I watched the movie Rock Haven last night. As with a lot of movies, it provoked many thoughts that I wanted to share. So first, a plot summary.
Brady is a devout Christian who has moved with his mother from Kansas to Rock Haven, California. Soon after arriving, he sees a boy and is instantly attracted to him. He later discovers that the boy is Clifford, the son of his next door neighbor. Clifford and Brady quickly become friends and hang out together. Brady is obviously uncomfortable around girls, so Clifford teaches him some moves that may help him out. During one such session, Clifford feels Brady's crotch and Brady jumps away and Clifford tease him that he is aroused. Brady avoids Clifford for a while, but then starts hanging out with him again. A little while later, Clifford kisses him and Brady flees. He later confronts Clifford about the fact that he is gay and the two of them avoid each other.
In the meantime, Brady is being set up by his mother with Peggy, a Christian girl who realizes that Brady is gay. When Brady and Clifford are on the outs, Peggy asks him if he has boy troubles which Brady angrily denies. Eventually, Brady goes back to see Clifford and the two of them start kissing. Brady flees, confused by what is happening to him and torn between his religious beliefs and his strong feelings. He decides to go with his feelings and eventually sleeps with Clifford.
Brady's mom know something is wrong, but can't figure out what it is. The night that Clifford and Brady sleep together, Brady had told her that he was being driven to a church sleepover by Peggy. When he gets back the next day, she tells him that Peggy was in a car accident and confront him about what is happening. He tells her that he is gay and she flips out and pressures him into breaking up with Clifford. She also gets Brady to go to a camp to "fix" him. Clifford is heartbroken and goes to join his dad in Barcelona, but not before before asking Brady to reconsider. Brady says he can't, but then goes home to his mother and tells her that he won't go to the camp. She insists that he is making the biggest mistake of his life and he says that he already did. He tells her that he knows she won't agree with him, but asks for her love to which she responds that he is always her son. He forgives her for what has happened that then hugs her as she weeps in her arms. The movie ends with him saying that the pain never ended, but he has never been closer to God.
Ok, so now for my thoughts. As a faithful reader of my blogs, you should know that this is a struggle I have lived with for a long time. Even though I have more or less come to terms with everything, it is not a struggle that goes away. But, eventually, it becomes much the same as losing a parent, something that is always there, but not as much of an issue.
What I mainly want to talk about are Christians and how they treat others. In the movie, Brady quotes the normal verse from Leviticus about not lying with men as you lie with women, which is pretty much the standard Bible verse any conservative Christian is going to bring up when the topic of homosexuality comes up. What I always find amazing is how few conservative Christians seem to look at the rest of the Bible.
For a long time now (since I was in college), whenever I read the Bible, I am struck at how it is infused with the notion of God's Love. Read I Corinthians Chapter 13 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians+13&version=NIV) and see what St. Paul says about love. Read the various parables that Jesus tells about loving neighbors (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2010:25-37&version=NIV as one example). Look at the Gospel of John Chapter 3 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:1-21&version=NIV). Read what Jesus said about the Greatest Commandments (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2022:36-40&version=NIV). Or look up one of the many other examples of the Bible talking about God's overwhelming love for us. The Bible is a love story between us and God. It is about His Love for us and how we should love one another.
What I find sad is that so many people who call themselves Christians ignore this basic duty. Now, I do want to say that loving someone does not mean that you agree with everything they do and/or say. I can disagree with you and still love you. Many people confuse the two and think that disagreeing with something means you do not love them, therefore equating love with support of particular issues. Sometimes, love is disagreeing when someone is doing something wrong. However, how you express yourself shows your love (or lack thereof). Talking about how "God hates fags!" or about how all homosexuals are condemned to Hell because they are homosexual is not love.
Which leads me to another point that Rock Haven illustrated beautifully. Being homosexual is not a choice. God created each and every one of us. Being homosexual or heterosexual is a part of who each one of us is. Therefore, your orientation is not sinful and is also beautiful. God does not create mistakes. He loves each of us and would not condemn us to Hell for something that is a part of how He made us. Now, there is the issue of acting on those feelings, which is entirely different and within our control. Everyone must choose how to live their own lives and then answer for those choices, one way or another.
As Christians, we are called to be love and to show that love to the world. In doing so, we help others to see God as He is, Love incarnate. So, go out and show love. Be love. Radiate love.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
On why I like certain movies....
If you look at my DVD/Blu-Ray collection or the movies I watch, you'll notice that there are many romances or teen movies. Alot of people wonder why I like movies like these. After all, aren't they "formulaic", "boring", "predictable", or "not acted well"? Watching a couple of movies like this yesterday, I felt moved (maybe inspired is a better term!) to explain why, so here it is.
I first want to acknowledge that these sorts of movies are formulaic and therefore predictable. And I am totally cool with that. The main reason I watch movies or TV is because I want to experience someone else's life (i.e. escapism [well, sort of]). Consequently, I honestly don't care about watching all original stories. Sure, I like some movies like Inception that require immense amounts of thinking and interpreting, but for the most part, I want a movie that I can just relax and watch. Teen movies and romances fill this little niche perfectly.
Also, I love that these movies aspire to bring forth the innocence in the watcher. When we were children, we believed that true love existed if you looked, that good always triumphed over evil, and that things would turn out right if you worked and believed. As adults, we lose this sense of innocence and wonder. It can be a good thing to lose, but sometimes I know that I just want it back. I still believe in true love, that there is one person out there somewhere for each of us. But sometimes when the world is pressing down on you and everything looks like crap, I just need to be reminded of these feelings. I need to be reminded that hope does exist, that love is out there, and that things can and do get better (somehow).
