Take 44: Not That Funny

Tuesday: My "take" on a film. 

Not That Funny (2012)

A simple story of how far a serious man will go for love.

Available on Amazon Prime and described as: A love story about a woman who "just wants someone who makes her laugh" and a man who is not that funny.

I found the film refreshing. When I reflected on it later, I realized it didn't pack a punch, it didn't have a wow-factor, it wasn't fast-paced, it wasn't a knee-slapper... so what did it have going for it? A clean story about a decent, kind, man falling in love. It's that simple. And that beautiful.

I loved the message (as the trailer states): "Sometimes we need to stop trying... and just be ourselves."

Watch the trailer here.

Notes on content:

• No sex or nudity.
• No profanity.
• A brief scene of someone getting punched in the jaw.

Take 43: Collateral Beauty

Tuesday:  My "take" on a film.

Collateral Beauty (2016)

We are all connected.

One of my sisters died in May, and ever since her death it seems like everything I select to read, watch, or listen to, includes something about grief. A flash-flood of tears nearly washed me off the highway when R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts" came on the radio while driving.

I'm not consciously selecting things with that topic, but apparently my subconscious knows I need it--so, I shouldn't be surprised when a movie I placed on the Netflix "My List" awhile back, and just recently decided to watch, turned out to be about...grief, of course.

On the film's website, Warner Bros. describes: "When a successful New York ad executive suffers a personal tragedy and retreats from life, his friends devise a drastic plan to reach him before he loses everything. ...  [T]his thought-provoking drama explores how even the deepest tragedy can reveal moments of beauty."

In one of the scenes, a woman (Naomie Harris) who facilitates grief therapy meetings shares:

MADELINE

...something started to happen to me, you know. I would be walking or on the subway, whatever, and I would just burst into tears. But these weren't Olivia tears. These were tears born from something else, from this... from this kind of profound connection to everything. And I realized it was the collateral beauty.

HOWARD (Will Smith)

There's no such thing as collateral beauty.

MADELINE

There is Howard. There really is. It'll never bring her back. And it will never ever make it okay. But I promise you, it's there.

What a beautiful movie! Intriguing and original. I love the concept of collateral beauty--blessed moments accompanying or following painful events--and as I reflect on the heart-breaking days spent next to my sister's deathbed, I recognize many of those beautiful moments.

I originally added the movie to My List because I figured with such big names in the cast (e.g. Will Smith, Kate Winslet, Helen Mirren, Kiera Knightley) it ought to be good, right? I've seen most of Will Smith's films, so I'm not sure how I missed this one when it was released, but I certainly needed to see it now.

Warner Bros. Trailer: Collateral Beauty

Notes on content:

• No sex or nudity, but there are some references to adultery.
• One F-word, and infrequent mild swearing.
• Some anger portrayed, but no violence.

Take 42: Minari

 Tuesday: My "take" on a film.

Minari (2020)

"This is the movie we need right now." ~Los Angeles Times

Local theaters re-opened after a too-long pandemic shutdown and what better way for me to celebrate than to go see a movie written and directed by an alumnus, Lee Isaac Chung!

He graduated from the university three years before I stepped onto campus, but was already making a name for himself, and I met him when he returned to receive a Distinguished Alumni Award. What I remember most about our conversation was his kindness and encouragement.

I was over-the-moon excited when his recent film was nominated for six academy awards!!

It's a semi-autobiographical film portraying a Korean-American family that moves to a farm in Arkansas. Although the family has been in America for a while, they had been living in an urban area in California and now struggle to adjust to an almost isolated rural life.

At the beginning of the film, as the family drives on a highway past country landscapes, I recalled similar scenes viewed from my own family's station wagon during our many moves, and felt immediately drawn into the story. 

Minari is well-directed, well-shot, and has a superb cast. The characters are sometimes framed in close-ups, creating an intimate connection, and when the film ended I felt like I was walking away from loved ones.

Yuh-Jung Youn won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for this film. She portrays Soonja, the grandmother... a wonderful character. She's not like a so-called "real" grandma, according to her grandson David (Alan S. Kim). He insists she smells like Korea, and tells her...

DAVID 

Grandma, you're not a real grandma. 

SOONJA

What is a real grandma?

DAVID

They bake cookies! They don't swear! They don't wear men's underwear!

