Warrior

I’ve always loved a good fight movie. But one thing I’ve come to realize is a good fight movie is really never about the fight. Usually, the fight or the big match serves as a metaphor or a journey for the main character to achieve some inner peace, reconciliation, or to find redemption with himself, his fellow man, or God.

You remember the movie Rocky, where Sylvester Stalone’s character, Rocky Balboa, was given a chance at the title for the Heavyweight Championship of the World. It really wasn’t about winning the fight but was about proving to himself that he had self worth, value as a person, and that he wasn’t just another bum on the street corner. His quest was to go 15 rounds with the Champ. And, if he was still standing, it would validate his life.

We’ve seen this formula repeated time and time again with other fight films such as The Wrestler, The Karate Kid, Million Dollar Baby, and The Fighter. Now comes along a new movie, The Warrior, from Director Gavin O’Connor that honors the tradition of Rocky and other great fight films. The Warrior contains more emotion, conflict, truth, reality, and honesty than you can find in ten films combined. This film is utterly gripping, blunt, and powerful. It is relentless in the telling of the human condition.

The Warrior may not necessarily be your cup of tea due to the violent nature and portrayal of mixed martial arts cage fighting. It’s hard to believe anybody would want to endure such punishment that could result in life-altering consequences; however, maybe this is why the Warrior is so interesting. Why because the stakes are so high for all the characters we meet in this movie.

Bottom line if you are looking for a film that connects on an emotional level and offers a heavy dose of reconciliation and redemption, then The Warrior fits the bill.

The movie is basically a story about two estranged brothers and their relationship with their alcoholic and abusive father. Tommy Riordan (Tom Hardy) is fresh out of the marines where in Afghanistan his best friend was killed in action.

Tommy wants to provide financially for his friend’s wife and children. He seeks out the help of his father, Paddy (Nick Nolte), to train him for Sparta, a $5 million take-all ultimate fighting championship tournament. The deal is simple. All Tommy is looking for is a trainer and doesn’t want a relationship with his father because he blames him for his past sins. He and his mother were forced to leave, and on their own they struggled for survival. In the end Tommy’s mother dies a painful death. As a result, Tommy is filled with resentment, rage, and hatred. However Paddy is not the man he used to be. He’s now sober and has made his peace with God.

As the story plays out, the other brother, Brendan Conlon (Joel Edgeton), lives in Philadelphia and teaches Physics at a local high school. He is happily married to his high school sweetheart, Tess (Jennifer Morrison). Brandan and Tess along with their children face financial difficulties due to medical bills and face foreclosure.

Brandan, a former UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) fighter, is forced to pick up club bouts to make ends meet; however, this doesn’t play well with school administration. Unfortunately, Brandan is suspended without pay. After a series of events, Brandan is given an opportunity to fight in Sparta as well. This sets up a classic battle as the two brothers are on a collision course. But, more importantly, they are locked in an emotional battle with each other. There is a tremendous amount of blame concerning past events that cannot be forgiven. Tommy feels that his brother deserted him and their mother when Brandon decided to elope with Tess. Both brothers are also trapped in their relationship with their father.

Paddy tries as hard as he can to convince them that he is a changed man and desperately wants to be part of their lives. Can these men find a way out of their predicament? Will the families survive? This is gut-wrenching material. It is 140 minutes of intensity from start to finish. And did I mention that the fight scenes are skillfully staged. They look as real as anything I have ever seen in a movie.

I have always been a fan of Nick Nolte’s work. His performance of Paddy is brilliant. In fact, this is the type of role that Nolte excels in. His gravelly voice and broken facial features fit the part perfectly along with the fact that he is a man who’s seen it all. I’m utterly convinced he is a man who desperately wants to find God.

I highly recommend The Warrior. It may surprise you how well a fight movie can be so human and compassionate.

You can find the movie on DVD and Blu-ray.

Larry Crowne

We are starting a new feature here at mediamissionaryschool.com called The Second Look. For whatever reason, sometimes movies just get overlooked and lost in the crowd. Maybe it was the marketing, bad timing, release schedule, lack of support from the studio, bad reviews or bad dumb luck. It happens to a lot of good movies. Here’s my candidate, Larry Crowne for “The Second Look” which deserves your consideration.

Larry Crowne was released in the summer of 2011 and, for the most part, was quickly forgotten. You might ask yourself why a film that stars two of Hollywood’s biggest names, Tom Hanks and Julie Roberts, would ever need a second look. You’re right. How do these two not produce a sure hit?