As I have mentioned before, I am a romantic (see above!). I like sentimentality, I like watching someone fall in love, and I like watching people transform themselves into a better person because of love. Most of my favorite romances are the romances where a bad boy (or girl) transforms themselves into a good person for the sake of love. Pacey from Dawson's Creek, Nathan from One Tree Hill, and Landon from A Walk to Remember are three of my favorites, although I could mention several more. There is a something special about believing the transformative power of love. While I can't define it, I just know that believing in how love can transform you makes me feel better about myself and life.
So, I enjoy these movies. Whether it is trying to escape my life into a movie about someone else, the uplifting transformative power of love, or just a sense of romance, I really enjoy them.
So there you have it. :-)
I first want to acknowledge that these sorts of movies are formulaic and therefore predictable. And I am totally cool with that. The main reason I watch movies or TV is because I want to experience someone else's life (i.e. escapism [well, sort of]). Consequently, I honestly don't care about watching all original stories. Sure, I like some movies like Inception that require immense amounts of thinking and interpreting, but for the most part, I want a movie that I can just relax and watch. Teen movies and romances fill this little niche perfectly.
Also, I love that these movies aspire to bring forth the innocence in the watcher. When we were children, we believed that true love existed if you looked, that good always triumphed over evil, and that things would turn out right if you worked and believed. As adults, we lose this sense of innocence and wonder. It can be a good thing to lose, but sometimes I know that I just want it back. I still believe in true love, that there is one person out there somewhere for each of us. But sometimes when the world is pressing down on you and everything looks like crap, I just need to be reminded of these feelings. I need to be reminded that hope does exist, that love is out there, and that things can and do get better (somehow).
As I have mentioned before, I am a romantic (see above!). I like sentimentality, I like watching someone fall in love, and I like watching people transform themselves into a better person because of love. Most of my favorite romances are the romances where a bad boy (or girl) transforms themselves into a good person for the sake of love. Pacey from Dawson's Creek, Nathan from One Tree Hill, and Landon from A Walk to Remember are three of my favorites, although I could mention several more. There is a something special about believing the transformative power of love. While I can't define it, I just know that believing in how love can transform you makes me feel better about myself and life.
So, I enjoy these movies. Whether it is trying to escape my life into a movie about someone else, the uplifting transformative power of love, or just a sense of romance, I really enjoy them.
So there you have it. :-)
Monday, August 27, 2012
Further Thoughts on Prayers for Bobby
After I wrote my post yesterday, I had some more thoughts related to the movie that I wanted to share. You see, as I said yesterday, the movie is all about acceptance. Both acceptance of yourself and acceptance by others. If either one is missing, then problems can definitely commence. In the movie, Bobby felt that he had no one he could talk to about his problems. He saw the guy he liked with another guy and his mom wouldn't talk to him. He felt that his immediate family didn't love him anymore and I am not sure why he didn't think about his cousin. So he got trapped in a spiral of despair.
For some kids today, this is still the case. People make fun of those who are different. For many, if you do not fit into the gender roles dictated for you by society, you are a "fag", "dyke", "queer", etc. Some families refuse to accept those who don't follow the dictates of their religion or ideas. Couple this with the increasing personal isolation of the Internet age, and you have people who have trouble coping and finding their place, even as the world as a whole, grows increasingly accepting of those who are LGBT.
Now, I know this sounds like a PSA, and in a manner of speaking it is. The thing about PSAs is that they are needed for a reason. Right now, there are probably people who are contemplating suicide because of how they are treated by others. I also know that my blog is not exactly wide read, but if I can help even one person, that is good. I just wanted to call attention to the Trevor Hotline.
The Trevor Hotline is a hotline set up for LGBT youth and teens who feel like they have no one, kids like Bobby. If you happen to be reading this and know of a teen who needs help, point them to the Project please. No one should kill themselves because of who they are or because they feel unloved. There is always someone out there for you, you just have to find them.
Go to: http://www.trevorproject.org or call 866-488-7386. Please. Pass this message along. Save a life. Because all life is sacred and all life deserves to be lived.
Thank you.
For some kids today, this is still the case. People make fun of those who are different. For many, if you do not fit into the gender roles dictated for you by society, you are a "fag", "dyke", "queer", etc. Some families refuse to accept those who don't follow the dictates of their religion or ideas. Couple this with the increasing personal isolation of the Internet age, and you have people who have trouble coping and finding their place, even as the world as a whole, grows increasingly accepting of those who are LGBT.
Now, I know this sounds like a PSA, and in a manner of speaking it is. The thing about PSAs is that they are needed for a reason. Right now, there are probably people who are contemplating suicide because of how they are treated by others. I also know that my blog is not exactly wide read, but if I can help even one person, that is good. I just wanted to call attention to the Trevor Hotline.
The Trevor Hotline is a hotline set up for LGBT youth and teens who feel like they have no one, kids like Bobby. If you happen to be reading this and know of a teen who needs help, point them to the Project please. No one should kill themselves because of who they are or because they feel unloved. There is always someone out there for you, you just have to find them.
Go to: http://www.trevorproject.org or call 866-488-7386. Please. Pass this message along. Save a life. Because all life is sacred and all life deserves to be lived.
Thank you.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Prayers for Bobby
I know that alot of my movie reviews have to do with movies about gays and lesbians and I know that sometime I might seem obsessed with the subject, but I also know that I can only write about that which touches me deeply and this topic always does. Before I get to the part about me (because that is always part of any review), let's talk about the movie.
