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.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
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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