Movie Review: Woman in Gold

Earlier this week, I treated myself to an afternoon at the movies and saw Woman in Gold starring Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds. I was expecting an entertaining film about the injustice experienced at the hands of the Nazis. What I experienced was a moving portrait of forgiveness and coming to grips with the past.

The film is based on the true story of a Jewish woman, Maria Altmann, living in Los Angeles in the 1990s who hires a neophyte attorney, Randy Schoenberg (portrayed by Reynolds), to help her acquire a painting that had been in her childhood home. The painting, familiarly called Woman in Gold, is housed in an Austrian museum and is considered one of the nation's artistic treasures. The beautiful portrait was stolen by the Nazis; when it was discovered after the war, a questionable will was found that left the art work to the Austrian museum.

In order to pursue what is rightfully hers, Maria and Randy must travel to Vienna. Maria has no desire to return to the city from which she escaped and finds herself facing ghosts and demons she long thought were dead. Randy's journey to Austria has an unexpected effect on him. The young lawyer's grandfather was Arnold Schoenberg, the Jewish composer who also had to leave Vienna because of the Nazi regime and the oppressive antisemitism that pervaded the city.

Two of the most powerful scenes of the movie come when both Maria and Randy realize that attitudes are changing. Randy attends a concert of his grandfather's music in one of Vienna's most important halls -- where Schoenberg's sounds had been rejected for decades. While attempting to reacquire Woman in Gold through the Austrian legal system, Maria encounters Austrians who maintain the antisemitism of the 1940s as well as young Austrians who are attempting to bring about change while making amends for the crimes of their fathers.

As a performing artist, I loved this film. The discussions about painting and music struck a chord with me. However, I was pleased to see that the movie's message about the power of the arts was not lost on the lay people in the audience. More importantly, I was struck by the power of the story of human suffering, persevering, and forgiveness. While watching Woman in Gold, I found myself reaching for a napkin to dry the tears that formed in my eyes. The movie truly was touching and a film worth checking out for yourself. You will leave with a new understanding about life, family, and love.

Let me make it simple for you. If you are breathing, you NEED to see Woman in Gold before it leaves the theaters.

Movie Reviews: The Butler and Now You See Me

Last weekend, I enjoyed some down time and caught up on a couple of movies I had wanted to see for quite a while. I enjoyed both films for very different reasons.

The Butler told the story of one man who escaped the racism of the South to ultimately become a member of the White House staff. The film was a powerful history lesson through the eyes of those who silently watched behind the scenes. I especially enjoyed the depiction of the Civil Rights era and the butler's relationship with President Kennedy. As the story progressed into the 21st century, I felt as though the film became a decidedly political piece. I wasn't offended by the inclusion of Obama's presidency, but I did find it beyond the scope of the movie's basic plot. Honestly, I think The Butler would have been a much more powerful film if it had ended with the lead character's retirement from the White House.

On a completely different plane was Now You See Me. The film tells the story of four magicians who join forces to rob banks during their shows. The cast was spectacular, the effects were amazing, and the film was really fun to watch. I thought I was in for a puff piece when I rented the DVD; I found that the story had been carefully crafted, producing a very enjoyable afternoon. Make sure that you don't miss out on this little gem!

Disney's Frozen

I finally got around to checking out Disney's Frozen in theaters last weekend. I suppose I had avoided seeing the film because I revere the animated features that were released during my undergraduate days:  Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King. While I have been entertained by many of the recently released films, the newer pieces rarely seem to measure up with the greatness of these animated classics.

Thankfully, Frozen easily held its ground and showed that Disney Studios can still produce the best in animated features. The story, based on a tale by Hans Christian Anderson, reminded me of the basic plot of the musical Wicked. Perhaps this connection was strengthened by the appearance of Idina Menzel as Queen Elsa.  While the story was powerful and the animation was beautiful, what grabbed my attention was the stupendous musical score that accompanied the film.

