Movie Genre: Comedy

Rogue Saints Movie Review

By Dale Ward in Movies | 1 Comment
RSFB
Starring Genre:    Rated:
John Wu, Jason Pead, Deanna Sarkar, Paul Eenhoorn
Movie SCH Rating
Movie Family Friendly
Review
Adult Content:  None
Graphic Language:  None
Nudity:  None
Strong Sexual Content:  None
Violence:  None

Rogue Saints is a high-class gem of a film. Like the diamond that the main characters seek to uncover, it is multi-cut, and from any angle, the film is equally impressive. I first saw Rogue Saints on the big screen at The Attic Film Fest, and I was looking forward to seeing it again – which says a lot about how I feel about the film. Does it hold up on the small screen? You bet it does.

Jason Pead and John Wu in Rogue Saints - Photo courtesy of Surround Media

Director Adam Lubanski does a stellar job in this film about Nick and Dylan, a couple of inept aspiring thieves, who spend their days and nights digging for a one-of-a-kind diamond buried under a church. All the while, church business continues as usual above them, completely unaware of the shaky foundation underneath. Like a classic Donald Westlake novel or a Cary Grant screwball comedy, this film is one part crime drama, one part romance, and totally hilarious, while using today’s latest technology to tell its multi-layered story. The visually impressive introduction of our dynamic duo, winningly played by John Wu (Nick) and Jason Pead (Dylan), is brilliant. Incorporating a montage of quick cuts, fun music, and visuals from facebook (I mean lotsafaces!), we really get a good idea about these guys after only 5 minutes into the film. With a resume that includes Interactive Graphics Designer on such hits as The Amazing Spiderman and Charlie’s Angels, Lubanski knows how to work the visuals. The animations and graphics are such a nice touch, and make for wonderfully tight pacing and fun transitions. You will be hard-pressed to find a better use of animations, graphics, and split screens. Even the labels on Mother Wright’s cans of peaches look enticing. (Oh, it’s her diamond – lost for 30 years after her death – which our heroes seek.)

Photo courtesy of Surround Media

Ah, our heroes Nick and Dylan. These are two guys you love to root for, and the chemistry between Wu and Pead, as well as love interest Deanna Sarkar, is top-notch. They all three perform as if they have been in many film projects, but this is simply not the case, which makes their performances even more amazing. Some of the credit is due writer David C. Brunk, who put together the clever storyline and crisp dialogue. The laughs are dealt out liberally, and the humor is not mean-spirited jabs at church and religion (like Blue Like Jazz and many secular films), but true-to-life funny. Who doesn’t know a guy like parking attendant Barney, and who doesn’t like to challenge his self-appointed authority? “Thumbs Up” to this great supporting character and portrayal by Alex Craig.

Photo courtesy of Surround Media

Throughout the film, the layers of thought and detail in each sequence are deep. Director Lubanski did not blow through this film in a hurry – there are minute treasures galore and are fun to discover. The sets are top-notch: especially impressive is the spider-webbed, pipe-filled underground set; but nothing was spared, evident by the shots at the airport, the beach, alleyways, ATM machine, nighttime driving, high-rise corporate office, the list goes on, with some sets only used for seconds. Also worth mentioning is the music. It too is top-notch and right on: just what is needed for each moment and emotion.

So it sounds like Rogue Saints is a filmmaker’s film, which it is, but it is one for the entire family. I’m picking up a copy this week to watch with my 9-year-old, my teenager, and my wife.  (Hmmm – it would make a great Christmas gift for my mother and my sisters, too.) And it would work great for a movie night at church or school – it even comes with not one, but two Discussion Guides – available for free at the Rogue Saints website.

Rogue Saints: very fulfilling and one of the best Christian films ever produced – a perfect movie for me: a crime caper/adventure/buddy film/romance/comedy: a real gem. Sit back and enjoy.

Photo courtesy of Surround Media

 

The Christian Worldview:

Rogue Saints has a strong Christian, moral worldview.  Much of it takes place at a church, and there are sequences of church worship, small group Bible study, and fellowship.  Younger viewers (under 6) may get lost in the intricacies of the plot, but will find much to enjoy including animation sequences, singing, and digging for buried treasure!

