A Brave Review

My, how the times have changed.

Back in the day, the standard animated movie plot went like this: Princess is put into mortal danger/state of suspended animation/the dungeon, is saved by the dashing, manly, heroic Prince; in the process they find love, get married, and live happily ever after.

In recent years, attempts have been made to show stronger female characters who don't necessarily find their total salvation in men (think Pocahontas, The Princess and the Frog, even The Little Mermaid), but most often, in the end, they still find themselves swooning into the secure arms of an emotionally healthy alpha male type who sweeps them away into a lifetime of bliss.

Pixar's newest release, Brave, will have none of that.

Brave tells the story of Merida, a Scottish princess who doesn't exactly want to be a Lady, marry a prince and fulfill royal tradition. Instead, she wants freedom to run through the woods, practice her archery, and let her hair down. Her unwillingness to conform leads to a series of rebellious acts that threaten the peace of the kingdom, and the lives of her mother and brothers. A backstory of her father's feud with a dangerous bear adds to both the humor and tension of the story. Throw in a mysterious witch, forest fairies, and the breathtaking Scottish scenery, and you have the makings of a brilliant fairy tale.

There is much to like about this movie. As the father of two daughters (one with the same curly red hair as Merida) , I appreciate healthy role models portraying women as capable of so much more than existing to make their husbands happy. This is a healthy alternative to the helpless maiden in the castle, sitting around waiting for a true manly man to rescue them. Merida is headstrong, but she knows who she is, and isn't willing to settle for everybody else's expectations. This is the daughter I would love to have - the girl who enjoys the woods, the girl at peace with herself and the world, the girl with her own skills, talents, and the vision to use them. I would be happy if my girls saw in Merida a role model to follow.

On the other hand, when flipping one cultural trope on its head, the makers of Brave fell right into another one. This movie falls into a long line of movies and television shows that prop women up at the expense of men. In Brave, whereas Merida is strong and resilient, and her Queen mother is wise and resourceful, every man is portrayed as an idiot. A buffoon. A mindless mass of muscle. A dimwit. A quivering coward. A drunk. Unable to control themselves without a woman cracking the whip. Yes, her father is kind and generous, and his love for his family is evident, but it's obvious that he's also incapable of leadership without his wife there to set him straight. We have in this movie a healthy message - women are capable of great things in and of themselves. Unfortunately, the reverse message is also there - men are stupid. Strong, but stupid.

And then there's this: there is, in the end, no prince for the princess. Nobody to win her eye even as she saves everybody else. Merida doesn't actually need love to make her complete. Should she find love on her terms, that's fine. But if she doesn't, she still has her horse and her archery and her beloved woodlands. While the marriage of the king and queen is shown in a positive light (although, again, it often seems more of a burden to the queen), any other reference to marriage and love is shown negatively. Just the thought of marriage drives Merida mad; she deserves her freedom, not the pain and misery of being attached to some buffoon of a man. So take that for what it's worth; the old story of "and they lived happily ever after" has been replaced with "and she lived happily ever after." Individualism is the highest good.

If you can get past all that, Brave is an exciting movie, with breath-taking visuals, a rich soundtrack heavy on Scottish themes (Enya, anyone?), some slapstick comedy to keep things light, and just enough terror to keep your heart thumping. The kids all seemed to love it, as did the adults sitting around us. I'd say it's a winner; it's just unfortunate that in the midst of all that beauty Pixar chose to continue the ongoing cultural attack on men. It's hard enough teaching your kids to respect you without the entertainment industry continually undermining you.

Movie Review: Thunder Soul

Thunder Soul is the story of a reunion 30 years in the making. It's a story of music. It's a story of race. It's a story of culture and fashion, and a story of hopes and dreams. It's a story about the power of education.

In the late 60s and early 70s, funk was a powerful influence in music. The stage band of Kashmere High School in Houston, TX, came onto the scene bringing that funk with them. Playing far above the level most people would find believable, they won multiple national competitions, recorded any number of albums, toured Japan and Europe, and changed a generation at their school.

