest hope, not too constrained.
Overall Grade: A
Les triplettes de Belleville (2003)
visual smorgasbord
It will be hard to describe in one paragraph what The Triplets of Bellville actually is, much less what happens. I will try to start with basics. It is a French cartoon that does not lend itself to any of the major animated movie categories (Disney, Pixar, Anime). Its opening sequence feels like one of the original cartoons from the 20's, like say Steamboat Willie, then the animation turns into a wild impressionistic style where ordinary things are out of proportion and discolored. The story involves the Tour de France, The American Mob, an overweight dog, no understandable dialogue, and lots of frogs. To get a little bit better idea of this one, try checking out the trailer at www.apple.com/trailers/sony/thetripletsofbellville.html.
I see lots and lots of movies and it is not very often when I go into one and within ten minutes of the movie starting, know exactly where it is going and how it is going to end. In this aspect, Triplets, was quite refreshing. I was not even sure where it went after it was over. The mind boggling animation flick had elements that were magical, some that borderline disgusting, but unfortunately on the whole was pretty boring (especially considering its quaint run time of only 80 minutes). It feels like everything you are seeing on the screen is highly allegorical, but the images come so fast that your brain almost blocks off the plot. I appreciated the originality, but the visual smorgasbord that is The Triplets of Belleville ended up being overwhelming (but not in a good way, more of a `my brain hurts' way).
Overall Grade 6 out of 10
50 First Dates (2004)
Sweet story stuffed behind puke and Rob Schnieder
50 First Dates
50 First Dates marks the on screen reunion of Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler who co-starred in The Wedding Singer. In this one, Sandler plays a Hawaiian aquarium worker who has a propensity for showing single female tourists a good time during their visits. Barrymore is a local who has no short term memory. They fall in love, but with one catch, it has to happen for the first time every day.
I am somewhat split on my opinion of this one. The problem is that the story is sweet and almost compelling, but is veiled behind a combination of toilet humor, sex jokes and Rob Schneider. The only thing that got a legitimate laugh out of me was the character of Sean Astin. Both Barrymore and Sandler are in fine form and do a good job of making the love story authentic, but in my opinion cannot save this film from its far from effective juvenile comedy.
Over all grade: 5
The Weather Underground (2002)
Excellent Documentary
The Weather Underground
Documentaries became in some way the alternative cinema of choice is 2003 with the financial success of films like Bowling for Columbine, Winged Migration, and Spellbound. These films were all able to translate their Academy Award nominations into dollars at the box office. Following suit is The Weather Underground, which just picked up a nomination is the category of best documentary feature. The film retraces the story of a group of radical 60's activists who decided to become militant. They executed a series of bombings on strategic targets across the United States in an attempt to start a revolution that would overthrow the government.
It is a rare film that does not cause escape from reality, but instead forces you to take a closer look at it. The Weather Underground does just that. It is not simply a look into a radical homeland terrorist group. Through interviews with group members who have nearly 20 years between them and their heinous actions, you obtain wisdom only enclosed in hindsight. The film is very simple in its execution; no fancy editing, no dramatic re-enactments, just the story as it was. The film is a timeless example of the power of truth, no frills attached.
Overall Grade: A
Miracle (2004)
Inspirational and really good, but not great.
Miracle
The story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team is one the greatest and most inspirational chapters of American sports history. My feelings were a little mixed when I heard Disney was going to turn the story into one of their now trademark inspirational sports docudramas. However, I came out of the film very impressed with the treatment and as cliché as it sounds, I was proud to be an American. The main anchor of this film is Kurt Russell as stoic U.S coach, Herb Brooks. Russell delivers, arguably one the strongest performances of his career. The other main stronghold of the film is in its montages. The significance of the U.S. win to the country as a whole is made very evident by the use of stock news footage. One of the only problems with Miracle is that you cannot help but feel manipulated while watching it. Music comes in at just the right times and you get the mean eye from a Russian as soon as you need it. It is not one of the all time great sports movies . . . (Rocky, Hoosiers, Raging Bull) but it is really good and I would recommend checking it out this weekend.
Overall Grade B+
Gods and Generals (2003)
Great Civil War Flick
This film outlines the beginning of the Civil War from the southern viewpoint. The main focal points are the careers of Gen. Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee. The film starts with the decision of Robert E. Lee not to head the United States army, but to stay in the south. Next it proceeds to a meeting of the Virginia State legislature where they come to a decision to declare succession and put Robert E. Lee in charge of its state militia. The main battles that are chronicled are Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. The movie is a prequel to 1993 hit film Gettysburg. The filmmakers of Gods and Generals are clearly more concerned with historical accuracy than pure entertainment. Much has been made about the films running length, with is a hefty 3:49. The film even features an intermission. I thought this was a superb movie and I enjoyed my four hour plus experience at Woodhill Ten movies. The length is not really a big deal because of a well placed intermission. It's almost like watching two movies, so just think of it as getting your money's worth, and besides, the intermission experience is unique one that you will not get the chance to experience very often. I really enjoyed the performances of Robert Duvall as Robert E. Lee and Steven Lang as Gen. Stonewall Jackson. The battle scenes are a little tame compared to those of as Saving Private Ryan, The Patriot and other such late nineties war movies. The dialogue in the movie does seem a little unrealistic, but I was so engrossed with what was being said that I didn't notice the near Elizabethan language until it was pointed out to me after the movie. The theological insights that come from the mouth of Stonewall Jackson are incredibly deep in this movie. I was really impressed to hear that he stood firm in battle because of his trust in God. His pre-battle prayers were also quite inspiring.