 

To learn more about the author of this review, visit Dale Ward

For more details about Rogue Saints, check out Christian Film Database

Watch the Rogue Saints official trailer

Biblical Discussion

Rogue Saints tells the story of two men, broke and with nowhere to turn, searching for treasure, thinking it will solve all their problems. Jesus talks about seeking and finding, and what should be sought and what should not. (Matthew 7: 6-8) 6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. 7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” What treasure do you think is worth seeking? What treasure will we find if we seek and ask of Jesus? (Matthew 6: 32-34) 32 “For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” In Rogue Saints, what treasures do Nick and Dylan ultimately find? What can we do today to find the treasures that God has for us? The ultimate treasure is the redemption for us through the blood of Christ on the cross. Help us, dear Lord, to share this treasure with those who do not know You.

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The Odd Life of Timothy Green – Movie Review

By April Kruger in Movies | Leave a comment
The Odd Life of Timothy Green Poster
Starring Genre: ,    Rated:
Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgerton, CJ Adams
Movie SCH Rating
Movie Family Friendly
Review
Adult Content:  None
Graphic Language:  Low
Nudity:  None
Strong Sexual Content:  None
Violence:  Low

What is the perfect child? To Cindy and Jim Green, it didn’t matter; they just wanted one, desperately. The story begins with Jim Green (Joel Edgerton) and his wife Cindy (Jennifer Garner) talking to an adoption agency administrator (Shohreh Aghdashloo) about why they would be good parents. The story then flashes back to the Greens sitting in their doctor’s office, receiving the news they never wanted to hear: that they “couldn’t have tried harder,” and that they had tried everything medically possible to conceive. After an afternoon of contemplation and soul-searching, they get home, Cindy has a good cry, and then says, “We’re moving on.”

However that night, Jim takes out a notepad and says, “For years we have been thinking about what our child would have been like, so let’s have a kid,” and starts to write. “Our kid would never give up” is the first thing he says to get a depressed Cindy interested in his idea. They each get out a glass of wine, and start to write down all of the qualities that they would like to have had in their child. “He’d have a good heart”; “be honest to a fault”; “a Picasso with a pencil”; “love and be loved“; “not athletic, but just once – score the winning goal.” They put the pieces of paper into a small wooden box and bury it in their garden. Putting to rest their dreams of a child along with it.

Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Garner in The Odd Life of Timothy Green; Courtesy of Disney Studios

 

That night in the drought-stricken town of Stanleyville, there is a heavy rain only over the Green’s property. Waking up to noises in the house and searching through it, Jim and Cindy hear music in their unused nursery. When they open the door, they discover a ten-year-old, mud-covered boy, who introduces himself as Timothy. Timothy just so happened to be the one boy name out of the fifty-four girl names the couple had picked out for their child.

Discovering that Timothy is not an abandoned or lost child, they soon realize that Timothy has come from their garden and has leaves growing out of his ankles. Naturally, they have many questions for him. He tells them, “Please don’t ask about my leaves. But you can look at them – if you want.” Timothy immediately calls Cindy “mom” and Jim “dad” — something that immediately makes Cindy and Jim realize that Timothy is theirs now, and that they now have a family of their own.

Jennifer Garner, CJ Adams, and Joel Edgerton in The Odd Life of Timothy Green; Courtesy of Disney Studios

For the struggling town of Stanleyville, Timothy managed to come at just the right time. He provides hope for Cindy and Jim; laughter to an uncle who hasn’t laughed in years; shows a girl named Joni that it’s okay to be different; and brings joy to many others all over the town.

CJ Adams (Timothy) and Odeya Rush (Joni), in The Odd Life of Timothy Green; Courtesy of Disney Studios

There are little emotional moments throughout the movie that you can’t help but get a little teary eyed in, and other moments that you can’t help but try not to be amazed, be awkward, or laugh in. There are times in the movie that Timothy will just stop whatever he is doing, put his hands out to the side and look up to the sun as if he’s a plant absorbing the sun’s energy. Then he will go back to whatever he was doing before, but the looks on people’s faces around him are always priceless.

CJ Adams as Timothy in The Odd Life of Timothy; Courtesy of Disney Studios

The Odd Life of Timothy Green was written and directed by Peter Hedges (Pieces of April, Dan in Real Life). The storyline is a mix of fairytale and the reality of parenthood along with its joys, its mistakes, and its sorrows.