In 2008, they gathered again, putting on a reunion concert to honor Professor Conrad Johnson, the band director responsible for making it all happen. This film chronicles that reunion, but it also takes us back into a world of their youth, a world in the midst of war and fresh out of race riots, a world awash in afros and bell bottom jeans, a world of James Brown and Sly and the Family Stone. We learn the stories of kids growing up in the hood, kids heading down dark paths only to find their meaning in life through the mentorship of Johnson. We see how this band became a family to so many kids struggling to come of age in a difficult time.

We also see just what a difference music can make in the life of kids and the culture of a school. Unfortunately, we also see the dark side - the place where jealousy and pettiness on the part of administrators can eventually destroy that which is so good (and yes, I've seen that happen to good friends of mine).

Thunder Soul is a moving example of the power of mentors, of the need for arts in education, and of the ability for young people to do so much more than we usually think they can. It is full of great music and interesting characters; best of all, these are real people sharing their real lives, and not actors living out a feel-good script. It's well worth watching; in many ways the answer to last year's Waiting for Superman.

And, of course, not only is it worth watching; it's worth a listen, since it's really about the music these kids, now adults, create. Exciting, fun, full of pizzazz and humor and life - it's enough to make you smile, just a little more hopeful that there is still good in the world.

Thunder Soul opens September 23 in select theaters - check their website for a screening near you.

Movie Review: Rejoice and Shout

One of the most beautiful things about human life has to be our ability to soar above circumstances, to survive through trials and tribulations, to thrive even in the midst of great sorrow, to sing even in the darkness. Gospel music is a testimony to the Spirit at work in and through people who never seem to get a break, people who struggle under oppression, people who face death and sadness and injustice, yet people who refuse to give up, lose their hope or lose their dignity.

Rejoice and Shout (Magnolia Pictures) is a testimony to that gospel spirit, telling the story of a people's song as they traveled the difficult road of slavery, racism and oppression in the United States. It is also a veritable feast for the eyes and ears, using more than ample vintage audio, photography, and video. It's a history lesson into this wonderful music, taking the audience hundreds of years into the past when gospel songs were sung on plantations, up through the creation of early gospel quartets at the turn of the (last) century, right up into the gospel resurgence of the 60s and 70s and new gospel today. Old favorites are here, in the form of Mahalia Jackson, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and Thomas Dorsey; in addition, newer additions to the genre like Andrae Crouch, the Winans, and Kirk Franklin make an appearance.

It's a story of hope, of journeying toward a blessed reward for suffering faced here. The church plays a prime role, and gospel preachers get their say. The interplay of music, revival, and Pentecostalism is explored. Ecstatic experience gives way to exuberant singing, and joyful singing gives hope and joy to those experiencing it.

Especially important are the interviews with the men and women who lived through Gospel's growth in the mid 20th Century. Interviews with Smokey Robinson, Mavis Staples, and so many others give a unique view of the fertile ground out of which this beautiful sound grew. Their joy as singers and songwriters gives proof that gospel is first and foremost a music of the heart, and that those who have the privilege of participating are all welcome in the family.

Rejoice and Shout is open in limited engagements, so you'll have to check out the website to see if it's playing near you. If you have the change, do go and enjoy this marvelous film. You'll be educated, entertained, and uplifted' probably, if you're like me, you'll come away with a song resonating in your heart.

Movie Recommend

It's rare that I watch a documentary that really moves me; even more rare that I find one that leaves me with hope (ever watch a Michael Moore movie and come away happy?).

Pray the Devil Back to Hell is that kind of documentary. It tells the story of the end of Liberia's hellish civil war, the end of the reign of Charles Taylor, arguably one of the most evil men alive. It tells the story of tribal warlords laying down arms and choosing peace just moments before the final destruction of Monrovia, Liberia's capitol, was to begin. Yes, it contains much in the way of gruesome violence and disturbing stories that will leave you shaken. But it's ultimately the story of the coming of peace, and the unexpected force that brought not just the end of bloodshed, but a movement toward reconciliation and future hope.

Because when the men (boys?) of the country refused to talk peace, it was the common ordinary women, Christian and Muslim alike, who engaged in non-violent protest, shaming the fighters into giving up their games of domination and violence. Using every weapon in their arsenal, from sex-strikes to threatening to strip naked, to treating the men as the boys they were, to simply sitting, singing, dancing, and a lot of praying, these women transformed the future of their country, and perhaps the world.

