Wednesday, 17 July 2013
Sunday, 14 July 2013
Saturday, 6 July 2013
Gru and his yellow, gobbledygook-spewing, Contac-capsule-shaped minions are baaaack! “Despicable Me 2” picks up where “Despicable Me” left off, but if you didn’t see the first installment, no worries, “2” is a hoot without it. All you need to know is that Gru (Steve Carell) is former dastardly doer of evil deeds on a planetary scale. A villain stylin’ like a Russian spy from the Cold War, complete with a 1960’s oversized turtleneck and skinny slacks.
Gru has settled down as a “legitimate businessman,” but what matters most to him now is his girls: “I’m a father now” is the excuse that keeps him out of a lot of trouble. He glories in his responsibilities toward his three spirited fillies, and the littlest one, Agnes, can melt his heart with the bat of an eyelash. But, of course, this domestic bliss is not to go unchallenged. Evil forces are at work in the world, and Gru is recruited to counteract them on account of his super villain skills (he stole the moon, but as Gru is quick to remind everyone: “…but I put it back”).
A fourth spunky female enters Gru’s life in the form of red-headed agent Lucy (Kristen Wiig) of the Anti-Villain League. When they become partners in anti-crime, Gru is too frozen in his bad childhood memories of playground rejection and humiliation by girls to even entertain the thought of asking Lucy out. But his daughters pour on the pressure because “it’s time” for Gru to date, and little Agnes would sure love a Mom. Speaking of dating, the eldest girl, Margot, is getting sweet on a boy, and all the fiery Papa Grizzly in Gru comes out (to hilarious effect, of course).
There are so many great scenes and sequences in “2” that it’s hard to know where to start. Gru in love? It’s like the scene in “Enchanted” where Amy Adams’ character flounces through the park. The minions turning purple? The lipstick taser? The ice cream truck? The minion firemen? “El Macho” grabbing a random woman off the street to dance with? The minions as Boys To Men and then Village People cover bands (singing in minion language, of course)? There are just too many to count.
Kids will love this film (especially for the endlessly entertaining “sideshow” but also “main plot” minions), but adults will love it even more because of all the subtle and sophisticated humor. The only objectionable parts were the way a “bad date” of Gru’s gets treated (the violence done to the young woman is a bit extreme, even though partially unintended), and some heavy-duty, maximum Mexican stereotyping in bad guy “El Macho.” And, I’d like to know who declared open season on fat people and fake people.
“2” is a delightful collaboration (two directors and two screenwriters with impeccable credentials) with a strong dose of what feels almost like French whimsy, brought to you by Universal Studios, not known for animation, but certainly rivaling the best of Pixar. Sharpen your eyes and ears because there’s much to miss in every packed, juicy minute.
OTHER STUFF:
--Funny, funny, funny.
--Ma caught something I didn’t. When a hi-tech scope zeroes in on Gru’s macabre little lower-mandible challenged “dog” (also in the first film), the scope registers “species unknown.” :D
--There are some incredibly great and funny lines that I would love to share with you, but I’m #nospoiler.
--“2’s” equipment and contraptions are better than Bond’s any day.
--THEOLOGY OF THE BODY? Yup! Gru is just so respectful of women! AND so cutely shy! AND: “What is fun without rules?” could be applied to TOB! AND “147 dates”! AND Gru has to rescue Lucy! AND other stuff!
--Revenge of the lab bunnies!
--Once a spy, always a spy.
--One of my fav scenes: the rogue purple minion POV cam!
--Secret weapon: Agnes’ bloodcurdling scream.
--The attack chicken could actually have been funnier. IMHO.
--Lots of DISCO! Yesss! It’s LONG OVERDUE for a comeback! Thank you, Daft Punk! Props also to Heitor Pereira and Pharrell Williams for great original music.
--Google: “1960’s men’s turtleneck.” Ha ha.
--Google: “lipstick taser.” They exist!
--Very fun, cool and swinging “Mission Impossible-esque” themed soundtrack.
--One of the screenwriters, Cinco Paul, went to USC film school AND graduated summa cum laude from Yale. Um, that’s prolly why the script is so SMART.
--The minions always teeter on the brink of taking over the movie, but never do.
--Minions speak a mixture of Minion, French, Spanish and English!
--LOVE Lucy’s lady-spy turquoise raincoat!
--Gru: “What is fun without rules?”
--“I choose Gru!”
--Look for a quick cameo by Gru’s mother!
--I believe that, perhaps in general, American audiences are spoiled. In the sense that they are ruined. In the sense that maybe they have a surfeit of (often high quality) entertainment and so cannot savor, linger on the genius and joy of something like “Despicable Me.” People hardly laugh at the funniest movies. Have you noticed this??? Is it because they SKIM everything in life now with receding attention spans and nothing sinks in, nothing sticks, nothing deeply tickles the funny bone? Or brings pure delight to the imagination? Are they just mundanely going to watch a piece of something from Netflix on their smartphone in the cinema parking lot or play Candy Crush? FOLKS IN MY THEATER FILED OUT AS THE CREDITS ROLLED AND THEY COULD CLEARLY SEE THAT THERE WAS A TON OF MINION EXTRAS AND STINGERS!!!! MEH???!!!
--I am so ready for “Despicable Me 3” and a gajillion other movies like it.
Friday, 21 June 2013
Pray to know Christ, pray for those in your care, model prayer for others. Take your God-given passion to your knees.
[THE PRAYERS OF A JUST MAN AVAIL MUCH!]
Get to know & follow Jesus to be the man you should be.
"being a man: find what must be done > do it as well as possible." advice to my son
tell them that God has specifically chosen each man to serve a special purpose in His Kingdom: priest, husband, father, son
I believe God endows men w/ gifts for real adventure, battle & beauty; modern culture muzzles men & offers fake substitutes.
This is admittedly bold: challenge them to be ready for battle, off the sofa! Want men to stand up for you? Have to practice!
Regarding lust, saying "Doesn't hurt to look" leads to mortal sin (Mat 5:28). The ONE thing: IT DOES HURT TO LOOK
to make decisions. Decisions about vocation, life, family. Be confident in The Lord!
My mom read lots of great books to me and my brother. My dad taught through sheer force of example.
Like there's a whole song called "Be A Man": "...swift as a coursing river, with all the force of a great typhoon."
I actually don't much care for that film, but the song is annoying catchy and memorable.
Oh, and mercy. Most guys, especially young guys, are naturally geared for smiting judgment. Mercy is something we learn.
I tell my sons: "I can't teach you how to be a man. Only a man can do that."
"Porn ruins lives" - please tell them *how* it ruins lives. I was in the dark for too long, to ill effect.
I loved this book and it is a warning against the eternal adolescence many men experience today http://www.boysadrift.com/
Have you ever checked out http://www.artofmanliness.com/ They get into everything, including relationship & family.
[AND THE ART OF THE MANLY HANDSHAKE:
How to Give a Manly Handshake [VIDEO] http://ow.ly/lR4ge ]
Real Men love Jesus, Pray, Strong and compassionate aren't opposites, porn ruins lives and uhmmm that is about it for now
Patience and prayer. #dadlife
The Importance of Men Being Men http://shar.es/xJBYC
St. Joseph
Alison Griswold @alisongriz
Can I interrupt? No skinny jeans, guys! Unless you are truly skinny! (That is, built like one of the Ramones.) ("Girlfriend jeans") http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxK_1JsO6k8 …
To wear skinny jeans, a man must have actively avoided ever doing a squat his entire life.
If they are unmarried, tolerably sane and not mired in debt tell 'em to go be a monk at Quarr Abbey in England. #MoreMonks!
We are all become media slaves/whores. We have a carapace of habituation and inurement; immured monks naked under the habit.
A genuine man is a protector of the weak and the suffering, whether he ever gets any earthly credit/gratitude for it, or not.
Tell them that instead of Dwayne Johnson, Jesus is actually the Rock. Be like Him.
St. Joseph as a model of service, sacrificial love, and authentic masculinity. With a TotB tie-in, of course!
To not be afraid to pray--publicly, with friends, with family. #RealMenPray
That faith is a strength and not a weakness!
How you can be Masculine and Catholic, think would be a good talk Sr.
strive
The importance of love and compassion.
Thursday, 20 June 2013
Sunday, 2 June 2013
Two recent films on the life of “Solidarity” labor priest and modern martyr of communism, Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko (murdered at thirty-seven years of age) are now available: www.MessengerOfTheTruth.com is a documentary. “Popieluszko—Freedom Is Within Us” is a feature film available from Ignatius Press (Polish with English subtitles) and reviewed here.
The style of “Freedom” is European, the soundtrack often compelling. “Freedom” is well acted, and begins by cutting in deep to the time of Fr. Jerzy’s mandatory military service. Fr. Jerzy refused to cooperate with his commanding officers by praying aloud whenever he could, suffering bodily punishment for his infractions. This was good training for standing up to the government he would soon be in much more dire conflict with. Popieluszko was a humble, refined man—who attended to all the most delicate details of pastoral care--but he was also tough as nails.
The style of “Freedom” is European, the soundtrack often compelling. “Freedom” is well acted, and begins by cutting in deep to the time of Fr. Jerzy’s mandatory military service. Fr. Jerzy refused to cooperate with his commanding officers by praying aloud whenever he could, suffering bodily punishment for his infractions. This was good training for standing up to the government he would soon be in much more dire conflict with. Popieluszko was a humble, refined man—who attended to all the most delicate details of pastoral care--but he was also tough as nails.
 |
| The real Fr. Jerzy |
The cohesiveness, religious faith and resistance of the Polish in the face of violent repression is well portrayed. The amazing thing about Polish culture is its unique unity across social strata: from the poorest manual laborer to the university professor to the students to the arts community to the episcopate (often of noble lineage).
We who lived through this period remember all the names, dates and places. For those who did not, the film is a bit chaotic at times, as it tries to organically introduce this information in a dramatic way, often incorporating actual footage of protests, news reports, strikes and John Paul II’s visits to Poland. But no matter. This is a story about a priest of the people who went out among them, participated in their deepest concerns, and “smelled like the sheep,” as Pope Francis has been telling priests they must.
The large-scale re-enactments are convincing, but the smaller action often lags with short vignettes meant to build relationships among characters, but it is often so choppy, disjointed, intricate, and arcane that it is unsuccessful. Coming in at 149 minutes, there are many small scenes that could have been eliminated. However, it’s a good film to watch to understand what must be done, what strategies work in the face of oppression. The lies, evil genius and devious tactics of the communists are on full display here, as well as the Polish people’s outwitting of them. Popieluszko had opposition from all sides, including his superiors in the Church. What was the prudent thing to do? What was the courageous thing to do? What was the right thing to do? For Fr. Jerzy, silence was not the answer.
OTHER STUFF:
--The intelligent, caring young adults (with a sense of history) I watched this film with did not understand that Russia occupied Poland after WW2, and that it was not a part of the USSR. They didn’t know that the Polish people themselves were the communists in their own country (instigated by Russia, of course). They had never heard of Cardinal Wyszynski or Lech Walesa, and didn’t know what Solidarity was. They also didn’t realize that the Polish people were forced to speak Russian in public matters (thus many Poles chastise their fellow Poles in the film by saying: “Speak Polish!”) How quickly history is forgotten and/or not passed one, especially recent history!
--Fr. Jerzy was ONE BIG PAIN IN THE POSTERIOR for those Commies. :D (Sorry, child of the Cold War. I say “Pinko,” too.)
 |
| The real Fr. Jerzy |
--The Poles’ ability to spot the secret police. Ha ha.
--Rich European humanity.
--“What if they held a war and no one came?” What if martial law was imposed and everyone ceased obeying? That’s exactly what happened when they killed Fr. Jerzy. (This is not in the film, but a Polish monsignor told us all about it.) Fr. Jerzy’s death was THE turning point. The people said: “YOU KILLED OUR PRIEST? WE DON’T OBEY YOU ANY MORE.” (They had been complying with things like curfews, etc.) BJP2G threw the pitch and Fr. Jerzy hit the homerun. There is audio in the film of BJP2G praising Fr. Jerzy after his death saying that he should be a patron of Europe (must have been thinking of how Communism ravaged Europe).
--“Weak are the people who accept their own defeat…. But mighty are the people who build on truth.” –Fr. Jerzy. In regard to his enemies: “I fight evil, not the victims of evil.” I would love to find more of his words/sermons/writings in English!
--Fr. Jerzy was brutally murdered. Probably horribly tortured while still alive. Scenes of his killing are in virtual blackness with sound effects. Interesting way to do it that spares us!
--The gargantuan role that Pope John Paul II played in the liberation of Poland is subtle but sustained. “Man creates his identity through culture, but not alone: through society.”--BJP2G Society matters and it’s about more than individual rights.
--There are many light and delightful moments, often in the midst of the tensest moments, and lots of witty Catholic humor. The humor is not dark, gallows humor, but more upbeat humor at the expense of the absurd communist system. The filmmaking missteps are mostly toward the beginning of the story. It’s too bad that film editors don’t often go back and fix faulty beginnings!
Monday, 27 May 2013
Thursday, 23 May 2013
Monday, 20 May 2013
A FEW MILD SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW!
(And please see comments so you will know I'm not condoning adultery in any way.)
(And please see comments so you will know I'm not condoning adultery in any way.)
The latest film rendering of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” is done by the great Baz Luhrmann (Strictly Ballroom, Moulin Rouge!, Australia), master of the spectacle. (I will never understand why more filmmakers don’t make the cameras, lights, colors and sound hum like Luhrmann.) I had never read the novel and didn’t even know the plot, so the whole thing hit me for the first time with full impact.
Luhrmann’s highly stylized, always-in-smooth-motion, CGI settings are perfect for the world of Jay Gatsby, (Leonardo DiCaprio) the man with the “perfect imagination.” If you don’t know the plot, the way the story is going to shape up is not evident from the beginning. The film gets off to a slow, almost uninteresting, hokey start with lots of voice-over from Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire), who is actually narrating from the story he wrote about Gatsby’s life. So the film is really all a flashback, returning occasionally to Nick’s writing of the story. At first I thought, “Oh-oh, somebody was lazy adapting the novel to the screen and is doing sloppy blah blah blah while concentrating only on visuals,” but after a bit, the film hits its stride and all is well.
There is a huge build-up to Gatsby before we ever see him, something like “Hud,” only much longer, but not too long. We hear early on that he is a man of tremendous hope, and so we are hooked, because we like hope, we need hope.
“Gatsby” is not a frothy, roaring 20’s, “bright young things” romp. And the aspects of it that are are only there for a contrast to deeper issues, deeper matters, matter of the hearts, matters of character and goodness. You cannot even begin to imagine how characters will develop, how things will change at the end. Every time you think you know how things will turn out (masterful secrets, suspenses, tensions, reveals, twists, lies, drama, events) you don’t, so it’s best to just give up and watch.
Gatsby seems to be a bit of a God figure, actually. He gives lavishly, he is always watching, he loves extravagantly, he is infinitely mysterious, “but he seemed to understand me.” After talking to Gatsby, a woman declares: “It ALL makes sense!” “If there is NO GATSBY, what is all this FOR?” Gatsby’s CLOSENESS to everyone. “Son of God.” But he is also a deeply flawed figure with shady business dealings, and not beyond adultery. Can a flawed figure be a God-figure in a film? I think so—in their unflawed parts. Man is always greater than his sin. Gatsby IS a man of hope, and love, too. Great hope and great love. The way he loves Daisy (Carey Mulligan—does any other actress have more expressive eyes?) is a bracing statement about the total way a man completely in love with a woman loves her—from the moment he stops and makes a decision to fall in love with her (knowing that his mind would no longer be free to “roam like the mind of God”). This is the real Theology of the Body piece here. He loves her, does everything for her, wants to protect her and take care of her, but he does not force her. He does not want her to be his prisoner.
At a certain point I was wondering if this film adaptation and the narration were just too semi-philosophical for Americans in parts. (I love this stuff, but I’m a weirdo.) Nobody stirred in my theater. Yay. I think they WELCOMED the differentness of “Gatsby.”
This film is terribly transcendent. At the end, my packed cinema full of very diverse moviegoers was utterly lost in a contemplative silence. Fitzgerald’s literary poetry kind of towers above any screenplay we hear today. I think it mesmerized them.
So much of Gatsby’s life was dreams and illusion, but much of it was realized, also. Like every life. And love? Well, we are all heading toward endless Love.
