I should probably admit up front that I’ve been a huge James Bond fan ever since my older brother took me to see Live and Let Die at the age of nine. (I’m still not sure if my parents ever knew that.) So over Thanksgiving weekend, my wife and I planned an evening out and caught supper and the latest Bond flick, Skyfall. I should probably also admit that I think Daniel Craig is the best Bond since Sean Connery created the character 50 years ago. Along with most critics, I thought Skyfall was terrific, one of the better films in the franchise. No small part of that was the evolution of Bond. As in Casino Royale (Quantum of Solace,...
The Descendants
posted by DJL
I am writing from Hawaii. Oahu, to be exact, and so it seems timely to write about The Descendants. I know it came out last December and was released to DVD a month or more ago, but I can’t stop thinking about it, even when I’m not in Hawaii. Why? Because this film, as much as any that has...
Hunger Games Movie
posted by DJL
It’s not all that uncommon when you go to see the film version of a favorite book to come away disappointed. Sometimes it’s your fault, going in with ridiculously high expectations, perhaps. And sometimes that’s the movie’s fault, tampering with the story or over-doing the special...
Young Adult
posted by DJL
Young Adult, which becomes available on DVD today, is funny, at points very funny. But not funny in an uplifting or cute kind of way, like in a romantic comedy. More like funny awkward, funny embarrassing, funny a little painful at times. Mavis Gary (played by Charlize Theron), the young adult...
Faith & Film: T...
posted by DJL
I love movies. And even though since having kids it seems like I’m way more likely to catch a film on DVD or streaming rather than actually seeing one at the theaters, I still enjoy not just movies but also that grand celebration of film we call the Academy Awards (particularly when Billy...
And the Oscar Goes To…
posted by DJL
I realize that there is no category at tonight’s Academy Awards for “Best Film Dealing with Theology ,” but I can’t help wonder who the winner would be if there were. Now, I should be clear: by “theological” I don’t mean “religious.” We all have our favorite religious movie, I’m sure. But what I’m interested in here are the movies that delve into questions of life, death, destiny, meaning, and faith in an interesting and engaging way. Would it be The Descendants with its description of the broken and poignant relationships that are part and parcel of the human condition? Or perhaps The Help with its portrayal of the...