I never thought I’d refer to a movie as “heart-warming”, but I think this one might fall under that category. Saint Ralph is a story about a young boy who has just entered the 9th grade and is trying everything he can to help his mother wake from her coma. He finally decides to train for the 1954 Boston Marathon in hopes of winning because it would be nothing short of a miracle.
Now you might be thinking this movie is all sap, but I beg to differ. Ralph isn’t exactly the star pupil at the parochial school he attends. Most of his time seems to be spent talking to Father Fitzpatrick about the latest shenanigan he’s been caught committing. Little-known actor Adam Butcher does amazingly well in this role being emotional and intense at the same time. Even though Ralph finds himself in funny situations, he himself isn’t really a funny character.
Ralph’s sidekick, Chester, is played by Michael Kanev. You’ll probably also recognize Jennifer Tilly who plays Ralph’s mother’s nurse. You might also recognize Campbell Scott, from The Exorcism of Emily Rose, who plays Ralph’s teacher, friend, and coach - Father Hibbert. While I would have to say this film is a bit moving, it’s in no way sappy or cheesy. It kind of reminded me a bit of Goodbye Lenin!, but they’re not really similar movies. The only thing tying them together would be a boy looking out for his mother.
One thing I didn’t really think about was this movie is also about running. The writer/director brought it up in the “making of” bit on the extra features. I have seen a couple other movies that were about running and I found them completely uninteresting. I think this was because I’m not a runner. In the same way that Iron Man rocked the house because Jon Favreau directed it and it was a great movie about a comic book hero, Saint Ralph is a great movie about a boy coming of age, taking care of his sick mother, and he just happens to run a marathon.
Rating: 
There Will Be Blood is Paul Thomas Anderson’s first movie in the five years since Punch-Drunk Love. He’s my favorite director, and a big part of the reason is because of how often he breaks the basic rules of filmmaking, all with great purpose.
Recently, some friends and I sat down to do an audio review of the film. We talked about all of the things we loved about the movie, the questions that arise while viewing it, and the greatness of everyone involved, from Daniel Day-Lewis to PT himself.
There Will Be Blood audio review
Rating:
I wasn’t too sure about this one when I first heard about it. I just didn’t know how Jamie Foxx would do in this role. Jennifer Garner had that show Alias and Chris Cooper has proven himself time and again. Even Jason Bateman has done amazingly well recently with Arrested Development, one of the best shows in the past few years. I even had a chance to see a free screening a couple hours away, but wasn’t able to make it. It wasn’t until after I had read some of the reviews that I decided I had to see this.
If you’re not sure of the plot this is kinda about terrorism. It takes place in Saudi Arabia after an American “compound” for oil workers is blown up during a picnic. This isn’t based on actual events, but it’s one of those very plausible stories - especially with all the turmoil currently happening in that region. The FBI ends up sending in a team to help the Saudis do some forensic work at the scene and try to catch whomever is responsible.
Even though this movie turns into action for the last 20 minutes or so, I’ll still argue that this movie is more about people than it is guns and blowing stuff up. I think the root of many conflicts is miscommunication. People on both sides are assuming things based on many factors and reasons, and a lot of times both sides aren’t even talking about the same thing. I think that’s evidenced in this film.
Right from the start the Saudis are very opposed to American involvement in their country and their problems. I can certainly sympathize with that. Can you think of a time you were having a problem or argument and welcomed some stranger stepping up and trying to help/solve your problems? This is seen with the character Colonel Faris Al Ghazi played by Ashraf Barhom. He’s been instructed to “take care” of these Americans and not let them get too involved while the Americans are frustrated they just can’t “dive in” and get their hands dirty.
Eventually the Colonel and Fleury, Foxx, come to the agreement that they’re both just trying to catch a criminal and prevent the continued loss of life. Once they realized they were both aiming for the same goal, just coming at it from different angles, they were able to really accomplish something.
I also liked how the movie showed there were both good and bad Americans; good and bad Saudis. Not everyone who is Arab or Muslim is a terrorist. Not every American has the world’s best interest in mind. I know this movie wasn’t made to help improve relations between countries, but I think it takes some small steps towards breaking down some of these invisible walls of prejudice, racism and hatred. Everybody has lost somebody. The hard part is stopping the violence to try and prevent more. As the Klingons say, “Revenge is a dish best served cold.”
Another Gael García Bernal movie. I think this guy is quickly rising in ranks to be one of my favorite international actors…up there with Audrey Tautou. This one is about a recently ordained priest that comes to a town to find the Catholic church not as clean and scandal-free as he had always thought. The local bishop has earmarked him for greatness and so he comes as a sort-of Joseph in a ‘coat of many colors’ to work with a group of priests who are are all old enough to be his father. Eventually Padre Amaro becomes engulfed in a scandal of his own and tries hard to wiggle out of the consequences.
This is probably one of the better films to come out of Mexican cinema since Amores Perros and is filled with a strong cadre of actors and actresses. If you don’t mind subtitles you should definitely check this one out - just remember, it’s rated R for a reason in case you’re sensitive to that.
This is probably the best movie depicting Satan, that I’ve seen, since The Devil’s Advocate. I was talking to Tara today and she mentioned that Keanu Reeves seem to be stuck in movies where good and bad battle it out. Very insightful if you ask me.
