Movie Genre: Action

Oz the Great and Powerful – Movie Review

By April Kruger in Movies | 1 Comment
Oz Poster
Starring Genre:    Rated:
James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams
Movie SCH Rating
Movie Family Friendly
Review
Adult Content:  None
Graphic Language:  Low
Nudity:  None
Strong Sexual Content:  None
Violence:  Low

Oz the Great and Powerful, directed by Sam Raimi (Spiderman, The Evil Dead), is Disney’s latest theatrical release. Based on L. Baum’s 1900 book “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”, this prequel to Warner Brother’s 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” is a visual, entertaining, and humorous treat for the whole family (ages 10+ recommended).

James Franco as Oz and Mila Kunis as Theodora in Oz the Great and Powerful; Photo Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

Opening up in the old-fashioned narrow screen black-and-white, we start off in the middle of the Baum Family Circus in the middle of Kansas. We meet Oscar Diggs (James Franco), who goes by Oz for short. This con man, womanizer, and mediocre magician and illusionist believes that he deserves better in life. After flirting with the wrong woman, Oscar barely escapes a good old beat-down by jumping into a hot air balloon. When he turns around thinking that he is finally safe, he looks up to see that he is being sucked up into a vicious tornado.

James Franco as Oz in Oz the Great and Powerful; Photo Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

As Oscar wakes up after his spin inside of the tornado, the scene slowly opens up to widescreen and vibrant colors jump out as the Land of Oz is slowly revealed. When Oscar meets Theodora (Mila Kunis) for the first time, and is asked. “Are you the wizard?” Oscar says, “ah yes”. Theodora takes Oscar to Emerald City and tells him about the Prophesy of the Great Wizard. To Oscar’s surprise, endless treasure and a King’s throne are part of the Wizard’s reward. Unfortunately, there is an evil witch running around, and killing her is part of the Great Wizard’s job description.

James Franco as Oz in Oz the Great and Powerful; Photo Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

In the adventure that follows, Oz has to figure out what kind of person he is. With the help of Finley (Zach Braff, voice), a winged monkey who has sworn his life to Oz, and an amazingly realistic looking China Doll (Joey King, voice), Oz meets witches, Munchkins, Winkies, Tinkers, flying baboons, and even a lion and some scarecrows. Oh my… (Sorry no tigers and bears in this one.)

Rachel Weisz as Evanora in Oz the Great and Powerful; Photo Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

The three witches, Evanora, Theodora and Glinda all at some point have their doubts about him being the legendary wizard. When the time comes for Oz to make a decision between escaping with countless amounts of treasure and saving the land with the same name as his own; Oz will have to choose between being “good” and “great” by staying and helping rescue the people who only he can help save, and escaping with the gold to pursue greatness in the world’s eyes.

Michelle Williams as Annie/Glinda in Oz the Great and Powerful; Photo Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

The casting in Oz the Great and Powerful was well done. James Franco (Spiderman 1,2,3) plays Oscar Diggs (Oz). He performed the job of the con man / magician, all smooth and charming, turned powerful wizard very skillfully. Michelle Williams (Shutter Island) plays Glinda, the good witch. She was elegant, powerful and does a fantastic job throughout the movie. Mila Kunis (Black Swan, That 70s Show) plays Theodora, a young naïve witch, who just wants peace in the land. Mila does an incredible job of playing her role. Rachel Weisz (The Mummy, The Constant Gardener) plays the witch Evanora, Theodora’s older sister. She is a little sassy, fun to watch, and does a top-rate job. Both Zach Braff, the voice of Finley the winged monkey, and Joey King, the voice of the China Girl, did a tremendous job adding humor to the movie.

James Franco as Oz and Michelle Williams as Annie/Glinda in Oz the Great and Powerful; Photo Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

The CGI in the movie is fantastic and all the more impressive when seen in 3D. The movie dazzles the audience in the opening credits, in just how much depth there is to the picture. The Land of Oz is bursting with color. The flowers look as if you can almost touch them, including some made of emeralds and rubies that open as Oscar walks by them. The China Girl, a porcelain doll, is incredibly lifelike. There are bubble rides in the air, a fast-paced river ride in a hot air balloon basket, fantasy creatures of all sorts, fireballs, and lightning being thrown around for your visual enjoyment.

Rachel Weisz as Evanora and James Franco as Oz in Oz the Great and Powerful: Photo Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

Only one minor negative, at one point I did feel like I was in the middle of watching Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. (Anybody who has ever seen Star Wars will understand when you see the movie.) So, I do wish that something more original had been conceived for that part of the movie. Other than that I thoroughly enjoyed getting to learn the back-story of how well… Oz goes to Oz.

Michelle Williams as Annie/Glinda in Oz the Great and Powerful; Photo Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

Overall, Oz the Great and Powerful is a fantastic prequel to “The Wizard of Oz” that is filled with humor, morals, adventure and thrills. This movie is made for 3D, so go put your 3D glasses on and see it soon!

 

Biblical Worldview:

There are several frightening scenes that make this movie too scary for younger kids; including several jump scares from flying baboons, one from a lion, a scene in the dark forest and several scenes with The Wicked Witch herself. Some brief bad words are said in the midst of some of the scary scenes (D-2, G-1). There is some mild cleavage shown and a man and woman briefly kiss after a dance. Lastly, as Oz thinks he is going to die in the tornado, he yells up to Heaven and begs desperately for one last chance to live.

 

Overall, Oz the Great and Powerful is a clean, family film filled with morals about good, evil and how it can be deceiving. The story ultimately focuses on how choosing between what is right and wrong, selfish and selfless in the hardest of times can be difficult.

 

 

Biblical Discussion:

Oscar Diggs (Oz) wanted to be a great man someday, not just an ordinary good man. This con man knew he had shady ethics and morals, but was he willing to change his ways to become better? When asked if he was the Great Wizard of Oz he said, “Yes” for selfish intentions. Throughout the movie, he has doubts if he is this great wizard that everyone in Oz thinks he is. But when he sees that he is truly needed by the people of Oz, he has to make a decision. Thanks to his friends along the way, who believe in him and who show him the right path to take, he doesn’t have to make that decision alone.

 

Have you ever felt that you have done something so bad or lived a life that you feel you couldn’t possibly change or ask God for forgiveness? Or maybe you feel that you need to fix your life, become a better person, before getting “right” with God. I have some good news for you. Stop thinking that right now! The Bible says that we are all his children, created in His image (Genesis 1:27), and that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39)… NOTHING! If we ask, repent of our sins, no matter how small or big, and have faith in Him we will be forgiven! Instead of trying to fix things in your own life on your own, try going to the One who died for you on the cross, wiped those sins away and gave you a blank slate to start over again… Jesus.

 

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

 

Watch the trailer for Oz the Great and Powerful

To learn more about the film critic of this review check out April Kruger

 

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Total Recall (2012)

By April Kruger in Movies | Leave a comment
Colin Farrell in Total Recall, Courtesy of Joblo
Starring Genre:    Rated:
Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Bryan Cranston, Bokeen Woodbine, Bill Nighy
Movie SCH Rating
Movie Family Friendly
Review
Adult Content:  Medium
Graphic Language:  High
Nudity:  High
Strong Sexual Content:  Low
Violence:  High

It’s the end of the 21st century and thanks to chemical warfare, most of the world has been destroyed. There are now only two inhabitable places on Earth, the United Federation of Britain and the “Colony.” The UFB is a wealthy land, tightly controlled by Chancellor Cohaagen (Bryan Cranston). The Colony, formerly Australia, is a slum-living populace, whom Cohaagen claims is the home of the Resistance, led by Resistance leader Matthias (Bill Nighy). These two lands are connected by “The Fall,” an inter-earth shuttle that cuts through the planet’s core.

Jessica Biel in Total Recall, Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell) has a decent life, a job at a factory, and a beautiful wife who loves him. However, nightmares haunt him, and he has a nagging feeling that there’s something more to his life. A (poorly spelled) company, Rekall, offers the perfect solution to a vacation-starved workaholic: implanted memories of trips you never take, vivid mind-visions of adventures without leaving the comfort of the Rekall labs.

When Quaid sees an ad for Rekall, he decides a nice little mind trip might just be the break he needs. As the mind-implantation procedure starts, the workers realize something has gone terribly wrong. Immediately, federal police show up, Quaid fights them off with skills he never knew he had, and he becomes a hunted man from everyone that he once knew, trusted, and thought he loved. It’s ultimately up to him and a new but familiar friend to piece together his past and save the Colony from Cohaagen and his massive synthetic army.

Total Recall, Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

The special effects and visuals in Total Recall (2012) are stunning. The design of the new technology, the cities, the Fall, and the environments in general are futuristically beautiful. Nods to other sci-fi faves are apparent throughout: the city slums of the Colony are reminiscent of those from Blade Runner, maniacal robotic peacekeepers chasing a MagLev car smacked of Will Smith’s I, Robot, with a little Minority Report thrown in for good measure. It shouldn’t surprise, because both Blade Runner and Minority Report were also written by Phillip K. Dick, the same author as Total Recall. If you are a fan of the original Total Recall, there are several scenes in the new movie that pay homage to it as well.

Kate Beckinsale in Total Recall, Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

A standout in Total Recall is Kate Beckinsale (Underworld, The Aviator). Beckinsale plays Doug Quaid’s loving wife Lori—until she finds out that her “husband” has gone to Rekall. Lori becomes an unrelenting, determined UFB villain ready to kill, and she has some absolutely incredible fighting skills. Quaid, along with his new friend, Melina (Jessica Biel) end up spending most of the movie trying to get away from her and Cohaagen’s human and synthetic UFB agents.

Total Recall (2012) is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, some sexual content, brief nudity, and language. Once Quaid visits Rekall, it’s non-stop action and violence. Someone is constantly getting chased, punched, kicked, shot at, blown up, thrown in a headlock, or simply blown up. While the violence is high in this remake, there is quite a bit less blood compared to Ah-nold’s original back in 1990.

Colin Farrell in Total Recall, Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

This 2012 reboot, directed by Len Wiseman (Underworld, Die Hard 4), seems much inspired by its 1990 predecessor. Total Recall (2012) is updated enough that it feels like a new movie . . . almost. In this rendition, everything takes place on Earth; there’s no trip to Mars, no alien mutations, no bloody human carnage, and no over-the-top facial distortions.

Compared to the Governator, Colin Farrell might be a little too serious in the lead role of Quaid. Don’t expect a barrage of humorous one-liners that you saw in the original movie. Farrell (Minority Report, Phone Booth), is a stronger actor, but unfortunately a bit underused. The same goes for Jessica Biel (Seventh Heaven, The A-Team). Ultimately, this remake is big on action and sparse on actual story.

This isn’t a family-friendly movie. If you enjoy sci-fi thrillers and are looking for some fantastic action sequences combined with more of a spy-type, modern style film (and can look past the bad language), this may be for you.

Colin Farrell in Total Recall, Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

Christian Worldview:

Total Recall is filled with graphic language and does have a frontal top nudity shot. As in the original movie, Quaid is seen walking through the red light district of town on his way to Rekall, when a lady opens up her coat revealing three-breasts and says, “You’re going to wish you had three hands.” There is also a brief scene with Lori in her underwear and a tank top. Quaid shares a beer at a bar with his friend Harry (Bokeem Woodbine). As they are walking out, Harry jokes about how he needs to go find a place to throw up because he drank too much. The amount of graphic language in this movie is pretty extreme. There are at least 30 “s” words, several “h” and “a” words, one clear use of the “f” word, and Jesus’ and God’s name are abused several times. It just barely misses the R rating. A prominent theme throughout the movie is “What is real?” and finding meaning to your life through the confusion. Douglass Quaid was repeatedly asked, “What really matters?” At one point, Quaid had to make a decision with a gun, between a person that he thought was his best friend and a new person who had saved his life. There are a few large Buddha statues in Rekall, but except for that there are no traditional religious symbols or talk in the movie.