Prayers for Bobby is a movie about a mother's journey of acceptance in the early 1980s. Sigourney Weaver plays Mary Griffith whose son Bobby (Ryan Kelley) is the perfect son. Everyone loves him and he can seemingly do no wrong. Then one day, he contemplates committing suicide because he knows he is gay and thinks his family won't accept him. He tells his brother (Austin Nichols) who promises to say nothing, only to tell their mom and dad (Henry Czerny). Mary is a fundamentalist Christian and tries to cure Bobby and pushes him to go out with girls. Over time, their relationship becomes strained because Bobby realizes that he cannot change but lies to his mom because he craves her approval. During a visit to his cousin in Portland, he meets a guy, David. When he goes home, he tells his parents about him only to have his mom tell him that she has no gay son. He leaves for Portland with his mother's condemnation ringing in his ears. He ultimately commits suicide after seeing David hanging out with another man. Mary struggles greatly with Bobby's suicide and after finding a bookmark for a church in Bobby's journal, she meets with the pastor of the inclusive church. They have a couple of confrontations as she seeks answers and he encourages her to go to a PFLAG meeting. She does, and while there, realizes that she always knew Bobby was gay. When a proposition comes before her city council to recognize Gay Day and people are jeering at those who support the proposition, she tells her story. The proposition loses, but this event helps her to reconnect with her family by pulling her out of her grief. The film ends with the family going to a gay pride march and Mary finding a young man much like Bobby and hugging him to let him know that he is loved.
I know, it really is pretty much a boiler plate and formulaic drama. But, that's ok. I have read reviews of people who say that the movie was pretty much a waste and it should have explored the inner struggles more; but if you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered, then you don't need the inner struggles explored. While not everyone goes through the struggle to the degree that Bobby did, everyone I have ever met who is LGBT has gone through it. The fear of not being loved. The wondering if you will be accepted. The times when you just want it all to end because it seems like too much.
Another complaint I have read was that the mother's questioning seems too simplistic. But again, this questioning seemed very realistic to me. When I came out to my mom, she asked me all the same questions. She asked if I was sure, if she did something wrong, and if I wanted to be cured. Ultimately, I knew that my mom loved and accepted me for who I am. I am not saying that she would agree with all the choices I have made in my life, but she would still love me. That I am sure of.
For me, I know that my struggle lies in wondering if I will ever find someone else to share my life with. Regardless of how I may appear sometimes, I am a very, very shy person. I do not like going out and that makes it very hard to meet people. Also, I am fat and in much of the gay community, that is a sin of the highest degree. A few years ago, I found a guy I really, really liked. It took me almost 3 years to get myself to the point where I could ask him out. By the time I did, I found out that he was moving to Florida because he met someone down there. So once again, I find myself alone. I want to meet someone. I want to find a husband. I want to have kids and a family. I want to not be alone and pathetic. But I always wonder and worry that I will be.
My other struggle lies in knowing who to tell. You see, I work with kids as a tutor. And while I know that I would never, ever hurt a kid, not everyone would think that. There are people out there who would want me to not work with kids because I am gay and might molest them. Never mind the idea that molesting or hurting a child in any way is so incredibly repugnant to me. Children are meant to be loved and protected, not hurt or damaged. One of my missions as a tutor is to show children that they are loved and accepted regardless of any mistakes they may make.
Anyways, I know I've said alot and I hope it was all comprehensible. Seeing as this is a review, I want to end by saying that I think that everyone should see this movie. Sentimental? Yes. But truthful and powerful all the same.
Love to all.
Prayers for Bobby is a movie about a mother's journey of acceptance in the early 1980s. Sigourney Weaver plays Mary Griffith whose son Bobby (Ryan Kelley) is the perfect son. Everyone loves him and he can seemingly do no wrong. Then one day, he contemplates committing suicide because he knows he is gay and thinks his family won't accept him. He tells his brother (Austin Nichols) who promises to say nothing, only to tell their mom and dad (Henry Czerny). Mary is a fundamentalist Christian and tries to cure Bobby and pushes him to go out with girls. Over time, their relationship becomes strained because Bobby realizes that he cannot change but lies to his mom because he craves her approval. During a visit to his cousin in Portland, he meets a guy, David. When he goes home, he tells his parents about him only to have his mom tell him that she has no gay son. He leaves for Portland with his mother's condemnation ringing in his ears. He ultimately commits suicide after seeing David hanging out with another man. Mary struggles greatly with Bobby's suicide and after finding a bookmark for a church in Bobby's journal, she meets with the pastor of the inclusive church. They have a couple of confrontations as she seeks answers and he encourages her to go to a PFLAG meeting. She does, and while there, realizes that she always knew Bobby was gay. When a proposition comes before her city council to recognize Gay Day and people are jeering at those who support the proposition, she tells her story. The proposition loses, but this event helps her to reconnect with her family by pulling her out of her grief. The film ends with the family going to a gay pride march and Mary finding a young man much like Bobby and hugging him to let him know that he is loved.
I know, it really is pretty much a boiler plate and formulaic drama. But, that's ok. I have read reviews of people who say that the movie was pretty much a waste and it should have explored the inner struggles more; but if you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered, then you don't need the inner struggles explored. While not everyone goes through the struggle to the degree that Bobby did, everyone I have ever met who is LGBT has gone through it. The fear of not being loved. The wondering if you will be accepted. The times when you just want it all to end because it seems like too much.
Another complaint I have read was that the mother's questioning seems too simplistic. But again, this questioning seemed very realistic to me. When I came out to my mom, she asked me all the same questions. She asked if I was sure, if she did something wrong, and if I wanted to be cured. Ultimately, I knew that my mom loved and accepted me for who I am. I am not saying that she would agree with all the choices I have made in my life, but she would still love me. That I am sure of.