While the highlight of the film was easily Menzel's rendition of "Let It Go," I was also pleased with the opening musical sequence that had lots in common with Belle's opening in Beauty and the Beast. I was also pleased to hear that Kristin Bell as the voice of Anna was able to hold her own against the power of Menzel's voice. The two blended beautifully in "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" and "For the First Time in Forever." The only disappointing voice for me in the film was that of Santino Fontana as Hans. I found the sound to be unbelievable and far from "princely."

I don't want to spoil the plot for anyone who has yet to see the film, but I will say this…..if you are looking for an animated feature that is filled with great music and amazing animation with a strong message about the power of love (and a hint of Disney magic!), Frozen is well worth your time! (You'll want to see it on the big screen, for sure.)  So head to the theater TODAY and check out the magic and fun that is Frozen.

Academy Awards Project: American Hustle and Captain Phillips

What began as my Golden Globes project morphed into an Academy Awards project since I was not feeling well enough to go to the movies throughout much of late December and early January.  Medication seems to be improving my life, so I'm trying to finish the project I've started.

While in southern California recently, I went to see American Hustle with a couple of friends. The film features an amazing cast, including Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and Bradley Cooper, and has gotten a lot of sensational reviews. I went into the film expecting great things and really excited to see it.

The film was entertaining and enjoyable. I will recommend that others see it. I didn't walk away with the impression that it was one of the best films of the year. When you peel away the star power of its cast and the period costumes (sad that we already think of 70s disco wear as "period pieces"), you're left with a fairly predictable film. I was especially disappointed with the original music included in the movie. I left the theater with a smile on my face and a question on my mind:  it was fun, but what was it really about?

For me, I'm still looking for a film to prove itself worthy of the company of 12 Years a Slave and Philomena.

On Sunday afternoon, I found a film that deserved to be in the company of these films:  Captain Phillips starring Tom Hanks. The story centers around an American ship that is boarded by Somalian pirates. Normally, this is not the type of film that I really enjoy; however, the strength of the ensemble cast drew me into the story and made for an entertaining afternoon of story, adventure, thrills, and triumph.

I was especially intrigued by the relationship between the characters of Captain Phillips and the pirate who refers to himself as "Captain." What we expect to be a typical good vs. evil battle quickly reveals itself to have much deeper undercurrents. I must admit, the more I see Tom Hanks' work, the more impressed I am. From Captain Phillips, Walt Disney, Forrest Gump, and Robert Langdon in The Da Vinci Code to Woody in Toy Story and Josh in Big, Tom Hanks is truly one of the best actors of this generation.

It should be interesting to see how this film does during the rest of the awards season; Captain Phillips is definitely note-worthy and a fine representation of American cinema.

Golden Globes Project - The Wolf of Wall Street

The Wolf of Wall Street stars Leonardo DiCaprio with direction by Martin Scorsese. The film tells the story of Jordan Belfort's rise and fall within the world of the stock broker. In my opinion, the movie has garnered all of its accolades based on the names and reputations of its actors and director. The film had little that was award worthy in my estimation.

First things first, this movie is LONG! By the time we entered the second hour of the story, I was just ready for Belfort to be arrested. Enough already! I was turned off from the outset by the excessive use of vulgarity. A scene early in the film between DiCaprio and Matthew McConaughey's characters was filled with language that would make a sailor blush. While the scene itself was effective, the constant barrage of unseemly language reduced the emotional power of the words.

So no one thinks I'm just a language prude, I was further offended by the unnecessary nudity and worship of drug use in the film. While I understand that women and recreational drugs were part of Belfort's life (and demise), I think that the constant use of cocaine and other drugs were treated as a comedic trick and something to be lauded.

The Globes have also confused me in their categorization of the film. Why is this movie considered a comedy? The Wolf of Wall Street certainly fits the bill for a tragedy; calling it a comedy simply points out the depravity of our society and the foreign press' willingness to toss nominations at film makers based solely on their past successes.