I wouldn’t say this movie was awesome, but it was definitely cool to see and entertaining. There was a lot of theology in here that I didn’t necessarily agree with and at times, didn’t understand. I think you could have tons and tons of conversations just about these aspects of the movie. One actor I was most definitely pleased to see was Djimon Hounsou. I was telling Liz that every movie I see him in I think he’s that much cooler.
I wouldn’t give this film a ‘must see’ endorsement. I would give this something more along the lines of a B range. I would have to say it’s worth seeing though.
This one is a little old, but not quite over the hill by any means. Came out in 1999. There’s also only 3 main characters - Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito and Peter Facinelli. Now I’ll be the first to admit this movie is a little slow, but as Toll says, “slow movies have the greatest potential for being great at the end.” Let’s just say that this one keeps up with Toll’s saying.
The plot goes something like there’s 3 guys from a company that go to a convention to schmooze with representatives from their customers and try to encourage them to maintain/increase/create accounts with them. The whole point of the night it to try and find one guy and talk him into using their product, The Big Kahuna. Well, nobody can seem to find this guy, but Bob - the new guy, apparently ran into him and talked to him all night about pets, life, religion, etc. When they find out Bob made a connection with the man, his colleagues send Bob back out to try and talk to him again only this time about the company. Turns out Bob decides not to talk business, but talk Jesus instead. Now this last sentence may or may not resonate with you, I’m sure you can guess this irrates Bob’s fellow businessmen. An argument and fight ensues between two of them and afterwards Danny DeVito says a few, yet powerful words. Bob insists that in talking about Jesus he’s being real with people. DeVito’s character points out that if you’re going to have a conversation with somebody, the minute you steer that conversation it becomes a sales pitch, not a conversation. This doesn’t matter if you talk about Jesus, widgets, hamburgers, steel beams, etc.
So even though this one is slow, I still think it packs a powerful punch. If you have some time to mildly pay attention and are looking for something to think about, check this one out.
You can’t beat a free screening for a movie–no matter if it’s good or bad–but with “Millions,” I knew I wasn’t seeing something that could ever be called “bad.”
From director Danny Boyle (”28 Days Later” and “Trainspotting”) comes this visually spectacular and unconventional family film that’s bound to confuse and quirkify viewers for years and years to come. The story is told through the eyes and imagination of a young boy named Damien and Boyle definitely has this part of the movie down cold. Even when the story changes directions and changes again and keeps going in a different way, you may feel a bit lost but it’s not a bad kind of lost…just the kind you often feel when a kid is trying to tell you a story and you don’t really know if it will ever have an official ending.
Although the movie’s opening sequence is one of the most exhilarating pieces of filmmaking and one of the most enchantingly beautiful film beginning to come out since “Magnolia” and “Amelie,” “Millions” doesn’t always keep that magical spark alive even if it tries so very hard to do so. It’s quirky, kooky, and odd…but all in good ways. It has its dark moments and moments so gloriously magical, you swear you’re watching a deleted scene from “Amelie,” but it also has some very very original moments and this is what makes it a unique and special treat. Without giving you a plot rundown (as I feel the trailers have already given too much of the plot away—so if you haven’t seen a trailer for it yet, DON’T!), let me just say that “Millions” is the first movie since “The Passion,” that seems to give God such an explicitly assumed role in the playing out of the film. It’s not a truly great movie but there are moments in it that are truly great. Like the dreamy-eyed night sky filled with falling British pounds picture from the film’s poster that you’ll likely see once it starts hitting more theaters nationwide, the movie has a surreal quality to it that goes where few movies have gone before.
Finally got to see this little gem of a flick over the weekend and I can definitely say I wasn’t disappointed. I’m sure this is one of those movies that definitely has and will offend some people, but if you can look past it’s initial shell it has a good message (sorta like Dogma). This movie takes place at a Christian high school where mostly everybody is doing the “good” thing and nobody really causes any waves in the pool with the exception of just a couple. These few are then treated kinda harshly by their legalistic friends, family and clergy. At one point a girl whips a Bible at another trying to “save” her. Jena Malone then tries to inform Mandy Moore that the Bible isn’t that kind of weapon but she doesn’t really understand.
I loved the performances by Eva Amurri, Jena Malone, Macaulay Culkin, and Patrick Fugit. I thought it was really interesting how the trouble kids were the only normal seeming ones at the school. Having gone to a Christian school for 5th-8th grade and graduating from and working at a Christian University, I saw many things in this movie I have witnessed firsthand. There were characters in this movie I have seen personified by people from my church, high school and college. I think it’s really sad how there are a lot of people out there that love Jesus but can’t stand Christians. I think that’s something a lot of us need to take to heart and try to do something about.
There Will Be Blood
There Will Be Blood is Paul Thomas Anderson’s first movie in the five years since Punch-Drunk Love. He’s my favorite director, and a big part of the reason is because of how often he breaks the basic rules of filmmaking, all with great purpose.
Recently, some friends and I sat down to do an audio review of the film. We talked about all of the things we loved about the movie, the questions that arise while viewing it, and the greatness of everyone involved, from Daniel Day-Lewis to PT himself.
There Will Be Blood audio review
Rating:
