Biblical perspectives on contemporary cinema
Friday, June 20, 2008
So, it's time for another well-loved old TV show to come to life: Get Smart.
Maxwell Smart first hit the small screen in 1965, the creation of Mel Brooks and Buck Henry. I was six years old, and even though I didn't get all the "grown-up humor" at the time, I loved the sight gags and Max's bumbling, stumbling ways. Don Adams was brilliant in the lead role, and Barbara Feldon fabulous as his sidekick, Agent 99.
The show stayed on through 1970, pretty much through my elementary school years, so it's a significant childhood memory. I've always wondered why it rarely showed up in syndication, especially with the advent of Nick at Nite and TV Land and other such stations, which regularly recycle old shows. So many of my memories of the show are distant.
But Netflix just delivered the 1965-66 season to my home, so I'll do some catching up before I see the movie. I hope it lives up to my expectations, but based on our critic's review—Todd Hertz gives it 2 stars—I don't have my hopes up too high. Another one of our critics who has seen it advises that if I go in with "very low expectations," I'm likely to enjoy it more. Yikes. That's hardly a thumbs-up. But Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway are both perfectly cast in the starring roles, so I'll surely give it a try.
I'm not at all interested in seeing the other movie we've reviewed this week—The Love Guru, starring Mike Myers. I think Myers can be brilliantly funny (and I still think his Wayne's World character on SNL is one of that show's best inventions ever), but when he resorts to juvenile potty humor—as he does in this film—I'll say no thanks. Apparently so would our critic, Peter T. Chattaway, who gives it 1.5 stars.
On another note, the other day I saw one of the films I was most looking forward to all year—Wall*E, the latest from the creative geniuses at Pixar. I'll say this much: Pixar hasn't skipped a beat, and it's a very good movie from writer/director Andrew Stanton—though not as good, I would say, as his last film, Finding Nemo. Be sure to read my interview with Stanton next week, and our review of the film next Friday.
In Reel News this week, read how M. Night Shyamalan's latest film, The Happening, is making headlines for its political, scientific, and religious themes.
See you at the movies,
Mark Moring
Editor, CT Movies
To reply to this newsletter: ctmovies@christianitytoday.com
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REVIEW
Get Smart
This TV remake touts great casting and mostly captures the original's spirit—but forgets to be funny, and thus misses being a hit ... by that much.
by Todd Hertz
Rated PG-13
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REVIEW
The Love Guru
Mike Myers pushes the limits of the PG-13 rating once again with a juvenile comedy about the shallowness of celebrity self-help authors.
by Peter T. Chattaway
Rated PG-13
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REEL NEWS
Shyamalan Mixes Faith and Science in The Happening
The director's latest takes on global warming, the environment; says it's "all about" Native American religion. Plus: Favreau concerned over Iron Man 2; Religulous spoofs Beliefnet in new marketing campaign; McAvoy nixes Hobbit rumors; new Dark Knight footage; and more.
by Josh Hurst
SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS FROM THE MOVIES
Cry, The Beloved Country: Living What We Believe
from PreachingToday.com
Click here for a complete listing of our recent articles.
CT at the Movies
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Is it a sin to enjoy the movie Sex and the City?
Vote here, and see how your answer compares to others'.
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The Happening, from director M. Night Shyamalan, opens this week. What's your favorite Shyamalan movie?
- The Sixth Sense: 44%
- Signs: 31%
- The Village: 14%
- Unbreakable: 6%
- The Happening: 1%
- Lady in the Water: 0%
- Praying With Anger: 0%
- Wide Awake: 0%
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Flywheel: Director's Cut, DVD
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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Facing the Giants DVD
Created to evangelize non-believers and encourage
believers, this is an inspiring story about a losing high
school football coach with a whole new game plan.
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Saving Sarah Cain, DVD
Based on Beverly Lewis' bestselling novel, a self-absorbed
woman attends her sister's funeral and discovers that she
is now the legal guardian of her five Amish nieces and nephews.
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