Featured image photo credits: Colin Farrell in Total Recall, Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

Colin Farrell and Jessica Biel in Total Recall, Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

 

To learn more about author April Kruger, visit Cross Shadow Productions

Biblical Discussion

In Total Recall, Douglass Quaid rode “The Fall” everyday from The Colony to The UFB where he worked at a factory. This incredible shuttle took just seventeen minutes to get to its destination and to get a firm grip on its landing dock. Halfway through the ride, at the Earth’s core, the gravity would shift. After temporarily being weightless, everyone would end up at the opposite side that they had previously been before. This technological marvel looks fun to ride to the audience, but to the people that rode it everyday, it became just a part of their normal everyday life. To the people of “The Colony, “The Fall” represented enslavement. They knew as long as it was a part of their lives, and it stayed connected to “The Colony”, they would never truly be free. There are many similarities here between “The Fall” and sin in our lives. It might be fun to try it or dabble in it the first couple of times, but it can take hold quickly if we let it. Maybe it’s online gambling, gossiping, looking at the wrong things, or considering or being in situations that you shouldn’t be in. The more we get into a particular sin, the more it can change our perspective of what’s truly right and what’s truly wrong in our life. It can flip our lives upside-down mid-trip, and we’re not standing in the same place we were before. There’s a reason why the Bible calls the original sin “the fall of man.” Sin represents the grip that Satan holds on our life, and can lead our life down a road where no one wants to go. The good news is the Bible says in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” And the Bible makes it clear that we have victory and true freedom over any sin through Jesus Christ. He just has to be Lord and Savior of our life for us to ask. 1 Corinthians 15:57(NLT) says, “But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Here is something for you to think about this week. • Are there things in your life that are pulling you away from where God’s called you to be? Even small, well-meaning things? • What things are holding you back from living your life to the fullest? • Spend some time in prayer, asking God to reveal those things and help you face them. God wants you to live life more abundantly!

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The Wrath of the Titans

By Adam Walsh in Movies | 1 Comment
Wrath of the Titans - Rosamund Pike
Starring Genre:    Rated:
Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Rosamund Pike
Movie SCH Rating
Movie Family Friendly
Review
Adult Content:  Low
Graphic Language:  None
Nudity:  None
Strong Sexual Content:  None
Violence:  Medium

The gods are dying. Humankind is no longer praying, and with the gods’ faltering power comes a loosened grip on a world-breaking threat—Kronos. Father to Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, Kronos has been imprisoned for an age in the underworld prison of Tartarus; but through a misguided plot by Hades and Ares, Kronos is now gaining strength for a destructive return. The world’s only hope is Zeus’ half-man, half-god son Perseus, who only wants to live a simple live as a fisherman with his son, devoid of any divine heroics.

The plot is wading-pool deep; Perseus (Sam Worthington) wants to be left alone, raise his son, and live a normal life, but the coming apocalypse won’t let him. Hades, sick of being relegated to the Underworld and mad at his brother Zeus for tricking him there in the first place, wants revenge. Against all hope, and with the help of forgotten demi-god Agenor (Toby Kebbell) and battle-hardened queen Andromeda (Rosamund Pike), Perseus finds the strength and will to triumph over seemingly insurmountable odds and large, computer-generated, lava-veined titans.

If one doesn’t expect much, the movie succeeds on several points. The effects are impressive, from dual-bodied hell-spawned warriors to Kronos himself, a massive volcano of a titan. Zeus (Liam Neeson) is given a bit more to do than release the Kraken, Hades (Ralph Fiennes) finally drops the Voldemort-inspired whispering of the first Titans movie, and a few action scenes might cause you to notice later that you’ve been tensing your muscles the whole time. Overall, it’s enjoyable, with a few funny lines thrown in. (Upon a rough landing on Pegasus in front of a crowd, Perseus quips, “You used to be better at this,” and the horse smacks him in the back of the head with a wing.) Another bright turn is Bill Nighy (Davy Jones in the Pirates movies) as Hephaestus. He’s quirky, insane, and brilliant, and his take on the crippled blacksmithing god is a fun one.

The effects are the star of this movie, but often in movies of this type, something else has to give; in this case, the story. If people don’t know their mythology, they won’t know why Hephaestus has a thing for Aphrodite or why Perseus is attacked in the labyrinth by a hybrid man/bull. Ares (Edgar Ramirez) is angry at pretty much everyone—which makes sense with him being the god of war. There’s no indication throughout the movie that Perseus and Andromeda have any romantic interest in each other, but they fall in love in the last five minutes of the movie.