It's a story that has mostly passed the American public by, which is a shame, because it's a story that deserves hearing. The power of women, the power of prayer, the power of religion, the power of non-violent protest to end one of the most horrific wars on our continent. It's a story of hope, of redemption, of great personal risk, of tyrants being tumbled by simple people who declare "enough." With echoes of Rahab at Jericho and Esther in Babylon, it is a tale of biblical proportions, and a strong challenge to those who declare pacifism idealistic and unrealistic.

Here's the movie's official website: http://www.praythedevilbacktohell.com/v3/

It's also available through netflix.

Movie Recommendation

If you haven't yet, you should watch The Singing Revolution. For us, it was one of those netflix recommendations that you keep putting off until you finally decide to take a risk. . .and as it turns out, netflix new best.

The Singing Revolution is a documentary telling the story of Estonia, from the German invasion of the late 1930s up through the end of Soviet occupation in the early 1990s. It's a piece of history about which I admit I was clueless, and therefore the movie is worthwhile in that it rounds out our understanding of this little-known part of the world.

But more importantly, The Singing Revolution tells the story of a revolution, the overthrow of the Soviet-backed government and the end of its tyranny - but a revolution like no other. Because it was a bloodless revolution. It was a revolution based on ideas and the risk of the spoken word, but mostly a revolution fomented and carried out in the songs of the people. That a choir would gather, sing songs of national identity, and bring down the reign of their communist oppressors is an amazing feat. And it's no fairy tale; it happened. And this move tells us that story, through historical archives, and interviews with the very people at the heart of this revolution.

It's an inspiring move, an uplifting move, and a hopeful movie, proving that victory doesn't always go to the one with the biggest guns; that sometimes, a song can truly inspire the way to freedom.

bad movies

Rottentomatoes.com has listed the worst 100 movies of the last decade. I'm glad to say I've only seen two of them, and I agree - both were pretty bad.

How many have you seen?

Good Movie

Have you seen The Tale of Despereaux yet? It's a kid's movie on the surface, but I was pleasantly surprised by the deeper themes running through the story - themes that resonate closely with my passion as an ambassador of reconciliation and minister of the gospel.

Three interwoven themes stood out in particular:

1) the cycle of shame and violence. The pain and anger held by one are transferred to those around them - the king's pain causes him to lash out at the people, the princess's pain causes her to insult her ladies' maid, the maid's pain and shame cause her to react in anger to the princess, the people's fear and sadness cause them to alienate the rats, and the rats, on the bottom of it all, react in violence toward all.

2) the reality that the only act that can end the cycle is forgiveness - for one injured party to choose forgiveness, rather than carry on the endless train of anger and shame.

3) and that, in the end, victory comes when (literally) the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it. One simple act of forgiveness, coupled with a few small acts of defiance against the status quo (acts made at great cost and sacrifice) end up bringing an end to the time of shame and darkness, and restoring the Kingdom to her former glory.

Rarely do you see a movie in which the entire plot hinges on the issue of forgiveness, in which the crux of the story does not, in fact, turn toward Even Bigger Guns or More Powerful Weapons, but instead gives way to an act of contrition, an apology, a recognition of wrong giving leading to repentance and restoration. Thus, Despereaux is refreshing and affirming. And, it's a good story, and excellent movie, to boot. If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend you do.

(now I'm off to find the book. . .)

Movie Review: Madagascar 2

I took Olivia and her friend Reagan to see Madagascar 2 yesterday. It was a rainy day, the kids were all out of school for Veteran's Day, so what better to do than go to the movies? Apparently everybody else agreed, because the place was packed. But that was a good thing; it added to the energy of the whole event, having all these excited young kids who seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.

As to the movie: It's been a while since I've seen a CG-driven movie on the big screen, and I was constantly impressed by the imagery. From the opening sequence overlooking an African savanna, through plane-crash sequences and zebra dance routines, the scenery was stunning and surprisingly realistic.

In addition, the movie did well at balancing the kid/adult spectrum. The plot was quick and funny enough that the youngest children seemed to stay involved throughout, but there was enough subtlety and innuendo to keep adults interested until the end. The storyline was simple enough for all to follow, yet filled with insider jokes such as Survivor ripoffs and a not-so-subtle dig at airplane manufacturing union strikes.