For me, I know that my struggle lies in wondering if I will ever find someone else to share my life with. Regardless of how I may appear sometimes, I am a very, very shy person. I do not like going out and that makes it very hard to meet people. Also, I am fat and in much of the gay community, that is a sin of the highest degree. A few years ago, I found a guy I really, really liked. It took me almost 3 years to get myself to the point where I could ask him out. By the time I did, I found out that he was moving to Florida because he met someone down there. So once again, I find myself alone. I want to meet someone. I want to find a husband. I want to have kids and a family. I want to not be alone and pathetic. But I always wonder and worry that I will be.
My other struggle lies in knowing who to tell. You see, I work with kids as a tutor. And while I know that I would never, ever hurt a kid, not everyone would think that. There are people out there who would want me to not work with kids because I am gay and might molest them. Never mind the idea that molesting or hurting a child in any way is so incredibly repugnant to me. Children are meant to be loved and protected, not hurt or damaged. One of my missions as a tutor is to show children that they are loved and accepted regardless of any mistakes they may make.
Anyways, I know I've said alot and I hope it was all comprehensible. Seeing as this is a review, I want to end by saying that I think that everyone should see this movie. Sentimental? Yes. But truthful and powerful all the same.
Love to all.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Some thoughts about enjoying movies
If you have ever talked with me about movies or TV shows, you know that I have very eclectic taste in what I do and do not like. Check out my listing of shows for the fall from my tv blog (http://bab5guy-tvreviews.blogspot.com; May, I think) and see what I mean. What always seems to amaze me is how I can enjoy movies when alot of other people I know don't enjoy them. For example, I loved the Star Wars prequels. I enjoyed watching the evolution of Anakin from innocent kid to Jedi to Dark Lord of the Sith as he was corrupted by the Emperor. I felt how his love of others and his compassion allowed him to be twisted by the Emperor. But alot of people say that they couldn't get anything from the performances of Jake Lloyd and Hayden Christensen. There are many other instances of similar experiences and I have tried to figure out why. Talking with someone Tuesday night while waiting in the lobby of the theatre for Spider-Man, I think I have an idea.
First off, I always try to go into a movie to enjoy it for what it is. It seems to me that too many people try to analyze every movie. Take each movie for what it is and enjoy it. Some movies are meant to be analyzed and dissected (see Inception), other movies are just fluffy fun and need to be taken as such (see G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra), and other movies lie somewhere in between. I think if everyone just let themselves get swept up in the magic of the movies and just enjoyed what they saw, people might appreciate the movies more.
Second, be careful with expectations. Don't get me wrong, sometimes I have expectations. For example, when I heard that X-Men: The Last Stand had the Phoenix in it, I was super excited. While I never read the comics, I loved the X-Men cartoon and the Phoenix and Dark Phoenix Sagas were my favorite episodes. So I was severely disappointed at how the Phoenix was treated in the movie. Likewise, with movies adapted from books, there are going to be expectations based on the content of the books. But also realize that when a book is adapted to a movie, there is going to be a certain amount of loss. Plots generally have to be changed, characters may have to be taken out or changed, etc. Now, I do want to say that not all changes are good. If a movie betrays the source material and changes too much, it ends up sucking big time (see The Firm for what I consider a classic example). Just go into the movie knowing that and ask yourself afterwards if the change was necessary. If it was and it either enhanced the plot or kept it status quo, then don't sweat it.
Third, everyone needs to stop being so damn cynical. I cannot say how many times I have heard people complain about a movie coming out in 3D only because they can make more money. Well, of course that is a big part of it! Companies exist to make money and provide goods and/or services that people will buy. If they can do something legitimately that will make them more money than do be it! If you don't want to pay the money, don't see the movie in 3D. Easy solution.
Just some thoughts I had. Do you have any?
First off, I always try to go into a movie to enjoy it for what it is. It seems to me that too many people try to analyze every movie. Take each movie for what it is and enjoy it. Some movies are meant to be analyzed and dissected (see Inception), other movies are just fluffy fun and need to be taken as such (see G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra), and other movies lie somewhere in between. I think if everyone just let themselves get swept up in the magic of the movies and just enjoyed what they saw, people might appreciate the movies more.
Second, be careful with expectations. Don't get me wrong, sometimes I have expectations. For example, when I heard that X-Men: The Last Stand had the Phoenix in it, I was super excited. While I never read the comics, I loved the X-Men cartoon and the Phoenix and Dark Phoenix Sagas were my favorite episodes. So I was severely disappointed at how the Phoenix was treated in the movie. Likewise, with movies adapted from books, there are going to be expectations based on the content of the books. But also realize that when a book is adapted to a movie, there is going to be a certain amount of loss. Plots generally have to be changed, characters may have to be taken out or changed, etc. Now, I do want to say that not all changes are good. If a movie betrays the source material and changes too much, it ends up sucking big time (see The Firm for what I consider a classic example). Just go into the movie knowing that and ask yourself afterwards if the change was necessary. If it was and it either enhanced the plot or kept it status quo, then don't sweat it.
Third, everyone needs to stop being so damn cynical. I cannot say how many times I have heard people complain about a movie coming out in 3D only because they can make more money. Well, of course that is a big part of it! Companies exist to make money and provide goods and/or services that people will buy. If they can do something legitimately that will make them more money than do be it! If you don't want to pay the money, don't see the movie in 3D. Easy solution.
Just some thoughts I had. Do you have any?
