movies

Forget Oprah: Some of my Favorite Things

bo.white — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 08:41:38 -0700

When Oprah Winfrey was doing her talk show, she became famous for giving scores of things away. She gave away cars, trips, trinkets, and even counseling sessions with Dr. Phil. On several shows, she highlighted her favorite things and they were all something material, something that could be given away.

Since this is a blog about ideas and how we express ideas, I thought I’d share some of my favorite things this week in no particular order. Some of them will be quotes, some references or allusions to idea-makers, but all of them will hopefully entertain, enlighten, and even brighten your day. Of course, these are my favorite things, not necessarily yours, nonetheless, welcome to a little bit of my world.

1—"In the end, coming to faith remains for all a sense of homecoming, of picking up the threads of a lost life, of responding to a bell that had long been ringing, of taking a place at a table that had long been vacant." Malcolm Muggeridge wrote the previous sentence and let me recommend his work. In many respects, the way he has articulated his faith journey, which took him around the world, is still something I return to often. He is imminently quotable and I just finished his autobiographical works entitled Chronicles of Wasted Time, which made me lose track of time, which is the sign of good writing.

2—John Lynch on Grace—I am not sure anyone articulates the message of grace better and I believe if we understood, grasped, and experienced more of the truth of this brief message, we’d all change. This idea understood and expressed effectively will change us all.

See the brief video here:

3—The Influence of Francis Schaeffer Did Francis Schaeffer get everything absolutely right? No. He’s human and he’d be the first to admit it. But, for me, his example and his legacy has been remarkably impactful. Perhaps, this is just one of the better anecdotes: A Life of Humility - Blog by Randy Alcorn. If you’re convinced after that anecdote to read more check out True Spirituality and/or No Little People (they are not the most famous of Schaeffer’s works, but again, these are my favorites).

4—‘Oh my Heart,’ by REM—My favorite band just released their best work since Automatic for the People. I have the CD virtually memorized by now and this song captures my own memory of being in New Orleans after Katrina, my love of music, and the ache in my own heart for people I want to see more than I get to. This video comes with a bonus intro from Michael Stipe about what happens when art suddenly clicks. See it here:

5—Christopher Nolan films I am a Batman fan and have been all my life. When I was very young (less than 7 years young), I went to an auto show with my uncle and sat in the Batmobile and I was hooked; so when Christopher Nolan took over the helm, it was manna from heaven (Tim Burton was great, but Joel Schumacher’s version(s) made me cringe and get angry). In addition to the Batman films, though, Nolan has also done Memento, Insomnia, and Inception. Dark Knight Rises is currently filming, they added Anne Hathaway (strike up some heavenly choir) and others to the mix. Anyone want to have a Nolan film festival? I am willing to host if you bring the snacks and drinks?

So, we’ll see how this goes. Again, these are some, not all, of my favorite things. Feel free to check them out.

-bo

Among Royalty

Rick Bundschuh — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:54:05 -0700

I got an invitation to attend an honest to goodness Hollywood premier.

It was a once in a lifetime experience that I would have passed on as the trek from Hawaii to Los Angles to go to a movie is a bit much and frankly, I am not that impressed by celebrities to get all that fired up about it.

But since I have a daughter who is a freshman majoring in film and had some extra miles, I thought I would suit up and mingle with the elite so that she would be encouraged to purse her craft.

Maybe suit up is not the right word.

I don’t own a suit or a tie. I did have some new black jeans and a nice Aloha shirt, which I thought would be appropriate attire since it was the premier of a surf movie, Soul Surfer, which was based on the book that I helped write for my long time friends, the Hamilton family. (And no, I am not getting anything for this effort other than bragging rights.)

So, with my daughter who was dressed to the nines in tow, we proceeded down Sunset Boulevard in search of the theater that would be hosting the premier.

If you’ve never been to Hollywood, please know that the glory days have been over for a long, long time. It is filthy, seedy, abandoned and littered with a wild collection of homeless, weirdoes and druggies.

But apparently there are shimmers from the past, for as we pulled up to the theater we could see that the streets were overflowing with paparazzi, media and loads of tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of Hollywood royalty.

As I wandered through the various levels of security that it took to actually get into the cinema, I took first hand note of how the caste system of popular culture works.

At bottom of the pile, the raw vermin, were the paparazzi, for they were rude, obnoxious and only in it for a buck. They screamed and cursed at my friend Noah (Bethany Hamilton’s brother) because he happened to step in front of their cameras when someone of “note” strolled by (I think it was Jack Nicholson).

I smiled because Noah did just what I would have expected him to do…he froze in place and then walked in slow motion in front of the cameras even longer to the swearing and verbal abuse of the vermin.

The next level of humanity was the rabble…those for whom celebrity tabloids are English literature and whose value goes up in their hometown because they were within twenty paces of a star.

There was lots of rabble that evening, many begging for an autograph.

Further up the scale were those of us fortunate enough to be granted a ticket to the premier. Not allowed onto the red carpet and scurried out of the foyer and into the theater, we did have access to the stars (well, sort of) but even better we got to be part of a big event and the after party. Plus we had all the popcorn and soda we could consume for free…mountains of it.

At the top of the pile were the actors…the people who make a living pretending to be someone they are not.

In this case they pretended to be surfers (well, a few did surf and the rest took lessons) they pretended to be devout Christians (again, a couple declared they had faith) and of course they pretended to be the people I knew in real life as friends.

The acting royalty was feted, photographed and sought out.

And, like most royalty, most had little interest in anyone who was of a slightly lower caste.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am NOT putting down actors. I admire the talent of people who have honed this craft into a convincing display of mimicking real people.

But it was a first hand reminder of the odd and twisted value system humanity has adopted.

Celebrities are a big deal…even in the Christian world. We create caste systems out of beauty, achievement, economics and such. But it seems to me that the Kingdom of Heaven turns this on its head. From everything I have read about it, those who are considered royalty and those deemed as great come by their titles via some different path altogether.

They get their royalty by grace and their greatness by their service to others.

I know this is a hard sell in a culture that celebrates people who pretend for a living (or throw a ball or take off their clothes), but just maybe it would be fun to throw a party and roll out the red carpet, get our own paparazzi and crowd clamoring for some simple souls whose main contribution in life is to love God and make others feel great.

And as part of that party, I think we should have all the popcorn and soda you can consume…for free.

What Are Your Thoughts on Faith-Based Movies?

Kristen Howerton — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 23:24:08 -0700

Today I was invited to Fox Studios in LA to meet with several people in their marketing team for a conversation about faith-based movies. It was just myself and my friend Carlos Whittaker (who is an amazing blogger and also the dad in that famous single ladies video). We got to preview some of the new features on the latest Narnia movie Dawn Treader,and we had some amazing conversations about entertainment and the Christian community with some really smart and savvy women at Fox.

We talked quite a bit about the value of movies that teach kids about character. I think the Narnia series is a great example of that. It has a high production value and it has all the elements to draw a child into the story (action, adventure, romance, etc.) It’s an epic tale with a message of integrity, and there while there are definitely Christian themes, it is a values-driven movie that would appeal to non-religious families as well. (Also, the DVD special features? ARE REALLY COOL.)

Anyways, we also talked about values-driven films for adults, and this is where I would love some feedback. Carlos and I were both in agreement that I’m not so sure that the Christians of the younger generations are actually all that interested in overtly Christian films. I think this is especially true in the Christian hipster movement, but I think it overlaps in mainstream Christianity as well. My perception is that we are all a little skeptical of Christian films. Maybe because they’ve been done poorly in the past, maybe because they often feel preachy and contrived . . . but for whatever reason I think that my generation, and the younger set, would be more excited to see a secular movie with Christian themes than a Christian movie. We did talk about examples of overtly Christian movies that have been done well, but I honestly couldn’t think of many. We also talked about how there is definitely a market (Fireproof being an example of a success, though I haven’t seen it.) But I wonder if that market skews a bit older.

Anyways, I would be curious to hear your thoughts on Christian movies. If you are non-religious, do you find a movie with overt Christian themes to be off-putting? And if you are a Christian, are there some specifically Christian films that you really enjoy? Would you agree that Christians are skeptical of Christian movies? If so, why is that the case? And what changes would you love to see in the movie industry in the way of Christian entertainment?

Inception Unaccepted

Renee Johnson — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 04:50:34 -0700

If Christopher Nolan isn't a Christian, he should be. Watching the summer's best movie corrupt my pea-sized brain was incredible. That is, until I was its next captive.

Someone planted a thought in my brain.

Last night. I. Broke. Down. For whatever reason I couldn't tolerate my living situation anymore. Full time writer = parents pad. Doesn't sound so cool when you're 28 and single. Yeah, I'm a published author, yada yada yada...but the sting of losing my independence is still fresh in the brain.

So who planted the thought? (This is the worst) *Only continue reading if you enjoy brutal honesty about the single life.

When I'm lonely I go online more.

When I go online more I browse guys profiles.

When I browse guys profiles I tend to remember old flings.

When I remember old flings I usually contact one (or more).

When I contact them sometimes they accept.

When they accept I go on a date.

When I go on a date bad things happen.

Like inception.

I can't even believe I'm saying this, but it's true. So we're (the old fling and I) walking along the beach in Carlsbad off Tamarack and Coast Hwy and he says to me, "so when do you think you're going to move out of your parents house?" (Insert thought here.) My mind went directly to more questions...

"So we can make out?" "Spend some quality alone time together?" "Be perceived as a normal person?" What? But, he didn't say anything more. Part of the reason why I didn't keep him around. The boy doesn't talk. Much.

For the past few weeks I couldn't put my finger on what was bothering me.

When I'm upset I withdraw.

When I withdraw I spent more time alone.

When I spend time alone I usually lose touch with God, not just people.

When I lose touch with God I get writers block.

When I get writers block I ...

See? That was my freight train the past couple weeks. Here I am supposed to be fighting other people's battles daily by praying and encouraging them to connect with God while I've got my own freaggin freight train going through MY head.

The dark knight stole the memento by planting a thought in my brain: Inception unaccepted.

Empathy for the Persecuted Smoker

bo.white — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:46:35 -0700

Up until recently, I have been on the bandwagon to make smokers pay for all of the polluted air, the lighting up of a cigarette in a restaurant or near my children, and the absurdity of driving by a hospital (the refuge of all things healthy) and witness a dozen doctors and nurses standing outside smoking. Smoking will harm you, cut your life short, and slowly destroy various parts of your body. The packs come with giant warning labels and the prices for packs are becoming outrageous (how many smokers need to quit nowadays, simply because they can no longer afford it?).

How many house fires and forest fires have been carelessly started by a smoldering cigarette? How many lives lost or cut short because of the lingering health problems associated with smoking? How many times have you seen an attractive woman (or man) walk down the street and you say to yourself 'wow, she's got it together....' Then she lights up a cigarette and the whole scene turns ugly....I am on the bandwagon that says smoking is bad. Smoking should be banned in hospitals, restaurants, and shops.

But, now we have gone too far. In a recent film preview, I saw the following words on the preview page where we see what the film is rated: "PG-13 for sexual content, smoking, and language". Let me repeat. The movie is being rated for scenes containing "sexual content, smoking, and language." Are you kidding me? Distancing my lungs from smoke is one thing, but distancing myself from art that may have smoking references or smoking scenes is something else. And what about the recent study saying that obesity is just as harmful, potentially more harmful than smoking? (see also the NPR story entitled "Obesity Trumps Smoking as America's Health Burden")

Can you imagine sitting in the theatre with your jumbo size popcorn filled with obscene amounts of trans fat with a gigantic size diet coke to wash it down when suddenly the film preview on the screen says: "Rated PG-13 for sexual content, strong language, and obesity"? Are we seriously headed for a day when our movies may be judged on their public health concerns? Maybe we can have a film that reads: "rated R for graphic violence, smoking, obesity, and unprotected sexual content". Perhaps, we can be entertained by a film that reads: "rated PG-13 for sensuality, language, and bathroom scenes with unwashed hands."

I have tried smoking and it didn't produce empathy nor solidarity for me in relationship to those addicted. But, now the Motion Picture Association of America has taken the persecution of the smoker too far and for the first time I now stand with my brothers and sisters who feel the need to light up. Sure, smokers pollute themselves and the world around them, but can't they at least watch a movie in peace?