Golden Globes Project: 12 Years a Slave and Philomena reviews

I enjoy projects. I like the thrill of trying to complete things and checking them off of a list. The Christmas break provides the perfect opportunity to take on a new, fun project.  Last week, the Golden Globe nominees were announced. My project is to see the ten films nominated for best picture (5 dramas, 5 comedies) before the award broadcast on Sunday, January 12.

In case you haven't heard, the 2014 Golden Globe nominees for best picture are…..

Best Motion Picture, Drama

• 12 Years a Slave
• Captain Phillips
• Gravity
• Philomena
• Rush

Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy

• American Hustle
• Her
• Inside Llewyn Davis
• Nebraska
• The Wolf of Wall Street

12 Years a Slave - In Review

The first of the films I saw was 12 Years a Slave, rated R.  This beautifully told story is based in fact and tells of an African-American man who is kidnapped from his New York life as a free man and sold into the horrors of slavery in the deep South. The film is incredibly moving in its portrayal of the relationships between the slaves and the diversity of situations they might have to endure. 

I expected the film to be difficult to watch since I struggle with blood and gore on the screen. I was surprised to find that the filmmakers treated the horror with ample respect while not resorting to long passages of blood and filth. During the most violent passages, the focus was on the characters' faces; we noticed the blood that was present, but it wasn't the focus of the scene. 

In my opinion, every American should see 12 Years a Slave. The R rating is primarily associated with the frequent use of the racial expletive (n*****) as well as the adult themes and violence. There are a few scenes that are sexual in nature -- an encounter between two slaves and the rape of a slave by her master -- but neither scene was portrayed in an offensive manner (i.e. I don't recall seeing skin in either scene).  There is full-frontal nudity (male and female) in the film, however. The captured free men are shown bathing in preparation for their transfer to the slave block. In a later scene, black men and women stand nude before the whites who are planning to purchase new "property." 

I was thoroughly impressed by the quality of the film and the beauty of the character development. 12 Years a Slave was one of the best movies I have seen in quite some time. The other nominees in the drama category will be compared to this outstanding film.

Philomena - In Review

Philomena is another tale of loss and injustice. This time, the victim is a young Irish girl who was left in a convent by her father after the death of her mother. While there, Philomena encounters a young man who sweeps her off of her feet, and introduces her to the joy of sex. As a result of their encounter, Philomena finds herself pregnant and must face the ire of the nuns. As part of her punishment, Philomena -- as well as the other unwed mothers in the convent -- are given the most difficult jobs by the nuns and permitted to see their children for only one hour each day. The young mother's hopes are crushed when she learns that her son has been taken away and that she must give up all rights to ever locate him.

Shortly after the child's 50th birthday, Philomena is introduced to a former investigate reporter, Martin, who will join the mother in her search to find her son. What they find is a story of pain, deception, greed, and betrayal. I suppose what makes the story even more tragic is the realization that the film was inspired by actual events.

While the film didn't move me as much as 12 Years a Slave, I was thoroughly entertained by the cast. Judi Dench is a phenomenon. Her performance as the elderly Irish mother seeking her child is a brilliant combination of comedy, wit, and fortitude. The location shots throughout Ireland and the eastern United States are beautiful and add to the film's overall tone. The relationship between Philomena and Martin is fascinating and serves as the mode of conveying thoughts about faith, religion, and forgiveness.

Philomena's PG-13 rating was surprising to me. The film is filled with adult themes and adult language. Some may argue that the words are not vulgar to an American audience since the British synonyms are employed throughout. Despite the use of their British counterparts for the more "mundane" words, the use of the "F-bomb" at least 2 times was a bit much in my opinion. I understand the power of the word and that there are times when it might be considered necessary for dramatic purposes; what I disapprove of is assuming that a student of 13 should encounter this type of language without parental supervision in the theater. (FYI…..I shouldn't be surprised to see that Harvey Weinstein was the spearhead of the campaign to get the MPAA's initial R rating lowered to its current PG-13. For more information, see the Los Angeles times article dated November 14, 2013 here.)