“Gatsby” is totally a man’s story. A man’s love story. Also a sort of buddy story. Fitzgerald plays peek-a-boo with God in this story. God is here and there. Is He benign? It’s hard to tell exactly, but man is definitely His image, and males in a particular way in this film make things happen, are in charge, know their own greatness, steer their own courses. Gatsby has a sense of unlimitedness within him that he explicitly recognizes as being like God. And a woman—in the end—is the most worthy object of all his affections, desires, time, planning and attention. Everything is for her. He has “prepared a place for her.” Nothing else matters but her. One can’t help thinking of God wooing us. God’s extravagant gestures towards us. How do we respond?
OTHER STUFF:
--Hard review to write without spoilers!
--God saves all OUR letters and mementos. And He keeps ALL the crayon drawings of our lives on His big refrigerator in heaven.
--I love how Gatsby was nervous like a little boy waiting to see Daisy again.
--This is SO Luhrmann’s movie. He owns it.
--The vibe feels 20’s. Good job.
--Fitzgerald is in love with words. Me too.
--Nick writes because his doctor told him to.
--Great high AND intimate drama.
--“He looked at her like every woman wants to be looked at.”
--“He knew that falling in love would change him forever.”
--“I felt married to her.”
--“She just needs more time.”
--“Gatsby knew that he could climb, but only alone.”
--I don’t know that I understand what Fitzgerald is trying to say about “the past.”
--There is so much depth and symbolism everywhere in this story: NYC, the house, the water, the invitation, the elusiveness of Gatsby, the separation of classes and races, the big eye-doctor eyeglasses, Gatsby’s mansion itself, the parties, who was TRULY corrupted by money?
--Blessed John Paul II. THE GREAT.
--Nick begins the story with a quote from his father. This deferring to the father is rather rare today. For me, it situates the whole story in the presence of God the Father, a kind of fatherly God.
--The flashing green light through the fog. What a beautiful symbol.
--Luhrmann always expertly mixes his period pieces with modern music, and scenes always threaten to bust out into a music video. Hip-hop in the 20’s? Word. Totally works.
--I lost the significance of the tooth.
--The DiCaprio problem. I am not a big fan of his acting. And he will still look like a little boy when he’s 80, I’m sure. But he has the right handsomeness for this era, and he puts in a good performance. Sometimes I can see him thinking. Sometimes he seemed to stumble on his lines. But this might be perfect for the hopeful, ever-youthful Gatsby. Might.
--Carey Mulligan is great, but (Aussie!!) Joel Edgerton (who plays Daisy’s hubby, Tom) is the best actor in this film. Outstanding. Tobey Maguire, is his usual, lackluster, mumbly self. Sorry, I just don’t think he’s an actor. But he plays a good beige narrator/observer, which is needed for “Gatsby,” methinks.
--“Old sport.”
--Marvelous soundtrack.
--Do men like this film? If so, why/why not?
--I know nothing about Fitzgerald, but I’m thinking of his Irishness: mindful of the poor and social injustice. Wrestling with God.
--Shades of “Citizen Kane”? Yes.
--Will WE wait for God?
--A good man is hard to find. But when found, he is the most beautiful thing in Creation. Men think it’s us women, but I think it’s them, and I think I’m right because of Jesus.
--BIG, FAT SPOILER COMING UP! CLOSE YOUR EYES! Daisy was not worthy of Gatsby's love. (This was an incredibly delayed reveal, because at first we thought she was! Great storytelling.) Just like us. We are not worthy of God's excessive, heat-seeking-missile-locked-on-us love. We are callous and shallow. We prefer trinkets.
--"Rolling Stone's" Peter Travers REALLY did not like this film! http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/videos/baz-luhrmanns-great-gatsby-is-artificial-and-boring-20130509
--BIG, FAT SPOILER COMING UP! CLOSE YOUR EYES! Daisy was not worthy of Gatsby's love. (This was an incredibly delayed reveal, because at first we thought she was! Great storytelling.) Just like us. We are not worthy of God's excessive, heat-seeking-missile-locked-on-us love. We are callous and shallow. We prefer trinkets.
--"Rolling Stone's" Peter Travers REALLY did not like this film! http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/videos/baz-luhrmanns-great-gatsby-is-artificial-and-boring-20130509
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