Category Archives: At the Movies

The Hope Filled Life (The Undefeated)

The Undefeated was made back in 1969 and features John Wayne and Rock Hudson in the leading roles. Although Wayne was a little bit before my time, I’m always up for seeing anything that he was in. While nobody will ever confuse him with a great actor, the characters he portrayed always had a down-to-earth honesty about themContinue reading “The Hope Filled Life (The Undefeated)”

The Call That Makes A Difference (Kingdom Of Heaven)

The Kingdom of Heaven is a movie you might want to see if you’re interested in the Crusades. Actually, at almost two hours and thirty minutes, maybe you need to be really interested in the Crusades (or in Orlando Bloom, ladies). Anyway, in a fairly forgettable movie there is one standout scene. Bloom’s character, Balian, a blacksmith-turned-knight, is preparingContinue reading “The Call That Makes A Difference (Kingdom Of Heaven)”

Super Heroes And Low Ceilings (The Avengers)

When you make a movie about comic book characters your ceiling is only so high.  That said, The Avengers is not a bad movie by any means. It’s just there are only so many places to go when you have a film that features six super heroes. As a result, there’s a lot of action and not much ofContinue reading “Super Heroes And Low Ceilings (The Avengers)”

Remember Your Song (The Pianist)

The Pianist is the riveting account of Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Polish composer and musician. He played piano for Poland’s national radio network until Hitler’s invasion in 1939.  When Warsaw was being bombed by the Germans, the manager and sound engineers hurriedly shut down the station and fled.  Despite the fact that they were off the air, Szpilman kept playing andContinue reading “Remember Your Song (The Pianist)”

Singing, Hope, Joy, And Life (Enchanted)

Enchanted is enchanting!  It’s utterly predictable, completely over-the-top, and there’s not a single car chase in the movie. Nonetheless, it’s wonderfully refreshing and uplifting! Enchanted is about what happens when a young lady leaves her fantasy/animated world and goes into the “real world” of New York City. Will, she change? Of course she will!  How will she change? Well, that’s the story.Continue reading “Singing, Hope, Joy, And Life (Enchanted)”

Ruby With The Eyes That Sparkle (Cold Mountain)

Everything in the movie, Cold Mountain, is about contrast. The major storyline unfolds through the juxtaposition of Inman’s war experience and his odyssey back to the mountains of North Carolina with Ada Monroe’s war time years on Cold Mountain. Within this framework there is: the contrasting of past and present, the horrors of war on the battlefield andContinue reading “Ruby With The Eyes That Sparkle (Cold Mountain)”

Remember Who You Are (Somewhere In The Night)

The following dialogue is from the 1946 movie, Somewhere in the Night. It’s a little long, but I think it’s worth it. George Taylor is a Marine veteran suffering from amnesia brought on by an explosion during the war. As he is trying to piece together his story, he has this conversation with a young ladyContinue reading “Remember Who You Are (Somewhere In The Night)”

Real People, Not Actors

I saw a commercial not long ago that contained something unintentionally funny as well as being quite revealing. I don’t remember what was being advertised, but they had people giving testimonials while words appeared on the screen that said, Real people, not actors. I think they spoke more truth than they realized. I’m not saying thatContinue reading “Real People, Not Actors”

Proceed And Be Bold (True Grit)

To become a citizen of the United States, you must do three things: apply for citizenship, pass a naturalization exam, and participate in an oath ceremony. There’s one more thing I think should be added to the list: you should have to watch at least one John Wayne movie. I think you could learn aContinue reading “Proceed And Be Bold (True Grit)”

Of Gods And Men

There are movies that entertain and there are movies that make you think as they entertain. Then there are movies simply make you think while inspiring you. Of Gods and Men belongs in this category. It is a French film that is based on events that took place in Algiers in 1996. It explores faith, freedom, and brotherhood. A small groupContinue reading “Of Gods And Men”