Splatter: on FILM

HEREAFTER…Damon (lead) Eastwood (Director) Spielberg & Marshall (Producers)…2011

November 14, 2010October 26, 2015Leave a comment

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A line of scripture, one that Clint Eastwood no doubt has perused in his day, reads, “…a cord of three strands is not easily broken.” In Eastwood’s recent offering, he slowly braids three threads of storyline, eventually intertwining them, hoping to create a strong and lasting hope in an eternity attainable. The opening sequence recreates the instant inundation of Thailand via tsunami. Tone settles like debris reminding me that when Eastwood nods to or foreshadows some tragedy or sadness, he delivers. He’s not a liar. Rather, his films tell the stark, raw, unapologetic truth. The sad mingles with hope, yet there is a familiar loneliness, a longing most can relate to. Matt Damon succeeds in this role, but even his performance wanes in comparison to the french woman of the film, Cecile De France. Matt Damon at least secures top billing as he makes all seven deliveries of the line, “It’s not a gift. It’s a curse,” feel almost believable and with an air of debonair.

Perhaps Eastwood, becoming what Shakespeare would call “much in years,” has begun pondering his own afterlife. Yes this film provides a thoughtful, researched line of questioning,but it’s slow pacing and neglected payoff provide too faint a glimmer to represent a perceivable light at the end of the tunnel.

THE SECRET OF KELLS…2010

November 14, 2010October 26, 2015Leave a comment

If one could feel a story…plumb its depths and utter small tokens of amazement at its beauty and truth, it might take the form of this lovely film. It’s context is clearly a tribute to rich Irish heritage. Color, the pure medium, acts as storyteller, relaying good versus evil as one would recount a dream. This film is artwork, enhanced and moving, with voices and life. The story arch reveals in classic hero journey – cave, reward, elixir evident. Music enchants audience, appealing to intensity of story climax, thrill of chase, and joy in rescue through irish folk songs and lullabies. See this for the color. See it for the story. Gasp at the glory of art which brings light!

PS. How can I resist the parallel of beauty bringing light, unity, freedom, and life to the ultimate beauty of Christ’s sacrifice! “Jesus said, I am the LIGHT of the world. Whoever follows me, will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

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EAT, PRAY, LOVE…2010…Julia Roberts at her best

November 14, 2010February 26, 2011Leave a comment

This could have been called Walk, Sit, Smile. As our hero rushed out of her ordinary world, she became a traveler, a thinker, a mimic, a devout even thoughtful character. I cried through this whole movie. I kept wondering why as I walked away from the theater and down toward the waterfront to catch the last bits of sunset. What had I learned from this film? Certainly, my lessons are not the same, but I feel for her as she experiences pain . I ache for the lost, the compassless, the grieving. This film opened a stranger’s medicine cabinet, and allowed viewers ample opportunities to recognize that the perscriptions have our names inscribed on them. We feel for Julia. In many ways, as any good story should, we feel we are not simply like the hero, but that we are the hero. My story may not take me around the world, but the obstacles, the triumphs, the discoveries, the journey itself : these are the same. My compass, however, is the Jesus and His word. Without it, I too would likely find myself on a similarly blunderous journey listening to all voices longing for the one that sounds most like a father.