Most industry experts expected Larry Crowne to make over $100 million at the box office; however, it managed to gross only $35 million. How in the world is that possible? Well, there are plenty of theories. The summer offers tough competition, but I think the main reason was horrible reviews. The film critics hated this film. Let me revise that. They despised Larry Crowne.

The well-renowned film critic, Roger Ebert, went as far as to state that he didn’t see a reason for why the film should exist. Every critic found fault at some level. Some called it bland and conventional. Others couldn’t understand why Tom Hanks’ character, Larry Crowne, in spite of his circumstances, could be so optimistic and cheerful. Others complained about the lack of social commentary about the current economic downturn.

Sometimes the critics just like to jump on the bandwagon. Once they smell blood in the water, they’re out for a kill. Call it the mob mentality. So with that in mind, I’m cutting against the grain. Larry Crowne is certainly not Oscar material, but it does meet the criteria for what a film should accomplish, which is to provide a reasonable level of entertainment. No big message or social issue. Just 99 minutes of solid entertainment value. The film is certainly not your conventional romantic comedy by any means; however, it is a fun and sometimes a funny look at how life can throw you a few curves.

Tom Hanks plays good guy, Larry Crowne who is just cruising through life. He works at one of those of those super stores similar to the one we call Wal-Mart. Larry is the model employee who loves his job. After 20 years in the Navy, everything in life seems to be settling in; however, that is soon to change.

Management calls Larry in for a little talk. He thinks he is going to be named Employee of the Month or perhaps promoted. He learns that because of his lack of education, he has reached his limit in the company. The message is simple. Thanks for playing Larry, and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

Larry’s next door neighbor Lamar (Cedric the Entertainer) gives Larry a brochure from the local community college. He suggests it’s never too late to go back to school. With little or no job prospects in site, Larry heads off to pursue a degree.

From here things get really fun for Larry as he learns to remake himself and explore a new lease on life. In a short time he meets a fellow student Talia (Gugu Mbatha Raw), who introduces him into the world of scooter culture and an eclectic group of fellow riders.

Talia helps Larry ease into college life with a new look and direction. Not only does she remake Larry but also gives Larry’s house a new face lift. It’s not like there’s a lot of things going on in the film. Larry Crowne is more about  the “spice of life” than anything else. It’s just a fun ride.

Now on to the serious part or should I say the meat and potatoes of the film. Mercedes Tainot (Julia Roberts) is a burned out college professor who is looking for any reason to cancel class. So its up to Larry and his fellow students to renew Mercedes spirit in the educational process. Along the way, there is a slight attraction between Larry and Mercedes; however, neither one of them are looking for a relationship. Do they get together or go their separate ways?

As I said, Larry Crowne deserves a second look. I don’t have a problem with Larry remaining optimistic about life. I think it’s refreshing for a change. Sure, Larry was dealt a bad hand. He lost his job with few prospects. But he picked himself up and did something about it. Maybe that’s the message we can take away from this film.

Larry Crowne can be found on DVD and Blu-Ray

A Smile as Big as the Moon

Hallmark’s Hall of Fame continues to set the standard in excellence in broadcasting. Their recent offering, A Smile as Big as the Moon, proves once again that television is not a total wasteland. Thanks to Hallmark, we can find stories that are uplifting, inspirational, and heartwarming. Hey, there’s nothing wrong with that.

A Smile as Big as the Moon meets all of the above criteria. Frankly, it’s just a feel-good movie. The movie tells the true story of a Michigan high school football coach and special ed teacher, Mike Kersjes, who in 1988 against all odds took his special ed class to NASA’s Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. In the film, John Corbett plays Mike Kersjes, a man who believes that even kids with ADD, Bipolar, Downs Syndrome, Tourette’s, and Autism are capable of much more than we can ever imagine. All they need is an opportunity.

Space Camp is an elite program for only the best of the best. But after a visit to a local planetarium, one of Mike’s students picks up a brochure about NASA’s Space Camp. Soon the seeds are planted. Mike makes a call to Huntsville and talks to the administrator about the possibility of his kids attending Space Camp. At the time, NASA’s Space Camp had no program open to kids with disabilities. With the help of his assistant, Robynn McKinney (Jessy Schram), they wage a campaign to convince the principal, the school board and, most importantly, the officials of space camp that his kids are capable of meeting the demands of the stringent program.

Of course, there will be some challenges along the way; however, Mike and Robynn believe that anything is possible with hard work, faith and endurance. It’s inspiring to see educators who are not just parking their kids but are dedicated to their development and are determined to unlock their potential. As I said, A Smile as Big as the Moon is an exceptionally inspiring movie.

If these kids can overcome their disabilities and succeed against all odds, then you have to ask yourself what do we have to complain about. Most of the students in the film are played by kids who have real disabilities. As a result, the film feels authentic and real. The acting is spot on.

Some people might complain that there is a lack of conflict driving the story; however, I disagree. As the movie unfolds, we see the challenges facing Mike and Robynn. Not only do they have to get everybody on board, but they have to raise $50,000. What they accomplish is nothing short of a miracle.

This is the kind of material that Hallmark strives for. I think you’re going to enjoy this film. Thanks to a recent deal with ABC, Hallmark Hall of Fame will air A Smile as Big as the Moon on the Hallmark Channel on Saturday, February 4, at 8:00 p.m. EST. The movie will also be available on DVD at Hallmark Gold Crown Stores

There Be Dragons

There was a time when religious epics ruled Hollywood. They were big and expansive in practically every detail, and the public loved them. The Robe, The Ten Commandments, The Greatest Story Ever Told and Ben Hur are classics that helped define the Golden Era of Hollywood. By the 1970s, audiences were looking for something different, and religious films fell out of favor.
But thanks to director Roland Joffé (The Mission and Killing Fields) the religious epic is back. Shot in Argentina and Spain, this film looks absolutely gorgeous. The production design, costumes, art direction, and cinematography are stunning. Did I say epic? Yes. There Be Dragons is epic in scope and design.

The film is complicated to say the least and encompasses every imaginable theme, including betrayal, hatred, love, friendship and forgiveness. Ultimately it’s an exploration of man’s attempt to find meaning in everyday existence. And, within that meaning, we find the nature of God at work. It’s an interesting topic considering Roland Joffé, who also wrote the screenplay, considers himself to be an agnostic. I’d say he’s a man definitely looking for answers to life’s perplexing questions.

Joffé has found the right topic to have a profound discussion about the human condition and how God fits into both the ordinary and the extraordinary. The film is based on the true story of Father Josemarià Escrivà, the founder of Opus Dei which means work of God.

There Be Dragons is told from two points of view in two different eras. In 1982 Robert, a Spanish journalist (Dougray Scott), is researching a book on the life of Father Josemarià Escrivà (Charlie Cox), who will soon be canonized as a Saint in the Roman Catholic Church. Robert discovers that his father, Manolo (Wes Bentley) with whom he has had an estranged relationship has a connection with Father Josemarià. Apparently, they both grew up in the same village and attended seminary together. However, as time went on, the two men grew apart and chose two vastly different paths.

Manolo follows a life filled with jealousy and hatred, while Josemarià embraces love and forgiveness. Both are tested by the Spanish Civil War (1936 – 1939), and each will have to make life and death choices. Manolo has many secrets hidden in his past that he has kept from Robert, including a relationship with a Hungarian National who fought on the side of the Republican cause in the war. Lidiko (Olga Kurylenko) is caught up in a romantic triangle with Manolo and the heroic revolutionary Orial (Rodrigo Santoro). What results will change everybody’s life, including Robert’s.

Most of story plays out on the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War. Father Josemarià struggles to feed his flock while at the same time his life is in danger. Priests are being subject to execution at the hands of Republican forces that fight for the leftist government. Father Josemarià asks God to give him direction and purpose. God’s response will forever define his life. God also helps him to understand the importance of forgiveness, especially for those who are determined to do him wrong.

Some believe the Spanish Civil War was a dress rehearsal for World War II. Over 500,000 people perished in the conflict. But this wasn’t just a civil war; it was a war of ideas. Foreigners from nations throughout the world participated and fought for either the Republicans (Communists/Socialists) or the Nationalists (Fascists) that were lead by General Franco who was ultimately the victor.

As I said, this is a complicated film with weighty subject material. For most Americans who know little or next to nothing about the Spanish Civil War, There Be Dragons may be a challenging film to watch. It’s unfamiliar territory for most of us except for die-hard history buffs.

This isn’t a perfect film. There are times I wish the narrative could have been a little tighter and more focused. Several of the characters weren’t fleshed out enough to feel genuine and authentic. Perhaps I should say there were a little bit too many stereotypes for my taste.

Essentially, There Be Dragons is a film about reconciliation and forgiveness. When we forgive, we are the ones set free and allowed to fully embrace life.

The film has spun a movement of sorts. The filmmakers have received a lot of positive feedback about people forgiving past wrongs—sons forgiving fathers, husbands and wives who have been estranged for years reuniting, and all sorts of other relationships being mended.

There Be Dragons refers to the Latin phrase “hic sunt dracones”, which means here there be dragons. This is a reference that was used on maps that indicated danger, an unknown place, or a place to be explored. I would have to say that is an accurate description of this film as the filmmakers are exploring that thing we call the heart, which is often a dangerous and unknown place that cannot be fully understood.