-bo

GUIDE to THE BLIND SIDE

Craig Detweiler — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:16:15 -0800

I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard Christians express a hunger to see their faith portrayed in a forthright manner onscreen. Nobody wants to see something preachy. They simply long to find a film that shows how beliefs are translated into tangible actions. Surely, daily discipleship decisions can be translated into cinematic terms.

Prayers have been answered with a remarkably entertaining film, THE BLIND SIDE. This real life story of football player Michael Oher comes from the acclaimed pen of Michael Lewis (author of Moneyball and The New New Thing). But The Blind Side is a much more than a football story. It is a tribute to families, to the power of adoption, to the practical difference one family can make. At a time when we desperately need heroic actions, The Blind Side delivers refreshing role models.

Sandra Bullock is so compelling as Leigh Anne Tuohy. She absolutely owns the screen with a ferocity so rarely afforded to cinematic mothers. She is such a charming and persuasive Southern belle. As Big Mike, newcomer Quintin Aaron softens, breaks and then restores our hearts. It is such a strong understated performance. John Lee Hancock (The Rookie) directs a winning cast. He makes us care deeply about the characters and their predicaments. Cynical reviewers may consider their choices cloying. Some have called the film paternalistic (white family rescues poor black boy). But I’d suggest that The Blind Side earns respect through conscientious actions.

I had the privilege of previewing the film and writing a study guide. It includes downloadable scenes from The Blind Side. While New Moon may capture most of the headlines this weekend, The Blind Side will quietly renew your faith in Hollywood and in what a difference we can each make if we simply live out our convictions. It will join the ranks of Rudy and Hoosiers as an instant sports classic. Not because of action on the gridiron, but rooted in the transformation that occurs within Michael Oher and the viewer.

Summer 2009 @ The Movies

Craig Detweiler — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:57:20 -0700

Craig Detweiler: Summer 2009 Movies from CJ Casciotta on Vimeo.

Great Expectations

Kristin Ritzau — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 23:52:42 -0700

After a long discussion of what we were in the mood to watch last night, my husband and I decided on the Duchess with Kiera Knightly. It was a good movie and even my husband, who doesn’t like period pieces, appreciated it. For those of you who haven’t seen it, the film is based on the true story of the Duchess of Devonshire in the late 1700s. It follows the plight of the bourgeoisie women of the time. I will refrain from saying a whole lot more because I hate it when people ruin movies. The reason that this movie stood out to me was a quote from Knightly’s character right after she gets married. Her new husband grabs a pair of scissors to cut her out the elaborate dress she is wearing that she designed. He gripes as he snips away at the different layers that he doesn’t understand the lengths women go to with their clothing. She responds by saying that maybe that is because clothing is the only way women can express themselves because they can’t in any other way.

Last week the President and First Lady returned from their first trip abroad. There were many stresses and successes, but what apparently shown the brightest was Michelle Obama’s wardrobe. J.Crew sold out of the skirt number she wore when she and Mrs. Brown went to tour the cancer ward at a local hospital in England. Her kitten heels had more comments on blogs than her husband’s press conferences.

Michelle is certainly making her mark as the latest fashionista which echoes back to the movie quote. Have we not moved beyond women and fashion as a being representative of having a platform or voice? Condi Rice represented our nation very well, but more ado was made over her morning workout regimen at the height of her career than her trips to the Middle East. I hope when history records itself that there will be more said about these amazing, educated, go-getter women. I hope that their speeches are recorded and the policies they advocate for are what we will look for as a measuring stick, not how tall their heels were. Yes, the workouts and clothes will continue to be dissected down to every detail, but I have higher hopes for women.

I often hear people say, “women dress for other women, not men.” Women are each other’s worst competitors, not collaborators. There are magazines dedicated to cutting others down. Women have to be the perfect mom, daughter, spouse, employee, student, etc. which comes at the expense of authenticity and vulnerability. I watched Oprah’s “moms confess all” episode last week and sat there taking notes the whole time. Quotes I heard were:
•   “[Moms] Don’t have permission to admit how hard it is.”
•   “Everyone is walking around not being real.”
•   “The list of expectations is unrealistic – we’re failing.”
And on and on they talked about the need to reinvent ourselves, to stop comparing and lying to one another, to realize that we are not alone.