I expected a charming story with wonderful acting from the leading lady. I was not disappointed. What I didn't expect to walk away with was a deep sense of loss for the many Irish mothers who were forcibly separated from their children in the name of penance and justice.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Yesterday, I finally took the time to see The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and must admit that I was thoroughly impressed.  The acting was quite good, the effects were amazing (as usual in this series), and the plot was very true to C.S. Lewis' beloved book.  As you might expect, my mind immediately went to the implications for any parents and children who might see the film.  Here are a few of my thoughts and suggestions for taking the learning further.

Voyage of the Dawn Treader follows Lucy and Edmund as they return to Narnia again to meet up with Prince Caspian.  Sailing in pursuit of seven missing lords, the children face temptations of greed, rebellion to authority, and jealousy.  When reading Lewis' book, it was difficult to clearly see the connection between these temptations and children;  in the movie, the reality of these temptations in the lives of children is crystal clear.  A young child will understand and relate to Edmund's desire to be in charge and Lucy's wish to be as pretty as her big sister.

A few of the underlying themes are not quite as clear, but open some valuable doors for parents to enter into dialogue with their children.  First (and possibly most importantly) is the concept of spiritual warfare.  In the film, a green mist reeks havoc on the people of Narnia and appears each time an evil force is at work.  As our heroes delve deeper into realms of darkness, the mist carries with it their greatest fears and reminders of past failures.  The children attempt to combat the mist within their own logic and positive thoughts;  unfortunately they are powerless against the mist.  It is only when Edmund uses the Sword of Aslan that the children are released from the power of the mist and the darkness is driven away.  As I left the theater, I was impressed by the powerful visual image presented of the truth contained in Ephesians 6:12  -- "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."  Our children need to be aware of the presence of evil forces that come against them and that their only defense is with the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  (Ephesians 6:16-17)

A second important story line surrounds Eustace, the cousin of Lucy and Edmund.  Eustace stumbles upon a treasure and places a golden band upon his arm.  Without knowing it, Eustace has found a dragon's treasure;  the consequence of taking the riches is turning into a dragon.  While in the form of a dragon, Eustace is helpful but continually desires to return to his former state.  It is not until Eustace realizes his own frailty and has a personal encounter with Aslan that he is released from the form of a dragon.  This subplot can be used with younger children to introduce the idea of salvation changing us from the inside out.  Eustace's attitude and heart change on the inside long before he is changed on the outside.  For older children, consider discussing the concepts of spiritual bondage and deliverance, regeneration, or the importance of solitude (devotion). 

I am interested to see where the Narnia series goes next.  At the end of the film, Reepicheep passes into the Land of Aslan (Heaven) and both Lucy and Edmund are told that they will not be able to return to Narnia.  It will be interesting to see if the films maintain their commercial success without the presence of the four Pevensie children.  It is my hope that Caspian and Eustace will be able to entice audiences to return to the land of Narnia for future installments.  The teaching opportunities and the quality entertainment are something I hope to see continue through the entire seven books of the series.

Waiting for Superman

In the craziness of late October, I found a few hours to take in the film Waiting for Superman.  The movie was thought-provoking, insightful, and frightening.  Painting a picture of education in America, Waiting for Superman unapologetically addresses several important issues with a no-holds barred approach.

The most frightening statistic to me was the lack of regulation of teachers.  In most situations, once a teacher is licensed (immediately after graduation), they are rarely given a thorough review again.  After two years of service, many districts award tenure to teachers -- regardless of skills or performance, making it more difficult to relieve under-performing teachers of their duties.   Consider the implications in other professions.  Lawyers and doctors who are found to be doing their jobs poorly are stripped of their authority to continue to practice.  Is the education of America's youth a less important pursuit?  Teacher evaluation must be standardized across the board.