The casting of The Odd Life of Timothy Green was well done. Relative newcomer CJ Adams, who plays ten-year old Timothy, is fantastic. He is talented, has excellent comedic-timing, and was easily able to pull off everything that was thrown at him. Jennifer Garner (Alias), who plays Cindy Green, and Joel Edgerton (Warrior, The Thing), who plays Jim Green, made a sweet and believable couple. Odeya Rush (another shining newcomer), Dianne Wiest, Rosemarie DeWitt, and Ron Livingston round out this great supporting cast.

Jennifer Garner, CJ Adams, and Joel Edgerton in The Odd Life of Timothy Green; Courtesy of Disney Studios

The Odd Life of Timothy Green is rated PG for mild thematic elements and brief language. There are a couple of “OMG” and one “Oh dear God.” Timothy’s parents can be seen drinking a cup of wine on occasion. Timothy is hit in the head with a ball during a game of dodge ball and a girl is kicked in the nose, causing it to bleed. Timothy is also turned into an ice cream sundae (non-violently) by two bullies.

The Odd Life of Timothy Green is odd indeed, in an absolutely good way. Only Disney will grow a child magically out of the ground and manage to pull it off leaving you with a warm and fuzzy feeling. This is a great family-friendly movie that includes strong positive themes on adoption, parenthood, love, friendship, bullying, the notion that it’s okay to be different, and a little bit on losing the ones we love. I would recommend this movie for ages eight and up simply due to the topics discussed and brief language. This movie works for both kids and adults. If you are the type that enjoys a good “magical” movie, this is the story for you.

CJ Adams as Timothy Green, Courtesy of Disney Studios

Christian Worldview:

Besides the brief interjections of God’s name as mentioned above, this movie is pretty clean and kid friendly. The idea of Timothy growing out of the garden is shown throughout the movie to be nothing but miraculous, but is never explained. There is nothing preachy about this movie, but there are two big things that we can get out of it: all parents make mistakes . . . learn from them . . . and that all children are gifts, no matter where they come from and how different they are.

 

Watch the Official Movie Trailer for The Odd Life of Timothy Green

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

CJ Adams as Timothy Green, Courtesy of Disney Studios

Biblical Discussion

In the movie, Cindy Green talks to a friend about Timothy and makes the comment, “He’s our little Miracle.” Psalms 127:3(NLT) says, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” The Bible says that children are a gift from above. They are not just something that we can one day decide that we want, and run out to the store and purchase. Each child is special and unique, created by God. In the movie, and just like many others today, Cindy and Jim were unable to biologically have their own child. However, this doesn’t mean that God is closing a door to children altogether. Cindy and Jim ended up meeting Timothy, a wonderful child that taught them a crash course on how to be parents, and all the joys that came with it. There are over 143 million orphans around the world today who are just waiting and hoping that some day they will have somebody that will love and take care of them. As Christians, we are told to take care of those less fortunate than us. How are they to ever know the love of Christ if they don’t know what it is like to be loved in the first place? If adoption or fostering is not for you, consider simply being a volunteer at your local school or community center. There are so many children and teenagers who need to know that somebody out there genuinely cares for them, even if they act like they don’t. Children are one of the most priceless investments that we can make in our lives and in the future of others. Remember, it’s important to tell kids it's OK to make mistakes. It's how we learn. The Truth is, adults are just as imperfect as kids. As much as we try to teach the children in our lives the paths to walk and the pits to avoid, we're not just teaching them, we're learning too—sometimes with them and often from them. • What are some things that you can do this week to encourage and care for a child?

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Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Witness Protection

By Bethany Jett in Movies | Leave a comment
madea-witness-protection
Starring Genre:    Rated:
Movie SCH Rating
Movie Family Friendly
Review
Adult Content:  High
Graphic Language:  Some
Nudity:  None
Strong Sexual Content:  Some
Violence:  Mild

George and Kate Needleman (Eugene Levy and Denise Richards) are forced into Witness Protection after George is framed for his company’s Ponzi scheme. George is dumbfounded to learn his company took millions of investor’s dollars from the charities he thought they were funding. Turns out, the majority of those “charities” were money laundering fronts for a mob family, who are now after CFO George Needleman.

In an effort to sort out the puzzling pile of paperwork that was left unshredded by the company, prosecutor Brian Simmons (Tyler Perry) cuts a deal with Needleman. In exchange for his help unraveling the confusing accounts, he promises protection and hides the Needleman family in the safest place he can think of.

With Madea.