The Amazing Spider-Man
Got to see The Amazing Spider-Man Tuesday night and I loved it. I liked the Tobey Maguire versions (1 and 2 were great, 3 was meh) just fine, but Andrew Garfield blew Tobey Maguire out of the water. Tobey played a more angst-ridden, brooding, moody teenager version of Spider-Man whereas Andrew played a sarcastic, smartass outsider Spider-Man and I think this was much better. He was broody when needed, but he also had Peter having alot more fun when he discovered his abilities. And his chemistry with Emma Stone (who plays Gwen Stacy) was nothing to sneeze at. The two of them made the romantic scenes sizzle seemingly effortlessly.
I think the tone I mentioned above made a big difference in the movie. Having a more sarcastic version of Peter Parker/Spider-Man just made the whole movie alot more fun. For example, in one scene while chasing down a supposed car thief, Garfield serves up several zippy one-liners and then proceeds to use his web to tie the thief to the wall while continuing his little commentary. He was obviously having a great deal of fun, and that made the whole experience alot better. Basically, take the outsider who throws quips and one-liners out extensively when they are being beaten, and that is Peter Parker. Quite nifty.
Don't want to say too much, because I don't want to spoil anyone, but I would highly reccomend giving this movie a shot. If you didn't like Tobey Maguire's take on Spider-Man, I think you'll find this a refreshing change and alot of fun. If you see it, please let me know what you thought.
Thanks!
I think the tone I mentioned above made a big difference in the movie. Having a more sarcastic version of Peter Parker/Spider-Man just made the whole movie alot more fun. For example, in one scene while chasing down a supposed car thief, Garfield serves up several zippy one-liners and then proceeds to use his web to tie the thief to the wall while continuing his little commentary. He was obviously having a great deal of fun, and that made the whole experience alot better. Basically, take the outsider who throws quips and one-liners out extensively when they are being beaten, and that is Peter Parker. Quite nifty.
Don't want to say too much, because I don't want to spoil anyone, but I would highly reccomend giving this movie a shot. If you didn't like Tobey Maguire's take on Spider-Man, I think you'll find this a refreshing change and alot of fun. If you see it, please let me know what you thought.
Thanks!
Sunday, June 17, 2012
To Save A Life
This movie is a great movie that has a wonderful message. Rather than doing a synopsis myself, I will link to the Wikipedia page about the movie (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_save_a_life) so you can read that yourself. I will *BRIEFLY* summarize the themes, just to give some background for the rest of this post.
The movie is about a high school senior (Jake, played by Randy Wayne) whose former best friend (Roger) kills himself right in front of him. This sends Jake on a search for meaning that ultimately saves many other lives and brings him to church. It is about the meaning of life, how to treat others, and overcoming obstacles. (Hows that for brief!)
This movie really touched me because I could really relate to several of the characters. Up until college, I was bullied, picked on, excluded from things, and somewhat friendless. Granted, some of this was my own doing, but in school not much of it was. Like Roger, I had a friend in middle school who turned his back on me in high school because I wasn't cool enough. Trying to survive high school can be hard enough, but when you are more or less alone, it is even harder. So, if you are reading this and are in high school, think before you act or speak. I know that is almost a truism at this point, but it is really true. Like Jake, I have been searching for meaning in life, still am (like most people probably). Things in life don't always make sense, and they can be hard to grasp. Religion can help with that if you let it. But, you have to accept that religion doesn't give you all the answers. I really want to address these two points in some detail below.
First, bullying. I know I didn't have it as bad as some other people do. I wasn't beaten up every day, but I was picked on a lot. In fact, one parent told my mom something to the effect of the fact that I deserved it in order to be toughened up. When you are picked on or bullied a lot, it makes it very hard to trust people or to form solid friendships. After all, when you spend your whole school life learning that people don't like you or that they'll pick on you, why form friendships at all? And that is the real tragedy. Humans are social animals, we need to form relationships to remain whole and grounded. Having even one solid friend can make all of the difference. Having that one person to talk with, confide in, and share problems with can give you a sense of belonging that makes it less likely that you'll do something drastic. Ok, generally. If you pick the wrong friend, they can exacerbate the situation, but that is outside the scope of what I am dealing with here. So take the time to get to know people and try and welcome differences. We all give great lip service to respecting differences, but do we act on those words? And don't just befriend someone just to do it, do it to get to know them, to care about them, and to let them know that they are loved by someone.
Second, religion. Religion and religious people get a lot of bad press, some of it deservedly so, some of it not so much. There is a line in the movie that people don't like to go to church because it's boring, full of hypocrites, and judgmental. Unfortunately, to an extent, that is true. But, separate the religion from the practitioners of that religion. All religions are made up of people and people are imperfect and flawed. The movie had a character who went to church and youth group, but still smoked pot, manipulated people, and did things to get others in trouble. Not a good example. Unfortunately, these are the people who tend to stick out in the minds of the public. The public doesn't tend to think of the people who are doing what is right, helping others, and showing true love and charity. That is what Christianity is about. Now, sometimes this true love and charity does require some judging, but the judging needs to be charitable, not judgmental. When someone is being told they are doing something they should not be doing, it should be in a loving manner, not a manner that tells them that they are not as good as others. "Love the sinner, hate the sin" is the best summation of this you will find. Also, religion requires faith. Faith that things happen for a reason and that anything can be turned to good. Faith that even when things are going to hell in a handbasket, God is there for you to love you and help you. Is this easy? No. It never is, but it is crucial. Faith manages. Anyone can believe in the easy times, but in the hard times, only faith will see you through. Another truism, but a solid one.
This movie is definitely one of my favorite movies. It does not have a lot of action, the best acting, or even the most original plot, but its themes and the lessons it teaches are invaluable.
The movie is about a high school senior (Jake, played by Randy Wayne) whose former best friend (Roger) kills himself right in front of him. This sends Jake on a search for meaning that ultimately saves many other lives and brings him to church. It is about the meaning of life, how to treat others, and overcoming obstacles. (Hows that for brief!)