I sat there thinking this is not just moms, this is women in general. I spoke to a group of college women last week and all of them had the same sentiments. From the mom in California with 4 kids to the student who is trying to figure out life after graduation to the White House… We’re all worried about measuring up, about the expectations. These great expectations… that really aren’t so great.

I believe the first step is creating spaces where we can start these mini-rebellions of throwing out those expectations – safe spaces, sacred spaces. However, we have to enter into that process with an understanding that it takes time and in an age of lightening fast instant gratification, are we ready to take the time to make the space so the patterns of expectations of women can change? That is what A Beautiful Mess is all about – whether on the blog, at a retreat, or in a spiritual practice these are all safe spaces to just be. And that is where God meets us – not in People magazine or on TMZ.com – in our own beings. So let’s begin creating more spaces!

CLINT EASTWOOD DANCES WITH PRIESTS

Craig Detweiler — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:12:58 -0800

Gran Torino is simple but smart. Most of the plot unfolds in a leisurely and predictable manner. Critics have described it as “Dirty Harry gets old and cranky.” It is easy (and foolish) to dismiss the elderly as irrelevant or immigrants as ignorant. It is also foolish to underestimate the dramatic power of Gran Torino. Younger moviegoers desperately need the initiation rites and religious ruminations offered by the 78-year old director (and star!), Clint Eastwood.

Gran Torino continues Eastwood’s cinematic dance with the Catholic Church. In Mystic River (2003), an entire community wrestled with unsettling secrets. The movie poster announced the theme: “We bury our sins, we wash them clean.” In Million Dollar Baby (2004), Eastwood’s washed up boxer, Frankie Dunn, engages in an ongoing ethical debate with a priest in his local parish. It served as a timely commentary upon the controversy surrounding Teri Schiavo and her right to live (or die). Eastwood leans into messy, ethical dilemmas, both acknowledging and challenging church teaching. (For more on both of these haunting films, see my new book, Into the Dark).

Eastwood wrestles with mortality in Gran Torino. We first see Korean war veteran Walt Kowalksi at his wife’s funeral. A young priest piles on platitudes that fail to move Walt. Afterwards, the earnest and inexperienced Father Janovich fulfills her dying wish, inviting Walt to confession. But Kowalski can’t imagine confiding in a person who doesn’t deserve his respect. The burden on Walt’s soul feels far too substantial for such a lightweight cleric.

Amidst substantive spiritual questions, Gran Torino offers plenty of lacerating laughs. The cantankerous Kowalski spews racist comments toward his Hmong neighbors that violate all notions of political correctness. Such blatant bigotry is rarely heard in our public entertainments. Yet, first-time screenwriter Nick Schenk revels in Walt’s rough edges. Gran Torino violates all kinds of conventional wisdom in Hollywood, pitting a lonely, irascible widower against a family of immigrants. Eastwood dares to cast unknown actors like Bee Vang in crucial roles. And yet, Gran Torino works as a litany of sacrifice. Only Eastwood’s considerable leverage could get such a modest and miraculous film made.

The title refers to Walt’s prize possession, a ‘72 Gran Torino. Walt used to work on the Ford assembly line in Detroit. Now, both Walt and Michigan’s auto industry are fading. Despite its iconic status in Starsky & Hutch, the Gran Torino was never a great car. Dan Neil of the LA Times notes how Ford was caught flat-footed in the first gas crisis of the seventies. Gas-guzzlers like the Gran Torino were impractical and out of step almost from their day of release. Time has passed by both Walt and his car.

So can an old school vet like Walt make peace with the multiethnic future next door? It will not be an easy transition. There will be plenty of resistance. Blood may even be spilled in the process. But that former world will not withstand our postmodern present. Walt fights hard, until he develops an advanced form of surrender. Father Janovich adapts and grows alongside Walt. Despite all the racist invective, Gran Torino becomes a profoundly humanizing experience. It offers hope to all manner of estranged fathers and their sons struggling to become men. It is a fitting tribute to people like my own crusty old Dad.

Not since Martin Scorsese’s early work in Mean Streets and Raging Bull, has an American filmmaker so consistently addressed questions of guilt, absolution, and redemption. Has Eastwood the auteur found a rich dramatic vein, mining it to Oscar gold? Or is an aging director dealing with questions of mortality in a rarely seen, uncompromising manner. The answer may be a bit of both.