Eugene Levy, Romeo and Tyler Perry in Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection; Photo by KC Bailey, Courtesy of Lionsgate

America’s favorite 6’5” gun-wielding grandma agrees to host the family out of Christian charity . . . the kind of goodwill that comes with a high payday. Mabel Simmons’ (a.k.a. Madea’s) generosity is tested when Simmons escorts a Caucasian family of five through the African-American neighborhood into her home.

The Needleman clan includes George’s bratty daughter, Cindy (Danielle Campbell), Kate’s introverted son, Howie (Devan Leos), and George’s mother, Barbara (Doris Roberts), who is suffering from dementia.

Perry’s screenplay flirts with racial stereotypes when Madea warns Kate Needleman she shouldn’t be on the porch in the evening and when Joe walks George through a list of “white and black stereotypes.” Perry successfully teases both races without being offensive–an order as tall as Madea herself. When Barbara claims to hear Negros from her bedroom and refers to Madea as her old maid, George and Kate uncomfortably try to silence her and this is where the beauty of Perry’s writing comes in.

Eugene Levy and Tyler Perry in Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection; Photo Courtesy of Lionsgate

 

Although Madea can be crass and hot-tempered when provoked, her character is multidimensional. Understanding that Barbara is lost in her mind somewhere in the past, she corrects Barbara, saying they are African-American, but at the same time, relieves the embarrassment of the Needleman’s as she assures them that what Barbara is hearing are Negro spirituals.

The sound of voices is coming from the church. The preacher’s son, Jake (Romeo), invested the church’s savings through George’s firm. When the company went bust, the church’s mortgage money went with it, introducing the secondary plot of the movie. Jake, desperate to regain the thousands lost, joins forces with Needleman and Madea to recoup the money.

While there are several laughs, there were a couple of disappointments with Perry’s tenth film.

First, the exaggerated facial expressions, timed lines, and rehearsed gestures from Levy and Richards would have novice movie-goers assuming this was the actors’ first film. Roberts’ interpretation of a woman losing her mind was painful to watch.

Second, the build-up for Madea’s outburst on the snotty stepdaughter leaves much to be desired when Madea’s “lesson” is G-rated by her standards. Although Madea’s character acts as comedic relief, her beloved outbursts became tamer as the movie went on.

Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection; Courtesy Lionsgate

As expected from Tyler Perry, the movie includes several subplots focusing on restoring a dysfunctional household into a loving family. If you’re a Madea fan, Witness Protection will keep you laughing with unexpected quips, but might be worth waiting for it to come out on DVD.

The Christian Worldview

Witness Protection is rated PG-13 and worth every bit of the rating. The cursing isn’t any rougher than one might expect, but the in-your-face sexual references make for an uncomfortable movie experience if pre-teens are in the room and inappropriate for children.

A theme in the movie is transitioning the broken family into a loving one. The daughter is allowed to be disrespectful, jump starting Madea’s interference. She has a heart-to-heart with the stepmom, instructing her to stand up for herself and not allow the disrespect to continue. George Needleman realizes his first priority is his family and regrets his workaholic ways.

Biblical Discussion

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise—so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:2 NIV Woven through the movie is a theme of respect, and lack thereof. The young adults are completely out of line, and it doesn’t help that the adults in the movie use nasty language and crude references when speaking to each other. Jake attempts to rob elderly women at gunpoint to recoup the $140,000 he unknowingly invested into a Ponzi scheme. When rebuked by Simmons that his plan was not only wrong, but also flawed, considering elderly women don’t carry a lot of cash. Jake remarks he’d probably have to rob 140,000 elderly women. Similarly, Cindy called her brother derogatory names, told her parents she hated them, and sassed both her parents, as well as Madea. However, both teens demonstrated behavioral changes, even if Jake was respectful to his father, as well as Madea, as he is seen sweeping her porch and calling her “ma’am” after his failed robbery attempt. Cindy was ungrateful, spoiled, and bratty until a scare lesson from Madea suddenly transformed her into a sweetheart. Some things to consider: Are the adults in your household demonstrating Christian respect to each other? Where is the boundary line for verbal disrespect in regards to children towards their parents and parents towards their children? Should respectful behavior be rewarded and similarly, what consequences are appropriate for disrespect?