In the end, it was the characters that really drove the movie. Besides the four central characters, you had the hubris-driven penguins, the brawny-but-brainless Moto Moto, the granny from New York who would take no guff, and a host of others who made short but important appearances.

There was a moment in the middle of the movie where it seemed to muddle down a bit; it was difficult to keep about five different plot lines all progressing at the same time. Also, whether intended or not, the central plot seemed awfully close to Lion King - the Alpha Lion being challenged by a devious usurper, the son choosing fun and play over true grit and character, the son needing to redeem himself and take back the throne that is rightfully his. Which meant it was hard not to compare the two movies as this one progressed, thus taking some attention away from the actual movie showing in front of us. But then again, the target audience of Madagascar 2 probably wasn't born when Lion King came out, so maybe it's not an issue. Finally, this critique: one or two jokes about large animal posteriors might be funny. But how many do you actually need in one movie? It got a little old after awhile. Although the kids laughed every time, so what do I really know?

In the end, I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars. I laughed more at this one than I have over any movie in quite some time. The effects are powerful, the plot interesting, the characters lovable; it all comes together in a very enjoyable movie, for kids and adults alike.

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Let's begin with the movie discussion

Last week Karina and I watched Rocket Science, a movie that created quite a buzz at the 2007 Sundance Festival.

This little independent movie follows in a long line of films that mine the depths of high school angst, portraying befuddled teenagers attempting to navigate the hallways of life with some semblance of dignity and hope. It could very easily be the Sixteen Candles or Breakfast Club or Say Anything of the early 2000s.

Reece Thompson plays the protagonist, Hal Hefner, a high school freshman with a stuttering problem. The movie wrenches your heart as you watch Hal attempt to order food in the school cafeteria; you feel deeply embarrassed for Hal as he is forced to stand in front of the entire school and answer questions about U.S. history. Added to Hal's issues are a bully of a brother and divorcing parents, and you have the quintessential teenager drowning in a confusing life.

Hal's fortunes might just change, however, when Ginny Ryerson, the beautiful senior captain of the school's speech and debate club (played with sheer genius by Anna Kendrick) approaches him about becoming her debate partner. She claims to have the ability to discover talent in out-of-the-way places, and believes that Hal could help her finally win the state debate championship. As Hal enters into this world, he (expectedly) falls hard for Ginny, and determines to join her as a debater, just to remain close to her.

However, Ginny soon is playing hard-to-get; Hal has a hard time even getting together with Ginny to research and prepare for their upcoming competitions. And eventually suspicion sets in that just perhaps Ginny isn't being perfectly honest in her intentions - did she string Hal along because she wants their team to actually lose?

Before I get to the plot spoiler and begin to draw some conclusions, let me also mention that along the way the story is filled will all sorts of memorable characters - the special needs educator who tells Hal "too bad you don't have autism - then I could really help you!"; the young boy who lives across the street from Ginny and secretly watches her out his window (not to mention his parents, who play music as marriage therapy); Hal's Chinese friend whose father begins to date Hal's mother. . .every character brings in both comedic relief and added angst to Hal's life.

But now. . .

++++++++++++Plot Spoiler Alert+++++++++++++++++++

Here's where all this is so important: At the end of every 80s coming-of-age story, the girl got the guy. Or the guy got the girl. The nerds won respect (and the hot chicks). The computer geek got the cheerleader (because she recognized that depth is more important than wavy hair). Ferris Beuller ended up back home with his loving parents and sister. Friends made up for their disagreements. Everyone ended up hopeful, if not happy. In other words, those stories ended up with redemption. Yes, school and teenageism were shown to be dangerous, painful, full of disaster and competition. Parents weren't always loving, hot girls were out of reach. . .but they all ended up with some sense of things being better, of life turning out for the good, of the loser finally finding victory.

Not so in Rocket Science. Hal does not, in fact, win Ginny's heart. Ginny ends up being every bit as devious as expected. And the final debate ends not with a Rocky-style victory; not even a loss with dignity, but a simple disqualification. Hal doesn't get the girl. He doesn't get the trophy. His parents are aloof as ever. His stutter never goes away. The whole movie simply fades away with a half-hearted conversation between Hal and his father. His only victory is that he finally gets the pizza he always wanted.