In another scene, the grandmother plants minari (sometimes known as Korean watercress) near a stream and describes to David...

SOONJA

Minari is truly the best. It grows anywhere, like weeds. So anyone can pick and eat it. Rich or poor, anyone can enjoy it and be healthy. Minari can be put in kimchi, put in stew, put in soup. It can be medicine if you are sick. Minari is wonderful, wonderful!

The story moves at a slow but steady and purposeful pace with conflict arising from farming, marital, familial, cultural, health issues--life!--and, like the plant, the family needs to be hardy and resilient. 

Echoing Soonja's words, Minari is wonderful, wonderful!

Trailer

Notes on content:

• No sex or nudity.
• No violence, but some injury-related blood is shown.
• Infrequent mild profanity. No f-words, but a teen flashes a middle finger at an adult. An anatomical-correct word is used regarding a body part, as well as a slang term.

Take 41: Just Mercy

Tuesday: My "take" on a film.

Just Mercy (2019)

Every generation has its hero. Meet ours.

(Based on a true story, and currently streaming free of charge through FandangoNow and Amazon Prime.)

I read the book in February (Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson) and pondered on it for weeks after. Then, with the issues of race and justice currently raging across our nation, I felt a pull to watch the movie, too.

Bryan Stevenson is a lawyer from Delaware who founded the Equal Justice Initiative (a nonprofit law office in Montgomery, Alabama) and has "dedicated his career to helping the poor, the incarcerated, and the condemned."*

The film mainly focuses on the case of Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx), a man unfairly tried and convicted for a crime he didn't commit. In fact, he was put on death row even before his trial, and had been in prison for six years by the time he meets Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan).

When Bryan first interviews him as a potential client, Walter has very little (if any) hope that the efforts of this young lawyer will make a difference. He underestimates Bryan's tenacity and drive.

The injustices and lies uncovered regarding Walter's original trial are maddening! We are all children of God, and it breaks my heart to see such blatant disregard of human rights. It's not an easy film to watch, at times, but so worth it.

I love what Bryan tells the US Senate during a hearing on the Death Penalty:

BRYAN STEVENSON

Through this work, I've learned that each of us is more than the worst thing we've ever done; that the opposite of poverty isn't wealth, the opposite of poverty is justice; that the character of our nation isn't reflected on how we treat the rich and the privileged, but how we treat the poor, the disfavored, and condemned.

Well-said, Mr. Stevenson, well-said.


Notes on Content:

• No sex and no full nudity. A man is stripped searched, and shown bare from the waist up.
• Threats at gunpoint, fistfights. A prisoner is placed in the electric chair and prepared for execution... his death is not fully shown on screen, but the intensity is there.
• Language includes racial slurs, derogatory remarks, and some mild swearing (no f-words).

* https://eji.org/bryan-stevenson

Take 40: The Music of Silence

Tuesday: My "take" on a film.

The Music of Silence (2017)

The Unforgettable True Story of Andrea Bocelli

I first became aware of Bocelli when he sang "Because We Believe" during the closing ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics held in Torino, Italy. I had recorded the program on VHS and watched that segment numerous times, his magnificent tenor voice touching my soul.

Since then, I've purchased many of his songs. They lift my spirit, soothe anxiety, inspire.

So imagine my delight to watch a film about his life... his journey with blindness, his struggles and triumphs, his family's love, support, and encouragement. And I learned how the title reflects his approach to singing, as he is taught...

Maestro (Antonio Banderas)

Silence is the most important and

the most difficult discipline.

With that, I will stop talking about the film and let you go watch it.

Movieclips Indie Trailer: The Music of Silence

Notes on Content:

• No violence
• A scene with implied sex, but nothing shown. No nudity.
• No language issues (or it was so mild, I didn't notice).

Take 39: Walk. Ride. Rodeo.

Tuesday: My "take" on a film.

Walk. Ride. Rodeo. (2019)

Two feet moved her body, but four feet moved her soul.

Amberley (Spencer Locke) feels most alive on a horse, and loves rodeo competition. She tells a friend...

AMBERLEY

Rodeo isn't something I do,
it's, really, it's who I am.

She dreams of competing at the National Finals Rodeo and it seems likely she will reach that goal, but with the flip of an F-150, she finds herself severely injured. Will she ever ride again?

Based on the true story of champion barrel racer Amberley Snyder, this movie inspires and uplifts. I love stories about people who strive to grow from adversity, determined to reach their dreams despite obstacles. Often they need to re-evaluate goals, and require an attitude adjustment.

At a particularly low point, Amberley's mother (portrayed by Missi Pyle) admonishes her...

TINA SNYDER

Don't you give up! This chair will either be

your wings or it will be your anchor. You decide.

Walk. Ride. Rodeo. is a quality film, available on Netflix. If you appreciate triumphant true stories, saddle up for this one.

Netflix Official Trailer: Walk. Ride. Rodeo.

Notes on content:

• Rated PG, family friendly.
• No sex, and no full nudity (two scenes contain a shirtless male).
• Infrequent mild language.
• Violent scene of the accident, and bloody wounds shown.

Take 38: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Tuesday: My "take" on a film.

The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)

I read the book by the same title several years ago and had difficulty getting into the story due to its format -- a series of letters from multiple correspondents. I'm glad I persevered in reading it since it turned out to be a beautiful story. 

When Goodreads recently sent an email announcing the movie is available on Netflix, I was thrilled.

Set shortly after World War II, Elizabeth McKenna (Jessica Brown Findlay) is a published author living in London. She receives an unexpected letter from a stranger living on Guernsey Island, Dawsey Adams (Michiel Huisman). He belongs, he tells her, to The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society--a book club. 

Intrigued by the name of the group, Elizabeth corresponds with Dawsey and learns how the club was formed and named under a peculiar circumstance during the German occupation. Sensing a story, Elizabeth packs a bag and her typewriter and heads to Guernsey Island where she grows fond of the land and people.

The movie is much easier to follow than the book and still contains the delightful story.

Trailer: The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society

Notes on content:

• No nudity or sex.
• No profanity.
• Small amount of violence shown, and some violence not shown but understood in narrations of the war.

Take 37: Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont

Tuesday: My "take" on a film.

Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont (2005)

One chance meeting. Two changed lives.

Mrs. Palfrey (Joan Plowright) moves to London and books a room at the Claremont, a residential hotel-style retirement center. Her grandson also lives in the city, but he doesn't return her calls. With a literal misstep, she stumbles into an endearing friendship with a young man, Ludo (Rupert Friend). She invites him to dine with her at the Claremont and when the quirky residents learn she will have a young male guest, they assume it is her "mythical" grandson... and she doesn't correct them.

Thanks to Leonard Maltin's 151 Best Movies You've Never Seen for recommending this lovely film. He states, "If you refuse to accept the premise that a man in his twenties could express genuine friendship for a woman in her seventies, this is not your kind of story."

Well, I accept that premise, especially when I reflect on the young whipper snappers who befriended me when I returned to school at age fifty. Besides, Mrs. Palfrey is kind, gentle, and wise...

MRS. PALFREY

But, you know, things are meant to happen.

Destiny might lead us to the path, but the

rest of it is up to us. Always remember to

make the most of every moment. It's the

single most important lesson of my life.

...I want her for my grandmother and friend, too!

Notes on content:

• No profanity.
• No violence.
• A young man and his girlfriend are shown in bed together, kissing, with bare upper bodies visible but no private parts revealed. Also a scene with a bare-chested young man sitting at a desk, typing.

Take 36: The King of Masks

Tuesday: My "take" on a film.

The King of Masks (1996)

With a couple hours free to watch whatever I wanted, I pulled out Leonard Maltin's 151 Best Movies You've Never Seen. My goal was to find a film listed in the book that would be available to me right then and there. I didn't want to go to the library or Redbox, I wanted something at my fingertips (read: still in pajamas and too lazy to get dressed).

A film from China, The King of Masks, sounded interesting and it was streaming on Amazon so it won. And, oh my goodness, I am glad. What a heartwarming, heart-tugging, film!

Set in the 1930s, Bianlian Wang (Xu Zhu) is a gifted street performer and master of "face changing" -- rapidly changing masks like magic. It's a dying art and Wang is no spring chicken. He wants to pass on the secret technique, but according to cultural tradition it must be passed on to a male heir.

Since he has no living son, Master Wang purchases a boy from the black market in hopes of training him. The youngster calls him "Grandpa" and he affectionately nicknames the child, "Doggie." The story pulls us through surprise, disappointment, hardship, sacrifice and love.