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Mirror, Mirror

By April Kruger in Movies | 1 Comment
Mirror Mirror - Lily Collins as Snow White
Starring Genre:    Rated:
Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer
Movie SCH Rating
Movie Family Friendly
Review
Adult Content:  None
Graphic Language:  None
Nudity:  None
Strong Sexual Content:  None
Violence:  Low

Snow White (Lily Collins) is turning eighteen. The Queen (Julia Roberts), known for her lavish parties, is hosting another one—but not to celebrate Snow White. She uses her galas to politically game-play with the Kingdom’s higher-ups, and Snow White, as usual, isn’t invited. She’s a prisoner in her own castle, forbidden to leave the grounds or attend the Queen’s parties.

The Evil Queen discovers that she’s depleted the royal coffers, wasting the kingdom’s money on fancy dresses, expensive beauty treatments, and over-the-top celebrations. Coincidentally, a shirtless Prince Alcott (Armie Hammer) arrives at her castle after being robbed by “giant…well…minuscule bandits.” The Queen sees an opportunity that will solve her financial problems—she organizes a ball that will sweep the handsome, rich Prince off his feet to in front of the altar.

A fecal facial, bee-sting Botox, and a wormy moisturizer treatment later, the Queen is ready for the ball. She’s shocked to find she’s not the fairest in the room—the Prince is dancing with Snow White. The furious Queen orders her servant Brighton (Nathan Lane) to take Snow into the woods to kill her.

Upon Snow White’s escape, she meets the equivalent of the seven dwarfs: Butcher, Napoleon, Grub, Chuckles, Grimm, Half Pint, and Wolf are bandits with accordion stilts to make them look like giants when they rob people. Each of these dwarfs has his own unique personality, and a few are downright hilarious. Together, Snow White and the dwarfs fight to take back her kingdom from the Evil Queen.

As Snow White, Lily Collins (The Blind Side) plays the role of a quiet and graceful, timid Princess-turned-leader very well. Julia Roberts (Pretty Woman, Erin Brockovich), was at her best, amusing in her sarcasm-filled “evil” role. Armie Hammer (The Social Network) was funny and consistently charming throughout the movie as the Prince.

The movie’s strength lies in the scenery. The scenes and sets are absolutely stunning, and at a few points the film is shot as if inside a snow globe. The costumes, designed by the late Eiko Ishioka, are delicious, vibrantly colored and fairy-tale-esque.

Mirror, Mirror is directed by Tarsem Singh, taking a turn from his last foray, Immortals. Overall, the movie is a light-hearted and not very deep diversion. With elements of slapstick comedy, adventure, and a little romance, audiences will laugh and leave the theaters feeling enchanted. Rounding out the little over hour and a half tale, a Bollywood dance number ends the movie on a high note.

Mirror, Mirror has a few moral lessons (and what great fairy tale doesn’t). You shouldn’t steal, looks can be deceiving, magic is harmful, and there is more to life than the way you look. One scene toward the end of the movie might be a little scary for the under five crowd, but overall Mirror, Mirror is a very clean and family-friendly movie.

 

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

Biblical Discussion

In Mirror, Mirror the Queen is obsessed with looking her best, going through particularly painful (and gross) measures to maintain her beauty. It not only costs her a great deal, but everybody around her as well. Unfortunately, this isn’t far off from the lengths that many people go through today to keep themselves looking young. Magazines emblazoned with Photoshopped models, acai berry diets, and P90X bombard people at every turn, showing that no matter where people are, they can always be more beautiful. Some people’s grim response? At the extreme, starvation and surgery, all to lengthen the time living up to the impossible definition that the world has for the word “beautiful.” The Bible addresses this mindset In 1 Peter 3:3-5. “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” Beauty is an inner quality—for there are a fair share of outwardly beautiful people who are, like Snow White’s apple, rotten to the core. God’s interested in the inside. He’s crazy about the core. He believes in what’s beneath, not the adornment of your attire. In Samuel 16:7, “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." This isn’t saying that it’s wrong to style your hair, wear jewelry, or nice clothes—but it’s saying that those things aren’t the definition of your worth. God wants us to spend our efforts not in front of the mirror (mirror) but on our knees in front of him, building our heart’s beauty rather than our external beauty. Here are some questions to think about: How would you define beauty? How are you beautiful? List some beautiful, inner qualities. What qualities do you think are important to God, and what can you do this week to work on those qualities?