There Be Dragons is now available on DVD and Blu-ray. This is a film worth checking out. As director Roland Joffé states, There Be Dragons “is a story about people trying to find meaning in their lives.” I think that’s something we all can relate to in our time as well as in the traumatic era of the 1930s.

An Invisible Sign

They say there are no longer any good movies being made these days. However, that’s not totally true. There are plenty of excellent films to be found. The trick is you have to know where to look. It may require a little effort on your part; nevertheless, you can find them.

One of the reasons I do movie reviews in the first place is to find little gems. They are the movies that fly under the radar screen that don’t have the massive budgets for marketing and promotions. Most often, they are not made within the Hollywood system. The independent cinema is still alive and offers the kind of creativity that Hollywood has turned their backs on.

One film I want to bring to your attention is An Invisible Sign. It’s truly a delightful, ingenious film that is well worth your time. First time director Marilyn Agrelo has created a whimsical and highly entertaining adult fairy tale that’s totally captivating. An Invisible Film is a film that practically no one has seen. Most of the reviews have been generally unfavorable. I don’t see it. Obviously, they didn’t watch the same movie I did.

An Invisible Sign explores important, profound concepts that the critics failed to recognize. What happens in our childhood can forever set us on a course which can have a devastating impact on our lives. This film takes a look at what happens when we believe the wrong things as a child which can lead to a “frame of mind“ that is not based in truth or reality although we believe it to be true.

The film stars Jessica Alba as Mona Gray, a twenty-something recluse who is socially inept and could be suffering from mental illness. The film follows her life both in adulthood and as a young child (Bailee Madison). At age 10 Mona witnessed her father (John Shea) suffering the early stages of mental illness. He increasingly becomes withdrawn from the world and seeks refuge in his own reality. Mona is dedicated to her father and decides to make a deal with the universe. She gives up everything she loves with the exception of mathematics in order to save her father.

But the universe doesn’t seem to care much as her father’s condition seems to deteriorate. The only thing that gives Mona comfort is her love for numbers. Math offers a place to escape where she finds meaning in the existence of life. Adding to Mona’s confusion is her next door neighbor and math teacher, Mr. Jones (J. K. Simmons), who wears homemade necklaces in the form of a number to represent his emotional state each day. Mona tries to understand and assumes that if the numbers that Mr. Jones wears are higher maybe they can be used to help her dad recover.

Mona’s mom fears that her daughter will never make a life for herself so she sets up a job as a teacher at the local elementary school. Now things get really interesting as Mona has to come to terms with the real world. Is she merely quirky, eccentric, or is she suffering from the same mental illness as her father?

Adding a love interest is fellow teacher Ben Smith (Chris Messina), who tries to reach out to Mona. Mona also sees herself in one of her students, Lisa Venus (Sophie Nyweida), whose mother is dying of cancer and could be slipping into a permanent state of depression.

Can Mona find a way to overcome these obstacles and find her footing in life? An Invisible Sign is quirky, offbeat, and unusually different—but different is good. One thing that strikes me about this film is the unusual combination of humor, drama, and some truly touching moments. It seems that first-time director Marilyn Agrelo has created an honest and realistic portrayal of the fragile condition of the human mind and the human experience.

Without a few breaks here and there, we could all be in the same place as Mona who is struggling to escape a life of pain. To say the least, life is fragile, and our experiences can certainly define our existence and future in life. An Invisible Sign points out just how lucky some of us are to have people in our lives that can help to hold our feet on solid ground.

Midnight in Paris

I can’t say I’m a big Woody Allen fan. I can take him or leave him. Over the past few years, his work has become unbalanced to say the least. But when he’s good, he’s very good. In fact, his career has spanned over two generations. The man has been a filmmaking machine. He’s either written, directed, or stared in 41 feature films.

His latest film, Midnight in Paris, is a return to the type of films that helped make Woody Allen a legend. I consider Midnight in Paris to be one of the best films I’ve seen this year. I’m sure it’s going to make every critic’s top ten list for 2011. It’s billed as a romantic comedy, but it is so much more than that. Midnight in Paris weaves both nostalgic and modernistic themes into the story. It’s a commentary about the way humans think about their current reality as well as a desire to escape to a simpler time.

Midnight in Paris is absolutely delightful. It’s magical in every sense of the word. As the title suggests, the film is set in Paris. The city doesn’t serve just as a location but is a principal character in the film. The first 3 ½ minutes of the movie present a postcard montage of the sights and sounds of what makes Paris so irresistible.

