Biblical perspectives on contemporary cinema
Friday, March 07, 2008
One of our critics, Frederica Mathewes-Green, has seen two movies in the last couple of weeks that were simply loaded with talent, featuring some of the finest actresses alive today. Ah, but great acting isn't always enough ...
Last week, Frederica reviewed Bonneville, starring Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, and Joan Allen—with a combined nine Oscar nominations (and three wins) among them. But even those acting chops couldn't overcome a lame story, and Frederica slapped it with a 1-star review.
This week, Frederica's luck wasn't much better, even though Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day stars Oscar nominee Amy Adams and Oscar winner Frances McDormand. It had the potential—and the star power—to be a good one, but alas, Frederica found it to be a forgettable 2-star flick.
Turns out that the week's best movie also has females in its starring roles—but none of them will likely ever get anywhere near Oscar's red carpet. No matter. The chicks in Girls Rock! are the real deal—real-life young girls and teens who are trying to find their way in a world that oversexualizes them, a culture that makes it difficult to find one's self-esteem.
But the summer camp featured in this documentary—Portland's Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls—is helping these young ladies to grow in self-confidence, to find their worth. The film's best line might come from 15-year-old Laura, who near the end of her camping experience says, "I've been waiting so long to admit I'm amazing." Sounds like a variation on a line that we as Christians embrace: "I'm fearfully and wonderfully made."
Anyway, these girls certainly do rock, and we hope it'll come to a theater near you. It's currently only showing in only a handful of cities, but will spread to wider release in the weeks ahead.
Our other new review this week is Woolly Mammoths and Sabre-Toothed Tigers Rock! Oops, wrong title. I mean, 10,000 B.C., a CGI-laden action adventure where studs in furry loincloths hunt mighty mammoths, fend off toothy tigers, and even save fair maidens in distress. And it’s all brought to you by the over-the-top director who brought us such fare as Godzilla (1998), The Day After Tomorrow, and Independence Day—Roland Emmerich. Oy.
Also new this week, Reel News reports that New Line Cinema—the studio that brought us the Lord of the Rings trilogy—is folding, but that plans for The Hobbit are still in place.
See you at the movies,
Mark Moring
Editor, CT Movies
To reply to this newsletter: ctmovies@christianitytoday.com
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REVIEW
10,000 B.C.
The elephants and tigers are larger-than-life in this prehistoric tale, but the movie itself is a poorly executed pastiche of ancient heroic tales.
by Peter T. Chattaway
Rated PG-13
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REVIEW
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
An impoverished ex-governess spends a madcap day as social secretary to a singer juggling three lovers.
by Frederica Mathewes-Green
Rated PG-13
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REVIEW
Girls Rock!
An indie documentary about Portland's Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls isn't really about rock or the camp at all, but uses the setting to show the lives of four young girls and what they most need.
by Todd Hertz
Rated PG
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REEL NEWS
New Line Folds; Hobbit Safe for Now
Studio behind Lord of the Rings folds after forty years, absorbed by Warner Bros.; Hobbit movies still a go. Plus: Intelligent Design doc draws criticisms; Vatican condemns Oscar winners; updates on Night at the Museum 2, Star Trek, and Terminator; and more.
by Josh Hurst
SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS FROM THE MOVIES
Message in a Bottle: Husband Loves Like Christ
from PreachingToday.com
Click here for a complete listing of our recent articles.
CT at the Movies
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Compared to a decade ago, today's movies are generally:
- Much better
- A little better
- About the same
- A little worse
- Much worse
Vote here, and see how your answer compares to others'.
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Where do you rent most of your DVDs?
- Netflix: 37%
- Blockbuster: 32%
- Other: 18%
- Hollywood Video: 5%
- Local private store: 5%
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An Easter Carol, VeggieTales DVD
In this lesson that Easter is about more than just candy
and eggs, the wild and wacky cast of VeggieTales
characters entertain while they tell their lively story.
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Saving Sarah Cain, DVD
Based on Beverly Lewis's bestselling novel, a self-absorbed
woman attends her sister's funeral and discovers that she
is now legal guardian of her five Amish nieces and nephews.
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