Biblical perspectives on contemporary cinema
Friday, February 22, 2008
Just a few weeks ago, the writers' strike still wasn't settled, and the outlook for the Oscars looked bleak. January's Golden Globes had been reduced to a boring press conference, minus all the glitz and glam, due to the strike, and many wondered if the Academy Awards show was headed for the same fate.
But now that the strike has ended, the show will go on (and on and on), with all of the red-carpet celebs and way-too-expensive designer clothes and emotional acceptance speeches. And yet, the outlook for the Oscars is still quite bleak.
Not the show, but the movies. Three of the five films nominated for Best Picture—Michael Clayton, No Country for Old Men, and There Will Be Blood—are dark and/or depressing. Atonement is hardly "happy." Only the chipper Juno—which has left smiles on moviegoers' faces to the tune of more than $150 million internationally—stands out as a point of light among this brooding crowd of nominees.
USA Today got it right in a Thursday story titled, "The Good, the Bad, and the Anti-Hero," where Susan Wloszczyna wrote, "It's time to honor the dishonorable at Sunday’s Oscar ceremony." The article focused primarily on nominees for the acting awards, zeroing in on Javier Bardem's character in No Country for Old Men and Daniel Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood. Bad guys—very bad guys—indeed ... and yet, as anyone who has seen those films has to admit, two of the most compelling characters we've seen on the big screen in years. Their performances were terrific and disturbing ... and riveting.
The article included a photo montage of all the acting nominees whose characters are "steeped in moral ambiguity," adding that "some have darker sides than others."
An Oscars story on the front page of Friday's USA Today asks the same question I'm asking: "Can Juno's feisty Ellen Page prevail against films of gloom?"
Page is nominated for Best Actress for her refreshing role as a whip-smart pregnant teen in Juno, my favorite film of the year—and indeed, No. 1 on our recent Critics' Choice list, No. 3 on our Most Redeeming list, and No. 2 in our Readers' Choice Awards. Juno is a long shot to win Best Picture at the Oscars, but Page has a decent shot at Best Actress. Here's one viewer who’s going to be rooting for both on Sunday night.
What about you? Which film do you think should win Best Picture? Vote here.
Three new reviews this week: Vantage Point, a thriller—and a bit of a whodunit—about a presidential assassination attempt viewed from the perspective of eight different witnesses; Charlie Bartlett, a smart comedy about an enterprising high school student who wins friends and influences people as an amateur counselor ... with a prescription pad; and Be Kind Rewind, a comedy by Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) starring Jack Black and Mos Def as video store clerks who, in a desperate attempt to save the business, produce home-made versions of popular movies.
Also new this week: Interviews with Dolph Lundgren (he was the Russian boxer in Rocky IV!), who discusses his role in The Final Inquiry, a new film about a Roman soldier investigating Christ's resurrection; and Christian filmmaker Martin Doblmeier, whose new documentary, The Power of Forgiveness, explores precisely what the title says—and it is a powerful film.
Finally, Reel News reports that the live-action adaptation of The Hobbit isn't a done deal, as New Line Cinema faces more legal battles—this time a lawsuit from the Tolkien estate.
See you at the movies,
Mark Moring
Editor, CT Movies
To reply to this newsletter: ctmovies@christianitytoday.com
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REVIEW
Vantage Point
Eight different character perspectives help piece together the mystery behind a presidential assassination in this tightly wound action thriller resembling television's 24.
by Russ Breimeier
Rated PG-13
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REVIEW
Charlie Bartlett
An enterprising teen armed with counseling savvy—and a prescription pad—finds popularity in this entertaining, if sometimes erratic, high school comedy.
by Carolyn Arends
Rated R
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REVIEW
Be Kind Rewind
Eternal Sunshine director Michel Gondry is back with another flight of whimsy, a sweetly goofy conceit with Jack Black and Mos Def creating their own slapdash remakes of old movies.
by Steven D. Greydanus
Rated PG-13
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INTERVIEW
Heroes and Villains
Dolph Lundgren has played good guys and bad guys for 25 years. Now he's in a new movie about a Roman soldier investigating Christ's resurrection.
by Peter T. Chattaway
INTERVIEW
Seventy Times Seven
Martin Doblmeier's newest documentary has already struck an international blow for the value of forgiveness.
by Sam O'Neal
REEL NEWS
Hobbit Hits Hurdles
A new lawsuit threatens to block The Hobbit, as Tolkien's estate sues New Line Cinema. Plus: Indy trailer debuts; Bettany joins spiritual thriller Legion; Nativity Story's Joseph gets new role; Passion screenwriter sues Mel Gibson; and more.
by Josh Hurst
SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS FROM THE MOVIES
Envy: Man Confesses His Jealousy
from PreachingToday.com
Click here for a complete listing of our recent articles.
CT at the Movies
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The Academy Awards are coming up soon. What's your choice for Best Picture?
- Atonement
- Juno
- Michael Clayton
- No Country for Old Men
- There Will Be Blood
Vote here, and see how your answer compares to others'.
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The Academy Awards are coming up soon. Who's your choice for Best Director?
- Jason Reitman, Juno: 42%
- Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood: 28%
- Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: 11%
- Coen Brothers, No Country for Old Men: 11%
- Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton: 4%
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Evan Almighty, DVD
Everyone's favorite funnyman Steve Carell is at his
hilarious best as junior congressman Evan Baxter, whose
wish to "change the world" is heard by none other than God.
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Love's Unending Legacy, DVD
The fifth installment from Janette Oke's beloved series.
Two years have passed since Missie's husband died. Can
she let go of the past and embrace the future?
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Amazing Grace, DVD Set
The acclaimed story of William Wilberforce, chronicling
his epic struggle to pass a British law to end the slave
trade in the late 18th century. Inspired by a true story.
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A.D., DVD
This stunning sequel to Jesus of Nazareth vividly re-
creates the turbulent years following the crucifixion of
Christ. Filmed in Palestine with an all-star cast.
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