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Blue Like Jazz

By Dale Ward in Movies | 1 Comment
bluelikejazz-poster2
Starring Genre: ,    Rated:
Marshall Allman, Claire Holt, Tania Raymonde, Justin Welborn
Movie SCH Rating
Movie Family Friendly
Review
Adult Content:  High
Graphic Language:  Low
Nudity:  None
Strong Sexual Content:  High
Violence:  Low

Director Steve Taylor is no stranger to Christian controversy—Google “I Blew Up the Clinic Real Good” to find out— and his new film Blue Like Jazz (based on Donald Miller’s best-selling book of the same name) is sure to help cement his reputation. Blue Like Jazz is a raw, edgy, adult-themed film, and as Taylor admitted at a recent pre-release screening, “We earn every bit of our PG-13 rating.”

Blue Like Jazz is a film about discovery, forgiveness, and redemption. The protagonist Don (played convincingly by Marshall Allman) is a wholesome, Christian-raised, upstanding youth who sets off on a journey of self-discovery. Much like the prodigal son, Don leaves home to experience the world’s oyster, to sow his proverbial wild oats, and to see how the “other half” lives.

Upon finishing high school, Don has narrowed down his collegiate choices to two: the Christian college his mother recommends or the liberal Reed College (known as the most godless campus in America) his father has pulled strings in order for Don to gain admission. Don’s father (played by Eric Lange), unlike the kingly father of the Biblical prodigal son, represents the world’s and temptations of the flesh.

When his church lets him down, Don heads to Reed College to get a new perspective, a new life, and new friends (Claire Holt, Tania Raymonde, Justin Welborn). He wants to experience everything the church has kept him from all these years: course language, alcohol, drugs, sex, rock ‘n roll— and all forms of rebellion and debauchery in between. But through these experiences, Don struggles with his knowledge of God, and his conscience begins to gnaw at him. Here lies the core conflict of Blue Like Jazz: on his journey, Don finds that self-discovery leads to self-awareness; self-awareness leads to self-centeredness, which leads to pain and ultimately hurting others.

Blue Like Jazz is a very funny movie; however, many of the jokes are at the expense of traditional Christianity, the church, and “religion” as a whole. If you can laugh at Christian foibles and church ridiculousness, you’ll find yourself laughing hard and often. The adult themes throughout aren’t gratuitous, and serve to make the movie’s point hit that much harder. All of Don’s exploits and the seemingly odd (but all too familiar) craziness of the church drive home the need for an authentic, honest relationship with God. And though forgiveness and benevolence are key themes in the film, the Gospel message of the Jesus’ resurrection and salvation is absent.

Although entertaining and pointedly humorous, this isn’t a family film. Older teens and young adults will gain valuable insight from the lessons that Don’s real-life experiences and struggles taught him, but it’s definitely for an older crowd. Blue Like Jazz is authentic, realistic, coarse, poignant, and thought-provoking—much like Donald Miller’s book.

 

For more details about Blue Like Jazz, check out the Christian Film Database.

Biblical Discussion

Blue Like Jazz explores themes found in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). Many of us might desire what’s found on the other side of the fence—the seemingly greener pastures of the next valley. “If I only had that job, that money, that life. Then I’d be happy.” However, like the prodigal, our journey might take us to a place where forgiveness is the only gate to come home through. For those who’ve experienced forgiveness, there’s nothing quite like it. Words can’t express the gratitude for being relieved of a debt or pardoned for some offense. There’s something deeply divine that plucks a heart string when we hear the words, “It’s okay. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done. I forgive you.” In Blue Like Jazz, Don discovers peace through this kind of forgiveness, and a central belief for all Christians is that we serving a forgiving God. Colossians 3:12-14 says, “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Here are some questions to think about: • Have you experienced forgiveness? How would you describe it? • Think about how easy or difficult it is for you to forgive others. How does knowing God forgives you help? • What’s something you’ve been struggling with that needs God’s forgiving touch?

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Chipwrecked

By Adam Walsh in Movies | Leave a comment
Alvin-And-The-Chipmunks-Chipwrecked-1024x640
Starring Genre:    Rated:
Jason Lee, David Cross, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Amy Poehler, Anna Faris
Movie SCH Rating
Movie Family Friendly
Review
Adult Content:  None
Graphic Language:  None
Nudity:  None
Strong Sexual Content:  None
Violence:  Low

Sometimes you get the feeling that movie studios are just trying to take money from your kids.

With Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, that’s the audience they’re aiming for, and honestly, the movie is about as fun as a half-eaten surfboard washed up on shore. Picking it up, it looks like it was once something fun, but now has been so used and chewed up that all the thrill’s been left out at sea.