This movie really touched me because I could really relate to several of the characters. Up until college, I was bullied, picked on, excluded from things, and somewhat friendless. Granted, some of this was my own doing, but in school not much of it was. Like Roger, I had a friend in middle school who turned his back on me in high school because I wasn't cool enough. Trying to survive high school can be hard enough, but when you are more or less alone, it is even harder. So, if you are reading this and are in high school, think before you act or speak. I know that is almost a truism at this point, but it is really true. Like Jake, I have been searching for meaning in life, still am (like most people probably). Things in life don't always make sense, and they can be hard to grasp. Religion can help with that if you let it. But, you have to accept that religion doesn't give you all the answers. I really want to address these two points in some detail below.
First, bullying. I know I didn't have it as bad as some other people do. I wasn't beaten up every day, but I was picked on a lot. In fact, one parent told my mom something to the effect of the fact that I deserved it in order to be toughened up. When you are picked on or bullied a lot, it makes it very hard to trust people or to form solid friendships. After all, when you spend your whole school life learning that people don't like you or that they'll pick on you, why form friendships at all? And that is the real tragedy. Humans are social animals, we need to form relationships to remain whole and grounded. Having even one solid friend can make all of the difference. Having that one person to talk with, confide in, and share problems with can give you a sense of belonging that makes it less likely that you'll do something drastic. Ok, generally. If you pick the wrong friend, they can exacerbate the situation, but that is outside the scope of what I am dealing with here. So take the time to get to know people and try and welcome differences. We all give great lip service to respecting differences, but do we act on those words? And don't just befriend someone just to do it, do it to get to know them, to care about them, and to let them know that they are loved by someone.
Second, religion. Religion and religious people get a lot of bad press, some of it deservedly so, some of it not so much. There is a line in the movie that people don't like to go to church because it's boring, full of hypocrites, and judgmental. Unfortunately, to an extent, that is true. But, separate the religion from the practitioners of that religion. All religions are made up of people and people are imperfect and flawed. The movie had a character who went to church and youth group, but still smoked pot, manipulated people, and did things to get others in trouble. Not a good example. Unfortunately, these are the people who tend to stick out in the minds of the public. The public doesn't tend to think of the people who are doing what is right, helping others, and showing true love and charity. That is what Christianity is about. Now, sometimes this true love and charity does require some judging, but the judging needs to be charitable, not judgmental. When someone is being told they are doing something they should not be doing, it should be in a loving manner, not a manner that tells them that they are not as good as others. "Love the sinner, hate the sin" is the best summation of this you will find. Also, religion requires faith. Faith that things happen for a reason and that anything can be turned to good. Faith that even when things are going to hell in a handbasket, God is there for you to love you and help you. Is this easy? No. It never is, but it is crucial. Faith manages. Anyone can believe in the easy times, but in the hard times, only faith will see you through. Another truism, but a solid one.
This movie is definitely one of my favorite movies. It does not have a lot of action, the best acting, or even the most original plot, but its themes and the lessons it teaches are invaluable.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
The Hunger Games
I got to see the Hunger Games last night and the movie was awesome. I would definitely say that it is a nearly perfect adaptation of the book. Sure, there were differences, but none were substantive. Each change seemed to eliminate something that was unimportant in the long run while replacing it with a scene that allowed the emotion or thought to remain. And the less said about the whole racial controversy the better....
For those who have been living under a stone and don't know about the books, here is a quick synopsis.
At an unmentioned point in the future, North America has been divided into 12 sectors and a capitol. There used to be 13 sectors, but there was a rebellion and the 13th Sector was destroyed. The capitol then forced each of the other 12 Sectors to send 2 tributes; a boy and a girl; to the capitol each year to participate in the Hunger Games. The tributes would fight and hunt each other until there was only one left. Katniss Everdeen is the eldest child in a one parent household (her dad died in a mining accident) and on Reaping Day (the day tributes are chosen) her younger sister is chosen to be a tribute. Katniss volunteers and heads off to the capitol with Peeta (the baker's son) to enter the Hunger Games.
Won't go any further than that because don't want to ruin the rest. :-)
What I love about the books is that they are multi-layered. They can be read as fiction, but also act as a commentary on our times. The Hunger Games are broadcast for all of Panem to see and there are camera everywhere (reality tv and voyeurism). The weak and poor are exploited by the strong and rich (need I say anything else?). The participants in the Hunger Games (well some of them anyways) revel in the opportunity to kill others. While our culture does not revel in literal bloodiness, we have made an art out of the figurative form via the internet and our politics.
The movie does not emphasize these themes as strongly as the books, but they are definitely present and have an impact on our characters. Also, by going to see the movie, in a weird way, you are participating in the voyeurism that the movie/book is criticizing. Just an interesting thought there.
If you haven't read the books, I give them my highest reccomendation. I could not put them down once I started. Also, go see the movie and then give it some deep thoughts. It is worth the time.
For those who have been living under a stone and don't know about the books, here is a quick synopsis.
At an unmentioned point in the future, North America has been divided into 12 sectors and a capitol. There used to be 13 sectors, but there was a rebellion and the 13th Sector was destroyed. The capitol then forced each of the other 12 Sectors to send 2 tributes; a boy and a girl; to the capitol each year to participate in the Hunger Games. The tributes would fight and hunt each other until there was only one left. Katniss Everdeen is the eldest child in a one parent household (her dad died in a mining accident) and on Reaping Day (the day tributes are chosen) her younger sister is chosen to be a tribute. Katniss volunteers and heads off to the capitol with Peeta (the baker's son) to enter the Hunger Games.
Won't go any further than that because don't want to ruin the rest. :-)
What I love about the books is that they are multi-layered. They can be read as fiction, but also act as a commentary on our times. The Hunger Games are broadcast for all of Panem to see and there are camera everywhere (reality tv and voyeurism). The weak and poor are exploited by the strong and rich (need I say anything else?). The participants in the Hunger Games (well some of them anyways) revel in the opportunity to kill others. While our culture does not revel in literal bloodiness, we have made an art out of the figurative form via the internet and our politics.
The movie does not emphasize these themes as strongly as the books, but they are definitely present and have an impact on our characters. Also, by going to see the movie, in a weird way, you are participating in the voyeurism that the movie/book is criticizing. Just an interesting thought there.
If you haven't read the books, I give them my highest reccomendation. I could not put them down once I started. Also, go see the movie and then give it some deep thoughts. It is worth the time.
Monday, April 9, 2012
The War Boys
I watched a movie yesterday that was, frankly, much better than I was expecting. It was called The War Boys and starred Brian J. Smith (from Stargate Universe and Gossip Girl) and Peter Gallagher (The O.C.). Reviews I had read said that it was an awful movie with bad acting, a bad story, etc. It was definitely a low budget indie film, but was actually pretty good up until the end. I will get to that in a minute.
The movie is about three friends (David, George, and Greg) who have been friends for a long time. They call themselves "the war boys" and they live in a town by the Texas/Mexico border. They often spend nights by the border chasing illegals back into Mexico. David is back home from Duke University after he was suspended for stripping in class and then staying naked for several classes. George and Greg both live in the town and work at menial jobs. David's father owns a shipping company and feels that George and Greg are not good enough for his son, who he wants to get out of the town to make himself better. David, however, does not want to leave the town and he and his dad have a fight. His dad lets it slip that he smuggles TVs into Texas and David decides to steal a truck along with his friends. So, when the driver gets out of the truck, they sneak in a drive away with it. They leave the truck in the desert while they look for how to move the TVs. David's father is upset about the loss and thugs come around looking for whoever took the truck. The boys realize that something is up and decided to get rid of a few of the TVs and then give back the rest. They, along with Greg's lover; Marta; (does having sex one time make you someone's lover?), open the truck and discover several dead bodies. Turns out David's dad was smuggling people as well. Marta goes to David's dad and tells him what happens while the boys are by the truck freaking out. David's dad comes and so does the border patrol. David gets a gun and aims it at his dad and is shot. Greg picks up the gun and aims it only to have George's younger adopted sister, persuade him to put it down. The movie ends with David shot and lying in George's arms while George is screaming for help.
While all this is happening, there are two romantice subplots. One is with Greg and Marta and the other is David and George. Greg has wanted Marta for some time, asks her out, and after a couple of false starts loses his virginity to her. David and George; after several homoerotic scenes; end up admitting that they love each other (hence George screaming for help at the end of the movie). Somewhat surprisingly, David's dad is fine with David being gay, he just doesn't think that George is good enough for him.
My problem with the end of the movie is that it doesn't resolve anything. I don't mind unresolved plots per se (I love Inception), but I think that the unresolved/ambiguous ending should be used sparingly and only in certain circumstances. I am not looking for a Hollywood happy ending, just some resolution. Did David survive? Were the boys arrested? Was David's dad arrested? Do David and George stay together? Do Greg and Marta stay together? Does the maid burn down David's house (her nephews were in the truck)? The movie was only 92 minutes. If they had added an extra 10-15 minutes, they could have answered these questions. Or even a 2-3 minute montage at the end would have been nice.
Thoughts?
The movie is about three friends (David, George, and Greg) who have been friends for a long time. They call themselves "the war boys" and they live in a town by the Texas/Mexico border. They often spend nights by the border chasing illegals back into Mexico. David is back home from Duke University after he was suspended for stripping in class and then staying naked for several classes. George and Greg both live in the town and work at menial jobs. David's father owns a shipping company and feels that George and Greg are not good enough for his son, who he wants to get out of the town to make himself better. David, however, does not want to leave the town and he and his dad have a fight. His dad lets it slip that he smuggles TVs into Texas and David decides to steal a truck along with his friends. So, when the driver gets out of the truck, they sneak in a drive away with it. They leave the truck in the desert while they look for how to move the TVs. David's father is upset about the loss and thugs come around looking for whoever took the truck. The boys realize that something is up and decided to get rid of a few of the TVs and then give back the rest. They, along with Greg's lover; Marta; (does having sex one time make you someone's lover?), open the truck and discover several dead bodies. Turns out David's dad was smuggling people as well. Marta goes to David's dad and tells him what happens while the boys are by the truck freaking out. David's dad comes and so does the border patrol. David gets a gun and aims it at his dad and is shot. Greg picks up the gun and aims it only to have George's younger adopted sister, persuade him to put it down. The movie ends with David shot and lying in George's arms while George is screaming for help.
While all this is happening, there are two romantice subplots. One is with Greg and Marta and the other is David and George. Greg has wanted Marta for some time, asks her out, and after a couple of false starts loses his virginity to her. David and George; after several homoerotic scenes; end up admitting that they love each other (hence George screaming for help at the end of the movie). Somewhat surprisingly, David's dad is fine with David being gay, he just doesn't think that George is good enough for him.