If you’re going to the movies to forget about reality for a couple hours and enjoy a movie that reads like a 7th grader’s Cliff Notes report of Lord of the Rings, try Wrath. The movie does have its share of monsters and battles, making its PG-13 rating an appropriate one.

Want to see more before you decide?  Wrath of the Titans -  Official Trailer

Biblical Discussion

In Wrath of the Titans, Zeus is king of the gods—but his role is very different than the one true God of Christian belief. One, Zeus relies of the prayers of people for his strength. Two, Zeus asks his son Perseus to save him and the rest of the gods, and three, Zeus can die. For some, this might be a representation of what people think God is really like, with human-like emotions and a long white beard. In other respects, however, aspects of Zeus’ character show compassion, love, and incredibly enough, forgiveness. Hades, Zeus’ brother, and Ares, Zeus’ son, conspire to trap Zeus and take his power. Through torture and chained imprisonment, Zeus still finds the compassion to forgive Hades with a Star Wars-inspired line, “There’s good in you, I feel it.” It’s a tricky thing, forgiveness. You can’t earn it or buy it, but it’s free. It’s given with love to people who might hate you. “As we forgive those who trespass against us” the Lord’s Prayer goes—and for those who have forgiven debts, trespasses, or sins of others, it’s a weight that lifts like no other. In short, forgiveness defeats wrath…every time. Some questions to think about: How easy or hard is it to forgive? Do you hold grudges? What aspects of God speak to you the most, and why? Take a look at the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6. Read it, and then pray it in your own words, saying what it means to you.

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The Hunger Games

By April Kruger in Movies | 2 Comments
hunger games
Starring Genre: ,    Rated:
Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth
Movie SCH Rating
Movie Family Friendly
Review
Adult Content:  Low
Graphic Language:  Low
Nudity:  None
Strong Sexual Content:  Low
Violence:  Medium-High

America’s latest literary obsession is now America’s newest cinema craze. After reading all three books and fighting throngs of pre-teen fans to see the movie, be assured this story is about more than just mindless violence.

The Hunger Games is set in post-apocalyptic America where the country “Panem” is divided into twelve districts. The Hunger Games were instituted as a form of punishment for a past rebellion—and as a way to keep the twelve districts in line. The Games themselves, a combination of American Idol meets Gladiator, are televised live as entertainment for the Capitol elite, and are required viewing for the districts. Every year, each district has an annual “reaping” where one male and one female between the ages of twelve and eighteen are selected by a lottery to compete in the games. Out of twenty-four kids that are sent to the Capitol, only one is allowed to live.

In the beginning of the movie, we meet sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence, “Mystique” from X-Men: First Class) and Gale (Liam Hemsworth). Katniss, a capable hunter with bow and arrow, takes care of her family in District 12, the poorest of the districts; Gale is Katniss’ best friend. When the names are chosen in the reaping, Katniss’ twelve-year-old sister Prim is called to be the female tribute. Katniss interrupts the reaping and sacrificially volunteers to take her younger sister’s place. Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) is called to be the male tribute for District 12—and it turns out that Peeta had intervened in Katniss’ life before. He’d offered bread to Katniss and her family when they were on the verge of starving to death. In that moment he changed her life and her family’s future. Katniss is given minutes to say good-bye to her family and Gale before she’s taken away to a train for the Games.

The Capitol is absolutely gorgeous and the exact opposite of what both Peeta and Katniss are use to. There is an extreme abundance of food, wealth, and people, all indulgently dressed. The buildings are stunning and the accommodations extravagant. In this foreign setting, Katniss and Peeta have just a few days to prepare for what could be their last few days to live before they are tossed into an arena to fight for their lives—all televised for the masses.

The acting is by far the greatest strength of this film. Jennifer Lawrence does a terrific job as Katniss, conveying the first person narrative of the book with her eyes and body language. Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark and Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne both nailed their roles. Each of the supporting actors did a magnificent job bringing the characters from the book to life.

