I love movies. Used to work at a theater in college. Nothing I enjoy more than catching a flick at the local cineplex. I don’t get to see a lot of movies in their initial release, though. I’ll usually wait until something comes out on DVD before I watch it. Just don’t have the time to run to the theater these days. But in the past few days, I’ve had the chance to catch up on a few flicks I’ve been wanting to see. Here are a few of them, along with my thoughts….
Munich – Steven Spielberg’s Oscar nominated film about the deaths of 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. The film follows the violent Israeli retaliations against the Palestinian “Black September” attacks. Disclaimer: This film is NOT for everyone, as evidenced by it’s R rating. But even the film’s graphic violence serves to underscore the toll that hatred, prejudice and revenge can take on the human soul. A powerful film for those mature enough to watch it.
My Date With Drew – So I rented this one the other night with minimal expectations. Sunny wanted something light, so I picked up this documentary-style film that caught my eye. Here’s the premise: struggling film maker Brian Herzlinger has 30 days and $1100 to land a date with Drew Barrymore. That’s right, the Drew Barrymore. After winning $1100 on a game show, Brian decides to spend the cash and a month trying to get a date with Barrymore, his crush from 2nd grade. Sounds random? Exactly. But what follows is both entertaining and endearing. For more info, check out My Date With Drew and see for yourself.
The Lady in the Water – I always like M. Night Shyamalan’s films, even The Village, so I knew I would end up seeing Lady. I had the chance to see it on the big screen a couple weeks ago and I wasn’t disappointed. While it doesn’t quite live up to the film maker’s previous body of work, such as The Sixth Sense or Signs, The Lady in the Water is a different film entirely. Shymalan’s latest effort is a departure from his previous, “scarier” material. Lady is a fairy tale, originally conceived as a bedtime story for his children. The story’s mythic nature is sure to turn off some moviegoers, and this flick is getting killed by the critics, but I really enjoyed it. My boy Mike gives a more in-depth synopsis of the film over at Ocular Fusion.
Have you seen any good movies lately? And I also want to ask what you think about World Trade Center? Will you go see it? Is is too soon for a movie about 9/11? I never saw United 93, but I heard good things. But is WTC the kind of film you’ll go see? I wanna hear what you think.
already & not yet 
My Date With Drew was on TV about a month or so ago, and I also was pleasantly surprised! I caught it while flippn channels and ended up really enjoying it. Very sweet!My mom’s high school best friend co-wrote Munich…Tony Kushner. He was nominated for an Oscar for it. He also wrote Angels in Americe, a Tony-award winning Broadway play that later became an HBO movie. he’s a really neat guy…I met him once two years ago. Munich is good…but so tough to watch. Lucy P.
I have heard mixed reviews about WTC, but I will go see it.I saw United 93 the weekend it opened and would reccommend it to anyone above age 17 or so. There are some movies that should become a part of each persons education, like Schindler’s List, and I believe that United 93 may also be one of those movies. It is certainly difficult to watch in some parts, not in the way that Saving Private Ryan is tough (blood and guts), but in a heartwrenching way. For example, toward the end of the film, when the passengers realize that they probably will not survive, there is a scene with everyone calling home and having to tell loved ones goodbye and some of them only getting an answering machine. I doubt there was a dry eye in the theater at that point. But the film also made me want to stand up and cheer when the passengers took the plane. The film helped reassure me that the United States and the President are doing the right thing by taking a proactive stance toward protecting the country from future attacks by terrorists. People may disagree on the methods, but in my opinion the motives are right.My two cents worth. See the movie.
United 93 was absolutely tremendous in my opinion. It was very well done, and it seemed very real, not fake at all. One of the unsung greats of the summer. Not sure about World Trade Center, especially since its being done by Oliver Stone. I’m just leary of it being too political instead of real.One of the only movies I saw all summer was Cars. It too was tremendous. I didn’t think i’d like it too much going in, but it was great.And finally, Pirates 2 was one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time. I didn’t care for the first one too much, but the second one was great. I actually want to go see it again. Davy Jones is a tremendous character, and all his pirates on his ship are masterful.
Lucy,I didn’t know that about your Mom’s friend. That’s like a few degrees away from greatness. Let’s see, you know your Mom, she knows Tony Kushner, he knows Steven Spielberg who directed Tom Cruise in War of the Worlds who was in A Few Good Men with Kevin Bacon.
Matt,I remember you telling me that United 93 was good. I’ll have to check it out. I have mixed feelings about the proactive thing, but I’d love to see the movie.
Lane,Pirates 2 was awesome. Most sequels are garbage these days, but I really like Pirates. It had it all: action, humor. suspense. Johnny Depp was great. Never saw Cars. I figure pretty soon, those are the only kinds of movies we’ll be watching.
And Lane, I also share your doubts about WTC and Oliver Stone.
WTC is getting for the most part rave reviews from previewers on both the “right and the left.” Perhaps Stone put aside political statements on this one. As for whether it’s too soon, that may depend on where you live. Having just been in NYC last year, it appeared to me that the wounds were still very raw. I haven’t decided whether to do this in the theater or not (probably will), but I suspect that I would weep shamelessly, along with everyone else. I haven’t seen Flight 93 yet, but I believe it’s available on DVD already.The methods are debatable, but what is not is the major terror figures under arrest and the numerous plots foiled since the “sleeping giant” was rudely awakened on 9/11. The task of sheepdog is often a thankless one. We can argue all day long about whether this “advances the Kingdom,” but if I’m alive rather than dead because someone was watching my back (and willing to take the heat for that) then that’s one more wife with a husband, three more boys with a father and one more day to breathe God’s sweet air and try to do my thing for the Kingdom. From my admittedly limited perspective, that’s a good thing.
Mike,I’d agree that you being alive and well and living with your family is a good thing. But the end never justifies the means. This runs counter to the way I was raised, but I’m seeing that Jesus was just as concerned with the means as the end. If you’ll allow me to expand John 14:6, He is the Way, the Truth, the Life, the Means AND the End. Just my thoughts.
I didn’t know that expanding was allowed. What are they teaching in schools these days? 🙂
Jason, did you just append a gospel? I’d weigh in but I’m tired. And thinking about the Apocalypse.
Mike the Eyeguy – FYI, I believe that “Flight 93” and “United 93” are different movies. I think Flight 93 was made for tv, maybe by A&E or some other network, and I have seen it available for rent. I haven’t seen Flight 93 so I can’t speak to whether it is any good, but I do strongly recommend United 93. Not sure if it is available yet.
I’m a minister. Expanding is always allowed.
Matt–Thanks for the clarification. Come to think of it, I saw the TV version (it was gripping as well). I’ll be on the lookout for the newer one when it comes out.Jason–Do you get to flash a badge too?
Pretty much, yeah…