My problem with the end of the movie is that it doesn't resolve anything. I don't mind unresolved plots per se (I love Inception), but I think that the unresolved/ambiguous ending should be used sparingly and only in certain circumstances. I am not looking for a Hollywood happy ending, just some resolution. Did David survive? Were the boys arrested? Was David's dad arrested? Do David and George stay together? Do Greg and Marta stay together? Does the maid burn down David's house (her nephews were in the truck)? The movie was only 92 minutes. If they had added an extra 10-15 minutes, they could have answered these questions. Or even a 2-3 minute montage at the end would have been nice.
Thoughts?
On Charlie St. Cloud
This was written on Tuesday, March 22, 2011. Just putting it here to start my movie thoughts blog.
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On Sunday I watched a movie that can, at best, be described as aggressively mediocre, Charlie St. Cloud. It was a decent movie; especially if you like sappy, sentimental movies (which I do); but not great. Yet, there is something about it that is continuing to stick with me. I don't know what it is, and I find that a little annoying. Let me tell you about the movie.
In the movie, Charlie St. Cloud (played by Zac Efron) is a high school senior ready to graduate. Big things are expected of him. He is at the top of his class and has a sailing scholarship to Stanford. He has a younger brother Sam, who is 11, who adores him and a single mother who will move heaven and earth to ensure that he gets what he deserves. One night after graduation, he sneaks out of the house (while he is supposed to be babysitting his brother) to go to a farewell party for a friend who is going to basic training.When he starts the car, he sees Sam standing in front of him. After a minor argument, Charlie agrees to take Sam to a friends house before going to the party. At an intersection, their car is rear ended and knocked into oncoming traffic, where they are hit by a big rig. Charlie and Sam both die in the crash, but Charlie is brought back. At Sam's funeral, Charlie runs off and sees Sam in the woods. There he makes a promise to come to that spot every day at sunset in order to practice baseball (Sam was supposed to play baseball that fall).
Fast-forward to five years later. Charlie never went to Stanford and is instead the caretaker of a graveyard where he sees people who have died before they move on, including his friend whose party he was supposed to go to. He has acquired a reputation around town as a head job presumably due to talking to people no one else can see. One day while in town, he sees Tess (played by Amanda Crew) who is going to sail her boat around the world as a part of a race. She is wary of him; basically having to due with her attraction to him; but accepts some advice he give her about her boat. Before the race, she decides to take her boat out sailing to test it and sails into a storm.
The day after the storm, Charlie is doing his duties, when he sees Tess laying on her fathers grave. There is mutual flirting and they end up falling in love over the course of 3 days. As a result of this, he is late to play catch with Sam and there is a bit of a fight. Charlie ends up choosing Sam over Tess. A little bit later, he realizes that she has been missing for 3 days and that he has been seeing her because she is between life and death. As a result of this and some inspiration, he goes out with a friend and Tess' coach and rescues her. After a brief hospital stay, Charlie decides to live life again and he and Tess get together. Consequently, he lets go of Sam; who had led him to Tess; and Sam moves on.
There was very little special about the movie. The acting is decent, the story is decent, and everything else is decent. Yet, for some reason, this movie is haunting me. I know that it might just be the fact that I love a good sappy, sentimental chick flick, but somehow it seems like more. Can't really solve anything, just felt that I needed to get it out. And there we have it. :-)
------------------
On Sunday I watched a movie that can, at best, be described as aggressively mediocre, Charlie St. Cloud. It was a decent movie; especially if you like sappy, sentimental movies (which I do); but not great. Yet, there is something about it that is continuing to stick with me. I don't know what it is, and I find that a little annoying. Let me tell you about the movie.
In the movie, Charlie St. Cloud (played by Zac Efron) is a high school senior ready to graduate. Big things are expected of him. He is at the top of his class and has a sailing scholarship to Stanford. He has a younger brother Sam, who is 11, who adores him and a single mother who will move heaven and earth to ensure that he gets what he deserves. One night after graduation, he sneaks out of the house (while he is supposed to be babysitting his brother) to go to a farewell party for a friend who is going to basic training.When he starts the car, he sees Sam standing in front of him. After a minor argument, Charlie agrees to take Sam to a friends house before going to the party. At an intersection, their car is rear ended and knocked into oncoming traffic, where they are hit by a big rig. Charlie and Sam both die in the crash, but Charlie is brought back. At Sam's funeral, Charlie runs off and sees Sam in the woods. There he makes a promise to come to that spot every day at sunset in order to practice baseball (Sam was supposed to play baseball that fall).
Fast-forward to five years later. Charlie never went to Stanford and is instead the caretaker of a graveyard where he sees people who have died before they move on, including his friend whose party he was supposed to go to. He has acquired a reputation around town as a head job presumably due to talking to people no one else can see. One day while in town, he sees Tess (played by Amanda Crew) who is going to sail her boat around the world as a part of a race. She is wary of him; basically having to due with her attraction to him; but accepts some advice he give her about her boat. Before the race, she decides to take her boat out sailing to test it and sails into a storm.
The day after the storm, Charlie is doing his duties, when he sees Tess laying on her fathers grave. There is mutual flirting and they end up falling in love over the course of 3 days. As a result of this, he is late to play catch with Sam and there is a bit of a fight. Charlie ends up choosing Sam over Tess. A little bit later, he realizes that she has been missing for 3 days and that he has been seeing her because she is between life and death. As a result of this and some inspiration, he goes out with a friend and Tess' coach and rescues her. After a brief hospital stay, Charlie decides to live life again and he and Tess get together. Consequently, he lets go of Sam; who had led him to Tess; and Sam moves on.
There was very little special about the movie. The acting is decent, the story is decent, and everything else is decent. Yet, for some reason, this movie is haunting me. I know that it might just be the fact that I love a good sappy, sentimental chick flick, but somehow it seems like more. Can't really solve anything, just felt that I needed to get it out. And there we have it. :-)
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