Although this is a romantic comedy, the real romance isn’t between boy meets girl but is more about boy meets city. Owen Wilson plays Gil, a hopeless romantic. Although he is a successful Hollywood screenwriter, his life is lacking something to give it more meaning.

Gil travels to Paris with his fiancée, Inez (Rachel McAdams), along with his future in-laws. He hopes to complete his first novel and maybe even convince Inez that Paris is the perfect place to start their new life together. Inez on the other hand has other plans. She sees the perfect life for both of them back home in Malibu.

Gil and Inez are never quite on the same page. Let’s just say that Gil is going to have a chance to discover his inspiration and find his footing in life. In a fun kind of way and never mean spirited, they seem to disagree on everything. I don’t want to spoil the magic that this film offers so I won’t go into the plot any further.

Owen Wilson may seem an odd choice for the part of Gil; however, in one sense, he’s the perfect Wood Allen prototype. Just like most Woody Allen characters, Owen Wilson brings the right combination of sarcasm, wit, insecurity, and neuroticism.

So is Midnight in Paris a redemptive film? Does it have a message? As I said, it does explore some interesting themes. What was the Golden Age? Why do we think that the past was always better? Like some of us, Gil feels he was born in the wrong age. Somehow, he just doesn’t fit into today’s modern world.

But the real message of Midnight in Paris is learning to live in the reality of our existence, making peace and perhaps understanding there really was no Golden Age. In reality, our Golden Age is what we make of our lives in the present

Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol

I normally don’t like doing reviews on big-budget Hollywood blockbuster action movies. There are plenty of other websites and movie reviewers that do that. We usually look at smaller movies or the type of films that fly under the radar screen. But I couldn’t help myself in the case of Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. I grew up watching Mission Impossible back in the 1960s and 1970s so I’m definitely a fan. I love the espionage genre. There’s nothing more exciting than pulling a fast one and getting away with the goods. And nobody excels better at that then the Impossible Mission force or IMF.

I was thrilled in 1996 when the series was adapted into theatrical films. The previous three movies have been excellent. The good news is Ghost Protocol is the best of the series yet. This is a sensational film that not only offers spectacular action sequences but, more importantly, also has a solid story with good character development along the way. It’s everything you expect in a thriller and then some.

Did I say the action sequences were spectacular? If you’re scared of heights, you might want to keep your eyes closed during the part where Tom Cruise (who does his own stunts) is climbing the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which is over 2,600 feet tall. Ghost Protocol reminds me of James Bond films when they were hitting their stride. It has many similarities to Bond films, such as outlandish and exotic locations, supervilians, unbelievable chase sequences and, of course, a stylish, dark and mysterious leading man.

Tom Cruise is not only solid but exceeds in his portrayal of the lead IMF agent, Ethan Hunt. Over the years, Cruise has had his detractors to say the least. To put it bluntly, the movie critics seem to despise Tom Cruise on a personal level. I just don’t get it. Why the hate? Did he leave them off of their Christmas card list? Tom Cruise is a solid actor. He consistently delivers a good performance. He’s perfect in the role of Ethan Hunt. And he can do several more Mission Impossible movies if he desires. I think it’s going to be the signature role in his career.

Back to the movie. We find Ethan Hunt sitting in a Russian prison. His fellow IMF agents Jane Carter (Paula Patton) and Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) are dispatched to break him out of prison. A code name operant (Cobalt) is trying to acquire secret, Russian active nuclear launch codes. In order to discover the true identity of Cobalt, Ethan Hunt must break into the Kremlin. Of course, things don’t go as planned. A massive explosion rips through the Kremlin, and the IMF team is blamed for the terrorist act. The President of the United States, having no other choice, must disavow the existence of the IMF team by enacting Ghost Protocol. Without support or backup, Hunt and his remaining IMF agents must stop Cobalt, who is bent on acquiring the codes and a nuclear launch control device. His ultimate plan is for a nuclear exchange between the United States and Russia, and the only one standing in his way is Ethan Hunt.

That’s the basic plot; however, there are plenty of twists and turns along the way so I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag. As with any Mission Impossible story, there will be plenty of disguises, double-crosses, and maybe even a triple cross.

Bottom line: It’s just a fun movie. Yes, there’s plenty of eye candy from Moscow to Dubai to Mumbai. As I said Tom Cruise does his own stunts. I don’t know if the guy is courageous or completely out of his mind. But you’ve got to give him credit; he puts everything he has into making a movie. You get his best shot. So if you are looking for a thriller that actually thrills, then I suggest you put this on your Christmas viewing list.