Grit, Grace and Dragons--Three Movies

A western, an urban drama, and a historical epic. In the last week and a half, I've watched three movies that deal with how we respond to tragedy and suffering in our lives.

First off, True Grit. In this remake of the John Wayne movie, precocious 14-year-old Mattie seeks out the services of marshall Rooster Cogburn to help her hunt down the man who killed her father. Mattie insists on accompanying him, and she brings her father's gun in the hopes of bringing her own justice. This is a Coen Brothers movie, so there are a few scenes of grisly outlaw violence. It also begins with Proverbs 28:1, "The wicked flee when none pursueth." The score includes heavy use of the melody of "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms," and some of the symbolism is hard to miss--when Mattie loses her innocence, she falls into a pit crawling with snakes. The cinematography is excellent, as is the acting. The PG-13 rating astounds me, as the few violent scenes are stark and disturbing. Worth seeing if you can handle a couple of bloody moments.

Then there was The Grace Card, which comes out later this month. In this faith-based movie, police officer Mac is bitter and angry from the death of his young son years before. He harbors this bitterness, which manifests itself in a broken family, a stalled-out career, and racism. His new partner is Sam, a black, part-time pastor. The acting in this movie is good, but the story is contrived. I could live with the storyline up until a cringeworthy last-minute twist. However, I enjoyed the main themes of forgiveness and loving those who don't love you. This is not a subtle movie, and it's not beautiful filmmaking, but it's as good as any made-for-TV movie, with better acting.

Last but not least was There Be Dragons. When I first saw the title, I thought it was an animated kids' movie. It is no such thing. There Be Dragons is the story of Spanish saint Josemaria Escriva. He became a priest at the first rumblings of the Spanish Civil War. His childhood friend also begins at the seminary, but his life takes a completely different turn, as he joins the anarchist movement. These two men both suffer, and the different responses to suffering are the focus of the filmmaker. There Be Dragons is from director Roland Joffe, who directed The Mission and The Killing Fields. Beautiful scenes unfold; I particularly liked one where the priest is tending to someone at the hospital, a Jewish man he's known all his life, and there are three high windows in the gorgeous old building that stream sunlight down on the whole ward like a benediction. This thoughtful film makes some lovely statements about what it means to be human, and what it means to follow Christ. It isn't out until May, but it's a good one.

What have you seen lately that's worth seeing?

Favorites of 2010: Books, Movies and Music

While my kids look forward breathlessly to a year that includes the final installment of the Harry Potter movies, and I look forward to the new film adaptation of Jane Eyre that I just saw a trailer for, there were some great things to remember from the year past too. Here are some of the things I really liked this year--let me know what I've missed!

Books for Adults:
Lit by Mary Karr: Memoir of trading alcohol for God, with no sugar coating.
The Cellist of Sarajevo (didn't come out this year, but still) by Steven Galloway: gorgeously written novel of life under seige.
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson: Fun romp through the English countryside with a crusty old Englishman.
In the Neighborhood by Peter Lovenheim: Lovenheim spends some time getting to know his neighbors, by sleeping over.
When Metallica Came to Church by John Van Sloten: Pastor Van Sloten gives a new perspective on God's way of revealing himself.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett: Okay, so I read this in 2009, but it bears repeating. Great book. Looking forward to the movie.

Books for Young Adults:
Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr: Honest, lovely fiction of a pastor's kid questioning her own belief.
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (only after reading the first two in the trilogy): A futuristic novel giving a very real picture of the effects of war.
Eli the Good by Silas House: Coming-of-age novel set in bicentennial America. Not quite sure if it's for adults or young people, but I enjoyed it!
Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine: A girl with Asperger's comes to terms with grief.
Matched by Ally Condie: Add up The Hunger Games plus The Giver plus Twilight, take out the werewolves, most of the lust and most of the poor writing, and you still have a good story.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (again, an oldie, but still): Fabulous autobiographical fiction of a 14 year old boy caught between his tribe and his off-the-reservation school.

Movies for Adults:
The King's Speech: Wonderful treatment of a would-be king struggling with a speech impediment and his unorthodox therapist. Plus the bonus of seeing Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth) and Elizabeth Bennett (Jennifer Ehle) sharing the screen again (see the 90s version of Pride and Prejudice.) Geoffrey Rush also fantastic.
Winter's Bone: The story is dark and gritty, but young Jennifer Lawrence deserves an Oscar for her performance as a teenager trying to save her family from the mistakes of her meth-cooking father in the Ozarks.
Inception: Hard to describe, but this creative and innovative movie is mindbending. Worth watching if only for the incredible sequences of architectural design and alteration.
The Social Network: Well-acted and well-timed, the Facebook movie comments on our culture and our connections (or lack thereof). Beware the party scenes.
Get Low: Robert Duvall is a hermit wanting to throw his own funeral while he's still alive. He's looking for a monumental confessional. Wonderful little movie, great music, and Bill Murray in another great supporting role. Might not be one of the best of the year, but I really liked it. And watch how they use light in the scenes. Lovely.
Honorable Mention: Please Give, for trying to address something important (our attitudes towards using people, charity, guilt, etc), even if it couldn't quite do it.
Still want to see: Waiting for Superman, the documentary about the state of public education in our country. I need to see it, know it will matter greatly, but haven't gotten to it yet.

Movies for the Younger Set:
Toy Story 3: Woody. Buzz. Pixar. Another home run.
How to Train Your Dragon: Fun and full of heart. Not for the youngest.
Ramona and Beezus: Sweet, fun, well-made kids' movie that got very little credit.
Voyage of the Dawn Treader: Loved this!
Tangled: Fun interpretation of Rapunzel.

Music (no real description here, you'll just have to listen online for yourselves)
Downtown Church by Patti Griffin
Women and Country by Jakob Dylan
In Feast or Fallow by Sandra McCracken
This Broken Moment by Jessica Smucker and the Sleeping World
Album I know I'll like but haven't gotten yet: Arcade Fire's The Suburbs

Happy New Year!