One of the few downsides to an otherwise very well done cinematic adaption of a book was the choice of the fairly heavy use of handheld camera footage, obscuring the detail of the action. The style works to reinforce the visceral feel of the Games and to tone down the visual violence, but a distant angle or implied off-screen motion would’ve had the same effect with a less nauseating impact on the viewer.

The Hunger Games is rated PG-13 for violence and disturbing images. In one scene, a group of the “career” tributes (kids raised in special schools just to volunteer to enter the games) are enjoying hunting other tributes. In other scenes, some graphic violence may make a viewer a bit squeamish. Director Gary Ross’ quick and jerky style of camera work takes quite a bit away from what would’ve been some very gory images, saving the film from an R rating—perhaps a conscious choice in the editing room due to the scores of under-13 fans of the book.

The Hunger Games has definite positive aspects. The idea that life is precious and self-sacrifice are central themes for a number of characters. Peeta struggles with the games corrupting him. Katniss never kills anybody in cold blood and is clearly conflicted throughout the film. The core values of supporting, providing, and protecting your family are present throughout.

As expected, a number of things were left out from the book, but the film’s producers did a great job in choosing what stays and what goes. Some tweaks streamline the story moving into “Catching Fire,” the second of four movies to be made out of the Hunger Games Trilogy.

Overall, The Hunger Games is an action-packed movie for the 13+ crowd. I wouldn’t recommend this movie for ages younger than thirteen simply due to the amount of violence. If you’ve read the book, watch with an open mind and enjoy the movie. After seeing the movie with both readers and non-readers of the book, the consensus was the same—an incredible story told by a worthy cast and a must-see at the theater.

Watch The Hunger Games:  Official Trailer

Listen to a song from The Hunger Games soundtrack:  Taylor Swift Featuring The Civil Wars – Safe & Sound

To learn more about author April Kruger, visit Cross Shadow Productions

Biblical Discussion

In the Hunger Games, Prim, Katniss’ twelve-year-old sister, is chosen to be the female tribute from District 12. With tears in her eyes, Prim starts walking up to the stage, and at that moment Katniss yells out, “No! I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!” She did this knowing that she’d probably be dead in the next two weeks. Self-sacrifice. She loved her little sister more then anything else and she didn’t want to see anything bad happen to her. That is what Christ did for each and every one of us. He came to earth, lived as a human being, and experienced what it was like to be one of us. He loved us so much that he took the weight of every one of our sins and died on the cross so that we might one day have the chance to live with him in Heaven. When we’re chosen for a fiery fate, Jesus stands and says, “No! I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!” “The greatest love you can have for your friends is to give your life for them,” John 15:13. In America, it’s so common for people to have head knowledge of Jesus—but not heart knowledge of having him infiltrate every part of our life, as Savior, as provider, and as friend. Here are some questions to think about with Easter just around the corner: • What does self-sacrifice mean to you and your family, and how do you show it? • What’s one thing you can do this week to show a loving sacrifice, even to those you have difficulty getting along with? • Talk with your family about how Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us when he died on the cross and rose from the dead three days later. What an awesome God we serve that he loves us that much!

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Red Tails

By April Kruger in Movies | Leave a comment
red tails movie
Starring Genre: ,    Rated:
Cuba Gooding Jr. David Oyelowo, Terrence Howard, Gerald McRaney
Movie SCH Rating
Movie Family Friendly
Review
Adult Content:  Low
Graphic Language:  Medium
Nudity:  Low
Strong Sexual Content:  Low
Violence:  Medium

Have you ever had one of your “disadvantages” turn out to be a blessing in disguise?

Red Tails is inspired by the true events of the Tuskegee Airmen from World War II. These African American pilots flew over 700 bomber escort missions and ended the war as the only group to never loose an escorted bomber to enemy fighters. They flew in total over 15,500 missions from May of 1943 to June of 1945.