When we become aware of the state of American education, it is easy to feel helpless and overwhelmed.  What can we possible do to change the situation?  Most powerfully, we can be informed and involved.  We as members of the voting public are the only voice of our nation's children.  In nearly every election cycle, new legislation is brought before us that will impact education.  To insure that students receive the best we have to offer, we must educate ourselves about the options, research the implications, and make our voices heard.

Our involvement must go beyond the voting booth.  Studies suggest that the best performing schools have a high level of community involvement.  Teachers and administrators cannot solve the problems we face in our education system;  if it was that simple, it would have been taken care of long ago.  However, when educators partner with interested individuals in their community, great change can take place.  What can you do?  Most adults (regardless of their educational background) can provide valuable assistance in some aspect of our education system.  The mere fact that an adult believes in a child's ability is often all that is needed to move a student from "high-risk" to "highly successful."

So what's your choice?  Will you continue to point out the problems with American education while refusing to get your hands dirty?  Or will you become actively involved in the process in some small way, becoming part of the solution to the students in your community?  Together we CAN make a difference!

A Week of Movies

Last week, I made a choice to take some time for myself and do some things I enjoy.  The result was seeing three films over a period of seven days:  Legend of the Guardians, What If, and Social Network.  Rather than doing three separate reviews, I thought I'd just lump them all together here.

I had high hopes for Legend of the Guardians which were quickly crushed.  The animation was beautiful; the music was nice.  The story itself was boring and uninspiring.  I watched moviegoers young and old leave the movie after devoting an hour to the film.  At that point, I considered leaving as well; I decided that the comfortable chair and some mindless activity was a better use of my time than leaving.

I have heard from many that the book the film is based on is great.  All I know is that the film did not inspire me to grab the book!  I went to see Legend in order to be informed about the film in case I was asked about it by parents in my church.  There are definitely some teachable moments -- discussions about believing in what you can't see permeate the film.  However, the undertones of Eastern mysticism and New Age ideologies keep me from recommending this film for children.  All things considered, the best part of this movie outing was the previews.  Mega-Mind and Nutcracker 3D both look promising.  My rating:  2 out of 5 stars.

Am I the only one who was completely unaware of What If?  This film features Kevin Sorbo and John Ratzenberger in a movie that explores how different life would be if we were given a second chance to follow God's will rather than our own.  Without being overly preachy, the film presents sound theology in an entertaining and believable story line.  I would recommend this film for youth groups as well as adults;  there are great possibilities for discussions of a spiritual nature.  The film has been out for almost a month, so it may not be in theaters much longer.  Definitely worth the effort to see if possible.  My rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars.

The last film of the week was Social Network.  I had mixed feelings about this story of the roller-coaster development of Facebook.  As I watched the process that lead to the creation of the website, I was fascinated.  About halfway through the movie, Justin Timberlake's character enters the scene and becomes more central than I would have liked.  Honestly I found his performance far superior to those of the young actors in the leading roles.  As we move back and forth between legal depositions and flashbacks, I found the plot to be predictable.  Was I looking for a scandal?  Maybe...I really don't know.  I did find the ending to be a bit of a letdown.  I would probably suggest my friends see the film because of the fact that Facebook has had such a tremendous impact on our generation, but not because of the movie's entertainment value.  My rating:  3 out of 5 stars.

Things Come and Go

This weekend, my nieces and I saw Toy Story 3, the final installment in the trilogy that chronicles the adventures of Woody and Buzz Lightyear.  I thoroughly enjoyed the film and found myself laughing much of the time.  During the final fifteen minutes, however, my mood became much more subdued and I found myself crying because of the many changes I had observed in the lives of these treasured characters.

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few months, you are probably aware of the basic premise of Toy Story 3.  Several years have passed and Andy has grown up; the movie details the events that occur as Andy prepares to leave for college.  Without giving away any major details, the film reaches its conclusion as Andy pulls away from the curb to begin the next chapter of his life.  Ask virtually any adult who has seen the movie and they will tell you that my tearful reaction is par for the course for many movie-goers.

As I processed the movie throughout the weekend, I began to think about the inevitability of change.  Try as we might to keep things as they are, it never works.  Circumstances change, things change, relationships change, attitudes change, and we change.  In a world that is so full of change, why do we struggle against it so much?  I guess the real question is why do we fear change?

Change is uncomfortable.  Many times, it is painful.  We have lived in the status quo for some time and have become familiar with it; we can predict how things are going to progress.  As soon as change arrives, our world is set on a topsy-turvy spiral and we do not know where or when we are going to land.  Quite simply, change engages our fear of the unknown.

Change results in reflection.  As circumstances change, we are forced to examine the previous situation without the aid of our rose-colored glasses.  Once we review the past in the clear light of truthfulness and personal honesty, we may begin to encounter some things that we don't like; these revelations may be personal in nature -- and sometimes not very complimentary.  No one likes to look in the mirror when forced to look at themselves honestly.  Change thrusts the mirror in front of our face, forcing us to address what we find there.

It may seem as though I am only considering change to be a negative occurrence.  In the early stages of the change, that is the common response.  As we become more comfortable with the new situation, our attitude towards change also becomes more agreeable.

Change brings opportunity for improvement.  Consider how things work in the technological world.  When a new version of an electronic gadget appears on the market, people swarm to get their hands on the latest item.  Why?  Because the designers have examined their item, identified aspects that need to be improved, and implemented the changes.  The same thing is true in the changes that occur in our personal lives.  When change comes, it is an opportunity to look at prior situations and begin again with a new start.  I have the option to change how I will approach a similar circumstance in the future and make the choice to improve what I have control over.

Change brings freshness.  In order for a tree to live, it must go through seasons of change.  Leaves become vibrant and beautiful, only to fall to the ground in a lifeless mass.  What appears to be destruction on the exterior is actually preparation for a new season of life that will come in the spring as the tree explodes with new blossoms.  As much as it saddens our hearts, our lives are also seasonal.  To remain vibrantly alive, we must experience change in many areas.  It may come as a career change, the loss of a friend or family member, relocation, or the birth of a child.  Whatever the change, it is essential that we not see it as merely the ending of a chapter of our life, but rather as an opportunity for a new, more exciting chapter to begin.  This view does not diminish the value of the past experiences; rather, it augments our appreciation of the past as we realize that those situations prepared us for the great things that are to come.

How are we to effectively deal with the challenging changes that we face on a regular basis?  Many highly-intelligent people have spent their lives pondering that basic question of humanity.  I'm not a philosopher by any means, but I can tell you how I handle life's changes;  I rely on the fact that somethings never change.  Hebrews 13:8 provides the basis for this life-altering belief:  "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever."  In the midst of all life's crazy changes, I rest in the knowledge that my Savior is my stable Rock and Foundation that will NEVER change.  Now THAT'S something I can depend on in ALL situations.

At What Cost?

As part of my mental health day today, I spent some time catching up on a couple of DVD rentals that I've had for over a month now! One of those movies was Extraordinary Measures. This film tells the story of one father (Brendan Fraser) who will go to any length to find a cure for the terminal disease two of his young children have. Out of desperation to save their lives, the father risks his profession, reputation, and finances to follow the possibility that a rogue scientist (Harrison Ford) may have the solution that the kids so desperately need. In typical Hollywood fashion, the ending is happy and the children's disease comes under control.

I was moved by the movie; I have such a soft-spot for children in need. I walked away with a personal question that has left me a bit uneasy though. How much would I be willing to risk for those I love? Given seemingly hopeless odds, would I risk my future and livelihood in order to pursue a possible saving solution for them?

I don't have an answer. I would like to think that I would be self-sacrificing and put my family's needs above my personal wants, ambitions, and desires. The truthful answer, however, is that I just don't know if I can do that. I suppose that's part of the reason that striving to be more like Christ is a daily pursuit.

Do I love my family? Of course, I do. I would give them anything within my power to make their lives better. But that's the question......how far would I be willing to go beyond what is easy for me to do in an effort to make their lives better? Perhaps the question is too deep or too uncomfortable for some. I just find myself challenged by the words of Christ tonight: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13, NIV)

More Than a Fable!

Last night, I watched The Invention of Lying with a friend. Quite honestly, it was not one of my better movie selections and I do not recommend it for viewing. However, it did raise an issue that has gotten my mind rolling this morning.

The basic premise of the film is that of a society in which lying is not a part of daily life. Everyone speaks the truth at all times--sometimes to the point of creating painfully awkward situations. Finally, the protagonist discovers that he is capable of telling a lie and that no one will question his truthfulness, despite evidence that points to the fact that he is lying. At this point, the premise is still funny before it takes a sharp turn that was disturbing in many ways.

The protagonist is called to the hospital where it is clear that his mother is dying. She shares her fears of the unknown and how scared she is in light of the doctors' truthful--yet terrifying--prognosis. Her son sits by her bed and determines to use his new-found ability to lie and weaves a story for her about an afterlife that is filled with happiness and the absence of pain and sorrow.

Word gets out to the public that the man knows what happens after death, so he spins a tale about the "Man in the Sky" who controls everything and ultimately promises everyone a mansion if they avoid doing more than three "bad things" in the course of their life. I think you are beginning to see where this is going.

While watching the film, I was struck by how effortlessly the screenwriters shifted from generic comedy to making a statement about faith and its absurdity. I don't think I have the words to effectively express how disturbing this cleverly disguised attack on faith and Christianity in general was.

As the characters learned that someone knew about the things that happen after death, the world basically stopped. Throngs of people flocked to the man's front lawn to get answers to their questions. News agencies prepared to broadcast his statement to the citizens of the world who sat with bated breath around their televisions and radios. When the "fable" is finally presented in a press conference, the man appears holding two tablets made from pizza boxes that hold the numbered, written messages from "The Man in the Sky" which were given to his earthly spokesman.

While the intention, I believe, was to suggest how gullible people are--willing to believe anything at all--I think another message was clearly stated. Humans innately know that there is more to life than just living here and they are hungry to know more about it. Mankind is constantly in pursuit of ultimate Truth. As a Christian, I have found that ultimate Truth in the person of Jesus Christ! What a privilege and life-changing realization this is!

What started as a discouraging attack on my faith has become a personal challenge. I know the Truth that a hurting world is longing to hear. How prepared am I to share the truth with them and introduce them to the One who is Truth? Can I effectively defend my faith against the arguments that it's all a fable, made up simply to ease the pain of daily living? It's time to realize that the job of sharing Truth is not one given only to vocational ministers, but is the responsibility (and privilege) of every believer. Do I have all the answers? Sadly, no. But I can live my life in the knowledge of Truth and prepare myself to answer the questions that arise in my world. What about you...will you accept the challenge today?

To Help You Understand

In case you've ever wondered why pianists are so picky about the instrument they play, watch the documentary that I started my day with. Note by Note: The Making of Steinway L1037 follows this single concert grand from the earliest stages of shaping the frame to the final tuning. Along the way, master pianists from all genres discuss how each instrument has a personality of its own. If you've ever known a pianist who simply refuses to play on a certain instrument and you can't understand why, this is the documentary that may help you understand them better. (Okay, so it won't explain ALL of my quirkiness, but it will give you some insight into the musical process.) You will come to see the craftsmanship that is so highly prized in the Steinway; the personal attention that is given each instrument is what makes them so unique and the finest instruments available bar none.

Okay, I'm off my musical soapbox for the evening. Hope you all had a wonderful day and are getting ready to return to the regular world tomorrow.

Another Thursday....