The premise is a simple one: Dave Seville (Jason Lee), the Chipmunks (Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, and Jesse McCartney), and the Chipettes (Amy Poehler, Anna Faris, and Christina Applegate) are on a cruise, en route to an international music awards show. Thanks to Alvin’s antics, they’re carried away on a windsurfing kite to a remote island, stranded and Dave-less. On the island, each of the ‘munks main character traits are flipped—Alvin’s careless, immature, reckless attitude is forced to be “responsible,” Simon’s calculating, careful, follow-the-rules persona is replaced (after a spider’s bite) with Simone, (or SEE-Moan), a French accented daredevil. Theodore’s timidity is soon replaced with bungee-jumping. Dave, teamed up with former-producer-turned-bird-mascot Ian (David Cross) set out to find the pint-sized performers—and wacky antics ensue.
On the island, the chipmunks meet Zoe (Jenny Slate), who’s a bit odd—yes, that’s her character, being stranded on the island for 10 years—but watching the movie, she’s actually really odd, sometimes uncomfortably so. Her character came off as that one person who, when out with a bunch of friends, kills the conversation with a strange comment—forcing everyone to nervously laugh or avert eye contact. Long story short, everyone learns a life lesson and the chipmunks are rescued.

Where Chipwrecked really gets stranded are the massive amount of pop-culture references riddled throughout the 87 minutes—some, if not most, kids won’t even get: James Bond, Castaway, a dance-off with Jersey Shore-like girls, Lord of both Rings and Flies, even a reference to Sarah Palin seeing Russia from her house. They’re not funny even on their own, let alone in a kid’s movie. They just come off flat.

The one (and only) laugh from the 10 and under audience was when Alvin slams spread-eagle into a tree and exclaims, “Oh, my acorns.” When the bar’s set there, it’s hard to go much lower.

Overall, it’s a renter, at best. Alvin does learn lessons about responsibility and asking forgiveness, which would’ve been at least redeemable if that was the final message of the movie. But, with Alvin being Alvin, as soon as he’s past the “I’m sorry” and “I’ll grow up,” he’s back at it again, causing mischief on the plane ride home.

If you’re going to let the movies take your money, at least wait until Chipwrecked is only $1.00 at RedBox.

Biblical Discussion

In Chipwrecked, Alvin is, on the furry face, a cool kid who disobeys. He doesn’t listen to Dave, sneaks out, does what he wants, and really doesn’t care about the consequences. Through the movie, he learns from his tough circumstances that he needs to learn how to be responsible—and he sees how it hurts others in the process. Proverbs 10:1 says, “A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother.” As a father, nothing warms my heart more than to see my children succeed, to use the wisdom I’ve taught them, to make great choices, and to serve and bless those around them. God is no different—blessed by our choices, and actions, and worship. If there’s one subject to chat with children after Chipwrecked, it’s about choices: wise and unwise ones. God’s wisdom helps us make good choices, plain and simple. And the good news is that God’s wisdom is free…all we need to do is ask! Alvin’s choices were reckless and selfish, worrying his dad and endangering his friends. If nothing else, Chipwrecked is a great discussion-starter. Here are some discussion questions to talk about as a family: • Talk about the movie. What choices did Alvin make that dishonored Dave? • Tell about a time you made a not-so-great-choice—and what you could’ve done better. • What are some things you could do to honor your parents? Or parents, what are some things your kids could do to honor you? • How does God help you make better choices, to honor your parents? , worried his dad, and James 1:12 (from the Contemporary English Version) “God will bless you, if you don’t give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him.” Many of the characters in this film are faced with something that tests their faith, their livelihood, or their resolve. One point that this film nails dead-on is this: to not give up, no matter what circumstances may bring. A perfect metaphor for this struggle is Winter herself. A fish with no tail—no way of surviving, no direction, no forward movement. It’s no doubt that victims of accidents, disabled, or otherwise physically handicapped people can feel the same way. And honestly, everyone can feel, at some point in their lives, that suffocating tests of faith can leave them drowning. We can take heart in this verse, believing that God knows our hurts, knows our tests, and will bless us if we stand fast and stick it out. When life throws us in the deep end, we might just have to learn to swim a little differently to get where we’re going. Questions: With another person, talk about a time your faith was truly tested—and you couldn’t see your way out. How did that test of faith affect you, positively or negatively? During or after this test, how was God present in what happened?

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