Which, to me, tells us a lot about the existential position of society today. 20, 30 years ago, there was still hope that everything would be better. The 80s and 90s were times of great hope, despite the threat of nuclear war and the onslaught of grunge. People still held onto the Disney Model of Life, in which, eventually, the dragon is slain and the prince marries the princess and they live happily ever after. We were still living with echoes of the 1950s, of Mayberry and Happy Days. The American Dream was still alive and well. Or so our movies would lead us to believe.

Rocket Science walks the same path, yet comes out at a completely different place. The PostModern Place, if you will, in which nothing really has any meaning. There are no large stories that give us hope and meaning. Most people don't win the lottery. Nerds don't get the cheerleader. Kids with disabilities never do "finally show 'em all!" Life just is what it is. It has its funny moments, it has its painful moments. Parents leave and don't come back. People play you and then dump you and walk away without a care. Hearts are broken, and never really recover. And that's just how it all goes - eventually you'll become your parents and probably divorce and mess up your kids just the same as they messed you up.

So here's the thing - I think this movie is important. Yes, I think the message is wrong - in fact, I know it's wrong, because I know that there is an ultimate Redemption to all of this; I know that these moments all do have meaning, because there is a God who hurts alongside of us, who gives us meaning in our days. But I think the movie is important because it reveals the heart of those who walk next to us in our world. In fact, if I was leading a 2-day seminar on youth culture, I think I'd show Pretty in Pink and then Rocket Science, and then lead a discussion on exactly what messages we're being sold. And then I'd move into a discussion on the psyche of American youth in the year 2008.

I think Rocket Science is a mirror on our youth, and is thus important as a tool to get inside that culture and understand what it's thinking. Because they've given up hope, they've given up on the dream that all will someday be better. They believe that, unless you win American Idol, life is pretty meaningless and pointless, something to be endured, rather than embraced.

And, I think if we understand that, then we're a whole lot closer to reaching them where they are at, and opening up the world that is so much better just outside the door.

Movie Recommendation

Sweet Land is really three stories in one. It tells the story of Inge, a mail-order bride, sent to marry Olaf, a young Norwegian farmer. She arrives in rural Minnesota at the same time that WW1 is coming to a close. It thus brings great consternation to the small community to discover that Inge is, in fact, not Norwegian, but German. And poor Inge discovers quickly that this is a community given to prejudice toward outsiders, especially Germans.

However, this tale is told through the lens of an older Inge, who is sharing her life story with her grandson Lars on the night that Olaf has passed away forty years after her arrival.

And that tale is told through the lens of Lars' own memory when he arrives on the family farm upon the death of Inge, 20 years after the death of Olaf. Thus you have all three stories weaving in and out of each other, creating a tapestry of memory and family heritage. And you see how the decisions and relationships of the past carry forward into the present day.

The essence of this tale is Inge's fierce determination to make her new life a success, while finding herself unable to communicate, unable to connect, shunned by the church, the government, and all but a few of the locals. We meet the most interesting, conniving, gentle and evil people along the way - moneygrubbing bank lenders, simple families who bathe together, anti-government activists, and simple folks who believe in simple faith whatever they are told (dancing is bad, coffee should be weak, Germans are all vicious spies).

And we see people who find the courage to stand up for what they believe in, we find pastors who recognize their faults, we find that grace, love, and mercy truly do overcome a multitude of sins. We find that family and community can overcome just about anything.

As to a recommendation, I would say that this is in my top-5 movies of the decade. It's the kind of movie that can change you. It is completely lacking in car chases, bomb explosions, gunfights, and overt sexuality, yet it's not an "innocent" film, as you see real people with all their real faults, all trying to make the best of this life. I told Karina that I wished we still had our movie-watching club together, as this is the kind of film we would use - it leaves plenty of room for discussions on faith, on religion, on prejudice, on the plight of the farmer against the international bank, on community, on family and friendship, on paranoia against the stranger, on hospitality. It's the kind of movie every thinking person ought to see, enjoy, and ingest.

Go rent it. You won't be disappointed.