The child actor (Renying Zhou) gave such a captivating performance I found myself mesmerized and emotionally drawn into their lives. I unashamedly bawled as I watched the movie alone, and wept while watching it again later with my husband. (I will neither confirm nor deny that he, too, cried.)

Leonard Matlin wrote,

"When you can send an e-mail to someone halfway around the globe and receive an instantaneous reply, it's clear that we all live in a global village. Yet I don't think any medium is more powerful than film in fostering our understanding of different cultures and creating empathy for people we might never meet."

I agree. Rich in visuals and culture, this film continues to run through my mind, and sticks with me in a good way.


Notes on content:

• The English subtitles (for the version I saw) included one f-word. That's a shame since the original Chinese word probably had a different meaning.
• No sexual content, but there is partial nudity when a little girl squats to urinate (a side-shot of her bare thigh), and a small boy's genitalia is shown in a side view as he urinates.
• No violence seen, but is implied. (A man gets beaten, but not on-screen.)

Take 35: Apollo 13

Tuesday: My "take" on a film.

Apollo 13 (1995)

"Houston, we have a problem."

This film earned a spot in Roger Ebert's 33 Movies to Restore Your Faith in Humanity. With that in mind, I rewatched the movie to see if Ebert is right. And he is.

Based on an actual event, Ron Howard directed the film with great attention to detail as it portrays the near-fatal voyage of Apollo 13 when an oxygen tank explosion cripples the spacecraft with astronauts Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks), Fred Haise (Bill Paxton), and Jack Swigert (Kevin Bacon) aboard.

So how does this film restore faith in humanity? Through several facets. The flight crew pulls together in crisis, treating each other with respect. And Houston Mission Control reveals masterful creativity and ingenuity as they put their heads together for solutions. Ebert describes them as, "...men trained to do a job, and doing a better one than anyone could have imagined." Examples of teamwork and courage abound.

But the biggest boost for my faith in humanity came while watching people around the world worry, watch, and pray for the safe return of three stranded astronauts. Millions praying for three. That's humanity--universal humanity.

Trailer: Apollo 13

Notes on content:

• The language is a bit strong for a PG film, with several vain references to Deity, and frequent mild to moderate swearing. A possible F-word, but not distinct.
• A few sexual innuendos and references.
• Some explosions in space and tense situations.

Pages for Reviews

I organized my film reviews for easier reference... see the above tabs:

• My "Take" (Reviews) -- An alphabetical listing with links to movie reviews published on this blog.
• My ClearPlay Movie Reviews -- An alphabetical listing with links to movie reviews I've written for ClearPlay, published on their website.
• Note: ClearPlay is a legal filtering company that has been around for nearly two decades. With ClearPlay, you can set what level of filtering you want for various content such as profanity, nudity, and violence. Filters are available through streaming, or with their patented Blu-Ray and DVD player. 

Stay tuned for more reviews to come!

Take 34: 12 Angry Men

Tuesday: My "take" on a film.

12 Angry Men (1957)

"Life is in their hands--death is on their minds!"

An 18-year old boy is accused of murdering his father. The trial is over, the jury sent to deliberate. A "guilty" verdict would sentence him to death.

The initial vote: 11 (guilty) to 1 (not guilty). That one vote weighs heavily since the verdict must be unanimous. Thus proceeds arguments and re-hashed evidence as the jurors uncover (sometimes unwittingly) flaws in the prosecution's supposed open-shut case. 

Almost the entire film takes place in the juror's room, but you put 12 men in a hot stuffy room and add personality clashes, prejudices, differing backgrounds, and you get plenty of conflict. 

Juror #8 (Henry Fonda) does not claim the defendant is innocent, but insists there is reasonable doubt to his guilt. One person giving someone the benefit of the doubt can go a long way. I want him in my corner!

Notes on content:

• Infrequent mild swearing
• No nudity or sexual situations
• Heated debate, arguments, contention

(Roger Ebert listed this film in 33 Movies To Restore Your Faith in Humanity. I posted about the book here.)

Take 33: Silent Night

My "take" on a film.

Silent Night (2012)

"The powerful true story behind the most

popular Christmas carol of all time."