Red Tails opens up in Italy of 1944 and focuses on the stories of characters such as Joe “Lightning” Little, (played by David Oyelowo) the best pilot and daredevil of the whole 332nnd airborne squadron, and Marty “Easy” Julian (played by Nate parker), the squadron’s flight leader who seems to have the weight of the world on his shoulders. We also get to know other characters such as “Junior” (Tristan Wilds), Declan (Leslie Odom Jr.), “Smokey” (Singer Ne-Yo), and Maurice (Michael B. Jordan). Each character is very distinct with their own unique personality. All these men have one thing in common: they start off fighting two wars, one against the Germans and one against the discrimination from their own countrymen. After being assigned what seems like meaningless tasks, these ace pilots are finally given an opportunity to prove themselves. Needless to say they do a perfect job and then some –without anyone getting killed.  As the rest of the movie continues, the officers are assigned more missions and start gaining the respect of the white officers and leadership in Washington.

Red Tails has been a movie twenty-three years in the making for George Lucas. Lucas was so determined and passionate to have this film made that he put his own money into the making of the movie, becoming its Executive Director. Red Tails is Director Anthony Hemingway first feature film.

There is a little bit of something for everyone in this movie. There is of course, action, some romance between “Lightning” and an Italian woman for the ladies, (and the men that will never admit that they like romantic movies), and there is even some well placed light-hearted humor.

This was a wonderful film with gorgeous aerial views. The pacing is perfect, and the action is extremely easy to follow, unlike many of the quick-cutting action movies that are currently popular. Several real props planes were used in the filming of Red Tails with the rest being brilliantly done using CGI by George Lucas’ own Industrial Light and Magic.

The acting in the opening aerial battle scene of the movie starts off pretty stiff, and the actors’ emotions didn’t seem to match with the intensity of what was going on. Once the main actors came on screen the acting was great. David Oyelowo does an incredible job of playing the cocky yet great pilot, Joe “Lightning” Little and Nate Parker, who plays “Easy” the squadron’s flight leader, nails the role. Terrence Howard also does a great job playing the role of the sharp and Intelligent Colonel Bullard. Cuba Gooding Jr., plays the role of Major Stance who believes in his pilots at all cost –he did a fantastic job as always.

The movie does have a solid PG-13 rating. It contains a lot of strong language use (No F-words), the flight leader “Easy” drinks quite a bit and the movie ends up in a bar twice. Since this movie is about war, there are violent scenes with quite a bit of blood and explosions from the aerial fights and a plane crash on the ground. Plan on also dealing with some minor racial tension in the first half or so of the movie.

One thing that I was very impressed with was how the men’s strong faith was brought into the movie pretty consistently. The men even prayed openly in Jesus’ name as a group before a big mission and in times of trouble in the air.

Overall, Red Tails is a good, fun, action-packed film that focuses on the heroism of these men. It is recommended for older kids through adults and it is well worth the theatrical movie price!

 

To learn more about author April Kruger, visit Cross Shadow Productions

Biblical Discussion

Romans 10:12 Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile- the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him.  In Red Tails, you get to see a small glimpse of what the Tuskegee airmen had to put up with living in the early 1940s.  They were treated as second-rate citizens, getting hand–me-down planes and working the “clean- up” jobs. Yet this allowed them the time to hone and perfect their flying skills that their Caucasian counter-parts never had the luxury of having during their three month training camps. In time, the white officers came to respect and even request the African American pilots because they knew that they would be safe with them. Have you ever felt that you were at a disadvantage because of something? Whether it was your skin color, gender, religion or your social class? Have you ever wondered why God made you the way he did? Have you ever thought that God made you that way for a reason? -For his purpose …to serve in his timing. How special does that make you feel - that the God of the universe specifically designed you for his purpose? He doesn’t care about your color, gender, social class or your level of education. Only humans do that. He made you unique and loves you for who you are! As you go about your week think about how has God’s timing been evident in your life? Have you ever had one of your “disadvantages” turn out to be a blessing in disguise?

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Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

By Adam Walsh in Movies | Leave a comment
Mission Impossible 4 Ghost Protocol (9)
Starring Genre: ,    Rated:
Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton
Movie SCH Rating
Movie Family Friendly
Review
Adult Content:  Low
Graphic Language:  None
Nudity:  None
Strong Sexual Content:  None
Violence:  Low

Ghost Protocol is a fun ride for the action-loving, popcorn-munching crowd.
Some bits are slow, and it’s far from perfect—but Mission Impossible IV’s highs outweigh the lows.