While most people enjoy the weekend as their time away from work, my schedule is a little more awkward. Since Wednesday and Sunday are such busy work days for me, I generally treat Thursday and Friday as my "weekend." Today was definitely one of those days.

The morning started out with a meeting with Chris, the minister of music at First Baptist Church in West Memphis. It was a very informal meeting, but was actually a lot of fun. We got the opportunity to introduce ourselves and play some music together. Of course, when music ministers get together, there will generally be some stories shared between them as well.

After doing some practicing in preparation for another upcoming recital (July 2), I decided to take the afternoon and head to the movies. I have wanted to see Letters to Juliet since it first appeared in theaters and found the film to be quite enjoyable.

Letters to Juliet recounts the story of Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), a fact checker for the New Yorker, who travels to Verona with her fiance for a "pre-honeymoon." While in the city that served as the setting for Shakespeare's most famous tragedy, Sophie visits Juliet's House and witnesses lovesick women from around the world writing letters to Juliet and attaching them to the wall. At the end of the day, Sophie witness one of "Juliet's secretaries" taking the letters away in a basket and beginning the process of replying.

When Sophie finds a letter from the 1950s hidden in the wall, she is moved by the emotion it contains and decides to reply. Her letter reaches a mature Claire (wonderfully portrayed by Vanessa Redgrave) who returns to Italy with her grandson, Charlie (Christopher Egan) in search of her lost love. The friendships that develop between Sophie, Claire and Charlie propel the plot forward to its culmination.

I was very pleased with the acting as a whole, including a wonderful supporting cast whose wit and sense of timing gave the movie much of its charm. While there will probably be no Academy nominations as a result of the project, Redgrave and Egan generated a familial chemistry that made me both believe and sympathize with their situation. I was very pleased to see Christopher Egan's work again. I first became aware of his work on NBC's too-short-lived series Kings. Just as in Robin Hood from a few weeks ago, the Italian landscape was a constant member of the supporting cast. I have always wanted to go to Italy.....now I'm ready to pack my bags and leave tomorrow.

When I first saw the trailer for the film, I knew that it would address the implications of missed romantic love. I expected a nice movie that followed the ordinary path. I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were other "missed loves" that were addressed--even if only as a secondary issue--that enhanced the film.

Do I recommend this film for everyone? Probably not. It's your standard "chick flick," but if you are in a nostalgic mood as I was today, there are definitely worse things you could spend your money on in the theaters at the moment.

An Evening at the Movies

Last night, I decided to take an evening away from the insanity that has been my life lately and join a friend at the movies. We ended up seeing Robin Hood and I must admit that I had fairly mixed emotions.

I suppose the first problem with my movie adventure was associated with my expectations. When I decided to see a film about the legendary English hero, I was looking for the standard story - stealing from the rich to give to the poor. Hey, I grew up watching the Disney standards, too! Little did I know that this production would focus on Robin Hood's early years; as soon as the jolly band of bandits were finally formed and living in the woods of Sherwood Forest, the film came to an end. As I was discussing the film with my friend Sandra earlier today, she immediately pointed out that there was an obvious reason for this decision: the film makers were leaving their options open for a sequel. That's probably a wise business decision on their part, but I'm not sure that I will pay $10 to see the follow-up.

Don't misunderstand, there were portions of the film that I thoroughly enjoyed. The cinematography was outstanding. At times, I felt as though I had been transported to Richard the Lion Hearted's English countryside. I was pleased with some of the performances - especially those of Cate Blanchett (Lady Marion) and Kevin Durand (Little John). I must admit I was surprised by Russell Crowe. While he had a few moments that were really quite good, in the end, I felt that he was more of a supporting player and that Blanchett was the star of the show. That's probably not the best news for anyone wanting to see the film though. After all, it's not the story of Lady Marion that we hope to see.

The company was wonderful. The meal that followed was amazing (Buckley's in Memphis....YUM). The film, however, was only a marginal success with the benefit of hindsight. Oh well, there's always another film to see on another day. Hopefully I'll have better luck next time.