As a new assistant priest, Joseph Mohr (Carsten Clemens) wants the church to connect with the common people of Austria with sermon and song in German (instead of Latin). He wants people to understand the services, but his methods, which include allowing a female in the church choir, lead him to the verge of disciplinary action. 

Early in his ministry, a religious leader counseled, "If you want to keep hope alive, you must never lose hope yourself." Yet, the night before Christmas, Mohr struggles with possible defeat, and as he walks through the snow, wondering about his future, he feels inspired to put one of his poems to music. 

Enlisting the help of musician and church organist, Franz Gruber (Markus von Lingen), they combine talents to create--in one night--a lullaby to perform for the upcoming Midnight Mass. Mohr hopes the people "will remember this Christmas for years to come."

Thank you, Joseph and Franz, for my favorite Christmas hymn, Silent Night.

And thank you, Christian Vuissa for the beautiful film. 

I met Christian, an Austrian filmmaker, several years ago. He was passionate about the history behind the beloved hymn and it shows in the film. The stunning Austrian location, beautifully composed shots, and the editing pace--never lingering too long on one scene--move the fascinating story.

This film will air on BYU-TV (Mountain Standard Time)

December 11, 7:00 p.m.

December 12, 12:00 a.m.

December 12, 12:00 p.m.

Or watch it now on byutv.org (link): Silent Night (2012).

Take 32: In the Heart of the Sea

Tuesday: My "take" on a film.

In the Heart of the Sea (2015)

"Based on the incredible true story that inspired Moby Dick."

A massive white whale attacks and destroys a ship under the command of an inexperienced, prideful, and greedy captain. Herman Melville's novel, Moby Dick, is a fictionalized version of this actual event. Directed by Ron Howard, In the Heart of the Sea portrays the story of the 1820s disastrous expedition of the whaling ship Essex, and Melville's desire to write the tale.

The film opens with Herman Melville (Ben Whishaw) arriving in Nantucket where he coaxes the full account from Tom Nickerson (Brendan Gleeson), the last living survivor of the ill-fated voyage. The story flashes back to the time of his youth as they prepare to sail, and resurfaces periodically to the aged Nickerson recounting the events to Melville, purging his soul of suppressed ghastly memories.

HERMAN MELVILLE

The Devil loves unspoken secrets,

especially those that fester in a man's soul.

Benjamin Walker portrays the ship's captain, George Pollard, a man who came to that title mainly by family status. His Nantucket bloodline runs deep, a fact he holds over First Mate Owen Chase (Chris Hemsworth), an implant to the island--a "landsman"--descendant of farmers. They clash in leadership styles but share traits of arrogance and greed.

I found the story and movie more interesting than Moby Dick (but admittedly, I haven't given that novel much effort since high school lit). And, at risk of showing my ignorance, I didn't know Moby Dick came from a true story until learning about this film. 

The quality cinematography and special effects, along with some enormous action, kept my interest despite a few slows scenes of the crew adrift. It's worth watching this (can't resist the phrase)...whale of a tale.

Notes on content:

• No sexual situations or nudity except for a risqué figure of a woman carved in whalebone.
• Some mild swearing, numerous religious profanities and vain references to Deity.
• Violence of whale harpooning, some bloody scenes especially while butchering a whale for the blubber. Later, violence of the whale attacks, along with death and injuries. Disturbing images of the emaciated crew adrift, and implied abhorrent methods of survival (not shown on screen).

(I also wrote a review for ClearPlay, found here.)

Take 31: Batkid Begins

Tuesday: My "take" on a film.

Batkid Begins (2015)

One Child. One Wish. Millions Touched.

Last summer I mentioned Batkid Begins in a post (click here), but only recently watched it.

When I selected the film on Netflix, my husband suggested the length (1h 27min) seemed a bit excessive for such a documentary. But the film was well-edited, holding our interest the entire time. And yes, we viewed it through teary-eyes during many scenes, happy tears...the kind that flow when heartstrings are tugged.

When Miles Scott told the Make-A-Wish Foundation he wanted to be Batman, no one realized how it would resonate with millions as San Francisco became Gotham City for a day.

The film not only documented the why's and how's of the event, but seemed to document proof there are millions of good people in this word. It boosted my hope for humanity. Thank you Batkid!

Take 30: The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

Tuesday: My "take" on a film.

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005)

"The true story of how a mother raised

ten kids on twenty-five words or less."

Meet Evelyn Ryan (Julianne Moore), a witty, loving mother of ten children, and prize-winner.

Her husband, however, is no prize. Kelly Ryan (Woody Harrelson) lost his singing voice and his dreams in an auto accident. Bitter and insecure, he habitually squanders their meager income on alcohol. The family lives at poverty level, often with little to eat. In one scene, Evelyn tries to convince the children that the bugs in their soup are actually spices. 

EVELYN

Don't be silly. Spices don't have legs.

There are no bugs in the soup.

And oh my goodness, what a reminder of the narrow-mindedness of that time period (1950s and 60s). It was maddening when, after one of Kelly's drunken fits, a priest counsels Evelyn to be a better wife.  Aaaaaarrgh!!!!!

Through it all, Evelyn remains optimistic, and supplements their income by entering--and winning--numerous jingle and advertising slogan contests. A favorite: ♪ "My frisk the Frigidaire, clean the cupboards bare sandwich." ♪

I admire her writing skills! It would take talent to win one contest, let alone win time and again, some of which were big contests with over 250,000 entries! Her slogans pack a punch.

Evelyn's upbeat outlook astounds me. Even her daughter, Terry (Tuff), points out...

TUFF

If I were you, I'd be angry all the time.

EVELYN

Well, that wouldn't do me any good now, would it?

And later, after Kelly pulls a doozy of a selfish act, and Evelyn pulls another miraculous win, Tuff has a hard time letting go of the anger she feels towards her dad.  

TUFF

He's never gonna change.

EVELYN

You're absolutely right. He's not.

And wisely counsels...

EVELYN

Forgive him. Forgive him so you can embrace this...

...truly remarkable day.

Her optimism is prize-winning.

Notes on content:

• One f-bomb thrown by Kelly in a fit of drunken rage.
• No nudity, but there is one scene with Evelyn in a slip.
• An injury caused by broken glass reveals a lot of blood.

Take 29: Amazing Grace

Tuesday: My "take" on a film.

Amazing Grace (2006)

"Behind the song you love is a story you will never forget."

When I first heard about this film, I misunderstood the tagline (above) and assumed the movie was about John Newton, a former slave ship captain who became a preacher and wrote the lyrics for the stirring hymn "Amazing Grace."

The film, however, is about William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffud) who went before the British Parliament year after year in a quest to end the slave trade.

John Newton (Albert Finney) is part of the story, as he was Wilberforce's preacher, mentor, and friend. Newton's past involvement with the slave trade haunts him...

JOHN NEWTON

I wish I could remember all their names.

My 20,000 ghosts, they all had names,

beautiful African names. We'd call them

with just grunts, noises. We were apes,

they were human.

Such sorrow and deep regret over his cruelty leads him to pen "Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!..."

The song profoundly influences and inspires William. He, too, feels drawn to devote his life to God. Sitting in the grass, looking at a spider's web, he tells his butler...

WILLIAM WILBERFORCE

It's God. I have 10,000 engagements of state today

but I would prefer to spend the day out here getting

a wet arse, studying dandelions and marveling at...

spider's webs.

RICHARD THE BUTLER

You found God, sir?

WILLIAM WILBERFORCE

I think He found me. You have any idea how 

inconvenient that is? How idiotic it will sound?

I have a political career glittering ahead of me,

and in my heart I want spider's webs.

He struggles with a decision... devote his life to God, or continue in the political arena, alongside his friend William Pitt (Benedict Cumberbatch) who aspires to become Prime Minister.

WILLIAM WILBERFORCE

No one of our age has ever taken power.

WILLIAM PITT

Which is why we're too young realize

certain things are impossible.

Which is why we will do them anyway.

Wilberforce eventually realizes that his Divine mission is to fight for the abolition of slavery, thus both ambitions--to serve God, and continue in politics--align. His purpose and passion drive the crusade and nearly destroy his health, but his perseverance is, well...amazing. 

Amazing Grace. Produced by the same group (Walden Media) who brought us The Chronicles of Narnia movies; Holes; and The Giver, it's a quality film worth watching. 

Notes on content:

• Some references to the rape of female slaves, but no nudity or sex shown.
• Mild profanity in racial slurs and some words considered profane in Britain.
• Descriptions of slave conditions, which include violent acts, but none shown.

Take 28: The Great Buck Howard

Tuesday: My "take" on a film.

The Great Buck Howard (2008)

"Greatness is a state of mind."

Earlier in the year, I mentioned the book 151 Best Movies You've Never Seen by Leonard Maltin (see post), and added The Great Buck Howard to my "want to see" list. I finally got around to viewing it... and... (drum roll)... What a gem!

After dropping out of law school, Troy Gable (Colin Hanks) stumbles into a job as personal assistant to Buck Howard (John Malkovich), a has-been mentalist hoping for the comeback of a lifetime.

They travel small town circuits, where Buck does cheesy performances in half empty auditoriums, and always exclaims...

BUCK HOWARD

I love this town!

The eccentric, cantankerous entertainer does not make life easy for Troy.

BUCK HOWARD

There is a reason, Troy, I am called

the Great Buck Howard... Not the Okay

Buck Howard, not the Not Bad Buck Howard--

--The Great Buck Howard!

But, Troy hangs in there, knowing that although this job doesn't make his heart race, it pays the bills and oddly fits his life--it feels right. 

Sometimes our niche finds us when a current job turns into a stepping stone to a dream.  Other times, after reaching the stars, we return to the niche we had all along.

TROY GABLE 

What happened in Vegas?

BUCK HOWARD

You know, I don't really belong in Vegas anymore.

I belong in places like these. I love what I do.

I love these towns. I love these people.

Greatness is a state of mind.  It doesn't have to be about glitz, glamour, "making it big" or what others view as success. When we genuinely love what we do, it might very well be our calling, our niche.

Notes on content:

• A few sexual references (innuendos), no nudity.
• Mild profanity.
• No violence.

Take 27: The Chosen

Tuesday: My "take" on a film.

The Chosen (1981)

The friendship between two teenage boys starts off a bit rocky...

REUVEN MALTER

You are weird.

DANNY SAUNDERS

I am?

REUVEN MALTER

Yeah, you are. You look like you

walked out of another century.

You play baseball like Babe Ruth.

You talk like you're from another planet.

DANNY SAUNDERS

Thanks for the compliment. 

Although both boys are Jewish, they come from vastly different upbringings. Danny (Robby Benson) was raised in Hasidic traditions, with siblings, a loving mother, and a rabbi father who communicates with him through silence. Reuven (Barry Miller), on the other hand, is an only child whose widowed academic father, a Zionist, speaks liberally.

Despite their differences, they become inseparable friends...until their opposing views regarding the formation of Israel create a gulf between them almost too wide to cross.

The film is rich in culture, relationships, and dialogue. A scene in the latter part of the film touched me deeply and made me reflect on our relationship with God, our Heavenly Father. Sometimes we don't understand God's ways, but His reasons always tie to an abiding love for us, and in His knowing the experiences we need in order to become compassionate and merciful beings.

I can't recall who recommended this film to me. I wish I could thank them. This film sticks with me in a good way.

Notes on content:

• No sex or nudity
• Some mild name calling, and racial slurs.
• No extreme violence, but some bullying and fighting. Also, some graphic images of the Holocaust are shown.

Take 26: The World's Fastest Indian

Tuesday: My "take" on a film.

The World's Fastest Indian (2005)

"It's never too late for the ride of your life."

Never too late and never too old to follow a dream. Based on the inspiring true story of Burt Munro (Anthony Hopkins), the film follows his golden-years-quest to set a land-speed record in 1967 with his 1920 Indian motorcycle. 

He travels from his home (a shed) in New Zealand to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA, overcoming obstacles and making new friends along the way. Almost naive during his travels, I found myself worried that someone would rip him off or take advantage of him. But his quirky (sometimes salty) open and friendly chatter, along with his acceptance of everyone, endeared him to others.

That's not saying his journey (and the story) is without conflict, but it doesn't come through people around him and that's a pleasant change in a film. Everyone he met seemed to help him along and encourage him to reach his goal. No one tried to pull him down or sabotage his efforts. Imagine a world filled with such individuals--people pursuing their dreams and helping others do the same. I want to be that kind of person.

Notes on content:

• There are a couple sexual situations, but no nudity.
• Some profanity, including a few vain references to deity. And he sometimes uses terms or slang that might be considered profane in other countries.
• No violence.