Ethan Hunt (an aging Tom Cruise) and his entire IMF team are held responsible when a planned infiltration turns into a supposed terrorist plot, blowing up part of the Kremlin. With limited resources, Hunt and several other disavowed (thus the Ghost Protocol)  IMF agents (a chatty Simon Pegg, a misplaced Jeremy Renner, and add-me-to-the-list-of-women-who-can-kick-butt Paula Patton) race from Russia, to Dubai, to Mumbai in pursuit of a man with access to nuclear weapons and an itchy trigger finger.

Director Brad Bird (The Incredibles) doesn’t pull any punches with the action scenes—some of which are simply breathtaking. The scene worth the price of admission has Ethan hanging off the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, with faulty magnet-gloves and a high-stakes con going on at the same time. The tension, action, and comic relief—mostly provided by Pegg—are edge-of-your-seat good.

Ghost Protocol hits on many levels, mostly with the action. However, a few glaring missteps keeps it from making the impossible possible. The first most glaring is this movie takes the focus off of the villain and onto Hunt and the IMF team. Their stories are developed, explained through exposition, and ultimately resolved—but it seems a bit off balance somehow. Instead of pitting the “good” team against the bad guy, all of the onus is put on the “good” guys and their issues. The villain, the rogue Russian played by Michael Nyqvist, is completely forgettable. In Mission Impossible III, J.J. Abrams and Philip Seymour Hoffman created a mysterious, downright scary villain in Owen Davian. In Ghost Protocol, I couldn’t even tell you the villain’s name. (Kurt Hendricks. I looked it up.)

The second “Wait, What?” moment in Protocol was the character of Hendricks himself. He’s older, portrayed to be at least in his 50’s, and for the last quarter of the movie, he’s outrunning Tom Cruise, jumping around a parking garage, and holding his own in a fistfight. Wait, what? I thought he was old? Shouldn’t Cruise’s Hunt be able to catch him in a footrace, or at least dodge his punches?

The third point is Tom Cruise’s hair. In all the Mission Impossible movies, a direct correlation can be made to the quality of the movie and the length of Tom’s mane. First Mission? Tight script, tense dangling over a pressure-sensored floor, great train/helicopter chase—short hair. Second Mission? A muddled, slow motion mess—and long hair. The Third Mission (in my opinion, the best) a great script, fantastic characters, and short hair.

This Mission? A good effort with great action—but Tom’s weird hair and fluffy frame (trying to suck in his stomach while shirtless on a building’s ledge) felt like “hey, I can still do this” rather than “watch this.”

That said, Ghost Protocol is a fun ride for the action-loving, popcorn-munching crowd. Some bits are slow, and it’s far from perfect—but Mission Impossible IV’s highs outweigh the lows.

Biblical Discussion

It seems everyone is getting “disavowed” lately—spies and government agent-types thrown on the outskirts and blamed for something they didn’t do—forcing them to battle against all odds to prove their innocence. Jesus was disavowed. Ridiculed. Questioned in high court. When people found no wrongdoing, they took the stand and made things up. Jesus is the epitome of taking blame for something he didn’t do. Or deserve. However, one thing (of many) separates God’s son from the rest of us—he didn’t defend himself. As a kid, I often wondered, “If Jesus was God’s son, why couldn’t he turn the people who were crucifying him into frogs, then teleport to the top of a mountain where he’d be safe?” Jesus was divine, miraculous power in an Earth-suit, and he could’ve done anything—but he didn’t. He chose to take the blame, the stripes, the sin, and ultimately, the cross. What an amazing example! I wonder how many of our troubles would disappear if we simply surrendered to the One who can take it, rather than run around trying to defend ourselves, fix our problems, prove our innocence. Some thoughts to spark discussion: • Have you ever felt “disavowed”? On the outs? Blamed and ostracized, forcing you to feel like you need to prove your innocence? • What would happen if, in such a situation, you didn’t defend yourself? • This week, what heavy burdens, what blame-filled obstacles, can you lay at the foot of the cross?

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